We're at the midway point between last month's prospect development camp and next month's rookie camp for the Penguins.
It feels like the perfect time to rank the Penguins' top 10 prospects.
First, though, we have to lay out the criteria for what we can consider a prospect for this exercise:
1. In past prospect ranking articles I've used the age limit of 25, which we're going to stick with. That excludes Radim Zohorna from being considered a "prospect" here.
2. Sticking with another usual rule: The player has to actually be Penguins property, meaning the Penguins either hold his signing rights or is signed. No AHL-contracted prospects. For purposes of this list, we're going to exclude Kasper Bjorkqvist even though the Penguins do hold his North American rights for the next three years. He's gone. He signed in Finland for the next two years. If he ever does want to come back to North America at some point, it won't be until he's 26 at the earliest.
3. In a couple of recent years I've used the guideline that the player can have no NHL games played, but that doesn't feel right this year given the couple of players who only have one NHL game of experience. Instead of just picking an arbitrary number, it feels right to borrow the games limit used for the Calder Memorial Trophy eligibility, since the age limit I typically use comes from the Calder rules. This means that a player can't have more than 25 NHL games played in a single season, or more than six in each of any two preceding seasons. This excludes young players like Alex Nylander and Ty Smith who have full NHL seasons under their belt, as well as Drew O'Connor and Zohorna who have been around for a bit more than a cup of coffee in multiple seasons.
With those guidelines in mind, here is my ranking of the Penguins' top 10 prospects in reverse order:
10. Raivis Ansons
Position: Left wing
Age: 20
Size: 6-1, 191
Shoots: Left
Acquired: 2020 draft, fifth round
2021-22 stats: 56 games, 18 goals, 42 assists (QMJHL)
I had a long talk last month with Trevor Georgie, the president and general manager of the Saint John Sea Dogs team that acquired Ansons in a trade last season, and everything he told me leads me to believe that Ansons will have a seamless transition to the pro game next season.
"You'd be hard-pressed to find a coach that would have anything bad to say about Raivis. Everyone would love him," Georgie told me. "He could play on a bottom six on an NHL team for 10 years and make a great career of it."
Ansons' biggest strength is his defensive game and his reliability. He's consistent and predictable, and does the little things that coaches love. He'll surely need some time in the AHL to start, but he has the qualities that could help him get on the fast track to the NHL sooner rather than later.
"He makes all the right plays, makes simple plays. He's consistent," Georgie told me. "He's not going to do anything erratic. He's going to do everything hard. He's going to win puck battles. He's going to chip pucks in. He's going to not lose his check. He's going to make you feel very comfortable. And there's something to be said for that."
You can read my full feature on Ansons from last month here.
9. Filip Lindberg
Position: Goaltender
Age: 23
Size: 6-0, 180
Catches: Left
Acquired: Free agent signing, 2021
2021-22 stats: 7 games, 2.76 GAA, .915 SV% (AHL)
Lindberg's first pro season was a disappointment, through no fault of his own.
Lindberg had a phenomenal start to the season. He was named the AHL goaltender of the month for the month of October after posting a a 4-0 record, a 1.71 goals-against average and a .942 save percentage through the first four starts of his professional career. He left during the intermission of a start in mid-November, having suffered an ankle injury that ultimately proved to be season-ending.
Lindberg was back on the ice at the Penguins' development camp and was a limited participant in the group sessions. Goaltending development coach Kain Tisi said that Lindberg is doing well physically as he rehabs from the ankle injury, and had a set schedule during camp of when he is and isn't on the ice as he slowly works his way back to being 100 percent.
"It's been tough for him during the last season," Tisi said. "I think he's grown a lot as a human being just going through that experience, it's been a lot of adversity for him. But he had such a great start for us in Wilkes and we expect to see that when he returns. But I think just his growth as a goalie and as a person has been great to see."
If Lindberg was able to continue on the path he started last season, he'd probably be higher on this list. He'll look to pick up where he left off with Wilkes-Barre next season.
8. Lukas Svejkovsky
Position: Right wing/center
Age: 20
Size: 5-10, 165
Shoots: Right
Acquired: 2020 draft, fourth round
2021-22 stats: 57 games, 35 goals, 41 assists (WHL)
Svejkovsky was one of the biggest standouts of the Penguins' development camp last month.
Svejkovsky's skillset, with his speed and pure offensive skill, was able to shine in a setting like that, a 4-on-4 scrimmage with a lot of open ice and quick back-and-forth action.
"If you watched the scrimmage, he’s pretty dynamic," director of player development Tom Kostopoulos said afterward. "He’s shifty, he’s got hockey sense, he’s creative with the puck and he can make things happen offensively. He’s done that at the junior level. Pro is almost always an adjustment for a guy coming from junior, but he’s got a good attitude and a good work ethic. I think there will be some things to learn along the way, but what he can do with the puck and what he can create is pretty special."
There's no doubt that Svejkovsky is one of the more talented forward prospects in the Penguins' system, he just seems like he'll need some more time in the AHL to put on size and get comfortable with the pro game.
Danny Shirey wrote this feature on Svejkovsky last month.
7. Filip Hallander
Position: Left wing
Age: 22
Size: 6-1, 196
Shoots: Left
Acquired: 2018 draft, second round/Jared McCann trade
2021-22 stats: 61 games, 14 goals, 14 assists (AHL), 1 game (NHL)
Kostopoulos was asked at last month's development camp which players he thinks can make the jump from Wilkes-Barre to the NHL next season, and he didn't hesitate in naming a forward.
"I think Hallander showed us he can play in the NHL," he said. "He was relied on in every situation in Wilkes and he's a guy that coaches can trust, just no matter the time or score, whatever is going on in the game."
Hallander admitted back in January that the adjustment to the North American style of play was "a bigger adjustment" than he had originally anticipated. He didn't seem poised for a shot in the NHL early on in the season.
Over the course of the season, Hallander adjusted to the style, became more of a key piece for Wilkes-Barre on the penalty kill, and started producing more offensively. He made his NHL debut on April 7 in New York after Sidney Crosby and Zohorna were ruled out the day of with non-COVID illnesses. Hallander, who was golfing on Wilkes-Barre's off day at the time he got the call, picked up his suit and his gear, stopped at Sheetz for a pregame meal and drove to New York (briefly getting lost on the way) and just barely made it to the Garden in time for warmups. He only played 5:52 in a 3-0 shutout loss, and his debut ended with him trying to pull a couple of Rangers players off of a pile on top of Teddy Blueger in a brawl after the final whistle. It was a rough game for all involved, and doesn't at all reflect what Hallander might be able to contribute at the NHL level.
Hallander earned a shot in the NHL. Assuming he picks up where he left off next season, he deserves another real look. Hopefully, one where he's able to eat something other than a Sheetz wrap beforehand.
6. Tristan Broz
Position: Left wing
Age: 19
Size: 6-0, 178
Shoots: Left
Acquired: 2021 draft, second round
2021-22 stats: 36 games, 6 goals, 5 assists (NCAA)
Broz had a rough start to his college hockey career. Through his first 17 games with the Gophers, he recorded just two assists and no goals. He found himself a healthy scratch.
He had a turnaround in the second half of the season, and recorded six goals and three assists in his final 19 games. When I spoke to him at development camp, he gave credit to the confidence he had to start making plays and taking shots himself.
"I think that was maybe a little bit of my problem at the beginning of the year," he said. "I came into a big program and maybe was a little wide-eyed, and looked to pass the puck a little too much. I think I just stopped kind of deferring to my teammates and obviously made plays there. I still made the passes, but also had the confidence to take the puck myself and to drive the play with my skating."
Broz has good speed and good hands and is more of a playmaker. The EliteProspects scouting report on him when he was drafted called said he had an "attacking mentality. attacking mentality. He’s like a shark sniffing out blood in the water when he’s off-the-puck in the offensive zone, circling the perimeter, waiting for soft ice to emerge, or charging headlong to the net-front as low-to-high passing plays develop. He reads developing plays, creates options for his linemates, and adapts well during cycle plays."
It'd be jumping the gun to write Broz off as a prospect for needing some time to adjust to the college game. He's far from the first freshman to go through that adjustment period. Broz transferred this summer to the University of Denver, where he'll look to find consistency in his play and continue the rise he began in the second half of his freshman season.
You can read my full feature on Broz from last month here.
5. Owen Pickering
Position: Defenseman
Age: 18
Size: 6-4, 181
Shoots: Left
Acquired: 2022 draft, first round
2021-22 stats: 62 games, 9 goals, 24 assists
Pickering is a couple of years away from even turning pro, but it's intriguing to think about what he might be able to bring in a couple of years.
Pickering is big, at 6-foot-4, and might still be growing. He's still lanky at 181 pounds, but that's unsurprising given that he was only 5-foot-7 three years ago. He's a late bloomer. He'll fill out in due time.
Pickering's biggest strengths of his game are his skating and hockey sense, as well as his puck skills. He has an offensive dimension to his game. He's working on adding more physicality to his game, something he didn't have when he was younger and undersized.
"He took major strides defensively, offensively this year," Penguins director of amateur scouting Nick Pryor said at the draft. "We're excited about his two-way game going forward. He skates extremely well for his size. He's grown a lot over the past couple years."
Pickering has the potential to be a big, well-rounded member of the Penguins' blue line in a few years.
Danny wrote this story on Pickering last month.
4. Sam Poulin
Position: Center/wing
Age: 21
Size: 6-1, 208
Shoots: Left
Acquired: 2019 draft, first round
2021-22 stats: 72 games, 16 goals, 21 assists (AHL)
Poulin's adjustment to the professional game didn't go smoothly in the beginning. He was making mistakes. There was a game in Utica in January in which Poulin committed an egregious turnover in his own end that quickly led to a Utica goal. It proved costly, with Wilkes-Barre losing the game by one goal. Poulin watched the next game from the press box, with coach J.D. Forrest later telling me that the decision was a result of "repetitive" mistakes.
After that game, Poulin's game did a complete 180 turnaround. Part of it was due to him just getting the message after the scratch. Part of it was due to some immediate chemistry with his new linemate Nylander, who was acquired via a trade right around that time. Perhaps the biggest part for Poulin's turnaround at that time was his move to center, a decision by the coaching staff made with the goal of speeding up Poulin's learning process, since centers get more puck touches. Poulin excelled in the role, and remained at center for the rest of the season. Poulin's ability to be strong on the puck down low helped him make plays as a center and be responsible in his own end.
I wouldn't pencil Poulin into the Penguins' NHL lineup just yet. He should be in Wilkes-Barre and playing at that high level for more than the half of a season he did. But if he comes in next season and is able to pick up where he left off and continue developing, he's someone who could be knocking on the door sometime later in the year.
Though Poulin excelled as a center in the second half of last season, most players like Poulin who have that versatility typically break into the NHL as a winger first. Poulin could turn into a solid middle-six winger for the Penguins down the line.
3. Valtteri Puustinen
Position: Right wing
Age: 23
Size: 5-9, 183
Shoots: Right
Acquired: 2019 draft, seventh round
2021-22 stats: 72 games, 20 goals, 22 assists (AHL), 1 game, 1 assist (NHL)
When Puustinen was making the jump to North America last season, I think one of the big questions was how he would adjust to the added defensive responsibilities and decision-making of the faster North American game. He's also undersized, and there were questions on how he would handle the physicality of the North American game.
None of that was ever an issue. Not even at the start of the season. His adjustment couldn't have gone better. Even at the start of the season, he was never a liability defensively. He's a responsible player.
"He's a smart player," Forrest said of Puustinen during the season. "He's not the biggest guy, but he knows how to win battles, and make some good plays on the wall coming out of our D zone. He reads the game extremely well, and that helps us with positioning in the D zone. I'm not afraid to put him out there in any situation. He's a tough little player. As far as his D zone, he definitely understands what we're trying to do in there. He's able to play that system."
Puustinen had a one-game opportunity in March when Kasperi Kapanen was a healthy scratch, skating on the right side of the third line. Puustinen being sent down after that game had more so to do with line combinations -- Brock McGinn had been injured in the game, a left winger was needed, and Puustinen hasn't played on the left side since he was in Finland. Puustinen was swapped for Zohorna as a result.
Puustinen is ready to be in the NHL now. There just needs to be an opening for him.
2. Joel Blomqvist
Position: Goaltender
Age: 20
Size: 6-2, 183
Catches: Left
Acquired: 2020 draft, second round
2021-22 stats: 20 games, 1.32 GAA, .940 SV% (Liiga), 1 game, 2.05 GAA, .926 SV% (AHL)
Blomqvist is coming off of an outstanding season as the backup for his club Karpat in the top Finnish league.
Blomqvist led the league in both goals-against average (1.32) and save percentage (.940) in 20 regular-season games, recording five shutouts. Blomqvist supplanted his team's starter in the postseason, and posted an exceptional 1.10 goals-against average and .950 save percentage in seven games as Karpat was eliminated in the first round of the Liiga playoffs.
"He's just a special guy," Tisi said of Blomqvist at development camp. "You see what he's done in Finland. It's been incredible. He progressed as the year developed last year, he took over the No. 1 role. His skillset as a goal is I think elite. We value that very much. He's got a calm demeanor. If you've ever had a chance to talk to him, he's an amazing kid -- young man, I should say. But he's just got a phenomenal skillset, talent."
Kostopoulos told reporters at the end of development camp that "you guys should get used to talking to (Blomqvist)," alluding to his future as an NHL goaltender.
Blomqvist did come to Wilkes-Barre at the end of last season, practicing for two weeks and appearing in one game before returning to Finland to complete his mandatory military service. It was a decision that cost him a spot on Finland's World Junior roster. Blomqvist told me in June that Finland's coaching staff told him that he "chose the NHL over the national team" because his stint in Wilkes-Barre coincided with a small four-nation European tournament that Blomqvist missed.
Blomqvist will stay in Finland next season, where he'll be Karpat's No. 1 goaltender. There's no timeline yet for when he will make the jump to North America. He'll likely start in Wilkes-Barre when that time comes, but I can't imagine he'll be in Wilkes-Barre very long.
1. P.O Joseph
Position: Defenseman
Age: 23
Size: 6-2, 185
Shoots: Left
Acquired: Phil Kessel trade
2021-22 stats: 61 games, 10 goals, 23 assists (AHL), 4 games (NHL)
When Kostopoulos was asked last month which players from Wilkes-Barre make the jump to the NHL, he first hesitated only to ask if Joseph is in that Wilkes-Barre category anymore.
"P.O Joseph, I think is NHL-ready," he said. "I think he can help this team. He's a great kid. He's a great teammate. He's a heck of a player. I'm excited about his camp."
Joseph was Wilkes-Barre's No. 1 defenseman for much of the season. He was on the left side of the top pairing for most of the year, quarterbacked the second power play unit, and was one of the regular penalty-killing defenseman.
One takeaway I had from watching Joseph in the AHL this past season is that he seemed to be more physical, or at least physically stronger so his hits were much more noticeable. He's able to dish out some heavy hits and was really effective at knocking guys off the puck last season. Each offseason he's added strength and some weight -- something both he and coaches have said don't always go hand, because the measures the team uses to quantify strength have grown significantly for Joseph in his time as a pro, even if the number on the scale doesn't change quite so drastically. Another full offseason in the weight room will be good for him.
Like Puustinen, Joseph is ready for the NHL now and there just needs to be a spot for him. He's one of nine capable defensemen the Penguins have at the moment, and competition is especially stiff on the left side, the only side Joseph is capable of playing.
If the Penguins move out a defenseman in a trade before the start of the season, it would open the door for Joseph to make the NHL roster where he belongs.
