John Marino

April 2020- Marino is a star in the making who played a major contributory role to the depleted Penguins. He was put on the second pairing with Marcus Petterson for a majority of the season and put up fantastic numbers for his first year in the NHL. The 2015 six-round pick scored six goals and added 20 assists for 26 points in 56 games, while also being tied for first with Brian Dumoulin with a plus-17 rating. Marino wasn’t just good offensively but was also elite defensively. Clare McManus

February 2020 – The hits keep coming for the Penguins, hits to their roster that is. Marino, the most pleasant surprise for Pittsburgh in a campaign full of team injuries, is expected to need surgery to repair three broken cheekbones after being struck by a deflected Steven Stamkos slapshot. The 22-year-old rookie has played heady defense as well as contributing an unexpected five goals and 20 assists in 51 outings, including a goal against the Lightning before he was hurt. If not for the former Harvard defenseman helping to solidify the back end, Pittsburgh wouldn’t be second in the Metropolitan Division. There’s no timetable yet for Marino’s return. Mark Allan

January 2020 – The rookie pro continues to meet the higher standards his unexpectedly good play has generated. With Justin Schultz sidelined since Dec. 17 with a lower-body injury, the righthanded-shooting Marino has settled in on the second pairing with Marcus Pettersson, another young blueliner who has exceeded expectations. After 43 NHL appearances, Marino is seventh among Pittsburgh scorers with four goals and 18 assists as well as a plus-13 rating that’s sixth on the team. When Schultz returns, Marino will stay, likely bumping journeyman Chad Ruhwedel. Mark Allan

December 2019 – The unheralded blueliner continues to earn respect for his heady, steady play. Surprisingly making Pittsburgh’s roster out of training camp, the 22-year-old rookie (who’s never played a minor-league game) has posted three goals and 10 helpers in 29 NHL games, including a six-game point streak. In two fewer games, he has two more points than he had in his third season with Harvard! The right-handed shooter keeps raising expectations with his skating, intelligence and unexpected strength. Mark Allan

November 2019 – The 22-year-old blueliner might have untapped offensive ability, judging from a spectacular, out-of-the-penalty-box breakaway goal in a 6-4 loss to the host Bruins. Scoring his first NHL goal with just 2.6 seconds left in the second period to give the Penguins a 4-3 lead made it more special. Even better, the native of nearby Eaton, Mass., did it in front of dozens of family and friends. Marino, who posted modest stats in three seasons at Harvard, bears watching. Caution is also advised. Mark Allan

November 2019 – A perfect illustration of a player who’s more valuable in reality than fantasy, Marino is Jack Johnson’s third-pairing partner thanks to his steady, low-key play. With one assist in his first 12 NHL outings, the rookie didn’t allow the Erik Gudbranson trade with eye-popping offense. Still, Marino is an overall upgrade over Gudbranson, who offered size and physical play, and little else. Being a right-hand shot also gives the 6-1, 181-pound Marino an edge over a more-skilled option such as Juuso Riikola. It’s still not nearly enough for you to add him to your fantasy roster. Mark Allan

October 2019 – Not an offensive dynamo in three seasons with Harvard, Marino is maintaining that profile with Pittsburgh. Pointless in his first five big-league outings on the third pairing with Jack Johnson, his biggest contribution is 10 hits and five blocks while averaging 15:49 of ice time. Totaling only four shots on goal so far, the first-time pro isn’t helping the team as much as he isn’t hurting them. He would, however, hurt your fantasy team. Mark Allan

October 2019 – To say Marino was a longshot to make Pittsburgh’s roster is an understatement, but the former sixth-round pick wasn’t sent to the AHL until the day before the NHL season opened. With the Penguins’ glut of blueliners, even if they trade one or two, he’s still a longshot to make the team during the campaign. He’ll toil with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on a two-way deal, and even longshots sometimes pay off, but his NHL ceiling remains low. Mark Allan

August 2019 – Marino signed a two-year, entry-level contract. Although the two-way deal is worth an AAV of $1.775 million at the NHL level, his pay drops to $70,000 for any games played in the minors. A low-risk, low-reward acquisition and signing, the 22-year-old can expect to be in the minors for all or most of the deal. By signing Edmonton’s 2015 sixth-round selection, the Penguins surrender their 2021 sixth-round pick to the Oilers as a condition of their recent trade. Mark Allan

July 2019 – Edmonton’s sixth-round pick in 2015 was acquired for a conditional 2021 sixth-round draft pick. If Pittsburgh signs him or trades his rights, the Oilers would get Pittsburgh‘s 2021 sixth-round pick. The 22-year-old right-shot blueliner played 30 games in 2018-19 for Harvard University of the ECAC Conference, posting three goals and eight assists. The 6-1, 181-pounder has totaled seven goals and 35 assists in 101 games. Not known for gaudy stats, the native of Brockton, Mass., nonetheless made the NCAA All-Ivy League Second Team in 2016-17 when the Crimson earned an ECAC championship. Pittsburgh GM Jim Rutherford describes the former one-season USHL player as a mobile defenseman who plays with an edge. He’s a low-risk depth addition who, due to Pittsburgh’s cap crunch and a need for more development, will likely spend a fourth campaign with Harvard, where he’s expected to be the captain. Mark Allan

March 2019 – It has been another solid, yet uneventful season for the young defender. Marino has produced 11 points in 29 games for Harvard this season and although his 0.38 points per game is his worst pace in the three years he’s been in university (compared to 0.45 and then 0.49), offence has never been his forte. He plays in Harvard’s top-four and is often paired with more offensively consistent defender Reilly Walsh. Marino was drafted as a late round project prospect and will continue to be a project for the near future. Jameson Ewasiuk

June 2018 – Marino has just completed his second season at Harvard University and had a season that statistically mirrored his freshman year. Last season he recorded two goals and 16 points in 33 games compared to the two goals and 15 points in 33 games the season prior. Marino will not be at the Oilers’ development camp this week and is slated to return to Harvard this season. Marino possesses good size with an offensive flare and his overall defensive game continues to show improvement. Once the young defender’s NCAA career is completed, he will likely need further seasoning in the AHL. Jameson Ewasiuk

March 2017 – The offensive defenseman plays for the University of Harvard. Marino has been playing top minutes so far this year as a freshman and he’s only getting better. In more recent news, Marino helped guide Harvard University to its first Beanpot tournament win since 1993. Marino ended the game with an assist.

Going into his draft year, there were some knocks on his defensive game. While it still needs improvement, Marino has taken a big stride towards becoming better in his own zone. Spencer Pomoty