Penguins/NHL
Centers
Sidney Crosby ($8.7MM)
Evgeni Malkin ($9.5MM)
Carter Rowney ($650K)
*Greg McKegg ($650K)
If training camp started today, one Penguins source says the organizational depth chart at the center position would be Sidney Crosby – Evgeni Malkin – Carter Rowney – Greg McKegg.
Carter Rowney and Greg McKegg is certainly not ideal by any means and not a bottom six that you go deep in the playoffs with. Scouts also believe Rowney is better suited at wing in the NHL level.
While the team is likely to make a move or two at somepoint, the Penguins feel even with this bottom-6 configuration they would still be the front-runners in the Eastern Conference to open the season.
Hence, there’s no panic inside the organization to make a move to just make a move when it’s only July.
Yes, the Penguins are still a top contender to repeat without Kevin Porter.
The McKegg signing by Penguins assistant GM Bill Guerin is one getting some praise as an under the radar signing and he’s a player some around the league believe could potentially win a spot out of camp.
“He brings a speed, energy game that coaches love,” a scout said of McKegg. “He’s smart, gets in on the forecheck with good angles, effective [hide] along the wall. Does the little things a fringe player has to do………”A bit slow in making reactionary plays that’s held him back [against higher competition) but he can distribute the puck,” the scout added.
McKegg, 25, appeared in 47 games last season with the Lightning/Panthers, collecting 3 goals and 7 points.
The Penguins prospect pool at the center position has no sure fire NHL centers and it’s more of a skilled group, than typical two-way bottom-6 centers.
Dominik Simon is the wildcard of the group for the next season. 22 Years old, a skilled play-making center who the Penguins see NHL ability in.
Two pro seasons in Wilkes Barre, he’s posted back-to-back 45+ point seasons, 25 goals and 48 points in 15/16 and 15 goals-46 points in 16/17.
But, there’s questions whether his game can translate to being a regular NHL player at the center position and some see him as a winger.
J.S. Dea, 23 years old, is a smallish/skilled center who has shown NHL flashes but has been a 0.47 career point per game player in the minors and has yet to top more than 36 points in a season. One scout I spoke with, though, feels Dea could still have a higher trajectory if he gets an opportunity to play with NHL caliber players.
Thomas DiPauli is a much different type of player than Dea and Simon. When the Penguins signed the former Capitals draft pick last summer, they were giddy about the signing.
The organization had seen DiPauli as a Bryan Rust mold but from the center position.
DiPauli had a rough first season in the Penguins organization. Struggled to stay healthy and didn’t handle the physicality well, per a source. He looks pegged for another development year.
Teddy Blueger, 2012 2nd round pick, is viewed by the organization as having the most upside out of the center group. Has great vision and playmaking ability, his game really came on as Wilkes Barre’s season progressed. 24 assists and 31 points in 54 games. In trajectory, one source says Blueger surpassed Oskar Sundvist over the last year who was traded to St. Louis for Ryan Reaves. He’s not ready yet, though.
[/hide]
