A first person report from Prospect Conditioning Camp

by Hooks Orpik on Jul 22, 2009 11:30 AM EDT in Pittsburgh Penguins Prospects

Ian Altenbaugh, a writer for the website hockeysfuture.com, was at the Penguins prospect camp yesterday and offered a narrative of what he say. Ian had good things to say about Keven Veilleux and the Pens two fifth round picks from this season (Andy Bathgate and Alex Velischek) but he saved his highest praise for Eric Tangradi:

In day one, it was Tangradi who stood out the most. Reported to get surgery in about a week to clear up some scar tissue in his hand, the 20-year-old power forward did not engage in as much physical play as many of his other peers, but his play with and without the puck stood out amongst the Penguins prospect. Tangradi appears to be the most physically mature of the Penguins prospects. He is not built like any other player in any level of the system. I am reminded more of hulking forwards like Todd Bertuzzi, Milan Lucic, and Bobby Ryan than former Penguin Kevin Stevens. Still, his blend of size, skill, and power will invoke memories to those of us old enough to remember number 25 crashing the net while flanking Mario’s left side.

Interesting stuff after just day one, we'll keep on what Ian's got. Also for any Burgh area folks that might go out to the prospects camp, throw your thoughts in a fanpost or contact us at Pensburgh if you want to do a little reporting from the scene.

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ET

anyone know how long this minor surgery will sideline Tangradi?

by Deftone on Jul 22, 2009 12:13 PM EDT reply actions

Being as he’s on the ice now, I don’t think the wrist should be any hinderance come training camp in September.

Pensburgh.com -- it's like the Max Talbot of blogs*

*not just because we only work for 12 minutes a night

by Hooks Orpik on Jul 22, 2009 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Here’s an interview I did with the Pens’ director scouting, Jay Heinbuck, at the draft this year.

http://www.pensburgh.com/2009/6/29/928875/2009-pittsburgh-penguins-draft

He said he expected ET to make a full recovery and said all the rumors of it being potentially career threatening and whatnot were completely false.

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by FrankD on Jul 22, 2009 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions

I suffered a career ending injury once. It had something to do with a lack of talent, an overly sedentary lifestyle, and a lack of dedication to the craft. And my love of beer.

I think Robert Dome suffered from that, too.

I’m not too worried about Tangradi yet. Can’t wait to see him on Crosby’s wing. How’d that be for a trade? We deal Ryan Whitney for a pair of Crosby’s linemates (and a few Stanley Cups)?

"Oh, buy Sam a drink and get his dog one too!" - Mike Lange

by gorgalor on Jul 22, 2009 2:54 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs

Rec’d for the “love of beer” and a Robert Dome reference.

(we ought to pick up the rec’ing around here!)

Pensburgh.com -- it's like the Max Talbot of blogs*

*not just because we only work for 12 minutes a night

by Hooks Orpik on Jul 22, 2009 4:32 PM EDT up reply actions

(we ought to pick up the rec’ing around here!)

Couldn’t agree more. I think we need to work on an edumakational post to all those little features on here.

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by FrankD on Jul 22, 2009 6:12 PM EDT up reply actions

anything from day 2 ?
would love to hear someones thoughts on Hanowski since another site is comparing him to Thomas Vanek …sounds a lil extreme
happy to hear the 5th rd picks are showing some potential

by Deftone on Jul 22, 2009 7:07 PM EDT reply actions

Maybe they’re comparing him on numbers alone. I mean, the kid could very well be a diamond in the ruff, but he was also big fish in small pond up in Minnesota.

OK, I’m done with stupid metaphors.

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by FrankD on Jul 22, 2009 7:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Don’t put the cart before the horse FrankD, just because some of the metaphors are stupid doesn’t mean you should throw out the baby with the bathwater.

by Phantaskippy on Jul 23, 2009 8:13 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

haha

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by FrankD on Jul 23, 2009 10:56 AM EDT up reply actions

cool

I’ve been intrigued by Tangradi, knowing that he was brought into the Anaheim system by Brian Burke. Those guys know how to scout and develop forwards who are physical, strong skating, and have good offensive touch. All of which are elements that can only make the Pens better, especially around playoff time. I’d love to see him get a shot at the big club this year.

P is for Latrobe.

by holiday park on Jul 23, 2009 9:32 AM EDT reply actions

I know a lot of Anaheim fans hated to see Tangradi go. Especially because they gave up Kunitz in the package too. While CK may have teetered off a bit in the tail end of the playoffs, he was still playing a strong physical game that kept the Pens alive. Can’t say the same of Whitney in Anaheim…

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by FrankD on Jul 23, 2009 10:58 AM EDT up reply actions