NHL Insider Reveals Penguins' Next Move With Harrison Brunicke
Photo credit: Pittsburgh Hockey Now
NHL insider Matt Vensel knows that Harrison Brunicke has been showing some growing pains lately and has revealed what the Penguins plan to do with him.
Ben Kindel officially passed a major milestone Thursday in Minnesota, skating in his 10th NHL game, an indication the Pittsburgh Penguins plan on keeping him in the big leagues for the season. He celebrated the occasion with a goal in the team's win over the Wild.
Fellow teenager Harrison Brunicke's situation is far less certain, meanwhile. The 19-year-old defenseman was a healthy scratch for the fourth time in five games and returned to the lineup Saturday in Winnipeg, where he struggled again during a 5-2 loss to the Jets.
Harrison Brunicke can only play one more NHL game before the Penguins have to make an official decision about his future
Brunicke has now played eight games, meaning Pittsburgh can dress him in only one more before deciding whether to keep him in the NHL or send him back to junior, a decision that would officially trigger his entry-level contract.
Two weeks ago, Brunicke seemed like a lock to stay in the lineup. Recent performances, however, have raised questions.
Against the Jets, he was on the ice for two early goals against, including a misread in the neutral zone and a failed defensive coverage. Afterward, head coach Dan Muse altered his pairings mid-game.
It hasn't been much better in terms of the more advanced metrics, either. Brunicke lands near the bottom of NHL defensemen in puck battles won, passes blocked, and in turnover rate.
His skating and offensive instincts do show promise, however, with him among team leaders in offensive-zone possession and open-ice dekes.
With one appearance left before a decision must be made, the Penguins face a critical choice according to NHL insider Matt Vensel: keep Brunicke in the NHL to learn through mistakes, or send him back to Kamloops, where he can play major minutes and regain confidence.
"The Penguins can play Brunicke in one more game before they must decide if they will keep him in the NHL for the foreseeable future or return him to his junior team. The most important thing for the Penguins to consider is Brunicke's development.
If Muse and the Penguins don't feel like they can trust him to play games here, then the choice seems pretty clear - send him back to play heavy minutes in Kamloops.
But if they are willing to endure more growing pains, perhaps he will stick around."
- Matt Vensel
If Muse and the Penguins don't feel like they can trust him to play games here, then the choice seems pretty clear - send him back to play heavy minutes in Kamloops.
But if they are willing to endure more growing pains, perhaps he will stick around."
- Matt Vensel
Either way, his development remains the priority, and the Penguins will do whatever they must with Brunicke to ensure he becomes a future star in the NHL.
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