Faceoff Factor

Answering The Esposito Questions...

Jesse Marshall | NHL Entry Draft

Jun 23, 12:57 PM | Hype this story!

1. Why the fall?

Esposito was #1 in several draft rankings just over 9 months ago. The problem stems from that. As a rookie playing for the Quebec Remparts, he worked night in and out with skilled winger Alexander Radulov. He and Radulov connected in every way possible to take the Remparts all the way to the Memorial Cup. Angelo, as a rookie, had broken into the sport in a dominating fashion. At that time, scouts began to gush about his intangibles; his good stride, his good sense of the game, his finishing ability, his vision.

After the departure of Radulov, the team became Angelo’s. It was time for him to step him and shine. With the likes of Patrick Kane and Jakub Voracek hot on his heels, Angelo stumbled out of the gate. The superb intangibles that scouts had once seen were now side-by-side with glaring holes and questions about attitude.

Does Angelo Esposito have an attitude problem? I think not. The problem stems from the preseason hype. Ask Logan Couture. He dethroned Esposito for the title of #1 ranked player heading into the year. Cue a fit of mononucleosis and a bad foot and now Couture is just a “solid forward” as opposed to “the next one”.

Esposito then took the brunt of some scout-related bashing. His demeanor changed as the year grew on. In the President’s Cup playoffs, he lacked the passion he showed the previous year. Patrick Roy let Angelo slip by the wayside and an early exit from the playoffs lead to a dismissal from Canada’s WJC team. Esposito’s stock hit rock bottom.

2. What can we expect?

Esposito has been brought back to earth. Nothing says wake up call like not being able to represent your country, falling to #20 in the draft, and then having the opportunity to play alongside the best player in the world with a coach that has a zero-tolerance policy on laziness.

3. What’s his game like?

Angelo can’t carry a team alone. He’s proven that. But he also has a successful track record of being a dynamite performer with another star player. Simply put, Angelo Esposito makes everyone around him better when he shows up to play. His skills are raw and powerful. He’s got a funny little skating stride, some described it as bowlegged. His gear is decent for a guy his size. His stick handling in traffic might be his best asset. He’s good on both ends of the offensive game; he’ll set you up, then receive your pass and bury it. His vision is great. Angelo, again, is a fantastic hockey player and a top ten talent. Put him with a star like Sidney Crosby and you have one hell of a first line.

4. When will he get here?

There is a serious chance that Esposito is ready now. The Penguins simply have to evaluate his ability to play with bigger bodies and take a look at his mental faculties.

5. What’s his boom/bust potential?

Medium Risk – Excellent Reward. I would say that, in all honesty, Angelo Esposito might pay the greatest dividend out of any player in this draft class, and I am not the only person who has said that.

The Bottom Line

Overall, the Penguins are downright lucky. This is a fantastic hockey player that fell right into our laps. Watching this youngster develop will be a treat and I think he has really straightened out. Those that passed on him could be haunted by Angelo for years to come. Somewhere, I think Sidney Crosby is smiling.