When Owen Pickering got drafted in the first round of the 2022 NHL Draft, he instantly became the Pittsburgh Penguins' top defensive prospect. He's carried that mantle for two seasons but enters the 2024 offseason with a major opportunity.
The 6'5" defenseman led all Swift Current Broncos defenders with 46 points in 59 games this season, a new career high. Pickering has one year left of WHL eligibility remaining but is also old enough to jump to the AHL next season.
It's unlikely that the Penguins will turn to Pickering for NHL ice-time next season, but an opportunity may emerge soon after as several questions are forming on the left side.
Marcus Pettersson has been a pillar of consistency for the Penguins left side but has only one year remaining on his current contract. While reports indicate that the Penguins have already begun conversations about an extension, several questions remain behind him.
Ryan Graves is coming off a "worst-case scenario" season and could be on the trade block as early as this summer. P.O. Joseph's role remains undefined within the organization. Do they view him as a top-four option? Or is he simply a depth piece with decent chemistry with Kris Letang?
John Ludvig will already miss time next season due to a wrist injury, his third longer-term injury in under a year. The only other left-side defensemen under contract are Isaac Belliveau (70GP in ECHL) and Emil Pieniniemi (37GP in Liiga).
With a spot potentially opening up in the near future and a handful of other prospects like Ville Koivunen and Vasily Ponomarev potentially beginning next season in the AHL, the timing may be right for Pickering to turn pro this fall.
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