Drew O’Connor – McKeen's Hockey

NHL: CULLEN – 20 FANTASY POINTS – Young Players Getting Exciting Opportunities

Scott Cullen — Fri, 11 Oct 2024 18:42:36 +0000

_{PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 28:Buffalo Sabres center Jiri Kulich (20) skates with the puck during the second period in the NHL preseason game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Buffalo Sabres on September 28, 2023, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire)}

Each week, I’ll dig into the stats to find information that can help you make better fantasy hockey decisions. With so few games played, this week will look at some players getting exciting opportunities to start the year, including Dylan Guenther, Alex Laferriere, Matvei Michkov, and more!

Here is this season’s first edition of 20 Fantasy Points:

#1 Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov was helped off the ice after suffering an apparent injury in Ottawa on Thursday night. If Barkov misses any time, Anton Lundell could be an intriguing addition for fantasy managers. Lundell is in his fourth NHL season and while he has not yet matched the 44 points that he had as a rookie, he did have 17 points in 24 playoff games last season. Lundell has one assist and nine shots on goal through the Panthers’ first two games.

#2 It has been a whirlwind year for Utah Hockey Club right winger Dylan Guenther, who finished last season with a flourish, putting up 23 points (12 G, 11 A) in his last 23 games. That earned him a contract extension in the summer. The 8-year, $57.14 million contract seemed like a lot given his lack of NHL experience, but it might already be a bargain. Teammates gush about Guenther’s shot and he has started this season with four goals in his first two games. As great as Guenther’s shot is, he is not going to keep scoring on 50 percent of his shots on goal, but there are early indications that Guenther and centre Logan Cooley are poised to have breakthrough seasons for Utah, with both skating on the second line and getting top unit power play time.

#3 Philadelphia Flyers rookie Matvei Michkov is the betting favorite to win the Calder Trophy, and it’s not merely based on his track record in Russia, which is admittedly excellent. Michkov had 41 points in 48 KHL games last season and the 19-year-old is starting his NHL career on Philadelphia’s top line and first power play unit. The Flyers are opening the season with Ducks defenseman Jamie Drysdale getting first crack at quarterbacking the Flyers’ power play. Drysdale is a smooth skater who has tallied 15 of his 50 career points on the power play.

#4 Former Flyers prospect Cutter Gauthier was traded to Anaheim last season and the Ducks are putting Gauthier in position to succeed, giving him time on the first line (with Leo Carlsson and Alex Killorn) and top power play right out of the gate. Gauthier had 65 points (38 G, 27 A) in 41 games as a sophomore at Boston College last season and he has impressive international credentials too, scoring nine points (7 G, 2 A) in 10 games at the 2023 World Championships and 12 points (2 G, 10 A) in seven games at the 2024 World Juniors.

#5 Second-year Los Angeles Kings left winger Alex Laferriere is starting the season on the Kings’ No. 1 line and top power play unit. Laferriere had 23 points (12 G, 11 A) as a rookie. He produced 73 points (35 G, 38 A) in 69 games in two seasons at Harvard, so there could be some offensive upside there, but with limited pedigree, he may be in a precarious position if he hits a slump.

#6 Kings defenseman Drew Doughty is out month-to-month after breaking his ankle in the preseason, so the expectation was that Brandt Clarke would move up to play on the Kings’ top power play unit. In Los Angeles’ first game, however, Jordan Spence played 4:26 on the power play for the Kings, compared to Brandt’s 3:34, so that is a situation worth keeping an eye on to see how it shakes out.

#7 With winger J.J. Peterka getting hurt in Prague, the Sabres have inserted top prospect Jiri Kulich into the lineup, taking Peterka’s place on Buffalo’s top line. Kulich was a first-round pick in 2022, and the 20-year-old winger has already played two seasons in the AHL, putting up 91 points (51 G, 40 A) in 119 games for Rochester.

#8 Montreal Canadiens rookie defenceman Lane Hutson is not quarterbacking Montreal’s top power play, but it may only be a matter of time. Hutson had a pair of assists against Boston on Thursday, giving him four assists in his first four NHL games, going back to last season. He produced 97 points (30 G, 67 A) in 77 games across two seasons at Boston University.

#9 A late summer free agent signing, Jack Roslovic is getting a chance to play on Carolina’s top line, with Sebastian Aho and Seth Jarvis. Roslovic set career highs of 22 goals and 45 points in 2021-2022, but if he is playing on Carolina’s top line, he could challenge those numbers.

#10 The Calgary Flames are entering a rebuilding process and part of that is giving young players significant opportunities. Samuel Honzek, a 2023 first-round pick has not only made the team, but he is getting a look on Calgary’s top line, alongside Nazem Kadri and Andrei Kuzmenko. Honzek, a 6-foot-4 winger, does not have a power play role yet, so his fantasy appeal is limited, but is very interesting as a long-term prospect. Connor Zary, a 2022 first-round pick, is taking on a bigger role in his second NHL season. Zary had 34 points (14 G, 20 A) in 63 games as a rookie last season and is getting first unit power play time to start this season. He scored a beauty in overtime to help the Flames to a win in Calgary on opening night and that should only fuel his confidence.

#11 There are times that it seems like there is a revolving door on Sidney Crosby’s wings in Pittsburgh, so don’t necessarily dive head-first into supporting these players, but Anthony Beauvillier and Drew O’Connor are skating on Sidney Crosby’s wings, at least while Bryan Rust remains out of the Penguins lineup. Beauvillier is coming off a down season, in which he scored just 17 points (5 G, 12 A) in 60 games, but he did net a pair of goals in Thursday’s win at Detroit. O’Connor had 33 points (16 G, 17 A) in 79 games last season and added a goal against Detroit.

#12 Opportunity is knocking in St. Louis for Dylan Holloway and Jake Neighbours, who are skating on a line with Robert Thomas, the Blues’ brilliant playmaking center. Holloway, who was signed to an offer sheet to lure him away from Edmonton in the summer, has one assist while averaging 15:02 ice time per game in his first two games with St. Louis. He averaged 10:21 of ice time per game in 89 games with the Oilers over the past two seasons. Neighbours broke through with a 27-goal season, including eight on the power play in 2023-2024 and should continue to play an even more prominent role in the Blues’ attack.

#13 Still eligible for the Calder Trophy after scoring 14 points (8 G, 6 A) in 24 games for the Dallas Stars last season, Logan Stankoven is starting the 2024-2025 season on Dallas’ top line, skating on the right side with Jason Robertson and Roope Hintz. Stankoven only played 12:29 in a season-opening win at Nashville on Thursday, but he also put up three assists, so that should keep him in a prime position.

#14 The New York Islanders signed Russian winger Maxim Tsyplakov as a free agent after he had 47 points (31 G, 16 A) in 65 games for Moscow Spartak in the KHL last season. The 26-year-old forward scored in his NHL debut against Utah on Thursday, and played an eye-popping 20:46, including 7:38 on the power play. Getting first unit power play time with the Islanders is a great opportunity for Tsyplakov to build on last season’s career-best results in the KHL.

#15 After scoring 40 points (21 G, 19 A) in 82 games as a rookie last season, Marco Rossi is centering Kirill Kaprizov and Mats Zuccarello on Minnesota’s top line to start the 2024-2025 season. He is not getting first unit power play time – that goes to Kaprizov, Zuccarello, Joel Eriksson Ek, Matt Boldy, and Brock Faber – but if Rossi can stick alongside Kaprizov long-term, that will raise his offensive ceiling.

#16 Oft-injured Ottawa Senators centre Josh Norris is healthy to start the season and getting a prime opportunity to skate on the Sens’ to power play, ahead of veteran Claude Giroux. Norris had 55 points (35 G, 20 A) in 66 games in 2021-2022, but has managed 33 points (18 G, 15 A) in 55 games across the past two seasons since then while dealing with persistent shoulder problems. Norris played more than 18 minutes in Ottawa’s season-opening win against Florida, recording an assist while skating on a line with Ridly Greig and Drake Batherson. If he’s healthy, Norris could offer quality fantasy value.

#17 With Florida Panthers defenceman Adam Boqvist out of the lineup after taking a puck in the face during the Panthers’ opening game, Aaron Ekblad is listed on Florida’s top power play unit, though Uvis Balinskis saw more power play time in Thursday’s loss at Ottawa. Ekblad is likely to play a big role on the Panthers’ blueline and has frequently been a contributor on the power play, with 111 of his 348 career points coming via the man advantage. Last season, he had just four power play points while delivering 18 points (4 G, 14 A) in 51 games, but with Brandon Montour and Oliver Ekman-Larsson departing via free agency, there are minutes to be earned on the Panthers power play. A healthy Boqvist might have the inside track, but Ekblad’s experience should not be overlooked.

#18 The Nashville Predators were movers and shakers in free agency and the arrival of 40-goal scorers Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault bumped Gustav Nyquist off Nashville’s top power play unit. Nyquist recorded a career-high 75 points last season, including 24 points on the power play, but he is not the same kind of proven scoring option, so that leaves Nyquist on the second power play unit in Nashville.

#19 Stamkos’ old team, the Tampa Bay Lightning are sorting out their own power play set up in his absence. To start the season, the Lightning are running two defencemen – Victor Hedman and Darren Raddysh – on their top power play unit, which is very unusual these days. Hedman has been a power play threat throughout his career, including last season when 31 of his 76 points were accrued with the man advantage. Raddysh, the 28-year-old blueliner, is something of a late bloomer, but he did have 33 points, including 11 on the power play, last season, which was his first full NHL campaign. It will be interesting to see how the Lightning play this going forward, whether they stick with the two defencemen or whether someone like Brandon Hagel or Nick Paul finds a spot on the top power play unit.

#20 After going through some tough seasons, including spending time in the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program, Jakub Vrana has returned to Washington, where his NHL career began, and earned a contract with the Capitals. Vrana, 28, has been an outstanding five-on-five scorer. Sincer 2018-2019, Vrana has scored 1.41 goals per 60 minutes of five-on-five play. Among players that have played more than 50 games, there are only two – Auston Matthews (1.66) and David Pastrnak (1.41) – who rank higher than Vrana in that metric, and Pastrnak and Vrana are virtually tied. This doesn’t mean that Vrana is automatically going to provide fantasy value, as he has rarely been a power play performer, but for a player who was on the verge of washing out of the league, he is getting a fresh start and has the track record to suggest that he could be a productive secondary scorer for the Capitals.

MCKEEN’S 2024-25 NHL YEARBOOK – PITTSBURGH PENGUINS – Team Preview

Wed, 18 Sep 2024 20:00:52 +0000

_{NEWARK, NJ - APRIL 02: Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) celebrates after scoring a goal during a game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and New Jersey Devils on April 2, 2024 at Prudential Center in the Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Andrew Mordzynski/Icon Sportswire)}

Even though they only lost two of their last 10 games, the Penguins still finished with just 88 points (38-32-12), which left them three points behind the Washington Capitals for the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The Penguins ranked 12th with 51.4 percent of shot attempts and 14th with 51.2 percent of expected goals during five-on-five play. Pittsburgh scored just 5.52 goals per 60 minutes on the power play which ranked 30th and was inconceivable given the talent that they had available. Sure, Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang, and Erik Karlsson are getting older, but they have all had massive power play success in their careers, so to see it fall apart so completely was tough. The Penguins ranked ninth with 6.75 goals against per 60 minutes while shorthanded. Considering that the Penguins were that close to making the playoffs, the abysmal power play can take a lot of the blame for that result.

WHAT’S CHANGED? After one season in Pittsburgh, the Penguins dealt winger Reilly Smith to the Rangers and watched Jeff Carter skate into retirement. The Penguins traded for Kevin Hayes from St.Louis, and Cody Glass from Nashville, while Blake Lizotte from Los Angeles and Anthony Beauvillier from Nashville were signed as free agents. Defencemen Matt Grzelcyk, from Boston, and Sebastian Aho, from the Islanders, were also inked as free agents. This was not an offseason of dramatic change, like acquiring Erik Karlsson last year, so while the Penguins were making moves, they were more about depth additions than anything else.

WHAT WOULD SUCCESS LOOK LIKE? If the Penguins are going to pay Crosby, Malkin, Letang, and Karlsson big money, then they might as well reach the playoffs. They have fallen just short in back-to-back seasons after making the playoffs for 16 straight seasons. With Crosby continuing to play at a very high level, it is a waste for the Penguins to struggle either to be just good enough to get in or, worse, just good enough to finish outside the playoffs. If the Penguins are going to get over the hump, they will need production from the supporting cast – Michael Bunting, Anthony Beauvillier, Kevin Hayes, Rickard Rakell, Bryan Rust – and they could use a big sea- son from Karlsson, who it seemed had a hard time adjusting to the Penguins in his first season with the team.

WHAT COULD GO WRONG? There is certainly a world in which the Penguins embark on a proper rebuild and move out their veteran players, but if Crosby is not inclined to leave and the other veteran stars don’t want to go, the worst-case scenario is for the Penguins to do what they have done the past two seasons and just miss the playoffs. If they get in, then that is an accomplishment, but if they are not going to get into the playoffs, then they might as well be really bad, so that they have a chance to draft elite talent. The way it’s been going recently, the Penguins do not have enough prospect quality to pick up the pieces when their aging stars are finished.

TOP BREAKOUT CANDIDATE: There are not a ton of young Penguins players that are in position to have break- out seasons, but Valtteri Puustinen showed some potential last season, contributing 20 points in 52 games. He has been productive in two-plus AHL seasons and in Finland before that, so in Pittsburgh it is going to be about the opportunity. If he finds a spot in the top six, along with some second unit power play time, Puustinen is capable of providing the secondary offense that the Penguins sorely need.

Forwards

Sidney Crosby

Predicted Stats
GP	G	A	PTS	PPG
80	36	54	90	1.13

Sidney Crosby has never finished a season below a point-per-game average, and 2023-24 was no different. Seemingly immune to Father Time’s grasp, Crosby posted one more point than he did in 2022-23 while once again playing in all 82 games. When the Penguins struggled last season, it was Crosby who lifted the team up and stole points to keep their playoff hopes alive. Even with the loss of his star winger Jake Guentzel, Crosby continued to make the most of his minutes and dominated puck possession and expected goal metrics. His puck possession share was plus six percent relative to teammates and his expected goal share was plus six percent relative to teammates. While Crosby doesn’t have the same speed burst he did in his youth, his cerebral game has only gotten more threatening with time and he’s a master of controlling the pace of play and threading no-look, tape-to-tape passes between defenders. Crosby continually evolves his game to account for both opponent and his own age. Crosby was in the 100th percentile of even-strength shot-assists last season. The question for the upcoming year is how much the loss of Guentzel affects him long term and what kind of balance he strikes without him. Crosby regressed defensively last year, a result of the volatile Penguins backline and a bit of Crosby pressing to create offense as much as possible. There were long stretches of time in 2023-24 where Crosby was the Penguins entire offense.

Evgeni Malkin

Predicted Stats
GP	G	A	PTS	PPG
74	26	42	68	0.92

For the second year in a row, Evgeni Malkin also played in a full 82 games for the Penguins. The result was 27 goals and 40 assists and a 26-point reduction from his previous year’s total. Malkin’s speed and movement have declined due to multiple lower body injuries, but he proved he’s still a tour de force with his size and shooting ability. The biggest issue last year was a lack of line identity. He never gelled with Reilly Smith, and that partnership negatively affected both players. It wasn’t until the arrival of Michael Bunting at the trade deadline that Malkin found chemistry with a fellow linemate. The transient nature of his wingers and their poor play reduced his assist totals, and the putrid Penguins power-play further affected his point totals. If that Bunting partnership continues, Malkin should continue to reap the benefit of a linemate that can retrieve loose pucks and create space while driving the net. Despite the lack of power-play production, Malkin’s even-strength goal total was good for the 82nd percentile of NHL forwards. It was also Malkin’s best defensive season of the last five years. While he wasn’t among the league leaders defensively, great leaps were taken in his work in the defensive zone. Overall, expect Malkin to return to a higher points total if he can find some consistency with his linemates.

Bryan Rust

Predicted Stats
GP	G	A	PTS	PPG
65	31	26	57	0.88

Injuries caused Rust to miss 20 games in the regular season, but he was a productive member of the team across both of the top lines when he was healthy and in the lineup. A jack of all trades forward, Rust can contribute in a variety of fashions. He was in the 96th percentile of NHL forwards in even-strength scoring chance generation and the 94th percentile for defensive zone exists with possession. Rust is at his best when he can dictate the first step in the offensive zone by carry-in. He drives to the net with effectiveness and has a quick shot that he can release from a variety of compromising situations. Rusts’ game is such that he can easily slide in with both Crosby or Malkin in the top six and can adapt to his center accordingly. That change-ability within his game makes him a vital asset to the Penguins top six forward group. His 28 goals last season were a career high. In the absence of Guentzel, Rust will be called upon again to continue his goal scoring prowess, as the Penguins look to replace the production of one of their best wingers. Keep an eye on Rust’s carry-in metrics, his best seasons usually come when he’s doing a lot of carrying the mail himself. Expect Mike Sullivan to continue to deploy him in a variety of lines and fashions. He has been a consistent scorer and at almost a point a game last season, similar results should be achievable with opportunity on the first line and power play.

Michael Bunting

Predicted Stats
GP	G	A	PTS	PPG
82	24	35	59	0.72

Michael Bunting was the prime centerpiece of the trade that sent Jake Guentzel to the Carolina Hurricanes. This ultimately resurrected Bunting’s season, as he was not a great systematic mix with the high-flying Hurricanes offense. Bunting’s style, more predicated on a north-south forechecking game, meshed extremely well with Mike Sullivan’s system. Moreover, Bunting found instant chemistry with Evgeni Malkin and the two of them found immediate and sustained success after the trade. The expectation is that this new partnership will continue directly into next season, setting Bunting up to get back over the 20-goal plateau. Bunting is a space creator; he was in the 87th percentile of NHL forwards regarding his forecheck involvement. He ended his first run with the Penguins with 19 points in 21 games. Where Bunting struggled to establish himself in rush opportunities with the Hurricanes, he seemed to thrive in the slower-pace overload system of the Penguins, which enabled him to be active in front of the net and in the battle areas of the boards. He also outshot his traditional pace during his short time in Pittsburgh. While the Guentzel loss was hard for Penguins fans to swallow, there is some hope gained from Bunting’s presence and immediate chemistry with Malkin. With new assistant coach David Quinn set to run the power-play for Pittsburgh, it will be interesting to see if Bunting has a role on the top unit as a net-front presence. He could threaten his career best totals in this environment.

Drew O’Connor

Predicted Stats
GP	G	A	PTS	PPG
82	24	20	44	0.54

Last year was Drew O’Connor’s first full year as an NHL winger and he set high water marks in goals (16) and assists (17). The expectation for this year is that O’Connor will have an opportunity within the Penguins top six forward group, likely alongside Sidney Crosby, to fill the absence of Jake Guentzel. Newly acquired prospect Rutger McGroarty may provide some competition but O’Connor should own the inside track. He showcased some developing skill with the puck last year in addition to a stronger speed burst that enabled him to find new scoring opportunities. O’Connor’s skating speed, tracked via NHL biometric data, put him in the 94th percentile of NHL forwards. Overall, O’Connor has an unassuming offensive skill set without any one truly standout area. He’s a presence in the battle areas of the ice, a willing participant defensively, and he was in the 88th percentile of NHL forwards regarding forecheck involvement. The ask on O’Connor offensively will be much greater than 16 goals if he is affixed to Crosby’s wing. The majority of the early portion of the season saw O’Connor floating between the second and third lines without much consistency in his role. Continuing to develop a quick-thinking approach to offense and quick reaction time will be paramount to finding success on the top line. A competent penalty-killer, O’Connor played an aggressive, physical approach on the penalty-kill that saw him garner a good amount of shorthanded scoring chances.

Rickard Rakell

Predicted Stats
GP	G	A	PTS	PPG
78	19	24	43	0.55

The Pittsburgh Penguins struggled to find consistent goal scoring throughout their lineup last year, and Rickard Rakell was a big reason why. Spending time almost exclusively between the top two lines over a 70-game span only netted Rakell 15 goals and 37 points, well below expectation given his quality of teammates and environment. Traditionally speaking, if Rakell isn’t scoring, you can rely on him to produce a high number of supporting play peripherals that usually speak to his off-puck value. This year, those also regressed, and his forechecking, puck retrievals, and shot-assists were all in the middle-third of NHL forwards from a percentile perspective. Like Malkin, Rakell’s best work seemed to come post-deadline upon the addition of Michael Bunting. It stands to reason that we might see the same debut for the Penguins second line this year, putting Rakell in less of a position to have to manage retrievals and forechecking and focus on scoring more goals. Rakell finished 2023-24 ninth among Penguin forwards in expected-goal generation, a testament to how cold he was through the first several months of the year. If Rakell is going to be a permanent fixture within the Penguins top six, more offensive output regarding shots, chances and shot-supporting assists will be a requirement. Ideally, Rakell can get back to finding some open space and use his effective wrist shot to put chances on net. Be careful drafting for a big comeback. In the last four seasons, his 60 points in 2022-23 was the outlier and a 15 goal, 40–45-point effort may be more in line with recent seasons.

Valtteri Puustinen

Predicted Stats
GP	G	A	PTS	PPG
78	18	24	42	0.54

Puustinen graduated to the NHL this season, making the leap after two full years of AHL service. Puustinen, a shifty winger with an electric wrist shot, finished his rookie campaign with five goals and 15 assists in 50 games played. Primarily playing on the third line along defensive specialists, Puustinen was one of the only pure shooting threats in the Penguins bottom-six forward group. After some time bouncing back and forth between the third and fourth lines, Puustinen received a promotion and played some impactful minutes alongside Evgeni Malkin, where he seemed to develop some spark from time to time. Although the sample size was limited to 50 games, Puustinen ended the year with the 4th best expected-goals for share of any forward on the roster. Additionally, the Penguins defensive returns were 14% better with Puustinen on the ice as they were with him off the ice. Some of that can certainly be attributed to the defensive nature of some of his linemates, but on an individual level, Puustinen showcased the desire to be involved defensively, while simultaneously not giving up his penchant for wanting to carry the puck into the zone and shoot off the rush. He ended up in the eighth percentile of NHL forwards with regards to his finishing, highlighted by a shooting percentage of 5.6 percent after firing regularly above 10 percent in Wilkes-Barre. It is reasonable to expect that he sees that total increase next year given the volatility of his shot and his offensive toolbox. The question will be where he fits in the line-up with the veteran offseason acquisitions of Kevin Hayes, Anthony Beauvillier and Blake Lizzotte to fill out the lower half of the forward units.

Kevin Hayes

Predicted Stats
GP	G	A	PTS	PPG
72	18	24	42	0.58

Hayes arrived in Pittsburgh via trade from St. Louis in the offseason that brought the veteran center back to the familiar landscape of the Metropolitan division. Hayes spent one year in St. Louis, and it was one that saw him struggle to find a defined role within the forward group. Hayes’ struggles were so extensive that he was moved off of the center position, a home here he had a team best 57 percent win percentage, to have a test run of time on the wing in an attempt to find him a fit for him. He enters Mike Sullivan’s system as the presumptive third line center, a position the Penguins have struggled to find a caretaker for since the departure of Nick Bonino. Hayes’ struggles can be summed up in a variety of ways, but most notably his 29 points in 79 games is his lowest output since his rookie season of 2014-15. Hayes is still an adequate passer and although his totals were reduced last season as he struggled in St. Louis, he is usually in the upper half of the league regarding in-zone shot assists. He’s still an adequate defensive player as evidenced by his even-strength defensive wins above replacement being in the 75th percentile of league forwards. Overall, it will be intriguing to see how Hayes slots in with the Penguins and how his style meshes with Sullivan’s desire to play up-tempo, high-forechecking hockey.

Anthony Beauvillier

Predicted Stats
GP	G	A	PTS	PPG
76	9	16	25	0.33

Beauvillier is hoping to keep an unpacked suitcase in 2024-25. In 2023-24, he appeared for Vancouver, Chicago, and Nashville. As a result, he struggled to find an identity after bouncing around from team to team. Requirements and systems changed rapidly, and it ultimately affected the results. Beauvillier played 60 games across three teams and ended the year with five goals and 12 assists. While the end results were not pleasant, the process behind them was actually quite sound. Beauvillier finished the season in the 90th-plus percentile in even-strength shot rates, rush shot rates, shots from high-danger passes. His finishing totals, however, put him in the second percentile of NHL forwards. Through his journey, he played at all three forward positions, including center, a versatility that will certainly come in handy for the Penguins. Ultimately, Beauvillier’s up-tempo game and despite to be involved in the forecheck (83rd percentile last year) should slot nicely into the Penguins overall structure. The question is whether or not last year’s shooting percentage was an aberration or not. The Penguins bottom-six forward group has struggled to find an identity and reliable presence to press the play offensively. Beauvillier certainly has the skill set to fill that role if he can re-center his game and find some long-term chemistry in Pittsburgh.

DEFENCE

Erik Karlsson

Predicted Stats
GP	G	A	PTS	PPG
82	18	56	74	0.90

It’s difficult to call Erik Karlsson’s first season in Pittsburgh a disappointment. He finished in the 100th percentile among NHL defensemen in even-strength scoring chance assists and shot contributions and was in the 99th percentile for defensemen in rush shot opportunities. That aside, his point total went from 101 in his final season with the Sharks to 56 in his first season with the Penguins. That drastic reduction hit fairly hard given the lofty expectations set for him. The Penguins offense generated expected-goals at a rate that was 26 percent higher when Karlsson was on the ice versus when he was not, a testament to his impact in carrying the puck up ice and contributing to shot totals. However, the Penguins were mostly a mess defensively and Karlsson was a contributor to that in his own way. The Penguins power-play was inexcusably bad all season long, ultimately dampening Karlsson’s point totals. With a new mind behind the helm of the man-advantage in David Quinn, the hope is that the Penguins power-play at least returns to a league average function, giving Karlsson the opportunity to expand his point totals. While not the quarterback of the top unit, the Penguins have made Karlsson the focal point of the zone entry process with the man-advantage. Overall, expect more of Karlsson controlling the rush and pressing the play up ice. The hope is the Penguins can provide him with a more stable environment moving forward and a rebound in points to among the league leaders. 100 points is not realistic but can push 70 or more if the power play shows signs of life.

Kris Letang

Predicted Stats
GP	G	A	PTS	PPG
82	8	39	47	0.57

Kris Letang played in all 82 games for the Penguins for the first time in a long time, despite his age and wear and tear. He finished with the highest even-strength point rate of any defenseman on the team, but also regressed significantly on the defensive side. From a defensive Wins Above Replacement perspective, Letang was five percent worse in 2023-24 than he was in the previous year. One element here worth mentioning is that the Letang and Ryan Graves pairing held some disastrous results and seemed like an oil-and-water mixture from the beginning of the year. This caused a bit of shuffling between Graves and Marcus Pettersson to find the right balance in the Penguins top two pairings, but that never came, and the environment remained fairly volatile for the Penguins netminders. Letang’s peripheral statistics in terms of supporting the play are still very strong, albeit a notch down from what his peak was several years ago. He was in the 90th percentile among NHL defensemen in defensive zone exits and had one of his strongest seasons ever in defensive zone puck retrieval success rate, where he landed in the 97th percentile among defensemen. Letang was also hampered by the lack of a functional power-play. Overall, the hope is that Letang can maintain his offensive numbers while cutting down on some of the turnovers and defensive miscues.

Marcus Pettersson

Predicted Stats
GP	G	A	PTS	PPG
75	2	21	23	0.31

Pettersson has become “Mr. Reliable” for the Penguins defensive unit. An unassuming figure on the blueline, Pettersson handles most of the cleanup from having a mobile, offense-first partner on the backend alongside him. His Wins Above Replacement totals from an even-strength perspective put him in the 80th percentile of NHL defenders. Pettersson faced more volatile situations last year than any in his career, ultimately being repeatedly tested on zone entries with the help of only a forward alongside him, if that. The result knocked him back a tier defensively and saw his usually strong metrics around zone entry denials drop to the 42nd percentile of NHL defensemen. The Penguins limited expected-goals with Pettersson on the ice only two percent better than when he was off the ice, another reduction in his year over year value defensively. Despite these drops, Pettersson’s best attribute remains his strong gap control, penchant for making safe, sound plays with the puck, and being able to take a hit and make a play. The hope is that the Penguins have a much cleaner approach defensively that makes Pettersson’s life a bit easier as a result. As he enters the final year of a five-year contract, it’s fair to wonder if his name doesn’t appear in several trade conversations as Kyle Dubas looks to pivot the team mid-flight. The nature of Pettersson’s defense-first approach while still showing competency with the puck on his stick is the definition of a modern-day shutdown defenseman that will certainly be a commodity on the trade block.

Ryan Graves

Predicted Stats
GP	G	A	PTS	PPG
72	3	13	16	0.22

There’s no question Ryan Graves’ first year in Pittsburgh was nothing short of a disappointment. He came to the Penguins with a six-year contract commitment, with an AAV of $4.5 million a season. Graves results did not deliver close to that value. His strength is carrying the puck up ice, activating offensively, and contributing to shot totals. The inherent problem in that is he’s now being paired with one of Erik Karlsson or Kris Letang, and both of those defensemen are likely headed to the Hall of Fame for their notorious puck handling abilities. The space to create simply wasn’t there and Graves, never known for his physicality or defensive prowess, was suddenly asked to employ both. He could not find that balance successfully and his ice time dwindled considerably as the year went on. Graves even-strength defensive metrics put him in the 31st percentile of NHL defenders, a far cry from where the Penguins need him operating given his presence within their top four defense corps. Graves was in the 10th percentile of NHL defensemen regarding his ability to exit the zone with possession, showing that even his bread-and-butter proved to be a problem. General Manager Kyle Dubas was very direct in calling out Graves at the end of the year, it will be interesting to see how he responds.

GOAL

Tristan Jarry

Predicted Stats
GP	W	L	OT	SO	SV%	GAA
49	23	21	5	3	0.906	2.82

If the 2023-24 Pittsburgh Penguins were the picture of mediocrity, starter Tristan Jarry was the face of the franchise. That’s not necessarily a knock on the veteran starter, who held down the fort during a season of lackluster play from an aging roster in front of him. But in a division of teams littered with inconsistency, Jarry was just good enough to keep his team in the conversation - and not quite stellar enough to push them that extra little inch into the postseason.

That’s not necessarily his fault, but he’ll likely spend the next few years watching his leash grow increasingly shorter. Prospect Joel Blomqvist of Finland had a stellar breakout year in North America and seems poised to hit the NHL within the next season or two. That leaves very little room for error for Jarry or his tandem partner, Alex Nedeljkovic. Both goaltenders were fine last year, but any regression could open the door for Blomqvist to get his first extended taste of NHL action - and with a handful of other quality goaltending prospects waiting in the wings in Pittsburgh, every game is an audition for everyone in the blue paint.

FANTASY: The Weekly Look Ahead – Week 1 – October 10 – 15 – Teams with a favourable schedule and players to target

Ryan Dadoun — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 14:18:21 +0000

MONTREAL, QC - JANUARY 24: Look on Boston Bruins center Pavel Zacha (18) during the Boston Bruins versus the Montreal Canadiens game on January 24, 2023, at Bell Centre in Montreal, QC (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire)

Welcome to the first edition of my weekly look ahead. In this column, I’m going to highlight teams I believe have a particularly favorable schedule for the upcoming week and zero in on some potentially undervalued/underappreciated players on those squads who might be in line for a strong week. Going forward I’m also going to highlight hot players on those teams, but of course given that the regular season hasn’t started yet, I can’t really do that justice. I will make mention of preseason standouts instead this week, but please keep in mind that exhibition stats need to be taken with a large helping of salt.

Boston Bruins

The Bruins might not be the team they were a year ago, but it wouldn’t be shocking to see them start the season 2-0-0. They’ll begin the campaign with two home games, first against the rebuilding Blackhawks on Wednesday, then Saturday they’ll host Nashville, which is likely to be a middle-of-the-pack team.

Chicago’s offense is now led by Taylor Hall and Connor Bedard, so it will be interesting if nothing else, but Petr Mrazek and Arvid Soderblom is a pretty sorry goaltending duo that the Bruins should be able to take advantage of.

I’m particularly interested to see how Charlie Coyle does this week. The 31-year-old had 44 and 45 points in each of his last two campaigns, so he hasn’t been a major part of Boston’s attack, but there is the potential for him to play a bigger role in the post-Patrice Bergeron/David Krejci era. He’s gotten a chance to work alongside Brad Marchand during the preseason, which is a great opportunity for him. We might also see the NHL debut of Matthew Poitras. He has plenty of offensive upside and could begin the campaign in a middle-six role, so keep an eye out for that.

Boston was just 2-2-2 in the preseason, but David Pastrnak did stand out with two goals and four points in three appearances. Pavel Zacha, who might start the campaign on a line with Pastrnak, recorded three assists in three games.

Carolina Hurricanes

The Hurricanes have three games slated for their opening week. They’ll first host Ottawa on Wednesday, then play road contests versus Los Angeles and Anaheim on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. The Kings and Senators are projected to be playoff contenders, but not the cream of the crop, while Anaheim is still looking to the future.

The Kings were also the only one of those three opponents to finish in the upper half of teams in terms of goals allowed per game last year and even then, just barely – LA ranked 16th. To be fair, Ottawa did sign Joonas Korpisalo over the summer while the Kings scooped up Cam Talbot, so there has been turnover in net, but this still looks like a potentially favorable grouping for the Hurricanes’ forwards.

Perhaps we’ll see Jesperi Kotkaniemi get off to a strong start. The 23-year-old set career highs last year with 18 goals and 43 points in 82 contests, but the 2018 third overall pick still has room to grow. That’s especially true when you consider he averaged just 14:44 of ice time in 2022-23. He might start this campaign on the second line with Teuvo Teravainen and Martin Necas. Speaking of Teravainen, he had just 37 points last season, but is a huge bounce back candidate.

Carolina went 3-3-0 during the preseason with Michael Bunting doing particularly well, providing three goals and four points in three contests. Bunting, signed from Toronto, might end up playing a pretty big role with the Hurricanes. He’s been seeing time alongside Sebastian Aho and Seth Jarvis on the top line and crucially has also slotted into the first power-play unit.

Edmonton Oilers

The Oilers have only two games this week, but it’s an away-and-home series against Vancouver on Wednesday and Saturday. The Canucks are a weird team. They clearly have some star talent and goaltender Thatcher Demko might have a comeback season if he stays healthy, but they seem caught in that weird middle ground between building for the future and focusing on the present, with the outcome that they look mediocre on paper.

The player I’ll be most interested in during those two games will be Connor Brown. He didn’t record a point in four contests last season and the 29-year-old has never contributed more than 43 points in a single campaign – and even then, it was back in 2019-20 – but Brown has been seeing time on the top line with Evander Kane and Connor McDavid.

Brown is new to the Oilers, but not new to McDavid. The duo spent two years together with the OHL’s Erie Otters where they were two of the main driving forces of that squad’s attack. It’s been a while since Brown was that kind of offensive leader, but playing with McDavid should help.

Brown had two goals and three points in four preseason contests, which is solid, but it’s nothing compared to McDavid’s four goals and seven points in four exhibition games. Defenseman Evan Bouchard was also a preseason standout with six assists in five outings.

New Jersey Devils

The Devils will start the campaign with home games against Detroit and Arizona on Thursday and Friday, respectively. The Red Wings are a team on the rise, but they’re still questionable to even make the playoffs while Arizona likely still needs significantly more work.

Luke Hughes will be fun to watch as he begins his rookie campaign. While Bedard is understandably seen as the favorite for the Calder Trophy going into this campaign, Hughes is very much in the conversation too. The 20-year-old defenseman had 10 goals and 48 points in 39 NCAA games with the University of Michigan last season followed by a goal and four points in five appearances with New Jersey between the regular season and playoffs.

The big X-Factor is how much of a role will Hughes play off the bat. It’s hard to say what his even-strength role will be initially, but there’s a strong chance he’ll serve on the second power-play unit.

Also, while it must be said over and over again that preseason stats don’t mean much, it will be interesting to see if the Devils are able to carry any momentum from their 7-0-0 exhibition run into the regular season. In particular, Jesper Bratt, Jack Hughes and Dawson Mercer dominated with nine, eight and five points, respectively – each in four preseason contests.

Pittsburgh Penguins

After falling short of the playoffs last year, the Penguins made significant changes over the summer to try to push back into contention with their most notable addition being defenseman Erik Karlsson. With their aged roster, a lot is on the line in 2023-24, and Pittsburgh has a golden opportunity to start off on the right foot. The Penguins will host Chicago on Tuesday, play in Washington on Friday and then host Calgary on Saturday. All those three teams joined the Penguins in the most recent draft lottery.

Between that favorable schedule and the absence of Jake Guentzel (ankle), Drew O'Connor might hit the ground running. O'Connor had four goals and five points in four exhibition games and while, yes, it’s preseason stats, it also seemed to be enough to demonstrate to the Penguins that he’s deserving of temporarily playing alongside Sidney Crosby and Bryan Rust while Guentzel recovers.

If you want a real stretch, I have a little interest in Jeff Carter. He had just 29 points in 79 contests last season and is inching towards his 39th birthday on Jan. 1, so not much is expected of him. That said, he’s projected to start the campaign on the Penguins’ second power-play unit, which is an underrated assignment. Obviously, the top unit should do better, but getting anyone from that group is naturally costly. Meanwhile, the second unit is (due to the acquisition of Karlsson) now headlined by Kris Letang, who is immensely overqualified for his new role. This could be a pretty effective unit and Carter is one of the easiest to obtain from it.

As already noted, O’Connor was a preseason standout for Pittsburgh, but Marcus Pettersson and Rickard Rakell did well too, each recording three points in three games.

Tampa Bay Lightning

Tampa Bay will begin the campaign at home Tuesday versus Nashville before facing Detroit and Ottawa on the road Saturday and Sunday, respectively. None of those three teams made the playoffs last year, though to be fair, all three of them should be in the mix in 2023-24. Still, the Lightning should be looking to take at least two of three against those middle-of-the-road squads.

The big X-Factor is goaltending. The Lightning won’t have Andrei Vasilevskiy (back), so they’ll probably have to rely on Jonas Johansson for two of those three starts. With how strong of an offensive team Tampa Bay is, Johansson seems like a strong pickup for the duration of Vasilevskiy’s absence.

Outside of Johansson, Conor Sheary is worthy of consideration. After signing a three-year, $6 million contract with the Lightning over the summer, Sheary seems to be settling in on a line with Steven Stamkos. That could be a significant boost for Sheary, who had 53 points in 61 contests with Pittsburgh in 2016-17, but has struggled to replicate that success since, most recently recording 15 goals and 37 points in 82 contests with Washington.

Steven Stamkos is also worth keeping an eye on. Obviously, he’s a star and is expected to put up big numbers regardless, but even by his standards, he might have a big start to the campaign. Stamkos expressed disappointment with the lack of offseason discussion about a contract extension, and he could make the Lightning literally pay for waiting by coming out strong this campaign.

During the preseason, Brandon Hagel and Sheary were two of the Lightning’s best performers, each recording four points (Hagel in four games, Sheary in five). Johansson saved 94 of 96 shots during exhibition play.

Vegas Golden Knights

The Golden Knights will start their defense of the Stanley Cup with a difficult home game versus Seattle on Tuesday. However, they’ll follow it up with what should be a pair of comparatively easy contests: one in San Jose on Thursday and a contest back in Vegas versus Anaheim on Saturday.

Vegas won’t have defensemen Alec Martinez (upper body) or Zach Whitecloud (upper body) this week, which opens the door to both Brayden Pachal and Ben Hutton dressing in the Golden Knights’ opener. Neither player is a significant offensive threat, but if you’re in the market for blocks, hits or penalty minutes, then Pachal is worth taking in the short-term. Pachal had eight PIM, 12 blocks and 27 hits in 10 contests with Vegas last season. He also had 90 PIM in 55 contests with AHL Henderson – his second straight 90 PIM campaign at the AHL level.

Adin Hill and Logan Thompson should also be good for some situational starts this week. It might be best to avoid going with Vegas goaltending Tuesday if you can, but Hill and Thompson are likely to split the San Jose/Anaheim contests. The Sharks and Ducks ranked 25th and 31st, respectively, in terms of goals per game in 2022-23 and neither is likely to be a major offensive threat this year.

Vegas was a mediocre 3-3-1 in the preseason, but Jack Eichel managed to score two goals and eight points in four contests while Jonathan Marchessault finished with three goals and seven points in three appearances.

MCKEEN’S 2023-24 NHL YEARBOOK – PITTSBURGH PENGUINS – Team Preview – Player Profiles

Sat, 07 Oct 2023 20:41:10 +0000

Review: For the first time, Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin played a full 82 games in the same year and the Penguins’ other star forward, Jake Guentzel, appeared in 78 contests. You’d think that’d be a recipe for success, but instead Pittsburgh finished with a 40-31-11 record, narrowly missing the playoffs for the first time since 2006. The supporting cast just wasn’t good enough. Other than their main three forwards and Rickard Rakell, who had 28 goals and 60 points, no member of the Penguins reached the 50-point milestone, resulting in the squad finishing 16th in goals per game (3.18). Pittsburgh likely would have still squeaked into the postseason had Tristan Jarry enjoyed a repeat of his 2021-22 success, but after recording a 2.42 GAA and .919 save percentage in 58 contests during that campaign, he dropped to a 2.90 GAA and a .909 save percentage in 47 starts in 2022-23. Pittsburgh also lacked an appealing alternative as Casey DeSmith posted a 3.17 GAA and .905 save percentage in 38 contests. The Penguins consequently wasted a season at a time when they’re running out of opportunities to make a Stanley Cup run in the Crosby/Malkin/Letang era.

What’s Changed? Pittsburgh made a huge splash by acquiring Erik Karlsson in exchange primarily for draft picks, though the Penguins also moved Mikael Granlund, Jeff Petry and DeSmith in the process for cap purposes. Outside of that, Pittsburgh signed Alex Nedeljkovic to serve as their new backup goaltender and lured free agent defenseman Ryan Graves with a six-year, $27 million deal.

What would success look like? Getting back to the playoffs will likely involve a strong year out of Karlsson. Expecting him to get 25 goals and 101 points like he did with the Sharks in 2022-23 is overly optimistic, but a 60–70-point showing is obtainable. Between Karlsson and Letang, the Penguins should also be able to deploy two strong power-play units after finishing in the middle of the pack with a 21.7% power-play conversion rate last year. Combine that with even a modest rebound from Jarry and the Penguins would have the makings of a strong team.

What could go wrong? That’s provided that Karlsson stays healthy, which is far from certain given his lengthy injury history. Then of course there’s the fact that Crosby and Letang are 36 while Malkin is 37. How much longer can that trio really lead the charge in Pittsburgh? On top of that, Malkin being healthy has been a rarity, so even if he remains effective, expecting anything close to a repeat of his 2022-23 82-game showing would be surprising. Any significant injury to Crosby or Malkin might also push Jeff Carter into a second-line role, which is not a job the 38-year-old is still suited for based on his 29-point showing last season.

Top Breakout Candidate: With the Penguins going all-in on the present, they lack significant breakout candidates. That said, if the Penguins run into injury troubles, which is certainly plausible given the team’s age, Samuel Poulin will be one to watch as a forward who might step in and turn heads, though after missing most of 2022-23 to focus on his mental health, he’s expected to start the campaign in the AHL.

Forwards

Sidney Crosby

Sidney Crosby showed little sign of slowing as he finished his 18^th season, every one of which has come above a point per game. Crosby still possesses the vision and playmaking of an elite puck distributor. His 1.6 assist per hour of even-strength hockey was tops on the Penguins. Per All Three Zones, he was in the 99^th percentile of NHL forwards with regards to high-danger passes and in-zone shot assists. While his defense took a step back from what we’ve become accustomed to, the Penguins found themselves in a lot of situations that required shootout-style approaches to the game. While the Penguins power-play had periods of frustration, Crosby is ultimately still the straw that stirs the drink on the man-advantage. Crosby still elevates every linemate he plays with based on his ability to draw attention to himself and dish no-look, last minute passes to the tape of his teammates. Crosby exhibited the same ability to hound and steal the puck as he has throughout his career last season. Expect more of the same this season and at least one more sensational moment that comes via a ridiculous backhand goal.

Evgeni Malkin

Repeated lower-body injuries may have robbed Evgeni Malkin of some of his explosive gallop through the neutral zone, but they haven’t stopped him from being one of the most consistent offensive threats in the league. In 2021-22, Malkin played in every single game and went over a point per game for the season. Like his counterpart in Crosby, most of Malkin’s game has been immune to Father Time. Last year was different for Malkin in that he shot less and passed more. Per the All Three Zones project, Malkin was in the 97^th percentile of NHL forwards for primary shot assists and only in the 64^th percentile for individual shot rates. Malkin’s defensive performance last season was once again not his strongest point, but it was more in line with team average than in prior years. Overall, Malkin still has the desire to take a game over. He is relentless in attack, difficult to move off the puck, and willing to take risks to elevate the play of himself and his teammates. If his increase in passing the puck holds through this year, he could achieve 800 career assists. Overall, Malkin will be the central focus of the second line and may get the boost of playing with Erik Karlsson on the blueline this season.

Jake Guentzel

The son of a great coach, Guentzel is coming off another year where he consistently exhibited a high hockey IQ and stayed a step ahead of most of his peers in terms of his offensive approach. Guentzel is a rare combination of elite playmaker and finisher as evidenced by his results in the All Three Zones project. Guentzel was in the 98^th percentile for in-zone shot rates and in the 91^st percentile for in-zone shot assists at even-strength. He is difficult to mark in tight spaces and uses open spaces to his advantage. The Penguins power-play has an expected-goal generation rate that is 2.63 goals per higher when Guentzel is on the ice versus when he is not. His defensive impacts have been notoriously low and bottomed out last year, but are offset by the number of chances, shots, and opportunities he creates at the other end of the ice. The Penguins routinely control the flow of the play and dominate possession when Guentzel makes an appearance. An offseason injury forced him to undergo surgery on his ankle that will cause him to miss at least a portion of the Penguins first few weeks. Overall, the Penguins will be looking at him to generate scoring chances across his entire line when he returns to the lineup.

Rickard Rakell

Rakell’s first full season with the Penguins saw him float around the top six but primarily find a home affixed to the side of Sidney Crosby. Rakell spent a lot of time in battle areas of the ice creating space for his linemates. He also garnered a lot of second and third opportunities and assisted greatly with increasing the shot volume of his line. Per the All Three Zones project, he was in the 97^th percentile of NHL forwards with regard to his impact on in-zone shots. His 28 goals last season were the most he’s scored since the 2017-18 season. He found himself as a regular on the Penguins top power-play unit, especially as a viable net-front option. While no slouch defensively, this hasn’t been his hallmark and he has not killed penalties so far for head coach Mike Sullivan. He has the utility to be able to play alongside either of the top two center options in Pittsburgh due to his straightforward approach and ability to get to the difficult areas. The expectation is that he’ll be back on the top line alongside Crosby again this season, serving in a role that can both grind pucks out and forecheck effectively.

Bryan Rust

Bryan Rust’s 2021-22 season was one that saw him struggle in a variety of offensive buckets. Certainly, his finishing ability was a part of that, but he also suffered a regression in other areas of puck support ability. Rusts’ best seasons have come when he’s carrying the puck and generating opportunities off of the rush, an area where he took a step back again last season. His rush offense put him in the 46^th percentile of NHL forwards per the All Three Zones project. All of these regressions saw Rust score almost a half a point per game less than the previous season and his lowest goal total since 2018-19. The good news is that he’ll have another crack inside the top six for Pittsburgh this season and potentially some power-play time as well. Rust being in the top six means he’ll also get one of Erik Karlsson or Kris Letang to aid him offensively, a duo that will certainly help Rust out from an opportunity perspective. He has strong shot totals to build off of and will have a new landscape of linemates as well.

Reilly Smith

Reilly Smith makes his way to Pittsburgh via a trade with Las Vegas that was the first official move of the new general manager of the Pittsburgh Penguins Kyle Dubas. Smith was remarkably consistent from start to finish last season, netting 26 goals and 56 points in 78 games and following that up with 14 points in 22 playoff games. Smith’s biggest strengths last season were driving to high danger scoring areas and supporting the play via transition both out of the defensive zone and into the offensive zone. Smith is extremely comfortable with the puck on his stick, makes sound decisions with it in transition, and should have no issue playing anywhere within Pittsburgh’s top-six forward group as a result. Early expectations are that he will make his debut flanking Evgeni Malkin, giving him a world class center to feed pucks towards in transition. Smith played on the power-play and penalty kill last season and was effective in both roles, but truly made his way on the penalty kill side, where his presence resulted in the Golden Knights having an expected goals against rate that was over one whole goal less with him on the ice. Smith will certainly get a lot of minutes in the Pittsburgh top six with a lot of talent surrounding him, His simple, north-to-south approach should be a fine addition to that group.

Lars Eller

Lars Eller is another fresh face in the Pittsburgh bottom-six as a part of Kyle Dubas’ reclamation project for that portion of his roster. Eller’s offensive skills have taken a hit as he’s aged, but his defensive impacts are still strong, and the Penguins will be hoping he can help patch up what was an otherwise porous bottom-six forward group. The data from the All Three Zones project paints Eller as a player that still maintains an above-average ability to distribute the puck and I believe we see that on video as well. Eller’s In Zone Shot Assists and High-Danger Shot Assists were both in the 73^rd percentile of NHL forwards. An injury-shortened season two years ago saw his defensive impacts bottom out, but outside of that anomaly, he’s been reliably consistent in his ability to keep the opposition in check. Eller had the second highest rate of shots off of the forecheck and cycle at even-strength. He also boasted strong numbers in the bucket of assisting his defense with exiting the defensive zone, a testament to the attention he pays to that side of the ice. The Penguins won’t be asking him for any miracles as much as they need steady, consistent play that doesn’t end up in the defensive zone for the majority of the time.

Noel Accari

Noel Acciari has been acquired again by Kyle Dubas, this time with the Pittsburgh Penguins on a new three-year contract that will pay him an average of two million dollars per year. Acciari does all of the things well that you’d come to expect from a bottom-six forward. He plays with energy, hits a lot, blocks a lot of shots, and other momentum stealing skillsets. Acciari will likely play a role on the penalty-kill in Pittsburgh as well, an area that needs a rebuild after inconsistent struggles last year and a lack of a sense of urgency. Acciari, like the other players Dubas’ has brought in for the bottom six, boasts strong defensive returns and keeps the puck out of the defensive zone altogether. He is more of a puck retriever than a puck carrier but doesn’t handle the puck in an uncomfortable fashion. His pace and north-to-south approach put him in positions to generate a lot of takeaways for his team. Expect Acciari to feature for Mike Sullivan as a true utility forward that can fill in gaps up and down the lineup without causing great drop off.

Matt Nieto

Matt Nieto arrives to Pittsburgh from free agency on a new two-year contract as a part of a re-built bottom-six forward group in that is one of the reasons the Penguins were on the outside looking in last year. Nieto spent time mixed between San Jose and Colorado, but in both locations, he was a strong defensive forward and took great care of the puck. Nieto plays strong in wall battles and comes away with pucks that elongate possession. His defensive impacts were good for the 91^st percentile of NHL forwards and that is felt even more on the penalty kill where he reduced Colorado’s expected goal against rates by over two goals per hour upon arriving there. Nieto is a 200-foot player that should provide a huge boost to a Penguins bottom-six that needed to be deployed in a careful and particular fashion last year. From a possession and expected goals perspective, Nieto had an uncharacteristically rough go from the perspective of controlling the play. As a member of the Sharks, he had the fourth highest rate of shots off of the forecheck and cycle per the All Three Zones project. Pittsburgh will be hoping he can replicate those results and continue his defensive impacts in their bottom six for the upcoming season.

Defense

Erik Karlsson

Erik Karlsson is coming off of a Norris Trophy winning season that produced offensive results the likes of which we have not seen in some time. He crossed the 100-point threshold in remarkable fashion and exhibited a high level of manipulation with the puck on his stick, devastating opposing skaters and goaltenders alike. In All Three Zones data, Karlsson found himself in the 100^th percentile for primary assists, scoring chance assists, neutral zone shot assists, shot contributions, and defensive finishing, all at even-strength. Karlsson’s defensive impacts are notoriously poor as he’s deployed and functions as more of a “fourth forward” than a defenseman. This isn’t to say that Karlsson is inept defensively. He’s just more unavailable defensively. He has recoverability and gap control to be effective, he’s just usually off pinching somewhere or attempting to kick-start breakouts. Karlsson’s deployment in Pittsburgh should differ drastically from his deployment in San Jose as he’ll be sharing minutes with Letang. This should lessen the burden on Karlsson and give him one of Crosby or Malkin to play with on the forward side, giving him another generational talent to work with there. A repeat of 100+ points may be a big ask, but Pittsburgh can certainly provide the environment for him to make an honest attempt at it.

Kris Letang

Kris Letang is coming off a tumultuous year health-wise that ultimately ended with him receiving a Masterson Trophy for his battle against another stroke and his return to the lineup in the face of those challenges. This year, Letang will once again be a leader of both the team and the defensive group, albeit with a lot of fresh and notorious faces surrounding him. Letang’s previous legacy partner in Brian Dumoulin has moved on as the magic between them had clearly expired. Letang is still an offensive-minded defenseman who supports the play offensively among the league’s best defensemen. This is evidenced by his offensive impacts falling in the 90^th percentile of NHL defensemen last season. On the flip side, Letang struggled defensively and his decision making around joining in on offense was not as sound as previous seasons. This year, he will have a new partner in one of Ryan Graves or Marcus Pettersson and that should afford him an ability to act more innately on his instincts. Letang’s role on the power-play is now a question mark with the arrival of Erik Karlsson. Overall, despite age making its impact on his results, Letang is still an above-average offensive talent that can bolster a power-play and is still elite at retrieving pucks successfully in his defensive zone.

Marcus Pettersson

Marcus Pettersson was a calming influence on the Penguins blueline last season and posted strong defensive returns that by and large flew under the radar. Pettersson’s competence defensively coupled with his ability to calmly and effectively handle and shoot the puck put his projected WAR value for the season in the 91^st percentile of NHL defensemen. That is top line quality results and impressive given Pettersson’s unassuming nature on the ice. A strong skater with sound understanding of the game, Pettersson uses a long reach and gap control to manage zone entries well. Per the All Three Zones project, his success rate on zone exits put him in the 70^th percentile among defensemen, a trait you do not usually see among defensive-minded players. Pettersson showcased a lot of ability in distributing the puck last season as he reached a career high of 28 assists. His even-strength primary assist rate was in the 98^th percentile of NHL defensemen. He led the Penguins in blocks and had the second lowest expected goals against rate on the team. The assumption is that Pettersson may draw the assignment to play with Erik Karlsson, which will certainly be a test of his ability to maintain the defensive blueline and keep strong on-ice results in his own end.

Ryan Graves

Ryan Graves arrives in Pittsburgh via free agency, the first of two big moves from Kyle Dubas to revamp his defensive unit. Graves is a steady, consistent performance that typically showcases his best results defensively, although last year that was a different story. Graves is not a physical defenseman by any means but can handle the puck and use his stick to break up chances effectively. He traditionally has a low number of hits and last season per the All Three Zones project he was the definition of league average regarding his ability to exit the defensive zone with possession and retrieve the puck successfully. Graves is an active shooter that routinely pinches deep to garner high-quality scoring chances. His puck distribution isn’t his strong suit, and he was in the 8^th percentile among defensemen with regard to his ability to set up scoring chances with passes. Graves will likely be tasked with playing alongside Kris Letang and while that will certainly come with an increase of quality of competition, it should also lower the burden on him offensively. Overall, expect Graves to participate in every zone, support transition well, and provide a safe presence to the top six of the Penguins defensive group.

Goaltender

Tristan Jarry

The Pittsburgh Penguins finally did it – during the 2022-23 season, the perennial playoff team fell out of contention and missed the postseason for the first time since 2006, with starter Tristan Jarry’s “good enough” performance not quite hitting that milestone for the first time since he took over as the team’s number one. He wasn’t actively bad, but the aging core Pittsburgh trotted out combined with some ill-timed injuries and some surprisingly strong performances in the Metro out of Long Island and New Jersey to push both Pennsylvania teams onto the golf course a little early this year.

Jarry does an effective job bouncing back every time he puts up a year of slightly underwhelming numbers, and he’s never truly dropped into actively bad territory – which is good news for Penguins fans who hope the team will be able to retool and return to contention this year. But curiously enough, Jarry will have to head out into the crease this year as the far more reliable option – because he has a reclamation project in Alex Nejedlkovic joining him as his new tandem partner following Casey DeSmith’s departure.

Projected starts: 55-60

MCKEEN’S 2023 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #31 – Pittsburgh Penguins

Josh Bell — Thu, 11 May 2023 23:38:32 +0000

Prospect System Ranking – 31^st

A move up from the bottom ranked organization last year more a testament to the Lightning selling harder. After having won back-to-back Stanley cups in 2015-16 and 2016-17, they were eliminated in the second round the following season and have now been eliminated in the first round from 2018-19 to 2021-22, while missing the playoffs entirely this past season. Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin had strong seasons individually at ages 35 and 36 respectively, and remained through the next three seasons together, Malkin with a fourth year. Kris Letang is signed through 2027-28. They represent 25.5% of the salary cap with no move contracts. The Penguins are currently searching for a new GM. Regardless of who that is they likely remain committed to the present, even as their stars approach the twilight of their careers. At least for the coming season, given Crosby appeared as dominant as ever with something in the tank yet to give.

Pittsburgh retains their first-round picks for the upcoming three drafts, as outgoing GM Ron Hextall stubbornly hung on to his 2023 pick, to some criticism. They added solid defender Owen Pickering at last year’s draft, and he represents their top prospect, but likely a couple of seasons away. They will be hoping Samuel Poulin is able to make the transition to the NHL this coming season but is likely a bottom six contributor. Their third ranked prospect, Drew O’Connor is expected to contribute next season in a support role as well. There is not a lot of immediate help on the horizon and the new management will have some decisions to make but do have some assets to deploy for help now.

PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 27: Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Samuel Poulin (22) looks on during the third period in the preseason NHL game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Columbus Blue Jackets on September 27, 2021, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire)

Owen Pickering

The Pittsburgh Penguins are notorious for trading away their first-round picks. With just their second first-round selection since 2014, the Pens drafted Owen Pickering 21st overall. The defender was coming off a strong rookie season in the WHL with the Swift Current Broncos and was an impressive presence with Team Canada at the Under-18s. He returned to the Broncos in 2022-23 as the captain of the team, taking a noticeable step forward in his game. With his WHL season done, he recently joined the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in the AHL. He’s a very smart, mobile defender. The lightness on his feet and his fluid stride should help carry him to the NHL. He won’t bring a ton of offense but could turn into a reliable two-way defender. It’s still early in his development, but Pickering is on his way to becoming a middle-pairing defender.

2. Samuel Poulin

The only other first-round pick for the Penguins since 2014, they drafted Samuel Poulin in 2019, also 21st overall. He already had two strong QMJHL seasons under his belt at that time and returned to the Sherbrooke Phoenix as the captain post-draft and continued his strong QMJHL career. He made the move to the AHL in 2021-22 with the WBS-Pens, looking like he was adjusting well in his first season. This year, he did struggle out of the gate and took an extended leave of absence for personal reasons which he later disclosed was for mental health reasons. He recently returned to the AHL. Poulin has NHL size and the strength to match, combined with soft hands and good skating ability. It does seem as though he’s lost some confidence, which he can hopefully find again. His ceiling may have dropped slightly since his QMJHL days, looking like a bottom nine asset at this point.

4. Drew O’Connor

One of the older prospects left out there, Drew O’Connor is now set to graduate from this list after spending significant time with the Penguins this season. O’Connor was brought into the Pens’ system as an NCAA free agent in 2020 after his second season at Dartmouth College where he was the Ivy League Player of the Year. Ever since, he’s been on the cusp of sticking in the NHL, bouncing between the Penguins and the WBS-Pens. He plays a power-forward style game that plays a hard game. He’s quick on the forecheck and does everything in his power to ensure his team has the puck. He can chip in offensively but likely won’t be a big producer. He should stick where he is now, as a depth forward that gets plugged into the bottom six. This will be his last appearance on this list as he earns a spot in the big leagues.

5. Valtteri Puustinen

A late pick in the 2019 NHL Draft, the Penguins called Valtteri Puustinen’s name 203rd overall. He was coming off his rookie season in the Liiga, where he stuck for two more years, with HPK. He made the jump to the AHL in 2021-22, even playing in his first NHL game, while seamlessly adjusting to the North American game. He looks even better this season, as the most productive player on the WBS-Penguins. The Finnish forward is a quick winger that shines in his playmaking ability but also has a hard, accurate shot to surprise goaltenders. He’s a competitive player, always looking to get himself in the mix and make things happen. With how late of a pick he was, you could call Puustinen a success already with how his development has gone. He’s not done yet though and should continue to improve until he’s in the NHL as a bottom nine winger.

6. Filip Lindberg

Another late draft pick in the 2019 NHL Draft, it was actually the Minnesota Wild who drafted Filip Lindberg as an overager, 197th overall. The Finnish netminder was coming off a very strong rookie season in the NCAA with the University of Massachusetts when he was drafted. He continued that success in the league for two more seasons, leading the team to an NCAA championship in 2020-21. With the goaltender not signing with the Wild, the Penguins swooped in and signed him to an entry-level deal after that season. He immediately joined the AHL squad but has played limited games in his two seasons there. He’s an athletic, mobile goaltender that is very strong in his rebound control. Given that he split time at UMass, there is a question of how he would handle a larger load in net. Still, he’s worth keeping an eye on and could become a very reliable backup.

7. Filip Hallander

It seems like Filip Hallander has been around forever at this point, mainly due to how often his name has come up in news. Drafted 58th overall in 2018 by the Penguins, he was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2020 in the Kasperi Kapanen trade, just to be traded back to the Penguins in 2021 in the Jared McCann deal. After being drafted, through both trades, Hallander spent three seasons in the SHL, playing as a secondary scoring option. In the last two years, he’s moved to North America and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, where he has appeared to be progressing well in his development. He’s a jack-of-all-trades player, that can be plugged anywhere in the lineup and his impact is felt. He has a very nice wrist shot and low-key playmaking ability. He could be a bottom six, depth forward that could play up the lineup when needed.

Joel Blomqvist

Yet another goaltender in the system for the Penguins, Joel Blomqvist heard his name called in the 2020 NHL Draft, 52nd overall. He was coming off of a strong season in the U20 SM-liiga for Karpat U20 where he was named Best Goaltender in the league. He stayed in Finland for the 2020-21 season, playing most of his time in the Mestis, the Finnish tier-two league, before making the successful jump to the Liiga in 2021-22. He spent this season there as well, recently signing his entry-level deal with the Penguins and heading overseas. He’s an aggressive netminder that plays far out to cut down angles and moves fluidly in the crease. He plays a good technical game although can get a bit lost in high-pressure scrambles. He should challenge Lindberg for a future backup role after spending some time in the AHL.

8. Tristan Broz

The Penguins drafted Tristan Broz 58th overall in the 2021 NHL Draft after a good two-season career in the USHL where he was quite productive, especially in the playoffs. In 2021-22, he made the jump to the NCAA and the University of Minnesota but struggled to adjust his game to the harder, faster league. Given how deep the Golden Gophers were, Broz decided to switch to the University of Denver this season where he saw better production but was still a depth defender. The forward has the ability to attack hard, be relied upon as a playmaker, and create space for himself but the problem is that he’s too inconsistent in his effort level. He can disappear in games or show some delays in his processing. He has some time to work out the kinks still, but at this point, he looks more like an AHLer and maybe a call-up option.

9. Jonathan Gruden

It’s been quite the road for Jon Gruden. The left winger was drafted by the Ottawa Senators, 95th overall in 2018, out of the USNTDP where he was a point-per-game player. He then went to the NCAA’s Miami University, where he didn’t see the same productivity but was still a contributing member of the team. He decided to move to OHL the following season, joining the London Knights where he found that production again, granted as an older player in the league. Gruden was sent to the Penguins in the Matt Murray trade, and has stuck in the AHL ever since, showing off his competitiveness in each of his three seasons, and taking noticeable steps forward in his development each year. He could end up as a bottom-line contributor, but more likely as a depth forward in the AHL that earns the occasional call-up.

10. Corey Andonovski

An undrafted prospect, Corey Andonovski came up through the prep school circuit, playing with St. Andrew’s College. He spent one year in the BCHL with the Chilliwack Chiefs before making the jump to the NCAA and Princeton University. He spent all four years there, losing 2020-21 to the pandemic. But his final two seasons were strong enough to earn the attention of the Penguins who signed him as a free agent at the end of the 2021-22 season. He’s spent this season in the AHL as a depth forward, which may end up being his ceiling as he’s already 24 years old. He’s a good skater that has speed and plays a hard game, not afraid to throw his body around. He’s worth keeping an eye on moving forward as he could surprise and earn bottom-line minutes as a call-up at some point.

MCKEEN’S 2022-23 NHL YEARBOOK – PITTSBURGH PENGUINS – Top 20 Prospects

Contributors – Brock Otten, Derek Neumeier, Chapin Landvogt, Arlo Schulz — Sun, 18 Sep 2022 20:21:01 +0000

1 - Owen Pickering D

To describe Pickering's progress and development over the past few years as "stratospheric" would still be something of an understatement. After all, it's not often that you see a prospect get picked as late as the 9th round of the WHL Bantam Draft only to get selected in the 1st round of the NHL Entry Draft three years later. Even more amazing, the 6'5" defender still seems like he's just scratching the surface of what he can accomplish and how good he can ultimately become. Growing up, he honed his mobility and puck control as an undersized blueliner, but he didn't lose those skills as he underwent a massive growth spurt in his mid-teens. While he is still filling into his new body right now, defensemen with his combination of size and mobility are hot commodities, so the Pens are likely thrilled to have landed Pickering at 21st overall in 2022. He moves around the ice effortlessly; he is comfortable having the puck on his stick in full flight and he thinks the game reasonably well in all three zones. While he might not currently be as polished as some other top prospects, his Swift Current team is rebuilding and is already giving him loads of ice time in all situations as their number-one defenseman. That kind of role and workload should be a big boon to his long-term development, getting the reps that will help him gain experience. The Broncos are also primed for big playoff pushes in the upcoming years, which will provide him with valuable learning opportunities. Few prospects have the raw, unrefined potential that Pickering possesses, and that will make him a fascinating player to continue following as his career moves forward. - DN

2 - Samuel Poulin LW

The powerhouse Penguins haven’t drafted in the first round very much in recent years, but Poulin is one of those rare selections (from 2019). His first pro season last year has to be considered a successful one. Upon first glance, his point totals likely won’t excite you, but his 37 points actually placed him second in scoring on a low scoring Wilkes-Barre team. The stocky power winger was able to translate his high energy, pesky game to the pro level rather seamlessly. He is always in attack mode, hungry for the puck on the forecheck and backcheck. Poulin is more than just a run of the mill checker, though. He can attack the offensive zone with pace and create off the rush with soft hands. His strength on the puck is one of his best qualities as he can be difficult to knock off stride and separate from the puck. Poulin also has a goal scorer’s touch, especially in tight. He projects as a versatile middle six winger who can play in any situation for the Penguins in the future, perhaps even working alongside Sidney Crosby at some point in the twilight of his career. However, that is not likely to be next season given the Penguins depth at forward. Poulin will return to Wilkes-Barre for another season, hopefully improving his offensive production further. He should then be ready for a full-time gig in 2023-24, just in time for several middle six contracts to come off the books in Pittsburgh. - BO

3 - Joel Blomqvist G

Pittsburgh’s 2^nd round selection in 2020, Blomqvist has spent two straight seasons seeing fairly limited time in Liiga play while racking up outstanding GAAs and save percentages. After his initial pro season in Finland in 20-21 saw most of his playing time and success coming in second tier Mestis, he saw his role grow with Kärpät this season, ultimately climaxing in the postseason during which he accumulated an astronomic 1.10 GAA and .950 save percentage over seven games, which followed a 1.32 GAA and .940 save percentage in 20 regular season contests. He ended the season with a single game cameo for Pittsburgh’s AHL affiliate. Although not terribly large, he makes the most out of his 6’2 frame. A thinking man’s goaltender, Blomqvist stands out for being calm and controlled in his movements. His technical skills indicate that he’s very well-schooled. His performances have been very consistent thanks to strong composure, puck-tracking abilities, and a fantastically accurate understanding of when to commit himself in making his saves. Blomqvist remains unsigned at this time and is once again scheduled to suit up for Kärpät in Liiga play, with the starter’s job on his plate. AN ELC with the Penguins should come soon, where he will be able to challenge fellow Finn Filip Lindberg for future time in the NHL crease. – CL

4 - Pierre-Olivier Joseph D

The Penguins are going to be facing quite the predicament this training camp when it comes to Joseph. The talented puck mover is no longer exempt from waivers, which means that if he does not make Pittsburgh’s roster, they will have to make him available to other NHL teams. Given his pedigree as a prospect, it seems unlikely that he would pass through waivers unclaimed. A former first round selection of Arizona, he was acquired in the Phil Kessel trade in 2019. Joseph has improved in each of his three pro seasons thus far and the time is now for Pittsburgh to clear a path for him to make the big club and play regularly. His best asset is his mobility. Joseph is an extremely fluid mover whose game is completely built around his ability to cover the ice effortlessly. He is a skilled puck mover who can quarterback the powerplay and lead the attack in transition. Given the age of Pittsburgh’s puck movers, it would be smart for the Penguins to see what they have in Joseph. When drafted, his defensive game and presence was a work in progress, however this has improved to the point where he is no longer a defensive liability. There would likely still be growing pains at the NHL level, however the reward is potentially worth the risk. The new one-way, two-year contract the Penguins gave Joseph this offseason points to him being a part of this team long term, but either way, he should be an NHL player next season finally - BO

5 - Drew O'Connor LW

A free agent signing out of Dartmouth College a few years ago, O’Connor has emerged as one of Pittsburgh’s top young prospects and players. He has split the first two years of his pro career between Pittsburgh and Wilkes-Barre, performing at a near point per game mark in his AHL time. He started off red hot with Pittsburgh to start the season, but then had some problem with injuries and he struggled to re-find that form. O’Connor is a big winger with a big shot who can play a power game. He is strong down low and near the crease and is difficult to separate from the puck. He also skates quite well, especially North/South, allowing him to compete hard for space and clear paths for linemates. At the NHL level, his physical play and two-way game have been fairly inconsistent, but that should improve as he gains confidence at the level. Armed with a one-way contract, O’Connor should start the year with Pittsburgh, barring a poor training camp. Playing time will be hard to come by given the team’s depth, but the Penguins really like what he can offer and there is a chance that he makes some veterans expendable. His NHL potential is not likely extremely high, but in a weak system, he stands out. - BO

6 - Valtteri Puustinen RW

One of the keys to Pittsburgh’s sustained success has been their ability to find gems later in the draft and through the undrafted free agent market. Insert 5’9 Finnish winger Valtteri Puustinen, a seventh-round selection by the Pens in 2019. After two successful Liiga campaigns, he made his North American pro debut last year and it was an extremely successful one. He led Wilkes-Barre in scoring and even caught the eye of the Penguins coaching staff in his lone NHL game following a brief call-up. Puustinen is a highly intelligent offensive player. He has a very clear understanding of how to play without the puck, sliding in and out of coverage and showing great anticipation. He also has a very strong shot that allows him to be dangerous from anywhere on the ice. The combination of these two things makes him the perfect complementary winger on a scoring line. Somewhat undersized, it will be interesting to see how Pittsburgh employs Puustinen in the future. His talents would likely be wasted in a checking line role, so look for them to wait until an opening occurs on a scoring line before they give him a true audition. Look for him to be one of Pittsburgh’s top call-up options this coming season, especially if someone inside their top six goes down. - BO

7 - Filip Hallander LW

Hallander only just completed his first pro season in North America, but he has had a pretty strange career already. A second-round selection by Pittsburgh in 2018, Hallander was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs in the Kasperi Kapanen deal. A year later, the Penguins reacquired him in the famous Jared McCann deal (in which McCann was then lost to Seattle from Toronto in the expansion draft). At this point, Pens management and scouts are likely pretty certain in what they have in Hallander. His offensive upside is rather limited. He is not exceptionally skilled. His production in the SHL and at the AHL level last year prove that. However, he does have a skill set built for a bottom six role. He skates pretty well. He has positional versatility. He is very responsible defensively and can excel in a penalty killing role. The Penguins will definitely be grooming Hallander to be a bottom six player, perhaps even in a shutdown defensive role. How long it takes him to realize that potential remains to be seen. He will likely play out the entire year in the AHL in hopes of improving his confidence and ability with the puck, so that he is ready for the pace in the NHL. Pittsburgh is likely to be patient with him in hopes that he can develop a little further as an offensive player. - BO

8 - Lukas Svejkovsky C

Svejkovsky had an eventful 2021-22 season. In his overage year, he got dealt midseason from Medicine Hat to Seattle, where he helped the Thunderbirds embark on a somewhat surprising run to the WHL finals and earned himself an entry-level contract with the Penguins in the process. Amazingly, he finished the season as the Tigers points leader despite only playing half a season for them. A 2020 4^th rounder, Svejkovsky is an undersized but creative, shifty forward. With a penchant for producing points at every level, Svejkovsky skates well and is engaged in all three zones. He does well with the puck on his stick, able to create opportunities sometimes out of nothing. His knock will always be lack of size, and the question is whether or not the son of former NHLer Jaroslav will be able to overcome this. He doesn’t possess any elite skills that stand out, and although he’s creative with the puck and responsible without it, there aren’t many NHL regulars of his stature that don’t compensate with high-end skill elsewhere. That being said, he acquitted himself well at the junior level and now is slated to move to the pro ranks in 2022-23 with the Penguins’ AHL affiliate in Wilkes-Barre. He will likely need some time to adjust, and it will be interesting to see how he does playing against much bigger opponents. - AS

9 - Filip Lindberg G

A former NCAA standout and champion with UMass, Lindberg was a free agent signing by Pittsburgh last offseason. His season got off to a great start with Wilkes-Barre before he suffered an ankle injury in November that ended his freshman professional campaign. So, what the Penguins truly have in Lindberg remains to be seen. The 6’1 Finnish netminder is an excellent athlete. His play tracking ability is extremely impressive because of how quick he is post to post. As such, he has a penchant for the highlight reel save, taking away the bottom part of the net with ease. The Penguins goaltending development team will be working hard with him to harness his natural athleticism, improving the finer technical components of his game. In reality, Lindberg is probably the closest thing the Penguins have to a top goaltending prospect at the pro level right now and he will be splitting time with Dustin Tokarski in Wilkes-Barre. Tokarski likely serves as the team’s top call-up and that means Lindberg can focus on staying healthy and improving over a full year of pro. Whether he has the potential to be an NHL starter or not remains to be seen, with more being known after this current season on the farm. - BO

10 - Jonathan Gruden C

Much like Filip Hallander, Gruden is being groomed as a potential checking line player by the Penguins. Since being drafted out of the U.S. NTDP, his development path has not been conventional. He started at the University of Miami but left school early to join the London Knights of the OHL, where he was solid as a point per game player in his lone season. Since then, he has improved over two pro seasons with Wilkes-Barre, establishing himself as a top-notch high energy forward. Like Hallander, Gruden is not the world’s most skilled player, but he makes up for it with extreme tenacity. He competes consistently for pucks and has transformed himself into a fantastic forechecker and someone who wins the majority of his 50/50 puck battles. His ability to outwork defenders and sustain pressure deep in the offensive zone is an admirable trait. Additionally, Gruden is a strong defensive presence who takes a physical approach and proudly makes himself difficult to play against. The key for him will be to continue to improve his skating and speed so that he can be just as effective in that role at the NHL level. Pittsburgh will be looking for him to improve yet again at the AHL level this upcoming season before his waiver eligibility runs out the following year. - BO

11 - Nathan Legare

A big, physical, hardworking winger, Legare is coming off of his first pro season with Wilkes-Barre, where he played more of a depth role. The Pens will be looking for him to use his big shot more often this season.

12 - Zam Plante

We liked Plante’s potential to be an impactful middle six energy player heading into this year’s draft. Improving his athleticism will be a must, but he’ll have several years to do that. He likely spends another year in Chicago (USHL) this year before heading to UMD after that.

13 - Tristan Broz

It was tough for Broz to break into a deep lineup at the University of Denver this past season, but he did play a depth role for the NCAA champions. The power forward loves attacking the net and should see an increase in responsibility and production as a sophomore.

14 - Jordan Frasca

Frasca used a strong overage year as a springboard to earn an ELC from Pittsburgh this season. The big center offers intriguing upside as a two-way stalwart at the pro level, but how his skill set translates (especially in terms of pace) is a mystery.

15 - Taylor Gauthier

Another free agent signing by the Pens, Gauthier has been one of the WHL’s best goaltenders for a few seasons now. However, due to his average size, there has been a reluctance to draft/sign him previously. Pittsburgh took a chance, and he will start his pro career this season.

16 - Isaac Belliveau

The 6’2 defender will return to the QMJHL for his overage season in hopes that he can continue to improve his four-way mobility and confidence with the puck.

17 - Raivis Kristians Ansons

There is a lot to like about this Latvian winger. He was great in a supporting role this season, helping Saint John capture the Memorial Cup. His versatility will impress pro coaches and he should be an immediate top nine player for Wilkes-Barre this season.

18 - Sergei Murashov

An athletic netminder, Murashov was a fourth-round selection by Pittsburgh in 2022. Playing in the Lokomotiv program, he will try to break through into the KHL level this season, at least partially.

19 - Ryan McCleary

The right shot defender showed great progression in Portland this past season, playing heavy minutes for a strong team. Pittsburgh will be looking for continued improvement in his skating ability before potentially signing him at some point this season.

20 - Corey Andonovski

A free agent signing by Pittsburgh out of Princeton, Andonovski will be groomed as a potential defensive specialist and penalty killer. The big winger is intelligent, physical, and an improving skater, qualities that could make him a great fourth liner in the future.

CULLEN: 20 FANTASY POINTS – Oilers power play in a league of its own – Sillinger, Terry, Mangiapane, Getzlaf and more

Scott Cullen — Thu, 04 Nov 2021 14:51:31 +0000

Each week, I will dive into the numbers and offer some insights that should help when it comes time to make fantasy hockey decisions.

In this week’s edition of 20 Fantasy Points, the Oilers power play is in a league of its own, Cole Sillinger, Troy Terry, Andrew Mangiapane, and Ryan Getzlaf are among the players off to encouraging starts to the season.

EDMONTON, AB - MARCH 18: Edmonton Oilers Center Connor McDavid (97) in action in the third period during the Edmonton Oilers game versus the Winnipeg Jets on March 18, 2021 at Rogers Place in Edmonton, AB. (Photo by Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire)

#1 The Edmonton Oilers power play is wrecking the league. This is not new, as the Oilers have the most productive 5-on-4 results across the past three seasons, scoring 9.45 goals per 60 minutes. This season they are scoring 19.03 goals per 60 minutes of 5-on-4 play. The St. Louis Blues (16.62) are the only other team scoring more than 12 goals per 60 during 5-on-4 play. This is unsustainably ridiculous but when it has already been established as the league’s best power play, they are probably going to continue to put up great results.

#2 Among those to play at least 10 minutes during 5-on-4 play this season (it’s early!), Connor McDavid leads the way with 16.68 points/60. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (13.39) is seventh. Zach Hyman (12.54) is ninth. Leon Draisaitl is all the way down at 20^th (10.98). Even if these early results are unsustainably great, the prolific nature of the Edmonton power play does bode well for players like Nugent-Hopkins and Hyman.

#3 Hyman, in particular, is reaping early rewards from his role on the Oilers power play. He has 6.70 individual expected goals per 60 minutes during 5-on-4 play, which is far and away the best rate in the league. The rest of the top five includes: Matthew Tkachuk (3.87), Leon Draisaitl (3.77), Reilly Smith (3.77), and Josh Norris (3.76). Connor McDavid is sixth (3.63).

#4 The job just keeps getting more challenging in Pittsburgh. Sidney Crosby and Brian Dumoulin have landed in Covid-19 protocol after Crosby had played just one game following offseason wrist surgery. A player to watch in Pittsburgh could be rookie Drew O’Connor, who has five points (3 G, 2 A) in seven games but ranks fourth in points/60 (4.30) and 19^th in shots/60 (12.05). That is a super small sample for a player who does not have an illustrious track record as a scorer, but O’Connor did produce 19 points (7 G, 12 A) in 20 AHL games last season during his first pro campaign, so he may have at least a little offensive upside.

#5 Columbus Blue Jackets rookie centre Cole Sillinger had a goal and an assist in his first eight NHL games then put up two goals and an assist in Wednesday’s overtime win against Colorado. One reason to be intrigued by Sillinger’s ability to generate offense? Among the 212 forwards that have played at least 100 5-on-5 minutes, Sillinger ranks fifth with 13.95 shots/60, behind Blake Coleman (16.76), Vladimir Tarasenko (14.76), Jeff Skinner (14.35), and Logan O’Connor (14.31).

#6 Anaheim Ducks right winger Troy Terry failed to record a point in Anaheim’s first game of the season. In the nine games since then, Terry has 12 points (7 G, 5 A) and 21 shots on goal, recording a point in each of those nine games. He has already tied his career high with seven goals, the same total he had last season in 48 games. Terry has also played more than 21 minutes in two of the past three games, so his production is getting rewarded.

VANCOUVER, BC - MAY 18: Calgary Flames left wing Andrew Mangiapane (88) skates with the puck during their NHL game against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena on May 18, 2021 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Derek Cain/Icon Sportswire)

#7 With seven goals in nine games this season, Calgary Flames winger Andrew Mangiapane has scored 25 goals in 65 games since the start of last season, shooting a lofty 22.5%. That shooting percentage is not likely to last but since the start of last season there have been 323 forwards to play at least 500 5-on-5 minutes. From that group, Mangiapane ranks fifth with 1.46 goals/60, behind Auston Matthews (1.83), Jakub Vrana (1.68), Daniel Sprong (1.56), and Brandon Saad (1.46).

#8 Speaking of players with unsustainably high shooting percentages, Tampa Bay’s Alex Killorn has eight points (5 G, 3 A) during a five-game point streak. He now has seven goals on 18 shots this season, good for a 38.9% shooting percentage. Killorn led the league in shooting percentage in 2019-2020 when he scored on 20.0% of his shots but he has been under 12.5% in every other season of his career. This isn’t to suggest dropping Killorn, as he has established a consistent level of production and has a significant role on the Lightning power play, but the goal-scoring pace should slow down.

#9 Ryan Getzlaf became the Anaheim Ducks all-time leading scorer this week, surpassing Teemu Selanne, and the 36-year-old centre has been very productive, with 10 points (1 G, 9 A) in 11 games but that does not cover all of Getzlaf’s fantasy appeal. He also has 21 hits, 11 blocked shots and, often a reluctant shooter, he has 30 shots on goal. His 2.73 shots per game would rank as the second highest per-game shot rate of his career. It’s early, but it looks like a pretty good bounce-back season after Getzlaf managed 17 points (5 G, 12 A) in 48 games last season.

#10 Minnesota Wild left winger Kirill Kaprizov was in a goal-scoring slump to start the season but scored in overtime against Ottawa Tuesday to get on the board. He has eight points (1 G, 7 A) and 32 shots on goal in nine games and that shot rate was always the reason to expect Kaprizov to snap out of it. Last season started differently for him. Kaprizov had 17 points (6 G, 11 A) in his first 18 games but only had 32 shots. His shot rate picked up as the season progressed and now, he is good for three-plus per game on average.

#11 Minnesota’s Kevin Fiala is also off to a relatively mediocre start, with five points (1 G, 4 A) in nine games but he has 27 shots on goal, and he has only had more than three shots on goal per game once in his career – that was last season. As long as the shots are there, it’s fair to expect the goals and points to follow.

#12 For those seeking peripheral statistical value, beyond goals and assists, there are four players with at least two shots on goal and four hits per game: Darnell Nurse, Brady Tkachuk, Dmitrij Jaskin, and Radko Gudas. Nurse and Tkachuk would have been relatively early picks because they are productive enough offensively, too. Jaskin has not found the scoresheet yet for Arizona but is not shy about playing the body, while Gudas has consistently generated shots and hits for much of his career.

#13 A group of defensemen offering additional peripheral stats value, those averaging at least two shots on goal, two hits and two blocked shots per game: Esa Lindell, Jacob Trouba, Zach Whitecloud, and Matt Dumba. Whitecloud is on IR and Dumba is rostered in 80% of Yahoo leagues, but Trouba (52%) and Lindell (23%) are more readily available to provide sneaky value on the blueline.

#14 Among 212 forwards that have played at least 100 5-on-5 minutes, the Toronto Maple Leafs’ William Nylander (3.95) and Auston Matthews (3.77) rank first and third in terms of on-ice expected goals. Carolina’s Andrei Svechnikov is second (3.83) and Jordan Staal (3.54) is fourth. St. Louis’ Robert Thomas (3.50), somewhat surprisingly, rounds out the top five. That might suggest that it’s time to buy on the Maple Leafs’ top line because, so far, their production has not been outstanding. But if the chances have been there, the goals will probably be coming soon.

#15 Nylander and Matthews are now playing with Michael Bunting, who is the league leader in individual expected goals during 5-on-5 play (1.41), followed by Dylan Larkin (1.32), Jeff Skinner (1.25), Alex Iafallo (1.23), and Vladimir Tarasenko (1.20). Auston Matthews and Andrei Svechnikov are sixth and seventh, respectively.

#16 Some notable forwards with the lowest on-ice expected goals: Mike Hoffman (1.22), Kevin Labanc (1.29), Dominik Kubalik (1.40), Luke Kunin (1.42), and Nick Suzuki (1.57). It is tough to create sustainable offence with such low rates of expected goals during 5-on-5 play. Given expectations, Suzuki might be the most worrying in that low-rent statistical neighbourhood.

#17 Early in the season, the best goaltenders in terms of actual goals allowed vs. expected goals allowed in all situations are: Frederik Andersen, Sergei Bobrovsky, Igor Shesterkin, Jacob Markstrom, and Elvis Merzlikins. Every one of those goaltenders has had some previous success in the league but Andersen, Bobrovsky, and Markstrom are all coming off mediocre, at best, seasons in 2021. Who can figure out goaltenders from one year to the next?

#18 At the other end of the spectrum, the worst goaltenders in terms of actual goals allowed vs. expected goals allowed in all situations this season are: Carter Hutton, Kevin Lankinen, Marc-Andre Fleury, Darcy Kuemper, and Philipp Grubauer. Fleury won the Vezina Trophy as the league’s top goaltender last season. Grubauer was a finalist. Kuemper has a .921 save percentage in 147 games since 2017-2018. It is early and small sample goaltending is about as volatile as it gets but goaltending remains a fickle and often unpredictable beast.

#19 Aside from the injured Drew Doughty and Ryan Ellis, the defenceman with the highest points per game this season is Carolina’s Tony DeAngelo, who has 10 points in nine games (1.11 ppg). He is just ahead of Roman Josi (1.10) and Adam Fox (1.10). Kevin Shattenkirk, Kris Letang, Aaron Ekblad, Torey Krug, and Victor Hedman are each at one point per game. Everything is coming up Carolina, it seems.

#20 The Montreal Canadiens sent rookie right winger Cole Caufield to the American Hockey League this week, after he started the season with no goals and one assist in 10 games. Caufield had 22 shots on goal. Last season, when he scored four goals in his first 10 games for the Habs, Caufield had 30 shots on goal, and he had 48 shots on goal in 20 playoff games, so the declining shot rate was one troubling sign. Not all of that would fall on Caufield but if he is not being put in position to generate three shots per game, he is probably not going to deliver the desired results. He will be back, likely after tearing up the AHL for a while.

Advanced stats via Natural Stat Trick.

2021-22 TOP 15 PROSPECTS: PITTSBURGH PENGUINS – RANK: #29 – TIER VI

McKeen's Hockey — Sat, 11 Sep 2021 11:21:33 +0000

Pittsburgh Penguins

#29 Pittsburgh - See above. This system has a severe lack of real NHL-level talent.

PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 19: Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Samuel Poulin (22) looks on during the first period in the NHL game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Columbus Blue Jackets on September 19, 2019, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire)

Samuel Poulin

While perhaps harsh, Poulin failed to meet expectations last season, splitting time between Sherbrooke (who he spent his entire QMJHL career with previously) and Val-d’Or. He seemed to have a hard time finding his role on a very deep Foreurs team, used to having to be the focal point of the attack. That being said, he still performed very well in the playoffs as he scored 11 goals and eight assists for 19 points in 15 games.

He has not lost any of his offensive qualities including his excellent shot, his scoring touch, as well as a high-quality game of finesse paired with an imposing physical presence. He remains a player who is physically ready to move on to the pros and he does possess an impeccable work ethic. His high-end hockey sense makes him a likely NHL player in some capacity. He still has a great chance to establish himself as a first- or second-line winger in the NHL where he will score a significant number of goals if paired with a quality center or playmaker. - BB

Pierre-Olivier Joseph

The former first round pick and key piece in the Phil Kessel return is coming off of a very successful sophomore professional season. Not only did Joseph emerge as one of Wilkes/Barre’s top defenders, but he helped Pittsburgh out greatly as an injury fill-in, seeing time in all situations and excelling in a largely third pairing role.

Drafted because of his impact on the transition game, Joseph remains a standout in this area because of his high-end mobility. A strong puck carrier, he has learned to refine his decision-making approach and has become a very reliable puck mover. Joseph has also learned to be more physically assertive in the defensive end and has become a strong transitional defender too. A now well-rounded defender, Joseph has a chance to be a quality second pairing contributor for the Penguins. This coming season, he will battle for a third pairing spot on the Pens, however, his strong performance at the NHL level last year should give him good odds to spend the majority of the 2021/22 season in the big leagues. - BO

Filip Hallander

Originally drafted in the second round of the 2018 draft by the Pittsburgh Penguins, then part of the trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs for Kasperi Kapanen, Hallander is now part of the Penguins organization once again while being the key return of a deal that saw Jared McCann moved to Toronto. The move may prove to be a true blessing for his NHL ambitions. Part of what was a considerable prospect logjam in Toronto, Hallander now finds himself in a prime position to be on the NHL radar within the next two seasons and admittedly, with an organization that is very much in need of what he brings to the table.

Extremely competitive and very adept at being aware of not only where his teammates are, but of how plays are developing, Hallander is coming off his best season as a Swedish pro. Playing in a career-high 58 games between the regular season and playoffs, he collected a total of 15 goals, which was third on the team and just one behind the actual goal-scoring leaders, including NYR prospect Nils Lundkvist. Furthermore, he appeared to find a smoother form of skating that allows him to transition more quickly and work his way around opponents. Hallander is at a point in his career where he could push for a lower line role with the Penguins this fall, as he very well understands his job in all three zones and is already a strong forechecker, attributes that were pivotal in him being named to Sweden’s national team for this past World Championships (one point and +2 in five games). He is already signed and although time spent in the AHL may be his most immediate future, a good showing there would all but guarantee a call-up at some point in the upcoming season. - CL

Tristan Broz

A late blooming two-way force, Broz entered the 2021 draft as a highly versatile forward with a strong all-around game. While he has never generated the hype of some of this year’s other Minnesota natives, he has been on a slow, but steady upward trajectory since spending his age 14 season at Shattuck St. Mary’s. More a playmaker than a shooter, he plays a flash-free game that grows more impressive with each subsequent viewing of mistake free, efficiently play-driving hockey. Although none of his individual tools grade out as below average, everything plays above its baseline level thanks to Broz’ hockey sense. He is very hard to play against, backchecking very tight to his man, and pushing the opposition to the outside lane, without a clear way from them to break into the slot. He has proven himself capable in all situations and having a positive impact there. His offensive game is similarly efficient.

His solid frame should continue to fill out during his time at the University of Minnesota, which in turn, should allow him to continue to be strong in the corners, where he already excels at the USHL level. It should also be expected that his skating will tick upwards with increased strength. After two to three seasons with the Gophers, Broz should be ready to turn pro and continue his slow and steady march to a middle six role in the NHL with the Penguins. - McKeen’s Draft Guide 2021

Radim Zohorna

When the Penguins signed Zohorna out of the Czech league last offseason, the expectations were quite low. He was already on the older side as a prospect at 24. His production in the Czech league, even following a breakout season, was modest. At best, he looked like organizational depth. However, he blew those expectations out of the water by not only performing extremely well in the AHL, but by playing well for the main club in a brief stint to cover injuries.

The 6’6, 230 lbs forward looks every bit an NHL player. His skating ability has been much better than originally advertised and, in combination with his reach and strength, this makes him a very dangerous offensive weapon. He loves to drive wide on defenders before cutting to the middle, using his frame to protect the puck. He is more than that, though. He can play any of the three forward positions. He can play the penalty kill. He is responsible at both ends and his effort level is high. How Pittsburgh continues to find these diamonds in the rough is remarkable, but it would appear that they have done it again. Zohorna enters training camp with a good chance to earn a fourth line role, even with the additions of Brock McGinn and Danton Heinen. While Zohorna’s top end potential remains a bit of a mystery, he does look to have staying power in the league. - BO

Joel Blomqvist

A second-round selection in 2020 by the Penguins, Blomqvist had a fairly successful first full pro season in Finland, playing mainly out of the Mestis (second Finnish tier) level. He also won his first two Liiga games with Karpat and was the third goalie for Finland at the World Junior Championships. Blomqvist is a calm and composed goaltender with advanced technical skills. He reads and tracks the play well, rarely overcommitting and making the most of his 6’2 frame to eat up space. He may not have the elite level athletic ability you look for, but his vision and consistency help to make up for it.

The 2021/22 season should be an even better one for Blomqvist. He likely emerges as the starter in Karpat in his first full Liiga season and has the inside track at the starter’s job for Finland at the World Juniors. After that, there is a good chance that he signs his ELC and comes to North America. By then, the Penguins could have an opening for the back-up role behind Tristan Jarry, of which Blomqvist and the newly signed Filip Lindberg would have the inside track. Blomqvist’s performance this season should give us a better indication of his high-end upside. - BO

Jordy Bellerive

Jordy Bellerive was a lethal scorer in Junior that went undrafted but worked his way into an entry level deal with the Pens a few seasons ago with his speed, consistent effort and willingness to do anything to win. His scoring and play driving ability make him someone who could contribute to a bottom six role with the potential to have low double digit goal totals.

He plays a physical brand of hockey and is most effective playing a north/south game where his feet and strength give him an advantage on the forecheck. He is an effective cycle player who has some good small area skills coming off the wall. His vision as he curls off the wall is quite good even though he hasn’t found much success as a playmaker in the AHL to this point. His shot is fine, but his shot selection is what stands out the most. He is a player that gets in tight, can play a net front game and make some skill plays within that context. It would be a reach for him to make the Penguins out of camp this year, but as the season wears on if he is effective during the season at the AHL level it is not out of the realm of possibility that he sees an NHL game or two. At this point, his high-end projection is probably as a third line forward. - VG

Anthony Angello

Entering his final year of prospect eligibility, Angello finally looks ready to claim a regular NHL job, hopefully sparing himself the indignity of aging out of prospectum. A big, rangy forward who spent three years at Cornell before turning pro, he has seen his game improve steadily over three seasons since signing with Pittsburgh, which originally selected him in the fifth round back in 2014. At the time, he was seen as more of a pure power forward type, not scoring often in the USHL, but spending a ton of time in the penalty box.

The ensuing years have seen Angello add a greater element of danger to his offensive game, while also refining his physical game so that he has retained the fear factor while staying on the right side of the line when it comes to infractions. This isn’t to say that he is now a powerhouse power forward, but that he should be able to contribute at least some depth scoring from a bottom six role in the NHL, with an expected peak in the range of 20-25 points in a full season. The remaining range in his expected future value comes from proving to his coaches that he is worthy of special team time. Angello played some on the power play in the AHL, but the penalty kill was a foreign land. That might remain the case, but even if he can just play regularly, he will be a great success based on where he was drafted. - RW

Valterri Puustinen

A standout in Liiga the last two seasons, the undersized forward has signed his ELC with the Penguins and expectations are high heading into his first pro season in North America. Starring for HPK, Puustinen has been among the highest scoring young players in Finland, finishing with the highest point per game average of any U22 player in Liiga action in 2020/21. The 5’9 winger is certainly ready for his next challenge.

While Puustinen is slightly on the shorter side, he is ultra-quick and dynamic with the puck. He loves to push the pace and excels on the powerplay with his ability to control the half wall. The Penguins have to be hoping that his offensive skill set translates so that they can get a badly needed injection of youthful skill into their lineup. The question is, how will Puustinen adjust to the smaller ice surface, given his lack of stature? Will he be able to find consistent success playing through the middle or will he be kept to the perimeter? He should start the coming season in the AHL, barring a real standout performance at training camp, however, with a good start he could see NHL action by midseason as an injury call up. - BO

Nathan Legare

Nathan Légaré continues his good progress. He was an important factor in the success of his junior team in Val-d'Or. Surrounded by a ton of talent on the Foreurs, Legare was able to really focus on improving his offensive skills this past season. He went from being a player who excels in pressure and forecheck, who works well physically in one-on-one battles and who possesses a heavy shot, to a player with a little bit more of a cerebral game.

He still has work to do on his skating in order to be a consistent offensive contributor at the pro level. Even if his skating never improves, he still has a good chance to be a bottom six forward due to his strong offensive instincts and well-rounded game. Who wouldn't want a versatile power forward who can score, play hard, forecheck well, and who plays a smart two-way game? Don't be surprised to see him turn out to be a good third line winger in the NHL. Legare will turn pro this season and play with Wilkes-Barre, hopefully playing an immediate middle six role for the Penguins AHL team. Given the lack of depth in the system, he could move quickly to the main club if he performs well. - BB

Drew O'Connor

A free agent signing by the Penguins out of Dartmouth last season, O’Connor’s first pro season was a success split between the AHL and the NHL. The big power winger has the potential to be an impact bottom six player as early as this coming season.

Filip Lindberg

A standout at UMass in a platoon role, the former Minnesota Wild draft pick left college after his junior year in order to become a UFA. Signing with Pittsburgh, he gets a chance in a weaker system to prove that he can be an NHL goaltender. His athleticism is his calling card, and he could be the starter in Wilkes-Barre this season.

Mark Friedman

Claimed off waivers from the Philadelphia Flyers last season, Friedman performed well for Pittsburgh in a third pairing role in limited action. So much so that he could contend for a permanent spot in the lineup this season. The former Bowling Green product is unspectacular, but a reliable decision maker with the puck.

Calle Clang

Clang, a third-round selection in 2020, is coming off a very good season with Kristianstads IK of the Allsvenskan where he was named the league’s top junior player. This season, Clang will try to earn a spot on Rogle in the SHL, a team that finished second in the SHL last season. The 6’2 netminder looks like someone who could possibly provide competition to Joel Blomqvist in the Pittsburgh crease in the future.

Cam Lee

Also a free agent signing by the Penguins out of college last season (Western Michigan), Lee’s first pro season had some ups and downs. The 6’0 defender is a wonderful skater and puck mover, but he must find greater consistency in the defensive end. Pittsburgh will be looking for improvement in this area in 2021/22 as he assumes a top pairing role with Wilkes-Barre.

McKeen’s 2020-21 Hockey Yearbook: Pittsburgh Penguins Top 20 Prospects

Rachel Howard — Mon, 21 Dec 2020 20:45:09 +0000

McKeen's Top 20 Pittsburgh Penguins prospects for the 2020-21 season. You can read an organizational assessment prior to the draft in Ryan Wagman's article found here. Following the draft we provided a review on each teams performance based on our rankings found here.

Samuel Poulin, RW (21^st overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 1)

Poulin is a well-rounded offensive player, who has looked dominant at times in his junior career with Sherbrooke. It is hard to find fault in his game: great skater, great puckhandler, excellent hockey mind, deadly shooter, plays the whole ice and strikes on the counterattack. He plays with intensity and with a strong work ethic to find the seam and attack. His reads are top-notch. He is at home anywhere on the ice because of his great balance and strong physical play. He is already at a solid size at 216 pounds yet can still move quickly. He is a strong forechecker, and finishes his hits, setting an example for his teammates. It is not difficult to foresee a path to the NHL for Poulin, as he has all the tools. The sky is the limit for the winger, who has passed every test in the Q with flying colours. A top line do-it-all forward to carry the torch in the waning years of Crosby and Malkin era is not out of the question, and a very solid middle-six winger is at the very least in his sights. - MS

Pierre-Olivier Joseph, D (Trade: Jun. 29, 2019. Originally: 23^rd overall, 2017 (Arizona). Previous ranking: 2)

A prospect who is not nearly as flashy as other top ranked players is the quiet, yet dangerous Joseph, acquired from Arizona in the Phil Kessel trade. In his rookie professional season, he brought poise, calmness, high hockey IQ, and strong skating to the blueline for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. He is very accurate and smart when it comes to passing and is a good two-way defenseman, offering dependable coverage in the defensive zone and strong puck carrying abilities and passing in the offensive zone. Still a lightweight, Joseph will have to keep working on getting bigger and stronger in order to be able to move opponents off the puck and win important battles as well as avoiding being easily separated from the puck himself. Overall, there is nothing wrong with the way Joseph plays and he has much to offer in terms of smarts and individual composure and skill. Look to see him earn his first NHL call up next year and add depth to Pittsburgh’s bottom four. – SC

Joel Blomqvist, G (52^nd overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

With the possible exception of his ability to harness rebounds, there is no one trait in which Blomqvist stands out among goaltending prospects. He has an uncanny ability to push shots with his blocker, pads, or stick to the corners. Thankfully, there are no major chinks in his armor, which made him one of the top netminders in the 2020 draft class after Yaroslav Askarov. In every aspect you could look in a goalie, he grades out well. He is a good skater and is steady on his feet. He is calm and patient in the paint, not changing his demeanor in traffic or when staring down a breakaway. He tracks the puck well and does a good job of reading the shooters. He does a good job of knowing when to stay tall and when to drop into a butterfly. He can even handle the puck as needed. He is set to play against men this season in Finland. With skaters, we generally preach upside. With goalies, the risk is high enough that there is merit looking for steadiness. Blomqvist has it. – RW

Anthony Angello, C (145^th overall, 2014. Previous ranking: 3)

At 6-5”, Angello is one of the bigger forwards in the pro ranks and he carries himself well, finding ways to get to the net with ease. He uses his size to win battles and clean up garbage around the net, although he needs to also be careful of penalties when he throws his body around. Angello is a good puck handler and a good skater but he needs to be more aware in the neutral and defensive zones, and he cannot afford to turn the puck over or make bad passes, because he recovery ability is not the greatest. He could see NHL powerplay action in time, but he will have to earn another call up and capitalize on that opportunity as a bottom six forward first before being considered for regular special teams’ duties. He is an asset based on size alone and once considering his skills it will be safe to say that he will be receiving additional NHL opportunities, with a good chance of staying up for good. - SC

Valtteri Puustinen, RW/LW (203^rd overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 4)

Puustinen is a very crafty and skilled winger. He can be unpredictable with the puck and pull off great plays to surprise opposing defensemen and goalies. He has some nice creativity to his game. He reads the game at a high level and sees the ice well. He does not try to force plays. His skating is an asset – with quick first few strides and he is light on his skates. He is quick to pucks. If he improves his shot and finishing ability, he will be even more dangerous offensively, particularly on the power play. He is dependable without the puck and does not leak defensively, but his puck play has impressed me the most. Puustinen has improved significantly over the last few seasons and has developed from a promising junior player into a solid NHL prospect. Assuming he keeps improving, it won't be too long until he moves to North America. Eventually, he could become a versatile middle-six NHL winger, one who can contribute in a lot of ways. Whether he manages to become one is far from a sure thing, but he has a chance. – MB

Jonathan Gruden, RW (95^th overall, 2018. Pre-season: 18)

A former NTDP member, Gruden left Miami University after his freshman season in order to join the London Knights this year. Gruden operates well as an offensive support player. He controls the wall well, keeps his feet moving in the offensive zone, and possesses the vision and awareness to find those soft spots in coverage. While his skating ability, skill level, and physical skill set would be deemed average, he is successful at the OHL level due to his high-end IQ. As such, Gruden projects best as a bottom six forward at the NHL level. At the pro level, there may certainly be an adjustment period as his skating and strength improve to the level that they need to in order for him to succeed in a “grind it out” role against men. - BO

Nathan Legare, RW (74^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 5)

Légaré has potential to truly establish himself as a power forward in the pro game, but his skating is not yet good enough to ensure success. The bulky bruiser has good size for the next level and finishes his checks when he gets there. He can be a strong forechecker on a defense that does not move the puck quickly. He also has an excellent shot, including both a booming slapshot and a wrist shot from closer range. His effort is never questioned, and his feet stay moving, but his skating is only average for the junior level. As a positive, Légaré plays well with talented linemates, especially ones that can time his skating with their playstyle. He needs to be put in a position to use his shot effectively, and he is a strong player in the half-court offense when speed isn’t as much of a factor as are awareness and positioning. He will need to continue to develop an elite-level hockey sense and the awareness to be able to compete with his skating deficits. With improvements, he could be a power forward who can score, but his skating will need to take a few strides to get there. - MS

Jordan Bellerive, C (Undrafted Free Agent, signed Sep. 16, 2017. Previous ranking: 6)

After a scary fire-related accident had the Penguins concerned for their prospect’s health, as of the beginning of last season, Bellerive managed to come back in good shape and perform well in his professional rookie season in the AHL. As a player with a stocky build, he is solid on the puck and carries it well, he can win battles and knows how to use his body when protecting the puck. As his points were nearly evenly divided for goals and assists in major junior, his points this past season in the AHL saw no changes in breakdown, proving that he is capable of making the right plays, seeing the ice well and contributing with good individual efforts as part of his transition to the professional ranks. With his work ethic he should be able to find the extra speed needed to keep up at times for next season in order to earn some time up as part of Pittsburgh’s bottom six. - SC

Will Reilly, D (217^th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 7)

The Pittsburgh draft pick spent four years at RPI maturing his game after playing a few seasons of junior hockey in the OJHL and the BCHL. The seventh-round draft pick has proven that he can contribute offensively. He was named the OJHL top prospect in 2014-15 as a 17-year-old. He isn’t the fastest defenseman, but he can still skate with smooth strides and can join the rush as a winger, allowing him to create opportunities for his teammates. He served as a captain during his senior season and played on the second penalty kill unit. Reilly is a steady defensive presence and knows when to join the rush and when to hang back. He can be physical, blocks shots and has a quick defensive stick. His passes are crisp and clean. At 22 years old, there is still some room for Reilly to grow. - JS

Kasper Bjorkqvist, RW (61^st overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 8)

Despite having only played six games this past season in the AHL, former Providence College captain Bjorkvist had strong showings when he was able to play. He managed to handle a good amount of ice time, including time of the penalty kill, and even earned one goal. He stands out as a good skater, a good two-way player with plus awareness on the ice due to his constant motion and ways of finding open ice. He still needs to work on his passing and his puck movement while in the attacking end, as turnovers need to be eliminated which have been a consequence of poor passing decisions and accuracy. Hopefully, Bjorkvist can work towards completing a full season next year, coming back healthy and ready to play in order to make an impact in the AHL before a call up to Pittsburgh as a positionally sound and physically ready-to-play forward capable of handling a bottom six role at the highest level. - SC

Santeri Airola, D (211^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 9)

Airola is a mobile defenseman with very good acceleration. He can carry the puck up the ice and skate away from pressure – the puck does not slow him down. He is an effective puck transporter and can gain the offensive zone with speed. He makes a firm first pass, and both his short and long-range passes are accurate. He is very active in the offensive zone, both with and without the puck. His shot lacks power, but it is accurate, and he is not afraid to use it. He needs to add velocity to be able to score more goals, though. He handles the puck well and plays with his head up. He has work to do on his defensive game. He can be a bit inconsistent with his defensive zone coverage. He also needs to improve his defending in small spaces and get much stronger. He will compete for ice-time on Ilves' Liiga team next season. - MB

Drew O’Connor, LW (Undrafted Free Agent, signed Mar. 10, 2019. Previous ranking: 10)

O’Connor was one of the biggest free agent signings of the year. An undrafted player, he epitomized late bloomer development, leaving school after playing his sophomore season at 22 years of age. He played prep school hockey in New Jersey followed by the T1 elite hockey league and went to the NCDC before finally heading to Dartmouth. After being named to the All-Ivy Second Team as a freshman, he was named the Ivy League player of the year this year. O’Connor is always a scoring threat and appears all over the ice. He earned first unit power play time and led the Big Green in scoring. He has a big frame and moves well for a skater of his size, using his speed to blow past opposing defenders. He was able to score this year despite teams often double teaming him to neutralize the threat. He needs to work on protecting the puck better before he will have a chance at the NHL. – JS

Chase Yoder, C (170^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Yoder has never been a big scorer, even playing U16 hockey in the Dallas area, but he has proven himself to be a viable and important member of the USNTDP in his two years in the program. For starters, he is an excellent skater, with plus edges and great acceleration. Most of the scoring chances he manages to work his way into come from that skating power. Another plus feature of his game is his aggressiveness. He is slight but plays a very feisty brand of hockey. The third trait that helped convince the Penguins to draft him was his brain. The Providence commit is a very good defensive forward and can play the tough minutes. His hands aren’t bad, but they aren’t what will help push him to the NHL in time. Yoder reads the game well and that maturity will help him adapt to the next level, even if his ceiling will remain low for the duration of his development due to the lack of offensive tools. – RW

Sam Miletic, LW/C (Undrafted Free Agent, signed Sep. 25, 2017. Previous ranking: 11)

Passed over in the draft despite having played a key role for one of the top ranked teams in the CHL with the London Knights, where the bulk of that team was drafted and some now play in the NHL, the work Miletic has put up to keep his level of competition up high enough to attract the eye of the Pittsburgh Penguins is impressive. Finishing fourth in points last season with the Baby Penguins in the AHL, it is clear to see that he was a good signing choice with a strong presence on the left wing. Playing on both special teams units, Miletic was given more responsibility last season and has proven that his skating ability as well as the quick and methodical way he moves the puck is more than enough to prove himself at the AHL level. Look for him to earn his first call up to Pittsburgh to fill a bottom six spot in the coming season. - SC

Cam Lee, D (Undrafted Free Agent, signed Mar. 17, 2020. Previous ranking: 12)

A Nova Scotian who played prep hockey in New York State before moving on to the USHL, Lee was a potential NHL draft pick by his second year of eligibility, when his power play strength had him finish the year as a third-team All-Star in the league. He went unselected and instead spent the previous four seasons doing the same thing for Andy Murray’s Western Michigan. In those four years, Lee has developed a more robust two-way game, capable of contributing on both special teams’ units. He lacks any one standout tool, but does everything well enough, and occasionally even above average. He skates well and is comfortable carrying the puck up the ice. He has a hammer of a one-timer. He reads and recognizes the play well, allowing him to protect the puck. Should he make another quick transition to the pro game, Lee could soon be vying for third pairing minutes in the NHL. - RW

Judd Caulfield, RW (145^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 13)

A big winger who has never been a big point producer, Caulfield has flashed a robust enough total package both in his years with the USNTDP and now at North Dakota, to hold out some hope that he could yet develop into more than a fourth liner at the highest level. Even if he never finds a better use of his soft hands, or his smooth wheels – the latter being rather impressive at his size – he has always more than earned his keep on the roster through his two-way play and particularly his defensive reliability. He is a high IQ, meat-and-potatoes winger who can play a shutdown role. If his lack of offensive production turns out to have been a lack of confidence as opposed to a lack of creativity (although we suspect his issue is the latter), he could produce enough to eventually play higher up the lineup. For now, he is a safe, if unsexy prospect still a few years away from the pros. - RW

Clayton Phillips, D (93^rd overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 14)

After Phillips could not get out of the third pairing over a season and a half with the University of Minnesota, he transferred to Penn State where the situation was much the same. The burgeoning two-way defender who made the USHL’s top rookie team in his draft year lacks the big tools to do more than flash the occasional big moment. He reads the play well, is patient with the puck and recognizes opportunities to impact the game in the offensive end. On the other hands, he is small and is not a fleet enough skater to overcome the size deficiency with ease. He can show some cleverness with the puck but falls short of dynamic and his shot is not powerful enough to project as a power play option. There is still some hope that he could carve out a depth role at a higher level, but he needs a big season to be assured of an NHL contract after completing his collegiate eligibility. – RW

Jesper Lindgren, D (Trade: Aug. 25, 2020. Originally: 95^th overall, 2015 [Toronto]. Previous ranking: 15)

After playing his first full season in North America as part of the Toronto Marlies blueline squad, Jesper Lindgren has now been traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins organization, along with Kasperi Kapanen. For an undersized defenseman, he brings a good skill set with good skating and puck handling. He is solid at starting plays and does well at managing gap control and defending in his own end. Offensively, Lindgren is dependable at getting pucks deep and moving the puck accordingly across the blueline, becoming a more team focused player than a strictly shot-first. He will offer the Penguins organization a lot in the future as he continues to develop, although it is uncertain as to where Lindgren will fall as his development has been so slow to date. Not to say he is bad but rather just in need of a few tweaks to bring his game up a level. At the rate the Penguins are drafting and with the depth of their prospect system, Lindgren should get a chance to play up sometime in the next season (if he remains in North America) as part of the Penguins bottom four. – SC

Calle Clang, G (77^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

An unorthodox goaltender who plays a hybrid style and is aggressive in challenging shooters, Clang excelled for Sweden internationally last year while playing in the shadow of the more hyped Jesper Wallstedt (2021 eligible). Clang has good size and was one of the top goaltending options out of Europe in the 2020 draft class, albeit not as promising as Joel Blomqvist, who the Penguins drafted in the round before they selected Clang. Clang may be able to rise up this list in future seasons, as he has plus athleticism and mobility, and he always rises to the occasion in tough situations, but he will also need to improve in a number of areas that are currently weak, including his tracking ability, his rebound control, and his ability to play the puck when called upon. To Clang’s credit, he has performed well in limited opportunity so far this year in his first experience of men’s hockey, playing in Sweden’s second pro league. – Brock Otten

Joshua Maniscalco, D (UFA: Aug. 21, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

The third member of this top 20 to have been signed as an undrafted free agent out of the college ranks in 2020, Maniscalco’s inclusion in the list is as much a reflection of the utter shallowness of the Penguins’ system as it is a reflection of his own actual prospects to develop into a viable NHL’er. A former depth player with the USNTDP (not unlike Chase Yoder and Judd Caulfield, above), Maniscalco took an extra year in the USHL, with Dubuque, before moving on the Arizona State, where he truly blossomed as one of the better offensive defensemen in college hockey, finishing sixth in NCAA in defenseman scoring. A right-handed shot, he has overcome some of the lack of discipline he demonstrated in his junior days, while showing a full set of decent, if unspectacular tools. The key for hi to improve his stock as a prospect will be to shore up his play away from the puck and prove that he can be reliable. He is definitely a good gamble for a system that rarely uses all of its draft picks. - RW

MCKEEN’S 2020 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – PITTSBURGH PENGUINS – ORGANIZATIONAL RANK: 24

Thu, 10 Sep 2020 16:19:38 +0000

Pittsburgh Penguins

It is time to talk about the East Coast Hockey League. In all my years of writing about the hockey development world, I might never have written more than a half sentence about the third highest professional league in North America, but it’s time. Of course, I am not alone in essentially ignoring the circuit. The third highest professional circuit in baseball, AA, actually receives more press than the penultimate league, AAA. So why the difference in hockey?

While the path from amateur to MLB is due for a massive shakeup, helped along by the side effects of COVID-19, but historically, a drafted player would advance from Rookie Ball to Short-season ball, to Low A, to High A, to AA (ECHL), to AAA (AHL) to MLB (NHL). Top prospects can sometimes skip levels, maybe starting their pro careers in Low A, or jumping from Short-season Ball to High A. Often times, the best ones, the ones who make sudden leaps in their progression, skip over AAA altogether. That leaves the second-best level of baseball in North America to be filled by players who project to the bottom fifth of an MLB roster, or players on their way back down. The most advanced, highest ceilinged prospects are often found in AA ballparks.

Not so with hockey. For starters, not every team even has an ECHL franchise. The league currently has 26 teams, one of which (the Norfolk Admirals) is independent. While the AHL has rules regulating how many seasoned veterans can suit up on each team, the ECHL does not, which makes the league more of a home for dreamers than prospects and not as much of a development stage for the future of the game. That is not to disparage the players in the league, but to simply point out that its players are by and large not fighting to move up the ladder as much as they are fighting to remain employed as players.

Some teams though, use the ECHL as an entry point to the NHL path. The Maple Leafs under Kyle Dubas as one such team, with Newfoundland being a first stop in the pros before a job in Toronto with the Marlies and then the Maple Leafs. Pittsburgh is another such team. The Penguins have a franchise in Wheeling, West Virginia, less than 60 miles southeast of Pennsylvania and more than four hours drive closer than their AHL club in Wilkes-Barre Scranton. They often put some of the organization’s rawer prospects there to start their pro careers, where the Penguins brass can keep a close eye on their progress. Some players who we considered – but ultimately decided against – for this list spent a good chunk of this past season with the Nailers, including Jan Drozg, Justin Almeida, and Emil Larmi.

I sincerely wish that more clubs would use their ECHL affiliates as development league, as opposed to glorified taxi squads for their AHL clubs. Hockey as a sport would be richer if more players could legitimately pursue their dreams of reaching the top. Until that happens, we have a tremendous challenge in adequately judging players who have spent their seasons on the Coast. The context of the league is almost foreign to real development in hockey that what a younger player of promise does there cannot be compared apples-to-apples against a rookie pro in lesser minutes at the AHL level. So just because we have left Drozg, Almeida, and Larmi off the current top 15, it doesn’t mean that they won’t, or can’t get there next year. It means we are less confident in what we have seen through the lens of the ECHL.

Samuel Poulin, RW (21^st overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 1)

A year without playoff hockey for Poulin robbed Sherbrooke Phoenix fans of an encore performance of his post-season last year. Poulin has looked dominant at times in his junior career with Sherbrooke and is a very well-rounded offensive player. It is hard to find fault in the forward’s game: great skater, great puckhandler, excellent mind for the game, deadly shooter, plays the whole ice and strikes on the counterattack.

He plays with intensity and with a strong work ethic to find the seam and attack. His play reads are top-notch, and he has the pedigree to play at a high level from his NHLer father. He is at home anywhere on the ice because of his great balance and strong physical play. He is already at a solid size at 216 pounds and can move quick at that size. He is a strong forechecker, and finishes his hits, setting an example for his teammates.

So smitten by his game, the Penguins invited him as a black ace in the bubble for the play-in qualifying round. It is not difficult to foresee a path to the NHL for Poulin, as he has all the tools and seems to have a great toolbox, too. He showed his character by captaining the Phoenix this season to the league’s best record. The sky is the limit for the winger, who has passed every test in the Q with flying colours. Poulin was one of the players with the highest floors in the draft last year, and that is still true. A top line do-it-all forward to carry the torch in the waning years of Crosby and Malkin is not out of the question, and a very solid middle-six winger, like his father, is at the very least in his sights. - MS

Pierre-Olivier Joseph, D (Trade: Jun. 29, 2019. Originally: 23^rd overall, 2017 (Arizona). 2019 Rank: 3)

The last few seasons for the Penguins organization has been barren in terms of earning top level draft picks. With the Penguins still feeling the draft consequences of winning cups, their prospect system is one of the more quiet ones in the entire NHL, which is also synonymous with being dull and lacking flash. An example of a prospect who is not nearly as flashy as others is the quiet, yet dangerous Pierre-Olivier Joseph, acquired from Arizona in the Phil Kessel trade.

In his rookie professional season, he brought poise, calmness, high hockey IQ, and strong skating to the blueline for the AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. He is very accurate and smart when it comes to passing and he is a good two-way defenseman; offering dependably good coverage in the defensive zone and strong puck carrying abilities and passing in the offensive zone. As a lightweight still, Joseph will have to keep working on getting stronger and bigger in order to be able to move opponents off the puck and win important battles to avoid being easily separated from the puck.

Overall, there is nothing wrong with the way Joseph plays and he has much to offer the Penguins when it comes to smarts and individual composure and skill. Look to see him earn his first call up to the NHL in his second professional season next year in order to add depth to Pittsburgh’s bottom four. Be mindful that it is imperative that he work on getting bigger and stronger to avoid injury as he seeks to move up a level. - SC

CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP, PA – SEPTEMBER 12: Anthony Angello of the Pittsburgh Penguins. (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images)

Anthony Angello, C (145^th overall, 2014. 2019 Rank: 11)

Angello had a brief stint with Pittsburgh this past season, playing eight games and earning his first NHL goal and spending four minutes in the penalty box. At 6-5”, he is certainly one of the bigger forwards in both the AHL and NHL and for a big body he carries himself well and finds ways to get to the net with ease. He uses his size well to win battles and clean up garbage around the net but that being said, he needs to also be careful of penalties when he throws his body around.

Angello is a good puck handler and a good skater but he needs to be more aware in the neutral zone and the defensive end, and he cannot afford to turn the puck over or make bad passes, because despite being a good skater for his size he is not the fastest. With big shoes to fill for the Penguins organization when their big guns retire, some of that weight will most likely be transferred to Angello as one of their top prospects and most physically ready to play at the NHL level. He could see NHL powerplay action, but he will have to earn another call up first and capitalize on that opportunity as a bottom six forward first before being considering for regular special teams duties.

He is an asset to any team based on size alone and then after considering his individual skills it will be safe to say that he will definitely make an NHL appearance again within the next two seasons, with a good chance of the opportunity morphing into a permanent placement. - SC

Valtteri Puustinen, RW/LW (203^rd overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: UR)

Puustinen had an impressive season with HPK in the Liiga. He started the season really well and he was able to build confidence off his strong performances. He maintained a high level of play throughout the season. He even earned a call up to the Finnish national team. He is a very crafty and skilled winger. He can be unpredictable with the puck and pull off great plays to surprise opposing defensemen and goalies.

Puustinen has some nice creativity to his game. He reads the game at a high level and sees the ice well. He does not force the game, which I like. Skating is an asset – his first few strides are quick, and he is light on his skates. He is quick to pucks. If he improves his shot and finishing ability, he will be even more dangerous offensively, particularly on the power play. He is dependable without the puck and does not leak defensively, but his puck play has impressed me the most.

Puustinen has improved significantly over the last few seasons and has developed from a promising junior player into a solid NHL prospect. Assuming he keeps improving, it won't be too long until he moves to North America. Eventually, I could see him become a versatile middle-six NHL winger, one who can contribute in a lot of ways. Whether he manages become one is far from a sure thing, but he has a chance. The Penguins have a possible late-round steal in their hands. - MB

CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP, PA – SEPTEMBER 12: Nathan Legare of the Pittsburgh Penguins (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images)

Nathan Legare, RW (74^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 5)

Légaré has more potential than most out of the QMJHL to truly establish himself as a power forward in the pro game, but the questions surrounding him persist: will he be a good-enough skater to have success beyond the Q? Légaré’s point totals this year were right around where they were a year ago, but with much less weaponry in the Drakkar’s quiver, he became a focal point for opposing teams, and his goal totals dropped.

The bulky bruiser has good size for the next level and finishes his checks when he gets there. He can be a strong forechecker on a defence that does not move the puck quickly. He also has an excellent shot, be it a booming slapshot from deep or a wrist shot from the circle. His effort is never questioned, and his feet stay moving, but his skating is average at the junior level with those attributes.

As a positive, Légaré plays well with talented linemates, especially ones that can time his skating with their playstyle, and with Pittsburgh, he had a great camp last season. He was put in a position to use his shot effectively, and he is a strong player in half-court offence when speed isn’t as much of a factor as are awareness and positioning. He will need to continue to develop an elite-level hockey sense and awareness to be able to compete with his skating at the higher levels. With improvements, he could be a power forward who can score, but his skating will need to take a few strides to get there. - MS

Jordan Bellerive, C (Undrafted Free Agent, signed Sep. 16, 2017. 2019 Rank: 6)

As a player with a stocky build, he is solid on the puck and carries it well, he can win battles and knows how to use his body when protecting the puck. As his points were nearly evenly divided for goals and assists in major junior, his points this past season in the AHL saw no changes in breakdown, proving that he is capable of making the right plays, seeing the ice well and contributing with good individual efforts as part of his transition to the professional ranks. With his work ethic he should be able to find the extra speed needed to keep up at times for next season in order to earn some time up as part of Pittsburgh’s bottom six. - SC

Will Reilly, D (217^th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: UR)

He served as a captain during his senior season and played on the second penalty kill unit. Reilly is a steady defensive presence and knows when to join the rush and when to hang back. He can be physical, blocks shots and has a quick defensive stick. His passes are crisp and clean. At 22 years old, there is still some room for Reilly to grow. - JS

Kasper Bjorkqvist, RW (61^st overall, 2016. 2019 Rank: 8)

He still needs to work on his passing and his puck movement while in the attacking end, as turnovers need to be eliminated which have been a consequence of poor passing decisions and accuracy. Hopefully, Bjorkvist can work towards completing a full season next year, coming back healthy and ready to play in order to make an impact in the AHL before a call up to Pittsburgh as a positionally sound and physically ready-to-play forward capable of handling a bottom six role at the highest level. - SC

Santeri Airola, D (211^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 18)

He needs to add velocity to be able to score more goals, though. He handles the puck well and plays with his head up. He has work to do on his defensive game. He can be a bit inconsistent with his defensive zone coverage. He also needs to improve his defending in small spaces and get much stronger. He will compete for ice-time on Ilves' Liiga team next season. - MB

Drew O’Connor, LW (Undrafted Free Agent, signed Mar. 10, 2019. 2019 Rank: IE)

O’Connor is always a scoring threat and appears all over the ice. He earned first unit power play time and led the Big Green in scoring. He has a big frame and moves well for a skater of his size, using his speed to blow past opposing defenders. He was able to score this year despite teams often double teaming him to neutralize the threat. He needs to work on protecting the puck better before he will have a chance at the NHL. - JS

Sam Miletic, LW/C (Undrafted Free Agent, signed Sep. 25, 2017. 2019 Rank: 15)

Finishing fourth in points this season with the Baby Penguins in the AHL, it is clear to see that he was a good signing choice with a strong presence on the left wing. Playing on both special teams units, Miletic was given more responsibility this season and has proven that his skating ability as well as the quick and methodical way he moves the puck is more than enough to prove himself at the AHL level. Look for him to earn his first call up to Pittsburgh to fill a bottom six spot in the coming season. - SC

Cam Lee, D (Undrafted Free Agent, signed Mar. 17, 2020. 2019 Rank: IE)

He lacks any one standout tool, but does everything well enough, and occasionally even above average. He skates well and is comfortable carrying the puck up the ice. He has a hammer of a one-timer. He reads and recognizes the play well, allowing him to protect the puck. Should he make another quick transition to the pro game, Lee could soon be vying for third pairing minutes in the NHL. - RW

Judd Caulfield, RW (145^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 9)

He is a high IQ, meat-and-potatoes winger who can play a shutdown role. If his lack of offensive production turns out to have been a lack of confidence as opposed to a lack of creativity (although we suspect his issue is the latter), he could produce enough to eventually play higher up the lineup. For now, he is a safe, if unsexy prospect still a few years away from the pros. - RW

Clayton Phillips, D (93^rd overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: UR)

On the other hand, he is small and is not a fleet enough skater to overcome the size deficiency with ease. He can show some cleverness with the puck but falls short of dynamic and his shot is not powerful enough to project as a power play option. There is still some hope that he could carve out a depth role at a higher level, but he needs a big season to be assured of an NHL contract after completing his collegiate eligibility. – RW

Jesper Lindgren, D (Trade: Aug. 25, 2020. Originally: 95^th overall, 2015 [Toronto]. 2019 Rank: UR)

He will offer the Penguins organization a lot in the future as he continues to develop, although it is uncertain as to where Lindgren will fall as his development has been so slow to date. Not to say he is bad but rather just in need of a few tweaks to bring his game up a level. At the rate the Penguins are drafting and with the depth of their prospect system, Lindgren should get a chance to play up sometime in the next season (if he remains in North America) as part of the Penguins bottom four. - SC

Drew O’Connor – McKeen's Hockey

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MCKEEN’S 2023 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #31 – Pittsburgh Penguins

Prospect System Ranking – 31st

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McKeen’s 2020-21 Hockey Yearbook: Pittsburgh Penguins Top 20 Prospects

Samuel Poulin, RW (21st overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 1)

Pierre-Olivier Joseph, D (Trade: Jun. 29, 2019. Originally: 23rd overall, 2017 (Arizona). Previous ranking: 2)

Joel Blomqvist, G (52nd overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Anthony Angello, C (145th overall, 2014. Previous ranking: 3)

Valtteri Puustinen, RW/LW (203rd overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 4)

Jonathan Gruden, RW (95th overall, 2018. Pre-season: 18)

Nathan Legare, RW (74th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 5)

Jordan Bellerive, C (Undrafted Free Agent, signed Sep. 16, 2017. Previous ranking: 6)

Will Reilly, D (217th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 7)

Kasper Bjorkqvist, RW (61st overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 8)

Santeri Airola, D (211th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 9)

Drew O’Connor, LW (Undrafted Free Agent, signed Mar. 10, 2019. Previous ranking: 10)

Chase Yoder, C (170th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Sam Miletic, LW/C (Undrafted Free Agent, signed Sep. 25, 2017. Previous ranking: 11)

Cam Lee, D (Undrafted Free Agent, signed Mar. 17, 2020. Previous ranking: 12)

Judd Caulfield, RW (145th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 13)

Clayton Phillips, D (93rd overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 14)

Jesper Lindgren, D (Trade: Aug. 25, 2020. Originally: 95th overall, 2015 [Toronto]. Previous ranking: 15)

Calle Clang, G (77th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Joshua Maniscalco, D (UFA: Aug. 21, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

MCKEEN’S 2020 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – PITTSBURGH PENGUINS – ORGANIZATIONAL RANK: 24

Pittsburgh Penguins

Samuel Poulin, RW (21st overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 1)

Pierre-Olivier Joseph, D (Trade: Jun. 29, 2019. Originally: 23rd overall, 2017 (Arizona). 2019 Rank: 3)

Anthony Angello, C (145th overall, 2014. 2019 Rank: 11)

Valtteri Puustinen, RW/LW (203rd overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: UR)

Nathan Legare, RW (74th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 5)

Jordan Bellerive, C (Undrafted Free Agent, signed Sep. 16, 2017. 2019 Rank: 6)

Will Reilly, D (217th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: UR)

Kasper Bjorkqvist, RW (61st overall, 2016. 2019 Rank: 8)

Santeri Airola, D (211th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 18)

Drew O’Connor, LW (Undrafted Free Agent, signed Mar. 10, 2019. 2019 Rank: IE)

Sam Miletic, LW/C (Undrafted Free Agent, signed Sep. 25, 2017. 2019 Rank: 15)

Cam Lee, D (Undrafted Free Agent, signed Mar. 17, 2020. 2019 Rank: IE)

Judd Caulfield, RW (145th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 9)

Clayton Phillips, D (93rd overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: UR)

Jesper Lindgren, D (Trade: Aug. 25, 2020. Originally: 95th overall, 2015 [Toronto]. 2019 Rank: UR)

Prospect System Ranking – 31^st

Samuel Poulin, RW (21^st overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 1)

Pierre-Olivier Joseph, D (Trade: Jun. 29, 2019. Originally: 23^rd overall, 2017 (Arizona). Previous ranking: 2)

Joel Blomqvist, G (52^nd overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Anthony Angello, C (145^th overall, 2014. Previous ranking: 3)

Valtteri Puustinen, RW/LW (203^rd overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 4)

Jonathan Gruden, RW (95^th overall, 2018. Pre-season: 18)

Nathan Legare, RW (74^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 5)

Will Reilly, D (217^th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 7)

Kasper Bjorkqvist, RW (61^st overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 8)

Santeri Airola, D (211^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 9)

Chase Yoder, C (170^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Judd Caulfield, RW (145^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 13)

Clayton Phillips, D (93^rd overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 14)

Jesper Lindgren, D (Trade: Aug. 25, 2020. Originally: 95^th overall, 2015 [Toronto]. Previous ranking: 15)

Calle Clang, G (77^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Samuel Poulin, RW (21^st overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 1)

Pierre-Olivier Joseph, D (Trade: Jun. 29, 2019. Originally: 23^rd overall, 2017 (Arizona). 2019 Rank: 3)

Anthony Angello, C (145^th overall, 2014. 2019 Rank: 11)

Valtteri Puustinen, RW/LW (203^rd overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: UR)

Nathan Legare, RW (74^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 5)

Will Reilly, D (217^th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: UR)

Kasper Bjorkqvist, RW (61^st overall, 2016. 2019 Rank: 8)

Santeri Airola, D (211^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 18)

Judd Caulfield, RW (145^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 9)

Clayton Phillips, D (93^rd overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: UR)

Jesper Lindgren, D (Trade: Aug. 25, 2020. Originally: 95^th overall, 2015 [Toronto]. 2019 Rank: UR)