Skillset-wise, DP is the better replacement, as Letang's noted more for his offense (although he's also very good defensively). Based on merit, I'd say Warsofsky should get the first call, unless he's injured.
- jmatchett383

Why? Oleksy is still on the Pittsburgh roster, Warsofsky is in WBS. Wouldn't Merritt dictate Oleksy is ahead of Warsofsky?

In your honest opinion, what has he done this year to show that he deserves the #1 call-up over Warofsky or over unscratching Oleksy? Again, his skillset dictates that he should be able to fill-in, but so far this season (given, it's been abbreviated), he hasn't produced jack in the AHL that would warrant an NHL call-up.

Also, I haven't seen 1 WBS game this year so I can't speak to his deployment. But a young stud offensive defenseman should be able to produce points in the AHL at a marginal clip no matter how he's used if he's expected to make the jump to the NHL.
- jmatchett383

Are we going to use a sample size of 7 games to discount the other 68 he's played?

If its a few weeks, I do think it should be Pouliot.
But yeah, probably Olesky is the logical choice.
I'd like to see Ethan Prow get a few games
- DeflatedPucks

Ethan Prow? He's barely hanging on in WBS he would get slaughtered in the NHL right now.

Why? Oleksy is still on the Pittsburgh roster, Warsofsky is in WBS. Wouldn't Merritt dictate Oleksy is ahead of Warsofsky?
- Dcoms

Oleksy is a vet who can fill-in on a minute's notice if need be. And as I've said further along, Oleksy should be a candidate. However, Warofsky is the player who's had the most tangible offense in the AHL. So if they want to call a player up, I think Warofsky has played well enough to earn it.

Don't give a poop about DP. When he gives me a reason to be then I will. I'm excited to see Schultz in an expanded role on the right side. Time to see what we truly have there. Can he be Daley's replacement?

Don't give a poop about DP. When he gives me a reason to be then I will. I'm excited to see Schultz in an expanded role on the right side. Time to see what we truly have there. Can he be Daley's replacement?
- Victoro311

YES

(Which is sad to think that at one point everyone was so happy about the Fehr and Daley acquisitions - and now it seems like they already in the process of replacement - Fehr for sure)

Are we going to use a sample size of 7 games to discount the other 68 he's played?
- DeflatedPucks

Yes, because he's coming off of an injury and (statisticall speaking) he hasn't produced the same as he has last year. It's possible he still hasn't "found his game" this season, and I think the Pens would prefer him to find it in the AHL before they call him up.

Again, I'm not bashing him or calling him a bust. And he had a very nice year in the AHL last year, although his time with the big club was, to me, adequate. I just think that, this season, Warofsky has earned a shot.

YES

(Which is sad to think that at one point everyone was so happy about the Fehr and Daley acquisitions - and now it seems like they already in the process of replacement - Fehr for sure)
- DeflatedPucks

Well Daley's an aging expiring contract. We should look into his replacement even if he was playing at the same level as last year. Fehr, on the other hand, has unfortunately been a disappointment.

Well Daley's an aging expiring contract. We should look into his replacement even if he was playing at the same level as last year. Fehr, on the other hand, has unfortunately been a disappointment.
- Victoro311

Eric Fehr for three years at a 2.0M cap hit is great. Eric Fehr could be a potential third line center UFA replacement option but with Bonino in the fold Fehr can also play wing on the third line if need be.

#fancy before last season.

In your honest opinion, what has he done this year to show that he deserves the #1 call-up over Warofsky or over unscratching Oleksy? Again, his skillset dictates that he should be able to fill-in, but so far this season (given, it's been abbreviated), he hasn't produced jack in the AHL that would warrant an NHL call-up.

Also, I haven't seen 1 WBS game this year so I can't speak to his deployment. But a young stud offensive defenseman should be able to produce points in the AHL at a marginal clip no matter how he's used if he's expected to make the jump to the NHL.
- jmatchett383

He played great the game he got into this year against the Sharks until he was injured and he has been playing a shut down role in WBS, no PP time but lots of PK, mostly defensive zone starts and he has not drowned(they are in first place), and he has had a great attitude about it. He wasn't sent to Wilkes to play his game he was sent there to continue to work on his defensive game. Let's see if it has paid off. He's a left shot but he plays better on the right side. Even if Maatta Pouliot is now the bottom pairing, which it won't be, let's see where he is at. Oleksy is already what he is and so is Warsofsky, you already know how limited they are. Let's give Pouliot some real minutes while Letang is out and we are in first place. I see the pairings as Dumoulin/ Daley, Maatta/ Shultz, and Cole/ Pouliot. That's not just opportunity for Pouliot that means Daley and Shultz are going to have to step up. Plus that's 5 left handed shots and only one right. Lots of things up in the air.

Eric Fehr for three years at a 2.0M cap hit is great. Eric Fehr could be a potential third line center UFA replacement option but with Bonino in the fold Fehr can also play wing on the third line if need be.

#fancy before last season.
- jmatchett383

Fehr is too slow to play on the wing in this system on any line and he's not talented enough to play third line centre unless Bylsma is coming back. Jakey is the next 3c and Sundqvist is the next 4c and that is fantastic news.

Eric Fehr for three years at a 2.0M cap hit is great. Eric Fehr could be a potential third line center UFA replacement option but with Bonino in the fold Fehr can also play wing on the third line if need be.

#fancy before last season.
- jmatchett383

Fehr has played like a fine fourth liner during his stint as a Pen. He was a third line caliber player when we hired him and while overpaying a smidge for a standard fourth liner doesn't hurt you too bad, we also have Kuhnhackl and Sundqvist who can do what Fehr does for sub-1 mil. He's not a dumpster fire, but he's certainly been disappointing.

Eric Fehr for three years at a 2.0M cap hit is great. Eric Fehr could be a potential third line center UFA replacement option but with Bonino in the fold Fehr can also play wing on the third line if need be.

#fancy before last season.
- jmatchett383

I think Fehr's done in any role in this offense. The 4th line took off the last four games he's been scratched. Dude's Tom Brady running for a 1st down

Fehr is too slow to play on the wing in this system on any line and he's not talented enough to play third line centre unless Bylsma is coming back. Jakey is the next 3c and Sundqvist is the next 4c and that is fantastic news.
- Dcoms

Guentzel is a LW in this league. The coaching staff has been adiment about that. The 3C question moving forward remains open.

He played great the game he got into this year against the Sharks until he was injured and he has been playing a shut down role in WBS, no PP time but lots of PK, mostly defensive zone starts and he has not drowned(they are in first place), and he has had a great attitude about it. He wasn't sent to Wilkes to play he was sent there to continue to work on his defensive game. Let's see if it has paid off. He's a left shot but he plays better on the right side. Even if Maatta Pouliot is now the bottom pairing, which it won't be, let's see where he is at. Oleksy is already what he is and so is Warsofsky, you already know how limited they are. Let's give Pouliot some real minutes while Letang is out and we are in first place. I see the pairings as Dumoulin/ Daley, Maatta/ Shultz, and Cole/ Pouliot. That's not just opportunity for Pouliot that means Daley and Shultz are going to have to step up. Plus that's 5 left handed shots and only one right. Lots of things up in the air.
- Dcoms

I don't disagree, and you obviously watched WBS more than me so you know how he's played down there (I don't get their games in NJ).

However, while it's nice to be able to round out your game, I don't think Pouliot will ever be a premier defender. I think he can be adequate defensively and potent offensively. That said, a bottom-pair role, paired with Cole, probably means that his skillset will not be maximized at the NHL level.

I'm not saying that calling him up would be a disaster. I simply think that, at the current moment, there are other players who should also be considered when all things are taken into account. I don't think that's outlandish.

Fehr has played like a fine fourth liner during his stint as a Pen. He was a third line caliber player when we hired him and while overpaying a smidge for a standard fourth liner doesn't hurt you too bad, we also have Kuhnhackl and Sundqvist who can do what Fehr does for sub-1 mil. He's not a dumpster fire, but he's certainly been disappointing.
- Victoro311

Dude, did you see his HERO chart when he was signed? He's obviously always going to be a 3rd liner for the entirety of his career.

I don't disagree, and you obviously watched WBS more than me so you know how he's played down there (I don't get their games in NJ).

However, while it's nice to be able to round out your game, I don't think Pouliot will ever be a premier defender. I think he can be adequate defensively and potent offensively. That said, a bottom-pair role, paired with Cole, probably means that his skillset will not be maximized at the NHL level.

I'm not saying that calling him up would be a disaster. I simply think that, at the current moment, there are other players who should also be considered when all things are taken into account. I don't think that's outlandish.
- jmatchett383

On the other hand a Cole-Olesky pairing would be a tire fire. Gotta keep chemestry in mind when creating a lineup. Cole needs to be with an offensive defenseman to play well. Needs to be Warsofsky or Pouliot.

On the other hand a Cole-Olesky pairing would be a tire fire. Gotta keep chemestry in mind when creating a lineup. Cole needs to be with an offensive defenseman to play well. Needs to be Warsofsky or Pouliot.
- Victoro311

How about a Cole-Fehr pairing?

How about a Cole-Fehr pairing?
- jmatchett383

So much room for activities there...

So much room for activities there...
- Victoro311

Fehr can amaze players by simply wowing them with his HERO chart prior to last year. As a player approaches the blue line, he simply holds up his HERO chart, at which point the player will realize that a zone entry is a futile attempt. He will skate back to the bench in shame, by which point Crosby has already taken the puck the other way and scored 2 goals on one shot, somehow.

Realistically, Maatta's should not even have been playing a single game for the adult pens this season. He's been Tom Brady running the 40
- DeflatedPucks

That Tom Brady line is getting old

That Tom Brady is getting old
- willi

ftfy

That Tom Brady line is getting old
- willi

Best QB in the history of the NFL.

Best QB in the history of the NFL.
- j.boyd919

The best QB in NFL history will never not be Joe Montana. GTFO.

Best QB in the history of the NFL.
- j.boyd919

Says who?