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Unexpected Prospect Set to Compete for Spot on Penguins' Left Side Defense
An unexpected prospect is set to compete for a spot on the Pittsburgh Penguins' left-side defense at the next training camp: Owen Pickering.
With a few tough decisions to make ahead of the season opener on October 7 against the New York Rangers, fans are eager to see what will happen during training camp, especially at the blue line, with young players like Owen Pickering looking to earn a spot.
Drafted 21st overall in 2022, the 21-year-old defenseman will need to perform well if he wants to earn a roster spot to start the season in the NHL.
Last season, in 25 NHL games, he averaged 14:49 of ice time, recorded one goal and three points, and even earned minutes alongside Kris Letang. But as his game dipped, the organization opted to send him back to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on January 25.
"You never want to get sent back. You always want to be in the NHL. I feel like I proved to myself that I can play in the NHL. I want to be full-time next year, I want to be [in Pittsburgh] the whole year. That's the goal."
At 6-foot-5, 200 pounds, Pickering has the tools to compete in the NHL. The challenge is opportunity, as the left side of the Penguins' defense is already stacked with Ryan Graves, Ryan Shea, Parker Wotherspoon, and Alex Alexeyev. Unless one of them gets traded, it would be surprising to see Pickering in the NHL.
Even Penguins GM Kyle Dubas acknowledged that Pickering will need to make serious strides if he wants to stick in Pittsburgh.
"He's got to have a great summer. We can't have him same as we had him go down, settling into a 12-13 minute a night role. He needs to come in and push his way into 17-18-19-20 minutes and earn that.
He played for the team [last] year, but is he ready to step into one of those roles? I don't think so."
He played for the team [last] year, but is he ready to step into one of those roles? I don't think so."
Still, Pickering has a chance to make noise if he can prove he's ready. He'll be one of the key players to watch in camp.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 21 | 72 ANSWERS Unexpected Prospect Set to Compete for Spot on Penguins' Left Side Defense Do you think Owen Pickering will start the next season with the Pittsburgh Penguins? | ||
| Yes | 58 | 80.6 % |
| No | 14 | 19.4 % |
| List of polls | ||