Development Camp Preview: A look at the defensemen and goaltenders

While the Penguins prospect system is desperately lacking legitimate NHL forward prospects, that’s not the case on the blueline. Defensemen Olli Maata, Derrick Pouliot and Scott Harrington are the consensus top-3 prospects in the organization and Brian Dumoulin has also evolved into a top-5 prospect in the Penguins system. While the Penguins are deep with d-men prospects, the organization has also become much stronger at the goaltender position since last summer.

Tristan Jarry, the Penguins 2013 2nd round pick, headlines the group of goaltenders to participate in the camp.

Olli Maatta, 2012 1st round pick

Born: 08/22/1994 (18) | 6-2, 206 |

Profile: Who is the Penguins top prospect in their system? Many will point to Derrick Pouliot but multiple scouts I’ve polled over the past couple weeks have Maatta over Pouliot. While Pouliot has elite puck moving ability, Maatta is the more complete defenseman who scouts regard as a do it all defenseman. Maatta just 18 years old has great size at 6-foot-2 and has made great strides as a puck mover. If the feet continue to improve, he’s a very good bet to become an impact top-4 defenseman at the NHL level. Had 8 goals and 38 points in 57 games for London (OHL) in 2012-2013.

Derrick Pouliot, 2012 1st round pick

Born: 01/16/1994 (19) | 5-11, 195 |

Profile: The top offensive defenseman in the Penguins system. Penguin officials feel he has the ability to become a special player at the NHL level. Pouliot had 9 goals and 45 points in 44 games for Portland (WHL) in 12-13. Led all WHL blueliners with 20 points (4G-16A) in 21 playoff games.

Scott Harrington, 2011 2nd round pick

Born: 03/10/1993 (20) | 6-2, 205 |

Profile: Will be joining the organization this coming season. Harrington is the best defensive minded prospect in the Penguins system. Has a great hockey IQ and defensive instincts. As he makes the jump to the next level, Harrington has to continue to get stronger in clearing the front of the net.

Brian Dumoulin, acquired from Carolina

Born: 09/06/1991 (21) | 6-4, 220 |

Profile: Penguin officials believe Dumoulin is on the cusp of pushing for NHL time. What the Penguins like about him is that he does everything well. Not a flashy offensive defenseman but can make a good first pass and has the ability to run a No. 2 power play unit. Dumoulin had 6 goals and 24 points in 73 games for Wilkes Barre/Scranton. Dumoulin led WBS defensemen in games played (73) and assists (18) in 12-13. Was tied for fourth on the team and ranked first among defensemen in playoff points with eight (2G-6A) in 15 games.

Philip Samuelsson, 2009 2nd round pick

Born: 07/26/1991 (21) | 6-2, 195 |

Profile: Showed very good progress in his second professional season which is what you hope to see with legitimate NHL prospects. The skating ability is a concern but he is developing into a possible depth defenseman who can eat up minutes on the penalty kill. Still just 21 years old.

Nick D’Agostino, 2008 7th round pick

Born: 06/24/1990 (23) | 6-2, 197 |

Profile: After spending four years at Cornell, D’Agostino turns pro this season. D’Agostino is a smooth skating puck moving defenseman who could fit very well in the Penguins system. D’Agostino posted 6 goals and 17 points in 34 games for Cornell (ECAC).

Harrison Ruopp, Acquired from Phoenix

Born: 03/17/1993 (20) | 6-3, 205 |

Profile: A physical defenseman who plays with an edge. Ruopp had 16 points in 65 games for Prince Albert (WHL). Ruopp collected 132 penalty minutes.

Clark Seymour, 2012 5th round pick

Born: 05/18/1993 (20) | 6-4, 202 |

Profile: Regarded by Penguin scouts as a “denter”, Seymour plays a rugged game.

Ryan Segalla, 2013 4th round pick

Born: 12/29/1994 (18) | 6-0, 190 |

Profile: Acquired in the 4th round of the 2013 draft, Segalla is a physical, hard hitting defenseman. Had 10 goals and 18 points in 26 games for Salisbury (NEDI). Segalla will be playing in the USHL this year.

Reid McNeil, 2010 6th round pick

Born: 04/29/1992 (21) | 6-4, 204 |

Profile: A stay at home type defenseman, McNeil appeared in 47 combined games for Wilkes Barre/Scranton and Wheeling.

Dane Birks, 2013 6th round pick

08/29/1995 (17) | 6-3, 190 |

Profile: Drafted in the 6th round of the 2013 draft. Had 5 goals and 20 points in 56 games for Merritt (BCHL).

Alex Boak, UFA

Born: 09/29/1989 (23) | 6-1, 206 |

Profile: Participating in camp on an amateur tryout.

Tristan Jarry, 2013 2nd round pick

Born: 04/29/1995 (18) | 6-1, 183 |

Profile: A lot of eyes will be on Jarry in camp who the Penguins traded up for in the second round the 2013 draft . The Penguins brass believe Jarry has No. 1 potential and could be the long-term replacement for Marc Andre Fleury. Jarry led the WHL in GAA (1.61) and save percentage (.936) in 12-13. Was tied for second in the WHL with six shutouts in 12-13.

Eric Hartzell, signed as free agent

Born: 05/28/1989 (24) | 6-4, 188 |

Profile: Signed prior to the post-season, Hartzell was the best college goaltender in 2012-2013. Went 30-7-5 in 2012-2013 and his .933 save percentage and 1.57 GAA in 12-13 were both school records.

Matthew Murray, 2012 3rd round pick

Born: 05/25/1994 (19) | 6-4, 176 |

Profile: Went 26-19-4 with a 3.67 GAA and.894 sv% for Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League in 12-13. Murray ranked eighth in the OHL in both saves and wins in 2012-13.

Sean Maguire, 2012 4th round pick

Born: 02/02/1993 (20) | 6-2, 180 |

Profile: Had a very solid freshman season for Boston University, going 13-8-0 with a 2.54 GAA, .926 sv% and had 4 shutouts.