Penguins
Penguins News Brief: Team Signs Pair of Draft Picks
A couple of the Pittsburgh Penguins draft picks are now under contract. Both contracts begin next season.
Monday, the team signed 2021 seventh-rounder Daniel Laatsch to a two-year entry-level deal. Laatsch. 23, plays for the University of Wisconsin Badgers (NCAA).
The 6-foot-5, 182-pound defenseman has two goals, three assists and five points in 22 games this season. Laatsch has played 126 games in his collegiate career, scoring six goals, 20 assists, and 26 points.
Sunday, the team signed Michigan Tech defenseman Chase Pietila, 21, to a three-year entry-level contract. Pietila, 21, was the Penguins’ fourth-round pick in 2024.
In 36 games this season, the 6-foot-2, 187-pound defenseman posted a career-high seven goals with 22 points (7-15-22). He averaged 26:37 of ice time, which ranked third in the NCAA.
6’5” and close to 180 from Wisconsin? What is he a vegetarian? We need to introduce him to angus beef or something…
Or he can drink olive oil like owen pickering!
Hockey players are very lean, lol
Laatsch is a solid defensive Dman; aggressively efffective on the PK. He improved each year at Wisconsin and finished wearing an “A” as a senior.
He has a good frame so he should be able to pack on weight but he hasn’t figured out how yet. He plays bigger than 182 lbs and could be a beast at 210+.
Downside is he had season ending hip surgery a while back. Hopefully he fully recovers and continues to improve at WBS next year.
Saw the Laatsch kid play 3 games this year…Uhhh he’s a 5-6 defenseman…in Wilkes Barre…or Wheeling
Get them to the nutritionist about putting on some healthy weight.
Pietila numbers are at least good, but not sure if those two are more then AHLers, time will tell