After attending their development camp last week, Adam Johnson has earned himself a two-year entry-level contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins. The undrafted center just finished his sophomore season with UMD.
Johnson broke out for his college team this year, scoring 37 points in 42 games for the Bulldogs. Though he’s over-aged and undersized, he stood out at the development camp as a potential addition to the professional ranks. He’ll get that chance now, as the 23-year old will be ticketed for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton to start the year.
Before heading to UMD, Johnson dominated the Minnesota highschool ranks and the USHL, but was always overlooked as a relatively small forward without any standout tools. If there is a development system that is a perfect fit for that type of player it’s Pittsburgh, who have had recent success turning undrafted prospects into solid NHL contributors.
Cool. We need more Guentzels. Keep ’em coming.
Guentzel was a third round pick. This guy is like a Sheary.
True.
When Shero locked up the big 3 centers, Fleury and added Martin and Michalek, we had the center, D and goalie positions locked up…I assumed the plan was going to be to draft tons of wingers to bring them in cheap, use them and move them and bring in new ones. Instead, he just kept drafting defensemen.
Pens are finally in a good spot, loaded with young cheap depth on the wing to fill in the holes.
It is refreshing to finally see depth at forward after years of having none. Probably time to shift the focus back to defense for a bit as that depth is getting a little thin.