Penguins Prospect Report: Pickering's Final Steps, Learning to Attack

Owen Pickering, the Pittsburgh Penguins’ 2022 first-round pick (21st overall), is entering a key development stretch at age 22 after two full AHL seasons, two playoff runs, and 29 games of NHL experience. The report says his 2025-26 second-half jump culminated in 7 goals and 21 assists in 68 games, plus 4 points in 11 Calder Cup playoff contests. Pickering describes his direction as a two-way defender who has improved skating. His focus now is NHL-level decision-making—when to join the rush, when to stay back, and how to read offensive danger before activating. With Wilkes-Barre/Scranton underway, he’s early in a top-prospect matchup alongside Harrison Brunicke.