Prospect Thread

[Corvidae]

...just because I think we should have one.

Teddy Blueger's #1 ranked Minnesota Mankato was bounced in the first round by RIT. He was a -2 with 1 assist, giving him 28 points (10+18) in 37 games. This concludes his 3rd year so I'm not sure if he's going pro or staying in college for the full four.

Little Jake Guentzel scored in Omaha's win over Harvard. They're playing RIT tomorrow for a chance at the Frozen Four. You may remember them from other Penguin prospects such as Jayson Megna and Josh Archibald.

Sundqvist and Skelleftea won game one of the SHL semi-finals against Linköpings. I believe they are major favorites to win the title again this year. No points for Sundqvist, who has 2 assists in 6 playoffs games this year. He plays more of a utility roll, up and down the lineup and occasionally both sides of special teams. Kind of like Nick Spaling if he wasn't as generic.

Kasperi and KalPa are down 3-2 in the opening round to Lukko. Game 6 is on 3/30 if they lose out I'd expect him to join WBS shortly after. He has 5 assists in 5 games so far.

Matt Murray is 6'7" 142 lbs.

[Corvidae]

KalPa eliminated today. I imagine that we'll be seeing Kapanen join WBS this week.

[cma3585]

Excited to see/hear what Kapanen can do at the AHL level.

[Avyran]

#Pens in the process of bringing prospect Kasperi Kapanen to WBS by end of the week, per GM Jim Rutherford who said "That's the first step."

Never heard of Jenn before, but she's apparently a beat writer for the P-G.

[mikey]

I posted this is another thread, belongs here more:

Sundqvist looks good. He plays LW (but is a natural center), usually with Kirill Kabanov down the stretch here...Skelleftea has been riddled with injury all year...weird that we dip into Sweden one time in the last decade practically, and he's trending towards being an NHLer. I think the only other one was a weak toss at Viktor Ekbom or some noise...behind that it was Johannes Salomonsson I think...that's brutal to leave that country alone for so long...

Anywho, Sundqvist is looking good...he's in the mold of the team that we're trying to build here...

Also, it appears as if Kasperi Kapanen is coming to North America to stay next year...AHL-bound I believe...

[Kicksave]

https://twitter.com/JennMenendez/status ... 7271714817

#Pens in the process of bringing prospect Kasperi Kapanen to WBS by end of the week, per GM Jim Rutherford who said "That's the first step."

[Pitts]

KalPa eliminated today. I imagine that we'll be seeing Kapanen join WBS this week.

Excited. I'll bet he''ll be a Black Ace as well. Could be a secret weapon come playoff time.

[Craig]

I really doubt that. He needs to be playing in wbs. Unless something prevents him from playing for them in the playoffs. I cant see him being considered for an nhl spot.

[Dickie Dunn]

Black Aces usually don't come around until WBS is eliminated from the playoffs, so I definitely think KK would be part of it. Practice with the big club and the only high end offensive talent in the system, no reason to send him packing.

[darkstar57]

Would be good experience for him to be around the team as well during the playoffs even if he is just practicing

[Morkle]

Yea I'd rather he get at least a year in WBS unless he absolutely forces the Pens management's hand.

[Pavement]

Anyone seem much of him playing this season?

[Dickie Dunn]

Anyone seem much of him playing this season?

No, but I remember early in the season he was pretty much a point per game player, went to the World Juniors where he sucked, and finished the season with 21 points in 41 games, but had 5 assists in 5 playoff games. So I guess take from that what you will.

[Pitts]

I really doubt that. He needs to be playing in wbs. Unless something prevents him from playing for them in the playoffs. I cant see him being considered for an nhl spot.

Actually, if you read Dejan's comments on him, the playoffs seem to be exactly why they are bringing him over. From what I read, he's only going to WBS until the playoffs due to cap restraints.

[mikey]

I don't really believe that, unless they feel in the AHL that he looks NHL ready...but I have my doubts. Plus at game 10 (inb4 "we wont make it that far") in the NHL, he burns a year...

Is he better than Craig Adams in a vacuum? Yes, of course. But does that get him a jersey in the playoffs...? Bleh, that seems kind of unlikely...I'd be kind of surprised if he played even one NHL game (no injuries) in this jaunt...

[shafnutz05]

I really doubt that. He needs to be playing in wbs. Unless something prevents him from playing for them in the playoffs. I cant see him being considered for an nhl spot.

Actually, if you read Dejan's comments on him, the playoffs seem to be exactly why they are bringing him over. From what I read, he's only going to WBS until the playoffs due to cap restraints.

Wow, that's interesting if true. Fill out the bottom six somewhere?

[Corvidae]

Anyone seem much of him playing this season?

No, but I remember early in the season he was pretty much a point per game player, went to the World Juniors where he sucked, and finished the season with 21 points in 41 games, but had 5 assists in 5 playoff games. So I guess take from that what you will.

I'm hearing that his overall compete level, if I can borrow a term from HCMJ, dropped after the World Juniors and it's not a statistical abnormality that his point totals leveled off along with it. I haven't seen anything beyond clips and highlights but I'm not terribly worried. If anyone thought he was going straight from Finland to NHL top six you won't like what's about to happen but he has the all around talent to get there sooner or later. He'll need some 2nd/3rd line time under Hynes and some protein shake time with Gary Roberts

[Corvidae]

Actually, if you read Dejan's comments on him, the playoffs seem to be exactly why they are bringing him over. From what I read, he's only going to WBS until the playoffs due to cap restraints.

I hope that's not true. Give non-descript but OK AHLers Rust or Wilson a chance first. Both are a little older and have a little more meat. Plus Mr. Sundvist may be available and would be a better fit. He should have been on the team day one but he wasn't able to out one-way contract Craig Adams.

[Craig]

I really doubt that. He needs to be playing in wbs. Unless something prevents him from playing for them in the playoffs. I cant see him being considered for an nhl spot.

Actually, if you read Dejan's comments on him,

I don't. And I wont.

[Pitts]

I really doubt that. He needs to be playing in wbs. Unless something prevents him from playing for them in the playoffs. I cant see him being considered for an nhl spot.

Actually, if you read Dejan's comments on him,

I don't. And I wont.

Oh, so we'll just take YOUR word on it then...

[Silentom]

[Craig]

I really doubt that. He needs to be playing in wbs. Unless something prevents him from playing for them in the playoffs. I cant see him being considered for an nhl spot.

Actually, if you read Dejan's comments on him,

I don't. And I wont.

Oh, so we'll just take YOUR word on it then...

No, just dont take his word either. It flies in the face of the history of nhl player development.

[Dickie Dunn]

I really doubt that. He needs to be playing in wbs. Unless something prevents him from playing for them in the playoffs. I cant see him being considered for an nhl spot.

Actually, if you read Dejan's comments on him, the playoffs seem to be exactly why they are bringing him over. From what I read, he's only going to WBS until the playoffs due to cap restraints.

Wow, that's interesting if true. Fill out the bottom six somewhere?

Certainly hope not. He's even less suited for the bottom six than Bennett.

[Corvidae]

Picture of Kapanen from Twitter in February (courtesy of HFboards):



I wish I could somehow buy a jersey of that picture.

Also, Jake Guentzel going to Frozen Four with Omaha. 38 pounds in 35 games is nothing to sneeze at (13+25). He's just so small though... (twss) Doesn't seem to be as fast as Archibald but may be a better overall player. Better dish-man for sure. For the record, I'm very disappointed that Archibald didn't make more of an impact at the AHL level immediately. My expectations may have been a little high but I thought he'd hit the ground running, giving WBS some explosiveness they've missed since... ever?



Awesome D there, guys. I think he's playing the Penguins after the Penguins just scored.

[meow]

That's Colorado College Guentzel is scoring on. They had a...ahem...less than stellar season. Mainly because they couldn't keep the puck out of their net.