Penguins/NHL
Where the 2016 Draft Class falls into the Penguins prospect pool
The Pittsburgh Penguins 2016 draft class saw them select one goaltender, four defensemen and one forward.
The Penguins going heavy with defensemen was a stance Jim Rutherford planned to take but the way the board played out, Pittsburgh passed on going defense in Round 2 when they held the 55th and 61st overall selections.
The team considered trading up into the mid-40’s to select a defenseman of interest and felt the price wasn’t worth it. The scouting staff was pleased with how things played out in getting goaltender Filip Gustavsson at No. 55.
Pittsburgh had Gustavsson rated at the No. 1 goalie on their board.
“Surprised he was still there at our pick, so we really couldn’t pass on him,” GM Jim Rutherford told reporters on Saturday.
“Our first pick, Filip Gustavsson, was in our opinion the best goalie in the draft,” director of scouting Randy Sexton said in speaking to reporters on the draft floor. “He’s a technically very strong goalie, he’s got tremendous rebound control and tremendous poise and mental toughness. He didn’t play on the greatest junior team in Sweden, their national team was just okay. But he helped them win several medals in the tournaments over the course of the season because of his outstanding play.”
Sexton said there are some similarities to Matt Murray from a mental and technical standpoint, though, Murray is taller.
Goaltending Prospect Pool
With Matt Murray graduating to the NHL and becoming the Penguins’ No. 1 goaltender, Tristan Jarry entered the draft weekend as the Penguins top goalie prospect. He’s reign as the Penguins No. 1 goaltending prospect is now short-lived.
Gustavsson now has that honor and immediately becomes the Penguins No. 1 goaltending prospect as the Penguins believe he has great potential to be a No. 1 NHL goaltender.
When the Penguins traded up for Jarry in 2013, also selecting him in the second round, they felt the same way but scouts now project Jarry’s ceiling as being more of a No. 2 NHL goaltender than a true No. 1.
Jarry went 17-13 with a 2.69 GAA and .905 save percentage in his first season with Wilkes Barre.
2012 4th round pick Sean Maguire enters the summer as the Penguins No. 3 goaltending prospect in the Penguins system. Maguire, 23, sat out the 2014-2015 season at Boston College due to a medical redshirt. He came back in 2015-2016 going 13-9-1 with a 2.41 GAA and .920 save percentage.
Maguire’s ceiling is one of a minor league goaltender.
Forward Prospect Pool
After going goaltender at No. 55, Jim Rutherford wanted to go with a defenseman at No. 61, but the Penguins European scouts were adamant about taking Kasper Bjorkqvist (6-1, 200).
“Our European scouts, they were close, and they followed him, and they loved this player,” Rutherford said.
Bjorkqvist is more of an all-around player who the Penguins feel could develop into a punishing bottom-6 player than a high-end skilled player.
“He has a really strong low game,” European scout Patrik Allvin said. “He’s strong on the puck, goes to the net. He’s hard to play against.”
Bjorkqvist will play at Providence college this fall and Randy Sexton believes he’s a year or two away from being ready to turn pro.
“We saw Bjorkqvist at the World juniors. Had a 4th line role there, going to be playing at Providence college [in fall]. We think he’s a year or two away from turning pro. Physically very strong, he’s got great hockey sense, overall skill set very strong,” Sexton said.
Where does Bjorkqvist fall in the Penguins’ prospect pool?
The forward group is headlined by Daniel Sprong and Jake Guentzel, the two consensus top forward prospects in the organization. Some in the organization even view Guentzel slightly ahead of Sprong.
While few spots are available in Pittsburgh, Guentzel could push for NHL time by mid-season.
Sprong’s 2016-2017 season is going to be basically lost with major shoulder surgery that will sideline him 8 months.
The second tier of forwards in the Penguins system are Scott Wilson (soon to be graduating to a full-time NHL role), Oskar Sundqvist, and Dominik Simon.
The next group of upside forwards in the system include Josh Archibald, whose north-south speed could see him rise the organizational depth chart this season, J.S. Dea, a smallish center whose skilled game flashed in training camp and 2012 second round pick Teddy Blueger.
Blueger has not developed as quick as the Penguins have hoped but the organization hasn’t written him off. They view his playmaking game and two-way play as being key areas where he has a chance to still develop into an NHL player down the road.
Bjorkqvist is intriguing because the Penguins don’t really have a player like him in their forward group who has a combination of skill/size/physicality. While not as big as Milan Lucic, he plays a similar type of bruising style that had him rated on the Penguins board a lot higher than the scouting services out there.
Conflicting Opinions on Defensemen Selected
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The Pittsburgh Penguins are taking some heat in regards to the type of defensemen they selected. The first two defensemen selected, Connor Hall (6-2, 190) at No. 77 and Ryan Jones (6-3, 190) at No. 121 are both kind of throwback defensemen who play more of a punishing style than being known for puck movers.
Sexton made it clear, though, that both can skate when defending the selections from critics who were hard on the Penguins not taking puck moving type d-men that the Penguins covet at the pro level.
“Conor Hall, kind of a throwback old style defenseman. Good size, skates very well. Very physically, aggressive defenseman,” Sexton said. “Ryan Jones, 6-foot-3, extremely mobile and plays with a real edge. Going to be going to University of Nebraska-Omaha.”
“Their puck skills are sufficient to play the way we want to play,” Sexton said of Hall, Jones. “They bring a certain dimension we currently don’t have, particularly if we’re not able to get Ben Lovejoy signed. Both of those kids are over 6-foot-2, so they move well. They have the puck skills with quick zone exits that Sully likes to play and more importantly they bring a physical edge, dimension we don’t have.”
Fifth round pick Niclas Almari (6-1, 167) is more of a project whose several years away. What the Penguins like is the puck moving ability.
“Almari is a little bit like Oskar Sundqvist from a physical perspective. Tall but very lean. Oskar is in year 4 of the development program and kind of close to knocking on the door. Almari will be the same,” Sexton said. “He’s tall, but he’s very slender, very lean. He’s an excellent skater, he’s real smooth-skating, puck-moving transitional type D-man. certainly a mobile puck-moving, transitional type D-man.”
With their last pick in the draft, Pittsburgh selected defenseman Joe Masonius (6-0, 190) with the No. 181 selection. Sexton talked about Masonius being “extremely mobile”.
The Penguins prospect pool on the blueline is headlined by Derrick Pouliot, who will soon be graduating to a full-time role, we think.
After that it’s a wide open group as Hall and Jones in particular have a chance to move into the top-3 easily.
After Pouliot, it’s a bunch of question marks.
Reid McNeil has strong stay-at-home capabilities but his NHL ceiling is not considered high as an NHL regular, especially in the Penguins system. Potential No. 7 type at best.
The likes of Ryan Segalla and Harrison Ruopp have low NHL ceilings.
The most intriguing defensemen in the system behind the top-two drafted yesterday are Lukas Bengtsson and Ethan Prow.
Both are smooth skating defenseman who could make some noise due to the style of play the Penguins now play.[/hide]
Was reading an article on sportsnet.ca about current boarderline HOF NHL players, Elias, Luongo, Marleau, Doan and Datsyuk. Too me Datsyuk is a slam dunk first ballot, Luongo is more likely than not in, but the other 3 should have no shot. Should be great players not good to pretty good.
I agree with this 100%.
Doan? For fuck sakes this guy gets his balls rubbed more than Crosby ever has lol
It was laughable just to see him on the list.
Good to see we are in the swing of the summer season. Dapoli and his bi-weekly articles >>>>> DK and Josh Yohe’s regular work all day hey yodipshit? #fuckface2016!
Speaking of which, nice little write up by DK on the expansion draft anxiety today… hack lol.
Sirus radio
Serious radio?
$3.9 million for Andrew Shaw! Frogtastic! 6 years! Le Mausolee Bell!
And the Gays rejoice!
Stanley Cups Recchi 3 Lindros (0)vechkin ………..
And with 3 different teams
Count me among those who will be in the stands drinking an overpriced beer watching Pitt destroy PSU on September 10.
Don’t waste your time. We were told back in 2011 when all these kids were in HS that Pitt is getting destroyed.
Sam, any great ideas on who the Pens should sign now before he retires tomorrow? #MSL
Your mom?
http://www.okmoviequotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/1-Little-Giants-quotes.gif
Dan Boyle and Patrick Elias were 2 names he was floating around the other day.
Mark Recchi shouldve been in the HOF before Lindros
Recchi one of my favorite all time player very underrated
This we agree on… Eric benefited from playing with Mark early on.
I think they both deserve to be in there – not one before the other – they’re hall of famers. Pure and simple.
Is that a joke? Lindros was an elite player, small time frame but still arguably the best player in the league for a few years. Recchi was an above average player for a longer period of time, he had a nice career, but he probably wasn’t a top 50 player at any point during his career.
Also should be mentioned that the HOF takes into account International play, and Lindros has a very impressive resume in that regard.
Looking at both players 1st 13 seasons, as that all Lindros played, the numbers are remarkably similar. Lindros was a fuckton more physically dominant but I take issue with him based on how much he spit on the game at every turn. I know its about the game but its hard to not look at his incredibly poor attitude throughout his career and after for me. Recchi finished with 1500+ points. He was a class act throughout much of his career, statistically its not the gap some make it sound like so I am of the opinion that a case… Read more »
Oh I hate the guy, but watching them both play, they were not even close to being on the same level.
I hate Recchi. I think he’s an annoying icehole. Met him a few times and really didn’t care for his attitude. I hated his neighbor who I worked with at UPMC. She was a real c word eventhough she introduced us.
Probably just didnt like you.
I know the feeling
Which is why I am very happy to see Makarov finally get in… way to long to honor the superstar of that program in the 80s!
Which part are you asking about being a joke? Was that directed at me?
no not to you its the recchi over lindros
Ya, its a huge stretch to say the guy that finished with 1500 points and 3 cups could have possibly been given a nod over Eric. I wont debate who was more dominant over the short period, that was Eric but Recchi’s totals and 3 cups are a significant argument for the guy.
Got it – I’m with you – I think they’ve both earned their spot – but there’s no Recchi over Lindros – no a chance.
Zero says he is all in favor of trading st bleury for max return. Too bad max return is going to be a 5th round pick and retaining 80% of his contract.
You were already wrong about this once – do you get tired of it? You should enlighten everyone here with more of your expert expansion knowledge. It’s at least good for a laugh each time.
The best part is that it’s not even possible to retain 80% of a players salary, the cluelessness just knows no bounds. Yoda trying to talk hockey is about as pointless as my 2yo niece talking quantum mathematics.
Keep up the good work yoda, your stupidity is boundless and some days quite entertaining.
How am I stupid? I told you the pens were stuck with your patron saint. The only people who want that clown are the yinzer brainwashed moronic fan base and media.
How is he stupid! Let me count the ways!
if pens had more cap spaced wouldve loved to sign matt martin at 6m for 3 years i think he wouldve been a better fit then Fehr
Yep – we need more fourth liners making $3 million plus a year. A number of us have continued to point that out.
well you certainly dont have problems with 9.5m 3rd liners yet you bitchh about 2m dollar 4th liners that shows up for every game
#typicalStan
i rather have 3 matt martins in this team then 1 lazy guy that shows up when he feels like it
Yep – this sounds like typical frog thinking. $9 million fourth line. Brilliant stuff. I’d love to watch you put team together.
You give up on your campaign for Brad Boyes and Matt Martin is your new superstar?
We don’t have a $9.5 million 3rd liner. That’s probably why I didn’t bitchh about him, I’d imagine.
Typical me! I value a world class talent that presumably would have won the conn smythe going away had he had the luxury of two good elbows! I value that over Matt Martin! I’m so weird!
Apparently RANGERS Taking a look at Vanek
Yes sam – you’re not the only one that reads thefourthperiod.com.
Chris Higgins (VAN) on waivers – expected to be bought out. Shame. Only got to play one year with McDavid.
That fraud has no business to be in the league overrated player
That seems harsh – I think McDavid belongs in the league, personally.
I’m talking about you fellow American Higgins
Well, you also thought we should sign a retired guy, so, who knows what you’re getting at half the time.
and at just over 1MM he is a bit of a steal!
I still find is amazing that Depaoli always comes up with “sources” that support his narrative even though every legitimate insider/reporter has source that conradict D’s sources.
It’s the usher in section 106. The more you know.
DK’s site is full of propaganda. You are a brainwashed slave who loves his master.
This is gold… DK and Yohe are on a level Dapoli can only read about yet yoda pumps his gas while downplaying the actual legit page. Youre fucken hilarious fuckface.
I seen Vaneks name tossed around… Instead of him why dont we ask Hanowski if he would like to come back? Remember the time D compared him to Vanek? Ya that was great lol
I seen Sam’s mom tossed around too…don’t want her tho!
Can she skate?
Filip forsberg 6 years 36m
Very good deal for the Preds
Yeah it’s a steal. It would’ve been a Russian or American he would had a ridiculous contract something like 6 years 45-50m
Yeah – that makes a ton of sense. #SamKnew #MSL
Pens current blueline depth:
Dumoulin Letang
Maatta Daley
Pouliot Cole
Erixon Bengtsson
McNeil Prow
Could use a #6/7 Right handed shot and maybe re-sign Oleksy/O’Neil?
I know a lot of people will probably balk at this because of his age but I would consider Zidlicky @SID4800 1M-1.5M which should be very doable. RH shot and capable of playing the style the Pens want to play, I could honestly see him being this year’s Matt Cullen.
If he could be had at that it may be worth looking at. I mean I still see Sid taking him apart twice in his return game vs NJ a few years back but he managed to be a plus and had a decent offensive year for a 39 year old. Might be a okay risk at this point, especially for that kind of money
Now that he is gone
Bennett healthy yet?
Heard his assshole was still recovering from you. Aside from that, he’s ship shape.
RFA Erixon re-signed $575k.
I’m assuming that’s a 2-way deal, no?
More than likely, I didn’t read the article but listed on DK’s site. EDIT: Yes, 2 way as per General Fanager.
Ya its two way
Pretty much irrelevant either way.
Most likely just AHL depth but currently he would be #7/8. We ran 8 D during the playoffs. He also led WBS D in playoff scoring.
And the Penguins failed Beau Bennett, even in college he never played a long season. They pushed him into the lineup too early without letting his body experience an entire season, at any level. Theres no denying that when he played he was effective, little patience and seasoning in lower levels could have changed his career. Too bad.
who is this ‘we’ that d has been thinking with on the pouliot situation?
No shit, the kid is very inconsistent and to date hasnt put in the effort to change all of this. He has Despres written all over him… although he can at least skate
I dont see that comparison at all, pouliot plays with a short to no leash, one mistake and hes in the press box for 2 games. Does he turn the puck over at times, yes but thats what happens when hockey players actually try to make hockey plays with the puck instead of firing it around the boards. Hes got great instincts and skill, (unlike depres) he will be a very good 3rd pairing next year.
I think the jury is out on whether or not he’ll be very good on the third pairing, but you’re at a point where you at least have to give that a chance to work for an extended period. He’s not the lynchpin to them making the playoffs. You play him game in and game out and see what you have and if he can’t cut it, you address it at the deadline. But it’s time to give the kid a chance.
The comparison being that we thought we were getting a lot better player than we have and that he is in danger of not working out in Pittsburgh.
I remember watching depres in the world juniors and thinking he was the next cory cross. poor mobility and hockey sense.
Actually, the other piece is Pouliots failure to work on his game. Despres on a few occasions showed up to camp looking like shit, like he hadnt done a thing all summer. Correct me if I am wrong but Pouliot did the same last year too?
Sam injured yet?
Best move pens did this summer so far is sending Bennett and his medical bills to shero
Stanch, thinking about ways to improve the game. When a team gets a penalty then the other team gets a man advantage. We’ll call it a POWER PLAY. What do you think?
Don’t get in over your head mr mom. Let us all in again on how “Sully” let you in on Murray being ready for Game 2 against the Rangers via your Murray “bat phone.” Stick to what you know.
Or in your case, what you don’t know. #powerplaysmatter #captainsscoregoals
Sounds like Radulov is staying in the K. The 7.5 figure thrown around was apparently not a start of a negotiation. He’s a fucken fuckface
For he can get it tax free over there, he should.
I don’t blame him for staying, I just think it was laughable the prick thought he’d bring his horrible rep and okay game back to NA to the tune of 7.5 million. He never looked like a 7 million dollar guy in the NHL. I mean he never stayed long enough to show if he had it but, he didn’t show it here.
Shouldn’t you be more worried about the loss of Bennett. Who will the pens turn to in a pinch.
I have no issue with Bennett going! as I’ve said, however, Sheary needed the rest… Sullivan agreed 😉 you know, the coach that you just argued supports a point you’ve tried to make 😉
But only you wanted Sheary to sit in game 6. Other than that, you and “Sully” are tight.
You’re ability to change the facts is not quite yoda like but damn do I respect it. I advocated the game he sat, I wasn’t in a rush to get him back in with the reservation of maybe the game off lights a fire under his ass, which it did… Which Sullivan stated. So ya, I guess you could say me and “sully” are pretty cool now!
Your the fact twister. You act like you never said st bleury was going for a 1st round pick and cash back to the pens. #fuckface#brainwashed#cultofstbleury
The above post is intended for mrs zerofool. #fuckfacebleurylover
Remember when you said they’d dump fleury for a 5th rounder?! Yogurt! You knew! Tear it down!
Youre a fucken chode, completely and totally. My comments on the MAF trade has and always have been move him now for max return. The ONLY time I have mentioned what we could get in return was going along with NPLs idea for Poirier and that a 5th was the dumbest ******* thing you have ever said dipshit
His the fact twister!
“you act like you never said st bleury was going for a 1st round pick and cash back to the pens. ” – I never said that you fucken moron, I simply said your 5th was absurd.
I love the fact that I am being called out for shit that I was very clear on from the same two fucking morons that have been in blow it all up mode since 2012. Get the fuck outta here
“my the fact twister” – how many years were you held back in school dumbass?
DePaoli, please bring up Zero’s post after game 5 of the Tampa series when he opinined Bennett looked good and should stay in the line up for game 6. Zero, it really doesnt matter, it’s not a big deal. I just hate when history get rewritten
I just said I advocated for Bennett for game 6 you illiterate *** “unless the game off lights a fire under his (Shearys) *** then so be it” was nearly exactly what I said.
#opinined
Pens took that goalie kid because they know they are going to lose Murray to Las Vegas. The patron saint of clowns is untradeable and it suck soooooo bad.
That’s right. They’d lose him. Likely for nothing. Probably no way that, even a day before the expansion draft, anyone would have any interest in a cost-controller 23 year old goaltender with a Cup ring. There’d likely be no market. You’re so bad at this. And I lovvvvvvvvveeeeeeeeeeeeee it!!!!!!
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Remember when people went on and on here about what a catch Harrison Ruopp was?
No.
You must have a sub-standard memory. Or you weren’t around. I could see either being plausible.
Just like Anton Zoblowbin too
Let walk, signed with a different K team that had his rights! Kid was no good in the E FFS lol
I don’t remember anyone going crazy over it. And if they were, they were dumb. Seemed like a classic dump trade.