A final installment of the Penguins Prospects Watch. I was tempted to call this one the Land of Misfit Toys, since several of these kids were taken lower in the draft and without much expectation or fanfare.
Actually the poster child for the misfits might be the one with the greatest potential. Defenseman Harrison Brunicke broke training camp with the Penguins and skated in nine games with the big boys before being deftly maneuvered into a five-game conditioning assignment with the Baby Pens.
From there, the Johannesberg, South African native was loaned to the Canadian National Team for the World Junior U-20 Championships, before finally being returned his junior team, Kamloops.
You might say his theme song is, “I’ve Been Everywhere,” by country legend Johnny Cash.
The bouncing around doesn’t appear to have hurt his game any. In 11 games with the Blazers, Brunicke’s racked up 15 points, including a pair of goals. It would seem only a matter of time before the 19-year-old secures a spot on the Pens’ blue line.
Another intriguing prospect who might be considered a bit of an outsider is Russian forward and Other Rick favorite Mikhail Ilyin. A left-handed shooting right wing, the former 2023 fifth-rounder has skated the past four seasons for Cherevpovets Severstal of the KHL. An impressive feat in itself, given that Ilyin’s only 21.
Originally listed at 6’0” 180, the kid experienced a growth spurt and now checks in at 6’3” and 191 pounds. Blessed with outstanding vision and hands, Ilyin is first and foremost a playmaker, although he possesses an accurate shot and quick release. Skating was said to be a drawback. While I’m no judge, he seems to move just fine in highlight videos, with the ability to put on a burst when needed.
Other Rick thinks he’d make a dandy linemate for fellow Russians Evgeni Malkin and Egor Chinakhov. I concur. Given Ilyin’s hockey sense and playmaking skills and Chinakhov’s blistering shot and release, one can easily envision the duo making a lethal combination.
As for others worthy of a shout out? Right wing Cruz Lucius, acquired from the ‘Canes in the Jake Guentzel deal, leads Arizona State University in scoring with a dozen goals and 38 points in 32 games. His props are similar to those of Ilyin. Excellent playmaker with an underrated shot. May need to add some pace to his game to make it in the NHL.
Zam Plante, taken 150th overall in 2022, is second to kid brother, Max, in scoring for the University of Minnesota-Duluth. The 21-year-old water bug center has 38 points, including 14 goals, in 30 games for the Bulldogs. He and Max have been nominated for the prestigious Hobey Baker Award, honoring the top collegiate player.
Nineteen-year-old Mac Swanson, another skilled ‘n’ shifty playmaker, has 21 points (6+15) in 30 games for the University of North Dakota, seven off the team lead. The former USHL Player of the Year doesn’t possess blazing speed, perhaps a significant drawback for a player of his dimensions (5’8″ 175 pounds).
Unfortunately for defenseman Joona Väisänen, a sixth-round pick in the ’24 draft who drew rave reviews at the prospects camp, it’s been a lost season. The 21-year-old Finn’s been out since November with a lower-body injury. In the process cutting short a promising start that saw him tally six assists in seven games for Western Michigan University.
BULLETIN: Sid Injured in the Olympics
In a jolt of terrible news, Sidney Crosby was injured today in the second period of Canada’s 4-3 overtime victory over Czechia in an Olympics quarterfinal matchup.
Moments after absorbing a huge hit that sent our heart-and-soul captain sprawling to the ice, Sid collided with Radko Gudkas and Martin Necas along the boards. He appeared to favor his right leg as he skated gingerly toward the bench. After sitting bent over at the end of the bench for a minute or two, Sid proceeded to the dressing room. He did not return.
Don’t even want to harbor a guess as to the nature and severity of the injury. Pray it’s not serious, for his sake and ours. To say nothing of his native Canada and hockey fans worldwide.