RW, what are the Pens chances of going after a guy like Athenesiou from Detroit?
Sounds like Detroit would be asking way too much.
Some of the things I heard about this guy scare me (he seems to be allergic to his defensive zone, and clearly something happened in regards to his coaches that he doesnt get along with) but his speed and talent can be intriguing.

I was worried. For a second, I thought RW was going to write a full article without taking a shot at Ryan Reaves in an article that had absolutely nothing (directly) related to Reaves.

It seems Ryan Reaves is the new Jonathan Toews.
- jmatchett383

The difference is that Toews is a legit NHLer--albeit an overrated one. Reaves is a goon and does not add anything tangible. What does he deter? He attacks players AFTER they take the cheap shot at Sid, Geno, etc. Guys like this never deter dirty play, they only respond to it.

RW, what are the Pens chances of going after a guy like Athenesiou from Detroit?
Sounds like Detroit would be asking way too much.
Some of the things I heard about this guy scare me (he seems to be allergic to his defensive zone, and clearly something happened in regards to his coaches that he doesnt get along with) but his speed and talent can be intriguing.
- Amanion

He wasn't being given (what he thought was) enough ice time. He wants to be more of a feature player, but the coaching staff had to deploy him carefully due to his lack of interest in playing defense. Definitely a good offensive player, but has to be sheltered. Plus, as you stated, Detroit is asking for the moon, which may be out of spite right now.

The difference is that Toews is a legit NHLer--albeit an overrated one. Reaves is a goon and does not add anything tangible. What does he deter? He attacks players AFTER they take the cheap shot at Sid, Geno, etc. Guys like this never deter dirty play, they only respond to it.
- Amanion

No one on here (or anywhere else that I've read) said that Reaves would deter players from taking cheap shots. RW just said that he wouldn't because #sensationalism.

What he CAN provide is a response to a cheap shot that would prevent future teams from doing likewise. For example:

Radko Gudas takes a run at an unsuspecting Crosby (not a legal hit, a cheap shot) and Crosby is forced to leave the game. After the Penguins have scored their 2 goals on the ensuing 5-minute PP, Ryan Reaves goes over and subsequently beats the living piss out of Ivan Provorov and/or Claude Giroux, regardless of them dropping their gloves or not.

The Penguins next game when Crosby is healthy is against Tom Wilson and the Capitals. Now, Tom Wilson isn't afraid of Ryan Reaves, but he knows that it will be one of Backstrom or OV that would have to deal with Reaves if he runs around. For this reason, maybe he reigns himself in a bit.

This is what he could potentially deter. Again, no one is saying he can deter the original play, only that he can possibly prevent future ones.

RW, what are the Pens chances of going after a guy like Athenesiou from Detroit?
Sounds like Detroit would be asking way too much.
Some of the things I heard about this guy scare me (he seems to be allergic to his defensive zone, and clearly something happened in regards to his coaches that he doesnt get along with) but his speed and talent can be intriguing.
- Amanion

Basically AA is not as good as advertised and he has a poopty agent. His style of play makes little sense for the Pens imo.

No one on here (or anywhere else that I've read) said that Reaves would deter players from taking cheap shots. RW just said that he wouldn't because #sensationalism.

What he CAN provide is a response to a cheap shot that would prevent future teams from doing likewise. For example:

Radko Gudas takes a run at an unsuspecting Crosby (not a legal hit, a cheap shot) and Crosby is forced to leave the game. After the Penguins have scored their 2 goals on the ensuing 5-minute PP, Ryan Reaves goes over and subsequently beats the living piss out of Ivan Provorov and/or Claude Giroux, regardless of them dropping their gloves or not.

The Penguins next game when Crosby is healthy is against Tom Wilson and the Capitals. Now, Tom Wilson isn't afraid of Ryan Reaves, but he knows that it will be one of Backstrom or OV that would have to deal with Reaves if he runs around. For this reason, maybe he reigns himself in a bit.

This is what he could potentially deter. Again, no one is saying he can deter the original play, only that he can possibly prevent future ones.
- jmatchett383

Unfortunately I doubt Reaves goes after a star which makes things a little difficult.

That said, I'm not arguing against your point as I agree with it in principal, I just don't think it would happen that way. Plus I think OV goes after Sid himself then declines a fight with Reaves, reaves then has Wilson taking him on as he doesn't want Reaves fighting OV. That's more the way I believe it plays out as Trotz isn't afraid to be an absolute female genitalia!

Unfortunately I doubt Reaves goes after a star which makes things a little difficult.

That said, I'm not arguing against your point as I agree with it in principal, I just don't think it would happen that way. Plus I think OV goes after Sid himself then declines a fight with Reaves, reaves then has Wilson taking him on as he doesn't want Reaves fighting OV. That's more the way I believe it plays out as Trotz isn't afraid to be an absolute female genitalia!
- Aussiepenguin

You don't give him the option. You skate up to him, tell him that you're going, drop the gloves and start pounding. If the guy takes a cheap shot at your superstar, you don't give him a fair chance to defend himself.

There's an old story Craig Berube told about a player on the Rangers (forget who it was) that was running around against the Flyers. Berube told Brian Leetch that if it happened again, he was going to make Leetch pay for it. The player, amazingly, stopped running around. So again, he didn't deter the initial play, but he was able to halt subsequent ones.

With the instigator rule in place, things like this are easier said than done, and will almost always result in a suspension. But is losing a 4th liner for 3-4 games worth having someone at least think twice about running your superstar?

No one on here (or anywhere else that I've read) said that Reaves would deter players from taking cheap shots. RW just said that he wouldn't because #sensationalism.

What he CAN provide is a response to a cheap shot that would prevent future teams from doing likewise. For example:

Radko Gudas takes a run at an unsuspecting Crosby (not a legal hit, a cheap shot) and Crosby is forced to leave the game. After the Penguins have scored their 2 goals on the ensuing 5-minute PP, Ryan Reaves goes over and subsequently beats the living piss out of Ivan Provorov and/or Claude Giroux, regardless of them dropping their gloves or not.

The Penguins next game when Crosby is healthy is against Tom Wilson and the Capitals. Now, Tom Wilson isn't afraid of Ryan Reaves, but he knows that it will be one of Backstrom or OV that would have to deal with Reaves if he runs around. For this reason, maybe he reigns himself in a bit.

This is what he could potentially deter. Again, no one is saying he can deter the original play, only that he can possibly prevent future ones.
- jmatchett383

"No-one is saying he'll deter anything"

"He'll deter things"

Doesn't work. Period. Doesn't work during the game, doesn't work for the rest of the game, doesn't work for next game. It's not the 80s, NHLers are tough as hell and the instigator rule prevents goons from going after people.

When was the last time Reaves beat up a star player? Nick Foligno one time willingly? Austin Watson the other night, willingly? It just doesn't happen. He's not good enough to justify ice time while star players are playing because we'll get scored on and lose. The only value I see is him making games chippy so that we have a chance to get back in them, and we've managed that just fine without him for 2 years now.

"No-one is saying he'll deter anything"

"He'll deter things"

Doesn't work. Period. Doesn't work during the game, doesn't work for the rest of the game, doesn't work for next game. It's not the 80s, NHLers are tough as hell and the instigator rule prevents goons from going after people.

When was the last time Reaves beat up a star player? Nick Foligno one time willingly? Austin Watson the other night, willingly? It just doesn't happen. He's not good enough to justify ice time while star players are playing because we'll get scored on and lose. The only value I see is him making games chippy so that we have a chance to get back in them, and we've managed that just fine without him for 2 years now.
- cygnus41

I never said he wouldn't be suspended.

Also, way to twist what I wrote. Let me spell it out more plainly: Reaves won't deter the INITIAL cheap shot.

FWIW, I don't think it will work, but if you have him on the team to try to make teams think twice about cheap shotting Crosby, at least go for all-out mutually agreed destruction.

The difference is that Toews is a legit NHLer--albeit an overrated one. Reaves is a goon and does not add anything tangible. What does he deter? He attacks players AFTER they take the cheap shot at Sid, Geno, etc. Guys like this never deter dirty play, they only respond to it.
- Amanion

Kind of like the police. They do not deter crime only respond after one has been commited. Maybe we can save tax payer dollars and get rid of the police department.

[quote=jmatchett383]


They need to shave 6 weeks off the hockey season. The best hockey is played during the best weather. May/Spring. I lost interest every year.

I never said he wouldn't be suspended.

Also, way to twist what I wrote. Let me spell it out more plainly: Reaves won't deter the INITIAL cheap shot.

FWIW, I don't think it will work, but if you have him on the team to try to make teams think twice about cheap shotting Crosby, at least go for all-out mutually agreed destruction.
- jmatchett383

They won't think twice. It doesn't work. If you don't think it'll work, why say that it might?

Sprong is the Penguins Patrick Laine and he's wasting away in the AHL. McKegg has been fine but he's not a 3C on a championship team. At this point how could Athanisiou be a worse option at 3C? Would the Wings take big game Brian Rust and a second round pick for AA? It's still early and the perfect time to experiment. Imagine
Guentzel Crosby Sprong
Sheary Malkin Hornqvist
Hagelen AA Kessel
Wilson McKegg Reaves, Kuhnhackle, Archie
That third line would be hands down the fastest line in the league and they would destroy third pairing dmen all night. Even if AA is bad on the draws that line would still tear it up. Make it happen JR because we are just mediocre right now. And while you are at it upgrade Hunwick and Niemi.

Sprong is the Penguins Patrick Laine and he's wasting away in the AHL. McKegg has been fine but he's not a 3C on a championship team. At this point how could Athanisiou be a worse option at 3C? Would the Wings take big game Brian Rust and a second round pick for AA? It's still early and the perfect time to experiment. Imagine
Guentzel Crosby Sprong
Sheary Malkin Hornqvist
Hagelen AA Kessel
Wilson McKegg Reaves, Kuhnhackle, Archie
That third line would be hands down the fastest line in the league and they would destroy third pairing dmen all night. Even if AA is bad on the draws that line would still tear it up. Make it happen JR because we are just mediocre right now. And while you are at it upgrade Hunwick and Niemi.
- Dcoms

How many times do I have to say AA cannot play C at the NHL level...

Bold prediction.

The corresponding game from today (Bolts Wings), will be deciding top 2 in the Atlantic later in the season!

Bold people, very very bold.

Sprong is the Penguins Patrick Laine and he's wasting away in the AHL. McKegg has been fine but he's not a 3C on a championship team. At this point how could Athanisiou be a worse option at 3C? Would the Wings take big game Brian Rust and a second round pick for AA? It's still early and the perfect time to experiment. Imagine
Guentzel Crosby Sprong
Sheary Malkin Hornqvist
Hagelen AA Kessel
Wilson McKegg Reaves, Kuhnhackle, Archie
That third line would be hands down the fastest line in the league and they would destroy third pairing dmen all night. Even if AA is bad on the draws that line would still tear it up. Make it happen JR because we are just mediocre right now. And while you are at it upgrade Hunwick and Niemi.
- Dcoms

Getting AA wouldn't be an experiment it would leave us with no cap space for an actual center. Experimenting would be bringing Sprong up and giving him that try with Sid or Geno which is fine but just grabbing AA to play center would just handcuff us to get an actual center.

Bold prediction.

The corresponding game from today (Bolts Wings), will be deciding top 2 in the Atlantic later in the season!

Bold people, very very bold.
- Aussiepenguin

I guess picking a team that will be in contention for Dahlin to go top 2 in the Atlantic can be considered bold in some circles...

How many times do I have to say AA cannot play C at the NHL level...
- Feds91Stammer

Dcoms is a moron. What do you expect?

I guess picking a team that will be in contention for Dahlin to go top 2 in the Atlantic can be considered bold in some circles...
- Victoro311

Call me optimistic for those Red Wings.

They aren't travelling too bad at the moment.

How many times do I have to say AA cannot play C at the NHL level...
- Feds91Stammer

What is he good/bad at?

What is he good/bad at?
- cygnus41

Good at hockey/bad at contract negotiations.

Is Niemi starting against the Rags??

Is Niemi starting against the Rags??
- Aussiepenguin

(frank) THE RANGERS

So the Bolts get the Pens at home and on the 2nd of a back to back again on Saturday night. That's horrible scheduling.

This might be one of the hardest first months I've seen the Pens ever have. I think it was the year after the 2009 cup that they started on the west coast (Pacific) but I dont recall the back top backs like this...they started 7-1 through first 8 games I believe that year....but they were much younger...

Is Niemi starting against the Rags??
- Aussiepenguin

Really not sure. According to my go to for fantasy hockey its not confirmed whos starting yet. Personally, I think it'll be Murray.

https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/starting-goalies/


But maybe Neimi should get the Panthers Friday and Murray the Bolts on Saturday.