Sam Lafferty
The Penguins went with some local flavor with their first selection on Day 2 by selecting Hollidaysburg native Sam Lafferty. Hollidaysburg is near Altoona, making Lafferty the most native Pens players since Ryan Malone. The 19 year old winger has spent the previous few seasons playing for the prestigious Deerfield Academy in Massachusetts. The captain of the squad, Lafferty has respectable numbers in his career. Scoring 38 goals and 95 points in 74 career games while averaging a 1.28 points per game. His future is in question at the present time. The Pens website stated that he plans on playing for Tri-City in the USHL next season. However, other reports have him slated to play for the Salmon Arm Silverbacks of the BCHL in the 2014-15 season. Regardless of where he plays in 2014-15, he has committed to play college hockey for Brown University in 2015-16. |
Anthony Angello
Angello spent the past season playing for Omaha in the USHL. During his season with the Lancers, he put up 11 goals and 21 points in 58 games.
Ranked number 114 overall by NHL Central Scouting, he is committed to play college hockey at Cornell. He appears to be more of a two-way forward, not a high flying scorer many would hope. However, his 6'4" 190lbs frame may remind some of a young Jordan Staal. If he grows into his height, he could be a formidable NHL forward down the road.
Jaden Lindo
The Pens may look back on their 6th Round choice as the steal of Day 2. With the 173rd overall selection the Penguins selected Jaden Lindo of Brampton, Ontario. The 6'1" winger was ranked 154th by NHL Central Scouting, but was ranked as high as 96th during the 2013-14 season before a season-ending knee injury occurred. Lindo spent the past two seasons playing for the Owen Sound Attack in the OHL. Putting up 12 goals, 40 points in 103 career OHL games. He also played for Team Canada in international played. Lindo is a two-way forward with a lot of upside. Elite hockey prospects scouting report states: "Grinder. Non-stop motor, quick on the forecheck and a pain to play against. Plays 200-feet, does little things to help team win and will take necessary abuse in the process." The scouting report reminds me a lot of Pascal Dupuis' game, but I don't think he is a future Duper. I think he can project to something similar to former Penguin Max Talbot, also selected late in the draft. Sounds like he is slated to fill a Bottom 6 role in a professional career, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. |
Jeff Taylor
Jeff Taylor has championship pedigree and the Penguins took the defenseman with their final pick in the 7th Round today (203rd overall). The Clifton Park, New York native comes in at 6' 180lbs and is currently playing college hockey. He played for the Dubuque Fighting Saints of the USHL during the 2012-13 season. This past season as a freshman, he helped Union College bring home the NCAA Mens Ice Hockey National Championship. He was also named to the ECAC's All-Freshman team. Not a huge player, but could develop into a quality defensemen. It says a lot that he is playing for a very good program in Union and the Pens have had success with college defensemen in the previous few seasons (Dumoulin, Samuelsson, Orpik, etc.). He is probably several years away, but he may develop into a solid defenseman |