Adam Clendening. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
7. Adam Clendening
On July 28, 2015 the Pittsburgh Penguins acquired Nick Bonino and Adam Clendening from the Vancouver Canucks for Brandon Sutter. Clendening is a former second round draft pick of the Chicago Blackhawks who only spent a small bit of time in Vancouver. A gifted two-way defenseman who lead team USA’s under 18 world championships and Boston University to success, Clendening has a high pedigree.
Elite Prospects profiles Clendening as follows…
"A smooth skating two-way defenseman that can read the game like a forward. Possesses slick hands, a good stick, and a sharp shot that jumps off of his stick. All-in-all, a productive two-way defenseman that has a high offensive ceiling, and is responsible defensively."
While Clendening scored on his first shot in the NHL he only dressed for 21 games this past season. There are many similarities in Clendening to former Penguin Matt Niskanen . Of similar size and stature with similar junior/college level scouting reports, Clendening projects to be my breakout Pittsburgh Penguins prospect for the upcoming season. Playing with Letang and Crosby will show Clendening what conditioning is, and being placed in a system that rewards solid two-way players will allow him to start down the path to reach his ultimate potential.
Let’s hope that the Pens don’t expose him to waivers and lose him for nothing before the regular season even begins.
Next: #6 - Ben Lovejoy