Penguins Prospect Camp: July 12 - 17

by FrankD on Jul 6, 2010 1:39 PM EDT

There is often a lot of talk about how the NHL and NBA are similar off the court/ice. Both have 82-game seasons, best-of-seven series, are in-season right around the same time and have a league of 30 teams. I'm sure you could find more comparisons, but that's just a little idea of what I'm getting at here.

One more thing the NHL and/or teams should consider "borrowing" from the NBA is the idea of broadcasting prospect camps. The NBA has a Summer League, with games going on right now, available for free online via a broadband connection. Most are guys who play in the Development League looking to make an impression, but others include guys who were recently drafted or bench guys looking to stay conditioned or hoping to improve for the following year.

I guess I started thinking about this recently when I saw that the Pens are holding Prospect Camp between July 12 and 17. Eric Tangradi, Simon Despres and other 2009 Draft picks Ben Hanowski and Andy Bathgate will be on hand for the event. It would be pretty sweet if you could load up a video player at wo...er, at home, to watch these guys skate around and mix it up a bit. I'm not asking for play-by-play commentary or even any over-the-top production work. Just maybe a small production camera job with a few mixed angles of play. That'd be pretty cool. Right?

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I know this has absolutely nothing to do with the Penguins prospect camp, but I’m going to post it anyway: It appears that the Blues goaltending woes may just be over.

by kellyn on Jul 6, 2010 2:01 PM EDT reply actions

Yeah, I saw that before too. Give it time. All it takes is one presidential candidate’s red carpet to take out a Blues goaltender.

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by FrankD on Jul 6, 2010 2:02 PM EDT up reply actions

All it takes is one presidential candidate’s red carpet to take out a Blues goaltender.

I’d forgotten about that. It’s funny ‘cause it’s sadly true.

by kellyn on Jul 6, 2010 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions

So here’s a good question for all you Penguins fan that follow the team’s prospects far closer than I do: Who would you like to see make it to training camp out of this prospect camp and why? Also, who are your favourite prospects and when do you see them cracking the Pens lineup? (I am so bored.)

by kellyn on Jul 6, 2010 2:12 PM EDT reply actions

With the lack of room there’s the hope Tangradi is nothing short of the next Kevin Stevens, pre face injury. No pressure, eh kid?

I thought Despres might get an early season NHL look, and maybe he still does if he REALLY stands out, but he’s going to have to be dominant in this camp and great in the big boy training camp.

It’ll be interesting to see how Beau Bennett looks with the rest of the gang, same with Petersen and Hanowski. They’re all goal scorers, so hopefully they will score goals.

Personally if Veilleux is healthy again what impact he could have at the AHL level this season.

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"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."

by Hooks Orpik on Jul 6, 2010 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions

i feel bad for Hanowski… He’s gonna get hammered in the pros. Undersized but such a good goal getter…

Tangradi too… If he doesn’t do well out the gate, I’d expect most of us to feel very hurt. The poor kid’s being hailed here as our new top 6 winger for crying out loud… Talk about pressure… sheesh!

Is it October yet?

Just so I never have to answer this again. I'm from Singapore so whenever you see me online, I'm either sleep deprived or just waking up.

by Alighieri on Jul 6, 2010 5:17 PM EDT up reply actions

But have you seen Hanowski play? I’m not saying that as a direct shot at your statement, I’m saying that having the option to see him play would be nice. Then we can draw our own assessments of him. I feel if this were an option a few years ago, people wouldn’t have been hailing Janne Pesonen as the second coming of Jagr.

Hanowski played really well in Minnesota. Can’t really say how well he played at St. Cloud last season because his stat page on the college’s site is pretty hard to navigate. But I’d like to see him in prospect camp. Just to see how he’s coming along. To get a little better idea how far he has to come or how close he may be with my own two eyes.

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by FrankD on Jul 6, 2010 7:39 PM EDT up reply actions

i wanna see him play… but he’s been hailed as a pretty good goalscorer around the draft next year and the precedent for undersized record goal scorers is pretty hit or miss…

That’s why i love these prospect camps…

Is it October yet?

Just so I never have to answer this again. I'm from Singapore so whenever you see me online, I'm either sleep deprived or just waking up.

by Alighieri on Jul 6, 2010 7:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Eggzackly. And that’s why I wanna see him play. And that’s why I wish the league or teams would make it available to fans.

Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.

by FrankD on Jul 6, 2010 8:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Hanowski isn’t big, but he’s not Brett Sterling size…if Hanowski can skate well and is shifty he could be a goal scorer at the pro level. Big if but it’s possible.

SB Nation PIttsburgh

"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."

by Hooks Orpik on Jul 6, 2010 10:57 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

here’s hoping… i’m kinda glad they don’t open it to fans… how the hell am i gonna get any work done if they do? Between that and the World Cup, I’d kill myself keeping up…

Is it October yet?

Just so I never have to answer this again. I'm from Singapore so whenever you see me online, I'm either sleep deprived or just waking up.

by Alighieri on Jul 7, 2010 9:31 AM EDT up reply actions

This is right down my alley

-Despres may very well pull a Kris Letang and play a few NHL games before returning to the Q
-With the cap issues the pens have, I would expect at least one WBS forward to make the big pens roster
Most likely candidates would be:
Nick Johnson, Chris Conner, Mark Letestu, or Dustin Jeffrey

-Tangradi will likely need another year in the minors, so don’t be dissapointed if he doesn’t make the team out of camp

-Also I would expect Ben Lovejoy to finally make the big Pens roster full time

It all really depends on training camp

Other players to watch out for:
Brian Strait
Robert Bortuzzo
Deryk Engrelland
Steve Wagner
Ryan Craig
Brett Sterling

College d-men Alex Velischek and Nicholas D’Agostino may also get a look

by stoopidtom on Jul 6, 2010 2:56 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

The two college guys won’t be in training camp in Sept, they’ll be back on campus. They’ll get a look at summer prospect camp, if that’s what you mean, but they’re light years away from any serious looks.

Also good call on Dustin Jeffrey. He’s almost a point/game scorer in the AHL. He’s “been around the block” for a prospect, including the handful of NHL games and the time he’s spent for 2 playoffs on the NHL “black aces” practice squad. Maybe he can impress, that sure would be nice.

SB Nation PIttsburgh

"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."

by Hooks Orpik on Jul 6, 2010 3:08 PM EDT up reply actions

thx for the heads up on the college guys. I figured they might get an invite after strong college seasons.
I think Jeffrey could fill that 3C spot for much cheaper leaving the pens more cap space.

by stoopidtom on Jul 6, 2010 3:24 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Also something not mentioned but caught my eye: Tom Fitzgerald will be there helping to instruct. I think pretty highly of him and his abilities, I’m happy he’s in that role. Todd Reirden (the WB/S coach) is in charge of it, but I think it’s good Fitzgerald is there too.

SB Nation PIttsburgh

"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."

by Hooks Orpik on Jul 6, 2010 3:16 PM EDT reply actions

that’s great to hear about Fitzgerald

by Diomedes7 on Jul 6, 2010 5:24 PM EDT up reply actions

I remember watching some video of the prospects last year for the development camp. It wasn’t much, but a little, and mostly them in the training room with a little skating and lots of interview. I agree that more would be better. .

by SuMac on Jul 6, 2010 4:04 PM EDT reply actions

Does anyone know details on the camp? Where it will be, times, etc? I’ll be in Pittsburgh that weekend and if its at Southpointe and its open to the public, I may look to try and watch.

"Play without fear and I'll meet you at Center Ice" - Mario Lemieux

by jetpen89 on Jul 6, 2010 11:02 PM EDT reply actions

It will be at Southpointe, according to this article.

by PensAreYourDaddy on Jul 6, 2010 11:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Click the link for penguins.com the physcials won’t be open but all the on ice activities are all at Southpointe and they will all be open to the public.

SB Nation PIttsburgh

"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."

by Hooks Orpik on Jul 6, 2010 11:06 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions