Pittsburgh Penguins – Top 15 Prospects
 | 1. Simon Despres – Age 18Born: 07-27-1991 – Laval, QC Height: 6 – 4 Weight: 205 lbs Position: D Shoots: L 2009 1st round draft pick Estimated Arrival: 2011 Current Team: Saint John (QMJHL) Latest Buzz: 1/31/10:  The 18 year old defenseman has 8 goals and 26 assists in 46 games played for the St. John Sea Dogs of the QMJHL, including a plus/minus rating of plus 26. Despres teammate, winger Nick Petersen, the Penguins 2009 4th round selection is third on the team with 61 pts. Scouting Report: Has drawn rave reviews from the organization after his performance in training camp. Team insiders indicate he will be a regular by 2011 - Has very good size and mobility. Defensive game is more polished at this point, strong shot blocker - Due to skating ability, has the potential to become a more consistent point producer as his game evolves Strengths: At 6-4, 205 lbs, Despres plays a strong defensive game. Very good positioning for a young player and is an avid shot blocker. - Reads the play very well, uses his long reach to his advantage - Has good hockey sense, and has the physical skills to do it all in the defensive zone. - A solid skater for a player his size and Despres moves the puck very well on the breakout. - Never going to be 60+ point producer but team scouts believe his offensive game will evolve to a regular 35-40 point player. Weaknesses: Needs more consistency. Has lacked focus at times - Will need to play with more of an edge as he makes the jump to the next level. Has started making progress in that area this season. - Shot is still developing, Lacks velocity Potential – Low End #2 defenseman/ High End #3 defenseman |
 | 2. Eric Tangradi – Age 20Born Feb 10, 1989 – Philadelphia, PA Height: 6-4 Weight: 219 lbs Position: LW Shoots: Left 2007 2nd round draft pick Estimated Arrival: 2010-2011 Current Team: Wilkes Barre Scranton (AHL) Latest Buzz: 1/31/09 – In 39 games played, Tangradi has 10 goals and 11 assists on the season and a minus-2 rating. Tangradi has not put up the stats that some believed he would, but the team remains pleased with his progress. Scouting Report: - Despite a strong training camp, Tangradi has struggled to adjust to playing against bigger, stronger players in the AHL. The 20 year old winger will spend the entire season in Wilkes Barre. Tangradi has all the physical tools to be a proto-typical power forward in the NHL but he is still a work in progress. Strengths: Tangradi who has drawn comparisons to Kevin Stevens, has above average skating ability for his size, - Protects the puck very well down low in the offensive zone - establishes a net presence and wins battles in the corners. - Great Hockey vision, sees the ice very well - Does not have an explosive shot but he has good hands around the net Weaknesses: - Quickness of his shot is a still a work in progress - More consistency in the offensive zone. Is not creating enough scoring chances off of his own play - Off-ice work ethic has been a concern - Is not playing a tough rugged game in Wilkes Barre that he was accustomed to in juniors. Only has 15 penalty minutes on the season. Potential – Top 6 Forward |
 | 3. Luca Caputi– Age 21Born: 10-01-1988 – Toronto, ONT Height: 6 – 2 Weight: 188 lbs Position: LW Shoots: L 2007 4th round draft pick Estimated Arrival: 2010 Current Team: Wilkes Barre Scranton (AHL) Latest Buzz: 1/31/10: Luca Caputi recorded 1 goal and an assist in four games played with Pittsburgh during a short stint with the team in Janaury. In Wilkes Barre, Caputi is first on the team with 18 goals and third on the team with 34 points in 41 games played this season. Scouting Report: Latest stint with Pittsburgh did not go well as the Penguins scouting staff doesn’t feel Caputi is NHL ready. A concern for Caputi continues to be his lack of strength as the 21 year old winger needs to bulk up. Strengths: – Has good hockey sense, and knows how to score goals. Caputi drives to the net consistently and will score a lot of goals at the NHL level in front of the net. - Plays physical and is a smart two way player. - Above Average fore-checker, stick is always in the right position - Has an above average shot, ability to pick corners and keeps his head up at all times when shooting the puck which is an attribute that is rare for a young player. Weaknesses: His acceleration is one major area of concern for scouts which could keep Caputi from being a top 6 forward. - Must get stronger and bulk up - Offensive skills still need to develop - Struggles making his own play Potential – Low End Top 6 forward/ High End Third Liner |
 | 4. Robert Bortuzzo– Age 20Born: 3-18-1989, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada Height: 6-3 Weight: 198 lbs Position: D Shoots: R 2007 3rd round draft pick Estimated Arrival: Late 2010/2011 Current Team: Wilkes Barre Scranton (AHL) Latest Buzz: 1/31/10 -: In his first season in Wilkes Barre, Bortuzzo has drawn rave reviews from team executives. Bortuzzo has 10 points in 46 games played including a plus-5 rating. Bortuzzo is fourth on the team with 73 penalty minutes. Scouting Report: Bortuzzo is regarded inside the organization as the Penguins #2 defenseman in the organization Strengths: – A defensive defenseman - Plays the body well, good positioning, keeps incoming forwards to the outside - strong skating ability, accelerates well, has good first two steps skating backwards - Great hockey sense, wants to get better - Has gone away from relying on his long reach - Ability on the breakout has become a strength in Wilkes Barre Weaknesses: Needs to get stronger and bulk up, which will help him improve his ability to clear the front of the net Potential – Low End #3 defenseman/High end #4 defenseman |
 | 5. Carl Sneep – Age 22Born: 11-5-1987, Height: 6-4 Weight: 210 lbs Position: D Shoots: R 2006 2nd round draft pick Estimated Arrival: 2011 Current Team: Boston College (NCAA) Latest Buzz: 1/31/10 -: In his senior season at Boston College, Carl Sneep is first among defenseman and 5th on the team with 6 goals and 11 assists in 23 games played. Scouting Report: Carl Sneep, the Penguins 2nd round pick in 2006 is an exceptional skater who plays a strong two-way game. - Sneep is among the most talented prospects in the Penguins system - At 6-4, 210lbs, Sneep has the physical skills that scouts rave about and is projected to enter the NHL by 2011. - – Was the top defenseman in testing drills during the Penguins prospect camp Strengths: Strong skating ability, moves the puck well. - Very good positioning, uses his size well - Plays more physical than he is given credit for - Strong 1-on-1 player, uses his speed to his advantage - Student of the game, bookworm in the class room Weaknesses: His offensive game hasn’t evolved to the point that scouts thought it would but that has started to change this season at BC - Still Passes up too many shots in the offensive zone - Pittsburgh will only have 3-to-4 months to sign Sneep before he can become a free agent. Potential – High end #3 defenseman/Low end #4 defenseman |
 | 6. Nick Johnson – Age 23Born: 12-24-1985 Height: 6-2 Weight: 200 lbs Position: RW Shoots: L 2004 3rd round draft pick Estimated Arrival: 2010 Current Team: Wilkes Barre Scranton (AHL) Latest Buzz: 1/27/09 -: Recorded a goal in his NHL debut on Jan. 21. Has spent the past five games with Pittsburgh. For Wilkes Barre, Johnson has 7 goals – 16 assists in 28 games played this season, including a +10 rating. Scouting Report: At age 24, Johnson is a late bloomer.  Had an exceptional training camp for the Penguins. - Big strong player who has top 9 potential, can score in around the net and create his own play - Regarded by scouts around the league as the most under-rated prospect in the Penguins system Strengths: Exceptional hands, strong shot. - Strong skating ability for a power forward type of player - Protects the puck well, quick passer when a defender is closing in - Uses his size well– behind and around the net - Ability to pick corners, snap shot is his biggest asset - Not afraid to establish a net presence - Reliable player in the defensive zone - Regarded by NHL scouts as the most complete player in the Penguins system Weaknesses: Needs more consistency - Has not shown the ability to dominate at the college or AHL level, despite the physical skills he possess. Potential – 3rd line two way player |
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 | 7. Keven Veilleux – Age 20Born: 6-27-1989, St-Georges-de-Beauce, PQ Height: 6-4 Weight: 220 lbs Position: RW Shoots: R 09-10 Stats:: 4GP – 1 goals – 0 assists – 1 points Current Team: Wilkes Barre/Scranton (AHL) 2007 2nd round draft pick Estimated Arrival: 2011-2012 Latest Buzz: 12/20/09 -: Veilleux underwent shoulder surgery and will be sidelined for up to 4 months. The talented forward has 2 goals and 1 assists in 3 games played this season. Scouting Report: After being drafted as a center Veilleux has been groomed to be a winger in the NHL. Possess size, strength and great composure in around the net. Strengths: Great composure in the offensive zone and around net - Excellent goal scorer on breakaways Weaknesses: Has lacked a killer instinct at the junior A level - Like many young players, needs to be more consistent - Will benefit from better coaching at the AHL level Potential – High end third line player with ability to play on top two lines |
 | 8. Ben Hanowski – Age 20Born: 10-18-1990, Little Falls, MN, USA Height: 6-2 Weight: 198 lbs Position: RW Shoots: L 2009 3rd round draft pick Estimated Arrival: 2013 Current Team: St. Cloud State (NCAA) Latest Buzz: 1/31/10 -: Hanowski is off to a better start in the second semester but has been held pointless in his last four games. The talented winger has 2 goals – 5 assists in his last 10 games.  Hanowski has 7 goals - 7 assists in 30 games played on the season. Scouting Report: Hanowski had a prolific high school hockey career scoring 73 goals and 135 points (73-62-135) in 31 games, for Little Falls (2008-2009) during his senior season. However, he’s a prospect that needs time to develop in the college ranks. Strengths: Exceptional puck skills, has drawn comparisons to Tomas Vanek, when it comes to his stick handling/goal scoring ability - Has a knack for scoring goals - Elusive when a defender is closing on him - Good at moving the puck in tight - Smart two way player - Hard worker, student of the game - Performed well in testing drills at Penguins prospect camp in drills that had an emphasis on quick feet Weaknesses: Not an exceptional skater, lacks breakaway speed but has quick feet. - Overall Skating ability - Body needs to fill out - Needs atleast three years of college hockey to get stronger and prepare for the physicality of professional hockey Potential – Top 9 forward |
 | 9. Brian Strait – Age 20Born: 01-04-1988, Boston, MA, Height: 6-1 Weight: 200 lbs Position: D Shoots: L 2006 3rd round draft pick Estimated Arrival: 2010-2011 Current Team: Wilkes Barre Scranton (AHL) Latest Buzz: 1/31/10 -: In his first professional season, Brian Strait has performed about expectations playing a strong defensive game for the WBS Penguins. Strait is a plus 10 in 45 games played with 1 goal and 9 assists. Scouting Report: Plays a strong defensive game, Strait has drawn comparisons to former Penguins defenseman Rob Scuderi Strengths: Exceptional hard worker - Good positioning, clears front of the net - Above average skater - excells on the penalty kill - A leader, great locker room guy - most under-rated part of game is ability on the breakout Weaknesses: Is never going to be considered an offensive defenseman - needs to pick his spots better when to take the body - Needs improvement in 1-on-1 situations Potential – Low  No. 4 defenseman/ High end No. 5 defenseman |
 | 10. Dustin Jeffrey– Age 21Born: 02-27-1988, Sarnia, ONT, Height: 6-1 Weight: 199 lbs Position: C Shoots: L Signed to an ATO: Estimated Arrival: 2010-2011 Current Team: Wilkes Barre/ Scranton Latest Buzz:  Jeffrey leads Wilkes Barre with 47 points (14 goals - 33 assists) in 44 games played, however, concerns continue whether his game is built for the NHL. Scouting Report: Two-way centerman who is an extremely good passer. Offensive game is developing but questions remain whether he has a position at the NHL level. Remains to be seen if he can wing at the next level Strengths: Smart two way player - Extremely good passer - Puck possession player - Good instincts in the defensive zone Weaknesses: Lacks any kind of physical game - Regarded as being too finesse - Holds onto the puck too long - Skating ability needs to improve Potential – 3rd/4th line role player |
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