Justin Almeida has seen and heard the comparisons to Calgary’s Johnny Gaudreau.
They’re accurate, too, at least in terms of size. Both are 5-foot-9 and a big dinner under 160 pounds.
But this week at Penguins development camp, Almeida has heard another comparable that excited him: Jake Guentzel.
“He’s doing well here in Pittsburgh,” Almeida said Thursday at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex. “I wouldn’t mind being like him.”
Few would, Justin. And it’s certainly going to take some time.
The Penguins drafted Almeida in the fifth round (129th overall) last week as a project; however, they believe his combination of speed, creativity and speed — plus a terrific shot — can fit well with what they’re trying to do.