Tag Archives: comparison

Pens sign Jayson Megna to 2-year entry level deal

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The Pittsburgh Penguins announced today that they have signed 22-year-old forward prospect Jayson Megna to a 2-year, 2-way entry-level deal.

Megna left the University of Nebraska-Omaha (NCAA) after just one season, where he compiled 31 points (13+18) in 38 games. As a freshman, he was named to the WHCA All-Rookie Team.

We talked with Matthew Semisch of Radio Free Omaha, where he watched and covered Megna and his former team extensively the past season. Here’s what he had to say:

 

Hi Eric-

Megna had a very promising season for Nebraska Omaha last year and finished very strong in his final year in the USHL, having averaged a goal every other game (30-28-58 in 60 GP) with Cedar Rapids. Far and away UNO’s most promising freshman forward last season; I had expected Josh Archibald to be the one to watch, but he faltered whereas Megna was more consistent throughout the season.

 

I like him as an all-around forward. He knows where the net is, but he’s also very good at setting up his linemates. He could stand to develop as a two-way player, and hopefully that’s what will happen when he goes to (I’m guessing) WBS. It’ll be interesting to see if and how often he gets used on the power play. I think it’d be unfair to judge his special teams play on last season, given that UNO’s PP was the worst in the WCHA in 2011-12.

 

In the offensive zone, he reminds me a lot of David Backes. Backes is becoming more and more well-known for his play in the defensive zone, as well, though, and the hope is that – although Megna was a very respectable +13 last season, that number goes up even more on a team that’s more consistent all over the ice.

 

He has a shot at making it to the show at some stage, but I don’t see it happening right away. A lot of UNO fans I’ve talked to were shocked by Megna’s decision to move on so quickly, and some have wondered aloud whether it was him signing a deal now so as to try and beat a possible upcoming lockout.

 

Either way, Megna’s departure is a big loss for UNO. The Mavericks lost Terry Broadhurst to Chicago a few months ago, and with those two gone, a lot of people are going to be asking where the Mavericks’ goals will come from next season.

 

Hope that helps.

 

Megna is slated to begin his pro career this upcoming season with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL), and due to the large number of forwards in the system could even spend some time with the Wheeling Nailers of the ECHL.

Finally, pending the almost definite re-signings of RFA’s Eric Tangradi, Robert Bortuzzo, and Alex Grant, this will put the Penguins at the 50 contract limit mark for the time being.

A big thanks to Matthew for some good insight on the newest Penguin.

 

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Scouting Report: Teddy Blueger

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Name: Teddy Blueger           2012-13 Club: Minnesota State (NCAA) or Oshawa (OHL)
aka: Theodor Blueger

Height/Weight: 5’11, 180

DOB: 8/15/1994

National Team: Latvia 

 

Drafted: 2nd round (52nd overall), 2012 (Pittsburgh)

Out of: Shattuck St. Mary’s (USHS)

Acquired: Draft

 

Player Type: Playmaker

Comparable: David Krejci

 

Assets: Vision, above average passing, work ethic, defensively responsible

Could improve: Size and strength, bring a consistently physical game

 

Projected: Blueger is another player that the Penguins had very ranked high on their draft board compared to others. He is currently deciding whether to take the OHL or NCAA route for next season. His upside is very high offensively, and projects as a top-6 NHL center. His highest attribute is by far his playmaking and passing ability, as he can distribute the puck to areas on the ice that seem almost impossible to do so.

 

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Scouting Report: Sean Maguire

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Name: Sean Maguire                     2012-13 Club: Boston University (NCAA)

Height/Weight: 6’2, 201

DOB: 2/2/1994

National Team: Canada

@smag31

 

Drafted: 4th round (113th overall), 2012 (Pittsburgh)

Out of: Powell River Kings (BCHL)

Acquired: Draft

 

Goalie Type: Hybrid

Comparable: Cory Schneider

 

Assets: Athleticism, never quit attitude, hard worker, lateral movement

Could improve: Playing the puck, glove hand, poise

 

Projected: Maguire, the second goalie chosen by Pittsburgh in the 2012 draft, also has aspirations to play in the NHL one day. He stood tall in net for the World Junior-A Canada West team, and led them to a gold medal at the Tier 2 Championships. Maguire has NHL potential due to his natural size and athleticism, but he must start his development on the right path next season at Boston University.

 

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Scouting Report: Matt Murray

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Name: Matt Murray                        2012-13 Club: Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)

Height/Weight: 6’3, 159

DOB: 5/25/1994

National Team: Canada

@mattmurray_30

 

Drafted: 3rd round (83rd overall), 2012 (Pittsburgh)

Out of: Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)

Acquired: Draft

 

GoalieType: Butterfly

Comparable: Jonas Gustavsson

 

Assets: Tall, mental toughness, hockey sense, stays square with shooters

Could improve: Fill out his lanky frame, rebound control, skating quickness, lateral movement

 

Projected: Murray, rated in the top 5 available goalies out of the 2012 draft, maintains NHL potential as he currently stands. Whether that’s starting or a back-up role is what remains to be seen. His height, technical ability, and mental toughness is what could separate him from others in a good way. This season, he will be in his first ever starter’s role in the OHL with Sault Ste. Marie.

 

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Scouting Report: Jeff Zatkoff

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Name: Jeff Zatkoff                         2012-13 Club: Wilkes-Barre (AHL)

Height/Weight: 6’2, 192

DOB: 6/9/1987

National Team: USA

@jeffzatkoff

 

Drafted: 3rd round (74th overall), 2006 (Los Angeles)

Out of: Miami University (NCAA)

Acquired: Signed as a free agent on July 1, 2012

 

Goalie Type: Butterfly

Comparable: Brian Elliott

 

Assets: Composure, above average poise and presence, stays square with shooters

Could improve: Lateral quickness, stay positive mentally, puck handling

 

Projected: Zatkoff fell out of favor with the Los Angeles Kings organization after putting four pretty good pro seasons together, thanks to the emergence of NHL’ers Jonathan Quick and Jonathan Bernier. Entering his final season of “prospect eligibility” at 25, Zatkoff is now looking to beat out Brad Thiessen for the number one goaltending spot in Wilkes-Barre. He maintains NHL back-up potential, and could very well be Pittsburgh’s #2 in two years after Tomas Vokoun’s departure.

 

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Scouting Report: Olli Maatta

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Name: Olli Määttä                                    2012-13 Club: London Knights (OHL)

Height/Weight: 6’2, 202

DOB: 8/22/1994

National Team: Finland

 

Drafted: 1st round (22nd overall), 2012 (Pittsburgh)

Out of: London Knights (OHL)

Acquired: Draft

 

Player Type: Two-way Defenseman

Comparable: Kimmo Timonen

 

Assets: Hockey sense, puck moving, defensive ability, mobility

Could improve: Improve shot arsenal, add size and muscle, turnovers

 

Projected: Määttä is another newly added defensive prospect that has high NHL potential. He projects as a top-4 two-way D-man that can play at both ends of the ice. His offensive game needs improvement and is still developing, but his defensive ability is nearly NHL-ready right now, and he still will play at least another year in the OHL. Combine that with the fact that he is only 17 years of age, and we have a possible future star in the making. At age 16, he was the youngest player ever chosen to represent Team Finland internationally.

 

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Scouting Report: Anton Zlobin

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Name: Anton Zlobin                   2012-13 Club: Val-d’Or Foreurs (QMJHL)

Height/Weight: 5’11, 194

DOB: 2/22/1993

National Team: Russia

 

Drafted: 6th round (173rd overall), 2012 (Pittsburgh)

Out of: Shawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL)

Acquired: Draft

 

Player Type: Sniper

Comparable: Alex Semin

 

Assets: Laser wrist shot, one timer, above average hands, scores clutch goals

Could improve: Consistency, defensive awareness, physicality

 

Projected: Zlobin is the definition of a “high risk/high reward” pick. We were surprised he fell so low to the 6th round due to his natural offensive abilities. His hands are at a very high level but as a project, he needs to work to improve the other facets of his game. He has a lot to improve on and needs to play a more complete, 200-foot game. His skating has been questioned, but won’t be a problem. Zlobin is expected to play one more junior season in the QMJHL before turning pro. He has top-6 NHL potential on the wing, and he is exactly the kind of player that Evgeni Malkin tends to mesh well with.

 

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Scouting Report: Oskar Sundqvist

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Name: Oskar Sundqvist              2012-13 Club: Skellefteå J20 (Swedish Elite League)

Height/Weight: 6’3, 187

DOB: 3/23/1994

National Team: Sweden

 

Drafted: 3rd round (81st overall), 2012 (Pittsburgh)

Out of: Skellefteå J18 (Swedish Elite League)

Acquired: Draft

 

Player Type: Two-way forward

Comparable: Paul Gaustad

 

Assets: Good shot, drives the net, above average face-off man, gritty

Could improve: Skating stride, foot speed, limit undisciplined penalties, fill out his frame

 

Projected: Sundqvist was ranked marginally higher by the Penguins draft board than most teams. The Penguins scouts believe he projects as an NHL power center in 3-4 years. He compares a lot to Paul Gaustad not only in style of play, but in that he can chip in in more ways than one whether it be offensively, defensively, or physically. He needs to continue to get quicker, and must hit the weight room consistently. Plays with a nasty mean streak that the coaches absolutely love. Having never played a game in a North American rink yet, he will need to make the commitment to come over to the US after he plays out this next season in Sweden.

 

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Scouting Report: Derrick Pouliot

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Name: Derrick Pouliot                                   2012-13 Club: Portland Winterhawks (WHL)

Height/Weight: 6’0, 181

DOB: 1/16/1994
National Team: Canada

@dpouliot51

 

 

Drafted: 1st round (8th overall), 2012 (Pittsburgh)

Out of: Portland Winterhawks (WHL)

Acquired: Draft

 

Player Type: Offensive Defenseman

Comparable: Duncan Keith

 

Assets: Skating, puck moving, offensive game, shot arsenal, passing

Could improve: Refine defensive game, more intense and gritty, consistency, size and strength

 

Projected: Pouliot is the highest drafted player in the entire Penguins prospect pool. He has one to two more years to play in the WHL before he turns pro. He has all of the tools of a future #1 – #2, elite NHL All-Star defenseman. He is working on improving the defensive side of his game, but the offensive side is above average and translates very well, naturally to the next level. Very good at playing the point on the power play, and is the future PP quarterback in Pittsburgh.

 

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Scouting Report: Brian Dumoulin

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Name: Brian Dumoulin                                      2012-13 Club: Wilkes-Barre (AHL)

Height/Weight: 6’3, 200

DOB: 11/6/1991

National Team: USA

@Du24theboyz

 

Drafted: 2nd round (51st overall), 2009 (Carolina)

Out of: New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs (EJHL) / Boston College (NCAA)

Acquired: Trade (Carolina on June 22, 2012, with Brandon Sutter and Derrick Pouliot for Jordan Staal)

 

Player Type:  Two-way Defenseman

Comparable: Dan Girardi

 

Assets: Point producer, presence/size on the blue line, skating, poise, strong pokecheck

Could improve: Adjust to speed and rigors of the pro ranks, gap control, get stronger

 

Projected: Dumoulin was the deal breaker in the “Staal/Sutter” trade and it’s because he is one of the best defenseman to come out of the NCAA in a long time. The former Boston College Eagle reminds me a lot of New York Rangers’ Dan Girardi, in that he can help the team out vastly at both ends of the ice. Dumoulin has elite NHL potential, and projects to be a #2 – #4 in the future. After he adds more strength, with some seasoning, I can see him defending at a high level against the top players in the NHL. Will turn pro and join Wilkes-Barre (AHL) this season.

 

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