Prospect Info: '24-'25 Prospects Thread: Generation Z

[Rudy Russo]

Its a shame the auctions start at $300, id love to own one. Never understood the hate for these jerseys.

It is a shame. At least the money is going to a charity. The Nailers need to make this jersey at least a third jersey.

 

[Rudy Russo]

I want to see that jersey make a comeback

 

[Le Magnifique 66]

View attachment 974156

What a beauty!!

 

[PensFutures]

Lucius already scoring in NHL arenas

 

[Rudy Russo]

Finn Harding had a heck of a game tonight with 5pts (1G4A)

 

[Rudy Russo]

Player​	Games Played​	Goals​	Assists​	Total Points​
Mac Swanson- LW​	26​	2​	12​	14​
Chase Pietila- RD​	27​	5​	12​	17​
Harrison Brunicke RD​	22​	3​	15​	18​
Tanner Howe- LW Calgary Hitman/ Pats​	29​	12​	13​	25​
Melvin Fermstrom- RW Orebro- HK (SHL)​	36​	4​	6​	10​
Finn Harding- RD​	48​	6​	37​	43​
Emil Pieniniemi- LD (OHL)​	44​	6​	41​	47​
Cooper Foster- C​	40​	15​	24​	39​
Cruz Lucius- RW​	9​	2​	3​	5​
Mikhail Ilyin- (KHL) LW/RW​	51​	4​	20​	24​
Zam Plante- C​	25​	4​	11​	15​
Daniel Laatsch- LD​	22​	2​	3​	5​
Joona Vaisanen- RD (Western Michigan)​	25​	1​	11​	12​
Taylor Gauthier- Goalie (ECHL)​	16​	GAA 2.59​	SV % .913​	Win/Loss 9-6​
Sergei Murashov- Goalie (AHL)​	5​	GAA 1.60​	SV % .947​	Win/Loss 5-0​
Mathieu De. St. Phalle-LW/RW (AHL Deal) ECHL​	43​	17​	26​	43​
Atley Calvert-Center (AHL Deal) ECHL​	38​	13​	23​	36​
Jack Beck- RW/LW​	33​	7​	25​	32​
Avery Hayes- C/RW (AHL Deal)​	28​	10​	11​	21​
Ville Koivunen- LW/C​	40​	15​	23​	38​
Mac Hollowell- D​	35​	0​	23​	23​
Rutger McGroarty- C/W​	38​	5​	15​	21​
Vaslli Ponomaryov​	31​	11​	16​	27​
Tristan Broz-C​	28​	13​	7​	20​

 

[Dipsy Doodle]

Hayes is exactly the same age as Broz and has almost exactly the same statline this year.

 

[wej20]

Hayes is exactly the same age as Broz and has almost exactly the same statline this year.

Be nice to see him pick up a contract with Ansons, Puljujarvi and Koppanen all likely moving on.

 

[Ulf5]

Finn Harding had a heck of a game tonight with 5pts (1G4A)

Highlights or it didn't happen.

 

[Ulf5]

Hayes is exactly the same age as Broz and has almost exactly the same statline this year.

You weren't kidding. 10/10/02.

 

[WickedWrister]

Highlights or it didn't happen.

 

[chethejet]

Bruniche was injured but really liked his size skating and on ice poise at Pens preseason camp. Dubas takes some crap here, but he has done a very good job in upgrading the farm from where it was.

 

[PensFutures]

Nailers win 4-3 in front of a big crowd for Pittsburgh Penguins night. Kevin Stevens was in the house for the puck drop and autograph session.

Klassen, Pietila, Jackson, and Martel all scored. Castor 23/26.

 

[OtherThingsILike]

Tomorrow night in Wheeling!!. A tribute to a classic penguins jersey.
View attachment 974151

Did anyone else think this was Chris Kunitz at first?
Was it just me?

 

[Randy Butternubs]

Did anyone else think this was Chris Kunitz at first?
Was it just me?

I knew it was Belliveau cause he kinda looks like a big baby.

 

[Jacob]

I think Harding is a legit prospect. Legit enough I think he’s well worth an ELC and should be able to be able to step right into the AHL next season.

I don’t know where his upside is but maybe like a Lovejoy as a realistic best-case scenario if no setbacks? Just kind of a hard-working all-around guy.

But he can play. And we need guys that can play.

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

I think Harding is a legit prospect. Legit enough I think he’s well worth an ELC and should be able to be able to step right into the AHL next season.

I don’t know where his upside is but maybe like a Lovejoy as a realistic best-case scenario if no setbacks? Just kind of a hard-working all-around guy.

But he can play. And we need guys that can play.

Agree. There is nothing wrong with 5-7th rounders turning into good AHLers.

I hope they sign Foster too for same reasons you outlined but I’d imagine Harding is close to a lock.

The guy I’m most curious about is Laatsch. Won’t get a ELC but does he get an AHL deal? You can’t teach what he’s got.

Getting Avery Hayes on a NHL deal should be a priority as well.

 

[PensFutures]

I think Harding is a legit prospect. Legit enough I think he’s well worth an ELC and should be able to be able to step right into the AHL next season.

I don’t know where his upside is but maybe like a Lovejoy as a realistic best-case scenario if no setbacks? Just kind of a hard-working all-around guy.

But he can play. And we need guys that can play.

Exciting times, Pieniniemi and Harding now 5&6 in OHL D scoring.

 

[SEALBound]

I think Harding is a legit prospect. Legit enough I think he’s well worth an ELC and should be able to be able to step right into the AHL next season.

I don’t know where his upside is but maybe like a Lovejoy as a realistic best-case scenario if no setbacks? Just kind of a hard-working all-around guy.

But he can play. And we need guys that can play.

It's a good time to be a Penguins defensive prospect right now. We are pretty flush with forwards and I imagine they add another prime center this draft. With only Pie and Brunicke, there's space in WBS/Wheeling. And I think the Murashov situation and the success of Wheeling might be putting a different spin on how the ECHL may viewed by Pens prospects. Instead of "you're not good enough for the AHL, go f*** of in the ECHL" there might be a more legit "hey, we have a ton of depth in WBS, we need you to dominate the ECHL, then you'll get the call when ready".

Harding will get his chance I would imagine just like any other prospect. It might be a bit longer route to the AHL or even NHL. He just has to keep developing at each level. Being a 7th rounder (almost last pick of the draft), he doesn't have the proverbial golden ticket of draft pedigree getting him the benefit of the doubt.

Exciting times, Pieniniemi and Harding now 5&6 in OHL D scoring.

Pie at #5 is exciting. Harding is 19 so I would generally expect more scoring but, yeah, it's awesome actually having prospects worth following. Brunicke is at like 18th in PPG but he's obviously injured. It would have been nice for him to get a full season to see where he stands up in the WHL. Obviously not Landon DuPont but...

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

Pie at #5 is exciting. Harding is 19 so I would generally expect more scoring but, yeah, it's awesome actually having prospects worth following.

Pieniniemi and Harding are the exact same age to the day.

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

Pieniniemi (I gotta triple check every time I try to spell his name) looked really good at the WJCs too. Didn't light the world on fire but was noticeable every time I watched.

 

[PensFutures]

Pieniniemi (I gotta triple check every time I try to spell his name) looked really good at the WJCs too. Didn't light the world on fire but was noticeable every time I watched.

With Pieniniemi, Harding, Pickering, Brunicke, and Vaisanen im very comfortable in the future from the blue line back. Getting an almost nailed on 1C with our pick, and another young F (draft or trade) with the Rags pick would be huge.

 

[SEALBound]

Pieniniemi and Harding are the exact same age to the day.

Oh damn, you're right. I thought Pieniniemi was only 18 for some reason.

Well, the same goes for him then - at 19, one would expect a higher PPG in the OHL.

I mean, either way, it's great to see two Penguins dmen being productive in Juniors.

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

With Pieniniemi, Harding, Pickering, Brunicke, and Vaisanen im very comfortable in the future from the blue line back. Getting an almost nailed on 1C with our pick, and another young F (draft or trade) with the Rags pick would be huge.

I wouldn't say I'm comfortable with the future blueline quite yet. That'll be after the Pens drop to 4th and snag Schaefer who somehow falls because GMs are stupid, then Dupont 1st overall in 2027 lands in our lap.

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

With Pieniniemi, Harding, Pickering, Brunicke, and Vaisanen im very comfortable in the future from the blue line back. Getting an almost nailed on 1C with our pick, and another young F (draft or trade) with the Rags pick would be huge.

Pietila looks solid as well. But really it’s a bunch of ok depth. Not comfortable projecting any of those guys as high end types, which they will need. Can say the same at F.

our pool is flush with dudes that look like they have a chance to get ELCs and then maybe end up as complimentary NHLers but would not say we are strong at any one spot where I’m “very comfortable with the future”

We need like 4-5 horses to build around. Current crop of prospects is going to be who you put around the horses (if we are lucky enough to get a few legit NHLers from it).