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."
- jmy_1

Probably means Rusty is back.

Probably means Rusty is back.
- Rinosaur

Which is great news...but come on, Sprong over Reaves for the 4th line RW....ugh

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

No, you’re right, Sheahan is just as good as Guentzel...

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

I could see Ottawa hanging onto Brassard til next year's TDL. His $5 mil cap hit while having an actual salary of $3.5 mil is a big bonus for Ottawa especially if they trade off other high salaries and need to get to next year's increased cap floor.

No, you’re right, Sheahan is just as good as Guentzel...
- Rinosaur

.....at being a depth center

Probably means Rusty is back.
- Rinosaur

Hope so!

I could see Ottawa hanging onto Brassard til next year's TDL. His $5 mil cap hit while having an actual salary of $3.5 mil is a big bonus for Ottawa especially if they trade off other high salaries and need to get to next year's increased cap floor.
- willi

I really have no idea what they’re planning. If they’re looking to rebuildc I personally think they would hold on to young mid-level players over older players, but who knows.

I would think Karlsson, Ryan, Hoffman and Brassard would be the main guys on the chopping block.

I could see Ottawa hanging onto Brassard til next year's TDL. His $5 mil cap hit while having an actual salary of $3.5 mil is a big bonus for Ottawa especially if they trade off other high salaries and need to get to next year's increased cap floor.
- willi

You're may be right on this. They also have some huge contract negotiations coming and have to show Karlsson, Duchene, and Stone they will be competitive.

Which is great news...but come on, Sprong over Reaves for the 4th line RW....ugh
- MattStrat

Are playing 4th line minutes the best thing for his development ?

Are playing 4th line minutes the best thing for his development ?
- willi

Kuhn-Sheahan-Sprong 4th line? Hmm... interesting to think about.

Kuhn-Sheahan-Sprong 4th line? Hmm... interesting to think about.
- j.boyd919

Yeah but I wouldn't be to crazy about a 3rd of Guentzel Dea Kessel.......or I guess now it could be Rust Guentzel Kessel

Are playing 4th line minutes the best thing for his development ?
- willi

I was about to say something similar. Better getting 1st line minutes with the baby Pens. Plus, JR will never allow Sprong in over Fists of Fury, that would admit his little experiment was wrong! Not sure Sully is even that keen on Sprong anyway is he?

No that 4minute a night line will keep on keeping on & the Pens will crash & burn due to tired legs........

Yeah but I wouldn't be to crazy about a 3rd of Guentzel Dea Kessel.......or I guess now it could be Rust Guentzel Kessel
- willi

Simon-Sid-Sheary
Hagelin-Geno-Horny
Rust-Guentzel-Kessel
Kuhn-Sheahan-Sprong

I'm cool with that. Plus it eases Rust back into the lineup playing on the 3rd line.

Simon-Sid-Sheary
Hagelin-Geno-Horny
Rust-Guentzel-Kessel
Kuhn-Sheahan-Sprong

I'm cool with that. Plus it eases Rust back into the lineup playing on the 3rd line.
- j.boyd919

Lemme get on the horn with JR.

Lemme get on the horn with JR.
- Rinosaur

One of the advantages is that Sprong would be playing with 2 defensively responsible guys (according to the coach) and, if matched up correctly, he would be playing lesser talent (if Sully plays the matchup game) and his "defensive miscues" might not result in as much tangible offense because of the lesser talent, if in fact that line does play vs. the other 4th line often.

Simon-Sid-Sheary
Hagelin-Geno-Horny
Rust-Guentzel-Kessel
Kuhn-Sheahan-Sprong

I'm cool with that. Plus it eases Rust back into the lineup playing on the 3rd line.
- j.boyd919

also puts a defensively responsible player on that 3rd line

also puts a defensively responsible player on that 3rd line
- Tojo.

That's actually my thought, having Rust with Jake and Kessel helps balance more than Sheary. Not to mention in those small sample size exit/entry charts, Rust was a monster at both.

The difference between playing Sprong over Reaves with Sheahan and Kuhnhackl is that with Reaves they were burying that line with defensive starts and using them against skilled lines and they were able to handle it. Sprong doesn't seem to fit that role so they'd have to change the usage.

The difference between playing Sprong over Reaves with Sheahan and Kuhnhackl is that with Reaves they were burying that line with defensive starts and using them against skilled lines and they were able to handle it. Sprong doesn't seem to fit that role so they'd have to change the usage.
- Tojo.

http://naturalstattrick.c...type=2&stdoi=oi&rate=&v=o

If you go here and sort it by TOI With, you don't see a lot of skilled line players, it's guys like Kunitz, Callahan, McLeod, Watson... looking at that, it seems like they do everything they can to get them away from the skilled guys, also just my quick research.

Also looking at the last 4 Penguins wins, they had 1 game where they had significant time vs. a top line, and it was vs. NYI and they got slaughtered in the shot attempts/scoring chances battle.

[url]

via GIPHY

How about Paul Byron instead of Pageau! Makes 2 mill less per and is also signed next year for the same price. For 1 mill he is VERY underrated to me and I dont think people value him more than a 3rd round pick.

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

And it’ll already be an issue clearing that, to a certain extent. It’s not easy to come up with 2 mil extra of cap space

How about Paul Byron instead of Pageau! Makes 2 mill less per and is also signed next year for the same price. For 1 mill he is VERY underrated to me and I dont think people value him more than a 3rd round pick.
- pens4life-66

I'm not sure I would classify him as a center. I think he's been playing center lately but that's only because they are out of options after ending the Drouin at center experiment.....but yes, I would say he's good value at his price

http://naturalstattrick.com/playerreport.php?season=20172018&playerid=8471817&sit=5v5&stype=2&stdoi=oi&rate=&v=o

If you go here and sort it by TOI With, you don't see a lot of skilled line players, it's guys like Kunitz, Callahan, McLeod, Watson... looking at that, it seems like they do everything they can to get them away from the skilled guys, also just my quick research.

Also looking at the last 4 Penguins wins, they had 1 game where they had significant time vs. a top line, and it was vs. NYI and they got slaughtered in the shot attempts/scoring chances battle.
- j.boyd919

That's whole season though, right. I was just referring to when Sheahan centered them.

If I’m constructing lines with our current personnel, I’d give this a look:

Simon-Crosby-Kessel
Hagelin-Malkin-Hornqvist
Sheary-Guentzel-Sprong
Kuhnhackl-Sheahan-Reaves

Sid and Phil have played really well together the last handful of games that Crosby’s been getting duboul shifted. With our lack of even strength production, it’s not a terrible idea to have two of your best players on the same line.

I would have never guessed a line with Hagelin and Hornqvist as the two wingers would work, but this one does, and has been our biggest bruzer at even strength lately. Don’t touch this one.

Guentzel and Sheary work well together, and maybe giving Sprong a demolished roll will help him find his scoring touch in the show. This line with sheltered usage could do some damage and might be best for all players involved. G isn’t the best C in the world at this level, Sprong’s still adjusting, and while Sheary is good and one of our better even strength players, he can suffer from over usage. Getting good matchups with three offensively gifted guys on your third line could lead to goals.

Sheahan makes the 4th line a lot better, and while this line won’t score, it can at least be deployed. When Rust comes back, scratch either Kuhnhackl or Reaves and let him ease himself back in there on the fourth unit. Once Rust is ready to FSU, the coaching staff can make a final decision on Sprong and either send him down and stick Rust at 3RW, or swap Simon and Rust around to balance the lines if Sprong proves himself.