NHL: Teams inquiring about former 2nd round pick Carl Sneep

The Pittsburgh Penguins are getting plenty of calls regarding prospect Carl Sneep, the teams 2006 second round pick.

The reason for that is there’s been speculation coming out of Boston College that Sneep intends not to sign with Pittsburgh following his senior season and therefore become a free agent.

There was an unknown fallout between the two sides, according to a source close to Sneep, when Pittsburgh attempted to lure Sneep to the professional ranks last spring and tried again this summer, making an offer following the Penguins prospects camp.

Pittsburgh I’m told is shopping Sneep as an asset and still regard him as a 2nd round value.

The reason that Sneep maybe interested in not signing with Pittsburgh is the group of young defenseman in the Penguins system and Pittsburgh did offer second round money last spring.

Coming through the ranks over the next couple seasons is Simon Despres, Robert Bortuzzo and Brian Strait, with Ben Lovejoy, Kris Letang and Alex Goligoski already proving to be NHL caliber defensemen.

It’s believed Sneep has come up in discussions with Phoenix, St. Louis and Carolina, most notably with the Phoenix Coyotes regarding a potential trade for a winger.

Here is a scouting report on Sneep from out prospects page

Carl Sneep – Age 22

Born: 11-5-1987,

Height: 6-4 Weight: 210 lbs

Position: D Shoots: R

2006 2nd round draft pick Estimated Arrival: 2011

Current Team: Boston College (NCAA)

Latest Buzz: 1/31/10 -: In his senior season at Boston College, Carl Sneep is first among defenseman and 5th on the team with 6 goals and 11 assists in 23 games played.

Scouting Report: Carl Sneep, the Penguins 2nd round pick in 2006 is an exceptional skater who plays a strong two-way game.

– Sneep is among the most talented prospects in the Penguins system

– At 6-4, 210lbs, Sneep has the physical skills that scouts rave about and is projected to enter the NHL by 2011.

– – Was the top defenseman in testing drills during the Penguins prospect camp

Strengths: Strong skating ability, moves the puck well.

– Very good positioning, uses his size well

– Plays more physical than he is given credit for

– Strong 1-on-1 player, uses his speed to his advantage

– Student of the game, bookworm in the class room

Weaknesses: His offensive game hasn’t evolved to the point that scouts thought it would but that has started to change this season at BC

– Still Passes up too many shots in the offensive zone

– Pittsburgh will only have 3-to-4 months to sign Sneep before he can become a free agent.

Potential – High end #3 defenseman/Low end #4 defenseman