A couple of rumor related items about the Penguins, some news and notes about Daniel Sprong, some Boston Bruins chaos, and a little bit of Jaromir Jagr for today.
First up we were incredibly lucky to talk with Former Hockeybuzz legend and esteemed TSN.ca analytics writer Travis Yost on the Hockey Hurts podcast for over an hour. We talked about the Bruins demise, Sabres rise , and the Penguins direction. Tons of great content from Travis. High brow stuff. You can check it out here
Veteran Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford wouldn’t name names Saturday, but said he's going to be very patient in his search for a top-six winger on the trade market."I’m not rushing into anything," he said.My guess is he also checks in on unrestricted free agent winger Justin Williams, with whom he won a Cup in Carolina.
But as Rutherford continues to dabble on Kessel, Sharp, Skinner or other candidates, my sense is Rutherford wants to slow-play it, hope that the price comes down, and teams trying to dump these players become desperate in a week or two or three.
With the draft in the rear view mirror this is the right approach. There is literally no need to rush anything. There are multiple trade options and the prices will eventually calm down a little bit.
You have the same issues with Justin Williams as you do with Paul Martin, it all comes down to term. You can't sign guys past their due date and I'm not sure Williams will take a short term deal. As crazy as it sounds the three-time Stanley Cup Champion and one-time Conn Smythe award winner has never made over 3.5M in a season. Who could blame him for trying to cash out?
Elliotte Friedman had the following about Pittsburgh in his 30 Thoughts column
17. I’m a huge Michael Jordan fan. One of my favourite quotes of his is: “My attitude is that if you push me towards something that you think is a weakness, then I will turn that perceived weakness into a strength.… Was reminded of that the other day thinking about Jim Rutherford.One of the reasons the Penguins are linked to Jiri Hudler, Phil Kessel, TJ Oshie, Sharp and Jeff Skinner (among others) is the GM’s listening on all of them, waiting for the best deal.
Everyone thinks the Penguins are desperate in their search for wingers, he sees it as the other teams are desperate to move them. It’s a gigantic game of chicken, and there aren’t many teams as willing to take some of those players. It’s an important way to think.
18. No one will comment on how close it was (or still may be), but Kessel to Pittsburgh had serious traction. Toronto was willing to ease the Penguins’ contract burden. But there was no consensus on the reward.
Toronto seems willing to take on a bad contract which will help alleviate cap issues in the short term, but do not expect them to retain salary in any Kessel deal which would last seven more years and well past Toronto's rebuilding time frame.
McKenzie says the Leafs want to trade Kessel and would prefer to do it sooner than later, but might have to hold on to him for a bit.
— Draglikepull (@draglikepull) June 28, 2015
Once again, patience. There is no finite time table to make a trade anymore.
There was of course the Penguins being the only team left on the draft floor having what appeared to be some serious discussions
Tables are being taken down around the Penguins brass...and yet this still keep talking. Very bizarre.
— Josh Yohe (@JoshYohe_PGH) June 27, 2015
Fitzgerald is doing most of the talking. And it is animated.
— Josh Yohe (@JoshYohe_PGH) June 27, 2015
The Columbus Blue Jackets tried to offer a helping hand in the matter
.@penguins you guys are gonna be late for the beach party if you don't leave soon
— NHL Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) June 27, 2015.@penguins hmm. not sure @thebbtcenter is willing to wait that long
beach time!
— NHL Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) June 27, 2015For as silly as that looked for the Penguins it is nothing compared to the Bruins giving away another high end young talent over petty reasons and then trying to smear that player on the way out.
Drink it in, it's delicious RT @RearAdBsBlog Interesting quote - http://t.co/50b030Rfgy pic.twitter.com/pQkC1mCR90"
— Matthew Coller (@MatthewWGR) June 28, 2015
Every good player in Boston is not only a bad player, but a bad person. Then they are traded. Then good again?
The circleeeeee...of lifeee.
— Travis Yost (@travisyost) June 28, 2015
The Bruins are a mess and it is great if you are a fan of another team in the Eastern Conference.
I feel for my colleague Ty Anderson who did a great job venting about the situation here
Jesse Marshall of The Pens Blog did a nice write up on Daniel Sprong that you can find here
Shawn Reznik of The Hockey Writers also has a scouting report on Daniel Sprong and wouldn't you know it, his NHL player comparison is none other than Alexander Semin. You can find his write up here
Lastly, I leave you with this.
Hey Mike, I got bigger arms :) Tyson -legend ... Thanks for the picture! pic.twitter.com/3PHEBivwHG
— Jaromir Jagr (@68Jagr) June 28, 2015
Thanks for reading!