The Penguins have acquired forward Philip Tomasino from the Predators, the team announced today. The price? A fourth-round pick in the 2027 Entry Draft.
Nashville’s first-round pick (24th overall) in the 2019 Entry Draft, Tomasino burst on the scene in his first pro season in 2021-22 to the tune of 11 goals and 32 points in 76 games for the Preds.
However, in each of the past two seasons, he split time with the Preds and their AHL Milwaukee affiliate. Although still productive at the big-league level with a dozen goals and 38 points in 72 games, he seemed to lose his place in the organizational forward queue.
His playing time dipped even further this season with the additions of high-profile free agents Jonathan Marchessault and Steven Stamkos, along with his output (a lone assist in 11 games).
I confess, I don’t know a whole lot about Tomasino other than what I glean from his stats and brief scouting reports. An average skater, he’s reasonably skilled and good on the rush. Although primarily used at right wing, the 23-year-old Ontario native is versatile and can play all three forward positions.
What he isn’t? In keeping with our organizational mold, a bruiser. Tomasino’s listed at 6’0” and a willowy 179 pounds.
Anyway, I’m all for giving the kid a try.
What I don’t like?
To make room, we sent Sam Poulin back to the Baby Pens. During his brief six-game stay, Sam registered an assist along with some of the best underlying numbers on the club. He also displayed good chemistry with frequent linemates Drew O’Connor and Jesse Puljujärvi.
No offense intended, but why a marginal veteran like Matt Nieto wasn’t sent down instead? (The sound of me scratching my head.)
Ironically, Poulin and Tomasino were draft mates. Sam went 21st, three slots ahead of the newcomer.
Tomsino isn’t an “averge” skater. He is a very very good skater. A Typical scouting report (Dobber) on him as a prospect”
“Tomasino’s skating is what sets him apart. The forward has phenomenal top speed and reaches it in just a few steps. With extremely good acceleration and burst, he does an excellent job at attacking the neutral zone with the puck on his stick…. His strong edgework allows him to cut and weave in all three zones giving him the ability to skate out of danger in his own zone and into dangerous areas in the offensive zone.
Every other scouting report on him reads the same. Whatever his shortcomings, skating isn’t one of them
Hey Outside,
Yeah, my bad. JFresh made the comment “foot speed a limiter” so I went with that. Everything else I’ve read about Tomasino agrees with what you’ve said…that he’s a plus skater.
Rick
Hey Outsider,
What I remember reading when he came out was he was an above average skater, not average or very, very good. I myself have never scouted him so I referenced scouting reports I have read. More importantly, what I remember of the knock on him was that he was physically weak and needed to get much stronger. Apparently he never did get any stronger. He hasn’t stuck in the NHL yet and his AHL Pnts/GP is under 1 (0.92)
Will he make it? He is only 23 so he may still make it.
Will he add any value to the Penguins? Extremely doubtful. As small as he plays he needs a much bigger, stronger team around him to protect him.
In the end, we are going to find out soon if he is another Jansens Harkens or actually has potential.
Hey Rick,
Yawn!!!
This smells as a desperate attempt to redirect peoples attention from a failing, flailing Head Coach and take the heat off him.
I think all we need to know about Tomasino is that all Nashville wanted in exchange for him was a 4th round pick in ’27. I guess we need to hope for the best but I somehow I doubt it. Nothing Dubas has done has shown to be of benefit tot his team so why should this be different?
If I recall Tomasino’s scouting reports, he was said to have above average skating ability and compete level but needed to add a little muscle to his game to make it at the NHL level. Well, at thundering weight of 179 on a 6 foot frame, I am not so sure he attained that bench mark. If Sully drops him in on Poulin’s position on the 4th line, in Tomasino’s average Blk/60 5 on 5 would rank him 15th on this season’s roster with 2.17 and his hits/60 will rank him 17th with 3.49. Not the numbers you would want out of a bottom 6 forward but exactly what Sullivan wants from his team.
Now, if you are looking for him to be a top 6, his G/60 and Shooting % in his career would rank him 9th on the squad, not exactly what I would want for a top 6 forward either.
Tomasino will be just one more Sullivan man
Now he is only 23, just entering his prime years but everything about him spells journeyman at best. This is just more smoke and mirrors to keep people from looking at the Coach behind the tattered curtain.