Penguins/NHL
The Pittsburgh Penguins have expressed some level of interest in signing former Columbus Blue Jackets 2nd round pick Petr Straka, sources tell Inside Pittsburgh Sports.com.
Straka, 20, was the Blue Jackets 2nd round pick (55th overall) in 2010 but this past summer the Jackets opted to relinquish his rights and not sign him, A team giving up on a second round pick just two years after being drafted is concerning but the Penguins have been doing their homework on Straka. Pittsburgh has a very thin group of forward prospects in their system.
Straka a skilled winger at 6-foot-1, 200-lbs, has 40 goals and 80 points in 53 games for Baie-Comeau, Drakkar of The QMJHL.
Straka has rebounded in a big way after having just 37 points in 54 games last season for Rimouski, Océanic. Straka is an excellent skater with good hands. The skill set is there for him, just questions of whether he has what it takes to become an NHL player.
