Top prospects for Pittsburgh Penguins

NHL.com is providing an in-depth prospect analysis for each of its 31 teams throughout August. Today, the top five prospects for the Pittsburgh Penguins, according to NHL.com.

Penguins 31 in 31: [Season preview | 3 Questions | Fantasy breakdown | Behind the Numbers]

1. Daniel Sprong, F

How acquired: Selected with No. 46 pick in 2015 NHL Draft
Last season: Pittsburgh: 8 GP, 2-1-3; Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL): 65 GP, 32-33-65
The Penguins expect Sprong (6-foot, 180 pounds) to become an NHL regular this season. He had the chance to make the team coming out of training camp last season but failed because of his lack of defensive awareness.
The 21-year-old worked on becoming a more all-around player with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League last season. If that can translate to the NHL, Sprong could find himself next to first-line center Sidney Crosby and left wing Jake Guentzel at some point this season.
Projected NHL arrival: This season

2. Zach Aston-Reese, F

How acquired: Signed two-year, entry-level contract March 14, 2017
Last season: Pittsburgh: 16 GP, 4-2-6; Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL): 41 GP, 9-20-29
Unlike Sprong, Aston-Reese stuck with the Penguins after making his NHL debut against the New Jersey Devils on Feb. 3, 2018. The 24-year-old played 16 regular-season games with Pittsburgh then became a regular for nine games in the Stanley Cup Playoffs before breaking his jaw and sustaining a concussion during a collision with Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson during Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Second Round.
"It's definitely pretty frustrating," Aston-Reese said. "I started to feel 100 percent, coming back from missing four weeks [with an upper-body injury]. I was really starting to come back into my game. I got the hesitation out of it. ... I think this was a great learning experience, this whole first year."
Aston-Reese (6-foot, 204) has recovered from those injuries and should be ready for training camp.
Projected NHL arrival: This season

3. Dominik Simon, F

How acquired: Selected with No. 137 pick in 2015 NHL Draft
Last season: Pittsburgh: 33 GP, 4-8-12; Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL): 21 GP, 4-13-17
The 24-year-old's third NHL stint was considerably longer and more fruitful than his first two. After having two assists in five games through 2015-16 and 2016-17, Simon made his 2017-18 season debut on Dec. 9 and remained in Pittsburgh throughout its playoff run.
At certain points, Simon (5-11, 190) played first-line right wing next to Crosby and Guentzel, including during the postseason; in eight playoff games, he had three assists.
"It was a great feeling," Simon said. "[Playing in the NHL] gave me a lot. The last years, I've been up and down. Now finally, I went through it and played a lot of games in the regular season and then the playoffs. I'm thankful for that."
Simon, who said he fractured his thumb during the second-round loss against the Capitals, could take a step back this season if Sprong emerges the way Pittsburgh hopes. Simon could help bolster the Penguins' bottom-six depth.
Projected NHL arrival: This season

4. Teddy Blueger, F

How acquired: Selected with No. 52 pick in 2012 NHL Draft
Last season: Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL): 70 GP, 21-24-45
After spending the past three seasons in the AHL, the 24-year-old could be getting close to making his NHL debut. Blueger (6-foot, 185 pounds) likely will begin this season with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton again but could be one of the first in line to be recalled if injuries leave the Penguins short at forward.
Projected NHL arrival: Next season

5. Jordan Bellerive, F

How acquired: Signed three-year, entry-level contract Sept. 16, 2017
Last season: Lethbridge (WHL): 71 GP, 46-46-92
After a breakout season with Lethbridge of the Western Hockey League, Bellerive (5-10, 195) appeared poised to perform well during Pittsburgh's development camp. That changed when the 19-year-old was injured in a campfire incident June 15, which resulted in him spending 12 days in a Calgary hospital.
Since then, Bellerive has returned to the gym and possibly could take part in training camp. There isn't much room for him on the Penguins but he could further his progression in the AHL with his burns fully healed.
Projected NHL arrival: Next season