It’s argumentative that the Penguins lack depth in forwards. After all, we have had Deryk Engelland playing as a forward for a few games now. However, Penguins’ fans have had a privilege of seeing a new up-and-comer in a young stud by the name of Jayson Megna. For those who have followed the Penguins and know their farm system talent, this name is not new, as he has been with the franchise for over a year now. For some though, it may have been lost within the shuffles.
Megna has been a part of the Penguins minor league affiliate the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins since the beginning of last season, after attending the Penguins developmental camp July 2012. As a Baby Penguin, Megna played 56 games, netting five goals and seven assists. During the 12-game postseason run by the baby Pens, Megna had five more points.
At age 23, Megna made his NHL debut, and played his first game with the Penguins on Friday against the Islanders. He logged nearly 10 minutes of ice time. Megna was noticeable on the ice, and played a pretty solid game for a first-time player.
Not dressing against Toronto, Megna had a weekend to rest, and made his second appearance memorable.
Monday night, Megna was a force. The fact that it was only his second professional game is astonishing. From opening faceoff, Megna was flying up and down the ice with determination to contribute to his team, who were on a three-game losing skid. As I followed as well on the Penguins app, the Twitter feed was explosive with positive remarks and Penguins hash tags.
In the opening 10 minutes of Penguins dominated play, Megna received his first point as a professional player when Tanner Glass scored the opening goal of a Megna rebounded shot. However, Megna wasn’t done
Megna seemed to have been fueled by the first point because he seemed to be skating even harder. Throughout the rest of the game, Megna continued to excel and play Penguins hockey each shift. At 7:11 of the third, Megna scored his first NHL goal. Now, mind you, the goal was a deflection, but a first goal is a first goal, right?
Post-game, Megna was quoted as saying, “Not how I dreamed it up, but I’ll take them anyway I can get them.”
Now, during this game, Chuck Kobasew went down, and did not return. Not that Megna needed anything to help his case of staying up for a few more games, but that potential opening spot doesn’t hurt his chances. Megna played like a Beau Bennett. He played confident and strong from the get-go. I don’t know if it was first game butterflies now gone, that his parents were in the stand, or if Megna is just ready at the age of 23 to play consistent professional hockey, but Megna shows that he is ready to make a name for himself. There is no question that he deserves the spotlight from Monday’s game. After all, he played the best game of his career.
