A final episode of the Watch Penguins Prospects. I was tempted to call this the Land of Misfit Toys because some of these kids were placed lower in the draft and without much expectation or fanfare.
In fact, the model child for the misfits might be the one with the greatest potential. Defender Harrison Brunicke broke up training camp with the Penguins and skated in nine games with the big boys before being deftly maneuvered into a five-game conditioning assignment with the Baby Pens.
From there, South African Johannesberg was loaned to the Canadian national team for the U-20 World Junior Championships, before eventually returning to his junior team, Kamloops.
You could say his theme song is “I’ve Been Everywhere,” by a country legend Johnny Cash.
The bouncing back and forth doesn’t seem to have hurt his game. In eleven games with the Blazers, Brunicke’s scored fifteen points, including a pair of goals. It seems like only a matter of time before the 19-year-old secures a spot on the Pens’ blue line.
Another intriguing prospect who could be considered a bit of an outsider is the Russian forward Other Rick favorite Mikhail Ilyin. The former 2023 fifth-rounder, a left-handed shooting right wing, has skated for Cherevpovets Severstal of the KHL for the past four seasons. An impressive feat in itself, considering Ilyin is only 21.
Originally standing at 6-foot-1, the child went through a growth spurt and now weighs 6-foot-4 and 191 pounds. Blessed with excellent vision and hands, Ilyin is primarily a playmaker, although he possesses an accurate shot and a fast ball. Skating would be a disadvantage. While I have no judgement, he seems to move just fine in highlight videos, with the ability to throw a burst when needed.
Other Rick thinks he would be an elegant linemate for fellow Russians Evgeni Malkin And Egor Chinachov. I agree. Considering Ilyin’s hockey sense and playing skills and Chinakhov’s blistering shot and ball, one can easily imagine the duo making a deadly combination.
As for others worth a shout-out? Right wing Lucius Cruzobtained from the ‘Canes in the Jake Guentzel deal, leads Arizona State University in scoring with a dozen goals and 38 points in 32 games. His props are similar to Ilyin’s. Excellent playmaker with an underrated shot. He may need to add some pace to his game to make it in the NHL.
Zam Planttaken 150e Overall, he is second only to his little brother Max in scoring for the University of Minnesota-Duluth in 2022. The 21-year-old water bug center has 38 points, including 14 goals, in 30 games for the Bulldogs. He and Max have been nominated for the prestigious Hobey Baker Prizehonoring the best collegiate player.
Nineteen years old MacSwansonanother veteran ‘n’ crafty playmaker, has 21 points (6+15) in 30 games for the University of North Dakota, seven shy of the team lead. The former USHL Player of the Year doesn’t have tremendous speed, perhaps a significant drawback for a player his size (6-foot-1).
Unfortunately for defender Joona Väisänena sixth-round pick in the ’24 draft who drew rave reviews in prospects camp has been a losing season. Finn, 21, has been out since November with a lower-body injury. In the process, a promising start in which he had six assists in seven games for Western Michigan University was cut short.
BULLETIN: Sid injured during the Olympics
In a shock of terrible news, Sidney Crosby was injured today in the second period of Canada’s 4-3 victory over the Czech Republic in the quarterfinals.
Moments after taking a huge blow that sent our captain sprawling onto the ice, Sid collided with Radko Gudkas And Martin Necas along the planks. He seemed to favor his right leg as he skated gingerly toward the bench. After sitting hunched over at the end of the bench for a minute or two, Sid went to the locker room. He did not return.
I don’t even want to entertain any suspicion about the nature and severity of the injury. Pray that it is not serious, for him and for us.
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