The Pittsburgh Penguins held a two-day prospect development camp filled with plenty to unpack. On Friday, Russian forward Mikhail Ilyin, who recently signed a three-year entry-level deal, arrived in Russia and did not attend the camp as he only got to Pittsburgh late Thursday. Assistant coach Todd Nelson spoke to the media for the first time since joining Dan Muse’s coaching staff. Meanwhile, several notable players showed promising improvements on day two, especially Harrison Brunic, Bill Zonnon, and Travis Hayes, who had already stood out on Thursday.
Brunic continues to be a consistent standout throughout the camp, but new talents emerged with stronger performances on Friday. Three key players shone specifically on day two of the Penguins’ development camp.
One of the most talked-about prospects is Ben Kindel, the Penguins’ 11th overall pick in 2025. Some fans questioned the choice given other available players, but after two days at the camp, Kindel showed impressive skills, even outmaneuvering Brunic during a one-on-one drill. Kindel’s skating and edgework stood out, and WHL scouts now consider him a top-10 prospect. Though the camp is still ongoing, Kindel’s potential is becoming increasingly clear.
Another player to watch is Oliver Tulk, an invitee not officially in the Penguins’ system. Tulk, 20, scored 38 goals and 100 points last season with the WHL’s Calgary Wranglers, showcasing excellent offensive ability alongside Kindel and Tanner Howe (who missed camp due to injury). Standing at 5’8″ and 174 pounds, Tulk compensates for his smaller size with notable skating and anticipation. He’s a noteworthy player who might earn an AHL contract.
On the goaltending front, Gabriel Daigle, picked in the third round, has faced criticism due to his high goals-against average and save percentage in the QMJHL. However, Daigle played for a struggling team and faced an enormous number of shots, more than any other goalie in the league. His technical skills, such as lateral movement and glove speed, show promise despite needing more power in his push-offs. Daigle appears to have the foundational skills to develop further, which is encouraging for a Penguins organization with solid goaltending depth.
In summary, the Penguins’ prospect camp revealed emerging talents like Kindel, Tulk, and Daigle showcasing their potential, signaling optimism about the team’s future development pipeline.
Fan Take: This development camp is crucial for Penguins fans as it highlights emerging talents who could become key NHL contributors in the coming years. Watching these prospects grow not only fuels hope for the franchise’s rebuilding process but also adds excitement and depth to the future of hockey.
