Pittsburgh Penguins by the numbers: Anthony Angello

Anthony Angello #57 of the Pittsburgh Penguins. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Anthony Angello #57 of the Pittsburgh Penguins. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

This Pittsburgh Penguins forward made immense strides this season; however, he still has more to prove. If it continues, next year should be extremely fun.

This climb to the NHL all started with a robust outburst of offense with the Baby Penguins in the AHL. After contributing 25 points in 48 AHL games, the Pittsburgh Penguins had no choice but to bring Anthony Angello up to the big leagues. Besides points, Angello’s skating and physical demeanor improved, making a move up very easy.

His size makes him the most massive guy on the Penguins roster, which might be surprising due to his ability to glide and protect the puck. His story wasn’t as easy as the first paragraph might entail, but with hard work and growth, a lot can happen.

In an expected fashion, Angello was sent right to the bottom lines. Time and patience in the NHL are essential, and he would have to work his way up. From his call up in January until the NHL halt in March, Anthony only played in 8 games scoring once.

Pittsburgh Penguins by the numbers: Anthony Angello

His season and the Penguins came to a crashing stop almost simultaneously, as he went out injured just three matches before the COVID-19 postponement. Injuries played a huge part in his timing with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

It was almost as if Hollywood writers wrote a script for him because his first and only goal came on a night when he wasn’t supposed to play. Geno got nicked up, and Angello took the opportunity. As the season rolls on into the playoffs, it’s doubtful that Angello will be on the Penguins roster.

With an extreme amount of forwards and hungry youngsters pressing him, Sullivan and Co might be smart here and let him set it out. There needs to be a balance with his growth, and not overdo it just yet. It will be interesting to see how this offseason and the following start to the season pan out.

Those before mentioned youngsters are only getting better, and it might force him to play in the AHL a bit longer. The AHL can be a tough hill to climb, Anthony Angello has done it before, and he can do it again.