The Penguins have signed a pair of defensemen, both former draft picks, during the past couple of days.
Yesterday they signed 23-year-old Daniel Laatsch, a 6’5” 190-pound, left-shot defenseman taken in the seventh round (215th overall) under Ron Hextall in 2021, to a two-year, entry-level contract.
Judging by his stats, the rangy blueliner and assistant captain with Wisconsin employs a stay-at-home style. With only 18 penalty minutes spread over four seasons, physical play—like offense—would not appear to be his forte.
That stands in stark contrast to 21-year-old Chase Pietila, signed to a three-year, entry-level deal on Sunday. Drafted in the fourth round last summer (111th overall), the rugged 6’3” 195-pound, right-shot defenseman plays with a pronounced edge. With his dark hair, mustache and goatee and he even looks the part of a swashbuckler.
Pietila’s also displayed some offensive chops to go with the snarl, tallying seven goals and 22 points in 36 games for Michigan Tech.
Needless to say, I’m excited to have him in the fold. Right-side defensemen who employ a physical style don’t grow on trees, especially in these parts.
Along with the recent acquisitions of tough forward prospects Chase Stillman and Max Graham, it appears POHO/GM Kyle Dubas is well aware of our organizational need for aggression going forward.
The Pens also recently inked a third blue-line prospect, Finn Harding, to a three-year, entry-level deal. Taken in the seventh round last summer (223rd overall), the 20-year-old, right-shot defenseman has improved by leaps and bounds, piling up 55 points (7+48) in 61 games for Brampton of the OHL.
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Rick & The Other Rick
I got a chance to watch some video on Stillman. He has tools that look to translate
to the NHL. I think what I like the most he was always around the net and moving
into scoring areas. He appears to be more than adequate as a passer and has the
ability to finish. I also like the fact he's a right handed shot. What little I saw I would
project him as a bottom six type player.
Rick,
When I look at the raw numbers, I understand a little excitement over Pietila, his 22 Pnts in 36 GP in the NCAA is good numbers but I do have a concern. When I look at those numbers and the fact that he is the highest scoring defenseman and 5 th overall top scorer, but his +/- is only a +1 which is middling on that roster for D-men. I do have to wonder about his ability to cover his own zone. I know the scouting reports on him say he is a puck moving D-man and 2-way responsible, but a +1 only, with all his Pnts means opponents are scoring just as regularly when he is on the ice and/or his Pnts are coming on the PP.
I didn't talk to the person to which I referred as close to the NJD, however, I did talk to a follower of the Utica Comets and he better things to say about Legare than Stillman, particularly now that they elevated the ex-Pens property back to a top 6 role. Furthermore, Utica is in the cellar. I will hold out my thoughts on the kid until I talk to the other person, who has a significantly more intimate knowledge of the Comets.
Hey Other Rick,
Don't know if this has any bearing on his performance, but Pietila apparently is a workhorse who logged an average of 26:37 per game this season (third-most in the NCAA) according to PHN.
Rick