Penguins Update: Panning for Prospect Gold
I confess, I only watched tiny snippets of the recent Penguins games at the NHL Prospects Challenge in Buffalo. Contests that saw our fledglings prevail.
Hardly enough viewage to offer any kind of expert analysis.
Still, I was very much heartened by the dual victories, including an inspired, come-from-behind 6-3 win over the Bruins’ prospects on Friday and a spirited 4-2 triumph over a rambunctious Ottawa kiddie korps on Saturday. More so by the fact that, for the first time in 100 years it seems, we have some bona fide nuggets in the organizational pipeline.
To digress, I would think identifying, selecting and developing prospects would be a lot like panning for gold. You sift through gallons of creek water and silt in hopes of discovering a few flakes or even a nugget or two, never mind unearthing a motherlode. A process that requires an endless reserve of patience and perseverance, not to mention a sharp eye.
Anywho, back to those nuggets I spoke of. In no particular order, the following quintet were among those who sparkled the brightest.
Rutger McGroarty, 20 (Left Wing)
Expected to compete for a spot with the big club this fall, McGroarty (pictured above) didn’t disappoint.