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Why? Sullivan Comments, Analysis Pull Back Curtain on Pickering Demotion (+)

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Owen Pickering, Pittsburgh Penguins prospects

SEATTLE — No, Pittsburgh Penguins coach Mike Sullivan does not hate young players.



However, rookie defenseman Owen Pickering, whose surprise call-up earlier in the season was in part necessitated by a spate of injuries at the NHL and AHL levels, is headed back to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the AHL to resume his maturation at the pro level.

Pickering, 20, was the Penguins’ first-round pick (21st overall) in the 2022 NHL Draft. He acquitted himself well in 25 NHL games, scoring his first NHL goal and adding a couple of assists while generally providing solid defense.

However, the NHL is an unforgiving place, and Pickering had a rough night Thursday against the Anaheim Ducks following a couple of other rough games.

The fresh-faced defender brought an air of enthusiasm into the Penguins room, but going back over the last year, he also has one harsh critic: himself.

When Pittsburgh Hockey Now asked Sullivan about Pickering’s recent performance, and managing his mental game on Friday, the coach pulled back the curtain for the positives and negatives.

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