Below is the middle third of Hockey's Future NHL Organizational rankings as voted by the Hockey's Future staff. To determine the ranking, each team's entire prospect pool was taken into consideration. For reference, just the top five prospects are listed. To be eligible, a prospect must meet HF's prospect criteria. The rankings are done twice each season, in the fall and spring.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Team Depth Chart of NHL Prospects
Strengths
- Size and depth on defense
- Many NHL ready prospects
- Forwards with top-nine potential
Weaknesses
- Many top prospects are projects
- No goaltending depth
Legend of Players' Leagues
- Pro
- Playing in N.A. Pro (NHL, AHL, ECHL, etc.)
- CHL
- Playing in CHL (OHL, QMJHL, WHL)
- NCAA
- Playing in NCAA
- Europe
- Playing in Europe
- Junior
- Playing in Junior 'A' (USHL, BCHL, AJHL, etc.)
- N/A
- Not Categorized Yet
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2011 Draft class well represented in Penguins prospect awards Photo: Though there were many Penguins prospects to have breakout seasons in 2011-12, none were as dramatic as forward Ben Hanowski, who in his junior season managed 23 goals and 20 assists in 39 games, more than freshman and sophomore years combined. (Photo courtesy of Brace Hemmelgarn/Icon SMI) The inaugural edition of the Pittsburgh Penguins prospect awards reflects the values the organization espouses with their drafting and player development. They look for players of high character who are smart, well conditioned, willing to sacrifice themselves physically, and able to play well within a heavily structured team game. The organization also values defenseman over all other positions, believing that defensive prospects are the hardest to identify and develop. Prospect of the Year: Joe Morrow, D, Portland Winterhawks (WHL) Pittsburgh Penguins boast deep and talented group of NCAA prospects Photo: Despite playing in only 10 games in 2011-12, Beau Bennett decided to sign an entry-level deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins, ending his NCAA career. In two seasons with Denver, Bennett managed 38 points in 47 games. (Photo courtesy of Patrick S. Blood/Icon SMI)The Penguins have drafted heavily from the NCAA over the past several years, particularly in the mid-to-late rounds. The strategy makes sense, as it gives players who likely have glaring holes in their game more time to develop before the organization has to make a decision as to whether to sign them or not. The lighter NCAA schedule is also conducive to players who may take longer to physically mature. Wheeling hires Alain LemieuxThe Wheeling Nailers, ECHL affiliate of the Pens, hired Alain Lemieux as Lemieux is, of course, the older brother of Pens owner Mario Lemieux. The Pens also announced that they will be making more of an effort to They will also be doing some cross-promotions with Wheeling on their Pens sign 3 recent draft picks |
