Breaking: Penguins lock down promising young d-man

The Penguins have locked down a new defensive prospect in Jeff Taylor.

The 22-year-old New York native shoots lefty and has just finished up his NCAA career with Union college.  Taylor had 9 goals and 24 assists for 33 points in 38 games for Union College this season, a best in goals, points, and +/- of plus-15.

Taylor has inked a two-year entry-level deal that will begin next season, where he is expected to start in the AHL with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. The two-way contract was announced by Jim Rutherford, executive vice-president and general manager of the Penguins.

The 5’11, 181 lbs prospect was drafted in the seventh-round by the Penguins in 2014, 203rd overall. Taylor is a high-energy player who makes up for his stature with speed, great play-reading and playmaking abilities. He has a natural offensive awareness that has made him a power-play threat throughout his hockey career.

The Penguins continue to bring young talent into their system, and Taylor is a great example of what shrewd drafting can get a team, even with later picks. Time will tell if Taylor truly has what it takes to make it into the NHL full-time, but getting his feet wet in the AHL at the tail end of this season should start to prepare him for the long road ahead.