The Pittsburgh Penguins are putting big expectations on their top prospects heading into next season.

PITTSBURGH – For two straight years, the Pittsburgh Penguins were the oldest team in the NHL. With a core of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang not expected to go anywhere, the Penguins are looking for creative ways to get younger. They plan to do that by looking for a big summer from numerous prospects.

Penguins president and general manager Kyle Dubas said he has his eyes on a few key names and expects them to vie for NHL roles as early as next season. Dubas listed some of the organizations top prospects, like forward Sam Poulin, defenseman Jack St. Ivany, and goalie Joel Blomqvist to all vie for spots.

With the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins preparing for a playoff run, Dubas will be watching that team closely.

“Jack St. Ivany, obviously, he’s come up and played well in this stretch,” Dubas said. “Messaging to him was to go down, dominate, and help Wilkes to win. That will put you in a better spot coming into camp. I expect him to be in that mix.”

St. Ivany made his NHL debut late in the season and played 14 games. The Penguins put great faith in him, even as a young rookie.

“I expect Sam [Poulin] to push and make the roster next year as a full-time guy,” Dubas said.

Poulin played just three games in the NHL but dealt with injuries and illness most of the season. At the AHL level, he’s been outstanding, with 15 goals and 30 points.

Dubas noted that goalie prospect Blomqvist is also expected to push for a spot in the NHL and may even force Alex Nedeljkovic to float in free agency for the second straight summer.

Beyond the prospects already playing in the organization, top skaters like Brayden Yager and Owen Pickering are also expected to show growth this summer. Yager’s Moose Jaw Warriors and Pickering Swift Current Broncos are currently battling in the WHL playoffs.

Dubas said whoever loses that series between Yager and Pickering will head to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and help with the playoff run.

“I expect those two younger kids to push,” Dubas said. “Assert yourself. Have a huge summer.”

Dubas also spoke about the opportunity that lies ahead for Vasily Ponomarev. Acquired by the Penguins in the Jake Guentzel trade, Ponomarev suffered an unfortunate high ankle sprain before getting a shot with the NHL Penguins.

Ponomarev may need time to rehab from his injury, but he is expected to fight for an NHL spot.

“You can have a shot,” Dubas said. “That’s what we need here. Desperately.”

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