MCKEEN’S 2026 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #8 Pittsburgh Penguins – Organization Overview – Top 15 Prospects

Prospect System Ranking – 8th (Last Year - 16th)
GM: Kyle Dubas Hired: June 2023
COACH: Dan Muse Hired: June 2025

The Pittsburgh Penguins made a statement at the 2025 NHL Draft podium, trading up seven spots to select Ben Kindel at 11th overall. It’s a move that has already paid immediate dividends. He made the NHL roster as an 18-year-old out of training camp and has not looked back as an instant graduate of the system. Kindel headlines what was a substantial 13-player draft class that has injected a wave of talent into the system. Among that group, forwards Bill Zonnon (99th) and Will Horcoff (60th) have emerged as notable standouts, both earning spots within Pittsburgh’s revamped top-15 prospect rankings. Horcoff is part of an impressive NCAA contingent that also includes Zam Plante, Cruz Lucius, and Mac Swanson, all of whom have made meaningful progress in their development.

The organization’s top-ranked prospect, 2024 first-round pick Harrison Brunicke (25th), aimed to follow a similar path to Kindel but was ultimately returned to the WHL’s Kamloops Blazers to continue his development during the 2025–26 season. He will push through to the pro level by next fall. At the professional level, several prospects are nearing NHL readiness. Rutger McGroarty (42nd), Tristan Broz (172nd), and Owen Pickering (74th) have all made steady progress in their AHL career. Don’t forget about Sergei Murashov (73rd), who is quickly becoming a high-rising asset to this group's crease considerations, sporting strong numbers for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.

Behind the bench, new head coach Dan Muse has transitioned smoothly into his role and taken many by surprise with his immediate success. While the end of the Sidney Crosby era is approaching, Dubas’ aggressive approach to restocking the prospect pool has positioned the organization with a promising next wave of talent.

1. Harrison Brunicke, D, Kamloops Blazers (WHL)

   Brunicke began this season in Pittsburgh and was more or less able to keep his head above water against NHL competition, but the Penguins had to weigh his readiness with what was best for his long-term development, so the decision was eventually made to return him back to Kamloops, though not without a quick stop at the World Juniors first. Nowadays he’s gobbling up huge minutes for the Blazers as one of the best defencemen in all of junior hockey, and what’s scary is that he still looks like he’s just scratching the surface of how good he will ultimately become. When the rangy defenceman is really on his game he can truly dominate the ice surface, using his explosive skating ability to create space or take it away at his discretion. He might not read the flow of play quite as naturally as other top prospects do, but he’s learning quickly because it seems like he never leaves the ice, and his coaches let him play through his mistakes. Brunicke will get a good, long look with the Penguins again next fall.

2. Rutger McGroarty, LW, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL)

   The Penguins have created a highly competitive environment within their organization this season, where the best players get to be in their NHL lineup, period, regardless of their age or contract status. One of the prospects that they were probably most hopeful would seize a roster spot and run with the opportunity was McGroarty, and they certainly gave him a thorough look, but it turned out that he wasn’t quite up to the challenge, at least not yet. He’s still pretty much the exact same type of player that he’s always been, both good and bad, going back to his draft year: He’s an absolute ox down low in the offensive zone, with a nasty scoring touch that gets better the closer he gets to the enemy crease, though he can get left behind in the dust in open ice where everything moves a lot faster. The strengths of his game have gotten stronger, while the weaknesses continue to hold him back. Luckily for McGroarty and his NHL dreams, he’s enough of a specialist that he can fill a certain role better than others can.

3. Will Horcoff, C, University of Michigan (NCAA)

   Horcoff was on pace for an incredible season before the World Juniors, hitting 19 goals before the break and landing on top of all the Hobey Baker lists. However, since a disappointing performance in Minnesota, he’s only put up 6 points in his last 13 games for a Michigan squad that has missed his impact scoring. Regardless, Horcoff’s first full season has been full of fantastic results that should make Pittsburgh fans ecstatic. His shot needs no introduction as his 22 goals this year is tied for second in the NCAA, the development of his stick handling and skating in tight have both been crucial to creating space for that incredible shot or his new found passing prowess. Horcoff’s skating in general has been much improved from last season, molding him into a better puck carrier and facilitator. The physical side of his game has not seen much improvement from last season but that will be a side of his game that he can continue to develop in the NHL. The Penguins could definitely bring Horcoff up as early as next season after seeing what he's done so far, but a second (and a half) year in college could go a long way in trying to get him ready for a top six role.

4. Sergei Murashov, G, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL)

   Murashov's development is moving along much quicker than anyone could have ever predicted, and that even includes the Penguins. Since being drafted in 2022 he has blitzed his way through the MHL, KHL, ECHL and AHL to even play some games in the NHL this season (the second-youngest goaltender to make any appearances), and a lot of other teams are probably kicking themselves right now because they underestimated him and allowed him to slide all the way to 118th overall. He’s a fast, controlled and highly technical netminder. He moves around his crease with incredible precision and fluidity, easily getting set in his form and then resetting for secondary chances, and he possesses fantastic reflexes for all of his limbs. There was a lot of goaltending depth in the organization at the start of the season, but Murashov has rapidly forced his way up their depth chart. If this trend continues and Pittsburgh makes the playoffs, how seriously might they consider turning to their budding young phenom between the pipes?

5. Owen Pickering, D, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL)

   The Penguins have amassed an almost comical amount of blueline depth this season, with constant movement and shuffling in both the NHL (having already used 13 different defencemen) and the AHL (even higher, at 17 defenders), which probably hasn’t been ideal for Pickering, one of the organization’s most important prospects. After seeing 25 games of NHL action in 2024-25 that number is down to just four appearances so far this season. At the same time, however, he is still staying in the lineup for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, so he’s not being deprived of opportunities to keep refining his game. He’s a lanky player who covers large swathes of ice in a hurry, and that will always be his main calling card, though there is still a lot that he needs to figure out about how to be a true difference-maker in all three zones. More impact on either side of special teams would be nice as well. Pickering undeniably has an NHL future awaiting him, but it’s still undetermined what kind of player he will be and what role he will fill.

6. Bill Zonnon, RW, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL)

   Zonnon was one of the best players in the QMJHL last year. Finishing last season with 83 points in 64 games, his two-way game also impressed. It was the Pittsburgh Penguins that drafted him 22^nd overall in the first round of the 2025 NHL draft. In the following summer, Zonnon was traded by the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies to Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, where he joined one of the strongest teams in the QMJHL for a chance to win the Gilles-Courteau Cup. Sadly, Zonnon was hurt before the start of the year and nearly missed the first half of the season. But since returning from his injury, Zonnon is playing even better than last year. His skating has improved, as his strides look way better, more fluid and more efficient. He is a strong player and a hard one to play against, mostly along the boards. His level of compete, his consistency and how he fights to earn touches are highlights of his off-puck play. Zonnon may never be the most productive player on a team, but the intensity and the physical side of his game bring something that each team needs. Zonnon could become a solid middle six centre where he would play a lot of minutes on the PK and generate some offence with his intensity.

7. Ville Koivunen, LW, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL)

   Koivunen is a very tricky prospect to analyze and project forward, and that has been the story with him going back quite some time. You’d be hard-pressed to find many players his age who can match his hockey sense, work ethic and competitive drive, whether in the NHL or any other league in the world. Those traits have helped him be a consistently prolific scorer every single season of his hockey career, going as far back as his stats were tracked, and that’s still true for him now in the AHL. At the same time, though, there have always been lingering questions about whether that success could be reached and sustained at the sport’s highest level, and those still haven’t been answered yet. He’s not overly big or naturally athletic, his skating ability is lacking, and he doesn’t quite have the same magical touch with the puck that the sport’s top scoring threats usually do. The Pens will keep giving Koivunen chances to prove that he can take that last final step, because he’s more than earned it.

8. Tristan Broz, C, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL)

   Broz is a gutsy, lunchpail-and-hard-hat kind of player. He wins the respect of his coaches and teammates because he’s always willing to lay his body on the line, he happily accepts whatever assignment is handed to him, and he’s smart enough to know what his next move should be regardless of the situation or circumstances. He was a part of the University of Denver team that won the national NCAA title in 2024, and even though he wasn’t exactly a superstar for them he was nevertheless integral to their success, a glue that helped make it easier for all the other pieces to stick together. He carried that identity over to the AHL almost immediately, and he’s been an especially steadying presence this year on a Wilkes-Barre/Scranton roster that has been in a nonstop state of flux. The very best NHL teams always have unsung heroes with high character, and so don’t be surprised if you see Broz filling that role for one in the not-too-distant future.

9. Mikhail Ilyin, LW, Severstal Cherepovets (KHL) (Currently with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, AHL)

   Ilyin has progressed steadily over his four seasons in the KHL, playing his calm and precise style of offence to put pucks in the net. He has the ability to slow the game down, find open space, and has the intelligence to find passing lanes or sneak into scoring areas. With time and space, his shot can be effective, picking his spots and finding openings through goalies. What really stands out is how effective he is all over the ice. A great glue guy connecting play in transition, keeping the cycle going on offence and supporting his teammates well along the wall. The physical play isn’t there but that's not the expectation of his game. And while his calm and controlled playstyle is fascinating to watch, upping his speed, pace of play and motor could take his game to the next level. Ilyin signed his ELC at the end of last season, so you can expect to see him in the AHL in the near future. If he looks like he belongs there, a skilled middle six depth scorer shouldn't be out of the question.

10. Tanner Howe, LW, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL)

    A nasty knee injury felled Howe in the WHL playoffs in the spring of 2025, and it wasn’t until all the way into early 2026 that he was able to dress for his next game. He’s been playing like he was shot out of a cannon ever since returning, which won’t come as a surprise to anyone who is already familiar with him. It’s like he has a permanent chip on his shoulder, and that makes him fascinating to watch because he plays with such a sharp edge that most others simply do not. That is an essential trait for him, though, because he’s usually at a disadvantage in terms of reach and muscle in board battles, and he can’t move around the ice as quickly or as effortlessly as others can. Despite being a moderately successful offensive contributor during his junior hockey days it’s hard to see him ever having that sort of impact in the NHL, outside of the occasional burst here or there. It’s only a matter of time until Howe becomes a fan favorite in Pittsburgh.

11. Joona Vaisanen, D, Western Michigan University (NCAA)

    An injury has nearly wiped out his sophomore season, but Vaisanen remains an underrated prospect in the Pens system. He’s an intelligent two-way defender who was a huge part of Western Michigan’s championship last year.

12. Peyton Kettles, D, Kelowna Rockets (WHL)

    Another defender in the Pens system who has had trouble with injuries this year. Kettles missed the majority of the year with a shoulder ailment, only recently returning. This has prevented us from truly assessing his progression as a draft plus one prospect.

13. Cruz Lucius, RW, Arizona State University (NCAA)

    A talented and creative offensive player, Lucius has bounced back in a big way this season, his senior year with Arizona State. Part of the Jake Guentzel deal with Carolina, look for him to sign when the NCAA season ends.

14. Chase Pietila, D, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL)

    Pietila is a physical, right shot defender who has had a very solid first pro year in the organization. He is tracking towards being a third pairing, PK type for the Penguins.

15. Charlie Trethewey, D, Boston University (NCAA)

    Trethewey has all the tools. He’s a strong skater. He can be creative offensively. He can be physically assertive defensively. However, as his freshman season at Boston University has shown, he’s still a ways away and remains a raw prospect.