Letestu leads Pens past Toronto, 5-2

Eric Politowski | WBS "Baby" Penguins

Sep 14, 01:21 AM | Hype this story!

The Pittsburgh Penguins prospects defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs prospects 5-2 tonight in a preseason game.

C Mark Letestu looks to be in the best shape we’ve seen him in, and it showed. He was named the number one star of the game after scoring 4 points (1g , 3a).

RW Jean-Michel Daoust also had a big night with 3 points (1 g, 2 a)

The other goals were scored by D Ben Lovejoy, D Jon D’Aversa, and F Joey Haddad.

F Aaron Boogaard showed signs of improvement as he tallied an assist, and picked up a decisive fighting victory over Joe Cooper.

D Alex Grant also dropped the gloves, and picked up an assist.

D Alex Goligoski was solid, as he finished the night with 2 assists of his own.

Great way to start off the prospect games.

Comments

  1. Matt Bodenschatz

    Sep 14, 02:06 AM

    Interesting. No Caputi. No Jeffrey. No Goligoski. No Veilleux.

    Veilleux isn’t that surprising, but the other three are. If they are going to compete for NHL roster spots, they better stand out as men among boys in this rookie tournament.

    I think most know by now, I’m of the belief that the only minor leaguer with a legitimate chance to make the big squad out of camp is Ryan Stone with his fourth line toughness — and I think tonight’s game is an indication that a few of these youngsters might be a bit over-hyped.

  2. Eric Politowski

    Sep 14, 02:52 AM

    Here was the line-up from tonight’s game:

    Caputi-Jeffrey-Johnson
    Daoust-Letestu-Wallace
    CPZ-Moon-Veilleux
    Haddad-Lalonde-McNichol-Boogaard

    Muzzin-Goligoski
    Lovejoy-D’Aversa
    Reid-Grant

    Curry-Brown

    Matt,

    I agree that Stone is one of the only minor leaguers that have a legit chance of making the Pens fourth line.

    Caputi and Jeffrey didn’t show up on the scoresheet, I guess we’ll see after tomorrow’s game how crucial that was.

    I originally failed to mention that Goligoski played a great game. He had 2 assists.

  3. Eric

    Sep 14, 05:50 AM

    Who has the best chance of being the Max Talbot and Kris Letang of this year (starting the season in the minors, but then keeping a spot after a call-up)?

  4. Alex Kirshner

    Sep 14, 09:28 AM

    Eric,

    If there was one likely midseason call up, it would have to be Alex Goligoski. After him would likely come somebody like Ryan Stone, or even Chris Minard.

    Caputi and Jeffrey would figure to have a rather remote chance at getting up sometime later in the season, but anything is possible.

  5. Eric Politowski

    Sep 14, 11:27 AM

    Here’s the depth we have at each position in order of skill

    LW-Stone, James, Minard, Bissonnette, Henrich

    C-Beech, Taffe, Gove, Jeffrey, Letestu

    RW-Thomas, Caputi, Filewich, Wallace, Johnson

    D-Goligoski, Richmond, Kemp, Engelland, Mormina, Lovejoy, D’Aversa

    G-Curry, Brown, Berkhoel

  6. Matt Bodenschatz

    Sep 14, 12:31 PM

    Eric, to add to Mr. Politowski’s answer to your question, I would agree that Goligoski has the best chance at being called up relatively early in the season.

    I have a strong feeling Stone will make the team as a center, believe it or not. The team needs some grit, and even though he’s been a winger in recent memory, he’s a center of the past who might be able to adapt as a fourth liner in the NHL. I could also see him staying a winger and platooning with Godard.

    As Politowski said, I think Jeffrey and Caputi are called up if there are injuries — but they’ll have to be brilliant in camp to make the team outright, and would have to do the same in WBS to earn a promotion this season. No reason to rush the youngsters.

  7. Eric Politowski

    Sep 14, 12:39 PM

    Also, I believe that Bill Thomas could make an impact with the big Penguins. Wait until you see this kid from Pittsburgh shoot.

    Today, Rob Rossi from the Tribune-Review put together the Penguins top 10 prospects list. He had Stone listed as #3 behind Goligoski and Caputi. He said that he also sees Stone making the NHL Penguins.

    I also just added a video of some of the highlights that I could find from last night’s game.

  8. Eric

    Sep 14, 11:58 PM

    Something to pass along:

    The NHL Network is covering the Blues, Stars, Wild and Blue Jackets Prospect camp with coverage of the games in the next few days.

    As well as this is the week that they’re replaying the 2007 and 2008 Stanley Cup Finals.

  9. Matt Bodenschatz

    Sep 15, 09:56 AM

    Thanks Eric. Too bad they aren’t covering the Kitchener Tourney as well.

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