Penguins A to Z: Owen Pickering has to take a big step forward

With the Pittsburgh Penguins entering the offseason for a third consecutive year without a playoff appearance, TribLive will offer Penguins A to Z, a player-by-player look at all 57 individuals signed to an NHL contract – including those whose deals do not begin until future seasons — with the organization.

Starting with Noel Acciari and going on through to Philip Tomasino (regrettably, there is no Z on the payroll), every player will be profiled in alphabetical order.

This series is scheduled to be published Mondays through Saturdays leading up until June 24, four days before the start of the NHL Draft. In the event of a transaction, that schedule will be altered as necessary.

(Note: All contract information courtesy of Puckpedia.)

Owen Pickering

Position: Defenseman

Shoots: Left

Age: 21

Height: 6-foot-4

Weight: 200 pounds

2024-25 NHL statistics: 25 games, three points (one goal, two assists), 14:49 of average ice time per contest

2024-25 AHL regular season statistics: 47 games, 13 points (two goals, 11 assists)

2024-25 AHL postseason statistics: Two games, zero points (zero goals, zero assists)

Contract: In the second year of a three-year entry-level contract with a salary cap hit of $$886,667. Pending restricted free agent in 2027.

(Pickering is exempt from waivers for any assignment to a minor league affiliate.)

Acquired: First-round draft pick (No. 21 overall), July 7, 2022

This season: The 2024 training camp and preseason were something of a minor triumph for Owen Pickering in that he was actually able to participate in years prior, various injuries had sidelined Pickering for training camps as well as offseason camps for prospects.

Fully healthy, Pickering skated in four preseason games and recorded an assist before being assigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Oct. 4.

Opening his first full professional season on the left side of Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s third pairing, Pickering was quickly promoted to the top pairing.

A pair of milestones occurred in November. First, Pickering scored his first professional goal during a 4-3 road overtime loss to the rival Lehigh Valley Phantoms on Nov. 13.

Big smiles from Pick after his first goal ???? pic.twitter.com/kGYxjlzxtI

— Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (@WBSPenguins) November 14, 2024

Two days later, Pickering was recalled to the NHL roster for the first time in his career. Then on Nov. 16, he made his NHL debut, recording an assist in a 4-3 home shootout win against the San Jose Sharks.

Primarily stationed on the left side of the third pairing with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Pickering scored his first NHL goal during a 5-4 home overtime win against the Florida Panthers on Dec. 3.

Pittsburgh goal!

Scored by Owen Pickering with 10:40 remaining in the 1st period.

Assisted by Blake Lizotte.

Pittsburgh: 1
Florida: 0#FLAvsPIT #LetsGoPens #TimeToHunt pic.twitter.com/4bgF2J27A3

— NHL Goals (@nhl_goal_bot) December 4, 2024

Pickering remained a steady presence in the lineup until Dec. 21 when he suffered a concussion that landed him on injured reserve and forced him to miss four games.

Back in the lineup by Jan. 3, Pickering skated in the next 11 games before being sent back to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Jan. 25 with management suggesting he could benefit from an elevated role in the AHL lineup.

Selected to the AHL’s All-Star event Feb. 1, Pickering was a steady presence in the lineup for 35 consecutive games until an undisclosed injury sidelined him for the final two games of the regular season.

During Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s brief two-game postseason run, Pickering manned the top pairing with Jack St. Ivany and did not record a point.

The future: During his season-ending media availability April 21, Penguins president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas cited a need to boost the left side of the blue line and also called on Pickering to “have a great summer” while suggesting the rookie needs to develop into a player capable of logging 20 minutes a game.

Basically, management is challenging Pickering to meet the heavy expectations that come with being a first-round pick. And not coincidentally, he plays a position where the franchise is lacking.

During his cup of coffee at the NHL level, Pickering looked mostly adequate, albeit while he primarily played a third-pairing role. There were some mistakes but nothing out of the ordinary for a rookie playing his first games at the highest level.

Entering 2025-26, Pickering has to take a big step forward. Especially because the Penguins need him to.