Post by Pittsburgh Penguins on Aug 22, 2024 18:46:38 GMT -6
When last season ended, the Pens had an opportunity to upgrade their talent pool. With loads of cap space, cash and draft pick capital, it was expected that the pro team would be able to upgrade. Fast forward to just this past week, and that finally came to fruition with the signing of Zach Hyman. Hyman was a highly sought after winger who can skate, score, pass, hit and lead after his championship performance with the Stanley Cup winners this past season. Hyman signed the largest contract for a forward this Off-season. When asked about why he signed with the pens Hyman had this to say " They are an up and coming team with the best prospect in the league coming into fold this coming season. Im looking forward to winning again" . When looking at the roster, it was largely expected that GM Swackhammer would try to upgrade on defense but instead he upgraded the forward side. Per sources, the Pens felt that the upgrades available in free agency weren't significant enough to forgo obtaining a top line winger to pair with Bedard. Pittsburgh also picked up boo nieves who played well above and down the pro lineup last year and is one of the best skaters in the pfhl.
Prior to Free agency, was the PFHL draft in which Pittsburgh had 4 first round picks including 2 in the top 12. At 4, Artyom Levshunov was selected out of Michigan State
“Levshunov was the best defenseman in the Big Ten this season and a big part of Michigan State being a top team. He is extremely skilled and creative, both as a puck-handler and passer. He has the hands of a top offensive defenseman and looks very comfortable with the puck. He skates well and can play an up-tempo style in how he attacks with his skill. He has the offensive sense to potentially run a PP1 in the NHL and has a good point shot, too.” - Corey Pronman
At 12, Pittsburgh selected forward Konsta Helenius
Helenius was very good at the Liiga level and was a top player for Finland’s U20 team. He had a strong playoffs for Jukurit, leading to an invite to Finland’s national team. He is a highly skilled playmaker who can make a lot of difficult passes consistently. He shows the vision to run a pro power play effectively. He skates well and creates a lot of offense with pace for himself and others. Helenius isn’t a big center, but he gives strong efforts off the puck, doesn’t shy from going to the net and has an edge to his game. Inside the NHL, the debate is whether he’s a good or a special 5-11 forward. I’ve seen enough flashes to think the latter, but his so-so U18 worlds and world juniors give some pause. I think he can be a top-line center or a No. 2 on a top team. - Corey Pronman
at 20, Pittsburgh selected winger Michael Brandsegg-Nygard
"Brandsegg-Nygard was very good at the Swedish junior level He started off slow versus men, but was very good in the Allsvenskan playoffs and made Norway's senior team. He is a well-rounded forward. He's a good skater. He has strong puck skills. He has a great shot and is often a threat to score from mid-distance. His frame is average-sized, but he plays hard and has physicality in his game. He thinks the game well and sees plays develop, but I don't think his playmaking is his main asset." - Scout
Originally having pick 26, Pittsburgh traded down to 31 and selected Emil Henning.
He's a highly skilled winger who can skate well. He is dangerous in transition, creates a lot of controlled entries and can break open shifts with his skill. Hemming can make plays and see openings develop, but his shot is his best weapon. He can rip pucks from range and will be a legit goal-scoring threat versus top goalies. Like a lot of goal scorers, Hemming can lean on his shot too much and stays on the outside. The lack of interior offense and inconsistent effort is the only thing keeping me from tabbing him as a potential middle-six forward. - Scout
Looking at the prospect pool, the Penguins have a substantial amount of high end defensive prospects in Brandt Clarke, Levushunov, David Jiricek, and Denton Mateychuk and this doesn't include the glut of young defenseman on the AHL/NHL roster. The future is looking bright in Pittsburgh for years to come but with success to come this upcoming season.
Prior to Free agency, was the PFHL draft in which Pittsburgh had 4 first round picks including 2 in the top 12. At 4, Artyom Levshunov was selected out of Michigan State
“Levshunov was the best defenseman in the Big Ten this season and a big part of Michigan State being a top team. He is extremely skilled and creative, both as a puck-handler and passer. He has the hands of a top offensive defenseman and looks very comfortable with the puck. He skates well and can play an up-tempo style in how he attacks with his skill. He has the offensive sense to potentially run a PP1 in the NHL and has a good point shot, too.” - Corey Pronman
At 12, Pittsburgh selected forward Konsta Helenius
Helenius was very good at the Liiga level and was a top player for Finland’s U20 team. He had a strong playoffs for Jukurit, leading to an invite to Finland’s national team. He is a highly skilled playmaker who can make a lot of difficult passes consistently. He shows the vision to run a pro power play effectively. He skates well and creates a lot of offense with pace for himself and others. Helenius isn’t a big center, but he gives strong efforts off the puck, doesn’t shy from going to the net and has an edge to his game. Inside the NHL, the debate is whether he’s a good or a special 5-11 forward. I’ve seen enough flashes to think the latter, but his so-so U18 worlds and world juniors give some pause. I think he can be a top-line center or a No. 2 on a top team. - Corey Pronman
at 20, Pittsburgh selected winger Michael Brandsegg-Nygard
"Brandsegg-Nygard was very good at the Swedish junior level He started off slow versus men, but was very good in the Allsvenskan playoffs and made Norway's senior team. He is a well-rounded forward. He's a good skater. He has strong puck skills. He has a great shot and is often a threat to score from mid-distance. His frame is average-sized, but he plays hard and has physicality in his game. He thinks the game well and sees plays develop, but I don't think his playmaking is his main asset." - Scout
Originally having pick 26, Pittsburgh traded down to 31 and selected Emil Henning.
He's a highly skilled winger who can skate well. He is dangerous in transition, creates a lot of controlled entries and can break open shifts with his skill. Hemming can make plays and see openings develop, but his shot is his best weapon. He can rip pucks from range and will be a legit goal-scoring threat versus top goalies. Like a lot of goal scorers, Hemming can lean on his shot too much and stays on the outside. The lack of interior offense and inconsistent effort is the only thing keeping me from tabbing him as a potential middle-six forward. - Scout
Looking at the prospect pool, the Penguins have a substantial amount of high end defensive prospects in Brandt Clarke, Levushunov, David Jiricek, and Denton Mateychuk and this doesn't include the glut of young defenseman on the AHL/NHL roster. The future is looking bright in Pittsburgh for years to come but with success to come this upcoming season.
