The Penguins wrapped up their prospect development camp on Wednesday, with Team 1 bringing home the gold (actually, the Michel Briere Cup) with a 2-1 victory over Team 3.
A couple of players stood out, and one of ‘em even signed a contract.
Indeed, left wing Tanner Howe, our second pick (46th overall) in the recent Entry Draft, agreed to a three-year, entry-level deal. Our 49th contract (with a max of 50) for those counting.
Music to my ears.
At 5’10” and 182 pounds, Howe’s not the imposing power forward I covet. However, he’s the next-best thing…a feisty, forechecking buzz-saw who plays with an edge. And, man, can this largely vanilla bunch use a shot of that.
In fact, make mine a double (or a triple).
Nor is Howe a one-trick pony. Possessing speed and a scoring touch, he banged home a pair of goals during the 4-on-4 tournament, both on plays around the net. Over the past three seasons he’s scored 91 goals in junior with the Regina Pats. Two of which were spent on phenom Connor Bedard’s portside.
Drafting this kid was a HUGE win in my book. If newly minted vice president of player personnel, Wes Clark, and his staff can turn up a few more battlers like Howe, we’ll be in good shape.
Murashov the Magnificent?
These past couple of seasons have been especially rough on fellow PPer Other Rick, who’s been notably sour on most things Penguin. However, my colleague may at long last have a reason to smile.
That’s because a kid he’s been touting, Russian goalie Sergei Murashov, attended the prospect camp and pretty much stole the show.
An obscure fourth-round pick (118th overall) in 2022, the 20-year-netminder has spent the better part of the past three seasons dominating the Russian junior ranks. Including a brilliant ’22-23 campaign with the Yaroslavl Loko-Jr. that saw Murashov post a mind-blowing 11 shutouts, a microscopic 1.53 goals against average and an otherworldly .948 save percentage.
He’s been every bit as impressive in his brief exposure to the KHL, recording a 1.71 goals against average in seven games.
The still-growing 6’2”, 172-pounder continued to weave his twine-tending magic in yesterday’s tournament, posting two shutouts while backstopping his team to the Briere Cup.
“The guy is disgusting,” gushed team captain Owen Pickering, paying Murashov the ultimate compliment. By all accounts he’s a great kid, too, and well-versed in English, which he learned in school.
It’s unclear at this stage what the immediate future hold for the Pens’ prodigy. He isn’t under contract in his homeland, so he could conceivably begin the North American phase of his career. Wherever he chooses to play, the Pens staff will be heavily invested in his development.
Back in 2003, then-GM Craig Patrick traded up to snag Marc-André Fleury with the first overall pick, stating that he wanted to rebuild the team from the goal on out.
Could the much-maligned Ron Hextall and his staff have performed a similar solid by drafting Murashov?
As the old English marching song goes, “It’s a Long Way to Tipperary.” But at first blush, it sure seems that way.
Big Z in the Alps
It would appear the legend of Big Z has come to an end, at least in a black-and-gold uni. Radim Zohorna has signed to play for HC Lugano of Switzerland’s National League this season.
In 58 career games with the Pens, the hulking Czech forward tallied eight goals and 17 points, along with a plus-16 rating.
Farewell, Big Z, and best of luck.
Hey all,
I’ve mentioned this before but it bears repeating. Guess what other Russian goaltender was taken 118th overall?
I you answered Rangers Vezina Trophy winner Igor Shesterkin, you guessed correctly.
Wouldn’t it be something if Murashov developed along the same lines as his countryman?
Rick