Penguins Prospect Check-In: Broz, McGroarty, Murashov & More – Hockey Writers – Pittsburgh Penguins

While the Pittsburgh Penguins have struggled to find consistency at the NHL level this season, they have seen some opportunities to continue to produce and play at a high level with their teams. Players such as defender Owen Pickering and forwards Sam Poulin and Vasily Ponomarev were rewarded with a call-up to the senior team. While some of the organization's prospects may be a long way from earning their calling, they still provide reason for hope for the future.

F Tristan Broz – Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (American Hockey League)

A player that many have been watching after a strong performance in training camp for the Penguins was the team's second-round pick from 2021, Tristan Broz. Entering his first professional season with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, he has been relied upon heavily and has filled the second line role well thus far. Playing with Rutger McGroarty, he brought energy and excitement to the show. His tenacity and hard work in all three areas have paid off, as he currently sits second in the American Hockey League (AHL) among goal scorers, with seven through his first 13 games of the season.

Since October 22, he has played in nine games and has tallied seven points (five goals, two assists). With players like Poulin and Ponomarev getting call-ups to the big club, Broz is likely to be the player the “Baby Pens” continue to rely on offensively, and he may end up being another call-up at some point this season.

F Ville Koivunen – Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL)

One of the players acquired in last season's Jake Guentzel trade with the Carolina Hurricanes, Ville Koivunen, has had a hot start to his time with the Penguins organization. He has been one of Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's top offensive players despite being held scoreless in his last three games. His offensive ability was on full display, showing his vision and patience with the puck.

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After arriving in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton at the end of last season, he seems to have adjusted well to the North American style of play. He is another prospect within the organization that could end up earning some time in the NHL at some point in the near future if his production and play continues at his current level.

F Rutger McGroarty – Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL)

Broz forward McGroarty has had a slow start to his professional career, tallying one goal and two assists in his first 11 games this season. After being acquired by general manager (GM) Kyle Dubas this offseason for Brayden Yager, there were high hopes that the former Michigan Wolverine would be able to crack the NHL lineup and make an impact. The first part of that came true, as he made the NHL roster in camp but failed to make a real impact in the three games he played before being sent down to the AHL.

McGroarty's numbers are clearly not where many hoped they would be, but he is getting more comfortable and confident as the season goes on. He was heavily involved in the offensive game, including two or more shots on net seven times. Scoring and production will come eventually, but his development and improvement throughout the season will be key for the former first-round pick of the Winnipeg Jets. If he can continue to improve and become a true force on the offensive end, McGroarty could find himself looking for a spot in the NHL at the end of this season or in training camp next season in the near future.

G Sergei Murashov – Wheeling Nailers (ECHL)

The talk of rookie camp this offseason was the arrival of the organization's fourth-round pick from 2022, Sergey Murashov. Being able to sign the Russian forward to his entry-level contract (ELC) surprised many, and he has even gone to North American Hockey. He played one game with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton before being sent down to Wheeling of the ECHL, due in part to a shakeup of rookies in the organization.

For Wheeling, Murashov got off to a rough start, looking strong through his first seven games in the ECHL. In those seven games, he posted a 5-2-0 record, a 2.41 goals-against average (GAA), and a .908 save percentage (SV%). He's proven himself up to the task of handling multiple shots when called upon, stopping 30 or more twice so far, and allowing two or fewer goals in his three starts. It may be a few seasons before fans see him in a Penguins jersey, but the excitement and energy is there for him and Joel Blomqvist to form a powerful one-two punch in the organization when the time comes.

F Zam Plante – University of Minnesota-Duluth (NCAA)

Zam Plante made the jump to the college ranks after a strong season in the United States Hockey League (USHL) with the Fargo Force, where he scored 71 points. He joined his brother, Max, at the University of Minnesota-Duluth and looked strong as a freshman. Not only did his offensive numbers pop (seven points in 11 games), but he was dominant in the faceoff circle, winning 59 faceoffs and losing only 36. This may not be an important stat for many faceoffs, but controlling faceoffs has helped allow his teammates to control the play in both the offensive and defensive areas.

After tallying three assists in his last game against Miami (OH) on Nov. 16, Plante hopes he can continue his offensive production and faceoff dominance. He is another prospect who is a few seasons away from making an impact at the NHL level. Still, the 2022 fifth-round pick could be a crown jewel for the organization if his development and play keep up with where they are now.

More Looking Forward

With the Penguins having an up and down season so far, fans can look at what other prospects in the organization are doing and see hope and faith that the future may be in good hands. There are many prospects like the ones mentioned above who have had high hopes and expectations placed upon them, and, so far, for the most part, they have not disappointed their teams. So, even if an NHL team ends up in a tough spot at the end of the season, there's plenty for fans to look forward to in terms of prospects and futures.