Rino, don’t get me wrong. I know Sprong has skill. My point is that at his age, experience and situation, he really can’t afford to float. He needs to establish himself over guys like Dea, Simon and the like. He really can’t be sent down. He needs to show that he belongs. The fact that Sid isn’t there can not matter.
- Doogs

I guess we saw two different things. IMO he definitely looked a step ahead of everyone else and I think he even looked more engaged than Jake. I get it, Jake has less to prove, but while Sprong didn't have a strong offensive game, I thought he went out of his way to prove what he can do away from the puck.

The pre-season is a process and sometimes players do on the ice what they think the coaching staff wants to see from them. My guess is they will tell him we want you to "get to you game"(man I hate that phrase), so he isn't as stiff.

Remember also that Grant was their center and Jake played a meh game against what was almost a fully NHL roster. I think tonight SHOULD be a better gauge of Sprong. I think what coaching staffs really look at out of young players is not just HOW they perform, but how they RESPOND to their criticism.

I was really expecting more from Bellerive. He didn't look good last night.
- Thorny87

Yeah, he was quiet, but there were a few times I honestly thought he was bigger than he actually was. I saw him stand up a few players like a tank.

I personally think the Pens should have dressed a more serious roster last night. You could saw the Pens just didn't look hungry overall, but they only dressed a couple of starters whereas Buf dressed almost mainly starters.

Even a mediocre Buffalo team is head and tails above any AHL team.

I know I kind of sound like I'm making excuses for some players or the team, but it was the first pre-season game in an extremely dressed down roster.

I guess we saw two different things. IMO he definitely looked a step ahead of everyone else and I think he even looked more engaged than Jake. I get it, Jake has less to prove, but while Sprong didn't have a strong offensive game, I thought he went out of his way to prove what he can do away from the puck.

The pre-season is a process and sometimes players do on the ice what they think the coaching staff wants to see from them. My guess is they will tell him we want you to "get to you game"(man I hate that phrase), so he isn't as stiff.

Remember also that Grant was their center and Jake played a meh game against what was almost a fully NHL roster. I think tonight SHOULD be a better gauge of Sprong. I think what coaching staffs really look at out of young players is not just HOW they perform, but how they RESPOND to their criticism.
- Rinosaur

I think he's back with Grant tonight.

JJ-Schultz pair should get a good test tonight as DET will be dressing its "top" line of Bertuzzi-Larkin-Mantha.

JJ-Schultz pair should get a good test tonight as DET will be dressing its "top" line of Bertuzzi-Larkin-Mantha.
- Feds91Stammer

I love that you put "top" in quotes hahaha

I actually think this will be a tough game again for the Pens. DET may not be a good team right now, but they're fast and speed is really the achilles heal of AHL teams vs. NHL team.

I think he's back with Grant tonight.
- Thorny87

I'll be curious to see if it's him or Johnson. There's been a bit of hype behind Johnson's off-season preparation. I really liked what I saw from Johnson last year and saw some good potential as a solid 4C.

I'll be curious to see if it's him or Johnson. There's been a bit of hype behind Johnson's off-season preparation. I really liked what I saw from Johnson last year and saw some good potential as a solid 4C.
- Rinosaur

But the last thing they need is another 4C!!! Lol

I love that you put "top" in quotes.
- Rinosaur

I did as well. But they are fast.

JJ-Schultz pair should get a good test tonight as DET will be dressing its "top" line of Bertuzzi-Larkin-Mantha.
- Feds91Stammer

How does Z’s “retirement” effect? It is similar to the Dupuis thing for the Pens years back. LTIR, but you have to get to the season to have the extra space.

But the last thing they need is another 4C!!! Lol
- Doogs

That can all change very quickly after this season. Brassard, Sheahan, Cullen and Grant are all pending. Depending on performance, I have to assume one of those guys not named Cullen will be back, but there could be be a hole revamping of the bottom-six center situation next year.

Two guys in tonight's game that I think could be sleepers are Miletic and Linberg. They should be interesting to watch.

How does Z’s “retirement” effect? It is similar to the Dupuis thing for the Pens years back. LTIR, but you have to get to the season to have the extra space.
- Doogs

I'm not a wings fan, but I have to think it's really more nostalgia than anything. Z was one heck of a (frank)in player, but this is a new Wings team moving in a new direction. I think the more they shed some of the old guard the better these young guys can try and take the HELM and move forward.

Sprong is 21 years old. I think a lot of his immaturity on the ice has to do with his time in the CHL vs AHL. He has only spent one full year in the AHL and he was 1 PPG player. Being around professionals make a big difference for younger kids as they grow professionally. I would imagine a full year with the big club will pay off longer term. They cannot do to him what they did to Derrick Pouliot. Stop playing him and then sending him down for no reason. Let him play, make mistakes, and learn from them. Pouliot did very little to help his cause and I often criticized him and the poor pick, but Penguins coaches/management did very little to help the kid realize his potential.

I agree with everyone, he clearly has a ton of talent and a great shot. That looks good for a guy to play with Crosby and Jake. Playing with Crosby will help him grow as a player, guys feed off of the more talented leaders in the room. Putting him in the press box or 4th line would be a waste. Put him in a top 9, ideally top 6 role and see what he can do.

That can all change very quickly after this season. Brassard, Sheahan, Cullen and Grant are all pending. Depending on performance, I have to assume one of those guys not named Cullen will be back, but there could be be a hole revamping of the bottom-six center situation next year.
- Rinosaur

True, I have a hard time seeing Brassard still here next season, and Cullen likely retired.

I wasn’t looking to the future so much at the bottom 6 center spot. I thought you were saying for this season. If they get that deep this season they are in deep $hit.

True, I have a hard time seeing Brassard still here next season, and Cullen likely retired.

I wasn’t looking to the future so much at the bottom 6 center spot. I thought you were saying for his season. If they get that ddep this season they are in deep $hit.
- Doogs

It's nice to have as much of an embarrassment of riches in all areas of the lineup, even 4Cs, but yes, if they get to the point Johnson is in the lineup on the regular then things are not looking good health-wise for the Pens.

I actually think there's a good chance Brass will be back. It's hard to let how last season went really shape things. Brass had a rocky start, finally started fitting in then got a nagging injury.

A solid season for him could really heighten the chances for the Pens retaining him. The Pens are in a pretty solid financial situation to spend on 3C.

I am not saying that I don’t want to see Sprong as Sid’s wing.

I was saying that so far, Simon, Dea, ZAR and in spot duty were given chances before Sprong.

I did as well. But they are fast.
- Doogs

I'd like their chances over a line of Sprong Simon and whatever guy plays center on that roster.

That's why I think it's hard to judge Sprong after last night. They played against a legit NHL line most of the night. Looks like more of the same tonight.

I actually think there's a good chance Brass will be back. It's hard to let how last season went really shape things.
- Rinosaur

I would LOVE to see him re-sign (Gotta be careful with the hypen there...changes the dynamic of the statement if left out LOL). I am more concerned if they could afford to.

I am not saying that I don’t want to see Sprong as Sid’s wing.

I was saying that so far, Simon, Dea, ZAR and in spot duty were given chances before Sprong.
- Doogs

I really don't know where Sprong fits yet. By that same token, Sully rotates both Sid and Geno's wings pretty often depending on who's gelling at that moment.

Simon and ZAR also looked pretty non-existent last night, more-so ZAR who I personally don't regard as highly as some around here. I think ZAR has had this unwarranted hype build around him and still need to prove A LOT before being any kind of lock.

Simon however, I think he deserves a spot in the lineup. He's versatile, smart and has skill. Even if he's not scoring, he's doing a lot of the little good things that need to be done.

I was more impressed with his play than Ruhwedels last night. I'd say he's the first call up right now unless he really impresses in WB
- Thorny87

Like I said earlier: Riikola will be the on paper #8 because his waiver status allows him to be sent up, but I wouldn't be shocked if he was the first one in over Ruhwedel once injuries hit if the buzz around him is for real.

I would LOVE to see him re-sign (Gotta be careful with the hypen there...changes the dynamic of the statement if left out LOL). I am more concerned if they could afford to.
- Doogs

HAHAHA totally missed that.

They can totally afford to "depending" on other situations. I have to think Jake, depending on how this season goes is looking at a minimum of $4M. If the Pens let Hags walk, then even if the gets $5M you're not looking at a huge raise toward the cap.

After that, the Pens have pretty much everything else locked up aside from the bottom six. Of course there are always a lot of what-ifs...

Will they RE-SIGN Hags? If so, for how much?

Will they feel that Sprong, Simon and ZAR are poor fits? That would mean more money needing to spent to fill more holes.

Will Sheahan have a banner year?

All things being equal, the Pens should have the wiggle room to spend about $4Mish at 3C.

I really don't know where Sprong fits yet. By that same token, Sully rotates both Sid and Geno's wings pretty often depending on who's gelling at that moment.

Simon and ZAR also looked pretty non-existent last night, more-so ZAR who I personally don't regard as highly as some around here. I think ZAR has had this unwarranted hype build around him and still need to prove A LOT before being any kind of lock.

Simon however, I think he deserves a spot in the lineup. He's versatile, smart and has skill. Even if he's not scoring, he's doing a lot of the little good things that need to be done.
- Rinosaur

I think ZAR looked like like an NHL roster player last year. Some nights he'd look like a competent 4th liner, and some nights he looked like he could be something in the top 9. I don't know what ZAR is yet, the odds say he's a bottom 6 dude, but I do think he's one of our top 12 best forwards.

For the record I also think Simon is one of our top 12 best forwards right now. I think the smart thing to do would be to use Cullen as the 13th forward, but I don't think that will happen.

Simon however, I think he deserves a spot in the lineup. He's versatile, smart and has skill. Even if he's not scoring, he's doing a lot of the little good things that need to be done.
- Rinosaur

But where? They are kind of running out of top 6 spots, especially if Sprong is added to the conversation. I don’t know if I would say Simon is a 4th line guy. He has top 6 skills. I was hoping he excelled and they could trade him.

But where? They are kind of running out of top 6 spots, especially if Sprong is added to the conversation. I don’t know if I would say Simon is a 4th line guy. He has top 6 skills. I was hoping he excelled and they could trade him.
- Doogs

I have no issue if he's playing the 4th line; he's added a good dynamic there IMO and is solid defensively.

He's a good plug in the top-six at times. I think what prevents him from being a staple anywhere specific is that he doesn't excel overall in one area.

I think ZAR looked like like an NHL roster player last year. Some nights he'd look like a competent 4th liner, and some nights he looked like he could be something in the top 9. I don't know what ZAR is yet, the odds say he's a bottom 6 dude, but I do think he's one of our top 12 best forwards.

For the record I also think Simon is one of our top 12 best forwards right now. I think the smart thing to do would be to use Cullen as the 13th forward, but I don't think that will happen.
- Victoro311

Pretty much agree on all of this. ZAR shows flashes, but I don't think he's a top-six staple. I mean, he's only played 16 NHL regular season games, so we clearly need to see a larger sample size.

I had an issue with his playoff performance where I thought he was an absolute ghost, but then again, even some of the better players were ghosts.