Penguins Demote Pickering, 3 More to WBS Penguins

The Pittsburgh Penguins trimmed their roster closer to the final 23 Friday afternoon, sending defenseman Owen Pickering and three others to the AHL’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.

In his first pro season, Pickering is waiver-exempt.

Pickering made a hard charge for a final roster spot. Still, his inexperience and the team’s veteran depth, as well as defenseman Ryan Shea’s praise-worthy preseason performances, allowed the team to send him down to the AHL, where he will be able to progress in a low-pressure environment.

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Pickering was the Penguins first-round pick (21st overall) in 2022.

Fellow first-year pro Tristan Broz, 21, who signed his entry-level contract after helping the University of Denver win the NCAA National Championship in April, will also begin his season with the WBS Penguins. In April, he played two playoff games for WBS.

The team also demoted Villie Koivunen, 21, who had a standout game Thursday. Koivunen has progressed throughout training camp and impressed coach Mike Sullivan as he adjusts to the North American game. The winger was acquired from the Carolina Hurricanes as one of three prospects in the Jake Guentzel trade last March.

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And 25-year-old forward Corey Andonovski will also play his third professional season in the AHL.

Notably still on the NHL roster are 2019 first-round pick Sam Poulin, right-wing Valtteri Puustinen, and winger Rutger McGroarty. All three received significant playing time through preseason as they battled for NHL roster spots. The Penguins play their final preseason game Friday night against the Columbus Blue Jackets at PPG Paints Arena.