I confess, I only watched tiny snippets of the recent Penguins games at the NHL Prospects Challenge in Buffalo. Contests that saw our fledglings prevail.
Hardly enough viewage to offer any kind of expert analysis.
Still, I was very much heartened by the dual victories, including an inspired, come-from-behind 6-3 win over the Bruins’ prospects on Friday and a spirited 4-2 triumph over a rambunctious Ottawa kiddie korps on Saturday. More so by the fact that, for the first time in 100 years it seems, we have some bona fide nuggets in the organizational pipeline.
To digress, I would think identifying, selecting and developing prospects would be a lot like panning for gold. You sift through gallons of creek water and silt in hopes of discovering a few flakes or even a nugget or two, never mind unearthing a motherlode. A process that requires an endless reserve of patience and perseverance, not to mention a sharp eye.
Anywho, back to those nuggets I spoke of. In no particular order, the following quintet were among those who sparkled the brightest.
Rutger McGroarty, 20 (Left Wing)
Expected to compete for a spot with the big club this fall, McGroarty (pictured above) didn’t disappoint. The rugged 200-pounder notched a goal and an assist against the Bruins and narrowly missed a second tally when a late shot from the right circle banged off the crossbar. The former 14th overall pick made up for his average foot speed with good awareness at both ends of the ice, along with an excellent feel for his linemates and the value of teamwork.
Sergei Murashov, 20 (Goalie)
Replacing Taylor Gauthier in net halfway through the Bruins’ game, the Russian rookie slammed the door and stopped all seven shots he faced to key the comeback win. Murashov followed up by shunting aside 16 of 18 shots against the Sens, good for a tidy .920 save percentage for two days work. In particular, his lateral movement was exceptional.
Tristan Broz, 21 (Center)
The first pick of the ill-fated Ron Hextall regime (58th overall), Broz was simply outstanding against the Bruins, potting a pair of goals and adding a helper. Centering the second line, Broz also displayed good speed and creativity along with a dash of sandpaper. Could be a sneaky candidate to crack the lineup at some point this season.
Vasily Ponomarev, 22 (Center)
At age 22, the oldest and most experienced of the Pens’ younglings, Ponomarev struck for a power-play goal to kick off the scoring against the Sens’ prospects. Centering the top line for McGroarty and Avery Hayes, who potted two goals of his own, the jewel of last spring’s deadline deal displayed a non-stop motor and willingness to drive to the net.
Harrison Brunicke, 18 (Defense)
The Pens’ second-round pick (44th overall) in this summer’s draft, Brunicke drew rave reviews for his wheels, tool kit and overall play. The 6’3”, 190-pounder didn’t shy away from the rough stuff, either. Tends to fly solo on rushes like former Pen Mike Matheson, but could emerge as a dynamic right-shot defenseman and heir apparent to Kris Letang and Erik Karlsson down the road.
Others earning positive reviews? Although his board work needs work, Ville Koivunen (two assists against the Bruins), the aforementioned Hayes, and Jack Beck, an undersized left wing and former Flames draftee who notched a goal in each game. Displaying good mobility and a more physically mature game, former first-rounder Owen Pickering was solid against the Sens.
Our kids hope to make a clean sweep of the tournament against host Buffalo tomorrow afternoon.
In the meantime, it’s nice to have some positive black-and-gold news to report. Especially involving the kids!
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Hey Rick,
I just finished watching the 3rd period of the 3rd Prospect Game (v Buff). Quick notes.
1) Broz and Koivunen are still the most electric prospects. They make things happen They pressured the Sabres on most of their shifts and scored a beautiful 4-on-4 Goal together. Once again, I didn't see any of the alleged weak skating from Koivunen that the Sully camp likes to hide behind. The young Finn made a slick move to free himself from a forechecker to start the play that ended in Broz's G. Broz and Koivunen also cleaned up their own end the best of the Fwds with good positional hockey and smart plays - choosing to pass when appropriate and skate it out in other spots.
2) McGroarty and Hays look the best on that line. McGroarty made a nice back checking gem to pick the pocket of a Sabre and get a super Quality look at the net. He then finished off an odd man break for the games final G. Hayes set up the G and also, you particularly would find interesting. On a previous shift, while sniffing around the Sabre's goal, looking for a loose puck, a Buffalo D-man tried to get physical with Hayes. They tussled for a moment but when hayes gat a grip on him he tossed his opponent to the ice like a rag doll.
3) speaking of rag dolls, for as big as he is Pickering is really disappointing in the physical department. During the regular season when the Pens or the their affiliate the the former 1st rounder finds himself on is playing against a finesse team, Pickering may come out looking pretty good. He made a nice stick waving play again to break up a pass and he had two skate by drives to the net that didn't result in much. He even showed some creativity with a behind the back pass (albeit in a dangerous area of his own zone) to try and start a breakout. However, he was knocked to the ice twice, constantly let opposing forwards between him and the net to harass Murashov. Furthermore, once the Sabres got into the Pens zone when Pickering was on the ice, they had no problem getting extended zone time. his lack of physicality emboldened their forwards and gave them room to work.
4) Rick, you may also like Caeden Carlisle. He did dance with a Buffalo forward who was trying to impress his teams coach by establishing position right up against Murashov. The camera panned away from the battle as the puck went up ice so I didn't see how he fought and the kid did end up on the bottom but he wasn't about to give a free pass like Pickering. That scrum also was the catalyst for Broz's G. it was the reason why the teams were 4-on-4. However, there were times he was part of the D that ceded quality zone time to Buffalo.
5) Didn't see any flashes from Belliveau this game but I also didn't see the Sabres getting any real zone time when he was on the ice. He iced them out.
6) The camera angles were not all that good for me to see how well Murashov actually played but it looked like the kid made a great outstretched leg pad save on an all too usual breakaway against this teams Defense. He committed the wrong way and had to make a desperation stab back the other way with his leg. Again from the angle I couldn't see if he had to make a real save or did the forward take himself out of harms way himself, trying to get around Murashov.
Hey Rick,
Like you, I only got to watch parts of the first 2 prospect games. For what it is worth, here is what I saw (some points I agree with you but not all)
1) Tristan Broz was the most impressive of the prospects. The kid's play drew my attention on every shift I saw him take. He engaged physically and moved the puck well and with speed. He seemed to find open players with all of his passes.
2) Isaac Belliveau was the most impressive defenseman. He moved the puck the best of the D-men from I saw. He held the blue line in the attacking zone, made smart plays defensive zone to keep the puck wide and moved the puck quickly forward.
3) Ville Koivunen was bread and butter with Broz. I must not have seen the same plays you did Rick, I didn't see any bad plays from him along the boards, nor did I see any problems with his skating (something the Sullivan crew likes to whine about when they just don't like a player)
4) Rutger McRoarty's physicality did seem to created space for his line mates. I haven't seen anything to change my mind - this kid needs to be given first shot as Sid's LW. He seems to play with exactly the still the Captain needs.
5) Vasily Ponomarev, did show me some good stick handling skills in traffic. The PPG you mentioned was a really nice shot, he buried it. However, I can't help but think he benefitted greatly from skating with McRoarty.
6) While I did see some improvement in Pickering's game, he doesn't skate around his own zone chasing the puck around like a 6 year old - he seems to understand positional hockey and I did see him break up a couple of plays with his stick (typical Penguin stick waving). However, his 1st passes were only average not the stuff of legend like the lazy scouts who talked the Pens into using a 1st round pick on the kid touted. They were taken in on great salesmanship by Pickering's PR team showing them that one head man pass from 20 different angles that was spread all over Youtube a couple of years back. Furthermore, despite the 200 lbs the Penguins would have us believe Pickering weighs now, I saw the kid get knocked down several times, twice in his own slot, bulled over by heavy forwards.
Overall, at some point Pickering may learn how to play in the NHL, but I can see why he is dropping faster than a lead balloon in the national prospect rankings. They are finally seeing past the hype.
7) I am still very, very high on Murashov but in the first half of the Sens game, he looked like he was struggling. Although he did seem to track the puck well, 1000 times better than Jarry does. However, rather than stay on his skates when he followed the puck laterally, he dropped to his knees and slid on his leg pads, opting to play the percentages and cut the low corners - a sign that a goalie isn't confident; hopefully that is an anomaly.
8) Cooper Foster didn't walk on water but he showed some promise. He seemed to find himself in the middle of the action often.
9)Atley Calvert impressed me on a couple of plays driving into the Sens zone using his body to shield the puck. He may be someone to keep an eye on down in the minors to see if he develops.
10) Avery Hayes also seems to be playing well enough to possibly invite to training camp.
11) I am sorry, although Harrison Brunicke commit anything egregious, he also didn't do anything that stood out either.
I would have like to see Tanner Howe, but ......
I definitely invite the top 10 of those 11 prospects to camp, some to give a real shot at a line up spot and some to whet their appetites.
My thoughts on line combos that I would start with at the beginning of camp would be;
McRoarty - Crosby - Rust
Koivunen - Malkin - Puustenin
Bunting - Broz - Rackell
O'Connor - Eller - Glass
(I would be looking to build Puustenin's and O'Connor's stock up for a trade)