CRANBERRY, Pa. -- The John Marino comparisons were inevitable when Josh Maniscalco signed with the Penguins.
It was the summer of 2020. Marino was coming off of a successful rookie season, leaving college after three years and breaking straight into the NHL.
The Penguins, looking to bolster their shallow prospect pool through the college free agent market, landed another right-handed defense prospect who they had their eye on for a couple of years: Maniscalco, who had just finished his sophomore season at Arizona State. Maniscalco had initially planned on continuing his college career, but the uncertainties surrounding college sports and the possibility of a short season the following year due to COVID-19 led to Maniscalco electing to go pro.