It’s been mentioned time and time again by Pittsburgh Penguins’ fans and media that the Penguins have a logjam of bottom-six forwards.
But one of those forwards involved in the logjam – although the chances are slim – should be in heavy consideration for a roster spot.
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Vasily Ponomarev, acquired from Carolina last spring as part of the deal that sent Jake Guentzel to the Hurricanes, is one of the young Penguins’ prospects that figure to be knocking on the door in 2024-25. Although it’s unlikely that Ponomarev, a natural center, will beat out Lars Eller, Kevin Hayes, Cody Glass, Blake Lizotte, or Noel Acciari a bottom-six role, that doesn’t mean he shouldn’t get his shot.
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The NHL sample size for Ponomarev, 22, is way too small to make anything of it – he’s registered a goal and two points in two games – but his overall body of work in the AHL has been impressive.
Over three seasons for the Chicago Wolves, Carolina’s AHL affiliate, Ponomarev registered a respectable 35 goals and 85 points in 114 games. But it wasn’t just his offensive game that showed promise: He plays a strong two-way game, is a strong forechecker, and figures to profile fairly well as a third-line center at the NHL level.
But he certainly has some skill to boot:
And his NHL sample size – albeit small – still left an impression on many Canes’ fans, who were not thrilled to lose Ponomarev in the Guentzel trade.
W trade gonna miss pono tho
— 💯K Ty2x (@Ty2xTV) March 8, 2024
I thought I was crushed about losing Bunting, but I am CRUSHED about Ponomarev. 😥
The conditions on the picks are good, though.
— Kyrie Andrews ⚔ 🇺🇲 (@KyrieAndrews) March 8, 2024
Not excited about losing Pono AT ALL
— Dan (@xWing_Dan) March 8, 2024
It is still plausible that Pittsburgh moves out a bottom-six contract before the start of the season to, potentially, open up space for Ponomarev to crack the roster. A lot can happen in the weeks leading up to training camp. But barring no changes, it’s unlikely that Ponomarev makes the Penguins’ roster out of camp unless he impresses to the point that the team has no choice.
Nonetheless, Penguins fans should expect to see Ponomarev at some point this season, and this is a prospect to be excited about. He has the potential to become a key part of the team’s bottom-six as the Penguins look to the future.
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