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1. Ryan Whitney, D - Boston University Terriers

 

Much of the 2002-03 season saw Ryan Whitney playing with a bad ankle, which caused his stats to dip from his freshman year. He seems to have recovered nicely scoring six more points this season than he had all of last year already. He has 18 points (6 goals, 12 assists) in 28 games so far. The large, smooth skating defender is easily the Penguins top prospect. He has the skill to be a top pairing offensive defenseman.

 

2. Noah Welch, D - Harvard University Crimson

 

An early season favorite to be a Hobey Baker finalist, Welch’s numbers aren’t as great as they were last year. He’s moved up to No. 2 in the rankings because he is the complete package for a defenseman. He is large, mobile and possesses excellent offensive instincts in addition to being very solid in his own end. So far this season Welch has 11 points (4 goals, 7 assists) in 24 games.

 

3. Sergei Anshakov, F - CSKA Moscow

 

Anshakov joined the Penguins organization via the Los Angeles Kings when he and Martin Strbak were traded for Martin Straka. He is the Penguins most skilled prospect at the forward position. He is large and very fast, but he will have to add some more mass to his frame before he makes it to the NHL. Anshakov was the leading scorer for Team Russia at the World Junior Championship in Finland this year with 9 points (2 goals, 7 assists).

 

4. Colby Armstrong, RW - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins

 

Armstrong has been steadily improving his overall play this season. In 38 games he has recorded 18 points (7 goals, 11 assists), the same amount he scored in 73 games last season. He has the size, skill, grit and leadership to be a very effective second/third line forward in the NHL.

 

5. Matt Murley, LW - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins

 

No one was surprised that Matt Murley made the big team after having such a strong camp. What was surprising was his ineffective play for the first three games of the season, which earned him a trip back to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Although Murley is having a somewhat down year compared to last year’s excellent rookie campaign, he recently scored three points in his first AHL All-Star game.

 

6. Maxime Talbot, C - Gatineau Olympiques

 

Talbot has picked up right where he left off last season. After producing 104 points (46 goals, 58 assists) in 69 games last season and 44 points (14 goals, 30 assists) in 20 playoff games, Talbot has scored 69 points (15 goals, 54 assists) in 38 games so far. In addition to his scoring he was also selected as captain for Team Canada at the 2004 World Junior Championships. Talbot’s big numbers won’t likely translate to the NHL, but the Penguins are hoping that his leadership and feistiness will. He should be a lock for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton next season.

 

7. Ben Eaves, C - Boston College Eagles

 

Even though he is injured again, Ben Eaves is still leading the Eagles in scoring. The captain of the Eagles is playing his senior season and also seems to be a lock for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton next season. With the amount of skill he has, Eaves will likely be a productive player when he is healthy, and next season will be a test to see if his 5’8” frame can take the grind of a physical 80 game schedule in the AHL.

 

8. Michel Ouellet, LW - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins

 

After spending all but four games of the 2002-03 season with the Wheeling Nailers of the ECHL, Ouellet has come on strong in his rookie season with the Baby Penguins, scoring 22 goals in 50 games. As one of the best pure goal scorers in the Pens farm system, Ouellet needs to his improve his skating and he could become a valuable player for the Penguins.

 

9. Michal Sivek, F - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins

 

Although Sivek’s season has been lost to injury and his point production has slipped, his mix of size, speed, leadership, and physical play keeps in the Penguins top 10. Once he matures as a player and finds his NHL game he could end up being a valuable second/third line contributor.

 

 

10. Patrik Bartschi, C - Kloten Flyers

 

Bartschi came out of nowhere last season to lead the World Junior Championships in scoring. He returned to the WJC’s this season, although he did not lead the tournament in scoring he still put up a respectable 8 points (3 goals, 5 assists). Along with Ouellet, Bartschi is one of the best pure scoring talents the Penguins have in their system.

 

11. Andy Chiodo, G - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins

 

After winning the OHL Goaltender of the Year award for his efforts in the 2002-03 season, Chiodo was inexplicably not signed by the New York Islanders, who had originally drafted him in the sixth round of the 2001 draft. The Penguins snagged him in the seventh round of the 2003 draft and he has responded with a productive rookie season in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

 

12. Matt Moulson, RW - Cornell University Big Red

 

As a freshman, Moulson led the Big Red in scoring with 23 points (13 goals, 10 assists) in 33 games. In his sophomore season, Moulson has yet to disappoint. The large, quick skating forward has scored 30 (15 goals, 15 assists) points already this season in 25 games. If he continues to progress and translate his game to the NHL he could one of the biggest steals in the 2003 draft.

 

 

13. Paul Bissonnette, D - Saginaw Spirit

 

Bissonnette nearly made the Penguins out of training camp earlier this year. With the way the Penguins are playing this season, that can easily be turned into a punch line for a joke, but it actually speaks volumes about how mature and poised Bissonnette was for an 18-year-old at his first NHL training camp. The Spirit’s captain’s stats are down this year, but that is to be expected playing on a bad team. He should receive another long look in training camp next season.

 

 

14. Daniel Fernholm, D - Djurgarden

 

Fernholm was said to have first round talent going into his draft year in 2002. He is finally starting to show it this season. Playing regularly for the first time in the SEL, Fernholm has been very consistent. In addition to his offensive skills, Fernholm is also a gigantic player at 6’4” 230 lbs. He will likely need a few more years in the SEL, but he could end up being a steal out of the fourth round.

 

15. Ross Lupaschuk, D - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins

 

Lupaschuk has made great strides in his defensive over the past two seasons. He is currently leading the WBS Penguins in plus/minus right now. Unfortunately, he has had to sacrifice his offensive game to do so. So far this season he has scored three goals, far off the pace he was on last year where he ended up with 18. If he continues to work on his defense, which is still questionable at times, Lupaschuk has a decent chance at making the big squad next year.

 

16. Bobby Geopfert, G - Providence College Friars

 

After starring at the 2003 WJC’s along with another young goaltender in the Penguins organization, Geopfert has continued his success during his sophomore season with the Friars. He was named Hockey East Player of the Week for the first time on February 6^th. So far this season he has two shutouts and a .920 save percentage.

 

17. Ryan Stone, C - Brandon Wheat Kings

 

Despite some injuries, Stone has played well this year, equaling his point total of 45 (14 goals, 31 assists) from last year in 12 fewer games. He is a strong and gritty player who works hard in the corners and will stand up for his teammates, which has seen him rack up104 minutes in the penalty box so far this season.

 

18. Daniel Carcillo, LW - Sarnia Sting

 

Carcillo was considered one of the best agitators in the 2003 Entry Draft when the Penguins selected him in the third round. He has already matched last year’s goal total of 29 in 12 fewer games. Carcillo also appears to be on his way to equaling or topping the 157 PIM’s he had last year with 131 in his first 53 games.

 

 

19. Erik Christensen, C - Brandon Wheat Kings

 

After failing to make the Penguins AHL affiliate in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Christensen returned to the Kamloops Blazers of the WHL. After a disappointing start to the season, Christensen was traded to Brandon where he has scored 28 points (15 goals, 13 assists) in 23 games. Questions about Christensen’s work ethic and willingness to play in traffic might prevent him from ever playing up to his potential in the NHL. Christensen is out of junior eligibility after this season, so next year in the AHL will be a big test.

 

20. Vladimir Malenkykh, D - Lada Togliatti

 

Malenkykh is considered one of the best defensemen in the Russian Super League. He is quite possibly the biggest hitter in the Penguins farm system. Since being drafted in 1999, Malenkykh has spent the past five seasons with Lada Togliatti. So far this season he has 4 points (1 goal, 3 assists) in and 34 PIM’s in 33 games.

 

 

Missing the Cut

 

Stephen Dixon,C - Cape Breton Screaming Eagles

 

Dixon played along side Talbot and Fleury at the 2004 World Junior Championships in a checking role and came home with a silver medal for his effort. He also is third on the Screaming Eagles team in points with 56 (15 goals, 41 assists).

 

Andy Schneider, D - University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux

 

The captain of the Fighting Sioux had an outstanding 2002-03 season, scoring 41 points in 43 games. So far this season he has only 8 points in 27 games.

 

 

Alex Roleau, D - Wheeling Nailers

 

After scoring 45 points (16 goals, 29 assists) and adding 166 PIM’s in 55 games with the Val d’Or Foreurs and the Quebec Remparts during the 2002-03 season, Roleau has only produced 1 goal in 19 games for the Wheeling Nailers and 1 assist in 11 games for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.

 

Drew Fata, D - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins

 

The smooth skating, hard hitting defenseman was recently recalled from the Wheeling Nailers for a second stint with the WBS Penguins. In 12 games he has scored 1 goal and is -2.

 

Lukas Bolf, D - Barrie Colts

 

The first year Czech import is one of the team leaders in plus/minus on one of the top teams in the OHL. In 49 games Bolf has scored 16 points (1 goal, 15 assists).

 

 

Organizational Assessment

 

Even with Marc Andre Fleury and Sebastien Caron graduating from the Penguins minor league system, the organization is not as bare between the pipes as some might think. Andy Chiodo and Bobby Geopfert are both having good seasons in their respective leagues. Chiodo was called up to Pittsburgh on February 16th. He will make his first NHL start against the team that originally drafted him, the New York Islanders.

 

Moving on to the forwards, the biggest knock on the Penguins farm system has been the lack of pure scorers and star caliber forwards. Over the past two seasons a few scorers have emerged, most noticeably Michel Ouellet and Patrik Bartschi. The addition of Sergei Anshakov from the Kings has helped them in this department too, but they are still lacking a star player who can bring people to the arena. With several early round picks, possibly including the No. 1 overall pick, the Penguins will have a great opportunity to address this need. Alexander Ovechkin is a lock for the first overall pick, but even if the Pens pick second or third they can still land a great scoring forward prospect in Evgeni Malkin, Robbie Schremp or Rostislav Olesz.

 

One of the most appealing aspects of the Penguins system is their depth of gritty forwards who can score. While it’s unlikely these players will bring their big junior numbers to the NHL, their grit and leadership combined with their scoring could provide the Penguins with a potent second/third line that could punish their opponents as well as score.

 

Gatineau Olympiques captain Maxime Talbot is a tough player and great locker room presence. He has climbed the organizational depth chart since being drafted in the eighth round in 2002. Second round and third round draft picks in 2003 Ryan Stone and Daniel Carcillo were considered to be two of the best grit players available. Due to injuries over the past two seasons, Michal Sivek has fallen down the rankings, but it is too early to write off the gritty forward from the Czech Republic.

 

Also representing the Penguins AHL club are Colby Armstrong and Matt Murley. Murley is known more for his scoring, but he can still play a physical game and Armstrong is known more for his leadership and grit, but can score also. Along with Sivek, these two seem to be the most NHL ready and very well could be on the big club next year.

 

The strongest aspect of the Penguins minor league system is the depth they possess on defense. Even with Brooks Orpik graduating, the Penguins still have plenty of high caliber defensemen in college, in the minor leagues and in Europe. The Penguins top two defensive prospects and top two overall, Ryan Whitney and Noah Welch join Orpik being American born and having attended college in the Boston area. Daniel Fernholm and Vladimir Malenkykh are currently playing in the top leagues in their respective countries. Ross Lupaschuk is playing in his third AHL season and is getting closer to securing a spot on an NHL roster, while Paul Bissonnette came very close to earning a roster spot during his first NHL camp.