Heading into the 2025-26 season, the Pittsburgh Penguins have shifted the focus to youth and development.
With more talent in the system than Pittsburgh has had in years - and 13 picks in the 2025 NHL Draft - top prospects lists are becoming more competitive and more difficult to discern. Since the prospect pool is deepening, The Hockey News - Pittsburgh Penguins takes a look at the top-20 prospects in the organization.
Next up is No. 16, as we take a look at defensive prospect Emil Pieniniemi, whose strong 2024-25 campaign turned some heads and has set him up nicely going forward.
#16: D Emil Pieniniemi
It was quite the season for Pieniniemi, 20, who came over to North America from Finland and completed a junior season with the Kingston Frontenacs of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). In 60 games played this season, he registered 10 goals and 60 points, and he finished sixth in OHL scoring among defensemen.
He was also an alternate captain for Team Finland's 2025 World Junior Championship squad, when he recorded two goals and three points in six games. The 6-foot-3, 177-pound defenseman was the No. 1 defenseman for Finland, and he helped lead them to a silver medal in the tournament.
At the time of his selection in the third round (91st overall) of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, Pieniniemi was more well-known for his shutdown defensive ability. But, since arriving in North America, he has shown his ability as a versatile two-way defenseman who can be deployed in all situations.
Top-20 Penguins' Prospects 2025: Young Forward Earns His SpotHeading into the 2025-26 season, the Pittsburgh Penguins have shifted the focus to youth and development.
The intrigue in Pieniniemi's game is certainly in his upside potential offensively, as he became a glue guy for the Frontenacs on the power play and has the playmaking smarts and IQ to distribute the puck to the danger areas effectively. He's mobile, he's agile, and he knows how to man the offensive blue line.
Defensively, Pieniniemi gets in shooting lanes, does not shy away from physicality, and uses his frame effectively to win positioning on opponents. He isn't afraid to dish a booming hit or get mixed up in scourmishes, either, which is always something the Penguins would welcome.
He is also a left-shot defenseman, which is a glaring area of weakness for the Penguins organizationally. They can use as many of these upside left defenders as they can get their hands on.
ANOTHER GOAL FOR FINLAND 👀
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 6, 2025
Emil Pieniniemi gives Finland some insurance to make it 3-1.#WorldJuniorspic.twitter.com/1HAV7ereCm
Given the Penguins' current blue line situation, it's unlikely that Pieniniemi sees NHL ice this season. He is eligible for the AHL next season, however, so it will be interesting to see how Pieniniemi adjusts to the pro game.
This guy has some all-around tools, and he may only be 1-2 years away from full-time in the NHL. The only reason he wasn't higher on this list is, in part, because the Penguins had a huge influx of players from this year's draft, and the field is getting more clogged than it has been in a long while.
But don't overlook him. He may not have as high a ceiling as fellow Penguins' prospects Harrison Brunicke and Owen Pickering, but he's a perfect example of a player who could end up well-outperforming his draft positiioning if he develops the right way.
Top-20 Penguins' Prospects 2025: Oft-Forgotten Part Of Jake Guentzel Trade Has IntrigueHeading into the 2025-26 season, the Pittsburgh Penguins have shifted the focus to youth and development.
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