Benjamin Kindel, W/C, Pittsburgh Penguins
When he was drafted 11th overall, many thought that it was a bit of a reach. When he looked good in camp, people doubted his ability to make the team out of camp. Now that he’s made the team and played in seven games, Kindel is proving he can hang in the NHL.
With that said, despite the Penguins' hot start to the season, Kindel may ultimately benefit from returning to the WHL and playing a bigger role, with the ability to push the pace offensively.
It’s a testament to Kindel that he’s where he is. He’s a supremely talented playmaker with good mobility and a knack for creating offense. His knock was that he might not be able to handle the pro game physically. He hasn’t been perfect, but he’s shown that he can handle physical play.
While he might be destined for junior hockey at some point, it would be fun to see him grow at the NHL level this season if Pittsburgh decides to keep him.
Harrison Brunicke, D, Pittsburgh Penguins
Much like his teammate Kindel, he’s been playing pretty well, and the Penguins have been winning. You can’t argue with that.
Brunicke has been a fairly steady presence on the Pens' somewhat shaky blueline. His skating and size have allowed him to hang with NHL attackers. The best part of Brunicke’s game is that he isn’t making massive mistakes every night, and when he does, he usually has the skating to recover.
Brunicke has been quite a nice addition to the Pens to start the season. He is a bit more likely to stick in the NHL than Kindel, but he still has a decent chance of being sent back to the WHL. Sending him back would give Brunicke a chance to really push offensively and dominate, adding a layer to his game.
It’s probably a 50/50 shot at this point because the Pens seem to love him.
Which NHL Rookies Should Stay Past The Nine-Game Trial?
While a handful of top prospects have already thrived in the NHL, some other rookies would benefit from returning to major junior. Here's a player-by-player look.
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