Penguins rookie Ben Kindel (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN – The first month of the NHL regular season has been a clear positive for the Pittsburgh Penguins. A team that missed the playoffs in each of the past three years is now sitting third in the Metropolitan Division. Legendary veterans Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby are producing at an elite level once again – and under their wing, a promising young forward is quickly emerging.
Ben Kindel was born on the same day Crosby and Malkin were eliminated from their first Stanley Cup Playoff series. Now, the two veterans and the rookie are sharing Pittsburgh’s top power-play unit.
“I always grew up watching those two legends,” Kindel told RG in an exclusive interview. “So it’s really cool to play on the same team as them now.”
The Penguins selected Kindel 11th overall in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft, signing him to a three-year entry-level contract that July. He made his NHL debut on Oct. 7, 2025, and scored his first career NHL goal just four days later, on Oct. 11.
Head coach Dan Muse has already placed Kindel on the top line alongside Bryan Rust and Sidney Crosby. On the power play, the 18-year-old operates on the first unit with Malkin, Rust, Crosby and Erik Karlsson. Most rookies spend years dreaming of sharing the ice with superstars; for Kindel, it’s already a reality.
“It is unbelievable. I am very lucky to be able to play with all four of those guys. I am just trying to do whatever I can to help them be successful.”
Learning From Leaders
Kindel knows that earning the trust of elite players is a process.
“We are just trying to develop chemistry. It is still early – we just started playing together. Every game and practice we keep building each day.”
So far this season, Kindel has recorded seven points (five goals, two assists) in 15 games. Only a year ago, he was skating for the Calgary Hitmen in the WHL. Many already view him as one of Pittsburgh’s most promising young forwards – but he stays humble.
“I do not know… I just try to take it game by game and help the team however I can. That has always been my mindset.”
When asked whether Crosby or Malkin gives him advice, Kindel highlights their leadership style:
“The biggest thing with all those guys is that they lead by example. On the ice they always help out. All the leaders here are very good to the young guys and help us find our way.”
Kindel sees Pittsburgh’s start to the season as overwhelmingly positive. “We learned a lot at the start of the year. We had a great training camp and everybody is pulling the rope. It is a great team culture, and that is what is really pushing us.”
Global Series Experience in Sweden
This week, Kindel and the Penguins arrived in Sweden ahead of two NHL Global Series games against the Nashville Predators on Nov. 14 and 16. The team flew into Stockholm on Tuesday and has embraced the opportunity to explore a new country. On their off-day Wednesday, the Penguins visited a Japanese spa – an experience Kindel thoroughly enjoyed.
“It was very unique. I had never been somewhere like that. It was fun, very relaxing. It was a great experience,” he said.