Penguins/NHL
SouthPointe — The Pittsburgh Penguins are going through another informal on-ice practice again and it appears one surprise forward will be participating in camp which will begin on Sunday, although the Penguins first on-ice session might not be until Monday.
Rookie forward Jason Megna is among the players who have arrived in town from Wilkes Barre. Also with the team today is Beau Bennett, Simon Despres and Eric Tangradi. At this point, there is no sign yet of Robert Bortuzzo or Brian Strait but both are being invited to camp, which makes nine confirmed defensemen for now.
Megna, 22, was signed as undrafted free agent this summer out of Nebraska-Omaha university. He emerged as Wilkes Barre’s best forward in camp but has dealt with injuries this season. Megna has 3 goals and 6 points in 18 games for Wilkes Barre.
The Penguins really like his offensive ability as he plays the Penguins type of way. Megna has a good build at 5-11, 205 lbs, and he is very effective at getting to the net and creating scoring chances.
In college last season, Megna had 31 points in 38 games.
Is he NHL ready? I’d say no way but it appears for now he’s going to be the 15th forward for camp who has been somewhat of a mystery to this point. This is the Penguins looking to give a young player they are high on, some experience. Nothing more to it.
CONFIRMED PLAYERS WHO WILL BE PARTICIPATING IN CAMP BARRING A TRADE
Centers (5): Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Brandon Sutter, Joe Vitale, Jason Megna
Wingers (10): James Neal, Chris Kunitz, Pascal Dupuis, Matt Cooke, Tyler Kennedy, Tanner Glass, Craig Adams, Eric Tangradi, Dustin Jeffrey, Beau Bennett
Defensemen (9): Kris Letang, Paul Martin, Brooks Orpik, Matt Niskanen, Ben Lovejoy, Deryk Engelland, Simon Despres, Robert Bortuzzo, Brian Strait.
Goalies (2): Marc Andre Fleury, Tomas Vokoun
