2018 Prospects Challenge wrap

BUFFALO, New York - The Pens wrapped up the annual Prospects Challenge over the weekend. Here were the biggest takeaways from the event, which took place in Buffalo's HarborCenter.

* The Penguins did not get the on-ice results that they had hoped for after finishing 0-3 over the weekend. However, to be fair the other three teams (Boston, Buffalo, New Jersey) had stacked their rosters with prospects.
Just consider a comparison of first-round picks in the lineups (BOS - 4; BUF - 4; NJ - 3; PIT - 0) and second-rounders (BOS - 5; BUF - 4; NJ - 3; PIT - 1). A few of those prospects even appeared in NHL games last year.
Yes, the Penguins' pool of prospects isn't as strong as those other teams, but those other teams have gone through rebuilds and have stockpiled that talent while the Pens were dealing picks and winning Stanley Cups.
With the lopsided edge in talent it wasn't surprising that the Pens struggled.
* More important than the final results is the development of those individual players on the ice. Getting outplayed is a good learning lesson for these young players about how high they need to elevate their games to compete against better talent and to be consistent in their approach.
Certainly, the Pens wanted a better showing. But the biggest lesson was that Pittsburgh needed to battle to the bitter end regardless of the score. In that sense, objective achieved.
* Forward Adam Johnson, 24, shined the brightest of all of the Pens' prospects. He led the team with three goals in the tournament, one in each contest. Johnson's speed jumps out right away, and his stickhandling in tight places is very impressive. Johnson scored all of his goals by making moves in tight at the net.
Most importantly for Johnson was his added size. Johnson is listed as 6-foot, 174 pounds, but noted that he added weight during the offseason. That will only help his overall game. Johnson's biggest weakness is upper-body strength. The added muscle will help him win more puck battles and fend off defenders.
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton head coach Clark Donatelli said Johnson will compete for a roster spot in Pittsburgh during training camp. Even if Johnson doesn't make the big club for the season opener, he will be on the short list of callups during the year.
* Two other players that may make an appearance in Pittsburgh during the season are Sam Lafferty and Anthony Angello. Lafferty, 23, and Angello, 22, joined WBS at the end of the 2017-18 season and playoffs after finishing their collegiate careers (Brown and Cornell respectfully).
Lafferty is a strong center with playmaking ability. Angello is a prototypical power forward (6-foot-5, 210 pounds). The duo played most of the tournament together and had excellent chemistry. Lafferty set up a few goals, while Angello was laying out heavy body checks.
* Forward Jordy Bellerive returned to competitive action during the tournament, his first since suffering severe burns during a campfire accident in June. He admitted to not being 100 percent and it was obvious.
Bellerive, who was arguably the team's best player in last year's tournament, didn't have the same flash and flair this time. He did hit two posts and had flashes of his old self. This is all part of the growing pains of returning from a tough injury. Bellerive will only get better with time.
* Pittsburgh's second-round pick (53rd overall) in 2018, Calen Addison, who scored a goal, gave management a look at one of its future blueliners. He appeared to be exactly as expected.
Addison displayed a swift skating and offensively aggressive component to his game. He regularly joined the rush and wasn't afraid to lead the way. On one shift he led a 3-on-2 rush, had a shot at the crease and then backtracked to deny a scoring opportunity for New Jersey.
But what I was most impressed at was Addison's leadership. Even though he's only 18 years old and attending his first prospects tournament, Addison was very vocal on the ice. He was telling his teammates where to go - either pointing his stick or glove, and was communicating with everyone on the ice. It was great to see a young kid step up and not be intimidated by the situation.
* A few free agent players used last season's Prospects Challenge to earn contracts with the team - notably Bellerive, Sam Miletic and Alex D'Orio. This year's roster included several free agents.
One that really stood out was Connor Roberts. The 6-foot-4, 214-pound winger was making an impact every time he stepped on the ice, either with his physical play or creating scoring chances.
Roberts, 18, went undrafted this summer and attended Pittsburgh's development camp. He's hoping to follow in the footsteps of a few previous free agents.