A look at the 5 players the Penguins drafted this weekend in Vancouver

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A look at the 5 players the Penguins drafted this weekend in Vancouver

Jonathan Bombulie | Saturday, June 22, 2019 7:43 p.m.

Finland’s Valtteri Puustinen (right) celebrates after Jesse Ylonen (not shown) scores on Switzerland’s Luca Hollenstein while his teammate David Aebischer #26 looks on during semifinal round action at the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship at Rogers Arena on January 4, 2019 in Vancouver, BC Canada. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/HHOF-IIHF Images)

SAMUEL POULIN

Chosen: First round, 21st overall

Position: F

Team: Sherbrooke (QMJHL)

Height: 6-1

Weight: 206

Last year: 29 goals, 76 points in 67 games

Scouting report: No-nonsense power forward with a good shot and a conscientious, consistent, competitive game. Skating isn’t a strength. Offensive upside is limited, so he might top out as a third-liner.

NATHAN LEGARE

Chosen: Third round, 74th overall

Position: RW

Team: Baie-Comeau (QMJHL)

Height: 6-0

Weight: 205

Last year: 45 goals, 87 points in 68 games

Scouting report: Another modern power forward. Has an excellent shot and isn’t shy about using it. Skating doesn’t usually hold him back, but it’s an area he could improve. He’s willing to hit and play a physical game, but he could be more effective in puck battles.

JUDD CAULFIELD

Chosen: Fifth round, 145th overall

Position: RW

Team: U.S. National Team Development Program

Height: 6-3

Weight: 204

Last year: 12 goals, 36 points in 64 games

Scouting report: He’s big, willing to go to the net and is successful in puck battles on the boards and in the corners. He’s a project because his skating and puck skills lag behind. He’s headed to the University of North Dakota in the fall.

VALTTERI PUUSTINEN

Chosen: Seventh round, 203rd overall

Position: RW

Team: HPK (Finland)

Height: 5-9

Weight: 183

Last year: 10 goals, 13 points in 47 games

Scouting report: Shifty, undersized scorer made a name for himself with a strong performance for Finland’s winning entry in the World Junior Championships. Teammate of Penguins prospect Niclas Almari and recently signed goalie Emil Larmi, so scouts saw him regularly.

SANTRI AIROLA

Chosen: Seventh round, 211th overall

Position: D

Team: SaiPa U20 (Finland)

Height: 5-11

Weight: 172

Last year: 4 goals, 31 points in 41 games

Scouting report: Airola is no seventh-round lottery ticket. He’s a skilled puck mover and excellent skater who is one of 10 defensemen invited to Finland’s World Junior Championships camp. Penguins European scouts were surprised he was on the board in the seventh round.

NOTE: Scouting report information from hockeyprospect.com.

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