Penguins/NHL
Despres to push for a roster spot next season?
2009 1st round pick Simon Despres has impressed team scouts and the front office so much that it has not been ruled out that he will push for a roster spot next season.
Despres recently signed a three year contract and Pittsburgh believes that after playing another year of juniors, he will be very close to entering the NHL.
The organization see’s Despres as having a Michael Del Zotto kind of impact. Through eight games with the Saint John Sea Dogs, Despres has 2 goals and 4 assists.
Bortuzzo highly regarded in the organization
Inside the organization, the Penguins top defenseman in their system behind Simon Despres is not Brian Strait, Alex Grant or even Carl Sneep. It’s 2007 3rd round pick Robert Bortuzzo.
Bortuzzo caught my eye during rookie camp in July and he has continued to impress the entire organization since. Pittsburgh has also been very pleased with his play in Wilkes Barre thus far.
Bortuzzo has made great strides jumping Alex Grant and Carl Sneep on the Penguins prospects chart.
Tangradi to miss tonight’s game
*Wilkes Barre will return to action tonight and they will be without top winger Eric Tangradi. Tangradi who is scoreless on the year, will sit out with a shoulder injury.
The injury is not serious and he is regarded as day-to-day.
*Mark Letestu will appear in his first game of the season. Letestu will center Nick Johnson and Ryan Bayda tonight.
