Five Most Intriguing Penguins to Watch This Preseason
The Pittsburgh Penguins are just around the corner from the start of training camp. On September 21st, the Pens will kick off the preseason with the Buffalo Sabres.
As Mike Sullivan enters his 10th season as Penguins head coach, he will look to see what players could make an impression this preseason. Here are five Penguins that I find the most intriguing.
Jesse Puljujärvi: After undergoing double hip surgery last summer, forward Jesse Puljujärvi had signed a professional tryout contract with the Penguins. Initially not making the team, he was signed to another PTO, in which he would play for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
In 13 games with the WBS Pens, Pulijujärvi had four goals. It was on February 6th that he was called up to Pittsburgh, where he registered four points (3 G; 1 A) in 22 games played.
President of hockey operations & general manager Kyle Dubas signed Pulijujärvi to a two-year contract for $1.6 million.
Now that Pulijujärvi is fully healthy, and was able to have himself a normal offseason, he could be a potential option on the fourth line.
Nikolai Knzynov: Much like Jesse Pulijujärvi last year, Nikolai Knzynov finds himself in a PTO situation, as the Penguins signed him on August 22nd.
Prior to signing with Pittsburgh, the Russian born defenseman had spent parts of four seasons with the San Jose Sharks, playing the last two under David Quinn, who is now the Penguins’ new assistant coach.
Knzynov’s best season in San Jose was the Covid abbreviated 2020-21 season, where he compiled 84 hits, along 54 blocked shots in 56 games. In 2022, he tore his Achilles tendon.
For a Penguins team looking for defensemen depth, perhaps Knzynov could bring his physical style to the mix in the preseason.
Owen Pickering: In the 2022 NHL Draft, Pittsburgh selected defenseman Owen Pickering 21st overall.
After being drafted, Pickering got to appear in eight games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
The St. Adolphe, Manitoba, Canada native spent 2023-24 playing for the Swift Current Broncos, registering 46 points (7 G; 39 A) in 59 games.
As the top defensive prospect in the Penguins’ organization, Pickering could try to turn heads, given that the defensemen corps needs to get younger. While it’s likely Pickering would be sent to WBS, perhaps he’s able to have a strong, camp & preseason, in an effort to crack the Penguins’ Opening Night roster.
Rutger McGroarty: It’s not very often you see a trade involving exclusively of prospects, but that’s what went down on August 22nd, as the Penguins dealt forward Brayden Yager to the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for forward Rutger McGroarty.
Shortly following the deal, McGroarty agreed to sign a three-year entry-level contract with Pittsburgh.
Last season, while playing at the University of Michigan, the former first rounder compiled a total of 52 points (16 G; 36 A).
McGroarty played a key role in the 2024 World Juniors, as he recorded five goals, while helping lead Team USA to a gold medal in Sweden.
As talented as Yager certainly is, most scouts are of the belief that McGroarty has a better chance of being a true center, as well as being more NHL ready. Going into the exhibition slate, there’s no question that McGroarty will have the most eyes on him, to possibly make the big club.
Vasily Ponomarev: The Carolina Hurricanes chose forward Vasily Ponomarev in Round 2 (53rd overall) of the 2020 draft.
On the eve of the 2024 trade deadline, the Canes parted ways with the native of Moscow, as he was traded to the Penguins in the Jake Guentzel deal.
Ponomarev had eight goals in 39 games with the Chicago Wolves, prior to the trade. He then played in four games for the WBS Pens.
In 2022-23, Ponomarev had his best professional season, registering 24 goals in 64 games played with the Wolves.
Pittsburgh’s bottom six, particularly their fourth line, will have some interesting candidates to fill those spots, and Ponomarev is certainly one of them.