WBS Penguins | CollegeHockeyPlayers

30Aug

Colin McDonald(13) Philadelphia Flyers

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New York Islanders‘ 8th year veteran right wing Colin McDonald(13) started the current campaign on the roster but was having a tough time finding an open spot.

After only a couple of NHL games with no points, he was put on waivers and reassigned to affiliate Bridgeport Sound Tigers for the first time in a long while.

Over the last 4 years in the AHL the 6’2″ 205 lbs. power forward averaged over 40 points, while in his time spent up with 3 teams in his pro career he has a none too shabby 16 goals and 20 assists in 124 games but is a sort of abysmal -22 plus/minus.

In 40 games this year he’s helping out with 14 goals and 21 assists and definitely provides needed leadership on a still young squad.

Signed only through the end of 2015, it will be interesting to see where the 30-year old will take his game next.

The former Edmonton Oilers‘ 2nd round pick in the 2003 draft (#51 overall) definitely has the ability to help out a checking line but may be looking at a trip overseas is probably a better bet.

Original story: 2/7-15

He would get recalled the very next day and started contributing immediately earning that spot on the roster and not looking back.

Although he would level off and was a healthy scratch for games down the stretch he did appear in a pair of playoff games.

Turning 31-years old as the new season approaches it’s probably a good time to switch up the scenery and he’s signed a one-year two-way deal with Philadelphia Flyers for 2015/2016, but I would not put it by him to make the big club out of training camp and fit in just nicely.

See related: 4/22-12

03Jul

Reid McNeill (3)

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Pittsburgh Penguins‘ 6th round pick in the 2010 draft (#170 overall) defenseman Reid McNeill(3) plays an almost unassumingly solid stay-at-home style.

He’s in the final season of his three-year entry level deal, signed after skating a few campaigns of junior hockey in the OHL.

The towering 6’4″ 215 lbs. d-man has never put up much on the score sheet but is showing an increasing upward tick to his penalty minutes and fighting majors.

He was credited with throwing down the gloves 11 times in 55 AHL games last season.

All that time in the box has yet to sour his accountability on the ice either, as he’s currently holding a +12 rating.

The young 22-year old is definitely being looked as an up-and-comer working his way up from his rookie season start in the ECHL with Wheeling Nailers.

Now that he’s become a fixture on the blue line for minor league affiliate Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins it still may take a bit more seasoning until he finds a spot on the parent club’s roster.

Original story: 10/24-14

Following a career season with high marks of 2 goals and 5 assists for 7 points, the big stay-at-home d-man re-signs for two more years to stay in the prospect system.

His shutdown style game could score the recently turned 23-year old a first NHL recall on a parent club that may be looking for some help in their own zone.

06Apr

Taylor Chorney(44) Pittsburgh Penguins

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Pittsburgh Penguins‘ 7th year defenseman Taylor Chorney(44) spent the last pair of seasons exclusively in the minors while under contract with St. Louis Blues.

Previously he’d skated in at least a couple contests each campaign, and spent over half of 2009/2010 with draft team Edmonton Oilers (2005 round 2, #35 overall). He’s appeared in 65 NHL games scoring a goal and 5 assists.

The 6’1″ 201 lbs. blue liner has reached 20+ points in the AHL five times, including his 4 goals and 16 assists mark this season.

He’s received a pair of recalls and played in 4 games, increasing his time on ice to 24 shifts for 15:24, including 1:38 on the power play and 2 shots on net, 2 hits and one break up.

The 27-year old is only signed through the end of the season but could extended to stick around in eastern Pennsylvania.

17Mar

Corey Potter(28) Calgary Flames

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Almost a month after his 2nd recall from affiliate Adirondack Flames, Calgary Flames‘ 9th year defenseman Corey Potter(28) finally got into a couple of games to extend his streak of big league appearances to seven seasons in a row.

In 125 NHL big league contests, for two seasons with Edmonton Oilers he appeared in games only at the highest level and has skated the bulk of his games with the Canadian club (111).

Otherwise, he’s had a few nods here and there: from draft team (4th round in 2003, #122 overall) New York Rangers over a couple of seasons, 1 with Pittsburgh Penguins and most recently 3 looks from Boston Bruins after being grabbed off waivers.

The 6’3″ 205 lbs. has played 352 AHL games scoring a modest 28 goals and 125 assists but is an absolute mammoth of on ice accountability with an overall +97 rating.

At 31-years old he still has some more seasons left in the tank but it’s a bit of a wonder if he gets another major contract or plays out his time in the minors mentoring prospects and heads into coaching when it’s time to finally hang up the skates.

See related: 3/28-11

16Mar

Denver Manderson(23) Orlando Solar Bears

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Undrafted 5th year left wing Denver Manderson(23) signed a one-year two-way deal with Toronto Marlies but has spent a majority of the season reassigned to their ECHL affiliate Orlando Solar Bears, where he leads the team in goals (18) and scoring (49).

His goal total ties his career high mark and 31 assists and point totals are new bests.

The not exactly huge 5’10” 180 lbs. forward has only appeared in 6 AHL games this season and may see one more recall but it’s definitely way down from the 36 games he skated in 2013/2014, while under contract with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.

He managed a pair of goals and 9 assists in what would qualify as his rookie campaign in the league.

He also played 27 games with Wheeling Nailers that season scoring 11 goals and 18 assists with a +10 rating and added another 2 tallies and 4 helpers in 6 playoff contests.

Missing the entire 2012/2013 except for one game due to injury, he also played the entire 2011/2012 with the team notching 40 points (18-22) through 51 games.

In maybe a bit of a strange move, he actually started his pro career in Finland’s second tier Mestis with HeKi putting up some respectable marks before the Ontario native turned his attention closer to home.

He also came up through juniors a bit unlikely as he spent most of his time in the lower BCHL putting up outstanding marks (over 2 points per game in his final run as team captain) with Penticton Vees.

It seems likely that he’ll earn himself another contract with an NHL farm club but will have to continue to work hard to find a more permanent spot on the roster.

09Mar

Matt Murray(30) WBS Penguins

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Pittsburgh Penguins‘ 3rd round pick in the 2012 draft (#85 overall) goaltender Matt Murray(30) is having a spectacular first season with minor league affiliate Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.

He’s recorded an 18-8-2 mark in his rookie campaign, which started with a shutout in his first appearance of the season.

The 6’4″ slim 174 lbs. net minder just set a new AHL scoreless streak at 3:04:11 without letting in a goal.

He blanked the competition four straight games in the process and then was only scored on with 1:11 remaining in his fifth straight win. He managed to stop 130 shots on net before letting one in.

The former Sault Ste. Marie Greyhound is signed through 2016/2017 and with continued good play and a strong playoff showing could find himself suited up as the NHL back-up for the parent club in his sophomore season.

04Mar

Matt Carkner(3) Bridgeport Sound Tigers

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14th year veteran defenseman Matt Carkner(3) has played in the NHL exclusively for the last 5 years. He’s played 237 games scoring 4 goals and 23 assists.

It also took him 5 seasons to crack a big league lineup through his entry level deal with San Jose Sharks. He appeared in one game with them.

Originally a Montreal Canadiens‘ 2nd round pick in the 1999 draft (#58 overall), the unrestricted free agent spent most of his playing days in the system with the defunct Cleveland Barons.

Currently signed through the end of this season, he’s in the last of his three-year deal with New York Islanders, but after coming off injured reserved was sent directly to affiliate Bridgeport Sound Tigers.

It’s his first appearance in the minors since 2011 when he played three games on a conditioning reassignment to Binghamton Senators while under contract with Ottawa.

The big 6’4″ 226 lbs. wide body may be best remembered for his five campaigns with the Canadian nation’s capital team. He had his best offensive production with them in 2009/2010 when he got 2 goals and 9 assists and scored a triple overtime gwg in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The 34-year old may be playing out his time in the AHL but could get a recall as the postseason draws nearer and the parent club needs to rest some players.

As far as continued playing time in his pro career, he’ll likely have to shift his game overseas or maybe sign a one year deal to continue to help develop prospects on a farm team.

01Mar

Zach Sill(22) Toronto Maple Leafs

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6th year undrafted center Zach Sill(22) was probably a bit surprised and happy to be dealt before the trade deadline from Pittsburgh Penguins to the rebuilding Toronto Maple Leafs.

The 6′ 205 lbs. fourth line agitator started his pro career in the AHL with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins for two seasons before scoring his first major contract, which was extended twice.

It’s up at the end of the current campaign so he’ll have to prove himself with his new team to earn another deal.

2014-2015 has been the 26-year old’s first full run in the show but he’s scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent.

Not exactly know for his scoring prowess, although he did score his first NHL goal and added a pair of assists, he’s mostly used to get under the skin of opponents and welcomes any encounter.

He has 5 fighting majors this season and will likely battle his way into a new contract.

See related: 4/30-12

18Feb

Fight Card: Harry Zolnierczyk(16) vs. Steve Spinell(44)

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Not exactly a battle of the giants: Bridgeport Sound Tigers‘ 6’ 185 lbs. Harry Zolnierczyk(16) vs. Hartford Wolf Pack 6’2″ 216 lbs. defenseman Steve Spinell(44).

Unsure of what set this one off but the smaller Zolnierczyk was feisty enough to hold his own.

It was both combatants first and probably only fight of the 2014/2015 season.

The best part of the fight though are the people’s expressions in the background, especially the guy that pops in and out of shots.

14Jan

Steve MacIntyre(74) Utah Grizzlies

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Norfolk Admirals‘ absolutely huge 6’5″ 250 lbs. 13th year veteran left wing Steve MacIntyre(74) has seemingly taken his demotion to Utah Grizzlies of the ECHL for the first time since 2006 in stride this late in his pro career.

He actually played the next season 2006/2007 in the old UHL with Quad City Mallards, who maybe ironically are now playing their games in the same league.

His brick wall, tough guy style and persistent attitude helped take his game to the next level when in 2007/2008 he skated a full AHL season with Providence Bruins.

It would be the last time he put up over 200 penalty minutes in a season and although he threw fists 18 times, that was easily the most fights in a campaign he’d ever settled.

Edmonton Oilers took notice and grabbed him off waivers from Florida Panthers, who reclaimed him a year later.

He would play games mostly in Alberta, but he also got some time with Pittsburgh Penguins.

The 34-year old skated last season with Oklahoma City Barons but only appeared in 11 games.

He’s been held pointless for at least the last three years.

It’s pretty likely that if he wants to still play the sport he will take his game to England next and be a hero.