Here are some questions I answered before the regular season kicks off later this week. I'll probably make Monday a regular mailbag throughout the year.
@GunnerStaal Boavada has over/under on McDavid's points at 86.5. If he stays healthy I think he breaks 100. Do you agree or disagree?
— WNY HOCKEY PROSPECTS (@wnyh2234) October 10, 2016
I don't think anybody hits 100 points. I do believe Connor McDavid is one of the favorites for the Art Ross Trophy but it takes incredible amount of skill and also a great team situation to hit 100 points. Some of the things Patrick Kane has going for him in Chicago just isn't there for McDavid in Edmonton yet. Namely puck moving defensemen who are consistently good at getting the puck to their forwards.
@GunnerStaal where do you see Scott Wilson at the end of the year assuming he stays healthy
— simply randy (@whosfeelinrandy) October 10, 2016
It's a great question. Right now he has a wonderful opportunity to earn a spot on Evgeni Malkin's right wing with Bryan Rust still missing time. If he does well in that role I could see him playing a lot of time there as the season goes on. There is a huge range of where Wilson can find himself this year. He could stick in the top six (probably not super likely) or he could fall back to the Baby Penguins depending on the health of the team and the development of a player like Jake Guentzel.
@GunnerStaal Do you think Jarry's good performance is going to affect management's goalie decision for the future?
— Alex Clark (@AClark_17) October 10, 2016
I'm not sure it will play a huge role in how they move forward with Marc-Andre Fleury and Matt Murray but his performance can definitely shape their choices moving forward for the backup position. I'm sure the Penguins would love to have a competent backup on an ELC. Assuming the Penguins go with Matt Murray being the Penguins backup goalie is probably his ceiling with Pittsburgh.
@GunnerStaal Doest Hitch make it through the season in STL? My guess is he's gone by X-Mas
— David Bagley (@dbags44) October 10, 2016
Boy, the Blues would have to be a complete dumpster fire for that to happen. They play in a great division but I still see them as a playoff team. Ken Hitchcock is already stepping down at the end of the season and Mike Yeo (recently hired by STL) has already been tapped to be his replacement.
@GunnerStaal Do you see Pouliot getting a legitimate look this regular season? Maybe 10 straight games rather than 10 1-game stints....
— Nic (@perinonr) October 10, 2016
I do, but not in Pittsburgh. Judging by how things have gone in the preseason it is probably best for the team and player to move on from each other. Pouliot has regressed in the eyes of the team and when you watch him play you can tell he is thinking about a million coaching bullet points. You see this from time to time with younger players. Teams focus so much on the "shortcomings" that they mush whatever strengths that player has. Offensive talent is worth more than defensive talent in a league that has seen declining scoring. Most teams struggle with that concept. Pouliot used to excel at moving the puck and facilitating a break out. He isn't even doing that right now during the preseason. He was previously exceeding objective based expectations
The Penguins will more likely than not get an underwhelming return for what was top ten value.
@GunnerStaal if you had to put a percent on it, what are the chances we have the same roster after the trade deadline that we currently have
— Derek James Callow (@xoDeadpoolox) October 10, 2016
They are probably one of the teams that has the best potential to have a similar roster from beginning to end of the season, but with so many variables that happen during a season it is tough to predict that they will keep everything in-house. You have players like Fleury, Pouliot, and Fehr who could be traded and you never know what will happen on the injury front.
@GunnerStaal if you were Pit would you try and trade for Yakupov? And if so what would your offer be.
— chance (@Chayunce) October 10, 2016
Well it's kind of too late for that to happen. The St. Louis Blues jumped on the opportunity to take a crack at reviving Nail Yakupov's career. I thought he was a great target for Pittsburgh. Money is reasonable and the Penguins were a perfect team for a guy from Edmonton who is struggling. Justin Schultz was a good example of what leaving Edmonton can do for a player.
@GunnerStaal should the Penguins try to sign PA parenteau?
— Jim (@Mij_Sirob) October 10, 2016
They wouldn't have to "sign" him. They could put in a waiver claim for him. The Penguins success in the 2015-16 season leaves them near the end of the waiver claims. A lot of teams would have to pass on Parenteau. I think Parenteau can help a lot of teams but for right now the Penguins are probably more interested in giving Scott Wilson that right wing spot next to Evgeni Malkin to see an extended sample. If Parenteau was put on waivers a little bit later in the year I might be more inclined to place a claim than I am right now.
Thanks for reading!