If the list of prospects for the Pittsburgh Penguins read like a racing form, then Angelo Esposito would be the fan favorite.
It’s no surprise, as the Penguins have taken their number one draft picks from the past two seasons and turned them in to efficient pistons in the system’s well oiled machine.
If you needed evidence, look no further then Sidney Crosby and Jordan Staal, both of whom made the cut without question for the club.
Perhaps that is why many fans don’t expect anything less from the former QMJHL Quebec Rempart. In April of 2006, on the eve of leading his team to the Memorial Cup, Espo was projected to go number one in the ’07 draft. Yet by the time he took his seat in Columbus earlier this year, Esposito was expected to go no sooner than 11th. He saw that number almost double before the Penguins finally chose him 20th overall.
In 57 games with the Remparts in 2005/06, Esposito tallied 98 points, including 39 goals. Just one year later, in 60 games, only tapped in 27 goals with a season total of 79 points.
Many scouts have mandated Esposito’s play began to flaunter once his Memorial Cup winning team dissipated around him. Even Angelo himself has been quoted as saying he tried doing too much on his own in 06/07. In a sense, this can almost warrant a “If Sidney can do it, why can’t you” statement.
The facts on Crosby are enough alone to show that not every player can play to his caliber. Even Crosby could have used that same excuse in his first season when, despite a 102 point performance, the Penguins found themselves last in the conference with a disappointing 58 points.
Case and point – you can’t compare Esposito to Crosby.
In Esposito’s first preseason game with the Penguins, in front of many un-blinking eyes waiting to see his performance, he failed to even tally a shot in over twelve minutes of ice time. Under normal circumstances one could write the game off as being an initiation of sorts, but when you want to make the team every shift counts more than the last.
The Penguins are skating for the cup this season; there is no doubt about it. Two years ago they may have taken Esposito and helped him grow with the team, but this year it would almost appear the odds are stacked against him. The last thing the Penguins want to do is try to fit a square peg in to a round hole.
Regardless, whether with the Penguins this year or not, Esposito will one day play in the NHL. Yet it’s going to take endless determination and above all ability to do it sooner than later.
| Season | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
| 2005-2006 | 57 | 39 | 59 | 98 | 45 |
| 2006-2007 | 60 | 27 | 52 | 79 | 63 |
