Development Camp Report: 15 Players to Watch for today’s scrimmage

The Penguins development camp wraps up today with a scrimmage at 3:00 p.m. at Consol Energy Center. The scrimmage is free and open to the public.

Here at 15 players to watch for today’s scrimmage:

Defenseman Joe Morrow 6-1, 204 lbs, 2011 1st round pick

2011-2012 Stats Portland WHL: 17 G – 47 A – 64 Pts

Morrow is a special talent who has had an excellent camp and will be pushing for NHL action this season. He has all the offensive tools with the ability to skate, move the puck and a booming shot. Look for him to be a big factor in the transition game today and his defensive game has come around in the past year.

Defenseman Simon Despres 6-4, 214 lbs, 2009 1st round pick

2011-2012 Stats WBS AHL: 5 G – 10 A – 15 Pts

Just 20 years old, Despres is a veteran of this camp. He’s dropped weight and is now down to 214-pounds. He’s leaner and he’s a far superior player than many in camp and he should be a dominant force today.

Forward RW Beau Bennett 6-2, 207 lbs, 2010 1st round pick

2011-2012 Stats Denver U: 4 G – 9 A – 13 Pts

He’s bulked up to 207-pounds and has had a solid camp, flashing legitimate top-6 offensive talent with an excellent shot, creativity and playmaking ability. His skating is lacking a bit and what to watch with Bennett tomorrow is the little things like his wall play, ability to win puck battles and whether he consistently goes to the tough areas.

Defenseman Scott Harrington, 6-2, 205 lbs, 2011 2nd round pick

2011-2012 Stats London OHL: 3 G – 23 A – 26 Pts

Harrington is a player the Penguins organization is giddy about and he might be the most complete defenseman in the Penguins system. He plays such a smart defensive game and can also be a factor in the transition game which the Penguins love about him. He’s had a solid camp and was the best player on the ice in last years scrimmage.

Center Teddy Blueger, 6-1, 183 lbs, 2012 2nd round pick

2011-2012 Stats Shattuck St. Mary’s: 24 G – 64 A – 88 Pts

Blueger has shined through four days of camp and he’s probably the second most skilled player in the Penguins system at forward behind Beau Bennett. He has great poise with the puck and vision as he’s an excellent playmaker and has good ability to create plays as he rarely rushes things. Would like to see him play with Bennett today.

Forward Dominik Uher 6-1, 199 lbs, 2011 5th round pick

2011-2012 Stats Spokane WHL: 33 G – 35 A – 68 Pts

Among the top forwards in camp, Uher plays a strong two-way game and has a high motor. His offensive upside has been on display this week and he’s been a goal scoring machine through four on-ice sessions. Has a dangerous shot when he wants to use it.

Forward Kenny Agostino 6-1, 200 lbs 2010 5th round pick

2011-2012 Stats Yale: 14 G – 20 A – 34 Pts

Agostino has flashed NHL potential with good size at 6-1, 200 lbs and plays a well rounded two-way game. Has good hands in around the net and can make a skilled play in the playmaking department. What helps his NHL prospects is his ability to consistently go to the tough areas.

Forward Josh Archibald, 5-10, 181 lbs, 2011 6th round pick

2011-2012 Stats Nebraska-Omaha: 10 G – 5 A – 15 Pts

For the second straight year, Archibald has been consistently one of the best forwards on the ice in camp. He’s tenacious on the forecheck and creates a lot of turnovers with his skating ability. Has some offensive ability with some good scoring touch and good offensive instincts.

Defenseman Derrick Pouliot 5-11, 195 lbs, 2012 1st round pick

2011-2012 Stats Portland WHL: 11 G – 48 A – 59 Pts

Pouliot has not stood out much going against bigger strong players in camp. Defensively he’s been pushed around a bit and his offensive skills don’t wow you. However, there hasn’t been a lot of game situations to this point to evaluate Pouliot properly, and scouts have long praised his ability in the transition game and jumping into the play offensively. One area that has stood out for Pouliot is his escape ability when an incoming forechecker is aggressively coming up on him.

Defenseman Olli Maatta 6-2, 206 lbs, 1st round pick

2011-2012 Stats London OHL: 5 G – 27 A – 32 Pts

Like Pouliot, Maatta hasn’t stood out much through four days. If there’s one player that he resembles it is Scott Harrington as Maatta has a lot of traits of being a defensive-defenseman with a well rounded game to be a factor in the transition game.

OTHER NOTABLES TO WATCH:

Defenseman Brian Dumuolin, big rugged defenseman at 6-4, 220 lbs who is one of the closest defenseman in the system to being NHL ready. Was one of the best players in college hockey last season and has potential to be an impact defenseman at the NHL level

Defenseman Reid McNeill, a defensive defenseman who has had a strong camp. Has been coached extremely well in the junior ranks and reads the play very well.

Forward Matia Marcantuoni, the Penguins 4th round pick is one of the more skilled players in the system and has great wheels as he can fly around the ice.

Defenseman Harrison Ruopp, acquired in the Zbynek Michalek trde, is one of the few defensemen in the Penguins system who is regarded as a thumper. 5th round pick Clark Seymour is another defenseman in the system in the mold of Ruopp who plays a physical game.

Defenseman Philip Samuelsson, anyone looking for Philip to play a similar game to his father Ulf will be extremely disappointed. Samuelsson though is a defensive minded defenseman who reads the play well and is active at using his stick effectively. A big knock on Samuelsson has been his skating ability but he’s made some slow improvements and is much more fluid on the ice in the skating department.

Nick D’agostino 6-2, 197 lbs, 2010 7th round pick

Simon Despres 6-4, 214 lbs, 2009 1st round pick

Brian Dumuolin 6-4, 220 lbs, Acquired in trade from Car

Scott Harrington 6-2, 205 lbs, 2011 2nd round pick

Olli Maatta 6-2, 206 lbs, 2012 1st round pick

Reid McNeill 6-2, 204 lbs, 2010 6th round pick

Joe Morrow 6-1, 204 lbs, 2011 1st round pick

Derrick Pouliot 5-11, 195 lbs, 2012 1st round pick

Harrison Ruopp 6-3, 205 lbs Acquired in trade from Phx

Philip Samuelsson 6-2, 194 lbs 2009 2nd round pick

Clark Seymour 6-4, 202 lbs, 2012 5th round pick

Andrej Sustr 6-7, 224 lbs, Camp Invite (UFA)

Alex Velischek 5-11, 211 lbs 2009 5th round pick

Kenny Agostino 6-1, 200 lbs, 2010 5th round pick

Josh Archibald 5-10, 181 lbs, 2011 6th round pick

Beau Bennett 6-2, 207 lbs, 2010 1st round pick

Teddy Blueger 6-1, 183 lbs, 2012 2nd round pick

Brian Gibbons 5-8, 170 lbs, Signed as Free Agent (4/4/11)

Antoine Laganiere 6-4, 205 lbs Camp Invite (UFA)

Matia Marcantuoni 6-0, 197 lbs, 2012 4th round pick

Jayson Megna 6-1, 195 lbs, Camp Invite (UFA)

Liam O’Brien 6-1, 202 lbs, Camp Invite (UFA)

Adam Payerl 6-3, 218 lbs, Signed as free agent (3/1/12)

Zach Sill 6-0, 202 lbs, Signed as free agent (5/16/11)

Oskar Sundqvist 6-3, 183 lbs, 2012 3rd round pick

Paul Thompson 6-1, 198 lbs, Signed as free agent (3/28/11)

Dominik Uher 6-1, 199 lbs, 2011 5th round pick

Scott Wilson 5-11, 184 lbs, 2011 7th ound pick

Anton Zlobin 5-11, 189 lbs, 2012 6th round pick

Matt Murray 6-4, 166 lbs, 2012 3rd round pick

Sean Maguire 6-2, 202 lbs, 2012 4th round pick

Ryan Faragher 6-2, 207 lbs, Camp Invite (UFA)