Penguins' Prospect Tournament Preview: Who To Watch, Where To Watch

With the inaugural Prospect Tournament set to begin just one day from now, a glimpse of the Pittsburgh Penguins' bright future will be on full display. 

The Penguins' three-game tournament slate will kick off on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. versus the Columbus Blue Jackets. That will be followed by a tilt against the Detroit Red Wings - who will play host to the tournament at Little Caesar's Arena in Detroit - on Sunday at 7:00 p.m. and the finale against the Dallas Stars on Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 10:30 a.m., which is two days before NHL training camp is set to begin. 

The tournament will feature several of Pittsburgh's top prospects, including top defensive prospect Harrison Brunicke, twins and 2026 draftees Liam and Markus Ruck, 2025 first-round pick Bill Zonnon, and 2026 second-round selection Tomas Galvas.

Here are a few names - some of them bigger names, others flying under the radar - to keep an eye on during this year's tournament. All games will be streamed live on the Penguins' website. 

Of course, it's difficult to ignore the guy who we named the Penguins' top prospect for the second year in a row.

This will be Brunicke's third prospect tournament and third training camp, so even if he just turned 20 prior to the start of the summer, he's a veteran of sorts for these events. In turn, the Penguins expect him to perform like a veteran in comparison to others who are newcomers and have less experience - much less, any NHL experience. 

It will be an uphill battle for Brunicke to break camp this time around, as there is a ton of competition on the right side and his AHL eligibility - at long last - might play a factor. But if he can make himself stand out enough in this tournament and into camp, the Penguins will find a spot for him on the NHL roster.

Galvas, 20, was selected in the second round (54th overall) this summer by the Penguins, and by all accounts - including the team itself - he is expected to play in Czechia this season.

Unless, of course, he makes the team out of training camp. 

The smooth-skating left blueliner has some offensive punch and a solid two-way toolset, and he registered eight goals and 24 points in 32 games for Bili Tygri Liberec of the Czech League last season. Galvas is in Pittsburgh and will be at the Prospect Tournament and at NHL training camp with the sole purpose of trying to make the team.   

The 5-foot-11, 168-pound defenseman could stand to bulk up a bit, but he did pretty well playing against grown men last season. He's one to keep a close eye on, as the Penguins' left side is a pretty big question mark. 

Mbuyi was a third-round selection (86th overall) in this year's draft, and he's one to look out for as a riser.

Yes, the forward is going back to Owen Sound of the OHL for one more season before his commitment to Penn State University, but a good camp - similar to defenseman Quinn Beauchesne's last year - could put him on the map and earn him an invite. He's got speed, he's got skill, and he's got a sneaky good release that should play well as he rises through the ranks.

Mbuyi might be a few years away, but he already stood out in development camp earlier this summer and seems to have a solid, translatable toolset.

McGowan, 21, signed an AHL deal in the spring after a pair of solid campaigns with the Kingston Frontenacs of the OHL. The tough, two-way left defenseman plays with purpose, carries the transition game, and has a bit of a mean streak, too.

It's unlikely that McGowan makes the NHL at any point this year simply because there are a whole lot of names in front of him at this point. But he's someone who might just stand out in this tournament, as he won't be afraid to mix it up physically and get under opponents' skins.

He is another prospect to keep an eye on as a riser over the next year or two.

Don't count Calvert out as a player who could, potentially, see NHL minutes next season.

His versatility, compete, and offensive acumen for WBS last season and beyond impressed the organization enough to gift him a two-year, entry-level contract this spring, and like Avery Hayes, he has gone from undrafted all the way to NHL fringe.

Calvert plays all three forward positions, and he put up 16 goals and 38 points in 70 AHL games last season. Like Brunicke, he is somewhat of a veteran at this point and should stand out as such at the tournament.

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