A Few More Prospects Standing Out in Pittsburgh Penguins Camp

by FrankD on Jul 14, 2011 10:24 PM EDT in Pittsburgh Penguins Prospects

Yesterday we took a look at some of the prospects making names for themselves in Penguins prospect camp, among them Philip Samuelsson, Rob Madore and Andre Blazek. Today we'll take a little look at a few others who are turning some heads in camp.

Tom Kuhnhackl is a name that was thrown around a bit in some of the comments on yesterday's post. I guess one thing I didn't really consider with Kuhnhackl's presence in camp is his adjustment to the rink. After all, the international rink is much bigger, inviting the use of long passes, breakout plays and slow momentum. Now, in camp, the Tribune-Review's Annie Maroon writes:

If Kuhnhackl had a hard time adjusting, it doesn't show in his statistics. He finished the year with 39 goals and 29 assists for 68 points in 63 games. In the postseason, when the Spitfires lost in the OHL's Western Conference Finals, he led the team with 23 points in 18 games.

Trib-Review

The Pens selected Kuhnhackl 110th overall in the 2010 Draft, so his presence in camp is at least a good sign that they're keeping him in the team's plans.

Defenseman Simon Despres, taking 30th overall in 2009, is another prospect worthy of consideration in camp this season. We all had a chance to watch him play in the preseason last season, and a few lucky ones even had the opportunity to watch him lend a hand in leading the QMJHL's St. John Sea Dogs to a record-setting 58 wins en route to the Memorial Cup victory.

Despres immediate future is still a question mark, but there's no doubt he's going somewhere in the right direction within the Penguins' organization:

"Winning the Memorial Cup finished off a very good junior career, and I think I'm ready to take on my pro career," Despres said. "I really don't know what to think. I'm going into camp thinking I want to make the team and I want to work hard to do that, but if I have to go to Wilkes-Barre (of the AHL) I will work that much harder just to get to the NHL."

TSN.CA

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Shelly Anderson tossed up an article geared toward the progress of prospect Kevin Veilleux. At 6-foot-5, you'd expect that kind of frame to be locked somewhere in the defensive end. But Veilleux is making it work as a forward. Based on his willingness to drop the mitts (122 penalty minutes) on top of potting a few goals(12g, 24a last season with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton), I can't help but draw the comparison to a young Ryan Malone. Stick that big body in front of the net, screen a few goalies and if the defenseman gets a lil scrappy then watch him drop the gloves and knock some teeth out. There are plenty of options for Dan Bylsma to work with when it comes to a player like that.

Anderson also got some ink for another feature on Samuelsson that highlights the comparisons (even if they're not there) to Philip's father and former Penguin Ulf. Philip claims to have a bit of a mean streak to him, but I'll be the first to suggest he still has a little ways to go if he wants to elevate to dad's style of play:

Philip might be a more polished puck mover than Ulf Samuelsson, the uber-popular Penguins hit machine who played 277 games here and won the Stanley Cup in 1991 and '92.

"I was thinking more of the same thing, too, but I was watching some of his game tapes recently, and I think we're pretty spot on, pretty similar style defensemen," Philip said.

Post-Gaz

That'll do it for today's look at prospects. Camp wraps up Saturday afternoon. I'm sure we'll have plenty more stuff to share before then.

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Comments

Veilleux beefed up a bit during last season and managed to avoid any major injuries, which was a big concern.

Now, hopefully, he’s ready for an year when he can dominate in the AHL (remember he was close to a point-per-game player during the final third of the 2010/2011 regular season) and if he does that I wouldn’t be surprised to see him get his first NHL call-up.

Compared to Ryan Malone, I think, Veilleux plays with more skill and less grit (yes, he fights, but isn’t nearly the pest Malone was in front of the net), but if he can develop more in that direction he could be a very good 3L RW option within 2 years.

You have to see it for yourself...

by Bla Razor on Jul 15, 2011 8:22 AM EDT reply actions

wouldn’t Tangradi be a better Malone comparable?

by AronV on Jul 15, 2011 10:14 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah I was basing strictly off description. Admittedly I have not see Veilleux play, but if he’s a 6-foot-5 forward who likes to crush a few faces too I can see him perhaps being a gritter version of Malone.

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by FrankD on Jul 15, 2011 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions