Penguins looking for hidden gems with AHL-contracted signings

The Penguins have had success in recent years with signing prospects to AHL-level deals with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

The players, while not technically part of the Penguins' system, are given the opportunities to earn significant roles at the AHL level, and in some cases earn NHL contracts and call ups to the big club.

Two players from their recent Stanley Cup teams -- Conor Sheary in 2016 and 2017 and Carter Rowney in 2017 -- were able to turn AHL contracts into NHL opportunities. On last season's roster, Casey DeSmith is an example of a player who played well enough on an AHL deal with Wilkes-Barre to earn an NHL contract.

Wilkes-Barre's No. 2-leading goal-scorer last season was Felix Robert, a forward in his second year in Wilkes-Barre playing on an AHL contract.

Who are the new and returning players already signed to AHL contracts with Wilkes-Barre for next season? Let's take a look.

CLAY HANUS
Position: Defenseman
Previous team: Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
Age: 21
Size: 5-10, 175
Shoots: Left

The Penguins' scouts and development staff saw a lot of the WHL's Winterhawks this season, with defense prospect Ryan McCleary (seventh round, 2021) and goaltending prospect Taylor Gauthier (undrafted free agent) both playing in Portland this season. While keeping an eye on those players, another one of Portland's defensemen caught the Penguins' attention, and they locked him up to a one-year AHL contract that begins next season.

Hanus was an overage defenseman in his fifth WHL season this year, and he posted career-high numbers offensively with 18 goals, 56 assists and 74 points in 68 games played. His 18 goals ranked second among all WHL defenseman, and his 56 assists ranked third.

Hanus played under former Penguins head coach Mike Johnston during his time in Portland.

Hanus was a First Team All-Star for the WHL's U.S. Division, and won Portland's team award for the best defensive player. He attended the Sabres' development camp in 2021.

BROOKLYN KALMIKOV
Position: Left wing
Previous team: Moncton Wildcats (QMHL)
Age: 21
Size: 6-0, 174
Shoots: Left

Kalmikov signed a one-year AHL deal with Wilkes-Barre after his overage fifth QMJHL season this year.

Kalmikov was traded from the QMJHL's Victoriaville Tigres to the Moncton Wildcats in October, and he finished the year as the Wildcats' leader goals (34), assists (38), points (72), power-play assists (21) and shots on goal (193) in 62 games with the team. 

"My main strength is being able to create things on offense," Kalmikov told French-language outlet Acadie Nouvelle. "But I can also help the team on the penalty kill."

Kalmikov had previously invited to the Maple Leafs' development camp in 2020, but the camp was cancelled due to COVID.

Kalmikov won the QMJHL championship with Victoriaville in 2020-21, scoring one goal and four assists in 19 playoff games. 

Kalmikov is Ukranian, but was born in Newfoundland during his father Konstantin's professional career. Konstantin played 14 years professionally in the six different North American minor leagues (AHL, ECHL, IHL, UHL, SPHL and FHL) and also played professionally in Russia, Italy, England and Ukraine.

SAM HOUDE
Position: Center
Age: 22
Size: 6-0, 172
Shoots: Left

Houde is a returning player on an AHL contract, having signed a one-year extension with Wilkes-Barre in March.

Houde was originally a fifth-round pick by the Canadiens in 2018, but went unsigned by the team and signed an AHL deal with Wilkes-Barre last offseason after five seasons in the QMJHL with the Chicoutimi Sagueneens.

Houde spent his rookie professional season last year split between Wheeling in the ECHL and Wilkes-Barre in the AHL. He scored at over a point-per-game in Wheeling, with 13 goals and 30 assists in 30 games, plus one goal and five assists in six postseason games. He played a total of 19 regular-season games in Wilkes-Barre over the course of the season, scoring a goal and five assists. He was called up to Wilkes-Barre in the playoffs and recorded an assist in four games.

This was his lone goal at the AHL level:

CHRIS ORTIZ
Position: Defenseman
Age: 21
Size: 5-11, 172
Shoots: Left

Ortiz is entering the final year of a two-year AHL deal he signed with Wilkes-Barre last summer.

Ortiz grew up playing with Penguins prospect Nathan Legare since the two were six or seven years old, and that continued into their time in junior hockey, with the two playing three and a half years together for the QMJHL's Baie-Comeau Drakkar.

In speaking with Wilkes-Barre coach J.D. Forrest at last summer's development camp, he said that Ortiz's skating is one of the first things that stand out about his game.

"Really smooth," Forrest said. "He's a heck of a skater. He's got a lot of skill. And he makes good decisions with the puck."

With a crowded blue line in Wilkes-Barre, Ortiz didn't get much of a shot at the AHL level this season. He was recalled for eight games, scoring one goal and one assist.

Ortiz spent the bulk of the season in Wheeling, where he finished No. 2 in scoring among Nailers defensemen (behind Josh Maniscalco) with 12 goals and 26 assists in 54 games.

TOMMY NAPPIER
Position: Goaltender
Age: 23
Size: 6-3, 220
Catches: Left

Nappier is entering the final year of a three-year AHL contract with Wilkes-Barre that he signed following the conclusion of his senior season at Ohio State.

Given the depth in goal to start this season, Nappier began the year by playing seven games in Wheeling. When a season-ending injury to Filip Lindberg opened up a spot on the roster, Nappier remained in the AHL for the rest of the season. He went 13-10-3 in the regular-season, posting a 2.87 goals-against average, a .897 save percentage and one shutout. With Louis Domingue and Alex D'Orio both in Pittsburgh for the postseason, Nappier was the No. 1 goaltender for Wilkes-Barre and started in all six playoff games. He went 2-4 and recorded a 3.17 goals-against average, .903 save percentage and one shutout before Wilkes-Barre got swept in the second round.

"He's been a key piece for us this year," P.O Joseph said of Nappier in the first round. "He showed tonight that he's a really solid goalie. When you have a solid goalie behind you it gives us a lot of confidence by making plays and stuff like that. We love his mojo. We love the confidence he has in net."

Forrest praised Nappier's calm demeanor on a number of occasions this season.

JAMIE DEVANE
Position: Left wing
Age: 31
Size: 6-5, 239
Shoots: Left

Devane is the lone player under an AHL contract with Wilkes-Barre already for next season who isn't a prospect. At 31, he's a veteran leader in the team's locker room and serves as the team's enforcer. He appeared in 27 games over the course of last season with Wilkes-Barre and scored three goals and an assist. He signed an extension through next season in February.

While Devane isn't someone that's going to earn an NHL contract out of his opportunity in Wilkes-Barre, Forrest spoke on a number of occasions throughout the year about the impact Devane has in Wilkes-Barre and the Penguins' young prospects.

"The guys really look up to him," Forrest told me in the playoffs. "He's a good player, aside from the toughness element that he brings. You don't hesitate to put him out there on the ice at all. He can play, he's a good player. His demeanor on the bench, that way he talks to the players on our team, I think his leadership is what's most valuable to our team. The other things everybody notices, but behind the scenes and how he is on the bench, and his interaction with the staff that everybody doesn't see, that's where the real value lies with with Jamie. Our guys, they think extremely highly of him, as they should."