Penguins fans got some more information Monday about who exactly the organization’s top prospects will be facing during this weekend’s annual prospects challenge in Buffalo.
The Pens are set to open the weekend tournament against the Boston Bruins, which announced their rookie camp and prospects challenge roster on Monday.
Notably missing from the roster is 2025 first-round pick James Hagens, who was present at development camp but is returning to Boston College this fall.
An interesting name listed
by the Bruins Fraser Minten, who was traded to the organization from the Toronto Maple Leafs last season and is fighting for a full-time NHL roster spot. Boston Sports Journal’s Joe Haggerty recently reported that Minten will be competing during camp to serve as a third-line center next season.
The Columbus Blue Jackets and Buffalo Sabres have yet to announce their rosters for the challenge.
The Blue Jackets’ roster could potentially include Cayden Lindstrom, the No. 4 pick of the 2024 draft. Lindstrom missed the entire 2024-25 season while recovering from back surgery before returning for the WHL playoffs, so Jackets fans have gotten only a limited look at him so far. Whether he attends the camp could depend on if there are scheduling conflicts with his upcoming season at Michigan State.
Barring other collegiate commitments the Penguins could also potentially get a look at defenseman Jackson Smith, the No. 14 pick of the 2025 draft who is about to join potential 2026 top pick Gavin McKenna at Penn State.
The Sabres could meanwhile potentially invite defenseman Radim Mrtka, the No. 9 pick of the 2025 draft. Other top prospects the Penguins could see from the home team include Isak Rosen, who got a few looks at the Sabres roster last season and could be competing to start the season in Buffalo, and Jake Richard, a 2022 sixth-rounder who is coming off a strong sophomore season with UConn.
The Penguins haven’t announced who will be attending the challenge from Pittsburgh. The franchise could give fans another look at some of this draft’s top picks if Ben Kindel, Will Horfcoff and Bill Zonnon are invited to the event.
A quick refresher on this weekend’s schedule, which kicks off Friday against the Bruins:
- Friday, Sept. 12th vs. Boston Bruins (3:30 p.m. ET)
- Sunday, Sept. 14th vs. Columbus Blue Jackets (3:30 p.m. ET)
- Monday, Sept. 15th vs. Buffalo Sabres (12 p.m. ET)
The Penguins will likely soon be releasing more details about training camp before the preseason begins on Monday, Sept. 22 against the Montreal Canadiens.
