Just one year ago, the Pittsburgh Penguins prospect pool beyond the top 10 was a smattering of potentials who were longshots, but in 2025, the list includes a pair of players who played large roles for their teams at the World Junior Championships and a former long shot who earned an NHL entry level contact after proving himself at the AHL level.<\/p>\n
PHN has already detailed the top prospects from 25 to 16:<\/p>\n
You can also visit the Penguins Prospects page<\/a> to view all prospects coverage and rankings. The list is somewhat preliminary, as trades this summer could add prospects to the list as Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas makes a few of his veterans available to teams who need scoring wingers or a three-time Norris Trophy-winning defender.<\/p>\n Now it is time to start digging into players who are not only hopeful of climbing all the way to the NHL, but some of whom are expected to arrive within the next couple of years.<\/p>\n As the deepening pool stands, one or all of the prospects from 11 to 15 could very well get at least one shot in the NHL this season. A pair of scrappers bookend this part of the list.<\/p>\n Penguins Prospects 15-11 A little spark plug who didn\u2019t take no for an answer. Hayes is not a big winger, and is just 5-foot-10, 179 pounds. He\u2019s not an elite skater, nor a sniper. However, the undrafted free agent from the OHL forced his way into the Penguins organization with tenacious, scrappy play with a good amount of offense.<\/p>\n Last season, Hayes was part of the roster rotation in Wilkes-Barre\/Scranton. The right wing was on an AHL contract and was necessarily behind the Penguins\u2019 prospects on the depth chart. By midseason, coach Kirk MacDonald admitted the Wilkes-Barre\/Scranton Penguins coaches had a conversation with WBS general manager (and Penguins AGM) Jason Spezza<\/a> to advocate for Hayes being in the lineup every night.<\/p>\n \u201cEventually it got to the point where we were all just talking\u2013we were both like, this guy can\u2019t come out of the lineup, like this is crazy,\u201d said MacDonald. \u201cHe was outstanding again for us in the second half of the year. All our young guys really were, but (the young guys) did such a great job carrying the load for us a lot of the time and scoring big goals, and Hazy was a big part of that.\u201d<\/p>\n Hayes, 22, continues to exceed expectations, and an NHL shot, probably at some point this season, is the next step. Last season, he had 23 goals with 42 points in 60 games.<\/p>\n 14. Emil Pieniniemi<\/p>\n Pieniniemi, 20, is on a unique journey to the NHL. After being drafted in the third round (91st overall) in 2023, he played one full season in the top Finnish league in 2023-24 before moving to the OHL\u2019s Kingston Frontenacs to adjust to the North American game.<\/p>\n Pieniniemi divided amateur scouts. Some wouldn\u2019t have drafted him until the late rounds, while others had a higher grade than the third round, which speaks to Pieniniemi\u2019s inconsistency.<\/p>\n He had a lackluster development camp in 2023, but earned spots on Team Finland in the 2024 and 2025 World Junior Championships. He was pointless in his first WJC, but had three points (1-2-3) in six games during his second outing.<\/p>\n The left-handed defenseman stands out on the ice. He\u2019s 6-foot-3, 177 pounds and has offensive skills, but has thus far shown he picks his spots. He had some good moments in the development camp, but doesn\u2019t consistently assert himself in the play.<\/p>\n He could be a top-four defenseman in two years or never arrive. He is turning pro this season, and it will be a big deal if he sticks in the AHL or is sent to Wheeling of the ECHL. If he arrives, the 2027-28 season seems appropriate.<\/p>\n 13. Peyton Kettles<\/p>\n
\n15. Avery Hayes<\/p>\n