• HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • Site Index
  • NHL Salary Caps
  • Hockey 101: A Beginner’s Guide
  • Join Our Team
  • Free Newsletter
  • Store
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
Home
Pittsburgh Penguins

Is Daniel Sprong Sidney Crosby’s Next Jake Guentzel?

By Shawn Nicholls January 6th, 2018

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

December 2016 was a good month for the Pittsburgh Penguins. The reigning champions won their first seven games and their final four while registering just one regulation loss in 15 games for 26 points. There weren’t any major areas of concern. The offense scored 64 goals and the penalty kill was a superb 39 for 47. Sidney Crosby had his most productive month of the season with 20 points and Evgeni Malkin was the NHL’s Second Star of the Month.

As Pittsburgh cemented its status as the favorite to win their second straight Stanley Cup, a star named Jake Guentzel was born in the American Hockey League who would ultimately put them over the top.

The circumstances are different for the Penguins now as they find themselves in need of a huge second half for even a chance at a three-peat. But a familiar story could be developing.

AHL Rookie to Conn Smythe Contender

Guentzel debuted with the Penguins in late November against the New York Rangers, scoring on his first shift and twice in the game. He finished the month with four points in five games before returning to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton where he dominated with points in nine of 10 games. His 11 goals and six assists earned Guentzel December Rookie of the Month honors, a first for a Penguin since 2007. He returned to the NHL on Jan. 16, jumped on a line with Crosby, and notched an assist in Pittsburgh’s wild 8-7 overtime victory against the Washington Capitals. Guentzel went on to register 29 points while playing 35 of the Penguins’ final 40 games.

Jake Guentzel

Pittsburgh Penguins forward Jake Guentzel (Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports)

While many rookies may tire of the long season, expectations come with playing for the defending champions and skating with Crosby, and Guentzel took his game to a new level at the beginning of the Stanley Cup playoffs. He fell one goal shy of tying Dino Ciccarelli’s rookie postseason record but set the rookie record with five game-winning tallies on his way to 21 points in 25 games. He even displayed a veteran’s savvy by enduring an eight-game goal drought and demotion to the fourth line only to bounce back with four goals in the finals against Nashville.

While Crosby eventually won the Conn Smythe, Guentzel joined the conversation for most of the postseason. And deservedly so, as the Penguins wouldn’t have repeated without him.

Injury Plagued Penguins Call On Sprong

December 2017 was not as memorable for the Penguins. In fact, it was completely forgettable. Their only back-to-back wins came against the last-place Buffalo Sabres and they managed only six victories for the month – half in overtime or a shootout. The offense averaged just 1.5 goals per game in Pittsburgh’s eight losses.

One of the lone bright spots was AHL rookie forward Daniel Sprong. The Netherlands native had 14 points in 12 games for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton with three game-winning goals. On Tuesday, he was rewarded with Rookie of the Month honors, just like Guentzel. And the similarities don’t end there. Both players are explosive skaters with quick triggers. Sprong’s impressive play landed him back on the Penguins roster. And, like Guentzel, Sprong found himself playing alongside Crosby.

Sidney Crosby

(Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports)

Sprong failed to register a point in his first three games but was productive. He logged over 15 minutes of ice time against the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday with two hits and three shots while playing on different line combinations. In the deflating 4-0 loss, Crosby, Malkin and Phil Kessel combined for just three shots.

Less than 24 hours later, Sprong was flanking Crosby on the top line against the New York Islanders, playing like it was a December AHL game. Early in the second period, Sprong flew down the ice and took a beautiful feed from Crosby for the game’s first, and ultimately game-winning, goal. He later assisted on a Crosby goal and wrapped up a career night with a slick finish in front. Sprong had three points on a team-high six shots as the Penguins won 4-0 to stay above .500.

Three stars in black and Pittsburgh gold. Killin' it on the road. pic.twitter.com/QKZw1h0Uz8

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) January 6, 2018

Impressing Sidney Crosby

Sprong certainly can’t be called upon to help salvage Pittsburgh’s season or even be expected to produce statistically the way Guentzel did as the circumstances are just too different. But what he can do, and did against the Islanders, is be a spark and the wild card.

If the 2017-18 campaign ultimately ends in disappointment for the Penguins, at the very least Sprong can leave a lasting impression on his captain. In helping him to his first four-point game of the season Friday night, Sprong showed the ability to do what Crosby’s most successful wingers do: be in the right place at the right time. And be ready.

Just like Jake Guentzel.

  • Tags
  • Daniel Sprong
  • Jake Guentzel
  • NHL Rookies
  • Sidney Crosby
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Get theScore App Now!
Recent Posts
Jan 22nd 6:25 PM
Column

Winnipeg Jets News & Rumors: Hellebuyck, Scheifele, Ehlers & Connor

Jan 22nd 5:35 PM
Advanced Stats

Kings’ Anze Kopitar Still Has Trade Value, But Big Cap Hit Hurts

Jan 22nd 5:25 PM
Columbus Blue Jackets

Blue Jackets Held Back By John Tortorella’s Stubbornness

Jan 22nd 5:15 PM
Edmonton Oilers

Edmonton Oilers Newcomers Finding Their Roles

Jan 22nd 5:05 PM
Nashville Predators

Predators’ New Third Pairing Paying Early Dividends

Jan 22nd 4:55 PM
Winnipeg Jets

Jets Could Use Heinola’s Offensive Skill & Hockey IQ for Seasons to Come

Jan 22nd 4:45 PM
Carolina Hurricanes

Hurricanes Must Improve After COVID-19 Pause

Jan 22nd 4:30 PM
Nashville Predators

Predators’ Power Play Lacks A Lot

Jan 22nd 4:20 PM
Women's Hockey

Meet the NWHL’s EBUG: Mariah Fujimagari

Jan 22nd 4:10 PM
Calgary Flames

Flames Rewarded Early by New Top Line of Tkachuk, Lindholm & Dube

Editor’s Picks
2021 NHL Draft Rankings: Baracchini's Top 75 Rankings

2021 NHL Draft Rankings: Baracchini's Top 75 Rankings

NHL TV Blackouts & Why They Happen?

NHL TV Blackouts & Why They Happen?

Masthead

Newsletters

RSS Feeds

Privacy Statement

Contact Us

About THW…

Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. Updated daily with news and features from over 130 writers worldwide. Over 2 million monthly readers now come to THW for their hockey fix.

© The Hockey Writers 2020. All rights reserved.
logo
  • HOME
  • Hockey Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • North Division
    • Calgary Flames
    • Edmonton Oilers
    • Montreal Canadiens
    • Ottawa Senators
    • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Vancouver Canucks
    • Winnipeg Jets
  • East Division
    • Boston Bruins
    • Buffalo Sabres
    • New Jersey Devils
    • New York Islanders
    • New York Rangers
    • Philadelphia Flyers
    • Pittsburgh Penguins
    • Washington Capitals
  • Central Division
    • Carolina Hurricanes
    • Chicago Blackhawks
    • Columbus Blue Jackets
    • Dallas Stars
    • Detroit Red Wings
    • Florida Panthers
    • Nashville Predators
    • Tampa Bay Lightning
  • West Division
    • Anaheim Ducks
    • Arizona Coyotes
    • Colorado Avalanche
    • Los Angeles Kings
    • Minnesota Wild
    • San Jose Sharks
    • Seattle Kraken
    • St Louis Blues
    • Vegas Golden Knights
  • World Juniors
  • CHL
    • Ontario Hockey League
    • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
    • Western Hockey League
  • THW Podcast Network
  • Store
  • FREE Newsletter
  • Search THW
  • More…
    • Join Our Team
    • The THW Archives
    • Prospects
    • The Goalie Page
    • NHL Salary Cap Information