Penguins Prospects Update: Top 25 Under 25 for the 2025-26 Season (2026)

The 2025-26 season update: Top 25 Under 25 prospects

The Olympic break provides an opportunity to assess the progress of the Penguins' top prospects. Here's an updated look at the prospects' performance since last summer's rankings.

1. Rutger McGroarty (AHL) - 10 GP, 4 G, 10 A, 14 P
2. Ville Koivunen (AHL) - 20 GP, 6 G, 19 A, 25 P
3. Ben Kindel (NHL) - 53 GP, 14 G, 13 A, 27 P
4. Harrison Brunicke (WHL) - 8 GP, 2 G, 10 A, 12 P
5. Will Horcoff (Big10) - 28 GP, 20 G, 12 A, 32 P
6. Bill Zonnon (QMJHL) - 20 GP, 7 G, 18 A, 25 P
7. Joel Blomqvist (AHL) - 15 GP, 0 G, 2 A, 2 P
8. Owen Pickering (AHL) - 45 GP, 5 G, 14 A, 19 P
9. Philip Tomasino (AHL) - 28 GP, 7 G, 15 A, 22 P
10. Sergei Murashov (AHL) - 24 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 P
11. Arturs Silovs (NHL) - 26 GP, 0 G, 2 A, 2 P
12. Melvin Fernstrom (AHL) - 2 GP, 1 G, 2 A, 3 P
13. Peyton Kettles (WHL) - 3 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 1 P
14. Mikhail Ilyin (KHL) - 54 GP, 11 G, 24 A, 35 P
15. Emil Pieniniemi (ECHL) - 10 GP, 2 G, 2 A, 4 P
16. Tristan Broz (AHL) - 38 GP, 14 G, 16 A, 30 P
17. Avery Hayes (AHL) - 32 GP, 16 G, 10 A, 26 P
18. Tanner Howe (AHL) - 3 GP, 1 G, 1 A, 2 P
19. Joona Vaisanen (NCHC) - 7 GP, 0 G, 6 A, 6 P
20. Finn Harding (AHL) - 34 GP, 1 G, 11 A, 12 P
21. Sam Poulin (AHL) - 45 GP, 12 G, 18 A, 30 P
22. Cruz Lucius (NCHC) - 30 GP, 12 G, 26 A, 38 P
23. Travis Hayes (OHL) - 46 GP, 12 G, 18 A, 30 P
24. Quinn Beauchesne (OHL) - 40 GP, 5 G, 14 A, 19 P
25. Brady Peddle (QMJHL) - 48 GP, 3 G, 14 A, 17 P

Notable Cases and Tiers:

Tier 7: Honorable Mentions (Long-term prospects with potential)
- Cruz Lucius: Impressive season at Arizona State, likely to be signed by the Penguins.

Tier 6: Slightly More Developed (Still developing)
- Tanner Howe: Early success in AHL after ACL recovery.
- Joona Vaisanen: Season-ending injury.
- Emil Pieniniemi: Delayed start due to ECHL demotion.
- Broz and Hayes: Top AHL players but seeking NHL traction.

Tier 5: Intrigue with Patience (Challenges and potential)
- Kettles: Shoulder injury early in the season.
- Fernstrom: Demoted to minor leagues, showing strong opening performance.
- Ilyin: Productive in Russia.

Tier 4: Wildcards (Unpredictable)
- Tomasino: Quick decline after a promising start.
- Silovs: Inconsistent play, but an NHL rookie.
- Murashov: Handling challenges, promising future.

Tier 3: Near-Ready Players (Older, but still developing)
- Pickering: Risk of falling behind due to lack of NHL call-ups.
- Blomqvist: Strong AHL performance despite injury.

Tier 2: Recent First-Round Picks (Exciting talent)
- Zonnon, Horcoff, Kindel: Impressive performances in their respective leagues.

Tier 1: Cream of the Crop (Top prospects)
- Brunicke, Koivunen, McGroarty: Progressing despite challenges.

Looking Ahead:
- Questions about ceilings and potential position changes.
- Positive progressions expected with stronger second halves.
- The team's system is improving, with Egor Chinakhov adding talent.
- The Penguins are acquiring more talent for the future.