Thomas Di Pauli

May 2020 – The impending UFA had a down season with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. In 39 games, he scored eight goals and added nine assists for 17 total points. He had a tough time breaking out this year, as well as proving that he is NHL worthy. He did play two NHL games but it wasn’t good enough. Clare McManus

January 2020 – Making an inauspicious NHL debut in a 3-2 OT win in Montreal, the Italian native went pointless in eight shifts totaling 4:16. He had one shot on goal and threw two hits. Di Pauli has six goals and six assists in 22 AHL outings this season. On a second straight one-year, two-way deal, the 25-year-old is a longshot to stick in the NHL. Mark Allan

September 2019 – Di Pauli was one of 17 players assigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the AHL in the second round of cuts from Pittsburgh’s training camp. He’s running out of time, at least with Pittsburgh, to prove he’s NHL-worthy. Mark Allan

May 2019 – After registering seven goals and eight helpers in 29 AHL games, di Pauli signed his second straight one-year, two-way deal ($700,000 AAV at the NHL level). It doesn’t guarantee the 25-year-old security or riches, although it does give him another chance to show he belongs – and that he can stay healthy. The Italian native missed Wilkes/Barre/Scranton’s last 29 outings due to a lower-body injury. He couldn’t play a large chunk of the 2016-17 AHL schedule following back surgery and has appeared in just 108 games in the past three AHL seasons. Mark Allan

December 2018 – Playing in his 100th AHL contest, the speedy winger potted two first-period goals in a 3-1 win over the Hershey Bears. For his first score, the third-year pro blocked a shot at his own blueline and finished a breakaway with a backhand. He later beat Ilya Samsonov with a top-corner game-winner. His 12 points (6G and 6A) in 22 games are tied for fourth on Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, while 32 PIMs show he’s engaged. Like other Pittsburgh farmhands, he’s a pending RFA playing for a job. Mark Allan

September 2018 – One of many Pittsburgh prospects in the final year of his entry-level contract, Di Pauli finds himself back in the AHL. He’ll try to improve on the 20 points he had in 58 games for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. A goal, an assist and plus-2 in two NHL pre-season outings is a good sign. Mark Allan

August 2018 – The speedy 24-year-old signed a one-year, two-way contract at an AAV of just $650,000 at the big-league level. He has an uphill struggle to establish himself with the deep and talented NHL Penguins. Mark Allan

June 2018 – The Italian had better have realistic expectations as an RFA because it’s easy to lose sight of him with the many young forwards in Pittsburgh’s system. Probably still feeling the effects of back surgery, the speedster had a mere 12 goals and 20 points in 58 points in his second AHL campaign with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. He might get a shot of redemption in a low-ball deal with Steeltown or he might have to try elsewhere. Mark Allan

April 2018 – Declared fit to begin the 2017-18 season after back surgery that cost him three months of the previous AHL campaign, the Italian-born Di Pauli has struggled to score, with just 12 goals and eight assists in 58 games. At minus-1, he’s one of just two Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins who have played at least 20 games to be on the wrong side of the plus/minus ledger. After spurning the Washington Capitals and signing with Pittsburgh as a free agent, Di Pauli is an RFA after this season. He faces an uncertain future. Mark Allan

October 2017 – After an injury-shortened AHL rookie season in which he had just two goals in 21 games, the Italian native is off to a hot start with two goals and an assist in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s first four games. Rebounding from a serious back injury, the versatile forward hopes to demonstrate his pre-surgical speed and skill as he tries to earn a new contract. Mark Allan

June 2017 – His season disrupted by back surgery, the Italian native managed just two goals in 21 AHL games. That leaves him with only one more season on his ELC with which to earn another contract. Hopefully fully recovered from his back injury, he might demonstrate the skill that allowed him to total 32 points in 37 games in his fourth and final season at Notre Dame University. Mark Allan

February 2017 – Di Pauli is expected to resume playing soon once he recovers from back surgery that has cost him all but eight AHL games in his first pro season. He scored one goal for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton before getting hurt. Mark Allan

October 2016 – The speedster is one of several players on the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton roster who have yet to play in a league game this season due to injury or illness. Like fellow forward Teddy Blueger, Di Pauli is sidelined for a total of four to six weeks by a lower-body injury. It’s a shame because WBS coach Clark Donatelli said Di Pauli played well in the rookie tournament. Mark Allan

September 2016 – The Italian native signed a two-year contract with the Penguins after completing his education at Notre Dame instead of signing with the Washington Capitals, who took him in the fourth round of the 2012 draft. On the first day of Pittsburgh’s training camp, the 22-year-old scored a goal in the first minute of a scrimmage and played physically on a line with Nick Bonino and Conor Sheary. Di Pauli, however, has virtually no chance of making Pittsburgh’s opening-day roster, and does not project as an enticing fantasy option. Mark Allan

August 2016 – Di Pauli plans to wait until Aug.15 and test the free agent market, instead of signing with the Capitals. His agent did say that he could resign with the Capitals, but rumour has it DiPauli wants to play for a team that could give him a quicker NHL shot than the Capitals who currently have a very deep roster. DiPauli has been passed over by a few prospects up front so perhaps that factored into his decision. Nothing will be known until August 15th, but in the right siutation DiPauli could find himself as a productive middle of the line up player. Pat Quinn

May 2016 – Di Pauli’s final season at Notre Dame saw him remain rather stagnant in production instead of taking the next step. He did score three more points, in four fewer games, while adding six more goals and upping his two-way game. Not taking the next step in one of the final years of college hockey does not bode well for his future professional production. There may have been external factors helping to limit his production, besides his injury, so keep a watch on him as there is still a potential to break out for him. Pat Quinn

Nov 2015 – DiPauli, in his final year in the NCAA, currently has seven points in six games for the University of Notre Dame serving as an assistant captain. If he continues this pace he will have his best points-per-game in the NCAA ever. Notably he has been in the league for four years, would be one of the most experienced forwards in the league, and more consistent point production should be expected. Pat Quinn

Sept 2015 – DiPauli will wear an “A” next season for the University of Notre Dame in his fourth, and last, season. He did not attend the Capitals’ rookie prospect tournament, and will not attend training camp as he is committed to his NCAA team, but should be on the camp rosters next season. Pat Quinn

Aug 2015 – DiPauli finished the year with 29 points in 41 games for the University of Notre Dame. He has yet to decide whether he will play his fourth (senior) year for Notre Dame or turn pro. It is unknown if the Capitals offered him a contract but it would make sense for him to develop his game further for the future potential. Pat Quinn

April 2015 – DiPauli, after posting near a point per game in 27 games, went cold registering only four points in the remaining 14 games. He still managed to stay fourth on the team in points by the end of the NCAA season. He set a new career high in terms of goals, assists, and points this season. It is unknown what he plans to do next season but he is a project that will take some time to produce, if he can get there. Pat Quinn

February 2015 – Currently sitting fourth in team scoring with 25 points (five goals and 16 assists) in 27 games, DiPauli has upped his points per game to the highest it has been since he played in the U16’s five years ago. Some of that may be attested to this being his third season at the University of Notre Dame and adapting to the place of the league. He has never been a big goal scorer so this year may be an anomaly or potential untapped offense, most signs point to the former. Pat Quinn

December 2013- DiPauli is a forechecking force who is currently in his sophomore season for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Last year in his freshman season he had just 12 points in 41 games, but was part of an NCAA championship team. He was recently named to the USA World Junior Preliminary squad that will compete in Malmo. He has previous international experience, winning gold with the US at the U-18’s in 2011-12. Nathan Kanter