The Dynastic Stock Watch is designed to go team-by-team across the NHL and evaluate which prospects dynasty managers should be looking to buy and which they should be looking to sell. The goal isn’t to rank prospects in a vacuum, but to assess their current fantasy market value relative to long-term upside. “Buy” candidates are players whose cost is likely lower than their future production potential, creating opportunities to acquire them before their stock rises. “Sell” candidates are players whose value is inflated by pedigree, recent performance, or name recognition, making it a good time to cash out before regression or role limitations set in. Each installment provides dynasty-specific context, helping you navigate short-term hype and long-term sustainability in building your roster.
Pittsburgh Penguins Edition
Team Outlook
While Kyle Dubas may not freely admit it, the Penguins are rebuilding. It seems doubtful Sidney Crosby wants to move to another team and management wants to give him young NHLers to work with. The Penguins have little to work with as their prospect pool has improved slightly but still lacks top-end depth. For dynasty managers, this is a system where selective bets can pay off, especially if one of their few high-upside names sticks sooner than expected.
Buy Candidates
Rutger McGroarty (LW, 21)
Why Buy?
During his eight-game trial, Rutger McGroarty spent most of his minutes alongside Crosby and Bryan Rust, about as prime a deployment as the Penguins can offer. If that trio sticks together, McGroarty has a realistic chance to clear a 50-point pace as a rookie. He brings an NHL-ready frame, competes in high-danger areas, and has the finishing touch to convert when playing with elite talent. His versatility on both wings makes him an easy lineup fit, while his multi-category contributions (hits, shots, blocks) add sneaky fantasy value even if the scoring is modest.
As you can see by his pNHLe, the scoring potential may have dipped last season, but there is still significant scoring potential as recently as the 2023-24 season. Longer term, Pittsburgh’s rebuild will eventually inject higher-end skill into the lineup, but McGroarty’s leadership and intangibles should keep him firmly entrenched near the top of the roster. He profiles as a “heart-and-soul” winger whose role will always be elevated by his ability to complement more dynamic scorers.
Emil Pieniniemi (D, 20)
Why Buy?
Pieniniemi isn’t going to be confused for an offensive dynamo at the NHL level just yet, but his two-way profile is quietly useful. He plays a responsible game, moves the puck cleanly out of his zone, and has shown steady growth in his transition play. What’s impressed scouts recently, though, is his offensive pop, both in the OHL and at the World Junior Championships, where many expected Aron Kiviharju to be the standout but Pieniniemi stole attention. His Fantasy Hockey Life player card demonstrates his excellent shooting and passing numbers in the OHL, while his play-driving and transition numbers also show promise.
Within Pittsburgh’s system, there isn’t currently a more dynamic offensive defenseman, which makes him a particularly intriguing internal candidate. The Penguins could still draft or trade for help on the back end, but Pieniniemi already looks like an in-house option with upside. His ceiling may not be elite, but his ability to contribute at both ends gives him sneaky fantasy relevance in deeper formats. Coaches will trust him, his path to NHL minutes is clear given Pittsburgh’s thin depth and dynasty managers should view him as a long-term stash with realistic upside if his offensive growth continues.
Sergei Murashov (G, 21)
Why Buy?
Murashov has quietly been one of the better goalie prospects in Russia, consistently putting up strong numbers in limited opportunities. His game is built on composure and positioning, which pairs well with solid athleticism when he needs to make a desperation stop. For Pittsburgh, a team desperate for young goalie talent, his upside stands out. Goalies are notoriously unpredictable, but Murashov has shown enough consistency to suggest he could become a legitimate NHL starting option. He strengthened that case in 2024-25 with an extremely impressive stint in both the AHL and ECHL, where he adjusted seamlessly to North American play. That stretch not only showcased his readiness but also positioned him to leapfrog Joel Blomqvist on the depth chart. With Tristan Jarry struggling to hold job security as the starter for years, the Penguins may look to Murashov sooner rather than later.
Sell Candidates
Benjamin Kindel (RW, 18)
Why Sell?
Kindel is a competitive winger who produced well in junior, but there are still questions about how his game will translate against professional competition. His offensive toolkit leans more toward secondary production than primary creation, and he lacks a defining trait that suggests top six NHL upside. At his best, he projects as a reliable, versatile energy forward who can slot into the middle six and contribute in different roles. That type of player has real NHL value but rarely translates into meaningful dynasty returns. His post-draft value is likely at its peak, and history suggests it will decline as he works through the development system. For now, both his draft position and his junior numbers may inflate his perceived worth, especially to managers who value production over projection. Savvy dynasty managers should explore moving him as part of a larger package before the market cools. The odds of him becoming a consistent fantasy contributor in the next few years remain slim.
Arturs Silovs (G, 24)
Why Sell
Silovs gained attention after his strong international play with Latvia, and he followed that up by backstopping Abbotsford to the Calder Cup as AHL champions. Add in a few exciting NHL appearances with Vancouver, and his stock has rarely been higher. In dynasty, that kind of name recognition and recent success matters, but it can also create a perfect “sell-high” window. Despite the accolades, his long-term NHL path is far from secure. He doesn’t project as a surefire starter and is more realistically tracking toward a 1B or backup role. His technical game still shows flaws, and consistency remains an issue. If he were ever to end up in Pittsburgh, he’d be competing in a crowded crease without clear starter security. The reality is that his perceived value right now may never be higher than it is coming off those performances. Dynasty managers should take advantage of the inflated market and move him before the shine wears off.
Owen Pickering (D, 21)
Why Sell?
Pickering has the tools that make him likely to be an NHLer; he’s tall, mobile, and uses his rangy stick effectively in the defensive zone. Offensively, though, his development has lagged since being drafted in the first round. His puck decisions remain inconsistent, and he hasn’t shown the instincts to run a power play or generate offense at pace. While his junior numbers hinted at upside, those results haven’t translated at higher levels, and it’s becoming less likely they ever will.
In his NHL stint last season, Evolving Hockey graded him well defensively, which reinforces the projection of a shutdown, minutes-eating role rather than a fantasy asset. For dynasty managers, that creates a clear sell situation: his value is still buoyed by first-round pedigree, but his ceiling looks more like a steady second- or third-pair defender than a producer. If he figures out some offense, there’s still NHL stability here, but the fantasy payoff is doubtful. Now is the time to move on before the shine fully fades.
Summary
| Player | Role | Key Insight |
| Rutger McGroarty | Buy | Upside forward with a lasting opportunity in aging core |
| Emil Pieniniemi | Buy | Long-term blue line stash in a thin system |
| Sergei Murashov | Buy | Sleeper goalie with realistic NHL path to being a starter |
| Benjamin Kindel | Sell | Ceiling likely capped as depth forward |
| Arturs Silovs | Sell | Inflated value from small sample, international hype, and inability to translate to the NHL |
| Owen Pickering | Sell | Tools haven’t translated into consistent offensive game |