Ontario Reign Player Review: Francesco Pinelli

He missed seven games with two separate injuries, but still recorded a career best in assists and points in his third year as a professional. Despite improving his strength, showing more aggression, playing a 200-foot game, and excelling in the little details, in addition to his astute penalty killing, the offense hasn’t gradually improved year-to-year for the former 2021 second-round pick. Everything else has been fine, especially the penalty kill, but at some point, the offense will need to take a bigger jump than a smaller one.

Pinelli was a scorer in juniors, but as we have seen plenty of times with prospects making the jump to the AHL, it can take longer to develop, or their game doesn’t translate to the professional game. I’m sure the Kings are hoping for the former, and Pinelli starts appearing on the scoresheet more, but if not, it would be another player added to the list of second-round picks that haven’t panned out for the organization recently.

That’s not to say Pinelli can’t be an NHL player. He still can be, but not as the highly touted player he was when drafted. A restricted free agent (RFA) on July 1st, the Kings can tender him a qualifying offer, and I expect him to be back and potentially be assigned to the AHL again; only this time, he’ll need to clear waivers.