CRANBERRY -- Not everyone at the Penguins' training camp is on an NHL contract with Pittsburgh. A handful of players invited to this camp are on AHL-level deals with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. They're not going to be earning an NHL deal out of camp, but being invited to an NHL camp provides these players with an opportunity to show the Penguins' brass what they've got, and hopefully earn an NHL contract in the future.
Troy Josephs isn't exactly new to the organization -- the 24-year-old forward was the Penguins' seventh-round pick way back in 2013. Following the conclusion of his senior season at Clarkson University in 2017, Pittsburgh did not sign him to an entry-level contract, so the Penguins lost their exclusive rights to him. Josephs instead signed a one-year AHL deal with Wilkes-Barre, and spent most of 2017-18 in Wheeling, recording 16 goals and 20 assists in 43 games. His offensive production and two-way play were enough to earn him another one-year contract with Wilkes-Barre for 2018-19.
"It's a really cool experience," Josephs said of training camp. "I haven't gotten a chance to get here before; last season I wasn't able to with my shoulder (injury). I'm sort of taking it day-by-day and just enjoying the experience."
Josephs, who has primarily played center throughout his career, has been moved to right wing for training camp and is playing on a line with Sam Lafferty and Freddie Tiffels, who also project to be playing in Wilkes-Barre this season. It's not the position Josephs is used to, but his familiarity with former Nailers teammate Tiffels has helped their line fit well together during camp.
"It's nice to have some familiarity, chemistry on a line," Josephs said after Day 2's scrimmage. "I thought we played really well today. Hopefully, moving forward, we keep doing the same and it has more success."
If Josephs is to earn an NHL contract, he's going to have to work his way up the system. The next step is going to be sticking in Wilkes-Barre for the full year. He's confident that will happen.
"I definitely believe in my capability to play (in the AHL), that's why I feel like I'm here," he said. "I'm trying to make the team (in Pittsburgh), and even with my AHL contract I can show them what I've got. Wilkes-Barre is a stepping stone for me to make it to the NHL. I definitely believe I can play there. That's the first step."
Ryan Haggerty is a guy I'm somewhat surprised to see here at camp. The 25-year-old right wing was dominating in Wilkes-Barre last season, even having as many points as Daniel Sprong at midseason despite playing in fewer games. Clark Donatelli would rave about his NHL-readiness, especially his shot.
I expected Haggerty to earn a two-way NHL contract this summer -- if not with Pittsburgh, then somewhere else. Instead, he's back on another AHL contract in Wilkes-Barre. He's back in Pittsburgh for his third training camp, showing off that heavy shot.
Haggerty has been playing on a line with Garrett Wilson and Tobias Lindberg, and they've had the chemistry to make themselves a likely combination in Wilkes-Barre this season. Both Lindberg and Haggerty scored in Sunday's scrimmage. Haggerty's goal was much like his previous goal in these scrimmages, a heavy shot from the right circle.
"I think the best thing for me is just to make a mark," Haggerty said of his goal for camp. "It's such a privilege to come here and get a chance to play, and set myself up for a good year in Wilkes. And if possible, a contract, and help Pittsburgh one day."
Haggerty was out of the lineup from Feb. 2 until March 17 with a sports hernia. Donatelli was optimistic about Haggerty's status and progress throughout his injury, and Haggerty returned right back to his usual spot on Jean-Sébastien Dea’s wing once he was healthy. Missing that much time at the end of the season was disappointing, but Haggerty kept a good attitude through it all. He doesn't feel like that had any impact on the contracts he was offered this summer, and he feels like he's in good shape heading into this season.
"No, I mean, injuries happen," Haggerty said. "You can't prevent them, sometimes things just break down your body. I definitely feel like I had a good offseason, and stronger and faster than last year. I'm looking forward to showing myself here in camp and continuing to make progress within the organization."
Haggerty began last season as a healthy scratch and had to fight to earn a spot in Wilkes-Barre's lineup. After proving himself last season, he's more confident entering this season, and aims to get off to a better start than he did last year.
"Whether I'm a healthy scratch or I'm playing, I'm ready to go," he said. "I'm looking forward to getting the year going down there with the boys. I'm just excited to get back playing again."
Unlike the other invitees at this camp, veteran defenseman Will O'Neill has had an NHL contract with Pittsburgh before.
O'Neill was on a two-way, one-year NHL deal with Pittsburgh in the 2015-16 season. He never did earn a recall, but he was one of Wilkes-Barre's top defensemen that year. He finished third on the team and led the defensemen in scoring with eight goals and 42 assists, and he was a leader in the locker room.
His strong showing in Wilkes-Barre earned him a two-year, two-way contract with the Flyers. He finally made his NHL debut last season, playing a single game for Philadelphia -- 11 years after the Atlanta Thrashers drafted him in the seventh round.
O'Neill returned to the Penguins organization this summer, though only on an AHL contract. It may not be the contract he'd like, but this is the organization he wants to be in.
"I had a great year when I was here the last time," he told me. "It's a welcoming organization, a lot of good people. I was just excited to get back here and get started."
Wilkes-Barre has a young blue line this season, and at 30, O'Neill is one of the oldest players on the team (Chris Summers has him beat by a few months). O'Neill is looking forward to taking on more of a leadership role this time around, especially with fellow veteran defenseman Kevin Czuczman's long-term injury keeping him out of the lineup.
"It's going to be great to be back there and have some familiar faces around and some new ones," he said. "Whenever you're losing a good player like (Czuczman) it makes it harder for everyone, but it can open up an opportunity for another player and jump-start them."
MORE PROSPECTS FROM DAY 3:
• Defenseman Joe Masonius was absent again today. He's day-to-day after sustaining an injury in Friday's practice.
• Left wing Sam Miletic has looked great in these scrimmages, with two goals in three games. It's encouraging to see him produce offensively against players of this caliber. He put up impressive numbers in juniors last season, but as a 20-year-old over-age player playing against teenagers.
• Center Anthony Angello is massive, at 6-foot-5 and 210 pounds. He's been getting physical in these games and nailed Sprong with a hard hit today that nearly knocked Sprong's helmet off. Physicality is a skill that will typically translate well to the professional game, as he plays his first full pro season this year.
• Peters and Alex D'Orio were the goaltenders in the second half of the scrimmage, and they fared well against NHL shooters. In the shootout, Peters allowed the only goal, from Jake Guentzel.
• Czuczman, who is out until December after having shoulder surgery, skated before practice today, working on stickhandling drills with a trainer.
• C-c-c-c-combo breaker: Lindberg was not wearing the Tim Tebow shirt today. A little disappointing.
