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Pittsburgh Penguins' top 3 prospects to watch out for in 2024/25 season
The Pittsburgh Penguins seem to be headed toward a retool, at best. In the worst of cases, the club may head into a full-blown rebuild. Regardless, the Penguins will need to rely on their prospect pool to help them restock the team with talented players.
While the Penguins have traded away draft picks and prospects to keep the club's competitive window open, Pittsburgh's prospect pipeline is not devoid of high-end talent.
So, here's a look at the top three Pittsburgh Penguins' prospects to keep an eye on in 2024-25.
Pittsburgh Penguins' top 3 prospects to watch out for in 2024/25
#3. Ville Koivunen
Koivunen was a key piece in the Jake Guentzel trade. The Carolina Hurricanes originally drafted the Finnish winger in the second round of the 2021 draft. Since then, Koivunen has progressed through the Finnish Liiga, making a considerable impact. Last year, Koivunen scored 56 points in 59 games while playing in the Liiga.
While Koivunen's North American experience is limited, he is poised to make an impact with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins this upcoming season. The Pens should give Koivunen a look at training, but he'll likely start the season in the AHL.
Koivunen is still a couple of years away from making an impact at the NHL level. Nevertheless, his performance in the AHL could shorten that period, especially if the Penguins need to inject youth into the lineup.
#2. Joel Blomqvist
Blomqvist is a Finnish netminder who's stood out everywhere he's gone. Blomqvist was the Pittsburgh Penguins' second-round pick in 2020, transitioning to North American in 2023.
Blomqvist posted impressive numbers in the Liiga during the 2022-23 season (2.29 GAA and .907 SV% in 21 games). Then, Blomgvist joined the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins last season and averaged 2.16 GAA and .921 SV%. The numbers have catapulted Blomqvist to the top of the Pens' depth chart.
Given that the Pittsburgh Penguins seem to lack a true number-one goalie, it wouldn't be a stretch to see Blomqvist get a callup, especially if the Pens' goaltending situation becomes desperate. Otherwise, the Pens should take their time calling up Blomqvist to ensure he has every chance to be successful at the NHL level.
#1. Brayden Yager
Yager is an exciting prospect for the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 19-year-old center projects as a legitimate top-six forward due to his impressive numbers at the Junior level. Yager was drafted 14th overall by the Pens in 2023, projecting him as a high-end prospect for the Pens.
Last season, Yager scored 95 points in 57 games in the WHL with the Moose Jaw Warriors. He also added five points in five games for Canada at the World Juniors.
This upcoming season, Yager is expected to return to Moose Jaw. However, it may only be a matter of time before Yager transitions to the AHL and potentially gets a look at training camp this fall. While it may be some time before Yager joins the NHL, his top-tier talent could catapult him to the big club sooner rather than later.
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