Penguins Split Up Star Twins at Development Camp. Here’s Why That Matters.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have a plan for the Ruck twins. It just doesn’t involve keeping them together right now.

Liam and Markus Ruck, the 18-year-old forwards who tore up the Western Hockey League last season with Medicine Hat, are getting their first taste of NHL camp this week. But instead of lining up on the same side like they have for basically their entire hockey lives, the Penguins split them into separate groups at developmental camp.

This wasn’t an accident. Pittsburgh wants to see what each brother can do on his own.

Chemistry That Caught Dubas’s Eye

General manager Kyle Dubas didn’t draft both twins in 2026 just because they’re a good story. There’s substance here. Markus led the entire WHL with 108 points last season. Liam finished right behind him with 104 and scored 45 goals. Their chemistry was the kind of thing scouts dream about — two guys who always know where the other one is going to be.

Dubas grabbed Liam at No. 22 overall. Then he sat through the rest of the first round and came back on Day 2 to take Markus at No. 39. A long night for Markus, sure, but it worked out.

Sidney Crosby called both of them after the draft. The twins said they’ll never forget that conversation. A nice welcome from the guy whose eventual retirement is part of why the Penguins are stacking young talent now.

Two Different Skill Sets

Liam is the scorer. Markus is the playmaker — his 87 assists were the best in the WHL last year. Their games fit together perfectly, which is why some fans were hoping Pittsburgh would just keep them on the same line forever.

The Penguins are thinking longer term. They want to know if these guys can drive play without leaning on each other. Considering the organization is rebuilding around the post-Crosby/Malkin/Letang era, finding out now makes sense.

Liam and Markus have done this together from the start. Playing against each other at camp will feel weird. But the goal hasn’t changed — both of them want to win a Stanley Cup in Pittsburgh. This is just the first weird step toward that.

Twins have a way of finding each other again, anyway.