While the NHL and many leagues in North America are in the the midst of their offseasons because of the coronavirus pandemic, several leagues in Europe and a handful in North America have already opened play for the 2020-21 season.
Twenty of the Penguins’ prospects or minor leaguers are currently playing, primarily in Europe. Here is a weekly look at their progress:
• Forward Drew O’Connor is in the midst of a six-game scoring streak with Manglerud Star in Norway’s Eliteserien. His latest game saw him record a goal and an assist in a 7-2 home loss to Fresh Asker on Sunday.
O’Connor, 22, was an undrafted free agent signing in March and is entering the first year of a two-year entry-level contract with the Penguins.
• In the Czech Republic’s ELH, forward Radim Zohorna had a goal and an assist for BK Mlada Boleslav in a 6-1 home win against HC Olomouc on Tuesday.
The undrafted Zohorna, 24, is signed to a one-year entry-level contract with the Penguins.
• Goaltenders Joel Blomqvist and Calle Clang were selected to the IIHF World Junior Championship tournament rosters of Finland and Sweden, respectively, Saturday.
Blomqvist (second round, No. 52 overall) and Clang (third round, No. 77 overall) were selected in this year’s draft by the Penguins. Both are 18 years old and have yet to sign with the Penguins.
• Forward Sam Poulin was cut from Canada’s roster for the tournament. Poulin, 19, was the Penguins’ first-round pick (No. 21 overall) in 2019.
• Defenseman Jesper Lindgren and MODO of Sweden’s HockeyAllsvensken league had two games postponed last week because of coronavirus concerns in that country.
• Clang and Kristianstads, also of the HockeyAllsvensken, had a game against Timra scheduled for Dec. 7 postponed for the same reason.
Lindgren, 23, is entering the final year of a three-year entry-level contract. The Penguins acquired him in a trade from the Toronto Maple Leafs in August.
• Forward Jan Drozg and HK SZ Olimpija Ljubljana of the multi-nation Alps Hockey League had a home game Sunday against EHC Lustenau postponed because of coronavirus concerns in that league.
Drozg, 21, was the Penguins’ fifth-round pick (No. 152 overall) in 2017 and is entering the second year of a three-year entry-level contract.
• Forward Pontus Aberg, currently signed with Traktor Chelyabinsk of Russia’s KHL, is in the midst of a three-game scoring streak with assists. His most recent helper came in a 4-2 home loss to Barys Nur-Sultan on Sunday.
Aberg, 27, is an unsigned restricted free agent whose rights the Penguins acquired from the Maple Leafs in an August trade.
Statistics
Forwards and defensemen
Goaltenders
*-Current team
(All figures are through Sunday.)
