Five WBS Penguins given qualifying offers

Eric Politowski | WBS "Baby" Penguins

Jun 26, 11:45 AM | Hype this story!

This week, Penguins GM Chuck Fletcher announced that he will be giving qualifying offers to five Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Baby Penguins that have become free agents.

The Pens have extended offers to forwards Tim Brent, Ryan Stone, Jonathan Filewich, Paul Bissonnette, and defenseman Mark Ardelan.

Brent, Stone, and Filewich, the most developed of the group, will most likely base their decision on how the parent Pittsburgh Penguins team pans out. Each one of them could crack the 4th line next year, possibly. Brent led Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in scoring last season with 61 points (18 g, 43 a) in 74 games.

Chuck Fletcher stated that after a turn-around in attitude, and game play, Paul Bissonnette is “part of our future”.

Bissonnette was previously in the dog house for some incidents, one including wearing a wrestling championship belt during pre-game warm-ups, taunting an opposing player. This season, he made a complete 360. He started the year off in Wheeling, and became their best defenseman, making the ECHL All-Star Team. Bissonnette was then called up to Wilkes-Barre and fought his way to the top — literally. Bissonnette compiled 31 total fighting majors, and is making the conversion to the left wing. He was also very impressive in the conditioning camp this week.

LW Luca Caputi and C Dustin Jeffrey, have been getting a lot of hype from the media this week, in talking about the rookie camp. Some believe Caputi could crack the line-up for the Pittsburgh Penguins as a call-up this season. He has a great future ahead of him, possibly on the first line next to Sidney Crosby.

Comments

  1. Chubz

    Jun 26, 12:40 PM

    Luca has the size and hands of a Ryan Malone type player. I think he will start off down in WBS, then possibly come up when an injury occurs. As for Jeffrey, I think of him as a more Ouelett type player- servicable, not spectacular. Look for great things to come from Luca in the next year or two.

    Also as a side note, am I the only one who thinks Cory Stillman is a nice fit for a couple years beside Sid? Besides his PP potential and nice shot, he has two fingers that have the shinny ring on em!

  2. Matt Bodenschatz

    Jun 26, 12:44 PM

    You’re not alone with regards to Stillman. He’s near the top of my list. He didn’t win two Cups in two years with two teams for no reason. He plays hard and brings leadership. He was one of the few players who showed up for Ottawa in the playoffs this year.

  3. Dabich

    Jun 26, 12:58 PM

    Count me in on Stillman. I agree he’s definitely someone to consider to play Sid’s line.

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