Observations:

June 2017 – An uninspiring season (1G, 7A, plus-6 in 37 games) hasn’t done much for the former first-rounder’s job security now that his one-year, two-way deal has expired and he’s an RFA. Although they tend to get hurt, Pittsburgh has a glut of serviceable blueliners, and Percy’s future is uncertain. Mark Allan

January 2017 – The former first-rounder is not showing signs of making the best of a second chance. Arriving as a free agent after the Leafs cut him loose, Percy has a goal and five assists in 19 AHL games. He's not 25 so he still has some time, but it's running out. Mark Allan

October 2016 – The former first-rounder was demoted to the AHL as Pittsburgh redeuced its training camp roster to 31. Wilkes-Barre-Scranton now has 37 players at its training camp, and Percy has a steep mountain to climb to add to his skimpy 12-game NHL resume. Mark Allan 

July 1 – Cut loose by the Maple Leafs, the UFA blueliner was signed by Pittsburgh, no doubt to pad the roster of its AHL affiliate. Percy has played in just 12 NHL games, but the Penguins are giving the former first-rounder a second chance with a one-year, two-way contract that will pay an average annual value of $575,000 at the NHL level. If he can augment his modest puck-moving ability by adding muscle to better handle opponents in front of his net, Percy might get into more NHL games. Mark Allan

February 2016 – Percy is having quite a nice season in the AHL, his production is up, but still struggles to seize ice time with responsibility. He is pretty much an average minor pro defender that is enjoying his team’s offensive strength. It is also concerning that his ‘positive/negative’ rating is barely above water as a positive-4, yet 4 of his teammates are over positive-20 and another above positive-10. He is growing as a defender, but still is not the most stable player you’d wish to have on the ice. His struggles to move up the depth chart will continue as the Leafs continue to compile draft picks and more higher-end prospects move through the system. Jason Banks

October 2014 – After seeing rather limited ice and only compiling 25 points in the AHL last season, Percy has been a very pleasant surprise on the blueline for the Leafs. I didn’t feel his camp was overly strong despite scoring four points in the prospect tourney, and he was wasn’t as noticeable as the Euro rookies, Tom Nilsson and Viktor Loov, but he seems to have won his spot due to putting his game together as discussed in an earlier update and limiting mistakes. I also mentioned his ability to scramble when needed, and it has been seen in the primetime a few times already in his short NHL career. After an unfortunate blunder of knocking a puck into his own net costing his team a chance at a win, he showed ‘veins of ice’, shaking that embarrassment of and producing effectively thus far. Carlyle is showing confidence is allowing him to play 20 minutes per night on a well rotated defensive corp. It is not expected that he will keep up this production, I would expect a drop of 70% on his current rate over the season, and I would be hesitant on saying he will stay the full season, but so far so good. Jason Banks

November 2013 – On a nightly basis, Percy is the lowest responsibility blue liner on the Marlies as he is learning the pro game. His defensive skills are not quite up to standard with the level of the pro game, he has not proved to be a major liability either while playing beside a vets like John Liles, Korbinian Holzer and Kevin Marshall. His ‘first pass’ ability is a bit hampered by the speed and the much stronger system games utilized in the AHL, but he is showing a strong ability to get himself out of sticky situations while under pressure. The tools are evident, it is just a case of collecting them all and using them efficiently, a struggle for many young defensemen. He will likely frustrate owners for a couple seasons as it will take some time to move forward. He is yet to score this season, but he is getting opportunities with 22 shots in 17 games. Jason Banks

April 2013 – Stuart Percy is a smart puck-moving defenseman who also possesses strong leadership qualities. Known for making a great first pass, Percy is rarely caught out of position in his own zone due to his strong hockey IQ. He isn’t the fastest skater, or have the hardest shot, but he finds a way to get pucks to the net and sees the ice well. The 19 year-old spent his entire OHL career with the Mississauga franchise, posting 45 points in 68 games this past season as team captain. Certainly more was expected of him this year after producing at almost a point per game pace last year (in limited action due to injury), however the eighth-seeded Steelheads this season were not the same team that almost won the Memorial Cup two years ago. After losing in the first round of the OHL playoffs in six games for the second straight season last month, Percy was re-assigned to the Toronto Marlies (also for the second straight season), where he scored a goal in his first game. The next stop for him is a full-time gig with the Marlies where he will learn the ins and outs of the pro game. With Toronto building their blueline through recent drafts, he will face stiff competition in the next few years from the likes of youngsters Jesse Blacker, Morgan Rielly, and Matthew Finn. Nathan Kanter

Fantasy Outlook: C-

Percy has good hockey instincts at both ends of the ice and has the potential to produce good point totals, although he has yet to realize that potential and is running out of chances.

Footage:

Percy's first professional goal.

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