Prospects Buzz: Dumoulin, Megna and Payerl making early impressions in camp

Through almost a week of training camp for the Wilkes Barre/Scranton Penguins, the three young players who have impressed the most in camp are forwards Jason Megna, Adam Payerl and defenseman Brian Dumoulin.

Those in the organization tell me Megna and Dumoulin have really made strong impressions and have been among the most consistent players in camp thus far.

With the lockout bolstering the blueline in Wilkes Barre, there had been some questions of whether Dumoulin would have a regular spot on the blueline but one individual very close to the decision making process tells me there's no doubt Dumoulin will be a regular in the lineup and Dumoulin is regarded by some as the Penguins best "defensive defenseman" in their system.

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Wilkes Barre opened the preseason last night with a 4-3 win over the Rochester Americans. Megna and Payerl each scored in the win, and Paul Thompson and Brian Gibbons also scored. Dumoulin had an assist in the win.

Payerl who's opened camp as one of the number of young forwards battling for a final spot or two, has some unique power forward traits the Penguins organization is very intrigued about. He has great size at 6-3, can hit, provide energy and goes to the tough areas. What to watch for in his development is how he develops offensively in the professional ranks over the next couple years. Payerl had 22 goals and 47 points last season for Belleville and the attributes are there for him to develop into a true NHL prospect.

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Jason Megna is making a good early impression to earn a top-12 spot for the start of the season and I've had a number of people in the know tell me don't be surprised if he emerges as one of the Penguins fastest rising prospects in their system.

Megna as an older freshman last season for Nebraska-Omaha university, was named to WCHA all-freshman team in 2011-12 after recording 13 goals and 18 assists for 31 points and projected by many for a 20 goal, 40 point season if he were to return for his sophomore season. At 22 years old, he had several teams looking to sign him last summer and the Penguins were really drawn to him because of the complete type offensive game he brings to the table.