Rookie Caputi Earns Call-Up To NHL

Matt Bodenschatz | Pittsburgh Penguins

Feb 2, 09:35 PM | Hype this story!

The Pittsburgh Penguins have announced the promotion of rookie forward Luca Cupti.

The move came just hours after tough-guy rookie Paul Bissonnette was re-assigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the AHL.

Caputi, 20, started his first season of professional hockey with a less-than-stellar showing, posting just seven points in his first 19 games, but has since tallied 28 points in 27 games.

In total, Caputi has 13 goals and 22 assists (second among “Baby” Penguins) for 35 points in 46 games.

The 6’3, 185 pounder widely is known as the Penguins’ top prospect and is said to have the hands to be a scoring line forward in the NHL.

He is expected to be in the lineup tomorrow night as the Penguins play the Canadiens in Montreal.

Comments

  1. Andrew Rothey

    Feb 3, 01:06 AM

    Let’s see what the kid can do. Get him a couple shifts on the third line to get his nerves out, then put him with Sid or Geno and see what happens.

  2. DaBich

    Feb 3, 06:40 AM

    Oooh, now this is interesting :)
    Can’t wait to watch.

  3. Matt Bodenschatz

    Feb 3, 09:33 AM

    As Jesse Marshall would warn, don’t expect too much out of Caputi just yet. This kid is a notorious slow started when transitioning to a new level of play. My gut is he’ll play on the third line in Kennedy’s spot and will grab some second power play minutes. I’m quite confident Therrien, Shero and company will be looking at the whole of his play, not just the offense, so if he can be a physical presence, take care of things in his own zone, and show glimpses of the offense everyone knows he is capable of, he very well may stick.

    As mentioned in the conversation following another FF article, guys like Pesonen, Taffe, and Minard haven’t shown too much of a willingness to play a solid two-way game. Their lack of defense likely is what hurt their icetime. Minard has picked up his defensive play and he’s getting more icetime. I don’t think this is a coincidence.

    The key for any youngster coming to Pittsburgh is defense.

  4. Chuck

    Feb 3, 11:23 AM

    Caputi is listed to be on the 4th line with Talbot and Godard (according to the Pens website). This falls in line with how Therrien has used all his call ups.

  5. Matt Bodenschatz

    Feb 3, 11:30 AM

    Chuck, I wouldn’t go by the Penguins web site, as they generally post guesses at lines until the game day skate has been completed.

    Regardless, for his first NHL action, there is nothing wrong with fourth line duty. Jordan Staal did it his rookie season and climbed the ladder. Players need to earn promotions. He earned his way to the NHL, now it’s time to earn his way to a scoring line.

    And, let’s not forget, Caputi is 20. Throwing him into the deep end during his first taste of NHL action isn’t the best idea, as he is a notorious slow adapter when transitioning to a higher level.

  6. Steve

    Feb 3, 11:32 AM

    Well, well, well… the day has come for young Mr. Caputi. I suspected that he would get limited time with the 4th line, as Chuck said, falling in line with what we all assume is Therrien’s philosophy (but you’d think he & Shero are on the same page). I’d love to see him get some meaningful minutes & even a little PP time, but that would have to be considered a surprise.

    Would it ever be nice for him to make an impact & force the team’s hand to keep him up the way TK did last year… but aside from him doing something spectacular tonight, I don’t see how it can happen. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was sent back after a game or two , much like Gogo last year.

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