With the huge contract extensions given to stars Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang in the past six months, people are wondering how the Pittsburgh Penguins can put a full roster of players on the ice. The answer lies in a deep pool of talent in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL) and Wheeling (ECHL).

The Penguins have some top prospects and rookies in both organizations. Some are playing for the Penguins right now while others are still a few years away from making it into the NHL. Who are the top five prospects and rookies? Let’s find out.

Olli Maatta, Defenseman, Pittsburgh Penguins

Olli Maatta is the most notable rookie the Penguins have at the moment. He’s not yet 20 years old but is playing quality minutes and is paired with Deryk Engelland on the Pens second unit. After spending the last few years playing for the London Knights of the OHL, he finally got his chance to play with the Penguins this year. As the Penguin’s second pick in the first round of 2012 (22nd overall pick) he really impressed the coaches in training camp and they decided to keep him on the NHL roster. He was given the nine game look in the NHL this year and proved that he belonged in the NHL averaging over 15 minutes of ice time per game. Part of the reason was because of defensive depth due to Kris Letang’s injury to start the season. With a goal and nine assists in his first 25 games, look for this kid to be a star defenseman in the NHL someday.

Brian Gibbons, Center, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton

Gibbons is also a very promising rookie in the Penguins organization. He was called up from the Penguins farm team (Wilkes-Barre/Scranton-AHL) earlier this year and registered a few points including his first NHL goal. He played five games with the Penguins this year before being sent back to Wilkes-Barre. Gibbons impressed the Penguins coaches with his energy and nose for the goal, proving that he has what it takes to play on the NHL level. Expect to see Brian Gibbons called up again this year because of how well he played in the five games with Pittsburgh.

Jayson Megna, Right Wing, Pittsburgh Penguins

Megna is also a very decent rookie the Penguins have. He was called up for a few games earlier this year and impressed the coaches with two goals and an assist in six games. Megna was just recalled from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Wednesday, so he’ll be fired up to show that he is ready for everyday life in the NHL. At age 23 Megna knows that his opportunities as a full time player with the Penguins could be running out, so expect to see a solid effort.

Brian Dumoulin, Defenseman, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton                 

By far the best prospect the Penguins have is Brian Dumoulin. He is currently playing for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in the AHL and is having a solid year with a goal and five assists through the first 17 games. He almost made the team this year but the Penguins decided not to keep a seventh defenseman on the roster. With his size (6’4 and 215 lbs), vision and hands Dumoulin is a can’t-miss prospect, sure to have a Penguin’s sweater next season. A former All-American at Boston College, Dumoulin is another big player on the Penguin defensive depth chart.

Scott Harrington, Defenseman, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton

Harrington is another top defenseman the Penguins have playing in the AHL right now.  So far this season, he had two goals and six assists for eight points on the year. The 20-year old played four years with the London Knights in the OHL and is a stay at home blue liner with a high hockey IQ. A 2011 draft pick of the Penguins, Harrington has the misfortune of being behind quite a few other defensemen on the depth chart. He is still a year or two away from serious NHL consideration but needs to be on the watch list because he is a great prospect.