Faceoff Factor

Encyclopedia Of Penguin Prospects

Jesse Marshall | Pittsburgh Penguins

Jan 8, 01:14 PM | Hype this story!

Here are 15 of the top Penguins prospects not playing in the AHL in alphabetical order by first name.

Alex Grant – D – St. John’s Sea Dogs (QMJHL) – Drafted Rd. 4 (#118 Overall) in 2007.
6’2 – 185lbs – Shoots R – Jan. 20 1989 – Antigonish, NS

There was a time where Alex Grant was considered way ahead of #118 overall in the draft, but a rash of ankle problems in 2006 slowed him down. Grant is now back to where he was before, quietly being one of the best puck-moving defensemen in the QMJHL. He isn’t the most physical player on the ice, but he can skate very well and his vision is great. When all else fails for Grant, he simply moves the puck out of trouble with his skating.

2007/08 St. John’s Stats: 38GP – 10G – 9A – 19PTS – 59PIM
St. John’s totals: 64 total points (26+38) in 153 games.

Angelo Esposito – C – Quebec Remparts (QMJHL) – Drafted Rd. 1 (#20 Overall) in 2007.
6’1 – 180lbs – Shoots L – Feb. 20, 1989 – Montreal, PQ

The cast is very, very different in Quebec this year, but Esposito is still finding his way onto the score sheet. The desire has returned to his game and he’s doing a great job of improving upon his defensive duties. Esposito was snubbed from team Canada for the WJC, but I think it had something to do with his missing the Super-Series earlier in the year as well as his lack of a history with team Canada. Penguins fans shouldn’t worry about Esposito, he performs very well with a forward that has huge star-power. He just needs to add on a few pounds and he’ll be ready for a shot. He is also on pace to score more goals this year than the previous year with a less-than-stellar supporting cast.

2007/08 QMJHL Stats: 36GP – 22G – 22A – 44PTS – 48PIM
QMJHL Total: 221 points (88+133) in 153 total games.

Brian Gifford – C – University of Denver – Drafted Rd. 3 (#85 Overall) in 2004
6’2 – 187lbs – Shoots L – Nov. 12 1985 – Moorhead, MN

Gifford is a bit of an enigma. His game seems to be predicated on setting guys up. He wore the “C” throughout high-school and carried a lot of weight upon his subsequent arrival in the USHL. He played in every game last year for Denver and is in excellent physical condition. His production is down from last year and he has failed to score in Denver’s current campaign.

2007/08 U. of Denver Stats: 20GP – 0G – 2A – 2PTS – 12PIM
Denver totals: 15 total points (3+12) in 60 total games.

Brian Strait – D – Boston University – Drafted Rd. 3 (#65 Overall) in 2006
6’1 – 200lbs – Shoots L – Jan. 4, 1988 – Boston, MA

Strait has really come onto the scene as a great shutdown defender this year. He’s a hometown boy that was set on going to Boston University as a kid and exhibits a ton of loyalty in his attitude and the way he plays the game. He isn’t flashy but is fantastic in his own zone. His offensive side of his game is a bit lacking but he more than makes up for it with his fleet-footed movement and his ability to patrol his own zone. He played a vital role for the defense on Team USA this year in the WJC.

2007/08 Boston U. Stats: 16GP – 0G- 7A – 7PTS – 6PIM
Boston U. totals: 13 total points (3+10) in 52 total games

Carl Sneep – D – Boston College – Drafted Rd. 2 (#32 Overall) in 2006.
6’3 – 205lbs – Shoots R – Nov. 5, 1987 – St. Louis Park, MN

Sneep has played a good role thus far for the Boston College Eagles. His assists and goals have been very timely (Last year he had 3 huge game winning primary assists, one in tournament play) and his game is transitioning to a pretty even-keel style. When he was drafted, I had Sneep pegged as a puck mover with a great shot and good size, but he’s become very solid in his own end and is still learning the nuances of the position. He seems to be more comfortable with his game this year and it will be interesting to see where his career heads.

2007/08 Boston College Stats: 18GP – 2G – 4A – 6PTS – 11PIM
Collegiate total: 16 total points (3+13) in 56 total games.

Casey Pierro-Zabotel – LW –Vancouver Giants (WHL) – Drafted Rd. 3 (#80) Overall in 2007
6’2 – 210lbs – Shoots L – Nov. 8 1988 – Ashcroft, BC

Zabotel suffered a setback at the start of the year by not academically qualifying for Michigan Tech, where he was a highly touted recruit. His fortunes turned after he left the Merritt Centennials of the BCHL and was signed to a contract by the Vancouver Giants of the WHL. Since then, CPZ has not disappointed. He’s become a deadly offensive weapon for an already talented Vancouver team. CPZ plays a great offensive game, his instincts are keen, his shot is fantastic, and he is very eager to get to the front of the net. He describes himself as a Tomas Holmstrom-style forward. His skating needs a little work, but you can already see marked improvement since his arrival in the WHL. Penguins fans should really keep they’re eye on this youngster, he’s looking like a great pick with lots of potential.

2007/08 WHL Stats: 18GP – 7G – 11A – 18PTS – 4PIM
BCHL Totals (04’-07’): 183 total points (77+106) in 173 total games.

Dustin Jeffrey – C – Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL) – Drafted Rd. 6 (#171 Overall) in 2007
6’3 – 199lbs – Shoots L – Feb. 27, 1988 – Sarnia, ONT

Jeffrey is seasoned. He’s a year older than pretty much everyone drafted in his class and the experience is starting to show. His vision has been great. Not only in passing the puck, but in finding open space and getting back defensively. This is his final year in OHL play, the Penguins have already signed him and he’ll certainly be making his way to the next level. He can also play Left Wing, which is a huge bonus considering the fact that we have so many centers enlisted in the system.

2007/08 Greyhounds Stats: 28GP – 17G – 30A – 47PTS – 10PIM
OHL totals (Mississauga/Sault Ste. Marie): 202 total points (79+123) in 218 total games.

Jake Muzzin – D – Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL) – Drafted Rd. 5 (#141 Overall) in 2007
6’4 – 215lbs – Shoots L – Feb. 21, 1989 – Woodstock, ONT

Muzzin’s biggest problem is injuries. He spent almost all of last year on the shelf. Before that, Muzzin was downright mean. He played an up-tempo, physical game. Since returning from his back injury, that mean streak has calmed down slightly and the other elements of his game are coming together well. Muzzin, should he continue to put healthy games into the books, could seriously develop into a great, versatile defenseman. He certainly has all the tools, his size is already NHL caliber. His feet have caught up with him during this streak of injury-less games, so he’s becoming a serious weapon. Muzzin plays a smart game for being so big and so physical. If he can continue to stay healthy and put his back problems behind him (no pun intended), he’ll be a serious contender for a top 3 NHL caliber defenseman.

2007/08 Greyhounds Stats: 40GP – 3G – 9A – 12PTS – 35PIM
OHL totals: 16 total points (4+12) in 77 total games.

Joe Vitale – C – Northeastern University – Drafted Rd. 7 (#195 Overall) in 2005.
5’11 – 205lbs – Shoots R – Aug. 20, 1985 – St. Louis, MO

Joe Vitale has been a pleasant surprise after getting drafted late in 2005. Northeastern College struggles to score goals and Joe Vitale has been a key part of their game plan since his arrival as a freshman. This is his junior season and he’s really turned on the Jets. I know a lot of fans were disappointed the Penguins didn’t draft Oscar Moller, but Joe Vitale is the closest thing the Penguins have in the system. He’s tough on the puck and has a great sense of the game. He battles hard and goes to the net well. “Vitale is everywhere. Especially this year, you cannot stop him”, says a Northeastern friend of mine.

2007/08 Northeastern Stats: 16GP – 6G –12A – 18PTS – 8PIM
Northeastern totals: 50 total points (21+29) in 82 total games.

Keven Veilleux – C – Rimouski Oceanic (QMJHL) – Drafted Rd. 2 (#51 Overall) in 2007.
6’5 – 200lbs – Shoots R – Jun. 27, 1989 – Saint-Renee, PQ

Veilleux has all the tools and the monster size to boot, but the attitude and drive have been questionable at best. Veilleux has been by and large a disappointment in the goal-scoring department and apparently only shows up when he deems necessary. If he should decide to turn it on, he immediately becomes the best power-forward in the Penguins system. His monsterous size made him attractive to the Penguins staff, but his work ethic gets exposed by flighty guys that are half his stature. Hopefully the trade to Rimouski from Victoriaville will boost his confidence and get him going in the right direction. He played the point on the Power-play with Victoriaville, but I’ve yet to see a game with him in a Rimouski jersey so I’m not sure if that’ll be the case there as well. One thing is for sure, Veilleux needs to find his groove fast or he’ll be getting himself into some nasty work habits that could last into the future.

2007/08 Victoriaville Stats: 42GP – 10G -32A – 42PTS – 54PIM
Victoriaville totals: 112 total points (32+80) in 143 total games.

Luca Caputi – LW – Niagara IceDogs (OHL) – Drafted Rd. 4 (#111 Overall) in 2007
6’3 – 180lbs – Shoots L – Oct. 1, 1988 – Toronto, ONT

Luca Caputi is a real thorn in the side of opposing teams. His long reach and willingness to pay the physical price in all situations gets him under the skin of opposing players. He finally seems to have found a balance between playing with edge and skill. Caputi has started to put points on the board at a rapid rate as the IceDogs offensive juggernaut continues to roll. While Caputi’s offensive production this year seems to be a bit of an enigma, there’s no doubt the skill that he brings to the table. This is his final year of eligibility in Junior, so he’ll most likely make the trek to the AHL next year. Caputi plays well in all situations and is very Jordan Staal-like in both his skating and his penalty killing abilities. Gianluca is on pace to shatter his points record from last year (65 in 68).

2007/08 Niagara Stats – 40GP – 29G – 30A – 59PTS – 70PIM
OHL totals: 133 total points (64+69) in 188 total games.

Michael Gergen – F – University of Minnesota-Duluth – Drafted Rd. 2 (#61 Overall) in 2005.
5’11 – 185lbs – Shoots L – Feb. 17, 1987 – Hastings, MN

A Shattuck St. Mary’s graduate, Gergen had a funny year last year for UMD. He scored 4 goals before December 2 , all on the power-play, and scored only once after that. That discrepancy in scoring was a real concern for a lot of people, but Gergen is back on track this year, already matching his goal number from the previous season. Gergen really does well on special teams, especially the power-play. His wrist shot is a nightmare for goaltenders. There is a lot of untapped offensive potential in his game, it will be interesting to see how he develops heading into his Senior year. Interesting note, Gergen has started every game for UMD since arriving there in 2005.

2007/08 UMD Stats: 15GP – 5G – 4A – 9PTS – 8PIM
Collegiate total: 47 points ( 24+23) in 93 games.

Nick Johnson – RW – Dartmouth College – Drafted Rd. 3 (#67 Overall) in 2004.
6’2 – 197lbs – Shoots L – Dec 24, 1985 – Calgary, ALTA

It’s the final year for Johnson at Dartmouth and he’s plugging along nicely. In all phases of his career Johnson has nearly been a point-per-game player and can really turn into a solid prospect should the Penguins decide to sign him to a contract this year. He reminds me of Jeff Taffe in a lot of ways, solid defensively, and can score some goals and generate some chances while using the body.

2007/08 Dartmouth College Stats: 13GP – 4G – 9A – 13PTS – 10PIM
Collegiate total: 103 points (51+52) in 114 total games.

Robert Bortuzzo – D – Kitchener Rangers (OHL) – Drafted Rd. 3 (#78 Overall) in 2007
6’4 – 196lbs – Shoots R – Mar. 1, 1989 – Thunder Bay, ONT

Bortuzzo has grown into an absolute giant. He put on an inch and several pounds already this year. Despite missing some games due to injury at the start of the year, he’s playing a solid game for Kitchener. The job he does in front of his own net and the way he stands up for teammates are the things that are most noticeable about his game. For someone with his skill set, you’d like to see a little bit more offensive production from him. Michel Therrien and many in Kitchener have repeatedly harped about his good work ethic and you have to note his intensity no matter what the score is.

2007/08 Kitchener Stats: 24GP – 1G – 6A – 7PTS – 26PIM
OHL totals: 21 total points (3+18) in 87 total games.

Tim Crowder – RW – Michigan State – Drafted Rd. 5 (#126 Overall) in 2005
6’2 – 180lbs – Shoots R – Oct. 16, 1986 – Victoria, BC

When fans say there isn’t any power-wing depth in the system, I point them to Crowder. Crowder started scoring goals in the BCHL and hasn’t looked back since he came to college. He’s been a great player for the Spartans and is continuing to enjoy success in his Junior year. Crowder boasted 5 goals in the NCAA tourney last year for a stacked Michigan State team. Crowder plays well in all situations and has a long reach that enables him to win loose pucks. Crowder is another player with a strong nose for the net. He continues to find ways to score and is excellent under pressure.

2007/08 Michigan State Stats: 21GP – 8G – 9A – 17PTS – 20PIM
Collegiate Totals: 72 total points (39+33) in 106 total games.