Pittsburgh Penguins: Top 10 Prospects 2018

PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 07: Pittsburgh Penguins Right Wing Daniel Sprong (41) forechecks during the second period in the NHL game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Boston Bruins on January 7, 2018, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. The Penguins defeated the Bruins 6-5 in overtime. (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images /

1. Daniel Sprong, RW [21] (2-46, 2015)

Stats (Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, AHL): 65 gp, 32 g, 33 a, 65 p, 11 PPG (8 A), 7 GWG, 1 ENG, 214 SOG, 1 pt/g (3 pgp, 1 g, 0 a, 1 p)

Stats (Pittsburgh Penguins, NH): 8 gp, 2 g, 1 a, 3 p.

Daniel Sprong has been topping this list since he was drafted in 2015. And yet, he still hasn’t played enough NHL games to qualify. It feels like the last few years, the Pittsburgh Penguins held out hope for him and, only now is he capitalizing on it. Sprong has played four NHL games this season with the Pittsburgh Penguins and has three assists. Albeit playing with the Penguins’ forwards likely helps with that, Sprong is good enough to make the players around him better.

He certainly did in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton last season, when he helped drive the team to the playoffs and was a point-per-game at the professional level at 20 years old. Sprong has a lot of potential as he showed last year. Playing with Crosby on the top line potential. He is a good goal scorer and a good playmaker, and he can play anywhere in the lineup. The perfect compliment to what Crosby likes to highlight.

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Sprong has scored professional goals already, finding twice in eight games last season. He’ll score more goals this season, and at 21 it’s very easy to see him climbing the ladder on the team. He’s got a great ceiling, is already playing consistent minutes with the Pittsburgh Penguins and is clearly NHL ready. Top of the class in every category equals a clear number one prospect.

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