Has a decision on Daniel Sprong been made yet?
.@penguins GM @PenguinsGMJR: Sprong has done enough to stick in #NHL, writes @Mackey_Trib >> https://t.co/YM6gy0u4Ut pic.twitter.com/rAp5vL06ZY
— PittsburghTribSports (@TribSports) October 27, 2015
“It looks that way,… Rutherford said when asked whether Sprong has done enough to stay past the nine-game threshold. “If you're asking me today, it looks that way.…If Sprong plays 40 NHL games, it would count as an accrued year of service toward the seven years required to become an unrestricted free agent. Again, Rutherford doesn't care.
“We're really not looking at any deadlines,… Rutherford said. “We're just looking at what's best for the team and what's best for him. He's played well. When he gets the puck, he goes to the net. He creates scoring chances.
“He's learning how to play away from the puck, which gets harder and harder to do, especially at this level. It's continuing to develop, and I believe he can help our team.…
I am in favor of this and would like to see Daniel Sprong stay up. For me the pros outweigh the cons for both him and the team.
He has a skill set the Penguins are in need of. He is a highly gifted offensive winger with the ability to make the most of time and space.
Quality of competition will be better for his development at the NHL level. He is going to make mistakes. some of those mistakes are going to end up in Pittsburgh's net. So what? Because he is gifted offensively are his mistakes are any different than the rubbish Pittsburgh has had in their forward ranks the last few year? Nope.
If it comes down to it playing ten minutes a night on the fourth line isn't ideal but still better than 20 minutes of QMJHL hockey. As he continues to receive NHL minutes he will continue to improve. I would wager on his role increasing as time goes on.
A big variable with any player on a nine game tryout is deciding whether or not it is worth kick starting that player's entry level contract. I am not personally concerned with this variable. If he earns a decent contract when his ELC is up that means the Penguins have one less problem to worry about. A legitimate top six skilled winger. By the time this is relevant Pascal Dupuis, Chris Kunitz, and Rob Scuderi are all off the books. Who knows Fleury's 5.75M might be off the books by then too. Olli Maatta and Derrick Pouliot will need new deals but they are not tracking towards some kind of mega RFA deal as it stands right now.
If Sprong stays with the big club be patient. It isn't how he starts the year it will be how (and where in the lineup) he finishes the year that matters more.
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Sergei Gonchar is back with the Penguins. He didn't quite have enough in the tank to make the team as a player but it won't keep him from working with the team again.
Gonchar has been hired as a developmental coach and will specifically work with defensemen. He will be working with both NHL defensemen as well as spending time with players in the AHL.
There aren't really any drawbacks to this hire. Gonchar was a very skilled player who also thought the game at a high level. Working with younger players and passing along some of that wisdom will be beneficial for the players who cross his path.
Thanks for reading!