I guess I worry because this was the same argument with Sheahan; his stats were bad but people said it’s because he was on a bad team, but he’s basically the same as he was in DET. Playing with higher-end talent didn’t improve his game.

From an eye test you can clearly see that Pag is far more talented and possesses far more skill than Sheahan, but that doesn’t always translate into succeess.

I guess if I’m JR I’m making sure I bring a proven legit player with no question marks, like Brassard.
- Rinosaur

Actually, it was Sheahan’s tangiable production that was bad. His possession metrics suggested that he was a better player than his production showed, and as Penguin he’s been producing at a respectable tick, even though nothing about his game will ever stand out as flashy and he’s not a great goal scorer. He’s in the top half of even strength producers per sixty for or forwards rank this season, which granted, on this team isn’t saying a ton but still.

I think just about anyone would rather have a proven good top 6 caliber player like Brassard over JGP, but the cost to acquire sky rockets and it gets a lot tougher to make the cap work. We have the big guns already in place, we need more minor level tweaks to get all four lines rolling. While Brassard would be huge, as far as 3Cs go, someone like JGP or Letestu is just far more realistic.

One thing I hope they look into is buying low in Ho-Sang. Weight just ripped him in the media and he is a healthy scratch in the AHL but the talent is definitely there. Isles probably wouldn't want to trade in division however, especially considering they are in a battle for a playoff spot with the Pens... maybe offseason.
- MacPatty

I loved him as an incoming prospect that drafted and wanted us to draft him so badly (we actually had a first that year). If we could get him for something negligiable that would be epic.

Anyway.... I guess, Murray, Ruhwedel and Rust practiced today.
- madmike71

Good news. I think Ruhwedel can replace Hunwick easily. He's ok.

I loved him as an incoming prospect that drafted and wanted us to draft him so badly (we actually had a first that year). If we could get him for something negligiable that would be epic.
- Victoro311

He's talented but also an a$$ for wearing #66. I'd give him #16 and ride with it.

Actually, it was Sheahan’s tangiable production that was bad. His possession metrics suggested that he was a better player than his production showed, and as Penguin he’s been producing at a respectable tick, even though nothing about his game will ever stand out as flashy and he’s not a great goal scorer. He’s in the top half of even strength producers per sixty for or forwards rank this season, which granted, on this team isn’t saying a ton but still.

I think just about anyone would rather have a proven good top 6 caliber player like Brassard over JGP, but the cost to acquire sky rockets and it gets a lot tougher to make the cap work. We have the big guns already in place, we need more minor level tweaks to get all four lines rolling. While Brassard would be huge, as far as 3Cs go, someone like JGP or Letestu is just far more realistic.
- Victoro311

I would imagine it’s easier to acquire Brassard than Pageau. If you’re going into a rebuild the older more expensive players are the first to go. Even though Brassard is the better player, younger cost controlled players tend to be more desirable.

Cap-wise it won’t be an issue if the cap is going up as much as they project.

I don't know about that. I haven't been all that impressed with JG's defensive work at center. Beyond that, I don't think he has a point at center either.

Where I think they benefit is (like tojo said), it lengthens the lineup. We literally go from a 3 line team to a 4 line time......which is essential.
- madmike71

I guess that depends on your focus. I’m more focused on defense when it comes to the 4th line and more production focused when it comes to 3C.

Guentzel is much harder to defend against than Sheahan which makes the third line harder to play against.

I would imagine it’s easier to acquire Brassard than Pageau. If you’re going into a rebuild the older more expensive players are the first to go. Even though Brassard is the better player, younger cost controlled players tend to be more desirable.

Cap-wise it won’t be an issue if the cap is going up as much as they project.
- Rinosaur

You have to realize that if Brassard is made available we’re not gonna be the only team lining up for him where as JGP will generate a lot less interest. The bidding war will drive the cost up.

The cap issue is this season. Doesn’t matter if the cap is going up next season if we can’t fit him in this season. We have sub-1 mil cap space.

Good news. I think Ruhwedel can replace Hunwick easily. He's ok.
- Barnaby36

Cole can replace Hunwick easily.

I guess that depends on your focus. I’m more focused on defense when it comes to the 4th line and more production focused when it comes to 3C.

Guentzel is much harder to defend against than Sheahan which makes the third line harder to play against.
- Rinosaur

I guess my point is... I don't see the production to offset the poor defensive work. I know the sample size is not big, but he's got zero even strength points since Rowney went down. He's been playing with Kessel a good bit too.

I guess I worry because this was the same argument with Sheahan; his stats were bad but people said it’s because he was on a bad team, but he’s basically the same as he was in DET. Playing with higher-end talent didn’t improve his game.

From an eye test you can clearly see that Pag is far more talented and possesses far more skill than Sheahan, but that doesn’t always translate into succeess.

I guess if I’m JR I’m making sure I bring a proven legit player with no question marks, like Brassard.
- Rinosaur

Sheahan put up 15 points last year. He has 14 points in 40 games with Pittsburgh, he would be on pace to double his output from a bad DET team. Playing in Pittsburgh did improve his game.

You have to realize that if Brassard is made available we’re not gonna be the only team lining up for him where as JGP will generate a lot less interest. The bidding war will drive the cost up.

The cap issue is this season. Doesn’t matter if the cap is going up next season if we can’t fit him in this season. We have sub-1 mil cap space.
- Victoro311

Pens DEADLINE CAP SPACE [The deadline cap space is the total sum of cap hit values that the current daily cap hit can be increased by to remain compliant below the cap ceiling at seasons end] : $1,871,309 ($1,893,809 including LTIR salary relief pool)

So we might have a little more than expected.

Cole can replace Hunwick easily.
- Victoro311

I'd bet he will be used in a trade to bring a C or W.

Im 100% on board with Pags being a Penguin, especially if no roster players are required to go the other way. He would be a great 3C. He would probably be the 2nd fastest guy on the team if aquired (Hags then Pags) . He can score and hes a really heard worker, which is my favourite trait in a hockey player. The guys who give their all, all the time.

You have to consider Boucher's system here and realize that it's a factor in his production. Remember the ECF's? They're a team that wants to score 1 or 2 goals (first) then completely shut everything down.

1-3-1 zzzzzz

Sheahan put up 15 points last year. He has 14 points in 40 games with Pittsburgh, he would be on pace to double his output from a bad DET team. Playing in Pittsburgh did improve his game.
- j.boyd919

I dont think Sheahan has been bad at all, especially not after the first 7 or 8 games. His faceoff and defensive work wont show up in points either.

I dont think Sheahan has been bad at all, especially not after the first 7 or 8 games. His faceoff and defensive work wont show up in points either.
- MattStrat

Lets remember his cost to be acquired wasn't steep at all. We only lost Wilson (a guy I liked for our bottom line) but he's a winger and we needed a C badly.

Lets remember his cost to be acquired wasn't steep at all. We only lost Wilson (a guy I liked for our bottom line) but he's a winger and we needed a C badly.
- Barnaby36

I liked Wilson a lot, Archie too. Archie should of been getting just as many or more games as 4th line RW than Reaves...but ....politics...

and also regarding 4th line...Wilson > Kühnhackl

You have to realize that if Brassard is made available we’re not gonna be the only team lining up for him where as JGP will generate a lot less interest. The bidding war will drive the cost up.

The cap issue is this season. Doesn’t matter if the cap is going up next season if we can’t fit him in this season. We have sub-1 mil cap space.
- Victoro311

I’m fully aware the Pens wouldn’t be the only horse in the race and salary would have to be shipped out.

Pageau makes $3.1, so regardless the Pens would have to make room.

I guess my point is... I don't see the production to offset the poor defensive work. I know the sample size is not big, but he's got zero even strength points since Rowney went down. He's been playing with Kessel a good bit too.
- madmike71

It’s simply harder to defend against better players. Guentzel is a superior player to Sheahan.

Bonino had poor production last year, but because of how good he is that line was still a struggle to defend against which allowed the Pens to roll all their lines.

Guentzel bumping Sheahan down to the 4th really gave the Pens four difficult lines to play against.

Well, that didn't last long for Sprong:

https://twitter.com/JMack...status/955513627808882688

"Guessing Daniel Sprong is headed back to Wilkes-Barre. Just got into a car outside the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex with his sticks and equipment."

I’m fully aware the Pens wouldn’t be the only horse in the race and salary would have to be shipped out.

Pageau makes $3.1, so regardless the Pens would have to make room.
- Rinosaur

1.55 with 50% retained...

I guess my point is... I don't see the production to offset the poor defensive work. I know the sample size is not big, but he's got zero even strength points since Rowney went down. He's been playing with Kessel a good bit too.
- madmike71

Exactly. That line scored 1 goal together which Jake didn't figure in. The 3rd line produced more with Sheahan.

Exactly. That line scored 1 goal together which Jake didn't figure in. The 3rd line produced more with Sheahan.
- Tojo.

Jake has played 3C how many games? Five? Six?

I’d hope Sheahan at 3C for the 30+ games he manned it.

I think you’re missing that it’s much harder to defend against a player like Jake than Sheahan.

I dont think Sheahan has been bad at all, especially not after the first 7 or 8 games. His faceoff and defensive work wont show up in points either.
- MattStrat

It’s simply harder to defend against better players. Guentzel is a superior player to Sheahan.

Bonino had poor production last year, but because of how good he is that line was still a struggle to defend against which allowed the Pens to roll all their lines.

Guentzel bumping Sheahan down to the 4th really gave the Pens four difficult lines to play against.
- Rinosaur

Bonino had 18 goals and 37 points, how much production do you want?

Ryan posted the points/60 last blog. Here's where Sheahan is compared to some other teammates.

Kessel 1.56
Sheahan 1.55
Crosby 1.32
Hornqvist 1.24
Guentzel 1.19

Jake's flashier, but he's really not been productive. Sheahan's number is about what you want from a 3rd liner and that's after 1 point his first 8 games.

Where I will agree is pushing Sheahan down made them able to play the 4th line more and actually give them a role taking tough assignments. But the 3rd line wasn't good enough. I might put Jake at 3C now to spread out the lines, but he wasn't doing a better job than Sheahan.

Jake has played 3C how many games? Five? Six?

I’d hope Sheahan at 3C for the 30+ games he manned it.

I think you’re missing that it’s much harder to defend against a player like Jake than Sheahan.
- Rinosaur

Didn't miss it, but think that's more theory than fact thus far.