The Pittsburgh Penguins are approaching their last pre-season game, and with only one practice session remaining before the AHL season begins on Saturday, it’s likely that a fresh round of roster cuts will be announced within the next day. Not every young player will be sent down immediately, as injuries and the preseason personnel rules mean a few extra players need to stay on the roster ahead of Saturday’s final game against the Buffalo Sabres.
However, as the team trims its roster to 23 players or fewer, one name stands out as especially deserving of a spot: defenseman Owen Pickering. At 22 years old, Pickering has faced significant challenges over the past two years. He started well in the 2024-25 season but then experienced a dip in performance, leading to his reassignment to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (WBS) AHL team after 25 games. Last season, he was recalled briefly due to injuries but only stayed for four games after not impressing in his stint. During the 2026-27 season, he didn’t make it back to the NHL, but reports from GM Kyle Dubas, player development director Tom Kostopoulos, and WBS assistant GM Amanda Kessel all confirm that Pickering showed major progress in the latter half of the AHL season. He became more consistent, emerging as the reliable, shutdown defenseman the organization had hoped for, even playing through an injury during the Calder Cup Playoffs.
By the end of the AHL season, Pickering tallied seven goals and 28 points, with a plus-16 rating over 68 games, improving steadily as the season and postseason went on. Now, entering this training camp, the question is whether he’s finally earned a permanent spot with the Penguins — and he certainly has shown he’s NHL-ready. Compared to last year, Pickering has transformed into a confident, poised player who effectively uses his 6-foot-5, 213-pound frame to disrupt opponents, control the puck, and excel in defensive situations. His skating has improved significantly; he’s faster, and his defensive awareness and decision-making are markedly better. He strikes a balance of joining offensive plays and maintaining solid position, rarely getting beat in puck battles or pucks to the net.
Most accounts agree that Pickering looks prepared to contribute at the NHL level right now. Even teammate Harrison Brunicke, who has had a good camp, hasn’t outperformed Pickering. Other defensemen like Kaedan Korczak, Declan Carlile, and Ilya Solovyov have shown promise during camp, but Pickering’s overall play has been superior.
With injuries mounting upfront, opportunities for some Penguins prospects to crack the NHL lineup are opening. Interestingly, Pickering has outperformed some expected regulars during camp, standing out among his peers. Yet, there’s a real possibility he may be sent to the AHL for the start of the season, where he can continue to develop and play key minutes, ready to be called upon when needed. This situation isn’t unusual, but it raises a broader concern: If a player like Pickering, who has demonstrated he belongs at the NHL level, is kept in the AHL for reasons beyond merit—such as contract or waiver rules—it sends a discouraging message to other young players about the fairness and transparency of roster decisions.
The core issue is that young prospects need to be rewarded when they earn their spot through performance. Denying deserving players a chance because of non-performance-related factors can breed frustration and resentment, potentially leading to talented young players seeking opportunities elsewhere. Pickering has earned a spot based on his recent play, and the Penguins now face the challenge of either rewarding that effort or risking the development and morale of their future stars.
In summary, if Pittsburgh chooses to give Pickering his rightful NHL opportunity, it would send a strong message to their prospects that hard work pays off. Conversely, if they prioritize logistics over merit, it could create long-term issues for player loyalty and team culture.
Fan Take: This situation highlights the importance of giving young talent a real shot at proving themselves instead of just waiting in the wings. Making room for players like Pickering not only benefits the team’s future but also energizes the fan base by showing faith in their homegrown prospects.
This news matters because it underscores the ongoing debate in hockey about balancing development, fairness, and winning now—an evolution that could shape the league’s approach to nurturing young talent in the years ahead.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
