Slimmed down Penguins prospect Nathan Legare is ready to meet heavy expectations
The “freshman 15” is the scourge of many first-year college students.
In Nathan Legare’s case, he’s hoping it can expand his chances to reach the NHL.
The only difference is the Penguins prospect went in a direction opposite of most political science majors.
He lost 15 pounds as he approaches his first professional season.
“We just changed some things in my diet,” said Legare, who was listed at 205 pounds last season. “Cut some protein. I lost some weight, and I feel really good on the ice.
There have been some weighty expectations on Legare since the Penguins traded up to select him in the third round (No. 74 overall) in the 2019 draft.
Those expectations only ballooned last season. Splitting time between the Baie-Comeau Drakkar and Val-d’Or Foreurs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), Legare appeared in 33 games and scored 38 points (16 goals, 22 assists) during a disjointed season that was interrupted repeatedly by the coronavirus pandemic.
At times, the QMJHL staged series of games with a handful of teams in quarantined environments — or “bubbles” — just to complete the season.
“It was a year of challenges, mentally and physically,” said Legare, 20. “Sometimes, we had some ‘bubbles’ that we were playing five games in seven days. So it was kind of tough physically but also mentally because we didn’t have a chance to see our families in the stands. It was kind of hard, but I think I just grew in that situation.”
In the postseason, Legare led Val-d’Or to the Presidents’ Trophy Final, losing to the Victoriaville Tigres. Despite the loss, Legare was outright dominant throughout the postseason as he led the QMJHL in goals with 14 in 15 games (as well as 18 points overall).
“I was just in the zone,” said Legare, 6-foot. “Before the playoffs, I lost weight, too. I was just mentally prepared for the playoffs. One of my goals was to win. We lost in the final. It was a tough loss, but I think it’s going to push me to be (better) for the future.”
Where that future begins is a matter of speculation. As one of the Penguins’ top prospects, he could open the 2021-22 season at the NHL level. After all, the Penguins lost a few bottom-six forwards this offseason, and Legare would be a cheap, in-house replacement.
But more than likely, he’ll report to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League to acclimate him to the professional game on a slightly less steep curve.
Regardless of what corner of Pennsylvania he opens his professional existence in, he seems prepared for the challenge.
“It’s not junior anymore,” Legare said on Sunday during the team’s ongoing development camp for prospects. “You’ve got to be a pro every day, on and off the ice. You’ve got to make all the sacrifices. That’s what I did during the summer. So I’m prepared for that. I can’t wait.”
Legare and forward Sam Poulin, the team’s first-round pick (No. 21 overall) in 2019, are among the best of a shallow pool of prospects for the organization.
“With Poulin and Legare, they have so much talent and so much potential,” Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins coach J.D. Forrest said. “And they work so hard. You can see it. They want it so bad. You can see their skillset. (Legare), his shot is really good. He’s a really motivated guy.”
Legare seems highly motivated to meet the heaviest of expectations.
“I’m pretty happy where I’m at now,” Legare said. “The way that I play, the power forward game, I need to be (lean). I’m at my best weight I think.”
Seth Rorabaugh is a TribLive reporter covering the Pittsburgh Penguins. A North Huntingdon native, he joined the Trib in 2019 and has covered the Penguins since 2007. He can be reached at srorabaugh@triblive.com.
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