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Penguins Prospect Defenseman Turning Heads After Breakout OHL Season
Emil Pieniniemi was a third-round pick of the Penguins back in 2023, and after a breakout OHL campaign, he's turning heads in the organization.
Over the past 12 months, much has been made about the lack of high end talent in the Pittsburgh Penguins organization, and while they've got names like Rutger McGroarty, Ville Koivunen and Harrison Brunicke, beyond that, there's little to get excited about.
However, one prospect is now reportedly turning heads at Penguins camp, with Insider Josh Yohe revealing the Penguins belief in Emil Pieniniemi, a third-round pick back in the 2023 NHL Draft.
He's still got plenty of improving to do, but according to Yohe, those in the organization are high on his puck skills and believe that will translate to the next level as a solid puck-moving defenseman.
One player to watch when training camp arrives is defenseman Emil Pieniniemi, the Penguins' third-round selection in the 2023 NHL Draft.
His stock rose as he produced 60 points in 60 games with the Kingston Frontenacs (OHL) last season.
The Penguins think his skating and overall defensive work must improve before he is NHL-ready. However, they love his decisions with the puck and believe he will mature into a good, puck-moving NHL defenseman.
His stock rose as he produced 60 points in 60 games with the Kingston Frontenacs (OHL) last season.
The Penguins think his skating and overall defensive work must improve before he is NHL-ready. However, they love his decisions with the puck and believe he will mature into a good, puck-moving NHL defenseman.
At 20-years of age, there's still plenty of time for him to improve, and given that he was drafted as a project back in 2023, it's safe to say that the leap he took in the OHL may even have him ahead of schedule for many in the Penguins organization.
With 50 assists in 60 games, the flashes of greatness are already there, so now we'll need to see how he progresses at training camp, but one thing is for sure, and that is that Emil Pieniniemi is a name to keep a very close eye on.
Previously on HockeyUnplugged
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 22 | 35 ANSWERS Penguins Prospect Defenseman Turning Heads After Breakout OHL Season Will Emil Pieniniemi be an NHLer for the Penguins one day? | ||
| Yes | 27 | 77.1 % |
| No | 8 | 22.9 % |
| List of polls | ||