Saturday afternoon finally gave us Penguins hockey again.. well, Penguins prospect hockey. The Pittsburgh Penguins prospect tournament opened with a 2-1 shootout win over Columbus, and the score really doesn’t show how much Pittsburgh controlled the game. Tomas Galvas was the biggest standout, the Ruck twins finally got to play together, Tanner Howe was everywhere, and this group looked every bit as deep as advertised.
Pittsburgh Penguins Prospect Tournament: Who Stood Out Against Columbus?
The thing I am most pleased with through one game was the staff deciding to let the twins to play together. During development camp, the Ruck’s were purposefully split apart so seeing them together for the first time was great.
Both Ruck’s had some great plays and looked a step above a lot of the players on Columbus’ side, at least from a hockey IQ standpoint. Liam Ruck almost added a highlight reel play when trying to pass between his legs, unfortunately Columbus denied the chance.
Before speaking about the Penguins best player of the game, I think credit needs to be given to the goaltender for Columbus. The Penguins were thoroughly dominating this game from puck drop and yet the score was 1-0 for most of the game completely because of the play of Gardner for Columbus. Stats are relatively unofficial for this tournament but at one point the scoreboard read shots 33-11 in the Penguins favor, and it only got more lopsided.
Gardner was great for Columbus, and kept them in the game, but the best player on the ice was unequivocally Thomas Glavas. He was a one-man breakout all game and he was constantly helping his teammates generate chances. The third-round pick defenseman was supposed to stay in the Czech pro league this season but is attempting to make the NHL squad, or possibly the AHL. It’s easy to overreact to the performances of these games but they hold little weight. Ben Kindel was not particulary good in last year’s tournament but wowed everyone once actual training camp started. With that disclaimer aside, Glavas looked like a pro defenseman. Many would have expected Brunicke to look the part, but all eyes were drawn to Glavas. Glavas did have the privilege of playing pro hockey all last season, albeit in a Czech league, but I’m not sure anyone expected him to look this good. Hell, he saved the game for the Penguins and then scored to extend the shootout.
Glavas being a left sided defenseman makes things very interesting. He will have to earn a spot with the NHL Penguins, but it is the path of least resistance. He doesn’t have to worry about really anyone having a guaranteed spot like Brunicke does with Karlsson and Letang on the right side. I know the Penguins initial plan was to send Glavas back to play in his home pro league, but if he continues to play like this, I think the Penguins will be glad he decided to come over to North America to get a taste of training camp.
Another player that I really liked today was Tanner Howe. Howe had to overcome a knee injury last season and while he was totally fine in the AHL, you could tell he was still working himself back into form. From all accounts, he had a great offseason, and it showed today as he was everywhere. His vision stuck out to me, and his hustle was as advertised.
The one thing I didn’t love from the Penguins prospects today was how quiet the few NHL hopefuls were throughout the game. I am specifically speaking of Bill Zonnon and Harrison Brunicke. I don’t think either played poorly, I’d say they both played okay. It’s just you would wish players of their expected caliber to really stick out in games like this. I also think about training camp being shortened this season and how that could impact guys like Zonnon and Brunicke. I know these games shouldn’t matter, and that Kindel didn’t play well in them last year, but with the new training camps you only have so many opportunities to stick out. I think a guy like Glavas really did a lot to garner an extended look while Brunicke and Zonon did not. Sure, if Bill or Harrison really stick out during actual camp none of this will matter but with only three training camp practices, that is going to be difficult to accomplish.
Luckily for the players that didn’t stick out today, they will have another chance tomorrow. While Dan Muse isn’t behind the bench, I guarantee he is watching. I know Dubas is doing the same as the head coach he employs. None of the prospects on the cusp can really afford to be quiet for too long unless they want to torpedo their chances at making the NHL. We know we won’t see the Ruck’s in Pittsburgh this year, but the baby Pens coach did offer some encouraging praise of their skating.
