The Pittsburgh Penguins are making waves in the prospect scene, with a few standout players catching the eyes of analysts this week.
Leading the charge is University of Michigan forward Will Horcoff. While he didn't make the NCAA watch list, he secured a spot on the prestigious TSN Top 50 affiliated prospects list, which speaks volumes about his potential.
Horcoff, a sophomore, has been lighting up the ice with 23 goals in 35 games, including six game-winners. His impressive tally of 36 points (23 goals, 13 assists) showcases his knack for finding the net.
As the 24th overall pick, he was the Penguins' third first-round selection, following Ben Kindel and Bill Zonnon.
Standing tall at 6-foot-5 and 203 pounds, Horcoff landed at No. 50 on TSN analyst Craig Button's list, highlighting his promising future.
Even higher on Button's radar is goaltender Sergei Murashov, who comes in at No. 12.
At 21, Murashov is viewed as the Penguins' future between the pipes. His performance in the AHL has been nothing short of stellar, boasting a 20-7-3 record and a .921 save percentage with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
As the second-ranked goaltending prospect, he's only behind Trey Augustine from the Detroit Red Wings.
Finding top-tier goaltending talent is no easy feat, with just five goalies making Button's list. Joining Murashov are Detroit's Sebastian Cossa, Utah's Michael Hrabal, and San Jose's Joshua Ravensbergen.
On the collegiate front, 2022 Penguins fifth-round pick Zam Plante has been making headlines. He delivered back-to-back clutch performances for the University of Minnesota Duluth, first tying the game in the final minute and then sealing the win in overtime.
This helped UMD sweep St. Cloud State in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference quarterfinals, setting up a showdown with North Dakota in the semifinals.
These Penguins prospects are not just names to watch-they're players who could shape the future of the franchise. Keep an eye on them as they continue to develop and make their mark.