Coming fresh from a trip to the conference finals, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins enter the 2026-2027 season with raised stakes throughout the organization.

**The Penguins Prospect Report from reporter Sam Wismer will be a regular feature on PHN this season

Last season, the WBS Penguins ended the regular season with a 46-17-7-2 record and 101 points. This gave the Penguins the third-best record in the American Hockey League. They advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2014 but fell to the Toronto Marlies in Game 6 at home.

Coming into a new season with raised stakes, the challenge is different. It is no longer about establishing a winning culture or getting back into the postseason dance. They have shown they can compete with the best in the AHL. The next question is whether this group can position themselves for a Calder Cup championship.

Head coach Kirk MacDonald returns behind the bench for his third season with the organization. He guided the club to two consecutive playoff appearances and has compiled a record of 86-41-4-3.  With the combination of returning talent, prospects, and additions of several players, this plays a significant role in determining how high this team can climb.

Here are five X-factors entering the 2026-27 season.

Bill Zonnon

Photo Credit: Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins

Few players coming into Pittsburgh have generated as much excitement as Bill Zonnon.

The 2025 first-round pick made his professional debut following the conclusion of his QMJHL season. Zonnon immediately provided a look at why he was the first-round pick and what he could bring to the WBS squad. During 11 playoff games, he recorded four goals and three assists during the run. If Zonnon doesn’t make the Pittsburgh roster, he could play a full AHL season, which would be quite valuable for the young talent.

Zonnon, 19, possesses the versatility to contribute in different areas of the game. He will certainly adapt to the physical demands both on and off the ice, which differ significantly in the professional ranks. Pittsburgh has invested heavily in his development, which was evidenced by his signing a three-year entry-level contract and the ATO for last season’s playoff run.

If Zonnon can turn the introduction he gave during the playoffs, he could quickly become one of Wilkes-Barre/Scranton offensive weapons.

Owen Pickering

Photo Credit: Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins

The Penguins’ defense can take another step forward this season with Owen Pickering.

Pickering was the Penguins’ 2022 first-round pick (21st overall) and is an intriguing young defenseman. This upcoming season represents his biggest opportunity to establish himself as a legitimate NHL option. Pickering’s development is vital for WBS to maintain consistency at the blue line and continue the success it had last season.

Checking in at 6-foot-5, Pickering’s size and reach impact the game while he continues to develop his puck-moving ability. The question now is how much responsibility he can handle.

If Pickering affirms that step forward from the end of last season, the Penguins organization will have another important defensive piece in their grasp.

Tristan Broz

Photo Credit: Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins

Tristan Broz enters the 2026-2027 season with plenty to look forward to. He led WBS in playoff scoring, and his internal reputation benefited as a result. If the NHL roster were not overstocked, Broz would have been a strong contender for NHL duty with a good training camp. He proved his ability to perform in high-pressure games and was a consistent offensive contributor.

The young roster that Wilkes-Barre/Scranton had learned a valuable lesson, and that was just how difficult playoff hockey can be. AHL playoff hockey greatly resembles the game at the next level, and Broz thrived.

The Penguins need production throughout the lineup, especially when injury season hits and the call-ups affect the roster. Broz’s ability to provide scoring could be a big advantage in determining his time in the spotlight.

Brent Johnson

Photo Credit: Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins

A newcomer to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton roster is Brent Johnson. Johnson will arrive in Wilkes after having a standout season with the Wheeling Nailers.

This will allow him to make the jump from the ECHL to the AHL. The transition can be challenging, particularly for a defenseman. Johnson’s development will be worth following throughout training camp and through the early part of the season. Johnson’s arrival in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton will highlight something Pittsburgh holds of importance: Development.

If Johnson can find his footing early and make it known that he can be an everyday AHL defenseman, he could provide the Penguins with depth while giving Pittsburgh a potential NHL option down the line.

Taylor Gauthier

Photo Credit: Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins

Turning the attention to netminding. Taylor Gauthier could be one of the most important pieces for the WBS 2026-2027 season

Gauthier has established himself as a presence for the Penguins, and his development could be critical for a team looking to build on last season’s playoff and Conference Finals appearance.

The WBS Penguins’ success last season was built on the ability to play a full 60-minute game. Deep playoff runs come down to goaltending at critical moments. Gauthier’s ability to be confident in net during stretches when the team is injured or dealing with call-ups could make for a storyline season. If he can take a step forward and establish himself as a dependable AHL goaltender, he can give WBS exactly what it needs to make another deep postseason run. He was critical for the Nailers’ run and often saw many games come down to the battle between him and the opposing netminder.

For a team looking to make another run at the Calder Cup, Gauthier can be one of the most important X-factors playing behind or even beside Joel Blomqvist (or Sergei Murashov if Blomqvist wins the battle in training camp).

The Next Step

The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins proved last season that they can win and compete deep into the postseason. Now the hard part comes: Doing that all over again with raised expectations. WBS was the youngest team in the AHL last season, with an average age of 22, and still managed to reach the Eastern Conference Final. That experience should only benefit the group moving forward, especially the players who were deep into that run.

Watching Zonnon’s development, Pickering progressing as a defenseman, Broz’s offensive growth, Johnson’s transition to the AHL after a standout season in the ECHL, and Gauthier’s playoff experience is what could have a major impact on a team with raised stakes.

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