Previewing The 2022-23 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins

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WILKES-BARRE, Pa. - The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins look to continue the organization's rich history of qualifying for the postseason in 2022-23, and with general manager Ron Hextall at the helm the focus and detail put into developing the organization's top prospects in a winning environment - a culture that has seen Penguins' players and coaches alike hone their skills and move on to the NHL - takes center stage as the AHL Penguins look to make some noise this season with what appears on paper to be an equally talented as well as deep roster.

"There's a system aspect, and then there's also a mentality and a certain standard, and a belief that should run throughout the whole organization," W-B/Scranton head coach JD Forrest said during his opening media availability at the Penguins' AHL training camp.

The Penguins were in the bottom of the standings in 2021-22 in December and January, but turned things around and managed to not only get into the 2022 Calder Cup Playoffs but advance to the second round after defeating the Hershey Bears in overtime in a winner-take-all Game Three last spring.

"We've found a way back in the playoffs last year, and we want to build off of that here," Forrest said. "But we also want them to understand the bar that's set is just so high. You got to try to meet it every single day. And that's, that's what they do. And that's what we're trying to do here."

While the Penguins did lose some key contributors to the AHL roster from last season in free agency over the summer, there were several off-season signings made by Hextall that made it clear they were looking to provide significant support to their minor league affiliate.

Goaltender Dustin Tokarski spent last year in the NHL with the Buffalo Sabres, and he figures to be the organization's #3 goalie and a 1A-1B with Filip Lindberg to begin the season.

Defenseman Xavier Ouellet was an all-situations player and a leader on a Laval team that was one game away from the Calder Cup Finals last year.

Forward Drake Caggiula has never played a game in the AHL despite logging six years and 278 NHL games straight out of college at North Dakota.

The AHL Penguins will also see a lot of returning players that figure to play prominent roles in returning captain defenseman Taylor Fedun and prospect forwards Filip Hallander, Drew O'Connor, Sam Poulin and Valtteri Puustinen.

"We do have some returning players and guys that we think really believe in that culture," Forrest said, later adding ,"I think just their make-up, the effort that they put in on a daily basis, they fit into that kind of culture. So yeah, we'd love to see some carryover from how we finished the last season."

The Penguins also sought out some players at the AHL level, bringing in a player who began his pro career with the Penguins and is familiar with head coach JD Forrest from his previous stint with the team.

"As soon as I heard they were on the radar," Jon Lizotte said of being interested in returning to Wilkes-Barre. "And, you know, I didn't hesitate to kind of stomp on that, and, you know, trying to get in those conversations and getting back here. I couldn't be happier to be here. I enjoyed the heck out of my other two years here. So, [I'm] ready to get after it again."

W-B/Scranton also brought back defenseman Mitch Reinke on an AHL deal for 2022-23, as well as adding center Tyler Sikura to a one-year standard player contract last week.

Key Losses

Goaltender Louis Domingue, defenseman Juuso Riikola and Pierre-Olivier Joseph (made Pittsburgh's opening night roster) and forwards Felix Robert and Radim Zohorna

Key Additions

Goaltender Dustin Tokarski, defensemen Xavier Ouellet, Ty Smith and Jon Lizotte and forward Drake Caggiula

The Roster

Goaltenders (3): Taylor Gauthier, Filip Lindberg and Dustin Tokarski

Defensemen (9): Taylor Fedun, Mark Friedman, Jon Lizotte, Chris Ortiz, Xavier Ouellet, Mitch Reinke, Ty Smith, Jack St. Ivany and Colin Swoyer

Forwards (19): Corey Andonovski, Raivis Ansons, Drake Caggiula, Jamie Devane, Jordan Frasca (inj), Ty Glover, Jonathan Gruden (inj), Filip Hallander, Sam Houde, Sean Josling (PTO), Nathan Legare, Alex Nylander, Drew O'Connor, Kyle Olson, Sam Poulin, Valtteri Puustinen, Matthew Quercia (PTO, inj), Tyler Sikura and Lukas Svejkovsky

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