Top Penguins Prospects Likely to Make the Roster Next Season Amid Major Offseason Changes

The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins may have been eliminated from the Calder Cup playoffs early, but the season was developmentally successful.

Young prospects Rutger McGroarty and Owen Pickering took huge leaps, and others like Harrison Brunicke, Avery Hayes, and Finn Harding exceeded expectations as sleepers.

With the NHL Penguins standing in year two of a rebuild under general manager Kyle Dubas, the team remains focused on the future.

Dubas has collected 30 draft picks over the next three years, which speaks to the long-term dedication to bounce back into contention. But the impact of that effort might start quickly, as early as next year, inside PPG Paints Arena.

A handful of high-potential prospects can make the leap into the NHL by the end of 2025.

Rutger McGroarty is a virtual lock to be on the roster after a strong finish to his season.

Ville Koivunen, with seven points in eight games in the NHL, is well on his way to being an established member.

Owen Pickering struggled after a mid-season recall to the AHL, but a strong camp can have him back in the competition to make the NHL squad.

Vasily Ponomarev, with 41 AHL points, didn't light it up in Pittsburgh but impressed in terms of energy and two-way play.

Joel Blomqvist is the goaltending prospect most ready to crack the NHL roster, period, particularly if a chance creeps up in the form of an injury.

Penguins fans can already anticipate the next generation of talent to form alongside veterans such as Sidney Crosby, and these five aforementioned players have the best shot at cracking the NHL roster in the fall.