Sid the Kid may have broken a major Wayne Gretzky record [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/latest-news/breaking-sidney-crosby-breaks-wayne-gretzkys-point-per-game-seasons-record] in the Pittsburgh Penguins' 7-3 loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday. But it was Sid and the Kids at Saturday's practice in Cranberry, PA. Top forward prospects Rutger McGroarty and Ville Koivunen - both recalled from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (WBS) on Friday [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/latest-news/penguins-call-up-star-prospects-koivunen-mcgroarty] - each had an opportunity to work with Sidney Crosby during drills and line rushes, as Koivunen saw minutes on the top power play unit and McGroarty was deployed on the first line with Crosby and Bryan Rust. The captain also took some time to work with the young forwards following practice. Crosby thinks that both players brought some renewed energy to practice following a disastrous 0-2-1 road trip, and he is looking forward to working with them. "I thought they brought good energy," Crosby said. "I thought it was a good pace in practice, and obviously, we're coming off a couple tough losses. The guys are excited for the opportunity they have, and as a group, we want to try to bounce back from a couple of tough ones." Rutger McGroarty at Pittsburgh Penguins practice. (Credit: Kelsey Surmacz - The Hockey News) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/c253fcaf-1098-4570-a10a-a4845a810372.jpeg] Rutger McGroarty at Pittsburgh Penguins practice. (Credit: Kelsey Surmacz - The Hockey News) McGroarty - who turns 21 on Sunday, when the Penguins will take on the Ottawa Senators [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/ottawa-senators] in Pittsburgh - had a brief three-game look at the NHL level when the 2024-25 season opened before heading back to the AHL. He started off a bit slow production-wise, but registered 14 goals and 39 points in 60 games - including eight goals and 18 points in his last 19 contests [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/players/penguins-top-prospect-mcgroarty-on-tear-in-ahl]. Koivunen - the 2`1-year-old winger acquired as part of the Jake Guentzel trade in 2024 [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/podcasts/pittsburgh-penguins-on-top-jake-guentzel-trade] - led all AHL rookies in points and was sixth overall in AHL scoring with 21 goals and 55 points in 62 games. Both McGroarty and Koivunen know that there is a massive opportunity in front of them, and they may have the chance to be placed in lineup positions conducive to their success on Sunday. "I want to come here and play my best and help them," McGroarty said of playing with Crosby and Rust. "It's really cool getting to play with them, and hopefully, if that opportunity comes, I'll just put my best forward and do what I can do and help them." Recalling McGroarty, Koivunen Right Move By Penguins' Management [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/141ebc86-0f8f-4519-a23f-cfd21aad9228.jpeg] Recalling McGroarty, Koivunen Right Move By Penguins' Management In their last three games - all losses - against the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/">Florida Panthers</a>, <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/tampa-bay-lightning">Tampa Bay Lightning</a>, and <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/buffalo-sabres/">Buffalo Sabres</a>, the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/">Pittsburgh Penguins</a> have been outscored, 17-7. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/players/recalling-mcgroarty-koivunen-right-move-by-management] Koivunen - who is slated to make his NHL debut on Sunday - is aware of the opportunity he is getting as well, and he has no interest in wasting it. "I've got to play with my strengths and make an impact right away on this team," Koivunen said. It's safe to say that most didn't expect the two young prospects to be deployed in top-six minutes from the jump. However, with only eight games remaining in the Penguins’ regular season schedule [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/latest-news/pittsburgh-penguins-schedule-remaining-games-statistical-notes], playoff hopes all but gone, and both players presumably heading back to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton for the team's Calder Cup run once the NHL regular season concludes, there is a very good opportunity for the organization to see what two of their higher-end prospects can do in those roles. Ville Koivunen at Pittsburgh Penguins practice. (Credit: Kelsey Surmacz - The Hockey News) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/a28ed24b-acd7-4259-84dd-3a5e2e16388d.jpeg] Ville Koivunen at Pittsburgh Penguins practice. (Credit: Kelsey Surmacz - The Hockey News) And based on conversations with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton head coach Kirk MacDonald and Penguins management, head coach Mike Sullivan felt comfortable slotting them in high-leverage roles in practice right away, even if they decide to tweak some things by puck drop Sunday. “When you have players of this caliber, you're trying to set them up for success," Sullivan said. "And we're also trying to put them in roles where they have an opportunity to play to their strengths. Both of these guys have high hockey-IQs, they're both real competitive guys, they both have an offensive dimension to their game... they're different in how they play, but we think that with the combinations we had out there today, potentially, they could be complementary on the lines that they're on." He added: "As an organization, we felt it's important to reward guys for effort and performance," Sullivan said. "And these two guys are very deserving. It's exciting for us. They bring a lot of energy and enthusiasm, and I think it will be great for our group." Whether or not McGroarty and Koivunen maintain their lineup spots from Saturday's practice when the team plays Ottawa remains to be seen. In any case, their captain and mentor had some sound advice for them as they navigate this final stretch with the NHL club. "Just make the most of the opportunity," Crosby said. "Have fun with it. The game's the same. It will be a little bit faster, guys are a little bit bigger, a little bit stronger, maybe. But, for the most part, it's the same game. So, just trust your instincts and continue to learn with each and every game and practice. I think you've just got to learn as much as you can." And it's safe to say that that the kids are certainly open to Crosby's advice. When asked what he wants to learn from Crosby's game and what traits of his that he wants to develop, McGroarty smiled. "Seriously, everything," he said. "Like, actually everything." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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!
