Marek on HNIC: Penguins One of Favorites for Goalie Prospect

Pittsburgh Penguins GM Ron Hextall was excited last summer when the Penguins signed college free agent Filip Lindberg from UMass-Amherst. Lindberg had a solid training camp and impressive beginning in the AHL before injuries derailed his season. Now, Hextall and the Penguins are part of a gaggle of teams chasing a new goaltending prospect.

According to Jeff Marek on Hockey Night in Canada, the Penguins and no less than a half dozen teams are interested in Mack Guzda of the Barrie Colts in the OHL. He’s an overage juniors player and shutting down opponents this season.

Guzda, 21, was named the OHL goalie of the week last week and the goalie of the month for December.

Marek reported the Toronto Maple Leafs are putting on the full-court press to sign Guzda. Toronto met with the goalie on Thursday, but the Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Rangers, and Nashville Predators are also considered front runners.

The New York Islanders, Anaheim Ducks, and Carolina Hurricanes are also in the mix for the Knoxville, TN native. Guzda is a big goalie. He’s 6-foot-5, 216 pounds. After four seasons with the Owen Sound, Guzda was traded to Barrie this season.

In 10 games for Owen Sound, Guzdawas 5-4-1 with a .915 save percentage. In 14 games with Barrie, Guzda has upped his performance. He has a .931 save percentage and 2.04 GAA.

An overage junior can sign with an NHL team during the season. For example, in 2013, the Vancouver Canucks signed Erie Otters forward Dane Fox to a contract, then assigned him back to Erie.