THN Penguins Predictions: Which prospect will break camp?

With a brand new season simply across the nook, the Pittsburgh Penguins are gearing up for one more coaching camp.

However this time round – in contrast to in seasons previous – 2024-25 may very well be filled with surprises.

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As such, we are going to break down some storylines to anticipate this season and offer you some daring – and a few not-so-bold – predictions for the 2024-25 marketing campaign.

Subsequent up: Which Penguins’ prospect will break the NHL roster out of coaching camp?

Kelsey’s Prediction

I do know a ton of oldsters are clamoring for Rutger McGroarty to make the workforce out of coaching camp. I’ve been a type of individuals. In truth, I predicted that he’d crack the ultimate 23-man roster.

However three coaching camp classes in, I’ve modified my tune a bit about which prospect is almost definitely to make the workforce from the bounce.

I imagine that prospect is Vasily Ponomarev.

I’ve sung my praises about Ponomarev’s physique of labor on right here in just a few totally different items, and, most lately, in a bit about his displaying within the Prospects Problem. However watching him within the early days of camp has even additional corroborated these preliminary observations.

He is quick. He is tenacious. He is relentless. He is a monster forechecker. He wins puck battles and drives possession within the offensive zone. He is good on the PK and accountable within the defensive zone. And he is obtained some nasty expertise as nicely, together with a shot with some deception and sneakily tender fingers.

He additionally made a ridiculous no-look move in a drill on Friday (does not appear like a lot from this angle, nevertheless it was spectacular).

Head coach Mike Sullivan additionally praised Ponomarev’s work in camp throughout his Thursday press convention:

That is the precise kind of participant the Penguins have been lacking of their bottom-six. When Ponomarev was introduced over within the Jake Guentzel commerce final season, many Hurricanes’ followers echoed the sentiment that they felt he may very well be a great third-line heart within the NHL.

I’m beginning to see the imaginative and prescient there. He is only a very dependable participant in all three zones, and – like Sully mentioned – he is obtained an excellent motor.

One more reason why I believe it is perhaps Ponomarev over McGroarty at this level is as a result of the group will need to ensure that McGroarty is getting reps every single day in a lineup. I do not assume that might occur initially in Pittsburgh, given the forwards who’re, presumably, going to make the roster.

Related: THN Penguins’ Predictions: What Will the Final 23-Man Roster Look Like?

Whereas it might be good to see Ponomarev get the beginning nod for each recreation, I do not essentially assume it is detrimental to his growth if he does not. I believe the Penguins could be extra comfy holding him out of a lineup or two than they might with McGroarty.

However above all, I believe he’s very clearly essentially the most NHL-ready out of any of the prospects at coaching camp. He solely has two NHL video games underneath his belt – together with a purpose and an help – however I believe that is going to alter very quickly.

Ryan’s Prediction

McGroarty is the highest canine within the Penguins prospect pool and is sort of assured a spot within the opening night time lineup. Why is he the secure guess to make it? His want to play, contribute, and guess on himself.

Not every single day a Hobey Baker Finalist finds their approach into an NHL lineup, however that is the kind of talent that Pittsburgh would get with McGroarty hopping over the boards each night time.

In fact, if the 20-year-old will get to skate on the identical line as Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin, it is going to even be a cautionary story of find out how to shield an asset whereas they unfold their wings.

McGroaty is gifted however not on the identical degree as Crosby, Connor McDavid, and even Connor Bedard. Which means that the Penguins want to guard him, whether or not it is on the ice towards more durable opponents, on the bench when he is gripping his stick too onerous, or within the dressing room if he is caught in a deep stoop and is on the verge of a stint within the AHL.

Related: THN Penguins Predictions: Which player will have a breakout season?

Nevertheless, if McGroarty connects together with his linemates and initiatives to be a top-six ahead, there’s an opportunity he may very well be the injection of youth the Penguins have desperately wanted through the years.

However the catch with somebody like McGroarty is that head coach Mike Sullivan loves his slow-aging veterans and does not have a confirmed monitor report of grooming the following technology of prospects into stars.

Though Sullivan is not on the identical degree as John Tortorella relating to his gamers, McGroarty’s leash may very well be quick, and a handful of dangerous video games might finish his first stint within the NHL.

Finally, Penguins followers needs to be lining as much as watch the previous 14th general choose play. He guess on himself by requesting a commerce out of Winnipeg as a result of he had a profitable keep on the College of Michigan and is able to take his recreation to the following degree.

By touchdown in Pittsburgh, he might be an apprentice underneath Crosby, one of many recreation’s best gamers and leaders. This may give him an opportunity to soak up every thing and turn into a future chief of the following technology.

Choosing McGroarty is the secure play right here, however this determination relies not solely on his performances but additionally on how he is carried out himself since his preliminary request in June.

Attending coaching camp is simply step one; cracking the lineup is the following vital milestone in what may very well be a promising profession.

Attaining each at his age could be a substantial accomplishment, proving that he is got down to turn into an on a regular basis NHLer and put within the work to make it occur.

Related: THN Penguins Predictions: Which player is poised for a bounceback season?