Scouting Penguins Prospects Roster: Forwards (PHN+)

Instead of a troop of undrafted free agents and tournament filler, the Pittsburgh Penguins will have a few honest to goodness NHL prospects on their 2019 Prospect Challenge roster when the tournament begins Friday at the Harbor Center in Buffalo. The prospects will be tested by other hopefuls from the New Jersey Devils, Boston Bruins, and the host Buffalo Sabres.

You may remember New Jersey had the first overall pick in the NHL Draft last June and were the winners in the “Lose for Hughes” sweepstakes. Jack Hughes will be one of the benchmarks of the tournament, but the Penguins will have their first top-round choice of the Jim Rutherford era, Sam Poulin and several others who have NHL aspirations

The Penguins summer of investing and paying specific attention to youth does not appear to be wasted.