I think JR signs one additional player for PK just due to this argument, because Brassard has never played on the PK. It is one reason I wanted us to sign Grabner (who is rumored to be signing with Arizona). They can even move Brassard to wing and sign Plekanec or Filppula (both older and will get less money than their previous contracts and may take a one year cheap deal for a chance at the cup).
- 123Kid

I think you may be mistaken. I’m pretty sure Brassard does kill penalties, but I agree we could use another good killer. Our PK really struggled at times last year

If you think Ennis is one-dimensional, then you honestly know nothing about him.
- Rinosaur

What’s the other dimension? He won’t play power play in Pitt unless his game does a 180. He hasn’t been killing penalties the last few years. He’s not a big physical presence. He’s fast and he uses speed to generate offense - what is the dimension that I’m missing?

What’s the other dimension? He won’t play power play in Pitt unless his game does a 180. He hasn’t been killing penalties the last few years. He’s not a big physical presence. He’s fast and he uses speed to generate offense - what is the dimension that I’m missing?
- WSCTeton17

He has an above average two-way game and plays grittier than you'd expect. He plays a pretty tenacious game.

I think you may be mistaken. I’m pretty sure Brassard does kill penalties, but I agree we could use another good killer. Our PK really struggled at times last year
- WSCTeton17

Most teams learned to spread us out on their PP. Then, it was not uncommon to see both D behind the net or out of position. It seemed to to happen a lot when Letang was on the ice but he was not the only D executing poorly when it came to positioning and losing a man.

It was frustrating to watch.

I'm not a J Johnson fan. He can generate offense but his defense often left me scratching my head as to how he could be so dumb. Maybe Gonchar and Co can straighten him out? To me, that would seem unlikely at this point in his career.

I think you may be mistaken. I’m pretty sure Brassard does kill penalties, but I agree we could use another good killer. Our PK really struggled at times last year
- WSCTeton17

Brassard has only played on the PK three times in his career. 2 of those times came for the Rangers in 2014-2015 season. Also I will have to agree with most and say no to Ennis. We were out worked in the corners and boards during the playoffs and many believe that is one reason we lost. Ennis is definitely weakest when it comes to winning battles on the boards due to size. I see him being similar to Sheary who we just traded. I am hoping Johnson if he is coming to the Pens lights it up! I mean he is good friends with Crosby so hopefully they can train together and he can get better.

Most teams learned to spread us out on their PP. Then, it was not uncommon to see both D behind the net or out of position. It seemed to to happen a lot when Letang was on the ice but he was not the only D executing poorly when it came to positioning and losing a man.

It was frustrating to watch.

I'm not a J Johnson fan. He can generate offense but his defense often left me scratching my head as to how he could be so dumb. Maybe Gonchar and Co can straighten him out? To me, that would seem unlikely at this point in his career.
- powerhouse

Not sure having a shutdown Dman is a big deal anymore. Pens have Crosby, Malkin, Gutz, Kessel, Letang, Shultz, Rust.....Just score more goals than the other team. I think thats their formula. So if JJ has O ability....then great! Guys like Scuds are dinosaurs.

Not sure having a shutdown Dman is a big deal anymore. Pens have Crosby, Malkin, Gutz, Kessel, Letang, Shultz, Rust.....Just score more goals than the other team. I think thats their formula. So if JJ has O ability....then great! Guys like Scuds are dinosaurs.
- sammy87

The Islanders tried that. Super potent offense and despite having some quality dmen, only a couple had any real ability in their own end and they get lit up. Goaltending is an issue for the them as well, but their defense is atrocious.

He has an above average two-way game and plays grittier than you'd expect. He plays a pretty tenacious game.
- Rinosaur

According to TSN he had all of 51 hits last season. Per hockey-reference, he had a lower Corsi than Jokinen with way fewer D zone starts. So yea, you’re going to get more hits with favorable zone starts when you’re chasing after the puck. Jokinen is also heralded for his 2-way game so when comparing the 2 it’s kind of irrelevant.
So basically where we’re at: Ennis is faster but he has failed of late to use it to his advantage to be better than Jussi when it comes to scoring, penalty killing, or outshooting your opponent. But both players likely get paid about the same

According to TSN he had all of 51 hits last season. Per hockey-reference, he had a lower Corsi than Jokinen with way fewer D zone starts. So yea, you’re going to get more hits with favorable zone starts when you’re chasing after the puck. Jokinen is also heralded for his 2-way game so when comparing the 2 it’s kind of irrelevant.
So basically where we’re at: Ennis is faster but he has failed of late to use it to his advantage to be better than Jussi when it comes to scoring, penalty killing, or outshooting your opponent. But both players likely get paid about the same
- WSCTeton17

Hits do not equate to playing gritty. This is becoming a really tedious discussion that's going nowhere. I'm going to agree to disagree and move on. lol

I think JR is waiting for the Storm after Tavares picks to sign somewhere (possible cap dumps) I think we will sign JJ then he will either jump in the mix or ride with what we have

I think JR is waiting for the Storm after Tavares picks to sign somewhere (possible cap dumps) I think we will sign JJ then he will either jump in the mix or ride with what we have
- 123Kid

The whole league is waiting on this. It's going to be a mad scramble once he makes his decision.

Brassard has only played on the PK three times in his career. 2 of those times came for the Rangers in 2014-2015 season. Also I will have to agree with most and say no to Ennis. We were out worked in the corners and boards during the playoffs and many believe that is one reason we lost. Ennis is definitely weakest when it comes to winning battles on the boards due to size. I see him being similar to Sheary who we just traded. I am hoping Johnson if he is coming to the Pens lights it up! I mean he is good friends with Crosby so hopefully they can train together and he can get better.
- 123Kid

You’re right - I was reading the chart wrong, he’s at 0 SHTOI last season.
I agree though. Sheary was playing PP2 which helped his TOI and effectiveness. Does Ennis play over guys we have already? I don’t think so. Does he PK over guys we have? I don’t think so. I think it makes a lot more sense to target someone who is effective at 5v5 AND something else whether it’s physicality, penalty killing, face offs, power play, or some combination. I think Jokinen hits all of those with the exception of physicality

Hits do not equate to playing gritty. This is becoming a really tedious discussion that's going nowhere. I'm going to agree to disagree and move on. lol
- Rinosaur

Hitting is part of playing gritty - otherwise anything else that makes you “grittt” is completely subjective and everyone will have their own opinion. Throw it up there with character then.
Even if I agree and say that he’s fast AND gritty - how has he used it to his advantage lately? I’d argue that he hasn’t and that there are better alternatives - same argument for JJ

Hitting is part of playing gritty
- WSCTeton17

No, it's not.

No, it's not.
- Rinosaur

It’s exactly like I said - it’s subjective. Your definition of grittt is allowed to be different than mine. I’m also fine with disagreeing on who want to fill out depth with. I strongly feel like we need someone who can play 5v5 and is a known penalty killer and you seem to disagree

I think the best low risk high reward signing is Simon Despres to a 2-way contract. Apparently he’s turned his life around, he’s willing to sign a 2-way deal, he was once very effective, and it’s super low risk

I think the best low risk high reward signing is Simon Despres to a 2-way contract. Apparently he’s turned his life around, he’s willing to sign a 2-way deal, he was once very effective, and it’s super low risk
- WSCTeton17

Agree 100%

Would be nice to have him back

Would be nice to have him back
- 123Kid

I think he’d do well as our #7, getting lots of practice reps. Lots of time with Jacques

I think the best low risk high reward signing is Simon Despres to a 2-way contract. Apparently he’s turned his life around, he’s willing to sign a 2-way deal, he was once very effective, and it’s super low risk
- WSCTeton17

Isn’t he kinda (frank)ed up after all his concussions?

Isn’t he kinda (frank)ed up after all his concussions?
- Victoro311

I think he's been ok since, but I don't get the allure of signing him. People just like to revisit ex-Pens for some reason. People willbring up Pouliot and Despres until the day they retire.

I think the best low risk high reward signing is Simon Despres to a 2-way contract. Apparently he’s turned his life around, he’s willing to sign a 2-way deal, he was once very effective, and it’s super low risk
- WSCTeton17

He was doing fine in Anaheim until he suffered multiple consecutive concussions that he couldn't medically recover from. No one doubts he could play hockey, everyone is afraid of him leaving the ice as a vegetable.

Isn’t he kinda (frank)ed up after all his concussions?
- Victoro311

He just finished a full season in the KHL. There’s an article somewhere, I read it this week or last, he’s looking to return to North America and is willing to sign in the AHL to prove his worth. Potential future 2nd pairing Dman that would cost us nothing but one of our 50 contracts to secure. Does he ever reach his potential? Who knows but he could definitely regain his form to become a 4, 5, or 6

I think the best low risk high reward signing is Simon Despres to a 2-way contract. Apparently he’s turned his life around, he’s willing to sign a 2-way deal, he was once very effective, and it’s super low risk
- WSCTeton17

When was he once very effective? Are you Simon begging for a contract?

I think he's been ok since, but I don't get the allure of signing him. People just like to revisit ex-Pens for some reason. People willbring up Pouliot and Despres until the day they retire.
- Rinosaur

I mean if it’s a vet minimum or two way contract I don’t see a ton of downside.