Keven Veilleux

Veilleux missed the entire 2011-12 season after undergoing knee surgery but is expected to be ready for the start of the year. Veilleux has battled through lack-of-effort issues and has transformed himself into a 6-foot-5, 200-pound skater with heart. He's always had a decent amount of skill but now he plays with passion, as evidenced by his 122 penalty minute total in 66 AHL games for Wilkes-Barre in 2010-11. At 23, he needs to make waves to keep his prospect tag, but a strong start, combined with injuries at the NHL level, could lead to his debut in 2012-13. It's a longshot right now, but stranger things have happened.

Veilleux re-established his prospect tag with a strong summer prospects camp in July. He's got the size (6-foot-5, 218 pounds) and skill to compete in the NHL, but has taken nights off in the past. At 22, he'll enter his second full season in the AHL. Last year he finished with 12 goals, 36 points and 122 penalty minutes for the Baby Pens. Another strong showing in the minors and Veilleux could hit the big stage of the NHL.

Veilleux has great size (6-5, 218 pounds) and has worked on his speed over the last year. Veilleux racked up 48 points in 29 games with Rimouski before making his pro debut with the Baby Pens in 2009-10. The right-handed forward collected three points in nine AHL contests and will ply his wares there in 2010-11. He could get a cup of coffee in the NHL if he plays well for the Baby Pens and injuries strike the Pens.

Veilleux will get his first taste of AHL action in 2009-10 after spending the last four winters in the QMJHL. Veilleux has a blend of speed and size -- he's 6-foot-5, 215 pounds -- that few other prospects can boast. He collected 48 points in 29 games for Rimouski last season but missed significant time due to injury. He has plenty of future upside for those in keeper leagues, but it's highly unlikely that he'll have any NHL impact in 2009-10.

Veilleux was Pittsburgh’s second-round pick a year ago. He has great speed and size (6-5, 202 pounds) but will have to become familiar with the wing if he’s to become a weapon with the Pens. Veilleux collected 64 points in 61 QMJHL contests last year.

Drafted with Pittsburgh's No. 2 pick in 2007, Veilleux collected 55 points (20,35) in 70 games in the QMJHL last year. The 6-foot-5, 202-pound center will miss the first part of the season with a sports hernia. Veilleux doesn't figure to challenge for a roster spot for another two or three years but has plenty of upside.

Look waaaaaay up and you'll find Kevin. Yep, he's a big boy -- 6'5" and a shade over 200 lbs at just 17 on draft day. Like most big guys, he's still figuring out where his fingers and toes are but there's real potential here to develop into something good. Sure, his skating needs work as does his willingness to get dirty. But he already has elite hands for a big guy and with patience, could develop into a 70 -point guy in his prime.