Prospects Buzz: Dumoulin, Megna and Payerl making early impressions in camp

Through almost a week of training camp for the Wilkes Barre/Scranton Penguins, the three young players who have impressed the most in camp are forwards Jason Megna, Adam Payerl and defenseman Brian Dumoulin.

Those in the organization tell me Megna and Dumoulin have really made strong impressions and have been among the most consistent players in camp thus far.

With the lockout bolstering the blueline in Wilkes Barre, there had been some questions of whether Dumoulin would have a regular spot on the blueline but one individual very close to the decision making process tells me there’s no doubt Dumoulin will be a regular in the lineup and Dumoulin is regarded by some as the Penguins best “defensive defenseman” in their system.

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Wilkes Barre opened the preseason last night with a 4-3 win over the Rochester Americans. Megna and Payerl each scored in the win, and Paul Thompson and Brian Gibbons also scored. Dumoulin had an assist in the win.

Payerl who’s opened camp as one of the number of young forwards battling for a final spot or two, has some unique power forward traits the Penguins organization is very intrigued about. He has great size at 6-3, can hit, provide energy and goes to the tough areas. What to watch for in his development is how he develops offensively in the professional ranks over the next couple years. Payerl had 22 goals and 47 points last season for Belleville and the attributes are there for him to develop into a true NHL prospect.

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Jason Megna is making a good early impression to earn a top-12 spot for the start of the season and I’ve had a number of people in the know tell me don’t be surprised if he emerges as one of the Penguins fastest rising prospects in their system.

Megna as an older freshman last season for Nebraska-Omaha university, was named to WCHA all-freshman team in 2011-12 after recording 13 goals and 18 assists for 31 points and projected by many for a 20 goal, 40 point season if he were to return for his sophomore season. At 22 years old, he had several teams looking to sign him last summer and the Penguins were really drawn to him because of the complete type offensive game he brings to the table.

Megna’s skates well, has a high hockey IQ and is one of those players where the puck just seems to follow him and he’s always in on things offensively. Observers tell me that’s been evident early on in camp. A boost for Wilkes Barre imeddiately is that Megna could emerge as a viable No. 2 center option behind first line center Trevor Smith.

1. D Joe Morrow | Wilkes Barre/Scranton | 2011 1st rd pick |

2. D Simon Despres | Wilkes Barre/Scranton | 2009 1st rd pick |

3. D Scott Harrington | London Knights | 2011 2nd rd pick | 4 GP – 0 G – 3 A – 3 Pts – +3 – 2 PIM |

4. D Olli Maatta | London Knights | 2012 1st rd pick | 4 GP – 0 G – 2 A – 2 Pts – 0 +/- 4 PIM |

5. D Derrick Pouliot | Portland Winterhawks | 2012 1st rd pick | 5 GP – 2 G – 3 A – 5 Pts – +1 – 2 PIM |

6. RW Beau Bennett | Wilkes Barre/Scranton| 2010 1st rd pick |

7. D Brian Dumoulin | Wilkes Barre/Scranton | Acq from CAR |

8. C Teddy Blueger | Minnesota State | 2012 2nd rd pick |

9. LW Tom Kuhnhackl | Wilkes Barre/Scranton | 2010 4th round pick |

10. D Robert Bortuzzo | Wilkes Barre/Scranton| 2007 3rd round pick |

11. D Nick D’agostino | Cornell | 2008 7th rd pick |

12. F Kenny Agostino | Yale | 2010 5th rd pick |

13. F Dominik Uher | Wilkes Barre/Scranton | 2011 5th rd pick |

14. D Carl Sneep | Wilkes Barre/Scranton | 2006 2nd rd pick |

15. D Philip Samuelsson | Wilkes Barre/Scranton| 2009 2nd rd pick |

16. F Keven Veilleux | Wilkes Barre/Scranton| 2007 2nd rd pick |

17. C Oscar Sundqvist | Skellefteå AIK | 2012 3rd rd pick |

18. LW Ben Hanowski | St. Cloud State | 2009 3rd rd pick |

19. F Josh Archibald | Nebraska-Omaha| 2011 6th rd pick |

20. LW Scott Wilson | UMass-Lowell |2011 7th rd pick |

21. RW Matia Marcantuoni | Kitchener Rangers | 2012 4th rd pick | 4 GP – 0 G – 0 A – 0 Pts – -2 – 4 PIM |

22. RW Anton Zlobin | Val-d’Or | 2012 6th rd pick | 5 GP – 3 G – 1 A – 4 Pts – 0 +/- – 2 PIM |

23. D Alex Grant | Wilkes Barre/Scranton | 2007 4th rd pick |

24. F Jason Megna | Wilkes Barre/Scranton | UDFA |

25. D Reid McNeill | Wilkes Barre/Scranton | 2010 6th rd pick |

26. G Matthew Murray | Sault Ste. Marie | 2012 3rd rd pick | 4-1-0, 3.58 GAA, .910 SV% |

27. C Zach Sill | Wilkes Barre/Scranton |UDFA |

28. D Alex Velischek | Providence College | 2009 5th rd pick |

29. RW Paul Thompson | Wilkes Barre/Scranton | UDFA |

30. F Brian Gibbons | Wilkes Barre/Scranton | UDFA

31. RW Adam Payerl | Wilkes Barre/Scranton | UDFA |

32. F Bryan Rust | Notre Dame | 2010 3rd rd pick |

33. D Clark Seymour | Peterborough Petes | 2012 5th rd pick | 4 GP – 1 G – 1 A – 2 Pts – -1 – 9 PIM

34. D Harrison Ruopp | Prince Albert Raiders | acq from PHX | 4 GP – 0 G – 0 A – 0 Pts +1 – 4 PIM |

35. G Sean MaGuire | Boston University | 2012 4th rd pick |