Player's Profile
Picture Courtesy of www.theahl.com
- Name: Bobby Sanguinetti
- Position: D
- Shoots: Right
- Height: 6-3
- Weight: 190 lbs
- Birthdate: 1988-02-29
- Eligible for Draft: 2006
- Drafted:
- Hometown: Lumberton, New Jersey
- Acquired: Trade with New York Rangers, 2010
- Playing In: Pro
Bobby Sanguinetti
Prospect Grade: 7.0 C (About Prospect Grades)
Profile Contributed By: HF Staff
History
2004-05: Sanguinetti was named to the OHL Second All-Rookie team after making his debut with the Owen Sound Attack. He scored 4 goals with 20 assists and was +16 with 12 PIM in 67 regular season games for Owen Sound. He appeared in five of eight playoff games and had two assists with +2 plus/minus rating as the Attack swept Plymouth before falling in four straight to Kitchener.
2005-06: Sanguinetti enjoyed a breakout sophomore year in Owen Sound, scoring 14 goals with 51 assists and 65 PIM in 68 regular season games. Unlike in his first year, Sanguinetti made his presence felt in the playoffs with 5 goals, four on the power play, and 10 assists in 11 games as the Attack defeated Kitchener to avenge their loss in 2004-05 before again falling in the second round, this time in a six-game series with London. Sanguinetti was selected by the New York Rangers in the 1st round (21st overall) of the 2006 NHL draft.
2006-07: Sanguinetti's third OHL season was a bit of a mixed bag. He once again had decent offensive numbers for Owen Sound, though he did not approach the 51 assists he had in 2005-06, but was at times exposed in the defensive zone and struggled some with his positional play with a -16 plus/minus rating that was among the worst on the team. In 67 regular season games, he scored 23 goals with 30 assists, with 18 of those goals coming on the power play. Although he scored 3 goals with 3 assists in the Attack’s four game playoff loss to London, his defensive deficiencies were again apparent as London scored six or more goals in three of the four games and Sanguinetti finished -6. Following the OHL playoffs he signed an amateur try-out contract with the Rangers’ AHL affiliate in Hartford and seemed to thrive at the higher level of competition. In five regular season games with the Wolfpack, he had 3 assists with an even plus/minus rating. He also appeared in seven playoff games for Hartford and was +1 with 1 assist and 2 PIM. He was traded from Owen Sound to Brampton in the off-season.
2007-08: Whether it was because of the AHL experience he gained in Hartford, or just the fact that Brampton was a stronger club, Sanguinetti’s play was much-improved on both ends of the ice. Named an alternate captain by the Battalion, Sanguinetti was the leading goal-scorer among defensemen while maintaining a much more respectable +10 plus/minus. In 61 games during the regular season, he scored 29 goals with 41 assists with 38 penalties and was a sniper on the power play, scoring 17 times. Despite the change of scenery, the OHL playoffs again ended in disappointment. In a low-scoring, tight-checking series, the Battalion was defeated by Barrie in five games, with the Colts twice winning in OT. Sanguinetti joined the Wolfpack following the OHL season. In 11 games in Hartford including the playoffs, he had one assist with 4 PIM. After being +1 in the regular season, he was -4 in five playoff games for Hartford. Sanguinetti also represented the United States at the WJC U-20 tournament, scoring 1 goal with 2 assists in six games for the fourth-place USA squad.
2008-09:Sanguinetti was solid, if not spectacular, in his first full season of pro hockey with Hartford. In 78 regular season games with Hartford, he scored 6 goals with 36 assists with 42 PIM. As in his junior days, his excellent offensive ability was off-set by inconsistent defensive play, as was evident in his -8 plus/minus. In the Wolfpack’s six-game, first round playoff loss to Worcester, he scored 1 goal with 4 assists and was -1 with 6 PIM.
2009-10: Sanguinetti entered training camp competing for one of two open defense spots but when the Rangers chose to go with rookies Michael Del Zotto and Matt Gilroy he was the odd man out and ended up back in Hartford. He made his NHL debut on a call-up in late November but during a three game span quickly found himself in the doghouse after making defensive errors which cost the Rangers goals. Saw action in two more games on a second call-up in December and looked more comfortable but when other Ranger defensemen returned to the lineup he was returned to Hartford for the remainder of the season. Stat-wise, Sanguinetti had a decent season for the Wolfpack, scoring 6 goals, three on the power play, with 29 assists and 22 PIM in 61 games. However, his inconsistent defensive play and -9 plus/minus, as well as the presence of three young defensemen in New York with other prospects on the way were signs that his tenure with the Rangers might be coming to an end. The Rangers traded Sanguinetti to Carolina in June for a sixth round pick in 2010 and a second round pick in 2011.
2010-11: Sanguinetti had a difficult first season with the Carolina organization. After failing to crack the Hurricanes lineup out of training camp he started the year with Charlotte (AHL). He then suffered a hip injury in November that required surgery and kept him out of the Checkers' lineup until mid-March. In 31 regular season games for Charlotte he scored 3 goals with 12 assists and was an even plus/minus with 6 PMs. He appeared in ten AHL playoff games and was -4 with 2 assists and 6 PMs.
Talent Analysis
Sanguinetti is blessed with offensive gifts and knows when to jump into the play for an offensive chance. With outstanding skating and puck-handling abilities, Sanguinetti is a dynamic force on the blueline with equal skill in moving both north/south and east/west. He needs to focus more on the play in his own zone, playing smarter, stronger, and tougher in his own defensive end. Though not particularly strong, he is tall and fast with the ability to make a sharp first pass. While his long reach is an effective tool in the defensive game, Sanguinetti is far from polished when it comes from identifying potential threats and positioning himself to prevent scoring opportunities by the opponents.
Future
While things did not work out for him in New York, Sanguinetti has skills that compare favorably with some of the better offensive defensemen in the game. With Joe Corvo back in Carolina, Sanguinetti could end up back in the AHL this season, which isn't the worst place for a 22-year old who is still developing physically and needs to become more well-rounded in his game. Sanguinetti will never be a shut down defenseman, nor should he try to be. Until he becomes less of a defensive liability, it is unlikely he'll have the opportunity to be the first or second pairing defenseman he was projected to be.
Stats
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Profile Last Updated: October, 12th 2011
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