Penguins Coach Dan Muse Reveals the Key Factor in Deciding Who Makes the Team

Dan Muse provided some insight into what he's seeking out of prospects vying for a roster spot, and two of the young defensemen have been prominent.

Owen Pickering and Harrison Brunicke made a team impression at the Prospects Challenge in Buffalo, and that chemistry has continued through training camp.

Early scrimmages indicate the duo might be in the mix as the Penguins' third defensive pairing. On Monday, Kris Letang practiced with Ryan Graves and Erik Karlsson with Parker Wotherspoon, putting Pickering and Brunicke together again.

While mid-camp pairings are not carved in stone, they do offer a snapshot of where the coaching staff is heading. The Penguins also have options.

Matt Dumba and Ryan Shea also practiced together in scrimmage sessions, and Caleb Jones, Jack St. Ivany, Alexander Alexeyev, and Connor Clifton did not practice in the morning but will receive their exposures soon.

All of these combinations are reversible at a moment's notice based on performance and how well Karlsson's and Letang's alternate partners compare with them.

Meanwhile, Pickering and Brunicke are two of the more compelling stories. Brunicke, 19, has no choice but to play in the NHL or go back to the WHL, so his situation is particularly compelling.

Pickering, on the other hand, is fighting not to be sent down again and demonstrate he's up for full-time work in the NHL. Both understand they need to "find a way to do it," as Muse said.

As of now, they're taking advantage of their chance. If their performances continue to go in the right direction, Pittsburgh's defense may have its best two young prospects develop side by side.

Scrimmages at training camp often boil down to who takes advantage of the moment. Right now, Pickering and Brunicke are doing just that and putting themselves solidly on Muse's radar.