Penguins Prospects Powder Bruins Hopefuls

The Penguins’ youth made a statement yesterday afternoon at the Prospects Challenge in Buffalo. Literally squaring off versus the Bruins’ prospects at LECOM Harborcenter in a surprisingly physical affair, the black-and-gold kids raced to an early 3-0 lead on power-play markers by Sam Poulin, Filip Hallander and Valtteri Puustinen, who also happened to comprise our top line.

Hallander struck for his second goal of the afternoon to run the score to 4-0 and made a nice defensive play to prevent a goal as well before the Bruins prospects stormed back to tie the game with roughly 15 minutes to play.

The Pens retook the lead with 10:47 left on yet another man-advantage tally by Corey Andonovski and salted the game away on a garbage goal by Nathan Legare.

Speaking of Legare, the feisty winger was at the eye of the storm all afternoon. In addition to repeatedly getting into the Bruins’ collective kitchen with his abrasive play, he drew several penalties, paving the way for the Pens’ lethal power play to do its damage.

“I feel like I was playing like the real Nathan Legare,” said the 21-year-old afterward. “I was finishing my checks, putting pucks on net and sometimes, getting under the skin on the other side, so that was good.”

Personally, I find Legare’s prickly performance ultra-encouraging. Not only because he’s coming off a disappointing rookie pro season (only seven goals with the Baby Pens), but because as an organization the Milquetoast-ish Pens sorely lack the mustard and edginess Legare provides.

Yesterday the benefits were plain to see.

Others who enjoyed strong games were Poulin (a goal and two helpers and a physical presence), Hallander (two goals) and a four-assist effort from defenseman Colin Swoyer. Goalie Filip Lindberg, playing his first game since last November due to a severe ankle injury, also drew praise.

Scorin’ Warren

As I was pondering our rookies this morning, a true blast from the past came to mind.

Despite solid minor-league stats and a few cups of coffee at the big-league level, Warren Young arrived at the Penguins’ training camp in 1984 as the oddest of oddities…a 28-year-old rookie.

However, coach Bob Berry saw something in Warren’s game. He gave the obscure 6’3” 195-pounder the ultimate opportunity…a shot at playing left wing next to fellow rookie Mario Lemieux.

SHAZAM!

Although a step slow, Young read the play very well. He was also smart enough to know if he drove to the net Mario would get him the puck. Serving as Lemieux’s triggerman, he struck for two goals in a game a whopping seven times during the duo’s first 17 games together and a staggering 15 goals in all during that span. Rocket Richard-type output.

Young would cool following his incendiary start, but just a bit, finishing his rookie season with 40 goals. Thanks to his outstanding play, he was fourth in the voting for the Calder Trophy and landed a spot on the All-Rookie Team.

Possessing underrated hands, he topped the league with a 30.5 shooting percentage…the fourth highest mark in NHL history. (Robbie Brown would snipe at a 29 percent clip skating next to Mario in 1988-89.)

Young was also very tough, dropping the gloves 17 times that season, mostly in defense of his more heralded linemate.

With his contract up for renewal, “Scorin’ Warren” was surprised when GM Eddie Johnston encouraged him to field offers from other clubs. Although the erstwhile folk hero preferred to remain a Penguin, Detroit made him an offer he couldn’t refuse…$1 million over four years. Big money back then.

Young did his best to live up to the contract. However, the Red Wings were a terrible team. With little help, Warren’s output dipped to 22 goals and 46 points. Respectable totals for sure, but not enough to justify the money he was making.

Seeking to unload his fat contract, the Red Wings sold Young back to the Pens on the eve of the 1986-87 season. He was thrilled to return to Pittsburgh, but this was one fairy tale that would not have a happy ending. In his second go-around with the black and gold, Warren struggled to rediscover his scoring touch. He finished the season with eight goals in 50 games…hardly the stuff of legend.

Following a brief seven-game stint with the Pens in 1987-88, Young was shipped to the Muskegon Lumberjacks, where he finished his career. Although Scorin’ Warren endured an inglorious end, his sudden rise to stardom remains one of the true feel-good stories in the team’s long and colorful history.