If I’m reading the tea leaves correctly (not always a given), this should be the season when the Penguins’ youth movement kicks off in earnest. It begs the question, “Who will be the team’s top rookie?”
At first blush, it appears to be a two-horse match race between forwards Ville Koivunen and Rutger McGroarty. Defenseman Owen Pickering, who also figures to log plenty of work with the big boys, skated in 25 games for the black-and-gold a season ago, effectively eliminating him from rookie status.
While promising rearguard Harrison Brunicke and kid forwards Tristan Broz and Avery Hayes could insert themselves into the mix, there doesn’t appear to be a clear-cut path at the present for any or all to earn significant ice time.
Goalie Joel Blomqvist could possibly merit consideration as well, although he’d likely have to beat out summertime acquisition Arturs Silovs for a spot on the team to do so. Hardly a given at this juncture.
Silovs, still technically a rookie, could be in the running as well.
However, barring any unforeseen trades, I think it will boil down to a two-man competition between Koivunen and McGroarty.
In some ways, the prized prospects are as different as night and day. While the rugged McGroarty (6’1” 203 pounds) fits the mold of a classic power forward, the wispy Koivunen (5’11” 161) is super slick but physically unimposing.
However, they do share common traits as well. Both are extremely competitive and strong on the puck, in Koivunen’s case remarkably so given his slight frame.
Here’s what EliteProspects had to say about each during their respective draft year. We’ll start with Koivunen, the Hurricanes second-round pick (51st overall) in 2021.
His game is one of pure, unrelenting skill, and an attacking mindset to match. Koivunen wants the puck on his stick, wants to be a game-breaker, wants to make something happen every shift. Koivunen keeps his top hand pushed out, handles the puck at his hip, and doesn’t mind engaging numbers.
EPRinkside added, Koivunen’s smarts are high-end and he’s got a large box of other very projectable tools at his disposal.
Now for McGroarty, taken 14th overall by the Jets in 2022. The EliteProspects skinny.
Where most players outrace, he delays with a cutback or simply entering a glide and angling away from backpressure. Those delays house his playmaking, where he’s deceptive, precise, and identifying the best play. Uses give-and-gos instead of deking, and consistently occupies the space that maximizes his odds of getting the puck back. He’s a bull, too. Relentlessly attacks the inside, combining skill and physicality.
EPRinkside opined, McGroarty shines in the offensive zone, displaying elite goal-scoring and playmaking ability. He’s a slick puck handler.
Personally, I was incredibly impressed with both following their dual call-ups from the Baby Pens on March 28. Inserted into our top-six, neither looked awed or out of place. Koivunen, in particular, seemed to command the puck and wasn’t the least bit deferential, even while skating on a line with Sidney Crosby.
As for his smarts and playmaking skills? Jaw-dropping.
I really liked what I saw of McGroarty, too. Just a very mature-for-his-age, two-way player who seemed to thrive in the high-traffic areas and down-low between the circles. He was especially effective at sealing off the boards on the forecheck.
The dynamic duo even made history together during a 5-4 shootout loss to the Blues on April 3. With the clock ticking down to under 30 seconds remaining and the Pens trailing, 4-3, Koivunen scooped up the remains of an errant Erik Karlsson shot and wheeled off the right sideboards with the puck.
After briefly surveying the scene as he approached the right faceoff circle, Ville eschewed a pass to veteran Bryan Rust in the slot and instead slipped a no-look pass to McGroarty to the right of the Blues’ cage. Rutger spun and fired the puck in off the far post to knot the score at 4-all and touch off an emotional celebration.
Rather fitting that it was McGroarty’s first NHL goal and Koivunen’s first NHL point and assist. Hopefully, with many more to follow.
Who’ll be the Pens’ top rookie? I’d put my money on Koivunen, who possesses creativity, smarts and some absolutely filthy puck skills. But I fully expect McGroarty with strong his all-around game to have a considerable impact as well.
A rare win/win for our Pens.
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Hey Rick,
I have to agree with you in results, Koivunen should be the most impactful rookie this season. He has the most upside of any of the kids that are likely to get real TOI. The only kid that has more talent and upside, than Koivunen plays a completely different position but too many signs point to him not getting the chance to display his wares. Even though the main road block to the kids is gone (Sullivan), Dubas has a track record of not really knowing Goaltending - preferring to play the longest odds possible on a reclamation project rather than riding the higher probability of developing a player the team drafted.
Blomqvist has the highest upside of any other player in the system, but I don't see this team giving him a chance. Dubas seems hell bent on staying with his wheel spinning by accumulating failures, through trades and UFAs, particularly in Goal. If Silovs ends up as the rookie with the most playing time, barring a ton of injuries, this team will be in a world of hurt. Yes, in a world of probabilities, there is a small percentage chance of the kid repeating his AHL playoff run numbers, but that probability is lower than any other Goalie in the system outside of D'Aigle but including Gauthier, who Dubas chose not to give a contract (because he is an Hextall holdover? - most likely)