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Penguins Urged to Start Youth Movement Center Around Harrison Brunicke After Recent Waiver Moves
Photo credit: DK Pittsburgh Sports
Today, Penguins analyst Jim Rixner has a urged Pittsburgh to fully lean into a youth movement starting with the promotion of Harrison Brunicke.
The Pittsburgh Penguins could be in for a rough year, and aren't expected to make the playoffs for what would be a 4th straight season. Their current drought is already the longest in the careers of longtime franchise mainstays like Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang.
One of the players that has long been rumoured to be on his way out of Pittsburgh is defenseman Erik Karlsson, but so far, GM Kyle Dubas has not been able to find a taker for him and his AAV (average annual value) of $11.5 million.
One prospect that stands a good chance of making the team and eventually making an impact is Harrison Brunicke, who was taken with the 44th overall pick by the Penguins in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.
Per Penguins analyst Jim Rixner, Pittsburgh ought to let Brunicke have one of the spots on the blue line.
I was impressed before the goal but that standout moment is going to have to stick in the minds of Kyle Dubas and Dan Muse when they're discussing who should be on the roster. In 2025, the only defenseman Pittsburgh has that can make the play Brunicke did is Erik Karlsson.
I don't know if the Pens will keep Brunicke for opening night, but it's hard to imagine him making a better case or so perfectly illustrating what he can add to the team. Time will tell if the decision makers for the Pens think he's ready.
-Jim Rixner
I don't know if the Pens will keep Brunicke for opening night, but it's hard to imagine him making a better case or so perfectly illustrating what he can add to the team. Time will tell if the decision makers for the Pens think he's ready.
-Jim Rixner
Earlier today, the announced several major roster moves that seem to indicate Brunicke has earned his spot on the NHL roster.
Harrison Brunicke Looks To Make Good on New NHL Opportunity.
Brunicke has already played many years with the Kamloops Blazers of the WHL, and played 10 games for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins last year.
Per his scouting report on Elite Prospects:
There's not much Brunicke can't do. In an instant, he goes from locking down the net-front to ending the cycle. He sticks to his check, communicates, and follows pokes with hits. Off the rush, he easily matches fast-moving attacks to push them wide and get the stop. If all fails, he has the speed to recover.
With the Penguins letting go of several veterans in favor of Brunicke it is a major sign of confidence from Dan Muse and the coaching staff of his potential.
Now, all eyes will be on the Penguins and GM Kyle Dubas to see if he leans into the youth movement or continues a balanced approach with this re-tool of the roster in Pittsburgh.
Previously on HockeyUnplugged
| POLL | ||
OCTOBRE 4 | 75 ANSWERS Penguins Urged to Start Youth Movement Center Around Harrison Brunicke After Recent Waiver Moves Will Harrison Brunicke make the Penguins? | ||
| Yes | 69 | 92 % |
| No | 6 | 8 % |
| List of polls | ||