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I'm bored with the lack of Penguins news, you're bored with the lack of Penguins news, so I did a Twitter Q and A.
I don't think there would be any interest in those players at this point. For a brief time period it looked like the Sabres were going to have to take on a bad contract or two via trade to reach the cap ceiling however that "problem" has been resolved. The Sabres have a good amount of young defensemen, much like the PEnguins, Scuderi would just be taking their spots just like he will do in Pittsburgh this year.
The Sabres would rather see what they have in Enroth as a full time starter than trade for a rental in a season that they won't be contending in.
Sutter would be the most probable out of the three mentioned but I just don't see why the Sabres would find him enticing at this stage of their rebuild. The only trade chip the Sabres would part with in a potential Sutter deal would be Chris Stewart and that is a terrible idea, as documented by Travis Yost
here.
While I can appreciate the humor in that question, the real reason the Penguins haven't found their way back to the Cup Final is simple, they have valued the wrong attributes for the past 5 years. Focusing too heavily on intangibles and not enough on actual hockey skill. Crosby and Malkin are great, but they aren't miracle workers. Awful goaltending and no depth has damned the Penguins in the playoffs. They have had too many players who treat the puck like a live grenade as opposed to a prime asset that should be held onto for as long as possible.
Basically it is just a "marketing" technique. Sometimes people can glance over one single tweet accidently. By posting two tweets that look somewhat different I am hoping it catches the readers eye. I only do it when I first post a new article. It appears to be working, at least somewhat.
The average male weighs about 86 pounds during the non breeding season, while protecting its egg in the cold for two months waiting for their female partner to come back they lose about 26 pounds.
Basically a non breeding season Emperor Penguin is Chris Conner while the Penguin in breeding season is Brian Gibbons.
I love Mega Penguin, his intangibles are through the roof and look at that size, 253 pounds (!), that is like having Dustin Byfuglien on your team but in Penguin form. Just think of the tenacity and grit he can provide with his corner play. His skating isn't terrific but he is able to stay in shooting lanes by sliding on his belly in front of the shooters.
On a side note, Matthew Coller is one of the best numbers oriented people out there, he does consistently tremendous work for Hockey Prospectus. His podcasts are high brow listening if you are into that kind of thing.
Give him a follow.
The Brandon Sutter situation is very interesting. This could really go either way. Brandon Sutter is probably looking towards a one year deal in order to hit unrestricted free agency sooner. The only way I think Sutter would sign long term is if the Penguins overpay, which obviously is not a great idea for the team. Will the Penguins overpay? Will Sutter take a one year deal and bet on himself to have a solid campaign to drive his market value up? Will the Penguins say screw it and trade him? All three options are still on the table.
As far as Maatta's "replacement" if he cannot start the season, I think that is Brian Dumoulin's job to lose. I'll explain more below.
Mostly all the reports by people who watch a lot of WB/S games say that Dumoulin was their best guy this season. He has the size, the skating ability, and the puck skills to be a competent NHL defenseman. His ceiling is probably a #4 but for the Penguins he would only have to play in a bottom pairing role. It will be up to him to have a good training camp to finally make his leap to the NHL permanent within the Penguins organization. If he makes the jump and does well he would also hypothetically boost his potential trade value.
I think third line right wing is the most ideal spot for him. I think he can score around 15 goals in that role while not being a liability on the ice. The guy can play good hockey when his focus is channeled in the proper way. Rick Tocchet will certainly be there to try and influence this in the right direction.
Downie could pop up once in a blue moon and make a cameo on a top 6 line but I think it should be limited in the amount of times they do that.
If Downie's surgery to repair the ear/balance issues he has been having was successful he could have a really nice bounce back season.
Even though the Penguins have a deeper need at the forward position and Kapanen is healthy (unlike Pouliot) I think Pouliot has the better chance of making the team this year. Kapanen did really well at prospect camp and also at the World Junior scrimmages taking place now, but the real test is yet to come for him in training camp. How will his speed and skill translate to the bigger faster NHL caliber skaters? He could certainly turn in a quality camp and make the decision tough on the Penguins but I think it is a 50/50 proposition at best. The good news is that he appears to be a shoe in to provide quality NHL minutes in the not so distant future, which is something the Penguins desperately need.
Kapanen did score again in the World Junior scrimmages currently being played. Finland beat the USA (white) team 4-3, Kapanen scored the third goal (41 second mark)
Pouliot has the advantage of playing for his junior coach in Pittsburgh. Johnston already knows what he has in him. If Pouliot shows up at WB/S and starts to play really well, it might not take very long for him to get the phone call to join Pittsburgh.
Some people might find this hard to believe but they actually pay me to write the stuff that I write.
I have a Master's Degree in education which is concentrated on physical education. I am a NYS certified physical education and health teacher.
I think we can all agree, the offseason in August is for the birds. It will be great to have some live action to discuss.
I can't say I agree with that assessment of his play. I don't believe he has an unwillingness to go into the corners and battle. What I do think he suffers from is incredibly poor bone structure in the wrist area. He needs to drink more milk, or buy wrist guards, or get bubble wrap because he is a quality NHL player. It remains to be seen if it will be in a top 6 role or not, but at a minimum he is a very fine 3rd line player. We can't find out what his true ceiling is if he can't play though.
Dan Frawley
I think the New York Islanders have done a pretty great job of filling some of their holes. Namely the goaltending position. Jaro Halak and Chad Johnson is a tremendous upgrade over what they have been getting. They won't be ranked 27th overall in EVSV% (.911%) against next year. Adding Grabovski and Kulemin will have a great impact on their forward depth. Did they "overpay" for those two players? I suppose, but when you are scraping along the cap floor I'm not sure it really matters.
Their defense isn't great by any means but they did shed possession black hole Andy MacDonald.
I think Greiss will get at least 20 starts but that number should be closer to 30 if his quality of play stays the course of recent years. I think there should be an open competition for the starting job, but to topple Fleury Greiss is going to have to play lights out. Fleury is still valued in the eyes of management and moving on from him as the starter this year will take a monumental effort.
As far as the future is concerned I don't know who will be the Penguins #1 goalie but it shouldn't be Marc Andre Fleury, it would be beneficial for both player and team to cut the cord on the relationship at this point.
I would hold onto Pouliot right now. He has an incredibly high ceiling and I like the idea of Letang, Ehrhoff, Maatta, and Pouliot locking down the top 4 defense spots in the near future.
I think we are still way behind the eight ball with cereal analytics, kids around the globe will have to continue leaning on the "taste" test for now.
On a serious note, the Edmonton Oilers hiring Tyler Dellow is such a well deserved hire. His work over the years has been of the highest quality and has really helped other bloggers (myself included), fans, and now will help an NHL front office. Dellow made it easier and more clear to understand the new wave of numbers and trends in the game of hockey. His attention to detail was a constant in his work. It is scary to think just how detailed he can get now that it is his full time job and not a hobby.
For people who enjoyed his work today is bittersweet. He is being recognized at the highest level, however his website has gone dark and his excellent work is no longer in the public domain.
What can't be argued is that analytics is now mainstream. They aren't going anywhere.
Thanks for reading!
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