Penguins prospects set to compete in the annual Prospects Challenge next month in Buffalo

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – For the third year, the Penguins are sending their prospects and draft picks north to participate in the Prospects Challenge in Buffalo, New York.

The Penguins compete in the tournament alongside five other teams, including the Buffalo Sabres, Boston Bruins, Columbus Blue Jackets, New Jersey Devils and Ottawa Senators.

Pittsburgh has a roster of 25 players: 14 forwards, eight defensemen and three goalkeepers.

This year, the Penguins’ roster will feature several players who could potentially see NHL playing time later this year, including forwards Vasily Ponomarev and Villie Koivunen, both of whom were acquired from the Carolina Hurricanes via the Jake Guentzel trade.

The Penguins’ two most recent first-round picks will also be part of the roster in Buffalo: forward Brayden Yager, whom the Penguins selected 14th overall in 2023, and defenseman Owen Pickering, whom they selected 21st overall in 2022. Harrison Brunicke and Tanner Howe, who were selected 44th and 46th overall, respectively, will also join the roster of prospects.

One of the three goalies set to play for the Penguins is recently signed 20-year-old Sergei Murashov. The Penguins drafted Murashov at 118th overall in 2022 and is coming off a solid season in Russia’s second-tier league, the MHL.

They also bring along several players who played for the AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins last year.

The Penguins will play a total of three games. They will open the tournament on September 13 at 12:00 against Boston, on September 14 at 12:00 against Ottawa and close the tournament on September 16 at 17:00 against Buffalo.

Fans can learn more about the tournament and view the full roster on the Penguins’ website via this link.