I was thinking (always a bad thing), our good friend and fellow contributor here on Penguin Poop, Rick Buker, will often peruse the league statistics to keep us up on how former Penguins’ players are doing. Well, to that end, with one month of the season under our belts, I decided to go check out what signed and unsigned Penguins, who are not on the big league roster but are still within the Organization, are doing. So, without further ado;
| Name | Team | League | Po | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | (+/-) |
| Addison, Calen | Lethbridge | WHL | D | 15 | 2 | 14 | 16 | 20 | -7 |
| Almari, Niclas | HPK U20 | Jr. A SM-Liiga | D | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Almari, Niclas | HPK | Liiga | D | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | -2 |
| Almeida, Justin | Moose Jaw | WHL | D | 13 | 3 | 18 | 21 | 0 | 1 |
| Angello, Anthony | WBS | AHL | C/R | 6 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 3 |
| Aston-Reese, Zach | WBS | AHL | C/R | 8 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 14 | 4 |
| Bellerive, Jordy | Lethbridge | WHL | C | 15 | 8 | 11 | 19 | 14 | 2 |
| Bengtsson, Lukas | Linkoping HC | SHL | D | 14 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 4 | 7 |
| Birks, Dane | WBS | AHL | D | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Birks, Dane | Wheeling | ECHL | D | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Bjorkqvist, Kasper | Providence | NCAA | W | 6 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 5 |
| Blueger, Teddy | WBS | AHL | C | 8 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| DiPauli, Thomas | WBS | AHL | C | 8 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Drozg, Jan | Shawinigan | QMJHL | W | 15 | 16 | 13 | 19 | 6 | -14 |
| Elliot, Stefan | WBS | AHL | D | 8 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 0 | -3 |
| Haggerty, Ryan | WBS | AHL | RW | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -1 |
| Filip Hallander | Timra IK | SHL | C/W | 13 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 0 | 2 |
| Hayes, Jimmy | WBS | AHL | RW | 8 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| Johnson, Adam | WBS | AHL | LW | 8 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 2 | -1 |
| Lafferty, Sam | WBS | AHL | C | 8 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Lindberg, Tobias | WBS | AHL | RW | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Miletic, Sam | WBS | AHL | LW | 8 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 5 |
| Olund, Linus | WBS | AHL | C | 8 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Palojarvi, Antti | Lukko U20 | Jr. A SM-Liiga | D | 13 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 2 | 5 |
| Palojarvi, Antti | Lukko | Liiga | D | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Pavlychev, Nikita | Penn State | NCAA | C | 5 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 3 |
| Pedan, Andrey | AK Bars | KHL | D | 17 | 1 | 6 | 7 | 24 | 14 |
| Philips, Clayton | U of Minn | NCAA | D | 3 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 3 |
| Prow, Ethan | WBS | AHL | D | 8 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 9 |
| Reilly, William | RPI | NCAA | D | 5 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | -1 |
| Summers, Chris | WBS | AHL | D | 8 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 6 | -2 |
| Taylor, Jeff | WBS | AHL | D | 5 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 5 |
| Trotman, Zach | WBS | AHL | D | 8 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 21 | 0 |
| Wilson, Garret | WBS | AHL | LW | 8 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 22 | 0 |
Goalies
| Name | Team | League | GP | GAA | GAAvg |
| D’Orio, Alex | Saint John | QMJHL | 14 | 4.68 | 0.882 |
| Jarry, Tristan | WBS | AHL | 4 | 2.72 | 0.913 |
| Muse, John | Wheeling | ECHL | 2 | 2.89 | 0.914 |
Forwards
I have been keeping an eye on Anthony Angello. I love his size. I am hoping to see him up with the big club. I am hoping that he can transition to a bottom 6 winger that can help wear down opposing teams and chip in on the scoring sheet; so far, so good. It is still early yet but Angello is putting up good offensive numbers while his defensive numbers suggest he is being responsible. I can’t say that I have been able to get to see any Wilkes Barre – Scranton (WBS) games live, the highlights that I have caught seem positive as well.
Zach Aston-Reese, Teddy Blueger, and Adam Johnson started off rather slow but are starting to pick up their games and still may contribute to the big club before the season ends.
Sam Miletic was another player that I had high hopes for when camp open but sort of fell of my radar. However, he too is picking up his game and may be the best of the players with a chance of making it to the big league at this point, at least statistically. He is leading the way in scoring with 6 points and is a +5.
Among the forward prospects that are playing in college or juniors; recent draft pick, the diminutive Justin Almeida leads the was with 21 points in the WHL after 13 games. Jordy Bellerive seems to be recovered from his off-season injuries now. His training camp was not as explosive as I would have hoped, no doubt suffering from the a fore mentioned injuries. However, now, he seems to be gaining traction again. Jan Drozg’s numbers also stand out. Offensively he is putting up big numers 19 points in 15 games, but defensively he may need a little work. He is a -14. (although his numbers seem to suggest that he would fit right in on the big league club that swarms the offensive zone but doesn’t seem to understand anything about protecting their own net.
Defense
Bellerive’s team-mate, and Penguins’ top draft pick this past off-season, Calen Addison leads the way, accumulating 16 points in 15 games. Addison, like Drozg, would seem to fit right in on the big Penguins, showing little regard for defensive responsibility.
I was surprised to see that according to Elite Prospects, the Penguins still retain the rights to Lukas Bengtsson. I was under the impression that since I only recall the Penguins making Andrey Pedan a qualifying offer, he was the only one to which the team retained the rights. If this is true it could be a good thing. He is starting off the season rather well with 9 points in 14 SHL games. and is a +7. Andrey Pedan is also having a decent season in the KHL as well.
I wonder, had either of these 2 players stayed in Pittsburgh, would Mike Sullivan give them the opportunity to try and resolve the absentee defensive schemes. To add a little more fuel to that fire, let me present the following list of players I had proposed that the Penguins’ consider to help shore up the right side of their defense (yes, I am going there);
| Name | Team (League) | Po | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | (+/-) |
| Hersley, Patrik | SKA St. Petersburg (KHL) | D | 22 | 11 | 15 | 26 | 4 | 7 |
| Larsen, Philip | Salavat Yulaev Ufa (KHL) | D | 23 | 6 | 8 | 14 | 8 | 7 |
| Mozik, Vojtech | Vityaz Podolsk (KHL) | D | 19 | 4 | 7 | 11 | 45 | -2 |
Patrik Hersley is the player I wanted most. He is reputed to have a cannon of a shot, something I would love to see in a Penguin uniform. He already has 11 goals and 26 points in 22 KHL games and is a +7. And although Vojtech Mozik is a -2, I still would love to see his 11 points in 19 games be for the Penguins. With Mozik’s size and his 45 penalty minutes would suggest that teams would think twice about trying to run Penguin Goalies.
With one month down, our Penguins top the Metropolitan Division but it doesn’t hurt to keep an eye on the kids.
Go Pens!
Hey ,
Thank for the updates. I have watch them a little bit and read reports on them.
1) Zach Aston-Reese. Not A fan.
He isn’t a top liner. He’s bottom liner. From what I’ve seen Zach is very slow and get out of position to hit. Turn the puck over. He can’t keep it. Sullivan tried hard to make him play beyond his limitations. Wants him to be more physical and Pk. I don’t see him on pens roster unless they have big injuries. I would included him a trade too..
2) I would like to see Johnson and Haggerty get a call up. Johnson has great speed and very hardworking that know how to keep the puck on his stick. Open space. He was great during training camp and preseason games. Haggerty very good winning battles and posses to be great depth winger for the 4th line. They both were good in training camp and preseason games.
Jr promise tLinderberg to play in the lineup.
3) I will agree with Mike.. Pens should have kept Reaves . He’s a good player and he know how to cycle the puck.. give a spark to his team and bring some physicality . Sullivan could have easily play him 10-11 minutes a game and let him help the team. I miss him. I do believe didn’t want trade him But Vegas didn’t want Sheary or Rust they wanted Reaves in the deal. Pens lost the trade with Brassard. They gave up to much . I would rather have Cole and Reaves on this team. Gusto developing in the minors.I miss Cole.
Hey Dee,
I wish things were different. I would like to see ZAR make it here in Pgh. but as I wrote elsewhere, I don’t see it happening. Although ZAR is very versatile and can play any Fwd position, with the Penguins already so deep at C and RW there aren’t any openings there. Follow that with Simon starting to emerge, MIletic looking like he is coming around, A. Johnson’s progress and Hallander and Bjorkqvist waiting in the wings I see little opportunity there as well. So, I agree, the Pens probably should look at trying to package him in a trade.
You now I Like A. Johnson and think he may be a possible replacement for Hagelin around the trade deadline. As for Haggerty, I am not sure where I stand. Last year I followed what he was doing for awhile. Where I am caught is his speed; like ZAR he is not that fleet of foot.
As for Reaves, I agree, the Brassard/Lindberg – Reaves/Gustavsson was a travesty. However, if you recall, among the things I wrote when JR traded the Pens 1st pick and Sundqvist for him – I thought we gave up far too much for a 4th liner, I never debated his quality as an enforcer but said Sullivan would give him precious little ice time (and he did) and that the team would inevitably trade him. This team doesn’t seem to want size or grit.
Hello,
I did see some different in Adam Haggerty . Yes. His speed is average with his game.
I would like see to A . Johnson get a chance he was very impressive both during training camp and preseason games. So I think it’s time to give him a chance to bring a spark for this team. His speed and willingness to win puck battles. He see the ice well and in the right sports . He was impressive than Sprong two -three month ago.
I like Sprong to a certain extent. I would rath trade him , ZAR and Brassard in a trade.
It’s very unfortunate how Reaves got dealt the way he did. He doing great and has 4 goals. Doing his job. Gallant is utilizes his strengths and weaknesses very well. He understands where to put him and give him ice . time. He has been net front presence for the Vegas’ powerplay. Sully doesn’t want grit and more speed.(like you said) Doesn’t utilize players right. Stubbornness and ego.
I see Johnson, Linderberg and others up here in the future. Pens should give Blueger, Linderberg and Johnson some call ups. I don’t know . There a problem because Mike Sullivan seems to be high on ZAR and want him to play after develop more in WBS .
Pens have options to give their team best chance to get more speed. It’s up to Sully and JR to do that. Stubbornness and stuck in the pass won’t help.
I pray Adam Johnson get a chance to play and stay with the team . He deserves a call up. Pens need a bottom strong speedy LW .
Hey tOR,
Thanks for the update. I am guilty thus far of not following as closely as I’d like.
I’m still a Sam fan. There are a few others I’m pulling for, but I really hope Miletic can work his game into NHL caliber. He was a bit of a letdown in camp and the preseason, but he seems to be pulling it together.
After going over your list, I’d not say the cupboard is completely bare. It’s not deep, but there are some intriguing possibilities available for the next few years. At the very least it could be a decent supporting cast. But, not counting Bellerive and maybe one or two others, there aren’t any top line stars in the cast. This team needs a few good drafts to prep for the future.
Agreed 55,
With Cullen on the team and although I don’t dislike Brassard, but maybe he could be traded for a pick and if Adam Johnson keeps improving, he could free up Hagelin for a trade. Again, I don’t dislike Hagelin, in fact I love his speed and D but with both of them (Brassard and Hagelin) going UFA this off-season and potential players waiting in the wings, players that won’t or may not represent much of a change in talent, it may be time to trade them. The problem here is that the teams willing to trade for them will likely be early exit play off teams looking to get deeper so the picks likely will be late round picks so they will inevitably be more like a round lower than they appear, so even if they can get a 1st round pick, it would effectively be a 2nd rounder.
The Other Rick
Thanks for the update – always nice to see how the prospects are
doing with there respective teams.
1) ZAR – Not a fan – I don’t see him up with the big boys unless theirs
an abundance of injuries – and I mean a bunch.
2) I like the big kid as well “Angello” – I’m keeping my fingers crossed
he can make the jump before Spring.
3) Had to get this one in – Revo scored his 3rd goal of the season this
week – on the power play. Playing almost 11min per game. We sure
could use him on the 4th line now.
Hey Mike,
I don’t dislike ZAR, but with Kessel, Hornqvist, Rust, Sprong, now Angello in the minors and Bjorkqvist and Hallander in the Jrs, I am not sure that he will make it on the team at RW. At center it is even worse; Crosby, Malkin, Brassard (at least for this year), Sheahan, Blueger, Angello (he plays here as well), Cullen (at least this year too), at the pro level and Bellerive, Almeida (although I think he is too short) and Pavlychev in the Jrs and college – no room here either. So, if he is to make it at the NHL level, LW is his only real option with only Guentzel, Hagelin, Simon, Grant, Cullen, Rust, and Johnson to fight through. Next year, my guess is that Bjorkqvist and/or Hallander will actually compete for slots on the port side with all the RWs so this may be his make or break time.
I would hope that he does get a shot and shows tons of upside – for trade purposes.
I do think Angello may be the key to how far the Pens go in the playoffs. If he doesn’t develop and the team doesn’t trade for a big W they will bow out early, but if Angello does develop, Grant and Angello may give the team their best 4th line Wings.
I’ll cross my fingers and toes here.
Losing Reaves the way we did was absolutely horrible.