Pittsburgh Penguins identify five prospects to watch for 2026-27 climb

Pittsburgh Penguins identify five prospects to watch for 2026-27 climb

President of hockey operations and general manager Kyle Dubas has added draft picks, college free agents, and young players through trades while trying to rebuild a system that had been thin for years. While high-profile names like Ben Kindel, Rutger McGroarty, Ville Koivunen, Sergei Murashov, and Owen Pickering draw the most attention, the organization is now focusing on a second tier of players capable of pushing into the NHL conversation for the 2026-27 season.

The Penguins' "Top 25 Under 25" reset reflects that change, with several new names entering the pipeline after a busy stretch of prospect additions. Specifically, the team is looking to secure long-term certainty on the left side of the blue line.

Defensive Depth and Mobility

Jake Livanavage enters the 2026-27 window as one of the closest prospects to the NHL. A left-shot defenseman, Livanavage signed out of the University of North Dakota and made his NHL debut in the regular-season finale. He was the only player at the Penguins' development camp with NHL experience. His two-year entry-level contract, which began last season, runs through this season, making the coming year a deciding factor in his organizational standing.

Livanavage recorded 25 points, including five goals and 20 assists, in 39 games at North Dakota last season. His success depends on whether his puck movement and mobility translate against professional forechecks and if he can handle defensive-zone pressure without sheltered usage.

Adding to the left-shot options is Tomas Galvas, selected 54th overall in the second round of the 2026 NHL Draft. Galvas is already signed to a three-year entry-level contract. He brings significant international experience, having led the defensemen for Bílí Tygři Liberec in Czechia with 24 points (eight goals, 16 assists) in 32 games. Galvas also earned a silver medal and a spot on the All-Star Team at the World Junior Championship, where he recorded nine points in seven games.

Harrison Brunicke represents a different path to the NHL. After playing nine NHL games with Pittsburgh, Brunicke's development has included stints with the AHL's Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, the Western Hockey League, and international play for Canada. While the right side of the Penguins' defense currently features Erik Karlsson, Kris Letang, Kaedan Korczak, and Trevor van Riemsdyk, Brunicke's trajectory is viewed as essential for the next version of the blue line.

Offensive Upside in the Pipeline

The Penguins are also betting on scoring growth from their forward prospects, specifically Pierce Mbuyi and Markus Ruck.

Mbuyi, a third-round pick (86th overall) in the 2026 Draft, offers high-end production from the wing. In 68 games with the Owen Sound Attack of the OHL, he tallied 75 points, consisting of 32 goals and 43 assists. Across his first two junior seasons, he accumulated 127 points. Because he is not yet close to the NHL, the organization can remain patient as he works to improve his play away from the puck and add physical strength.

Markus Ruck is part of a rare draft story, as the Penguins selected both him and his twin, Liam, in 2026. While Liam went 22nd overall, Markus was taken 39th. Markus is coming off a dominant season with the Medicine Hat Tigers in the WHL, where he led the league with 108 points and 87 assists in 68 games. He also added 13 points in 15 playoff games and earned a spot on the WHL East First All-Star Team.

The Road Ahead

The Penguins are currently rethinking the developmental path beneath the NHL roster, including a switch in the ECHL. This strategy aims to create a sustainable pipeline of affordable talent and trade value for the front office.

The 2026-27 season will serve as a litmus test for these five players. Whether it is Livanavage's transition from the AHL or the Ruck twins' progression from junior hockey, the goal is to transform the prospect pool from a "reset" into a functional pipeline.