Faceoff Factor

Part 5: NCAA All The Way To The NHL

Andrew Chiappazzi | Pittsburgh Penguins

Sep 13, 09:04 PM | Hype this story!

Part five of Faceoff Factor’s package will focus on the NCAA/college players making their Pittsburgh Penguins training camp debut.

We’ll make quick mention of the NHL “veterans” with college experience on their resumes, including those who previously have attended Penguins camp or have played in the Penguins system, but the focus is going to stay on the players without any professional experience.

The “Noobs”
D #67 Alex Goligoski (Minnesota) 6’0, 187lbs
Wilkes-Barre will hopefully suit him well, because he’ll be very familiar with the Northeastern PA area this season. A stint in the NHL is unlikely, as the Penguins will want him to get adjusted to the professional level before exposing him to the NHL. He’ll have to get his shoulder healthy before he goes anywhere, though.

D #65 Ben Lovejoy (Dartmouth/Boston College) 6’2, 214lbs
He performed well after transferring from Dartmouth, and he could be the type to stick with the Baby Penguins. A start at Wheeling would not be out of the question, though. He did appear in three games with Norfolk of the AHL last year.

C #51 Mark Letestu (Western Michigan) 5’11, 195lbs
One year with Western Michigan was apparently enough, as he joined WB/S late last year for five games. He can score goals, but he doesn’t have a shot of making the NHL roster this year. Maybe a couple years down the road.

C #57 Kyle Rank (St. Lawrence) 6’1, 185lbs
Minimal impact for now, but he could be a good developmental player. He’ll need work to move outside of the small-college mindset.

G #40 David Brown (Notre Dame) 6’0, 185lbs
Expect him to start at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, although Curry could push him. He’s used to carrying the load, but expect him to split time with either Curry or Conklin wherever he starts.

G #50 John Curry (Boston University) 5’11, 185lbs
The Hobey Baker Award Finalist is coming off of significant shoulder surgery, so unless he impresses quite a bit, he’ll be given a chance to start in Wheeling of the ECHL. Again, expect the Penguins to split up Curry and Brown so they both have a chance for major playing time.

New But Experienced Faces
D #43 Mike Weaver (Michigan State) 5’9, 182lbs
The seven year veteran has spent a lot of time in the NHL, and should Letang falter, he could join Scuderi in splitting time as the 6th defenseman, or as the first defenseman at the AHL level.

LW #38 Jeff Taffe (Minnesota) 6’3, 207lbs
The five year veteran has a slim chance of earning a spot on the 4th line, and while he tends to be a gritty player, he can score a bit too (20+ goals in three different stops).

RW #18 Adam Hall (Michigan State) 6’3, 206lbs
Hall adds grit to a Penguins depth chart that has lots of it. He could fight his way onto the roster, perhaps as a less expensive version of Jarrko Ruutu, and even more so if the Penguins see no need to keep Georges Laraque.

G #35 Ty Conklin (New Hampshire) 6’0, 180lbs
Doubtful he’ll supplant Dany Sabourin, but his five years of professional experience in the Edmonton, Buffalo, and Columbus systems will prove vital to AHL prospects like David Brown and John Curry.

Previously In The System
D #54 Ryan Lannon (Harvard) 6’1, 198lbs
A definite top defenseman at Wilkes-Barre this year, he could get a call-up to Pittsburgh should the Penguins find a need for a defenseman. An impressive camp likely doesn’t get him on the team, but continued strong play for the Baby Penguins will.

LW #36 Connor James (Denver) 5’10, 180lbs
The three-year professional could be a candidate to join the Penguins as a mid-season call-up as the Penguins shuffle their 4th line, but not a guarantee.

LW #46 Joe Jensen (St,. Cloud State) 5’11, 180lbs
Should be able to stick with WB/S this year after splitting time between the two minor league teams last year.

C #52 Kurtis McLean (Norwich University) 5’11, 175lbs
He’s spent the past two years in the system shuttling back and forth from Wheeling to WB/S, but he should be able to get a semi-permanent spot at WB/S this year. Might be a fill-in candidate should the NHL team be ravaged by injuries.

RW #63 Tim Wallace (Notre Dame) 6’1, 207lbs
Split time between the AHL and ECHL, and the Notre Dame grad should expect to stay on that shuttle. He never really wowed while with the Irish and his NHL prospects are minimal.

Veteran Returnees
D #3 Mark Eaton (Notre Dame) 6’2, 204lbs
Safe bet is he’ll make the team as a top six defenseman.

D #44 Brooks Orpik (Boston College) 6’2, 219lbs
Only hitch could be a late signing (Danny Markov?) that could impact his status on the team; otherwise, he’ll be a top six defenseman.

D #4 Rob Scuderi (Boston College) 6’0, 213lbs
Likely the seventh defenseman unless Kris Letang falters.

D #19 Ryan Whitney (Boston University) 6’4, 219lbs
Easily a top four defenseman and could be in the top pairing if Sergei Gonchar slides backwards.

LW #12 Ryan Malone (St. Cloud State) 6’4, 225lbs
Likely in the mix on Crosby’s line, but more suited to a third line “crash and bang” style, perhaps opposite Gary Roberts.

There you have it. The majority of the players will contribute at the AHL and ECHL level unless they already have NHL experience. It’s safe to say that the Penguins have a solid depth chart already without a lot of holes available for these former collegians to enter the mix. Give it time, and you’ll be seeing more of these players at the NHL level.

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