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.