Defense might be best route in draft
It also bears mentioning that both are restricted free agents, so the Penguins could extend qualifying offers to retain their rights.
But if both scenarios unfold, logistics alone significantly decrease the chances of either contributing to the NHL club next season — tough because they would’ve had a realistic shot.
Bengtsson and Pedan were two of the four Black Ace defensemen the Penguins called up April 28, two days after Wilkes-Barre/ Scranton’s season ended in the first round of the AHL’s Calder Cup playoffs.
Had multiple injuries occurred to Penguins defensemen in the playoffs, it was entirely possible that Bengtsson or Pedan would’ve been forced into NHL duty along with veteran Matt Hunwick.
Injuries and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, which can cause dizziness, shortness of breath and chest pains when standing up, limited the puck-moving Bengtsson to 53 games the past two years, where he produced one goal and 20 points.
Pedan’s offensive game flourished — 9 goals and 26 points in 52 games — after arriving in WilkesBarre in the Derrick Pouliot trade, yet he’s still known more for physicality and toughness.
To at least partially mitigate the (possible) loss of two defensive prospects, the Penguins last week signed Finnish defenseman Juuso Riikola, 24, who had spent the past six seasons with KalPa of the Finnish Elite League.
Riikola is a 6-foot, 190-pound left shot whose offensive game has grown (8 goals and 24 points in 59 games this past season) but likely projects as a steadier, safer defensemen in North America.
Further down the depth chart, the Penguins have Chris Summers for another year, although he’s 30 and obviously not a prospect. Three similar players, Kevin Czuczman, Jarred Tinordi and Zach Trotman, will be unrestricted free agents July 1, while Frank Corrado and Ethan Prow — 25year-olds desperately clinging to prospect status — will be restricted free agents.
Among junior players, recent draft selections Connor Hall (2016, third round) and Zach Lauzon (2017, second round) have had trouble staying healthy and won’t be pushing for NHL work in 2018, if at all.
That brings us to the NHL draft June 22-23 at American Airlines Center in Dallas.
The Penguins won’t have a firstround pick — it went to Ottawa in the Derick Brassard trade — and won’t select anyone until No. 53 overall, in the second round. They pick again at No. 64 (third round) but not again until two fifth-round choices.
Trying to predict anything in the first round of the NHL draft is foolish — it’s not the NFL, as it includes players from all over the world — let alone doing it in Rounds 2-3.
The Hockey News recently put out its top 100 prospect rankings, complete with best-case scenario player comparisons.
Using this as a guide, and focusing on defensive prospects around that No. 53 overall pick, here’s a taste what the Penguins could get should they decide to bolster their defense through the NHL draft:
Calen Addison (R), Lethbridge (WHL) — Terrific offense but questions about his own-zone play. Hockey News rank: 45. Bestcase comparable: Kris Letang, Penguins.
Nils Lundqvist (L), Chicago (USHL) — Slightly undersized (511, 174) but much more steady. Hockey News rank: 51. Best-case comparable: Brian Dumoulin, Penguins.
Alexander Alexeyev (L), Red Deer (WHL) — Dealt with injury and mom’s death. Great size (6-3, 190) but inconsistent production. Hockey News rank: 54. Best-case comparable: Shea Theodore, Golden Knights.
Stanislav Demin (L), Wenatchee (Jr. A) — Serviceable in many areas, but plenty of seasoning required. Hockey News rank: 55. Best-case comparable: Ben Lovejoy, Devils.
Kevin Bahl (L), Ottawa (OHL) — Huge (6-6, 231) and a terrific shot. Other areas need work. Hockey News rank: 58. Best-case comparable: Braydon Coburn, Lightning.