... at least one candy pre-taste of the season, over that our star-less offense didn't produce and was out-hitted.



Most likely this is indeed GMJR's plan, and knowing the Pens, we wont have to wait too long seeing him on the NHL roster. Still a little sad to see for one of the rare positive surprises, that only the first call-up is to win...
- VeryModernMan

Yea sucks having a good opening night roster. I’d rather have another gaping hole like the third line center battle they had last year. Mckegg was camp mvp so that worked out great in the end

Guentzy wore a letter! Great sign & big vote of confidence for him.

Riiko sounds like he enjoyed his first hit out on the smaller ice!

Yea sucks having a good opening night roster. I’d rather have another gaping hole like the third line center battle they had last year. Mckegg was camp mvp so that worked out great in the end
- jchst22

If you reread you will notice that i wrote about the rare positive surprise Riikola and obviously the defence... but i agree with you, offense is pretty set and i wouldn't be surprised seeing Hayes waived after the camp.

Did Grant play?
- Aussiepenguin

http://www.nhl.com/scores...rts/20182019/ES010013.HTM

http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20182019/ES010013.HTM
- VeryModernMan

Grinder will be happy, he blocks shots the silly bastard!

Grinder will be happy, he blocks shots the silly bastard!
- Aussiepenguin

You're on Grinder, too? I hope you swipe me.

http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20182019/ES010013.HTM
- VeryModernMan

You guys got Will O'Neill? Dude's a superstar in the AHL, but completely useless in the NHL.

Also, now that the WBS Penguins have lost to the Buffalo Sabres, has the sky fallen yet?

You guys got Will O'Neill? Dude's a superstar in the AHL, but completely useless in the NHL.
- jmatchett383

If you have a quick look at this career, he obviously played in WBS before in Lehigh Valley... and he has also a single ONE "useless" NHL game. https://www.eliteprospect...player/12257/will-o-neill

Also, now that the WBS Penguins have lost to the Buffalo Sabres, has the sky fallen yet?
- jmatchett383

We lost our second game last year 10-1... and you even lost 10 in a row, and we still made the playoffs both - season is long, and hell, i don't know why today i'm such a nice guy and don't add a "and ours most often longer than yours!"... must be the nice weather.

At first yes but I'm sure this will go away IF he starts producing and the "I told you he'd suck" guys will disappear in shame....and not a single piece will be written about how good of a fit he's been lol
We can only hope this will all go down this way
- Barnaby36

Hey man i already said I’d own up to it if Johnson is good.

Does Rikolla have a shot at this years big club?
- Doogs

Guys get hurt. Being 8 NHL capable defensemen deep is ideal and something we haven’t had since Dumoulin, Samuelsson, and Harrington were all in the AHL. Having Riikola developing in the AHL is really good for our organizational depth and is a great safetinet.

If the kid is legit, I’m sure he will play at some point this year. We’ll carry Chad as our #7 because of waiver status but Riikola might be the first guy in if he impresses in the A.

Guys get hurt. Being 8 NHL capable defensemen deep is ideal and something we haven’t had since Dumoulin, Samuelsson, and Harrington were all in the AHL. Having Riikola developing in the AHL is really good for our organizational depth and is a great safetinet.

If the kid is legit, I’m sure he will play at some point this year. We’ll carry Chad as our #7 because of waiver status but Riikola might be the first guy in if he impresses in the A.
- Victoro311

Draft picks dont matter as much if players like him work out. I think we see him in the NHL this year due to injuries. He'll be top pair/1st PP in the A.

Anyone watch the game last night and can give me a rundown on Riikola, Bleuger, and DiPauli?

You're on Grinder, too? I hope you swipe me.
- jmatchett383

Not sure who else is on Grinder, but he's a little far away from me & pretty sure he's not my type!

Anyone watch the game last night and can give me a rundown on Riikola, Bleuger, and DiPauli?
- Victoro311

Riikola played a decent game. He needs to be stronger in front of the net but he does have a good first pass and skates well. He was arguably the best defender last night. Eichel made he and Olli look pretty bad on that shorty.

Blueger was pretty invisible. He was the only one who could win a faceoff if that counts. Got his assist of a won draw.

DiPauli has peed on the forecheck but not a whole lot after that.

Hayes is big and slow.

I saw Sprong back check and stop a decent opportunity. I also saw him lose his cool and run around like an idiot for a shift until he got a penalty.

That roster was outclassed but they made it interesting when the Sabres sat back. DeSmith played pretty well.

Guys get hurt. Being 8 NHL capable defensemen deep is ideal and something we haven’t had since Dumoulin, Samuelsson, and Harrington were all in the AHL. Having Riikola developing in the AHL is really good for our organizational depth and is a great safetinet.

If the kid is legit, I’m sure he will play at some point this year. We’ll carry Chad as our #7 because of waiver status but Riikola might be the first guy in if he impresses in the A.
- Victoro311

What is his waiver status? He's played pro in Europe does that affect waiver status?

Riikola played a decent game. He needs to be stronger in front of the net but he does have a good first pass and skates well. He was arguably the best defender last night. Eichel made he and Olli look pretty bad on that shorty.

Blueger was pretty invisible. He was the only one who could win a faceoff if that counts. Got his assist of a won draw.

DiPauli has peed on the forecheck but not a whole lot after that.

Hayes is big and slow.

I saw Sprong back check and stop a decent opportunity. I also saw him lose his cool and run around like an idiot for a shift until he got a penalty.

That roster was outclassed but they made it interesting when the Sabres sat back. DeSmith played pretty well.
- Thorny87

If you reread you will notice that i wrote about the rare positive surprise Riikola and obviously the defence... but i agree with you, offense is pretty set and i wouldn't be surprised seeing Hayes waived after the camp.
- VeryModernMan

What did you think of Dahlin?

What is his waiver status? He's played pro in Europe does that affect waiver status?
- Aussiepenguin

ECLs are always waiver exempt regardless of age/prior experience playing in other leagues. Riikola can be sent down.

ECLs are always waiver exempt regardless of age/prior experience playing in other leagues. Riikola can be sent down.
- Victoro311

Cheers.

Cheers.
- Aussiepenguin

He'll also be an RFA at the end of this year and isn't arbitration eligible, so burying him in the AHL won't hurt our chances of retaining him. Although we might get a Shipachyov situation in which he just gets fed up and leaves. Not sure what kind of expectations Riikola has about his role or the conversations management had with him regarding his pathway into the lineup. Hopefully he's cool with being further down the depth chart for at least a year.

Tonight's lineup is more of the same up front with better D pairs

He'll also be an RFA at the end of this year and isn't arbitration eligible, so burying him in the AHL won't hurt our chances of retaining him. Although we might get a Shipachyov situation in which he just gets fed up and leaves. Not sure what kind of expectations Riikola has about his role or the conversations management had with him regarding his pathway into the lineup. Hopefully he's cool with being further down the depth chart for at least a year.
- Victoro311

As you said he will probably end up playing due to injury or suspension (JJ puts Wilson through the boards ). He may find his feet or he may realise the A isn't too bad for a season.

New blog up.

{Game review}
- Thorny87

Perfect buddy!