Faceoff Factor

Penguins Prospect Brown Plays Waiting Game

Matt Bodenschatz | Pittsburgh Penguins

Jun 21, 01:36 PM | Hype this story!

According to the Hamilton Spectator, Pittsburgh Penguins goaltending prospect David Brown has been offered a contract by the NHL club, but is holding out, hoping to receive more money.

The 22-year-old former Hobey Baker finalist is coming off a 2006-07 season with the University of Notre Dame that saw him post a 30-6-3 record, 1.58 goals-against average, .931 save percentage and 6 shutouts in 39 games.

“There is an offer on the table,” Brown said to Tony Fitzgerald of the Spectator. “It’s now about nickels and dimes trying to get to a medium about money where we’re both happy. Things are getting pretty close.”

Brown, a graduating senior, has until August 15 to sign with the Penguins. If he remains unsigned at that point, he will become an unrestricted free agent.

The Penguins are in dire need of goaltending depth, as they have just one player (Marc-Andre Fleury) signed at the position. NHL backup Jocelyn Thibault will become an unrestricted free agent July 1 and likely will seek a team willing to give him more playing time. The recently-acquired Nolan Schaefer also will be in a similar position.

That leaves Andrew Penner as a restricted free agent, and the team’s only internal minor league goaltender.

Penguins general manager Ray Shero and assistant general manager Chuck Fletcher will have their hands full when rounding out the Wilkes-Barre Scranton roster, as Kyle Dreibelbies points out in this article.

Aside from Brown, the Penguins also have NCAA goaltender Bobby Goepfert to attempt to sign. Like Brown, he will become an unrestricted free agent on August 15 if he is not signed.

In 2006-07, Goepfert played in 35 games, posting a 17-10-7 record, 2.29 goals-against average, 9.24 save percentage, and 3 shutouts.

I believe Shero and Fletcher would be smart to lock-up both of these talented young goaltenders. The minor leagues are all about development, so the need for a veteran in the nets isn’t as dire as it would be in the NHL. And, if it is, Penner would make a great mentor to one of them, while the other plays for the Wheeling Nailers of the ECHL.

If these goaltenders are serious about their careers, playing for the Penguins, a well-run and talented organization, would be a smart way to begin their careers. They may not get the chance to start in the NHL, as the job obviously is Fleury’s, but the black and gold would be a great building block for bigger and better things in the near future.