NHL Prospects Problem: Standouts and Ideas from Recreation 1

On Friday, Penguins‘ prospects took half in Recreation 1 of the annual NHL Prospects Showdown in Buffalo, New York. They defeated the prospects of the Boston Bruins by a rating of 6-3.

Rutger McGroarty, Avery Hayes, Mathieu De St. Phalle, Gabe Klassen, and Tristan Broz – twice – had been the purpose scorers for the Penguins, and Taylor Gauthier and Sergei Murashev cut up the goaltending duties.

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Retaining in thoughts that this was merely a contest between two groups’ greatest prospects – and never a NHL sport – there was quite a bit to love from a number of Penguins’ prospects within the first sport.

And three prospects – McGroarty, Broz, and Vasily Ponomarev – actually stood out among the many relaxation.

Rutger McGroarty

McGroarty was locked in all evening and was, arguably, the most effective participant on the ice for either side. He was very noticeable on the forecheck, he registered a purpose and an help, and he clanged an “nearly purpose” off of the crossbar behind Boston goaltender Ryan Bischell (properly, apparently – because it appeared to go within the internet however wasn’t referred to as again).

Merely put: He simply seemed three steps forward of just about everybody else on the ice, minus perhaps one among his linemates. His hockey IQ and offensive zone consciousness had been noticeably superior compared to his friends, and he constantly put himself in place to make performs and create probabilities.

It is going to be fascinating to see how the remainder of his weekend – and coaching camp – performs out. However McGroarty did not appear to be he belonged on the ice as we speak. He seemed like he belonged in a better stage of hockey.

Related: Three Prospects Who Could Make the Penguins’ Roster in 2024-25

Vasily Ponomarev

By remark, Ponomarev was nearly each bit pretty much as good as McGroarty was, though he did not register some extent on the evening. They performed a lot of the evening collectively on the crew’s first line, with Ponomarev centering McGroarty on his left and Hayes on his proper.

The road was clicking on all cylinders, and quite a lot of that was due to the relentless, tenacious work of Ponomarev up the center. He was the most effective forechecker on both crew by a mile, he was profitable practically each puck battle, and he was feeding his teammates all evening lengthy.

He additionally confirmed a eager sense of consciousness within the defensive zone and had some nice reads to associate with it.

Once more, to not overreact, but when Ponomarev continues this stage of play by coaching camp, it is going to be exhausting for the Penguins to justify beginning him within the AHL. Given what he confirmed tonight, he might slot proper in on the Penguins’ third line and fairly simply turn out to be its most compelling participant.

This man has received some expertise, and as we wrote about earlier this week, he can be one to observe.

Related: Will Vasily Ponomarev push for a roster spot?

Tristan Broz

Broz was very spectacular on this sport. He registered two targets and an help, and he centered Beau Jelsma and Ville Koivunen, who was acquired as a part of the Jake Guentzel commerce final spring.

Broz appeared to develop some chemistry alongside Koivunen fairly rapidly, and so they had been a noticeable tandem all evening. He additionally threaded a fantastic go on the best way to Hayes’s energy play purpose (which was one among two on the evening).

However probably the most spectacular factor about Broz in Recreation 1 was his shot. In the course of the second interval, he blasted a one-timer for his first purpose, and he additionally scored the final purpose of the sport within the third interval. He did not look misplaced within the slightest, and, just like the others, he will definitely be one to observe each throughout this match and all through coaching camp.

Simply as Pittsburgh kicked off the day on Friday, they may play the primary sport of the day on Saturday at 12:00 PM ET in opposition to Ottawa. That sport can be adopted by Columbus and Boston at 3:30 PM and New Jersey and Buffalo at 7:00 PM.

Related: 5 Things to Know About Penguins Prospect Rutger McGroarty