As we head into the offseason, it’s time to take a look at where the Penguins’ prospect pool stands.
Just as I did last year, I’ll break down the status of each prospect in the Penguins system, including players on Pittsburgh contracts and players on AHL-level deals who spent time in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton this past season.
I’ll take a look at their contracts for next season and where they are likely to play, as well as highlights from each player. If I interviewed the player this season, I’ll also share my favorite quote of the season from them.
Today, we look at the first half of the forwards in the system.
Position: Center/wing
Drafted?: 2018, fifth round
2018-19 status: WHL (NHL contract)
2019-20 status: AHL (NHL contract)
Age: 20
Shoots: Left
Size: 5-11, 161
Almeida put up career numbers in his final WHL season, recording 33 goals and 78 assists in just 64 games -- all the more impressive when you realize he played with essentially only one working shoulder since November. After offseason shoulder surgery, he'll look to turn pro next season in Wilkes-Barre.
Position: Center/wing
Drafted?: 2014, fifth round
2018-19 status: AHL (NHL contract)
2019-20 status: AHL (NHL contract)
Age: 23
Shoots: Right
Size: 6-5, 210
Quote: “I think one thing that I focus on every game, along with shooting the puck, is just to get that first hit -- whether it's a big hit or a really solid one. It kind of gets me into the game from a physical aspect and it gets the other boys rolling. It's a little bit of an intimidation factor -- just playing physical, and letting the other team know that you're there, you're here to play, you're here to compete. Mentally it's an edge for yourself."
Angello saw more time on the right wing this season, his first full professional season. He finished eighth in scoring on Wilkes-Barre with 16 goals and 13 assists in 65 games, seeming to plateau a little towards the end of the season. If he can get off to a strong start next season like he did as a rookie, he should make his NHL debut at one of the earliest opportunities.
Position: Center/wing
Drafted?: No
2018-19 status: WHL (NHL contract)
2019-20 status: AHL (NHL contract)
Age: 19
Shoots: Left
Size: 5-11, 195
Bellerive saw the slightest dip in production in his final WHL season with 33 goals and 50 assists in 68 games, down from his totals of 46 goals and 46 assists in 71 games in 2017-18. Given his bonfire accident last summer, this season was still a huge success for Bellerive. He was originally expected to be away from the ice for a full year, and was back in action in no time, still bearing the scars from the burns on his hands.
Bellerive joined Wilkes-Barre on an amateur deal to close out the season, and was scoreless in three games. He'll play in his first full professional season in 2019-20.
Position: Center
Drafted?: No
2018-19 status: NCAA
2019-20 status: AHL (AHL contract)
Age: 24
Shoots: Left
Size: 6-0, 195
Quote: “When I finished my (college) career and (the Penguins) showed a lot of interest, for me it was going to be tough to beat what they were giving as far as the organization. I want to be at a place where I'm treated well. Everything about this place is top-notch. When I graduated and they offered me, this was the place I really wanted to go."
Berger earned an AHL contract following the conclusion of his senior year at Penn State, and he's a great find. He's such a strong two-way player, kills penalties, is great in the faceoff circle, and chips in offensively too -- in his final year at Penn State, he recorded 14 goals and 15 assists in 39 games. He didn't miss a single game through four years of college, the first player in Penn State history to achieve that feat.
One of Berger's best assets is undoubtedly his character. Anyone who dealt with the guy in college raves about the kind of person he is, and it was easy to see why in speaking with him. The Big 10 Sportsmanship Award winner was also incredibly active in the community at Penn State, starting a reading rewards program at a local elementary school.
With the sheer number of forwards on NHL deals in Wilkes-Barre next season, Berger will have to fight to earn a spot on the regular roster. He appeared in six games with Wilkes-Barre to close out the 2018-19 season, and showed no problems adjusting to the pro game. He added one goal and an assist in his first six professional games.
Position: Center/wing
Drafted?: 2016, second round
2018-19 status: NCAA
2019-20 status: ???
Age: 21
Shoots: Left
Size: 6-1, 200
Bjorkqvist is definitely one of the more intriguing prospects on this list. He might not have the highest upside of the forwards, but he's one of the closest to being NHL-ready.
Penguins director of player development Scott Young called him a "specimen" last development camp after seeing the kid in a t-shirt because of how strong he is. He's built. He's a great net-front presence, and draws comparisons to Patric Hornqvist for good reason.
Bjorkqvist set career highs at Providence College as a junior, with 17 goals and 13 assists in 42 games. He has yet to sign an NHL contract, and remains eligible to return to college for his senior year. I've been told that he was considering turning pro last summer, which bodes well for his chances of turning pro for next season. Mark Divver, who covers Bjorkqvist at Providence College, has also said numerous times that he does not expect Bjorkqvist to return for his senior year.
Providence head coach Nate Leaman is also reportedly a candidate for the coaching vacancy in Buffalo. If Leaman leaves, that could also be a factor in Bjorkqvist's decision.
Position: Center/wing
Drafted?: 2012, sixth round (Colorado)
2018-19 status: AHL (NHL contract)
2019-20 status: Restricted free agent
Age: 24
Shoots: Left
Size: 6-0, 185
Quote: (on his past scare with coxsackie virus) "It helps me to deal with hard times during the year, during my career, the tough times. If I could come back from that, I feel like now I can come back from anything pretty much. I'm pretty mentally strong because of it. I think at the end of the day I'm thankful it happened, and I wouldn't be where I am today without it."
Acquired from the Ducks' organization in January in the Derek Grant trade, Blandisi saw success at the AHL level with nine goals and 11 assists in 27 games with Wilkes-Barre, but he did little to stand out during his six games with Pittsburgh.
I'd expect Blandisi to be re-signed, especially due to his restricted free agent status. Those guys typically aren't just let go for nothing. He may not see much time in Pittsburgh, but he's one of the better depth options for a short stint, given that he has 80 games of NHL experience under his belt.
Position: Center/wing
Drafted?: 2012, second round
2018-19 status: AHL, NHL (NHL contract)
2019-20 status: Restricted free agent
Age: 24
Shoots: Left
Size: 6-0, 185
Quote: (prior to his call up) "It's kind of a grind mentally. It seems a lot of times I'm right there, and it just doesn't happen for whatever reason. It's not like I get an explanation each time someone else is called up, but it seems like the way I'm playing, it's been a long time where I'm right there."
You don't need me to tell you that Blueger has more than earned his spot in the NHL by now. With Matt Cullen unlikely to return, Blueger is capable of stepping in and filling that role.
Blueger was dominant in what may very well be his last games in Wilkes-Barre, recording 21 goals and 18 assists in 45 games, finishing second on the team in goals despite being in Pittsburgh for much of the season. He put up six goals and four assists in 28 NHL games.
Position: Center
Drafted?: No
2018-19 status: ECHL, AHL (AHL contract)
2019-20 status: Unrestricted free agent
Age: 26
Shoots: Left
Size: 5-7, 157
Quote: "I just really enjoyed my experience in Wheeling. I was thankful for the opportunity that they had given me, and I think it's an organization that I can get a chance in."
Brown wrapped up his second year in the Penguins' organization. After spending most of his rookie year in the ECHL with Wheeling, he split this season between Wheeling and Wilkes-Barre. He's been consistently strong with Wheeling, putting up 28 goals and 69 assists in 99 ECHL games over two seasons in a top-line role. When he's there, he's the fastest player on the ice. At his size, he has to be. He's fun to watch at that level. He's slick, a real playmaker.
When in Wilkes-Barre, Brown typically takes on a fourth-line role, alongside players who aren't quite as fast, and against players who are much more skilled. As a result, that scoring doesn't translate to the AHL level. This season, he recorded one goal and five assists in 30 games with Wilkes-Barre.
With the number of forwards joining Wilkes-Barre next season, Brown would struggle to get another 30 games in with that roster. If he doesn't mind spending more time in Wheeling, he'd certainly be welcome back. He may look to find more regular AHL work elsewhere, however.
Position: Center
Drafted?: 2014, sixth round (Buffalo)
2018-19 status: NCAA
2019-20 status: Unrestricted free agent
Age: 23
Shoots: Right
Size: 6-0, 179
Brown was drafted early in Tim Murray's tenure as the Sabres' general manager, and isn't in Jason Botterill's plans. Still, the Sabres own his exclusive NHL rights until Aug. 15.
Brown finished fifth in scoring for Boston College in his senior season, recording seven goals and nine assists in 39 games. He was teammates with defenseman Michael Kim, who has already been signed to an AHL contract with Wilkes-Barre for next season.
After Brown's senior year at Boston College ended and he was not signed by the Sabres or their AHL affiliate in Rochester, Brown joined Wilkes-Barre on an amateur tryout deal, recording one assist in three games.
Again, with the number of forwards, Brown wouldn't have a regular spot in the lineup if he does sign a full AHL contract with Wilkes-Barre for next season. Wheeling could always use bodies, though.
Position: Center
Drafted?: No
2018-19 status: AHL (AHL contract)
2019-20 status: Unrestricted free agent
Age: 28
Shoots: Left
Size: 6-0, 190
Burton has been in the organization for five full seasons now, dating back to his professional debut with the Nailers in 2014. He's recorded 24 goals and 29 assists in 180 career games with Wilkes-Barre, including six goals and 15 assists in 66 games this year.
The best word to describe Burton during his time in the system is "reliable." He's a solid veteran presence in the locker room, one of the strongest on the team in the faceoff circle, and a great penalty killer.
Given his age, he's probably getting to the point where he may start looking for opportunities overseas. His older brother Tanner, who he played with in Wheeling, is currently a player-coach in Italy. Not a bad place to end up.
If Burton does move on from the Penguins' organization, he won't be too far. His sister Kelsey is marrying Bryan Rust this summer. The two met while Kelsey was working as a nanny for Trevor Daley's family. The hockey world is a small world.
Position: Center/wing
Drafted?: 2011, third round (Anaheim)
2018-19 status: AHL (AHL then NHL contract)
2019-20 status: NHL contract
Age: 26
Shoots: Left
Size: 6-0, 192
Quote: "I lived my dream for a whole season, then the following year didn't even have a chance to get called up. It's frustrating. But it's also even harder because you've got to get up and play well, knowing that if you're the best guy on the ice, you're still not getting called up. It's definitely hard, but now that I'm on an NHL deal, it's made me stronger in that regard."
Wilkes-Barre needs some veteran forwards to play with all these younger guys, and that'll be Cramarossa's role. He wore the "A" last season and was one of the more vocal leaders in the locker room, as well as one of the few veteran forwards with NHL experience, having played 59 games between Anaheim and Vancouver in 2016-17.
Cramarossa was originally acquired by Wilkes-Barre in an AHL-level transaction with Stockton in 2017-18, and earned an NHL contract in February of this season. He was re-signed to a one-year, two-way extension on April 26.
With the current roster (he's the only alternate captain who is under contract) Cramarossa is the current favorite to captain Wilkes-Barre next season.
Position: Center/wing
Drafted?: 2012, fourth round (Washington)
2018-19 status: AHL (NHL contract)
2019-20 status: AHL (NHL contract)
Age: 25
Shoots: Left
Size: 5-11, 190
Quote: "I try to play with an edge to my game, that's what I think is going to get me to the next level is playing with that edge and being a competitor. I consider myself an extreme competitor, I hate to lose. At the same time, even if I look or seem pissed off or upset, to be honest that's my natural way of being. Even when I was little, everyone always called me 'Boo-Boo Face'. My parents called me 'Boo-Boo Face' because I always look like I'm upset or pissed off. But I'm really the happiest person."
After three full seasons in Wilkes-Barre, Di Pauli has only appeared in 108 games. That's not good. Still, I'd reject the label "injury-prone". He only played 21 games in his rookie season because he underwent back surgery — he could have continued to play without it — choosing to have it done at the time to "get it over with" and get rid of the pain he was having as early into his professional career as possible.
Since then, he's been a victim of bad luck. The hits that have injured him haven't been small, and he's not a physically weak player. This past season, he played his last game after a hit back in December, and was nearing his recovery from a lower-body injury before Wilkes-Barre was eliminated from postseason contention. Before his injury he was progressing, and recorded seven goals and eight assists in 29 games.
I'd re-sign Di Pauli if possible. I like his game, I really like his attitude, and I liked watching his game develop when he was actually playing. He's worth another shot.
Update, 8:30 p.m.: That was fast. Di Pauli gets a one-year contract extension.
Position: Wing
Drafted?: 2017, fifth round
2018-19 status: QMJHL
2019-20 status: AHL (NHL contract)
Age: 20
Shoots: Right
Size: 6-2, 175
Quote: "All of the season we (Shawinigan) play most of the game in our zone. So I learned good defense there, too.”
During last development camp, director of player development Scott Young said that the Penguins have “high hopes” for the “tremendously skilled” Drozg.
Drozg has a lot of skill offensively and has had to put his team on his (very slender) back in recent years. He put up 21 goals and 41 assists in 60 games for the lowly Shawinigan Cataractes this season, one of the QMJHL's basement-dwellers. Those aren't impressive QMJHL numbers on their own, but they are when you realize that the team is in their own zone most of the game.
Still, Drozg needs to hone his overall game at the professional level before he sees any time in the NHL. He could also stand to fill out his 6-feet-2 frame, although he is making progress in that regard. He put on about 10 pounds in the past year, an encouraging sign.
Drozg is one of the rising stars in Slovenian hockey and has represented his country at both the junior and men's level the past two seasons. This past winter, he led Slovenia to a World Junior Division-I B tournament win with four goals and eight assists in five games. Following the tournament win, I spoke to Drozg's countryman Anze Kopitar about their similar experiences playing for the national team.
“It’s a lot of minutes, usually,” Kopitar said. “I see a lot of minutes here too, so I’m used to it. But that just goes to show that (Drozg) is one of the leaders and one of the best players on the team."
Drozg has joined Wilkes-Barre as a Black Ace the past two springs, playing one and two games respectively. He'll make the jump to the AHL full-time in the coming fall.
Position: Center
Drafted?: 2018, sixth round
2018-19 status: High school
2019-20 status: NCAA
Age: 18
Shoots: Left
Size: 6-3, 195
Gorman is a long way from going pro, as he'll be a freshman at Boston University in the fall. As a senior in high school this season, he was named to the All New England Prep School Athletic Conference First Team.
Position: Right wing
Drafted?: No
2018-19 status: AHL (NHL contract)
2019-20 status: NHL contract
Age: 26
Shoots: Right
Size: 6-0, 200
Quote: "Things aren't coming as easy, and that's when I think frustration comes in, and you think twice about some things. I think there's times when you've just got to simplify it, and that's what I've done. Just really simplify it and play a little harder, play a little simpler."
After finally earning a well-deserved NHL contract with Pittsburgh last summer, Haggerty's 2018-19 season got off to a rocky start. He had no problem creating offense and chances for himself, he just couldn't finish. The bad luck continued, and Haggerty was sidelined for three weeks with a lower-body injury he said was "a little related" to the sports hernia he suffered at the end of the 2017-18 season.
Finally healthy, Haggerty scored his first goal of the season -- and first in 40 games, dating back to last season -- on Dec. 7. He was able to build off of that success in the second half and picked up the pace to eventually finish as the team's leading goal-scorer, with 23 goals and 21 assists in 68 games.
With Haggerty's slow start and players like Blueger and Garrett Wilson ahead of him on the depth chart, he didn't get to take full advantage of that NHL contract and earn a call-up. If he plays next fall the way he did in the second half of this past season, he should be one of the first men up, if needed.
Tomorrow: Forwards, Part 2
Wednesday: Defensemen, Part 1
Thursday: Defensemen, Part 2
Friday: Goaltenders
