"since entering the NHL, Gudbranson ranks 184th in Rel 5v5 GF% out of 207 defensemen who have play >2500 minutes"

That is horrible.

And he is expected to make 5mil in his next contract. Florida turned a 24 year old bust and 5th into a 20 year old forward, a 2nd (33rd overall) and a 4th.
- j.boyd919

Yeah but those Florida teams his first 3 years, especially the first 2, were horrible. Justin Schultz sucks by this logic too, right?

As for "expected to make 5 million", that's insane. He's not worth that...yet, anyway. He's only 24 and I think he will improve.

"since entering the NHL, Gudbranson ranks 184th in Rel 5v5 GF% out of 207 defensemen who have play >2500 minutes"

That is horrible.

And he is expected to make 5mil in his next contract. Florida turned a 24 year old bust and 5th into a 20 year old forward, a 2nd (33rd overall) and a 4th.
- j.boyd919

Wouldn't call him a bust, but yes I would take that trade every single time. Benning is an idiot and loves proving it.

Firstly, glad your Dad is A-ok! Thats terrific.

But that has a myriad of issues that I'm too niave to even begin discussing ON A HOCKEY BLOG AND PENS FORM THE DAY OF A GAME 7!
- brienstel

I hear ya!

I'm trying to keep my mind off of tonight. I'm going to get sh!t faced to handle it.

Wouldn't call him a bust, but yes I would take that trade every single time. Benning is an idiot and loves proving it.
- znagle58

How long has he been in the league for? He's played his career on a garbage Panters team that just got good basically this year and last... that has to affect the stats a bit.

All that said, I still don't understand the Cancuks direction or their identity as a hockey team anymore... I just don't get what they're doing or even trying to accomplish. They're the weirdest team in the league right now. They're just weird.

I hear ya!

I'm trying to keep my mind off of tonight. I'm going to get sh!t faced to handle it.
- madmike71

It's too much man....it's too much.

Yeah but those Florida teams his first 3 years, especially the first 2, were horrible. Justin Schultz sucks by this logic too, right?

As for "expected to make 5 million", that's insane. He's not worth that...yet, anyway. He's only 24 and I think he will improve.
- MattStrat

Guds
2012-13: -16.2
2013-14: 1.4
2014-15: 2.3
2015-16: -7.6

Schultz:
2012-13: -15.7
2013-14: 1.7
2014-15: 10.8
2015-16: 1.6

No. Using actual data shows that he sucks. It's not logic, it's facts. Also the fact that Guds has never had a season where he's been over a -20 total goal differential. Yeah... Top 4, thats -20 in goal differential.. I'll pass. He's not improving. And now he goes to Vancouver to die. Pens need to offer Cole up for Hansaan. Benning would probably do it.

How long has he been in the league for? He's played his career on a garbage Panters team that just got good basically this year and last... that has to affect the stats a bit.

All that said, I still don't understand the Cancuks direction or their identity as a hockey team anymore... I just don't get what they're doing or even trying to accomplish. They're the weirdest team in the league right now. They're just weird.
- brienstel

Definitely has a part to do with his stats. He's a #4/5 guy IMO. Still room to grow and he was on a good team that would allow that. Now he's going to Van and that will probably hurt his play and ruin his career.

How long has he been in the league for? He's played his career on a garbage Panters team that just got good basically this year and last... that has to affect the stats a bit.

All that said, I still don't understand the Cancuks direction or their identity as a hockey team anymore... I just don't get what they're doing or even trying to accomplish. They're the weirdest team in the league right now. They're just weird.
- brienstel

And on a good team, he was still a -22 goal differential.

EDIT: -22 This season, and -20 last season. So over 2 seasons on a good Panthers team, he's a -42 on the goal differential.

Guds
2012-13: -16.2
2013-14: 1.4
2014-15: 2.3
2015-16: -7.6

Schultz:
2012-13: -15.7
2013-14: 1.7
2014-15: 10.8
2015-16: 1.6

No. Using actual data shows that he sucks. It's not logic, it's facts. Also the fact that Guds has never had a season where he's been over a -20 total goal differential. Yeah... Top 4, thats -20 in goal differential.. I'll pass. He's not improving. And now he goes to Vancouver to die. Pens need to offer Cole up for Hansaan. Benning would probably do it.
- j.boyd919

Couldn't care less about analytics in this situation. He's a big young guy who can skate and pass well, shoots right handed and also hits (hard) a lot. He doesnt suck as much as you think.

EDIT: who was he paired with all those years? What situations was he put in? What zones did he usually start in?

Couldn't care less about analytics in this situation. He's a big young guy who can skate and pass well, shoots right handed and also hits (hard) a lot. He doesnt suck as much as you think.

EDIT: who was he paired with all those years? What situations was he put in? What zones did he usually start in?
- MattStrat

Given his whopping 43 points in 309 games, safe to say he does not pass well. And he cannot skate well, he's slow as hell.

And on a good team, he was still a -22 goal differential.

EDIT: -22 This season, and -20 last season. So over 2 seasons on a good Panthers team, he's a -42 on the goal differential.
- j.boyd919

Jeez. Thats alarming., to say the least.

Couldn't care less about analytics in this situation. He's a big young guy who can skate and pass well, shoots right handed and also hits (hard) a lot. He doesnt suck as much as you think.

EDIT: who was he paired with all those years? What situations was he put in? What zones did he usually start in?
- MattStrat

Brian Campbell this season, Dylan Olsen the 2 years prior (on the 3rd pairing it looks like), and Filip Kuba before that.

Jeez. Thats alarming., to say the least.
- brienstel

Yeah. He's not good. Go to the Panthers blog, read the comments, or go to twitter and watch hilarity ensue.

It's too much man....it's too much.
- MattStrat

I'm as nervous as a squirrel crossing a street. Good news is I gave my boss some bull crap reason that I needed tomoro off so I can get as happy drunk or as pissed off drunk as I want.

Given his whopping 43 points in 309 games, safe to say he does not pass well. And he cannot skate well, he's slow as hell.
- j.boyd919

He's fast for his size man. He's 6 foot 5 and 216 pounds.

Elite prsopects: "A large defenseman with good leadership skills. Has a great shot. Gives a good opening pass and works hard in all three zones. A good skater considering his size. Could improve his physicality"

He's not near as bad as you're making him out to be and you're arguing with me like Im saying he's the second coming of Lidstrom. I dont think that.

He's 24 and he could get better....will that happen in Vancouver, probably not, but who knows. Sometimes changes of scenery do wonders. We have like 4 examples of that playing for the Pens this year.

Yeah they've got some important pieces requiring new contracts/raises soon.
- MattStrat

Word on the street is they're trying to offer Pittsburgh hero Vinny Trochek a 6 year deal. That would explain a lot.

Brian Campbell this season, Dylan Olsen the 2 years prior (on the 3rd pairing it looks like), and Filip Kuba before that.
- j.boyd919

So basically crap besides Campbell.

Yeah. He's not good. Go to the Panthers blog, read the comments, or go to twitter and watch hilarity ensue.
- j.boyd919

Yeah fans on social media are always so knowledgeable and rational.

Word on the street is they're trying to offer Pittsburgh hero Vinny Trochek a 6 year deal. That would explain a lot.
- Victoro311

It does indeed.

Pens/Sharks would be an awesome series IMO.

Thornton still has a lot left and has been playing pretty good. I think SHarks win the beard contest though.
- sammy87

Our best beard (Nick Bonino) isn't even on the same stratosphere as their two best (Jumbo and Burns). I've been impressed with The Phil and Ruster's beards though.

Yeah fans on social media are always so knowledgeable and rational.
- MattStrat

I don't follow fans. I follow people who study and write about the sport.

So basically crap besides Campbell.
- MattStrat

And with Campbell he couldn't crack 10 points, and couldn't even go even on the goal differential, still ended up a -22 on that front.

I don't follow fans. I follow people who study and write about the sport.
- j.boyd919

There's people who study and follow the sport in the Panthers blog comment section?

I'm as nervous as a squirrel crossing a street. Good news is I gave my boss some bull crap reason that I needed tomoro off so I can get as happy drunk or as pissed off drunk as I want.
- pensfan024

There's people who study and follow the sport in the Panthers blog comment section?
- MattStrat

No because there's never anyone in the Panthers' blog comment section.