PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – There has been plenty of talk from inside and outside the Pens of them wanting to get bigger and more physical. Are they finding out one of those options is already on their team?
Pens head coach Mike Sullivan recently described a newer player as the following.
"He skates well," Sullivan said. "He has good size. He brings a physical dimension to our team. He can play on the second power play in the net front. He's pretty good at the net front. He's a big body that makes it hard on goaltenders to find the site lines."
That sounds like a player the Pens would want to trade for. That's Sullivan describing forward Anthony Angello.
"He's a momentum guy for us," Sullivan added. "He brings us energy. He can help on the forecheck. He can establish an offensive zone presence with his physical play and that's when he's at his best. He's done a pretty good job for us."
Given their lack of draft picks, tradeable contracts or salary cap room. If they continue to get contributions from the 6'5", 210-pound Angello, that could be the trade add or at least one of them needed without spending an extra dime.
"Play a simple 200 foot game," Angello said what the coaches told him he needs to do to stay in the lineup. "I have to have really good attention to detail. I have to play physical, physical means finishing hits, having good wall play, winning puck battles, going to the net, playing in the dirty areas of the ice and playing a tenacious, aggressive style of hockey. I got to play with pace. I got to play fast. Once I bring all of those pieces together, I think I can be really effective."
Angello has played in 18 games this season and has points in three of his last four including a power play goal. He's only played 25 career NHL games compared to 117 games in the minors and 102 in college for the 2014 fifth round pick.
"It's meant a lot to me," Angello said of the opportunity. "I've worked a lot to get here. Obviously, it takes a lot more hard work to stay here. I'm trying to prove a point. I'm trying to prove I belong. I'm trying to prove I have a positive impact on this team and be a beneficial player for the Pittsburgh Penguins."
Maybe he's part of the answer to help fill that size role that President of Hockey Operations Brian Burke and GM Ron Hextall are craving.
