They need a real #2. That's all I'm saying. Like a Trouba. Sure Schultz is a nice player, but he's a 3 or 4 at best. Everybody else is basically a 4 or lower. Dumo is 2 in name only.
- madmike71

"need" like need.. they just went back-to-back with mediocre defense, this year without #1 D.. 4 stacked lines is the key for this team, but ofc Trouba-like Dman is always nice to have

Eh, whatever. You're wrong.
- rbaurle51

On a scale from 1 to Crosby's brain how rattled are you?

Schultz and Franson is Letang insurance no?
- Feds91Stammer

Franson is pylon insurance, that's about it. Never know when the parking lot attendants might run out.

Franson is pylon insurance, that's about it. Never know when the parking lot attendants might run out.
- hardnosed

Oh interesting. Who is your realistic 3rd pair RHD?

lol you think so, huh? How about this, not many people, actually no one, saw guentzel being as good as he was. Sprong is a legit talent, and why could he not score 20 goals if we get duchene like we should? Hell, why wouldn't we put him on Crosby or malkins line considering we did the same exact thing to sheary, rust, guentzel? I think you aren't being as realistic as you should be.
- rbaurle51

Guentzel had 42 points in 33 AHL games. Last year... and tore up the playoffs... and in September Ryan Wilson said this...

"Jake Guentzel

He is probably the most interesting Penguins prospect. Daniel Sprong doesn't have a huge NHL sample but I believe most people are comfortable saying he is an NHL player at this point. Guentzel didn't enter the Penguins system as a highly drafted player, but everything he has done to this point projects to him being an NHL player. His playoff numbers with the Baby Penguins last year were amazing. I think he could certainly see some NHL action in 2016-17. I would give him extended looks with some of the better NHL players in the preseason. I would then give him all the minutes he can handle in WB/S. If he shows well in the preseason and continues to destroy the AHL this may be a diamond in the rough for Pittsburgh."

Seems like people actually saw the potential in Guentzel before the season started.

In November RW said this...

"It was a great debut for Guentzel. I don’t have any apprehensions about his ability to play in the NHL. It might be time for the kid to start searching for an apartment because he’s going to leap frog some of the other forward options pretty quick."

Oh and after he was sent down he said this....

http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=81833

"A plethora of multiple point games and very few games left off of the scoresheet. He is tracking great towards NHL success. At his age you want to be at a point per game to make future NHL success likely. Right now he has 34 points in 27 games which is a 1.29 per game rate. Guentzel is currently third overall for the entire AHL in the points race trailing only Ken Agostino who has 46 points in 35 games and is tied with Cole Schneider who has 34 points in 28 games. Only Agostino has a higher points per game among the league’s point leaders at 1.31. And yes if that Agostino name sounds familiar it is the Agostino who was traded by the Penguins for Jarome Iginla.

It isn’t so much a matter of if Guentzel will be an NHL player, but when that will be. As it stands right now the Penguins have a top nine of Conor Sheary, Chris Kunitz, and Carl Hagelin that they are comfortable with. If Guentzel isn’t going to take time from those three, the organization’s thinking is that more ice time in the AHL is better than fourth line minutes at the NHL. Injuries and trades can certainly change the landscape, but for now the organization is content letting Guentzel rip apart the AHL. Not bad for a third round pick."



So... actually our very own blogger thought Guentzel was the real deal. Why? Because he used numbers, and tracked data as Guentzel played in the AHL, came to an educated decision and... low and behold.. was right.

"need" like need.. they just went back-to-back with mediocre defense, this year without #1 D.. 4 stacked lines is the key for this team, but ofc Trouba-like Dman is always nice to have
- PhillyCheese

From Yohe on DK's site...


However, the defensive group is another story. And Jim Rutherford knows it.

There is considerable uncertainly on the defensive unit as the NHL off-season is about to kick into high gear.


“We’ll see how things shake out but obviously we need to take a look,” Rutherford said. “Am I possibly interested in trading for a defenseman or signing the right guy in July? Yes.”

Throw at McPhee our 1st and take Schmidt.. this draft class is crap and we are not getting a better player than Schmidt with 31 overall
- PhillyCheese

id gladly do that

You snowflakes are acting like the Dems when H Clinton lost. He is not dead, he has just moved on. That is the way of life in all professional sports. Get over it and move on. Here is a fact.....From 2003 to 2016 MAF on a single Cup on his own In two years Matt Murray has won 2 Cups One all by himself and one aided by MAF. I think his track record is much better. Use your brain not your heart. It is a business.
- holeinone

You couldn't be more of an asshat, could you?

From Yohe on DK's site...


However, the defensive group is another story. And Jim Rutherford knows it.

There is considerable uncertainly on the defensive unit as the NHL off-season is about to kick into high gear.


“We’ll see how things shake out but obviously we need to take a look,” Rutherford said. “Am I possibly interested in trading for a defenseman or signing the right guy in July? Yes.”
- madmike71

Im not saying this team doesnt need more defensemen.. but not overpay for Trouba.. thats what i am saying

Lol so you think Rust is a better hockey player than Sprong? Wake up boy... Rusty is a speedy grinder for 3rd line with some offensive upside.. Sprong is pure talent.. maybe 2nd-3rd best wrister on the team behind Phil
- PhillyCheese

At this very moment, Rust is better than Sprong.

Guentzel had 42 points in 33 AHL games. Last year... and tore up the playoffs... and in September Ryan Wilson said this...

"Jake Guentzel

He is probably the most interesting Penguins prospect. Daniel Sprong doesn't have a huge NHL sample but I believe most people are comfortable saying he is an NHL player at this point. Guentzel didn't enter the Penguins system as a highly drafted player, but everything he has done to this point projects to him being an NHL player. His playoff numbers with the Baby Penguins last year were amazing. I think he could certainly see some NHL action in 2016-17. I would give him extended looks with some of the better NHL players in the preseason. I would then give him all the minutes he can handle in WB/S. If he shows well in the preseason and continues to destroy the AHL this may be a diamond in the rough for Pittsburgh."

Seems like people actually saw the potential in Guentzel before the season started.

In November RW said this...

"It was a great debut for Guentzel. I don’t have any apprehensions about his ability to play in the NHL. It might be time for the kid to start searching for an apartment because he’s going to leap frog some of the other forward options pretty quick."

Oh and after he was sent down he said this....

http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=81833

"A plethora of multiple point games and very few games left off of the scoresheet. He is tracking great towards NHL success. At his age you want to be at a point per game to make future NHL success likely. Right now he has 34 points in 27 games which is a 1.29 per game rate. Guentzel is currently third overall for the entire AHL in the points race trailing only Ken Agostino who has 46 points in 35 games and is tied with Cole Schneider who has 34 points in 28 games. Only Agostino has a higher points per game among the league’s point leaders at 1.31. And yes if that Agostino name sounds familiar it is the Agostino who was traded by the Penguins for Jarome Iginla.

It isn’t so much a matter of if Guentzel will be an NHL player, but when that will be. As it stands right now the Penguins have a top nine of Conor Sheary, Chris Kunitz, and Carl Hagelin that they are comfortable with. If Guentzel isn’t going to take time from those three, the organization’s thinking is that more ice time in the AHL is better than fourth line minutes at the NHL. Injuries and trades can certainly change the landscape, but for now the organization is content letting Guentzel rip apart the AHL. Not bad for a third round pick."



So... actually our very own blogger thought Guentzel was the real deal. Why? Because he used numbers, and tracked data as Guentzel played in the AHL, came to an educated decision and... low and behold.. was right.
- j.boyd919

Didn't say that he wasn't a good prospect. I said no one saw him blowing up the way that he did. Not at all. No one could've predicted his post season success.

Im not saying this team doesnt need more defensemen.. but not overpay for Trouba.. thats what i am saying
- PhillyCheese

What would be an overpayment for a number one defenseman under 3M this season that is an RFA at seasons end?

Schultz is Letang's insurance.. you are not getting an all-star D like Letang for insurance.. Schmidt would be a really good pickup
- PhillyCheese

exactly this. you arent getting a letang clone that would seamlessly step in when he is hurt.

schultz slides up as the number one. the insurance would more realistically be someone who can slot in behind/with schultz to present the trickle down dumpster fire.

nate schmidt is a huge add for that. at least among potentially feasible options.

At this very moment, Rust is better than Sprong.
- j.boyd919

Alright, we will see next season.. im not getting into this "war" with you.. thats just my opinion

Alright, we will see next season.. im not getting into this "war" with you.. thats just my opinion
- PhillyCheese

Rust just has more nhl playing time. Sprong is better. We all know it. Lol

What would be an overpayment for a number one defenseman under 3M this season that is an RFA at seasons end?
- j.boyd919

How much will he want after the season? 7? Like he wanted in the off-season last year?

Didn't say that he wasn't a good prospect. I said no one saw him blowing up the way that he did. Not at all. No one could've predicted his post season success.
- rbaurle51

His AHL playoff numbers are right there.. how cold no one have predicted post-season success, given that he was amazing in the AHL post-season? Numbers are right there.. and that's what people use to form opinions on players, well, educated people.

Alright, we will see next season.. im not getting into this "war" with you.. thats just my opinion
- PhillyCheese

Trust me, I'm not even the biggest Rust fan (ask Victoro) lol I completely believe he is expendable. And I do think in the future Sprong will be more productive than Rust.. But I don't think he's ready for the NHL yet.

So... actually our very own blogger thought Guentzel was the real deal. Why? Because he used numbers, and tracked data as Guentzel played in the AHL, came to an educated decision and... low and behold.. was right.
- j.boyd919

I was touting Guentzel in 2014-2015 after seeing him play for Nebraska Omaha. It was obvious that he had top 6 talent and hockey sense. When I posted about him here I compared him to Johnny Gaudreau. I didn't need any numbers, equations or formulas, it was obvious.

Do I get a cookie, too?!?

How much will he want after the season? 7? Like he wanted in the off-season last year?
- PhillyCheese

I would give him 7 million in a heart beat. He is a top pairing defenseman. I wouldn't even question it.

I was touting Guentzel in 2014-2015 after seeing him play for Nebraska Omaha. It was obvious that he had top 6 talent and hockey sense. When I posted about him here I compared him to Johnny Gaudreau. I didn't need any numbers, equations or formulas, it was obvious.

Do I get a cookie, too?!?
- hardnosed

Sure.

I was touting Guentzel in 2014-2015 after seeing him play for Nebraska Omaha. It was obvious that he had top 6 talent and hockey sense. When I posted about him here I compared him to Johnny Gaudreau. I didn't need any numbers, equations or formulas, it was obvious.

Do I get a cookie, too?!?
- hardnosed

poop you should be a scout.

I would give him 7 million in a heart beat. He is a top pairing defenseman. I wouldn't even question it.


- j.boyd919

Idk he is worth it i know but.. thats hell of a lot of money in Sid, Geno, Phil, Letang + Trouba.. just look at Hawks and their problems with cap.. Hossa just kinda solved it

Idk he is worth it i know but.. thats hell of a lot of money in Sid, Geno, Phil, Letang + Trouba.. just look at Hawks and their problems with cap.. Hossa just kinda solved it
- PhillyCheese

Yeah their problems came from giving bad players lots of money. Penguins would be giving good player slots of money. Big difference.

His AHL playoff numbers are right there.. how cold no one have predicted post-season success, given that he was amazing in the AHL post-season? Numbers are right there.. and that's what people use to form opinions on players, well, educated people.
- j.boyd919

An amazing ahl post season doesn't mean an amazing NHL post season.... they are entirely different. Guentzel obviously was a good player. It doesn't mean that he was going to tie the rookie record for post season scoring. Even well educated people know that. Not sure if you consider yourself one of those people or not?