With veteran Kris Letang down with an illness, the Penguins have called up rangy defenseman Owen Pickering from their Wilkes-Barre/Scranton farm club ahead of tonight’s Metro clash with the Blue Jackets in Columbus.
Drafted 21st overall in 2022 as a defenseman with offensive pedigree, Pickering has undergone a rather stunning metamorphosis, stylistically as well as physically.
Since he was drafted, the 20-year-old blueliner has sprouted two inches in height and packed on 23 pounds. He now stands 6’5” and tips the scales at an even 200 pounds.
The offensive bent Pickering flashed as a junior hasn’t been evident at the pro level (a lone point…a goal…in a dozen AHL games). But the St. Adolphe, Manitoba, native’s been surprisingly solid in his own end according to his coach Kirk MacDonald.
“He’s been outstanding,” noted the Baby Pens’ skipper.
The move continues a string of recent kid call-ups. Forwards Sam Poulin and Vasily Ponomarev joined the Pens earlier in the week.
