It's not a secret that the Pittsburgh Penguins have struggled to find consistency in the early going of the 2026-27 season. 

But, although it has not been perfect, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (WBS) have gotten off to a pretty decent start — and that includes some of their top players. 

To go along with a decent 3-2-1 start this season, forwards Avery Hayes and Rutger McGroarty have been lighting up the AHL during the season's first six games. Hayes and McGroarty each have nine points, which - as of Sunday - make them tied for third in AHL scoring. Atley Calvert (eight points) and Mikhail Ilyin (seven points) are not far behind, and neither are Tristan Broz (six points), Bill Zonnon (five points) and defenseman Jake Livanavage (five points in five games).

In addition, goaltender Taylor Gauthier - who is playing in his first full AHL season and has split time with Joel Blomqvist up to this point - is 2-1 with a .915 save percentage. 

Here are your WBS Penguins scoring leaders to begin the 2026-27 season - Community PostEven if the Pittsburgh Penguins aren't off to the most optimal of starts to the 2026-27 season, it hasn't been all bad for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (WBS) Penguins, who have a 3-2-1 record through six AHL games. 

Hayes and McGroarty, especially, have been making very strong cases to see NHL action. The 24-year-old Hayes has goals in four of six games so far this season for WBS, and he has been a menace on both special teams units. In addition to two power play goals, he also has a shorthanded goal, and his versatility has, once again, proven valuable to the WBS Penguins. 

McGroarty, 22, definitely qualifies as a player with something big to prove. He began the season with the NHL club and did not appear in a game before being sent back to WBS due to players coming back from injury. McGroarty has been a man-advantage weapon for WBS, scoring three power play goals, and he has averaged a team-high five shots per game so far this season. He has a four-point and a three-point game this season. 

Rut gets the job done! pic.twitter.com/7qjFbvLanE

— Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (@WBSPenguins) October 17, 2026

The two of them have continued to display a high degree of chemistry on a line together, as they have flanked Broz on the first line. This is a combination that dates back to last season, and the success has followed through to this season. In Saturday's 6-3 win over the Cleveland Monsters, those three players combined for six points. 

Calvert, 23, is a player to watch as well. He signed a two-year NHL entry-level contract this summer, and he is building on his productiveness from the last two seasons. The undrafted center has 28 goals and 60 points in 102 career AHL games, and his two-way prowess is beginning to make him a standout as far as the pecking order with NHL call-ups.  

Penguins Make Pair Of Defensive Roster MovesWith one injury already on the blue line and another possible injury from Saturday, Pittsburgh needed some insurance on the blue line.

Zonnon - selected 22nd overall in the 2025 NHL Draft - is playing in his first full AHL season, and he's looking very much like a formidable two-way center so far. He's largely been centering a third line with Tanner Howe and Calvert, and his multidimensional, pro-ready toolset has been an asset to WBS so far. 

Finally, don't sleep on Livanavage, the 6-foot, 186-pound left defenseman who the Penguins signed to a two-year entry level contract out of the University of North Dakota late in the 2025-26 season. Much focus, understandably so, is centered on Owen Pickering and Harrison Brunicke, but Livanavage has been their most prolific offensive blueliner to start the season and has helped anchor their power play.

Given the recent report that the Penguins have interest in moving some veterans in order to create more space for their younger players, it's a positive development to see several players having hot starts in WBS. If they continue to put up numbers, they will certainly force some difficult decisions for the organization. 

Report: Penguins Are Willing To Deal Veterans. What Does That Mean?According to a new report Saturday, the Pittsburgh Penguins and GM Kyle Dubas are ready to open the doors for a youth movement.

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ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Kirill Kaprizov broke a second-period tie with his NHL-leading 10th goal, Jesper Wallstedt stopped 13 shots and the Minnesota Wild beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 2-1 on Sunday night.

Danila Yurov also scored to help the Central Division-leading Wild improve to 6-2-1.

Adam Fantilli scored for Columbus. Cam Talbot made 32 saves.

Kaprizov broke a 1-1 tie with a power-play goal at 3:06 of the second, beating Talbot over the shoulder from the bottom of the left faceoff circle.

Both goalies stood tall early in the first period. Wallstedt denied Connor Garland on a breakaway two minutes into the game. Then Talbot made three saves as the Blue Jackets killed off a 5-on-3 power play that lasted 1:52.

Minnesota got on the board late in the first period. Yakov Trenin scooped up a turnover at the Columbus blue line, beat a defender on the way to the net, then feathered a pass across the slot where Yurov was waiting to tap it in.

FLAMES 3, HURRICANES 2

CALGARY. Alberta (AP) — Yegor Sharangovich scored the go-ahead goal with 4:28 left and Calgary ended Carolina’s seven-game winning streak, beating the defending champions for their second victory of the season.

Morgan Frost set up the winning goal after scoring on a power play in the second period. Matvei Gridin also scored, and Devin Cooley made 34 saves to help Calgary improve to 2-6-0.

On the deciding play, Frost sent a saucer pass across the slot to Sharangovich, who one-timed it as soon as the puck landed on his stick and picked the top corner, sending goalie Brandon Bussi’s water bottle flying.

Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Jalen Chatfield scored for Carolina, and Bussi made 31 saves. The Hurricanes dropped do 7-2-1.

_____

CALGARY. Alberta (AP) — Yegor Sharangovich scored the go-ahead goal with 4:28 left and the Calgary Flames ended Carolina's seven-game winning streak, beating the defending champion Hurricanes 3-2 on Saturday night for their second victory of the season.

Morgan Frost set up the winning goal after scoring on a power play in the second period. Matvei Gridin also scored, and Devin Cooley made 34 saves to help Calgary improve to 2-6-0.

On the deciding play, Frost sent a saucer pass across the slot to Sharangovich, who one-timed it as soon as the puck landed on his stick and picked the top corner, sending goalie Brandon Bussi’s water bottle flying.

Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Jalen Chatfield scored for Carolina, and Bussi made 31 saves. The Hurricanes dropped do 7-2-1.

Up next

Hurricanes: At Vancouver on Tuesday night.

Flames: Host Minnesota on Thursday night.

___

See AP’s full NHL coverage here

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota Wild center Danila Yurov is beginning to find his offensive game, and head coach John Hynes believes the 22-year-old has the potential to become an important piece of the organization’s future.

Yurov scored his third goal in his last four games during Minnesota’s 2-1 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday, continuing an impressive offensive stretch for the former first-round pick.

But following the victory, Hynes made it clear that Yurov’s contributions extend well beyond his recent scoring success.

In fact, the Wild coach believes Yurov has the potential to become a first- or second-line center in the NHL.

“The puck pressure, the reads, the hockey sense with Yurov are, even last year, they’re, like I keep talking to him, he’s going to be a top-two line center the way that he thinks the game, sees the game,” Hynes said.

“Now, we’re starting to see his skating, his confidence, his offensive instincts, on top of his hockey smarts and acumen without the puck, which is excellent.”

It’s a significant endorsement from Hynes, particularly considering the attention surrounding Yurov’s future in Minnesota.

The 24th overall selection from the 2022 NHL Draft has been mentioned in trade speculation involving Detroit Red Wings former captain Dylan Larkin, an established NHL center who could immediately strengthen Minnesota’s lineup.

While there’s no indication a trade involving Yurov is imminent, his recent emergence presents an interesting situation for the Wild.

Minnesota has been looking for additional help down the middle, but one of its youngest centers is beginning to show why the organization invested a first-round selection in him.

And according to Hynes, the development taking place goes much deeper than the scoresheet.

Yurov’s Development Goes Beyond Scoring

WILD SCORE FIRST! 💥

Yakov Trenin makes a nice move to find a wide open Danila Yurov for the finish.

(🎥: Wild+) pic.twitter.com/w0cpPbwW0j

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) October 18, 2026

One of the biggest challenges for young centers transitioning to the NHL is learning how to handle the responsibilities that come with the position.

It’s not simply about generating offense. Centers are expected to support their defensemen, win puck battles, make responsible decisions through the neutral zone and contribute in all three zones.

For Yurov, those details have been among the strongest parts of his game.

Hynes has repeatedly praised the young Russian’s hockey intelligence and ability to read plays, qualities that have helped him earn additional responsibilities despite his limited NHL experience.

That includes time on the penalty kill, where Hynes believes Yurov has already established himself as a reliable option.

“He’s been excellent on the penalty kill,” Hynes said.

It’s an encouraging sign for a player whose offensive abilities were a major part of his appeal when Minnesota selected him in the first round.

While Yurov’s recent goals have attracted attention, his ability to contribute without the puck could ultimately determine how quickly he develops into the top-six center Hynes envisions.

And another important part of that development is taking place in the faceoff circle.

Former NHL Center Derek Stepan Helping Yurov

Yurov has been working with former NHL center Derek Stepan to improve his faceoff ability, something Hynes specifically highlighted following Sunday’s victory.

“The faceoffs, he was over 50% on the faceoff circle. He’s been working with [Derek Stepan]. He puts time and effort into it,” Hynes said.

Stepan, a native of Hastings, Minnesota, brings extensive NHL experience to the process. The former center played 890 regular-season games across 13 NHL seasons, recording 182 goals, 333 assists and 515 points.

He also appeared in 120 Stanley Cup playoff games, contributing 20 goals, 35 assists and 55 points.

Throughout his career, Stepan established himself as a dependable NHL center who understood the responsibilities of playing in the middle of the ice.

That experience provides Yurov with an opportunity to learn from someone who spent more than a decade competing against some of the league’s best players.

Faceoffs are particularly important for a young center looking to earn more ice time and responsibility. Winning draws can help a team establish possession, relieve pressure in the defensive zone and create offensive opportunities immediately following a faceoff.

For a player like Yurov, improving in that area could make him a more complete option for Minnesota’s coaching staff. His work with Stepan also demonstrates the commitment Hynes has noticed throughout his development.

Yurov isn’t simply relying on his natural offensive talent. He’s putting in additional work to improve the details necessary to become an everyday NHL center.

So far, it has paid off. He had the lowest faceoff percentage in the NHL last season for centermen who took at least 742 draws (39.2 percent). He's at 56.6 percent this season.

An Interesting Decision Could Be Ahead For Minnesota

TRENIN ➡️ SHABANOV ➡️ YUROV 🚨 pic.twitter.com/wdFEZhZDwI

— Spoked Z (@SpokedZ) October 16, 2026

Yurov’s recent emergence comes at an interesting time for the Wild.

Minnesota has been linked to Detroit's Dylan Larkin in trade speculation as the organization continues looking for ways to strengthen its center depth.

Larkin would provide the Wild with an established top-six center capable of making an immediate impact. However, acquiring a player of his caliber could require Minnesota to part with valuable young assets, potentially including Yurov.

And that’s where Hynes’ comments become particularly interesting.

The Wild are reportedly exploring the possibility of acquiring an established center, yet their own head coach believes one of their young players has the potential to develop into a first- or second-line center himself.

At 22 years old, Yurov is still in the early stages of his NHL career. There will undoubtedly be growing pains, and a four-game scoring stretch doesn’t guarantee he’ll reach the ceiling Hynes envisions.

But his recent production, defensive awareness, penalty-killing contributions and continued improvement in the faceoff circle suggest his development is moving in the right direction.

“So, it’s nice to see, particularly early in the season to see him get on the scoresheet, get some confidence that way because there’s so many things that are trending in the right direction with him, and that’s certainly one of them,” Hynes said.

For Minnesota, the challenge is balancing the desire to improve immediately with the potential of its young players.

Larkin could provide an immediate solution down the middle, but Yurov is beginning to demonstrate why he could eventually become part of that solution himself.

And when a head coach publicly projects a 22-year-old as a future top-two-line center, it raises an important question about how much the organization should be willing to sacrifice to acquire an established one.

For now, Yurov continues to make his case on the ice.

With three goals in his last four games and increasing trust from Minnesota’s coaching staff, the young Russian is giving the Wild plenty to consider as they evaluate both their present needs and their future down the middle.

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With some injuries piling up on the left side of the blue line, the Pittsburgh Penguins made a roster move Sunday to give them another body for the last leg of their current Western road swing.

The Penguins recalled defenseman Ilya Solovyov from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (WBS) Penguins, and on the same day, re-assigned newly acquired blueliner Ryan Johnson to WBS.

These moves come a day after defenseman Sam Girard was injured during the second period of the Penguins' 6-2 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights, when Girard was tripped by Vegas forward Brett Howden and flew awkwardly into the bottom of the wall shoulder-first.

In addition, Trevor van Riemsdyk is still working out in Pittsburgh and rehabbing from a lower-body injury. He is currently on injured reserve. 

Penguins Complete Trade With Sabres To Acquire Former First-Round PickThe Pittsburgh Penguins addressed their defensive logjam at the minor league level with a blue line swap involving the Buffalo Sabres Monday

Solovyov, 26, began the season on the Penguins' NHL roster. After failing to appear in a game, the Penguins waived him on Oct. 9 in hopes that he would pass through waivers and join WBS to have an opportunity to be in the lineup every night. In three games for WBS, Solovyov had one assist and was a plus-6, largely playing top-pairing minutes with right defenseman Harrison Brunicke. 

The 6-foot-3, 229-pound defenseman was traded to Pittsburgh during the second half last season and appeared in 14 games, registering five points to go along with a plus-1.

Johnson, 25, is a former first-round pick (31st overall in 2019) who was acquired from the Buffalo Sabres on Oct. 12. He has yet to appear in an NHL game this season, and he has seven assists in 47 games across three season, all of which were accrued in 41 games during his rookie season in 2023-24.

Report: Penguins Are Willing To Deal Veterans. What Does That Mean?According to a new report Saturday, the Pittsburgh Penguins and GM Kyle Dubas are ready to open the doors for a youth movement.

Bookmark THN - Pittsburgh Penguins on your Google News tab to follow the latest Penguins news, roster moves, player features, and more!    

The Buffalo Sabres had a tough test Saturday against the Montreal Canadiens, but they ultimately fell to the Habs in a 4-3 overtime win for Montreal. The ‘loser’ point was beneficial to the Sabres, but against arguably the Atlantic Division’s top team, Buffalo had an opportunity to send a shot across the bow to the Canadiens, and they failed to do so.

The Sabres are by no means a perfect team, but they are very much a work-in-progress. You might say the same about every team, but Buffalo’s pressure is different in that their15-year Stanley Cup playoff drought ended last season, and they now have to take the next step forward – and that’s getting beyond the second round next spring.

But what the Sabres really need to do – something they owe their loyal, long-suffering  fans – is pull off a blockbuster trade involving one player or another.

Could that be current Winnipeg Jets malcontent goalie Connor Hellebuyck? It could be. Could it be Detroit Red Wings star center Dylan Larkin? Highly unlikely, but stranger things have happened. Or could there be a star player who suddenly appears on the trade block? That’s the most-likely development for Buffalo. 

The Sabres have $1.8-million in salary cap space, so if they are going to acquire a name-brand player with a high salary, they’re going to have to move out money, either in the blockbuster trade, or in a subsequent move. But the other thing Buffalo GM Jarmo Kekalainen could use in a blockbuster swap is his first-round draft picks. The Sabres have all of their first-rounders in the next three drafts, so peeling off one of them wouldn’t hurt a win-now team like Buffalo.

The Sabres don’t need any high-end talent on ‘D, but their current goaltending setup doesn’t inspire much confidence. Veterans Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Colten Ellis have sub-.900 save percentages, and that’s why Buffalo has been linked to Hellebuyck. But the other area Buffalo could target is their top-six group of forwards. If the Toronto Maple Leafs had the assets to acquire star winger Kirill Marchenko from the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Sabres have enough trade capital to pick up a similar type of player.

Kekalainen has yet to orchestrate a blockbuster move of any sort in his one year (approximately) running the team. The truth is, Buffalo played so well that Kekalainen didn’t have an acute problem to deal with. But now that the Sabres have settled in a little bit, they could significantly shift the balance of power by bringing in a Grade-A talent.

You can give a player like Ryan McLeod his due for being an above-average NHL talent, but is he a star? No. And that’s what Buffalo needs – star power. That’s what Buffalo fans deserve – a player who can impose their will on games and electrify long-suffering Sabres fans. Some of Buffalo’s youngsters could evolve into superstars some day down the line. But in this moment in the Sabres’ competitive cycle, they need to be swinging for the fences on the trade market.

Sometimes, you never know what players come available. And if Kekalainen shakes the trees in the coming weeks and months, a high-end player could fall into Buffalo’s lap. The Sabres have every reason to bring in a star-caliber player, and if Kekalainen can acquire a top forward or goalie, that could prove to be the final piece of Buffalo’s championship puzzle.

Even though the Philadelphia Flyers are badly hurting due to injuries, especially at forward, they just created some intrigue by cutting loose more healthy bodies than they replace them with. 

On Sunday, shortly after the conclusion of the Flyers' practice session, head coach Rick Tocchet revealed that forwards Tyson Foerster and Sean Couturier are game-time decisions ahead of Monday night's game against the Colorado Avalanche.

They join a growing list of Flyers players ailing and out of the lineup, with Travis Konecny, Cam York, Rasmus Ristolainen, and Owen Tippett all injured at the moment as well.

Later Sunday, the Flyers placed York on injured reserve, creating a free roster space, while sending forward Jack Studnicka and defenseman Helge Grans to the AHL.

The only corresponding move the Flyers made was calling up defenseman Hunter McDonald, a 6-foot-4, 240 pound defenseman who made his NHL debut last season against Montreal, recording an assist, a +3 rating, and four penalty minutes.

With the 24-year-old McDonald now on the roster, the Flyers still have two free roster spots available for use, though it's curious that they haven't made use of them just yet.

For instance, in Studnicka's case, the journeyman had recently overtaken the fourth-line center position with Couturier moving up higher in the lineup, as the Flyers preferred Studnicka at center over the versatile Noel Acciari.

Including Tippett, Foerster, and Couturier, the Flyers have 12 forwards on their roster, and they would assuredly need to call up at least one forward to help close the gap.

What are the Flyers' options?

Perhaps Travis Konecny, who is now eligible to return from injured reserve after missing seven days of action, is ready to hit the ice, though he wasn't spotted at practice on Sunday.

If needed, players like Jett Luchanko and Alex Bump are candidates to be called up by the Flyers, though, again, it's interesting they haven't already done so.

Bump, 22, would be especially interesting given that he has seven goals in five AHL games this season, including an overtime winner on Saturday night.

It's no secret the Flyers are starved for offense, and Bump would easily be the most deserving candidate for a call-up amongst the forwards.

Luchanko, with six points in six games, has been no slouch either, but the Flyers may prefer their top center prospect to have more development time in the AHL rather than serve as a band-aid solution for a rash of injuries for a game or two.

As for someone like Carl Grundstrom, the Swede was unavailable for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms due to personal reasons on Saturday night, so he might not be an option for the Flyers at the moment.

Other veterans in the AHL, like Nolan Foote and Danila Klimovich, are banged up and likely unavailable, too.

Also of note, the NHL no longer allows paper transactions, so Studnicka must return to the AHL and report for at least one game before he returns to the NHL; the Flyers can't assess Tippett, Foerster, and Couturier and then decide that they need Studnicka back for the Avalanche game.

This latest roster move from the Flyers is clearly a precursor to something more, though it is just unclear what that is at this time.