“There’s a saying in Russian, it doesn’t matter who is against you, it matters who is with you,” Sergei Murashov remarked after a 4-1 Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins win over the Hershey Bears. The line in many ways defines the Penguins, who have become a top team in the American Hockey League (AHL) in recent years.
The Penguins more so than most teams in the AHL, have turned over the roster throughout the season. Yet, it’s left them unfazed, with the second-best record in the Atlantic Division. The Penguins keep winning games, and it’s a testament to the environment they’ve built for the AHL team, which helps foster and mentor the prospects.
Penguins Have a Winning Culture in Place
Ville Koivunen is a top forward prospect in the Pittsburgh Penguins system, moving up and down from the AHL and NHL. He’s played on the same line as Rafael Harvey-Pinard, a 27-year-old veteran who won’t make it at the next level but is a high-impact player in the AHL. It’s one of the many examples of the Penguins putting their prospects and veterans on the same lines to get the most out of the young skaters.
In the AHL, it’s about adding the right veterans to develop the younger players. Multiple coaches talk about the buffer they create and how they help the players off the ice. On the ice, they help the prospects learn the systems and take a step forward. It’s happened with Kiovunen and Rutger McGroarty, who is now on the NHL team.
“I feel like it makes it easier for them to just come in,” Avery Hayes noted on the tight-knit group that the Penguins have. It starts with the veterans and works its way down the roster, allowing players to come in and fit into the system.
Young Players Can Join The Team & Fit Right In
The past week saw Tanner Howe and Emil Pieniniemi make their AHL debuts. Both prospects bring a lot to the lineup but have kicked off the ground running. Howe had an assist in his debut and a goal in the next game. Pieniniemi, meanwhile, is already operating the power play from the point.
“He’s a great quarterback back there, he’s a great guy, and done a good job back there,” Hayes added about the skill the Finnish defenseman adds to the unit. It shows with two assists in two games. He can ease into the lineup because of the culture the Penguins have and the other players who set the tone, notably Phil Kemp and Owen Pickering, the two blue liners who lead the way.
The Penguins have a team that allows them to build prospects on top of prospects. Pickering is still developing for the NHL, yet he’s become a staple with the AHL team. It’s created plenty of optimism for the Penguins and their future.
It Reflects Well on Penguins Front Office
With Barry Trotz retiring, many hockey minds wondered who the up-and-coming general managers (GMs) are in hockey. Ryan Martin, the GM of the Hartford Wolf Pack, is often mentioned despite the team’s poor play this season. Evan Gold, the Providence Bruins GM, is another name to keep in mind, considering the juggernaut he’s helped build.
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With the way the Penguins have turned around their farm system, it’s hard to ignore Jason Spezza. Many will say that he’s not deserving of the credit since Kyle Dubas is the GM but he’s the one in charge of the AHL team, and the moves he’s made have allowed the prospects to develop and take big strides.
