Penguins hockey is back, sort of. The Penguins have been competing in Buffalo for their annual prospect tournament. This is usually the first game since the previous season so I understand why people are very interested in the event. It’s been a long summer.
That said I wouldn’t read too much into anything that takes place at them. If you like watching hockey then watch it and enjoy it. If you are trying to predict where a prospect is currently in their development you probably aren’t going to get anything useful. The games are small samples and there are many players who won’t be making hockey their career.
What Daniel Sprong does during this doesn’t really mean anything. The true test will come when he laces his skates up against the NHL caliber roster at training camp. I recall Ty Loney having a brilliant prospect tournament a few years back. I don’t recall anything else about Ty Loney since.
For that reason I haven’t felt the need to over analyze the happenings in Buffalo.
This tournament is an ice opportunity for players to put on the jersey and get acquainted with some of the coaching personnel. It can also help with team specific routines. It’s more of an off-ice learning experience than on-ice. That has value, but I’m not in the room so I can’t speak to the specifics of what the players are learning.
Enjoy seeing the flightless bird jerseys back on the ice, just don’t put too much stock in what is happening.
Thanks for reading!