Anthony Angello

July 2020 – Angello was one of 17 forwards who made the Penguins postseason roster for the Stanley Cup Playoffs in Toronto. Clare McManus

May 2020 – The impending RFA had a breakout campaign with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, scoring 16 goals and adding nine assists for 25 points in 48 games, while also leading the team in goals scored. He should earn himself a contract come summertime. Clare McManus

February 2020 – A last-minute replacement for an ill Evgeni Malkin, Angello got his first NHL goal (and point) in a 5-2 win over Toronto. Setting up unhindered in front of the Leafs’ net, the 23-year-old cleverly deflected a shot from Marcus Pettersson past a helpless Frederik Andersen. It was a preview of what’s to come for the 6-5 center, a budding net-front presence. Just don’t expect more from him in the short term other than intermittent appearances on the fourth line. Mark Allan

January 2020 – The towering center could get into his first NHL game after being recalled from the AHL on an emergency loan basis. Although he has just nine assists in 45 outings with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, the strapping 23-year-old leads the baby Penguins with 16 goals and is tied for the team lead with a trio of game-winners. The hope in Pittsburgh is that they have a future shutdown middleman who contributes some timely scores. He becomes an RFA after this campaign. Mark Allan

January 2020 – The strapping 6-5 center is not lighting up the AHL with his production, but he is substantially ahead of the numbers from his pro rookie season. After a debut of 16 goals and 13 assists in 65 games, the 23-year-old already has 15 scores and seven assists in just 39 outings. He continues to play physically, which (combined with secondary goal-scoring) is what will get him to the NHL. The soon-to-be RFA is playing for a contract. Mark Allan

September 2019 – Angello 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 motivated to have a good campaign because he’s an RFA afterwards. Mark Allan

April 2019 – Although his offensive production tailed off in the second half, the budding shutdown center managed 16 goals, and 13 assists, in 65 AHL games. Proving he’s a defensive asset (plus-17), Angello also reminded everyone that’s he’s no angel (53 penalty minutes). Those peripheral stats as a rookie AHLer should be attractive to the Penguins and poolies alike. He has one more year on his entry-level deal, which the 6-5, 210-pounder will undoubtedly spend with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton as he continues to evolve his play to match his physical maturity. Good habits he’s already acquired include going to the net,  using his skating and size to punish defenders as a forechecker and fighting when called upon. Mark Allan

January 2019 – After leaving Cornell University following his junior campaign, the six-foot-five, 209-pounder is making impressive strides in his rookie pro season. His 14 goals in 40 outings are second for the AHL Penguins and his 24 points are fourth among Wilkes-Barre/Scranton skaters. Tantalizing peripherals that include plus-15, 33 penalty minutes, three power play markers and a 16.7 shooting percentage surely have people in the organization envisioning a towering physical presence who can make life miserable for opponents while contributing offensively. Mark Allan

November 2018 – Not known as a prolific scorer, the big man nonetheless totaled three goals and two assists in his first six 2018-19 appearances with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. The good news doesn’t stop there: As well as four PIMs to underscore his physical play, he was plus-3 with PP and SH goals. His pro sample size is still miniscule, but the thought of a 6-5, physical, right-shooting center capable of contributing on both special teams must help to keep GM Jim Rutherford warm on cold winter nights in Pennsylvania. Mark Allan

September 2018 – Back with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton as an official AHL rookie, the 6-5 center will try to prove that his two goals in as many Calder Cup playoff outings were not a fluke. He had an assist in three NHL pre-season games. Mark Allan

June 2018 – The Penguins might find a role someday for the 22-year-old, whose 6-5, 205-pound frame, willingness to make life miserable for opposing centers and occasional production make him an appealing bottom-six candidate. He had a solid third campaign for Cornell with 13 goals, 13 assists, 42 PIM and plus-16. With their forward depth, the Pens can afford to be patient as Angello potentially develops into a replacement for the traded Oskar Sundqvist. Two Angello goals in two AHL playoff games are encouraging. Mark Allan

April 2018 – The towering middleman signed a two-year, entry-level contract with Pittsburgh at an average annual value (AAV) of $925,000 including bonuses. Before the deal kicks in next season, he’ll report to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on an amateur tryout contract for the rest of their AHL schedule. The 22-year-old registered 13 goals, 13 assists and plus-16 in 33 games during his third campaign with Cornell University, where he was named to the All-ECAC Second Team and All-Ivy Second Team. Pittsburgh surely envisions the 6-5, 210-pounder as a bottom-six checking center who can frustrate opposing centers and contribute some offense himself. Mark Allan

December 2017 – Previously a bruiser with Cornell, the 6-5 center appears to be remaking his game as a junior by becoming more of a playmaker and staying out of the penalty box so far. With two goals and five assists in 10 games, he’s flipped his 2016-17 ratio of 12 goals and eight helpers while his lone minor penalty to date is in stark contrast to 51 PIMs in 35 games. No matter; the Penguins should still be interested in a player who might develop into a replacement for traded bottom-six middleman Oskar Sundqvist. Mark Allan

June 2017 – Posting roughly the same offensive numbers (12 goals and eight assists) as in his freshman season with Cornell University, the towering 6-5 middleman doubled his PIMs to 51. That reminded the people who drafted him that his physical game is much more suited to the pros than to the NCAA. Angello remains a long-term project, albeit an intriguing one. Mark Allan

February 2017 – An imposing presence, the bruising middleman is getting his goals and PIMs. After 25 games as a Cornell sophomore, Angello has 10 goals and six assists as well as a plus-6 rating and 37 penalty minutes. His scoring is progressing nicely: In nine fewer games than his freshman season, he has only one fewer goal. Regardless of whether he finishes his full four seasons in the NCAA, Angello is a long-range project. A 6-5 physical center who can score is worth the wait. Mark Allan

October 2016 – Cornell has yet to play a league game, which is probably fine with opposing centers considering the towering Angello has added an inch and 10 pounds to an already-imposing frame. Mark Allan

June 2016 – The potential shutdown power forward displayed unexpected offense in his freshman season at Cornell University, posting 24 points in 34 games. Although he will never live up to his last name (and the Penguins don’t want him to), the abrasive Angello slashed (pardon the expression) his PIMs from 90 in his final USHL season to 26 in his first at Cornell. Pittsburgh can afford to wait on what is essentially a project. Mark Allan

April 2016 – The budding power forward is doing well as a freshman at Cornell University with 11 goals and 13 assists in 34 games. Continuing a trend he established in two seasons with the USHL’s Omaha Lancers, Angello has 26 penalty minutes with Cornell. Playing with a chip on his shoulder, the strapping centerman totaled 175 PIMs in 114 USHL games. Angello has worked on his defensive play since he was a minus-10 in his first Omaha season. He improved that to plus-9 in his second USHL season, which is where he’s at again this season.

Ranked 10th among Pittsburgh prospects by the 2016 Future Watch, Angello is already combining NHL size, an owly disposition, superior reach and above-average strength to make life miserable for opponents. His overall physical play includes being tough to move down low near an opponent’s net. He likely has a future as an intimidating bottom-six checker. Time will tell how his skating and offense develop. Mark Allan