Forwards
All four forwards selected in the 2014 NHL Draft will attend camp, including first rounder Kasperi Kapanen. Several familiar names from Wilkes-Barre will appear as well, including several who made their pro debut this spring after finishing up college play. Here are just a few things to look for out of these forwards above:
- Firstly, Kasperi Kapanen needs to shine during this camp. GM Jim Rutherford has stated since free agency began that he believes Kapanen can make a run at making the final 23 man roster come October with Pittsburgh. If that is the case, Kapanen needs to shine this week and be above and beyond the other 21 forwards. Remember, Kapanen was the #1 ranked European player available in the Draft and last year at this time Olli Maatta had a stellar rookie camp that propelled him to a final roster spot.
- Several college players have the chance to make a name for themselves this week as well. Connor Sheary was signed out of UMASS Amherst last spring and is a solid player. Josh Archibald was an offensive powerhouse who played at Jayson Megna's alma mater (U of Nebraska-Omaha) last year and Scott Wilson finished up another solid collegiate campaign at UMASS Lowell. I would expect these three guys to be playing exclusively at Wilkes-Barre this year, but if any can find significant scoring touch (as Archibald really showed at his time at U of N) then they may see some time in Pittsburgh.
- Oskar Sundqvist will appear again at rookie camp after finally signing an entry-level contract earlier this spring. He should play at Wilkes-Barre this year but the Swede could see time in Pittsburgh in the near future.
- Anton Zlobin was featured in one of my earlier pieces about Pens prospects. The young Russian may not impact the Pens this season, but I think he could down the road. A good week in Pittsburgh could go a long way.
Defensemen
Half of the defensemen attending have previously attended this camp. Many were prominent players at Wilkes-Barre last year. Here are a couple things to look for from the defensemen:
- Derrick Pouliot was invited, but will not participate in any hockey activities as he recuperates from shoulder surgery. He was expected to make a run at a roster spot come October like Olli Maatta did last season, but I wouldn't expect him to do that even when he is healthy. He will play at Wilkes-Barre when he returns.
- Brian Dumoulin and Scott Harrington will once again attend camp. However, this time they both have a lot on the line. It is important that both shine during rookie camp, as both have been speculated to be in the competition to make the final 23 man roster come October.
- 2014 7th round pick, Jeff Taylor, will also attend camp. He will return to play at Union College in the fall, where he was part of the NCAA Championship team last season.
- Though not expected to make a run at roster spots, Nick D'Agostino, Reid McNeill and Harrison Ruopp will be expected to lead the Wilkes-Barre defensive corps this season. All three saw significant time at WBS last year and they will be looked upon to hold the line down there again this season.
Goalies
- Tristan Jarry will headline the goalie corps this year. After being drafted in the 2nd Round of 2013 and proclaiming he was ready to take the reins from Marc-Andre Fleury as early as last year, Jarry was phenomenal in the WHL for Edmonton last year. He went 44-14-3 with 2.24 GAA. I would expect him to see another year in Juniors, but with a big camp he may get the jump to Wheeling or Wilkes-Barre.
- Michigan State's Jake Hildebrand and UMASS Amherst's Stephen Mastelerz are the only collegiates in the group this year.
- Matt Murray made his pro debut for WBS last year, but spent the majority of the season in Juniors. I would expect him make the jump to the pros full time this year, most likely at Wheeling.
- Eric Hartzell is not part of the camp, because he is no longer on an entry level contract. He will most likely be the full time goalie at Wilkes-Barre this season, especially if Peter Mannino does not return.