The Penguins announced their roster for this weekend’s prospects tournament in Detroit a full three days ahead of time. (Given the last minute nature of past roster releases, that statement is meant with a minimal level of irony).
Only 14 forwards are going, so it’s going to be a great chance for those involved. The core of this week’s team ought to be four players who finished the year with AHL Wilkes-Barre last season: Atley Calvert, Mikhail Ilyin, Tanner Howe and Bill Zonnon. They’re joined by recent draft picks in Liam and Markus Ruck, Pierce Mbuyi, Carter Sanderson and Jordan Charron – with the rest of the team rounded out by players signed to minor league contracts.
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Defense should figure to be a strength for this week’s tournament. Harrison Brunicke should be ready to shine against this competition level and he’s joined by some talent with Finn Harding and Chase Pietila turning into solid AHL players last season. The blueline will be rounded out with Jake Livanavage and a couple of former second round picks (Tomas Galvas and Peyton Kettles) which creates a very talented back-end before getting to a couple of extra bodies with minor league contracts.
Goaltending might give some headaches this week, Pittsburgh is bringing three 18-year olds to Detroit. Only one, Matvei Nikonovich, was drafted. It’ll be fun to see how undrafted invite Carter Casey does after a strong summer development camp in Pittsburgh.
These tournaments can be important, last year it served as the launching point for Brunicke and Ben Kindel to make the NHL opening night roster. That process started in the prospects tournament. Even if that drastic jump is out of the reach for many this time around, it’s the start to a season and players like Livanavage, Zonnon, Howe and Ilyin can use the opportunity to show their skills and start making a case for working towards a potential mid-season call-up.
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