Penguins Internally Hoping Former First-Round Pick Will Finally Break Into the NHL This Year
Photo credit: Pittsburgh Hockey Now
The Penguins are internally hoping that former first-round pick Owen Pickering will break into the NHL and challenge some of the veterans for a roster spot.
Within minutes of being picked 21st overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2022, Owen Pickering had no hesitation in making lofty goals.
Three-plus years later, nothing has changed in that department: he'd like to be in the NHL as soon as humanly possible.
"The goal, since last year, for me has been to be full-time in the NHL," the rookie defenseman said in Cranberry on Sept. 11. "I try not to get too complicated or specific with the goals that I want. I feel like if I keep them simple and just kind of stick to them every day, it's better for me.
"I'm honestly not thinking about it too much right now. It's cliched but I'm literally focusing on today. Then tomorrow. Then I feel like that will take care of itself if I attack every day. But I feel like since last year, the goal has been to be a full-time NHLer."
- Owen Pickering
"I'm honestly not thinking about it too much right now. It's cliched but I'm literally focusing on today. Then tomorrow. Then I feel like that will take care of itself if I attack every day. But I feel like since last year, the goal has been to be a full-time NHLer."
- Owen Pickering
At 6-5, 200 pounds, Owen Pickering got a taste of that dream for the first time last season.
Recalled on Nov. 15, he played in 25 games in November, December, and January and had three points (one goal, two assists) and averaged nearly 15 minutes of ice time.
Pickering Suffered a Concussion in January That Derailed His Season
It wasn't an entirely flawless ride, though. A concussion kept him sidelined for four games in January, and a run of inconsistent play returned him to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton later in the month.
However, he excelled in the AHL, being selected to the league's All-Star Game and finishing the season on the top pair with Jack St. Ivany.
Penguins hockey operations president and GM Kyle Dubas wasn't shy when analyzing Pickering's progression, wondering aloud what the 21-year-old was at that point in his development.
Pickering has now had open conversations with Dubas and other front office types within the Penguins regarding where he's at and what he needs.
"We've had conversations," Pickering said. "I feel like they want me to be my best. They've given me every resource to do that and I'm grateful for that. It's about attacking every day for me and just staying within myself."
Last offseason, Dubas made it richly evident that the Penguins' defense along the left side was a "problem," letting Matt Grzelcyk and Pierre-Olivier Joseph depart in free agency while adding journeymen Caleb Jones and Parker Wotherspoon.
Pickering insists he doesn't care who he's going to fight with, just his development. In his second season as a full-time pro, Pickering's mission is still the same as when he was drafted: to get into the NHL and stay there.
His short stint in Pittsburgh opened his eyes to what it will take, and now he has a clearer picture of the challenge that awaits him than ever before.
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