ANGELO ESPOSITO
6'1", 180 LBS CENTER
Unlike a certain "professional" baseball team in town, the Pittsburgh Penguins have proven time and time again that they know how to draft. Mario Lemieux. Sidney Crosby. Evgeni Malkin. Marc-Andre Fleury. Jaromir Jagr. Jordan Staal. All homegrown talent. Yes, they had to have a few lean years in the standings in order to draft these guys, but it was never 15 consecutive years. And before you correct me and say that no team could screw up a #1 overall pick, don't forget: Bryan Bullington and Kris Benson both went #1 overall, and I'm pretty sure they won't turn out to be Lemieux or Crosby.
That brings us to Friday night's NHL draft, where the Penguins took high-risk, high-reward center Angelo Esposito of the QMJHL's Quebec Remparts. As recently as six months ago, Esposito was regarded as the #1 overall pick.
"We had him very high on our list," general manager Ray Shero said. "So much so that we didn't have a name tag for him"
Esposito's stock supposedly fell because of questionable desire and a disappointing 2006-7 campaign, but I'm of the belief that a stable of young superstars' influence will lift him out of his doldrums.
So instead of drafting a player because of signability, the Penguins gave their fans an intriguing prospect with a high ceiling to chew on in the offseason. They also gave their fans another season of Gary Roberts and Mark Recchi. Unfortunately, they have no plans for a Sopranos parody video starring Iceburgh. Guess you'll just have to pay attention to a Stanley Cup run.
More on Angelo Esposito:
-He is not related to Phil or Tony Esposito.
-Wears #7, his "lucky number".
-As a member of the Quebec Remparts, played under head coach Patrick Roy, a former NHL player of some repute.
-Captain of Team Canada's gold-medal winning Under-18 Junior World Cup team in the Czech Republic in 2006.
-His favorite player is Vincent Lecavalier, who he will work out with in the offseason.
-His favorite musicians are Toby Keith and Keith Urban.
-His favorite TV shows are Seinfeld and 24.
-On joining the Pens: "I've never been happier in my life, other than winning the Memorial Cup. Landing with a team like the Pittsburgh Penguins, I couldn't be any happier."
NHL Draft: Penguins snag top prospect Esposito [Post Gazette]
Is this one the next Next One? [Vancouver Sun]
Draft: Profile of Angelo Esposito [Habs Inside Out]
