As we head into the offseason, it’s time to take a look at where the Penguins’ prospect pool stands.
Just as I did last year, I’ll break down the status of each prospect in the Penguins system, including players on Pittsburgh contracts and players on AHL-level deals who spent time in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton this past season.
I’ll take a look at their contracts for next season and where they are likely to play, as well as highlights from each player. If I interviewed the player this season, I’ll also share my favorite quote of the season from them.
Today, we look at the second half of the forwards in the system. The breakdown on the first half of the forwards can be found here.
Position: Center/wing
Drafted?: 2018, second round
2018-19 status: SHL (NHL contract)
2019-20 status: SHL (NHL contract)
Age: 18
Shoots: Left
Size: 6-1, 190
Hallander was a standout with Timra in his rookie SHL season, scoring seven goals and 14 assists in 45 games. Hallander spent most of the season on the left wing of Timra's top line.
The SHL and second-tier Allsvenskan league follow a promotion/relegation system, and Timra was relegated this spring. Because Hallander is already signed to an NHL contract, he was considered on loan to the SHL and is free to choose his SHL club for next season. After being courted by multiple teams, he signed a one-year deal with Lulea.
Bill Guerin recently spoke about how pleased he was with Hallander's development on NHL Network radio, saying he handled the high responsibility of the SHL well, and that he's looked strong defensively.
With the number of forwards already joining Wilkes-Barre next season, and given that Hallander is still so young, it will be good for him to continue to develop in a top men's league for another season.
Position: Right wing
Drafted?: No
2018-19 status: NCAA
2019-20 status: AHL (AHL contract)
Age: 25
Shoots: Right
Size: 5-10, 195
Hawkins joined Wilkes-Barre on an amateur deal to close out the 2018-19 season and is signed to a full AHL contract for next season. He scored two goals in his first five games of AHL action in the spring.
Hawkins spent the past two seasons at Northeastern University, where he recorded 12 goals and 21 assists in 39 games as a senior to finish second on his team in scoring. He played his first two seasons of college hockey at Bowling Green before taking a transfer year and moving to Northeastern.
Prior to his college career, Hawkins played for Sioux City in the USHL with Adam Johnson and Cedric Lacroix.
Position: Right wing
Drafted?: 2008, second round (Toronto)
2018-19 status: AHL (NHL contract)
2019-20 status: Unrestricted free agent
Age: 29
Shoots: Right
Size: 6-5, 210
Quote: "You've got to try to find your game and work to try to get back into that NHL level. I still believe I have a lot left to give, and I feel like I'm getting back on the right track, especially lately with a little bit of adjustment."
This was Hayes' eighth professional season, and the first of his professional seasons where he didn't play a single game in the NHL. Hayes told me he knew when he signed with Pittsburgh that he'd most likely end up in Wilkes-Barre to start. However, spending the entire season in the AHL was a disappointment.
Hayes spent much of the season on Wilkes-Barre's fourth line and missed two games as the team's healthy veteran scratch. He finished the year with 15 goals and 15 assists in 72 games. Eight of those goals and six of those assists came in the final 21 games of the season. If Hayes played at that pace in the first half of the season, he may have seen some games with Pittsburgh.
While Hayes' veteran presence and NHL experience was appreciated by the younger forwards on the roster, I just don't see a place for him in 2019-20.
Position: Wing
Drafted?: No
2018-19 status: ECHL, AHL (AHL contract)
2019-20 status: Unrestricted free agent
Age: 23
Shoots: Right
Size: 6-1, 215
Quote: "I am not satisfied with my play. I can still work on everything, and find new good skills to work on, get smarter, play tough.”
Hirano is an exciting prospect. A native of Tomakomai, Japan, Hirano made the jump to Wheeling from the Asia League this season. He began the season on an ECHL contract and stumbled out of the gate as he adjusted to the North American game, missing some games as a healthy scratch. He finished the season as the Nailers' second-leading scorer, with 19 goals and 38 assists in 67 games.
Hirano earned an AHL deal with Wilkes-Barre mid-season, and played his first (and only) AHL game as a Black Ace after Wilkes-Barre was eliminated from playoff contention. With the assist on a Lacroix goal in his AHL debut, Hirano became the first Japanese player in AHL history to record a point.
Hirano's greatest strength is his shot. It's a rocket, and it's accurate.
Hirano has yet to be signed for next season -- he's currently playing for Japan in the Division 1-B World Championship -- but he's definitely someone the Penguins should try to keep.
Position: Center/wing
Drafted?: No
2018-19 status: AHL, NHL (NHL contract)
2019-20 status: Restricted free agent
Age: 24
Shoots: Left
Size: 6-0, 175
Quote: "From where I started last year, I think I've come a long way. Obviously my game still has room for improvement, and I hope to keep doing that. I hope I can jump in and make an impact."
Johnson finished the season fourth on Wilkes-Barre in scoring, with 18 goals and 25 assists in 67 games. He finally earned his shot in the NHL, adding two assists in six games with Pittsburgh.
Johnson is yet to be signed for next season, but he will be. He's still exempt from waivers next season, so I wouldn't be surprised to see him start out the year in the AHL again, but he shouldn't be there long. He'll see an increased role at the NHL level.
If the Penguins are to get younger and faster, Johnson can contribute to that. His greatest asset is undoubtedly his skating, both in terms of pure foot speed and in the tight areas.
Position: Wing
Drafted?: No
2018-19 status: ECHL (AHL contract)
2019-20 status: Unrestricted free agent
Age: 20
Shoots: Left
Size: 6-0, 185
Quote: "(The NHL) is every hockey player's dream back home. Even playing in North America, that's the dream for everyone there. It's a big opportunity for me to be playing here."
The Latvian winger was one of the few Nailers who previously attended Pittsburgh camps this season. Krastenbergs was one of the free agents invited to Pittsburgh’s annual prospect development camp last summer. Then, in early September, Krastenbergs was one of only two unsigned players the Penguins brought back to play in the Prospects Challenge in Buffalo. After continuing to impress in the tournament, he was the only one of those forwards to receive an invite to Wilkes-Barre’s training camp.
Krastenbergs earned an AHL contract out of Wilkes-Barre's camp, but didn't play any games in the AHL this season. He finished the season third on Wheeling in scoring with 19 goals and 25 assists in 62 games.
Krastenbergs is fast and definitely skilled offensively. He focused on growing his overall game this season in Wheeling and showed no aversion to backchecking or throwing his body in front of a shot.
He's still so young and has so much potential; he's someone I'd like to see be re-signed by Wilkes-Barre.
Position: Center/wing
Drafted?: No
2018-19 status: ECHL, AHL (AHL contract)
2019-20 status: Unrestricted free agent
Age: 24
Shoots: Left
Size: 6-1, 185
Quote: "I think I underproduced a little bit. I know what I’m capable of."
Lacroix had a slow start to his first professional season. But once he got going, he got going.
At the midpoint of the season, Lacroix only had four goals. That was acceptable, he wasn't expected to be a huge contributor offensively. He was a hard-worker and a pest who made most of his contributions with his physical play.
He finished the year as the Nailers' leading goal-scorer, with 22 goals and 20 assists in 71 games. He also led the team in penalty minutes with 215 -- a 100-minute margin over the next guy. Of the Nailers' 31 fights this season, 11 came from Lacroix, the most on the team.
Fighting is still prevalent in the minor leagues, and is on a slower decline than in the NHL. A player like Lacroix, who is a skilled fighter and agitator but can also contribute where it matters, is always a welcome addition.
Lacroix made his AHL debut as a Black Ace at the end of the season and scored two goals in the game. He'll struggle to earn a regular spot in Wilkes-Barre just based on the number of other forwards alone, but he's worth keeping around.
Position: Center/wing
Drafted?: 2014, fourth round
2018-19 status: AHL (NHL contract)
2019-20 status: NHL contract
Age: 24
Shoots: Right
Size: 6-1, 195
Quote: "Now I've played quite a few professional games so I know what to expect, how rigorous things are and the effort level that's required every single game. I've learned a lot from some of the older guys, and just being able to play in many different situations has helped my game grow. I think I'm going to take that and run with it."
You couldn't have hoped for much more out of Lafferty in his rookie season. He finished with 13 goals and 36 assists in 70 games, one point shy of the team lead. With the number of Wilkes-Barre forwards who were recalled, injured, or traded this season, Lafferty was given more responsibility and a larger role as the season went on.
There's always an adjustment period for former college players making the jump to pro hockey, but Lafferty never seemed to struggle with the transition, saying “I haven’t had to change my game, I just want to play hard and keep getting better.”
Lafferty was behind more experienced forwards like Teddy Blueger and Johnson on the list of potential call-ups this season, but he should get his chance next season.
Position: Wing
Drafted?: No
2018-19 status: NCAA
2019-20 status: AHL (NHL contract)
Age: 23
Shoots: Left
Size: 5-11, 185
Quote: (on joining Wilkes-Barre during a playoff push) "It kind of makes the game a little bit more fun, I guess you could say. There's more at stake. You're not coming to a team where they're just going to throw you in and hope for the best and if you don't play well it doesn't really matter. They want to win, and it's a playoff spot. So the games are that much more exciting, and they mean that much more. I think it's awesome, I love that type of hockey."
Lucchini attended the Penguins’ prospect development camp on a tryout invitation last summer. He returned to school at Michigan Tech for his senior season, where the Penguins kept an eye on his progress. He finished his senior year with 11 goals and 15 assists in 38 games, and earned a one-year contract.
Lucchini joined Wilkes-Barre on an amateur contract after Michigan Tech's season ended, and he made a great first impression with six goals and one assist in 15 games. He plays a solid two-way game.
Position: Forward
Drafted?: No
2018-19 status: AHL (AHL contract)
2019-20 status: Unrestricted free agent
Age: 26
Shoots: Right
Size: 5-10, 210
Quote: "Every year comes around, it's pretty cool that I've been around now for six years in the organization. I'm just so thankful that they keep giving me an opportunity. It's always fun being in a winning organization like this."
McGrath is from nearby Shavertown, and is the first hometown kid to play for Wilkes-Barre. He got his start in Wheeling back in 2013-14, and has been in Wilkes-Barre exclusively the past three seasons.
McGrath is an agitator and a fighter. That's his only role. In 94 AHL games, he's scored three times, the first being an empty-netter. He's usually a healthy scratch and only gets in the lineup if Wilkes-Barre is hurting at forward or expecting a game to get especially chippy.
After he only played 19 games in 2017-18, I didn't expect him to be back this season. He came back and played in 24 games. If I had to guess again, I'd say they bring him back in the same capacity. He's not a guy who is going to leave for an increased role elsewhere, and he's not hurting anything by sitting in the press box most of the season.
Regardless of where he ends up, he's a fun story. He grew up idolizing guys like Dennis Bonvie in that rink, and now he's a fan favorite and imitates Bonvie's post-fight celebration. He works with Bonvie in the offseason, running camps for kids out of the practice rink.
Position: Wing
Drafted?: No
2018-19 status: AHL (NHL contract)
2019-20 status: NHL contract
Age: 21
Shoots: Left
Size: 6-1, 195
Quote: “Oh God, (the Penguins) are first class all around. They do everything the best of the best. They expect a lot out of the players, and it shows in the culture. Every single guy comes in and works their hardest every day, everyone wants to get better and push each other. It’s just an incredible organization to be a part of.”
After spending an over-age year in the OHL, Miletic proved that he was ready for the AHL in his rookie season. Miletic finished sixth on the team in scoring with 12 goals and 23 assists in just 49 games after missing significant time with two separate injuries early in the season.
Miletic plays a good two-way game, but still pointed to his defensive side as an area he'd like to work on when I spoke to him earlier in the season. During development camp, development coach Jarrod Skalde praised Miletic's attention to detail and his professional attitude.
Position: Center
Drafted?: 2017, fifth round
2018-19 status: AHL (NHL contract)
2019-20 status: NHL contract
Age: 21
Shoots: Left
Size: 6-0, 185
Quote: The game, the style of play over here, it’s different. You’ve got less time with the puck, you make decisions much quicker … I feel like I’m getting used to the game more and more every game. I feel like I’m developing and can make more plays every game.”
Olund wasn't much of a point producer in Sweden, and that didn't change in his rookie AHL season. He scored six goals and nine assists in 61 games, primarily in a fourth-line role. He was designated a healthy scratch a few times throughout the season.
When I spoke to Olund midseason, he pointed to the physicality of the North American game as one of the biggest adjustments for him. He's still a ways away from being considered for a call-up to the NHL.
Position: Center
Drafted?: No
2018-19 status: Liiga
2019-20 status: NHL contract
Age: 27
Size: Left
Size: 6-0, 175
Palve earned a one-year, two-way contract earlier this month.
He possesses a strong and accurate shot, and was a good skater during his time in Finland. It's tough, however, to judge the speed of these guys when playing a different style of hockey; it isn't clear how it'll translate to the North American game.
Palve is exempt from waivers during his contract, so he'll most likely begin the season in Wilkes-Barre. He's not a physical player, so he isn't an ideal option for the fourth-line during the season.
Position: Center
Drafted?: 2015, seventh round
2018-19 status: NCAA
2019-20 status: NCAA
Age: 22
Shoots: Left
Size: 6-8, 200
After modest production in his first two years at Penn State, Pavlychev put up 14 goals and 15 assists in 39 games as a junior.
He's put on nearly 25 pounds since he was drafted back in 2015, filling out his massive 6-feet-8 frame. That's allowed him to play a more effective physical game which, coupled with his long reach, makes for a pretty strong 200-foot game.
“I honestly believe that if he had the choice between scoring a goal and shutting a guy down, he’d choose the latter,” Penn State coach Guy Gadowsky told BlueWhiteIllustrated.com. “It’s his mentality. He loves it. He’s exceptional at it."
Pavlychev isn't currently expected to leave Penn State early and turn pro next season. He's made great strides in the past year, and another year of college hockey could be good for him to build on that success.
Position: Center/wing
Drafted?: No
2018-19 status: AHL (AHL contract)
2019-20 status: Unrestricted free agent
Age: 25
Shoots: Left
Size: 6-0, 190
Scarfo was acquired in a mid-season AHL-level trade with the Belleville Senators in exchange for future considerations.
Prior to the trade, Scarfo had been splitting the season between the AHL and ECHL. After joining Wilkes-Barre, Scarfo recorded one goal and six assists in 25 games. I wouldn't expect him to be back.
Position: Center/wing
Drafted?: 2009, seventh round (Boston)
2018-19 status: AHL (NHL contract)
2019-20 status: Unrestricted free agent
Age: 27
Shoots: Right
Size: 5-11, 196
Sexton was acquired from the Senators along with defenseman Macoy Erkamps in a mid-season trade in exchange for forward Tobias Lindberg and defenseman Stefan Elliott.
Sexton recorded seven goals and three assists in his 26 games since the trade. I wouldn't expect him to be re-signed.
Position: Center/wing
Drafted?: No
2018-19 status: ECHL, AHL (AHL contract)
2019-20 status: Unrestricted free agent
Age: 24
Shoots: Left
Size: 6-2, 215
Quote: “As a hockey player, you’re always looking how to get better, how to get to the next level. I think being (in the AHL) before, maybe I took it for granted a little bit. Whenever I get the chance to get back up there, hopefully I can make the most of it.”
Yates was acquired in an AHL-level deal with the Grand Rapids Griffins in February and assigned to Wheeling. In the 14 games following the trade he recorded six goals and eight assists, earning the call to the AHL. He was held scoreless in four games with Wilkes-Barre, and was re-assigned to Wheeling. He was injured in his first game back in Wheeling, and missed the final five games of the season.
Yates looked great in his short stint in the organization. He's capable of playing on the power play and the penalty kill, and he has a great shot. He could stand to work on his foot speed, but it isn't a detriment. I'd like to see Yates re-signed, although he'd have to start in the ECHL.
Yesterday: Forwards, Part 1
Tomorrow: Defensemen, Part 1
Thursday: Defensemen, Part 2
Friday: Goaltenders