The Pittsburgh Penguins might not be leading the NHL standings right now, but look a little deeper into the pipeline, and there's a wave of young talent making serious noise across the hockey world. From NCAA standouts to WHL streaks and European hopefuls, the next generation of Penguins prospects is starting to turn heads - and in some cases, dominate.
Will Horcoff: The Breakout Star of College Hockey
Let’s start with the name that’s quickly becoming impossible to ignore - Will Horcoff. The Michigan forward is putting together a monster season in the NCAA, and his latest performance - a four-goal, five-point weekend against Harvard - has officially vaulted him into the national spotlight.
He’s now leading the entire NCAA in scoring, and it’s not just the numbers that are impressive. It’s how he’s doing it.
Horcoff’s game is built on simplicity and execution. He’s not flashy, but he’s brutally effective.
Time and again, he finds soft spots in the defense, gets to the net-front area, and finishes with precision. He’s not just racking up goals - he’s scoring the kind of goals that translate to the next level.
Greasy, high-danger, in-traffic finishes that NHL coaches love. There’s a reason he’s now a lock on Team USA’s preliminary World Junior Championship roster, and projections already have him slotted into a top-six role.
With 18 goals and 26 points in 18 games, Horcoff’s development curve is skyrocketing. If he keeps this up, it’s not out of the question that he could sign with the Penguins once Michigan’s season wraps and potentially see NHL ice before the year’s over. That’s a big leap, sure, but when a player is producing like this and showing the tools to match, it’s a conversation that’s going to get louder with every game.
Ryan Miller: A WHL Streak to Remember
Over in the WHL, Ryan Miller - Pittsburgh’s fifth-round pick from 2025 - is putting together a season that’s impossible to overlook. He’s now riding a 19-game point streak, and while the raw numbers are impressive, the tape tells an even better story.
Miller’s game is evolving beyond just scoring. He’s showing play-driving ability, poise with the puck, and a growing physical edge that suggests he’s more than just a junior league scorer. Among the Penguins’ Canadian junior prospects, Miller has emerged as the standout, outpacing fellow prospects like Jordan Charron and Kale Dach in terms of consistency and impact.
Looking ahead, if Ben Kindel sticks in the NHL next season - and all signs point that way - Miller could be next in line to make the jump to the AHL. The Penguins have a few options in that 19-year-old tier, including Bill Zonnon, Peyton Kettles, and Quinn Beauchesne, but Miller is making a strong case to be first in line for a promotion.
Chaz Lucius: Quietly Climbing at Arizona State
Remember the Jake Guentzel trade? One of the pieces coming back was Chaz Lucius, and he’s quietly putting together a strong senior season at Arizona State. With 10 goals and 20 points - both team-leading marks - Lucius is showing the kind of offensive instincts that made him a first-round pick back in the day.
He’s not just padding stats, either. Take a look at his recent overtime winner - Lucius has the hands, the patience, and the vision to make plays in tight spaces.
The Penguins will be watching closely as he finishes out the year. If he keeps this up, a spring signing feels like a real possibility.
Melvin Fernstrom: Searching for a Spark
It’s been a tough go for Melvin Fernstrom this season. After winning SHL Rookie of the Year honors last year, his production has fallen off a cliff - just two goals and no assists in 24 games. But there might be a glimmer of hope.
Fernstrom recently scored for Sweden in a World Junior tune-up game against Finland. It was just one goal in a 5-1 loss, but it could be the confidence boost he needs. The World Juniors will be a big opportunity for him to reset, showcase his skillset, and remind everyone why he was such a promising piece in the first place.
Zam Plante: The Playmaker on the Rise
Zam Plante might not have been on everyone’s radar at the start of the season, but the 2022 fifth-round pick is making a lot of noise at Minnesota-Duluth. He currently leads the NCAA with 17 assists in 16 games - a breakout campaign that’s turning heads.
A lot of the magic has come from playing alongside his younger brother Max, a second-round pick of the Red Wings, but Zam’s vision and playmaking ability are undeniable. He’s an older college sophomore, but his production this season has likely bumped him up the Penguins’ internal depth chart. If he keeps this up, he’ll be squarely in the mix for a pro deal down the line.
Bottom Line: The Penguins’ prospect pool is buzzing with activity, and the organization has to be thrilled with how several key names are developing. Horcoff is stealing headlines, Miller is building a case for a fast-track promotion, and Lucius, Plante, and others are showing real NHL potential.
Not every story is trending upward - Fernstrom’s struggles are real - but overall, the future is looking a lot brighter in Pittsburgh than it did just a few months ago. Keep an eye on this group - they’re coming.