It has been exactly two weeks since Pittsburgh Penguins [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins]' rookie defenseman Harrison Brunicke dressed for a game day. And, now, the 19-year-old is eligible for an AHL [https://thehockeynews.com/ahl] loophole that may benefit both him and the Penguins. As of Sunday's win against the Nashville Predators [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/game-day/takeaways-penguins-put-together-strong-response-game-take-home-3-of-4-points-in-nhl-global-series], Brunicke was a healthy scratch for a fifth consecutive game at the NHL level, meaning he is now eligible to be sent to the AHL on a conditioning loan. Normally - per the current NHL-CHL agreement - teenagers are not eligible to play in the AHL. However, with this loophole, Pittsburgh can loan Brunicke to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (WBS) Penguins for a maximum of either 14 days or five games. They can only do this once, and WBS is scheduled to play exactly five games within the next 14 days. Brunicke - selected 44th overall by the Penguins in 2024 - has played in nine games at the NHL level this season, which means his entry-level contract has not yet been activated. His last NHL appearance came in a 4-3 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Nov. 3 [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/latest-news/penguins-suffer-epic-third-period-collapse-fall-to-leafs-4-3], and he was a minus-2 in that game alongside fellow defensive prospect Owen Pickering. It has been a bit of a mixed bag for Brunicke to begin his NHL career [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/players/opinion-despite-struggles-brunicke-should-remain-with-penguins], as he has shown high-ceiling potential in transition and offensively but is still working to get up to speed on NHL reads and his net-front work. Should the Penguins elect to send him to WBS on a conditioning loan, it would push out their decision on activating his entry-level contract, and the end of the stint would also bring him closer to the World Junior Championship - which Brunicke is eligible to be lent to Team Canada for. Opinion: Despite Struggles, Brunicke Should Remain With Penguins [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/c58423dc-2ddb-4666-aab8-212b8ce25806.jpeg] Opinion: Despite Struggles, Brunicke Should Remain With Penguins The <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins">Pittsburgh Penguins</a> made a flurry of moves Tuesday, sending young blueliner Owen Pickering back to the AHL, placing three others on injured reserve, <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/latest-news/penguins-call-up-3-players-announce-several-roster-moves">and recalling two veterans and top goaltending prospect Sergei Murashov from the AHL</a>. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/players/opinion-despite-struggles-brunicke-should-remain-with-penguins] At the end of his 2024-25 junior season with the Kamloops Blazers - in which Brunicke worked around a wrist injury setback and registered five goals and 30 points in 45 games - he played in 10 regular season games with WBS as well as in two postseason contests. By the end of his AHL stint, he rounded into top form [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/players/what-is-the-best-developmental-path-for-top-prospect-harrison-brunicke-in-2025-26], as he put up a goal and two points in the two playoff games playing in WBS's top-four as an 18-year-old. Pittsburgh's next game is Friday against the Minnesota Wild [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/minnesota-wild/], and WBS also plays Friday, when they will travel to Hartford, Conn. to take on the Wolf Pack. Top-20 Penguins' Prospects 2025: Defenseman Exceeds Expectations, Eyes NHL Roster Spot [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/d5ba2f8d-2b10-4460-93f6-8ce55eccae24.jpeg] Top-20 Penguins' Prospects 2025: Defenseman Exceeds Expectations, Eyes NHL Roster Spot Heading into the 2025-26 season, the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins">Pittsburgh Penguins</a> have shifted the focus to youth and development. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/players/top-20-penguins-prospects-2025-defenseman-exceeds-expectations-asserts-himself-at-the-top] Rutger McGroarty Shines In Return As WBS Penguins Complete Weekend Sweep [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/5157d48b-df39-4a39-9363-d41602600b2f.jpeg] Rutger McGroarty Shines In Return As WBS Penguins Complete Weekend Sweep Saturday marked the return for one of the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins">Pittsburgh Penguins</a>' top forward prospects. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/latest-news/rutger-mcgroarty-shines-in-return-as-wbs-penguins-complete-weekend-sweep] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bookmark THN - Pittsburgh Penguins on your Google News tab [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw/sections/CAQqEAgAKgcICjCvqtILMO7F6QMwquDfCA?hl=en-CA&gl=CA&ceid=CA%3Aen] to follow the latest Penguins news, roster moves, player features, and more!
