AHL: Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins: '24-'25 The Players Sully Hates

[Don'tcry4mejanhrdina]

I feel like even our supposed top end guys never pan out. Other teams will often see these random 5th rounders who tear up junior and fans get excited about fizzle, but largely their first rounders seem to meet expectations (the good organizations, anyway). But with us, even guys who were projected to be "top line forward/top pairing defense" at the time they were drafted end up being fringe 4th liners.

Top end guys? What's that?

In all seriousness, who was the last real blue chip prospect the Pens had other than maybe Guentzel? They had a chance at one and completely blew it in 2012 when they selected Pouliot instead of Forsberg who most of this board wanted. I recall some wanted Trouba who also would have been a MUCH better selection.

Before that....Staal? Plus even that pick wasn't that great considering Toews, Backstrom and Kessel all ended up being much better players and were also considered better by most experts at the time as well.

Not to mention giving away a young 30-40 goal scorer like McCann certainly doesn't help with talent acquisition.

The drafting/development has been horrendous for a long time now. Their last real successful pick was Guentzel and that's over 11 years ago....before that it was Rust which was almost 15 years ago.

 

[Darren McCord]

McGroat will be fine. His start was handled in the worst way possible.

He should benefit a lot more with Puustinen, Pono and Poulin going down.

WBS is a good team. McGroat is being given time to work things out.

 

[Le Magnifique 66]

Good news for WBS, selfishly I'm happy he didn't get claimed!

 

[Darren McCord]

Good news for WBS, selfishly I'm happy he didn't get claimed!

Me too. WBS having a good year will be great for young players on the team.

McGroat
Broz
Pono
Koivunen
Hayes
Blomqvist
Belliveau

Are all players that I am intrigued about. I am really intrigued by Belliveau think Belliveau is quietly starting to break out down there after being in the ECHL last season.

7gp 1g 2a +8

His +8 is 19th in the league but most guys have 10 more games than him.