The Pittsburgh Penguins sent defenseman Owen Pickering to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins earlier Saturday. The move was met by some Penguins fans expressing puzzlement at the move as the 20-year-old had quickly endeared himself to teammates and fans alike.

• Subscribe to FloHockey today to watch the AHL all season long
• AHL All-Star Rosters Presented By FloHockey Announced
• 2025 AHL All-Star Team Atlantic Analysis
• 2025 AHL All-Star Team North Analysis
• 2025 AHL All-Star Team Central Analysis
• 2025 AHL All-Star Team Pacific Analysis

Over 25 games with Pittsburgh, Pickering has been proving he can hang at the NHL level. He has just three points, including his first NHL goal, but has also averaged close to 15 minutes per game.

As exciting as that is for Penguins fans to see any young player showing the flashes of promise Pickering has amid, you also have to wonder how valuable playing bottom-pairing minutes is for a player so young with such a degree of importance to the organization.

The Penguins like Pickering quite a bit. I wouldn’t look into this one too much. I’m sure he will be back sooner rather than later. Didn’t have to clear waivers. Forwards are banged up. Carrying 8 defensemen. https://t.co/pqZ93mSdR6

— Josh Yohe (@JoshYohe_PGH) January 25, 2025

To be honest, I thought Pickering’s arrival in Pittsburgh and getting a regular opportunity seemed quite a bit ahead of schedule. He had played in just 12 games in the AHL this season before getting the call to the big club. The fact he hung around as long as he did may actually say more about the Penguins and where they’re at than it does Pickering, but you have to be thrilled about how he performed while at the top level.

Now that he’s back with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, which is now as loaded with younger players with bright futures as it probably has been in recent years, Pickering gets a chance to get reps as a top-four defenseman. As enticing as it would be to leave him in the NHL working with and learning from the stars in Pittsburgh, Pickering’s opportunity to play the minutes and situations necessary to grow will be fewer and farther between.

It also didn’t hurt the Pens that Pickering was waiver exempt and is more easily movable between the AHL and NHL. They have to use that advantage as long as they have it to make sure one of their most important prospects is getting the opportunities to grow and learn the role he’s going to eventually play in the NHL.

This season has been an affirming one for Pickering, who was picked 21st overall in 2022. After a couple of good, not amazing seasons in the WHL after his draft, he’s made the transition to pro hockey more easily than some likely would have expected.

It is often said that bigger players take a bit longer to put it all together and that seemed to be true of Pickering. However, as a professional, he’s taken the step that was needed to not only hold his own, but to thrive. The points haven’t come easy, but he is a solid defender, has shown the mobility to handle the challenges of pro pace and was able to earn the trust of his NHL and AHL coaches quickly.

In the AHL, you’d hope to see Pickering get more offensive opportunities, move pucks effectively, score a few goals and still maintain the defensive game and awareness that has been evident in his early career. 

Getting sent to the AHL was certainly not a demotion. He’s played well enough to stick in the NHL, but “well enough” is not what the Penguins are going to need from Pickering long term. They need him to find the next level and it’s likely best found by taking what he’s learned in the NHL, returning to the AHL and starting to dominate.

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton hosts Utica Saturday night live on FloHockey.

How To Watch The AHL On FloHockey 

The AHL is streaming on FloHockey and the FloSports app. Live games, replays, highlights and breaking news will be on both platforms. 

NHL Prospect Coverage On FloHockey

The best and most complete coverage of the NHL minor league hockey and NHL Draft news is found on FloHockey. Don't miss the latest new prospect guides, rankings and more from Chris Peters and the FloHockey staff.

Watch AHL, ECHL, USHL, And More On FloHockey

FloHockey is the streaming home to some of the best hockey leagues in North America, including the AHL, ECHL, USHL, and more. Check out the broadcast schedule to watch more hockey.

Join The Hockey Conversation On FloHockey Social

• Follow us on Twitter @FloHockey
• Follow us on Instagram @flohockey
• Follow us on TikTok @flohockeytv
• Watch us on YouTube
• Like us on Facebook