For Penguins Prospects, Patience Is Key

Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan is aware that Joel Blomqvist, his young rookie goaltender, didn’t have the best showing on Sunday in a 5-3 loss to the New York Rangers.

Blomqvist – who was recalled on Jan. 16 after Tristan Jarry was waived by the team and re-assigned to the AHL – surrendered four goals on the Rangers’ first 13 shots and was off his angle all night long, struggling with rebound control and getting beat high-glove three times. He has also only started four NHL games since Jan. 16, which doesn’t help matters.

Even though his rookie netminder had a bad game, Sullivan – like others in the organization – understand that nights like Sunday are going to happen as part of his development process.

“He’s very athletic,” Sullivan said. “We’re really excited about this guy. But he’s a young goaltender going through a learning process here. So, the challenge is on us as a coaching staff to help him.”

Like Blomqvist, there are so many young players who come up from the AHL and fail to make an impression right away. Forward prospect Rutger McGroarty played three NHL games to start the season, registered zero points, and was relatively invisible. Forward prospect Vasily Ponomarev – known for his two-way play – has played four total games at the NHL level this season and has zero points, and he has made some rookie mistakes that can be chalked up to the NHL speed game.

Even rookie defenseman Owen Pickering – who spent a good portion of the season at the NHL level after impressing initially – was sent back down to the AHL for further development after enduring some struggles over a longer stretch.

No, these guys aren’t “busts.” No, they’re not “career-AHLers.”

They’re prospects. And – just like they do at the AHL…