Penguins Update: Hextall Filling in the Blanks

It wasn’t all that long ago that the Penguins’ farm system was virtually bankrupt of young talent. An unfortunate consequence of winning three Stanley Cups, qualifying for the postseason 16 years in a row and picking from comparatively low draft slots. Not to mention trading away an astounding eight first-round picks and nine second-round picks over that span.

Small wonder the Pens’ prospect pipeline was ranked 30^th out of 32 teams, ahead of only Tampa Bay and Boston, according to a recent article by Corey Pronman of The Athletic.

But hold the phone. In his quiet, deliberate way, GM Ron Hextall has slowly but surely been working to restock the cupboard. No, there aren’t any future Sidney Crosbys or Evgeni Malkins stashed away at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton or further down the pipeline. But thanks to Hextall, there are some players who could be solid contributors.

Following the age-old hockey adage of being strong down the middle, GMRH signed sought-after free-agent goalies Filip Lindberg and Taylor Gauthier. Lindberg (pictured above), who missed most of last season with a serious ankle injury following a sensational collegiate career, has pronounced himself healthy once again. Thus far in training camp and preseason, the native of Espoo, Finland, backed up his words, turning in strong performances in the Prospects Challenge against Boston and in the second half of our 3-2 victory over Columbus on Sunday.

Gauthier, a bigger body and extremely athletic, blossomed as an overage junior with Portland (Mike Johnston’s team) last season, posting an incredible 24-4-0 record to go with a 2.16 goals against average and a sparkling .931 save percentage. He rang up a team record shutout sequence of 251:11, only 14:02 short of the Western Hockey League mark. Shades of a young Matt Murray.

Along with fellow prospect Joel Blomqvist (a Jim Rutherford pick), the duo provides solid organizational depth between the pipes, not to mention a potential tandem down the road.

Up front, Corey Andonovski has the feel of a genuine power forward…a true rarity in these parts. The 6’1” 195-pounder goes to the hard areas and isn’t shy about using the body, as his seven hits in Sunday’s matinee game will attest. During an especially physical shift in the second period, the 23-year-old bulled through a check at the Columbus blue line and laid a big hit of his own.

He also struck for the game tying goal with 55 seconds to play, showing nice hands while roofing a shot over Blue Jackets goalie Nolan Lalonde from close range. Acting coach Mike Vellucci took note.

“It was the first opportunity for me to see him,” said Vellucci. “He’s a big, strong player who has good speed. … He had a great game.”

Andonovski also scored the go-ahead goal in the Prospects Challenge win over the Bruins.

Jordan Frasca is another Hextall find. The 6’2” 184-pound center enjoyed an outstanding season as an overage junior with Kingston, out-goaling teammate and No. 4 overall pick Shane Wright 42 to 32.

The 21-year-old Ontario native notched the only black-and-gold goal during Sunday night’s 5-1 drubbing at the hands of the Blue Jackets. Knocked to the ice midway through the third period while camped in the slot, Frasca promptly sprang to his skates and buried a bouncing puck behind goalie Jet Greaves. He also won 50 percent of his faceoffs against a veteran Jackets squad.

Among other Hexie free-agent hopefuls? Ty Glover shows promise as a power forward and net-front presence. Defenseman Colin Swoyer, who registered four assists during the Prospects Challenge, plays a solid two-way game. Rangy right-shot defenseman Jack St. Ivany, drafted by Hextall in 2018 but never signed by the Flyers, has drawn comparisons to John Marino with his smooth puck moving and overall play.

Sprinkle in Hextall draft picks such as Owen Pickering and potential sleeper Nolan Collins? Combined with a handful of holdovers from the Rutherford era, the prospect cupboard suddenly doesn’t look so bare.

First Cuts

The Pens sent defensemen Isaac Belliveau and Ryan McCleary back to their junior teams, paring their training camp roster to 56 players.

Motor City Shakedown

The team announced its lineup for tonight’s home exhibition game against Detroit. Some old, familiar faces will be getting their first taste of action.

Goalies — Casey DeSmith, Tristan Jarry.

Defensemen — Brian Dumoulin, Kris Letang, Jeff Petry, Marcus Pettersson, Jan Rutta, Ty Smith.

Forwards — Teddy Blueger, Drake Caggiula, Sidney Crosby, Jake Guentzel, Kasperi Kapanen, Evgeni Malkin, Brock McGinn, Drew O’Connor, Ryan Poehling, Rickard Rakell, Bryan Rust, Radim Zohorna, Jason Zucker.