Daniel Sprong vlak voor NHL-debuut

De website Hockeybuzz is bijzonder positief over de geboren Amsterdammer:
'Every single time Daniel Sprong has taken the ice this preseason the puck has followed him around regardless of who his linemates have been. His hands are already above average for an NHL player and he has some speed to burn. The combination of those two skills cannot be taught. You either have it or you don’t.' Meer >>>

Sprong mag negen wedstrijden spelen de komende weken zonder dat zijn contract begint te tellen. De tiende wedstrijd is op 29 oktober tegen de Sabres. De speler zelf maakt zich er nog niet druk over in de Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
“The first step was to make the team,” Sprong said Sunday after a workout at Consol Energy Center. “I was pretty happy to get the call and get the good news. It’s not over yet. I’ve got to keep earning my spot and keep playing well.”

Sprong said he was determined “to prove Pittsburgh right” when he fell to the second round in the June draft where the Penguins took him at No. 46 overall. The first thing I thought to myself is I’ve got to prove that I wasn’t that low of a pick. I was very disappointed I didn’t end up going in the first round,” Sprong said. “When Pittsburgh called my name that went away. I just wanted to prove Pittsburgh right that they picked the right guy. I wanted to show them that I can play in the NHL as soon as possible.” Meer >>>

Talkshow-host Mark Madden van de lokale sportzender noemt het terecht dat Sprong op basis van zijn sterke trainingskamp het team heeft gehaald, maar maakt zich ook zorgen:
'Sprong is a right wing. Sprong’s skill set dictates he plays on the first two lines. That won't happen for two reasons: Phil Kessel and Patric Hornqvist.'

'Rewarding Sprong for a great camp makes sense. Utilizing him incorrectly for an extended period does not.' Meer >>>

Teamgenoot Oli Maatta is zeer positief in de Pittsburgh Post-Tribune:
“He's looking unbelievable out there,” Maatta said. “He looks like he wants to make the team. He's really showing it.” meer >>>

En ook The Hockey News heeft een uitgebreid verhaal over de opkomst van de geboren Amsterdammer. Zij denken dat hij wellicht beter op zijn plaats is bij de profs dan in junior:
Practising with Sidney Crosby certainly helps, while skills coach Darryl Belfry – who has worked with both Sprong and Sid, had an interesting take on Twitter: Belfry believes that the teen has the rare ability to think and play with great NHLers, meaning that Sprong might actually have an easier time in the pros. Meer >>>