Pittsburgh Penguins: Top 10 prospects entering 2019

VANCOUVER, BC - JUNE 21: Samuel Poulin poses for a photo onstage after being selected twenty-one overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first round of the 2019 NHL Draft at Rogers Arena on June 21, 2019 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Derek Cain/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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3. Nathan Legare

Acquired: 2019 third-round pick

Age: 18

Position: Right Wing

Stats: 68 games, 45 goals, 42 assists, 87 points, 7 postseason games, 3 goals, 1 assists, 4 points (Baie-Comeau Drakkar, QMJHL)

Nathan Legare could be a very nice forward for the Penguins. He was one of the top goal scorers in the QMJHL, placing third overall in goals scored and was tied for eighth in points. Legare was the top goal scorer on a team that finished among the top scoring teams in the QMJHL.

He reminds me a lot of Jake Guentzel. While Legare isn’t quite as smart as him, I think his shot is better. He has the unique ability to find open space and get to it before everyone else. I’m not impressed with his skating, but he’s good enough to stick with his skill.

Legare’s two-way play is a bit underwhelming, but he’s still very young and I definitely saw improvement last year. Also, he’s going to be a goal scorer, so don’t worry about his two-way play. I’d be willing to bet Legare will outscore any of his deficiencies.

For what it’s worth, his defensive struggles weren’t effort related. Legare certainly tried hard, but still got caught out of position quite a bit. Still, I liked what I saw and I think with good coaching, Legare will learn. He’s a bit of a project, but I think he has top-six forward potential, especially if he can continue to score goals.

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