by J.T. Toth
Photo courtesy of Miami Herald.
The Penguins have signed Colin White, a veteran center, to a Professional Tryout (PTO) for their upcoming training camp in September. White will have his work cut out for him to make the Penguins' bottom six.
Draft 412 take a look at Colin White and what he may add to the Penguins' depth down the middle:
C- Colin White, 6’1” 194 lbs.
Colin White was drafted in the first round by the Ottawa Senators, 21st overall in the 2015 NHL Draft. After playing in just 23 games between 2016 and 2017, White finally became a regular in 2018-2019 playing in 71 games and scoring 41 points, both still career highs. In his 6 seasons in Ottawa, he scored 98 points in 224 games and was a net (-52). He had several injuries in Ottawa that held him out of the lineup, including dislocating his shoulder before the 2021-2022 season had even begun.
After the 2021-2022 season in Ottawa, White was bought out by the Senators and signed with the Florida Panthers. Last year for the Panthers, White played in 68 games, scoring 8 goals and 15 points. Florida decided to not extend him a qualifying offer, and he became a free agent.
Colin White became a first round draft pick based on his skating and offensive prowess. Since then, White’s skating has kept him in the league but he hasn’t developed the consistent offensive game expected of him at the NHL level. He is versatile, playing center and either wing.
Injuries have been a constant issue for White, only playing in 50 or more games 3 times in his career. The pre-draft scouting report on White, now 26, was that he needed to add strength and size to his 6’1 frame to be a regular scorer at the next level and endure the rigors of a long season. Over the course of his career, he’s struggled to do this, resulting in being bit by the injury bug more often than not.
This is a low-risk signing of a former first round draft pick. Pittsburgh’s bottom 6 is in flux and the skating and versatility of White can give him a chance at making the squad, though it is a longshot.