Which young Penguins players could break out in 2026-27?

PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 27: Harrison Brunicke #45 of the Pittsburgh Penguins skates during the game against the St. Louis Blues at PPG PAINTS Arena on October 27, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images We have looked at bounce back candidates .

We have looked at potential regression candidates . Now it is time to look at some of the Pittsburgh Penguins young players that could break out in a big way for the 2026-27 season. The candidates are mostly obvious, but how high should we be setting the ceiling?

Let’s dig into it a little bit, Ben Kindel The most encouraging development for the Penguins during the 2025-26 season was the emergence and rapid development of center Ben Kindel. From the moment he arrived in training camp and started to play in the preseason there was obvious reason for excitement and optimism. And then he delivered on that far sooner than anticipated by not only making the team as an 18-year-old in his draft year, and not only sticking around for the entire season and playoffs, but also making a sizable impact.

He was not a passenger. He was one of the drivers of the team’s success for a good chunk of the season. He did have some moments where he ran into a rookie wall, especially later on, but that is to be expected for a player that age going through that sort of grind for the first time.