Top prospects for Pittsburgh Penguins

NHL.com is providing in-depth prospect analysis for each of its 32 teams from Aug. 1-Sept. 1. Today, the top five prospects for the Pittsburgh Penguins, according to NHL.com.

1. Owen Pickering, D

How acquired: Selected with No. 21 pick in 2022 NHL Draft

2022-23 season: Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL): 8 GP, 0-0-0; Swift Current (WHL): 61 GP, 9-36-45

Pickering, considered a vital piece to Pittsburgh's future defense, will aim to make his NHL debut at some point this season. On July 1, the 19-year-old said he would like to earn a spot with the Penguins out of training camp in September.

Though that might be unlikely, Pickering could get a look with Pittsburgh at some point this season.

Steps toward that goal have been made. Pickering (listed at 6-foot-3, 179 pounds) said he actually weighed about 194 pounds when development camp opened, which would put him about 20 pounds heavier than his weight of 175 pounds from the previous year.

"I haven't felt a weight yet where I'm too heavy," Pickering said. "Not there yet. It's been pretty good. I feel stronger. Feel more powerful."

Projected NHL arrival: This season

2. Brayden Yager, F

How acquired: Selected with No. 14 pick in 2023 NHL Draft

2022-23 season: Moose Jaw (WHL): 67 GP, 28-50-78

Yager is the Penguins' highest draft pick since defenseman Derrick Pouliot at No. 8 in 2012 and is their highest forward selected since Jordan Staal at No. 2 in 2006.

With that, there are increased expectations for the 18-year-old. Yager (5-11, 166) likely won't be able to fulfill those for at least a few seasons, though.

Yager said he has modeled his game after center Sidney Crosby and would like to call the Penguins captain a teammate in the near future. As he continues to wait, Yager said he plans to add muscle and work on his face-offs.

"Especially as a centerman and, obviously, going against stronger, bigger players," Yager said. "Being able to win a face-off is a huge part of the game, getting puck possession right away."

Projected NHL arrival: 2025-26

3. Joel Blomqvist, G

How acquired: Selected with No. 52 pick in 2020 NHL Draft

2022-23 season: Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL): 1 GP, 0-1-0, 4.00 GAA, .852 SV%; Karpat (Liiga): 21 GP, 6-5-8, 2.29 GAA, .907 SV%

Blomqvist (6-2, 183) could be the Penguins' goalie of the future. But as president of hockey operations and general manager Kyle Dubas said, the future is not now.

The Penguins are currently led by No. 1 goalie Tristan Jarry, who signed a five-year, $26.875 million contract on July 1. Goalies Alex Nedeljkovic and Magnus Hellberg each signed a one-year contract, creating a logjam in front of Blomqvist.

But the 21-year-old has made an impression in limited time in American Hockey League, making one start with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in each of the past two seasons.

"We like his hockey sense for a goaltender," Wilkes-Barre/Scranton coach J.D. Forrest said. " He's big in the net. He can react quick to some plays that you think he's out and then, all of a sudden, he has a foot on it or a stick on it."

Projected NHL arrival: Next season

4. Sam Poulin, F

How acquired: Selected with No. 21 pick in 2019 NHL Draft

2022-23 season: Pittsburgh (NHL), 3 GP, 0-1-1; Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL), 15 GP, 4-0-4

Poulin's development hasn't been as smooth as he or the Penguins would have liked. After having 37 points (16 goals, 21 assists) in 72 games for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in 2021-22, he took a leave of absence for personal reasons on Dec. 7, 2022.

The 22-year-old returned April 7, playing two games for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Poulin (6-1, 208), who can play center and wing, said he is now only looking at a potential future in Pittsburgh.

"I worked a lot on myself in the past couple months," Poulin said. "Just ready to play hockey. That's what matters to me right now."

Projected NHL arrival: This season

5. Valtteri Puustinen, F

How acquired: Selected with No. 203 pick in 2019 NHL Draft

2022-23 season: Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL), 72 GP, 24-35-59

Puustinen opened eyes last season, leading Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in points. On June 20, he was signed by Pittsburgh to a one-year contract worth $775,000 at the NHL level.

Puustinen (5-9, 183) lacks size, but has a scoring touch with 44 goals in 145 AHL games the past two seasons.

The 24-year-old had one assist in his lone NHL game during the 2021-22 season and it would not be surprising to see him appear again with the Penguins soon.

Projected NHL arrival: This season