Pittsburgh Penguins Youth Movement: Top 5 Under 25

Nov 26, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman

(3) skates up ice against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the third period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Penguins won 4-3 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The Pittsburgh Penguins are becoming a team in transition. While they’ve long been built around young stars Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Marc-Andre Fleury, and Kris Letang, that core is now firmly in their prime and entering the latter half of their careers.

Crosby, Malkin, and Letang are all nearing 30, while Fleury has already surpassed the milestone marker.

While the Pens are nowhere near the point of moving on from these veteran superstars, it is time for the organization to ensure that they have strong young talent coming down the pipeline, ensuring their future success is secure.

With that in mind, here are the top 5 Penguins under the age of 25:

Dec 20, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman

celebrates after scoring a goal against the Florida Panthers during the first period of an NHL hockey game at Consol Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Don Wright-USA TODAY Sports

4. Derrick Pouliot

Derrick Pouliot’s inclusion on this list is a no-brainer. The kid is far and away the team’s top prospect and he’s proved that he’s worthy of that title every time he’s suited up for the big club.

Now 21 years old, Pouliot is beginning to look like the true prize of the trade that sent Jordan Staal to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for Brandon Sutter and the 8th overall pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.

Since selecting Pouliot with that 8th overall pick, the young defender has repeatedly given the Pens organization and fans alike reason to believe that he’ll be a special talent once he grows into an NHL regular.

The 2014-15 season has seen Pouliot take significant steps towards this goal as he performed well in his short time in Pittsburgh, posting 3 points and a +1 rating in 8 NHL games.

His performance in the AHL with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton has been even more impressive as Pouliot is tied for the team scoring lead with 7 goals and 22 points in 27 games.

Considering how strong he looked with the big club when needed, it would seem Pouliot could make the jump to the NHL as soon as next season, and when he does, the dynamic defenseman is sure to leave his mark on the black & gold.

Oct 30, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman

(47) on the ice against the Los Angeles Kings during the first period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Penguins won 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

3. Simon Despres

Simon Despres has been a new man in Pittsburgh this season.

After some streaky play over his first three seasons within the Penguins’ organization, Despres finally found a chance to play a regular role with the Pens this season under the team’s new coaching and management regime.

The 23-year-old defenseman has reinvented his game this season, adapting from an offensive-minded defender to one known best for laying out the opposition with bone-shattering checks.

He’s slowed down as of late but still has a respectable 12 points, 69 blocks, and 145 hits (the most among his teammates) in 45 games thus far.

The 2014-15 campaign has already been a career season for Despres and as long as he can avoid injury and get his production back on track, the second half should see him continue to rise through the Pens’ ranks.

Still only in his first true season with the Penguins (he’s never suited up for more than 34 games in one season before this one), Despres is setting himself up as a central piece of Pittsburgh’s future.

Jan 3, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins right wing

(19) against the Montreal Canadiens during the first period at the Consol Energy Center. Canadiens defeated the Penguins 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O

2. Beau Bennett

Also 23 years old, winger Beau Bennett has had a fairly up-and-down tenure with the Penguins up to this point.

The California native’s injury trouble has been well-documented, limiting him to only 26 and 21 games in his first two seasons as a Penguin.

While it seemed that the 2014-15 season would follow a similar injury-riddled path when Bennett was unable to make it out of training camp uninjured, the young forward persevered through the adversity and looks to be out of the woods at the moment.

In the 12 games since returning to the lineup, Bennett has posted 5 points while skating on the team’s second line.

Though there is still room to grow and a level of consistency that needs to be found, Bennett’s raw skill and vision will allow him to remain an NHL regular with Pittsburgh.

Bennett has already looked like a much more confident and poised player this season, which is surely a good sign for the Pens, who hope his breakout season is coming sooner than later.

Apr 9, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman

(3) skates with the puck against the Detroit Red Wings during the first period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Penguins won 4-3 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

1. Olli Maatta

What else can be said about Olli Maatta?

The kid is simply unbelievable.

Despite only being 20 years old, Maatta has already cemented himself as one of the Pens’ best defenseman with his veteran poise, elite decision-making, and high-end skill with the puck on his stick.

Maatta wasn’t tabbed to be an immediate NHL-er upon being drafted 22nd overall in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, but after getting the call in his rookie year due to injuries and subsequently posting 29 points in 78 games, the young Finn has proved he has what it takes to hang with the big boys.

His ability to play in a manner well beyond his years earned Maatta an opportunity to participate in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi where, despite being one of the youngest members of the Finnish squad, he played a key role in leading the team to a bronze medal.

Though Maatta’s 2014-15 season was cut short by a shoulder injury that will require surgery, he’s already proven that he is the future of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

If this is how good he looks at age 20, after only one season in the league, it’s hard to imagine just how dominant he could be once he reaches his prime.

As long as Maatta keeps doing what he’s doing, the Pens’ blue line is sure to be in good hands.

What do you think, Pens fans?