Can Young Prospects Give Penguins Some Much-Needed Life?

The Pittsburgh Penguins have found themselves in a precarious position up to this point in the season, as there are only seven teams in the league with less points than their 17 right now.

But, as evidenced in their 4-3 shootout win against the San Jose Sharks on Saturday, perhaps a little bit of youth can go a long way in helping them.

Defenseman Owen Pickering, 20, made his NHL debut and registered a gorgeous assist on a Jesse Puljujarvi goal, and forward Vasily Ponomarev, 22, played a well-rounded game in all three zones to help energize the Penguins on their way to victory.

Pittsburgh played with seven players aged 26 or younger in their lineup, and it seemed to elevate even the veterans.

“I think when you put in guys that are young and are trying to establish themselves in the league, they bring a certain level of enthusiasm,” head coach Mike Sullivan said. “They bring a certain level of urgency to their game, and that can be contagious. So, these guys have been put in the lineup, they’re excited to be here, they love coming to the rink every day, and they’re eager every time they step on the ice. And I think there’s a lot to that. It’s good for our veteran guys. I think it pushes everybody.”

Pickering had a particularly impressive debut, and he even earned the third star of the game. His assist aside, he looked comfortable on the offensive blue line, he had good gap control, his net-front presence was solid, and he also had a huge shot block on a third-period penalty kill.

“I feel like I played pretty well,” Pickering said following the game. “Obviously, it’s nice to help the team win, which is big. I think right now, I’m kinda in a whirlwind, I don’t really think I can evaluate my play, but I feel like I did some good things out there, and it was a lot of fun.”

The offensive-minded defenseman, who was Pittsburgh’s first-round draft pick in 2022, was called up Friday after Kris Letang went down with an illness. He had just scored his first goal in professional hockey on Wednesday for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Pittsburgh’s AHL affiliate, so he came to Pittsburgh on a high note.

Ponomarev came over from Carolina last spring as part of the Jake Guentzel trade, and in two NHL games with Carolina, he registered a goal and an assist. Although he didn’t register a point on Saturday playing fourth line duties alongside Noel Acciari and Matt Nieto, his “motor” – as Sullivan likes to say – was on display, and he was effective on both sides of the puck.

Given the current injury situation, there is room on the roster for both guys to stick around until, at least, someone is activated from injured reserve. In the meantime, both players are hoping to make an impression, stay in Pittsburgh for the long haul, and – most importantly – help the Penguins right the ship.

And, for Ponomarev, playing NHL hockey in Pittsburgh is a dream realized.

“Just being here, I can’t explain it because it’s not like even in your dreams,” he said. “It’s like somewhere you are probably a couple of levels higher than just enjoying it. You’re learning, you’re enjoying being here, and you’re putting higher than 100 percent into your work.”

If these guys continue to give “higher than 100 percent,” it’s a good bet they’ll stick around and make decisions difficult for Penguins’ coaches and management.