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Pittsburgh Penguins' Prospect Battle Settled? NHL Analyst Reveals the Likely Outcome
Photo credit: Edir from PensBurgh
The Penguins are going to need to make a decision regarding Ben Kindel and Harrison Brunicke shortly, and NHL analyst Nathan Reiter weighed in.
It's one of the biggest questions swirling around the NHL right now: What's the future hold for Ben Kindel and Harrison Brunicke? Both broke camp with the Pittsburgh Penguins and are off to strong starts in their inaugural seasons in the NHL.
The Calgary Hitmen and the Kamloops Blazers could each welcome them back with open arms, but there is certainly no guarantee of that occurring.
Kindel, who was selected 11th overall in the 2025 NHL Draft, has netted five goals in his first 13 games, also averaging over 14 minutes per contest, including a career-high 22:23 on Nov. 3 in Toronto, scoring two in the 4-3 loss to the Maple Leafs.
The second-round selection in the 2022 WHL Prospects Draft, Kindel scored 60 points in his rookie campaign and 99 points last season, with 15 points in the 11 playoff matches with Calgary.
Brunicke, on the other hand, almost made the Penguins' cut last season as an 18-year-old.
Currently, he has played in nine NHL matches, scoring once and playing an average of 15:43 per contest, with one more game needed to burn off the first year of his entry-level contract.
Harrison Brunicke has Memorial Cup experience as only a 16-year-old
Brunicke, selected 44th in the 2024 NHL Draft, was always a constant force for Kamloops, having also played in the Memorial Cup at only 16 years old while the Memorial Cup was held by the host team, the Blazers.
The one who is probably more likely to go back to the WHL is Brunicke, due to his rotational role, NHL analyst Nathan Reiter predicted. Kindel's consistency and confidence could see him stick in Pittsburgh for the entire season.
"Since he's been in and out of the lineup for the Penguins, Harrison Brunicke is the more likely of the two to end up back in the WHL. From what he has shown so far and his recent uptick in ice time against Toronto, Kindel has impressed in Pittsburgh. He could stick with the NHL club for the full season, similar to what Zach Benson did a couple of years ago with the Buffalo Sabres, coming straight out of the WHL."
- Nathan Reiter
- Nathan Reiter
No matter where their ultimate destination is, both are also very likely players on the Team Canada World Junior team, assuming the Penguins let them go.
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 7 | 89 ANSWERS Pittsburgh Penguins' Prospect Battle Settled? NHL Analyst Reveals the Likely Outcome Do you agree that Ben Kindel will remain in the NHL and Harrison Brunicke will head to the WHL? | ||
| Yes | 74 | 83.1 % |
| No | 15 | 16.9 % |
| List of polls | ||