The Pittsburgh Penguins' Top 25 Under 25 list is an annual feature that takes a look at the top young players within the organization. This year, the list is a bit different as it includes players who have aged out, been traded, or opted not to sign with the team. One such player is Cruz Lucius, a 22-year-old forward who was acquired in the Jake Guentzel trade but has opted to sign with another team. While Lucius has upside as a skilled forward, he is considered a long shot to reach his ceiling and make a consistent NHL impact. This is a minor blow for the Penguins, as Lucius saved his best college season for last with a 46-point effort in 36 games with Arizona State. The team wanted him to turn pro with them, but he has chosen a different path. In my opinion, this is a missed opportunity for the Penguins, as Lucius could have been a nice prospect to keep within the system. However, it is also a reminder that the team is in the early stages of restocking its system with talent, and these types of decisions are part of the process. Another player who has aged out of the list is Arturs Silovs, who turned 25 years old in March and has signed a one-year contract for $2.8 million dollars. Silovs is a success story, as he did most of his developing in Vancouver's organization but ended up being a nice add for the Penguins. The list also includes players who have been traded, such as Sam Poulin, who was a throw-in for a larger trade to keep contracts balanced. Poulin, a former first-round pick, ended up playing two games with the Penguins but was never more advanced than he was early in the process. In my opinion, the Penguins' system appears to be healthy and improving, with a pipeline to bring in young talent that can take a while to get through before the finished product comes out at the other end. The team has brought in fresh young talent since the last Pensburgh T25U25, and the future looks bright for the organization.
