Penguins/NHL
LATEST PENGUINS BUZZ
1. The Penguins added to their prospect pool today with the signing of St. Cloud defenseman Ethan Prow (5-11, 185). Prow a puck moving defenseman, fits the identity the Penguins are establishing with their blue-liners. Scouts have praised Prow’s offensive instincts, the ability to jump in the play and one area the Penguins really like about Prow in scouting him the last couple seasons is how smartly he pinches along the wall. That’s an important trait the Penguins are now seeking in defenseman they add.
He’s pretty similar to Jeff Taylor, a seventh round pick of the Penguins in 2014 who the Penguins like.
How much NHL upside Prow has remains to be seen. Many older undrafted free agents get way over-hyped. As a 23 year old, Prow put together his best collegiate season with 38 points, 20 of those points coming on the power play. His previous high in points was 23. Some evaluators don’t put much stock into an older player having increased production into being a good outlier for NHL success down the road.
Robert Morris Head Coach Derek Schooley appeared on Trib Live radio this morning and had this to say about Prow.
“I talked to St. Cloud coach today, talked to another coach on Ethan Prow,” said Schooley. “Smooth, puck moving offensive defenseman that can run a power play. Has tremendous poise. His head coach says that will he be able to defend at the next level because of his skating? His skating just above average and they’ll find that out pretty quickly.”
“Opposing coach said. ‘He’s an all-around hockey player. That’s a pretty good complement for a player to be called an all-around hockey player.”
2. The Penguins like most of the NHL have plans to now pursue Harvard’s Jimmy Vesey this summer who has decided against signing with the Nashville Predators. One of the best prospects in hockey, Vesey’s a skilled left winger with top-6 ability. Has 56 goals and 48 points over his last two seasons (70 games). Don’t be surprised if Pittsburgh tries to sell Vesey on playing with Sidney Crosby long-term but like many of those players who opt for free agency, they already have 2-3 teams in mind and indications are Pittsburgh currently isn’t one of them.
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