Owen Pickering Makes NHL Debut; Penguins Lineup has 4 Rookies

The Pittsburgh Penguins youth movement is officially underway as 2022 first-round pick Owen Pickering will make his NHL debut Saturday against the San Jose Sharks at PPG Paints Arena.

Coach Mike Sullivan was coy hours before the game, calling all players a game-time decision, but Pickering took his customary rookie lap and participated in pregame line rushes, signifying Saturday would be the day of which every young hockey player dreams–their NHL debut.

Pickering, 20, was one of three rookies in the Penguins lineup Saturday. The d-man has grown to 6-foot-5 and over 200 pounds. The others are defenseman Jack St. Ivany and forward Vasily Ponomarev, who was called up from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on Thursday.

Read More: Penguins Former Top Pick Pickering Admits Struggle; Gains 20 Pounds

Pickering was the Penguins first-round selection in the 2022 NHL Draft, taken 21st overall. This is his first professional season, and he played just 12 AHL games before his recall.

The Penguins acquired Ponomarev, 22, in the Jake Guentzel trade last March. He has two NHL games experience with one goal and one assist.

Penguins defenseman Ryan Graves was a healthy scratch after a disastrous game Friday as the team lost 6-2 to the Columbus Blue Jackets. Graves and his defense partner Ryan Shear were the primary culprits in three goals against.