Dude is a Class A troll.
- Rinosaur

That is supposed to be my job

You continue to only post stupid dribble. .93 save percentage is never bad, starter, backup, my dead grandma... doesn't matter who was in net. That is a quality start.
- Guile

Yessir.

I'm starting to think Brassard is on his way out.
- Rinosaur

I think it's inevitable.

Bottom pairing Dman, who wouldn't drown if pushed to the 2nd pairing when injuries occur... isn't that all we 'should' need when healthy? Plus, he still could grow into a mid pairing, hes got a few more years until he allegedly plateaus according to all those fancy projection charts.
- Guile

I don’t think he’s capable of being a 2nd pairing even for a brief amount of time. His shot metrics aren’t great.

Bottom pairing Dman, who wouldn't drown if pushed to the 2nd pairing when injuries occur... isn't that all we 'should' need when healthy? Plus, he still could grow into a mid pairing, hes got a few more years until he allegedly plateaus according to all those fancy projection charts.
- Guile

Mid-pairing? Who knows. He's only 22 years old and already plays a sound game, so it's not inconceivable.

Right now, not matter what, I think the Pens MUST add a quality RD. We know JJ isn't going anywhere, but I'd like to see JO shipped out.

I don’t think he’s capable of being a 2nd pairing even for a brief amount of time. His shot metrics aren’t great.
- j.boyd919

I don't think he is right now, but he could grow into a number 4 guy. Not saying it's likely, but he's young enough to develop.

I think it's inevitable.
- madmike71

Yeah. If he really is unhappy with his role, the fact he played less than Grant and Wilson can't sit well with him.

I don't think he is right now, but he could grow into a number 4 guy. Not saying it's likely, but he's young enough to develop.
- Rinosaur

- DeflatedPucks

I think we need have an intervention about your gifs.

I think we need have an intervention about your gifs.
- Rinosaur

Who knows. I'm only 61 years old and already play a sound gif game, so it's not inconceivable.

Who knows. I'm only 61 years old and already play a sound gif game, so it's not inconceivable.
- DeflatedPucks

Is it really THAT far-fetched a 22 year old dman who's already fairly solid couldn't develop into a better player?

Dude is a Class A troll.
- Rinosaur

My feelings about Murray are completely genuine.

Is it really THAT far-fetched a 22 year old dman who's already fairly solid couldn't develop into a better player?
- Rinosaur

Nope hockey players peak at 15. By 22 you are what you are in the nhl.

Is it really THAT far-fetched a 22 year old dman who's already fairly solid couldn't develop into a better player?
- Rinosaur

Derrick Grant waited until he was 27 to start to score goals, so anything is possible.

All the guys who make it to the NHL have been playing against each other since they were 12. They are not going to grow in leaps and bounds now. Where they improve, is in gaining strength and Petterson still has room to grow there. Therefore I believe he can improve, what we need to see from him now is how much determination he has.

Sprong with 2 goals last night. #Sprongwatch

You honestly believe that they could win the cup without Letang again?... I mean, sure it's possible, but what would be the chances of it twice?...I dont know man. Pretty tall order, he's so fn important. I said it when he went down that year and I'll say it again: he might be just as, or more, important than Sid or Geno... Might be.
- MattStrat

Sorry man, I was kidding. You're actually spot on. I think Letang is just as important as Geno and Sid, and from a roster perspective. I'd rather lose a Center knowing we have 3 good ones than lose Letang, knowing the only guy that could even attempt to take his spot is Schultz and he's gone for now.

I think he was being sarcastic in that post lol
- j.boyd919

I was gonna leave it with just the Letang stuff, but then I noticed that it was exactly what the "We can win without Letang" people say.

Sprong with 2 goals last night. #Sprongwatch
- all-pgh

Shushhhh... we are going to pretend he was never here, and Sully didn't (frank) up his trade value to the point JR had to make that deal.

But at least Petterson looks solid, and can still get better.

I was gonna leave it with just the Letang stuff, but then I noticed that it was exactly what the "We can win without Letang" people say.
- Thrill81

We won with out him last night didn't we. It wasn't pretty but a dub is a dub.

We won with out him last night didn't we. It wasn't pretty but a dub is a dub.
- pensfan024

Okay to clarify, I'm not saying that we can't or shouldn't try to win without Letang. It's just immensely harder. I'd rather die trying personally and continuing to win without Letang is exactly what I want. However the people who then see us win without Letang, and propose we trade him are delusional. We need Letang over the course of a season. We won 16 games without him in 2017, but in the grand scheme of the Crosby and Malkin era, we need him.

Derrick Grant waited until he was 27 to start to score goals, so anything is possible.

All the guys who make it to the NHL have been playing against each other since they were 12. They are not going to grow in leaps and bounds now. Where they improve, is in gaining strength and Petterson still has room to grow there. Therefore I believe he can improve, what we need to see from him now is how much determination he has.
- Thunderbolt

Again, I’m not saying it’s likely. I’m just saying it’s possible. That being said, sometimes you want a third pairing guy who’s just a good third pairing guy.

Derrick Grant waited until he was 27 to start to score goals, so anything is possible.

All the guys who make it to the NHL have been playing against each other since they were 12. They are not going to grow in leaps and bounds now. Where they improve, is in gaining strength and Petterson still has room to grow there. Therefore I believe he can improve, what we need to see from him now is how much determination he has.
- Thunderbolt

I am almost certain I've seen RW put up a few graphs saying Dmen develop a few years later than Wingers/Centers... which is why young Dmen are a big time (frank)ing commodity.

Nope hockey players peak at 15. By 22 you are what you are in the nhl.
- Grinder47

I'd say by 25 you are what you are. But let's talk about this...

What can we NOT expect from Petterson?
-He will never be a dman who really generates scoring chances and drives offense.
-He will never be a physical shut-down dman.

What can we expect from Petterson?
-He's a complimentary dman who plays a fundamentally sound game
-He's got excellent awareness and seems to think a couple of moves ahead
-He won't lead a pair, but he's the type of dman IMO that will let an offensive-minded dman play his game.

So where is the ceiling of a player like that? Realistically he will remain a 3rd pairing dman who will continue to tighten areas of his game and be able to handle more minutes. Sometimes that's all you should want out of a player.

I think if he continues to tighten his game and focus on some weak spots, he could be a borderline #4Dman.

I am almost certain I've seen RW put up a few graphs saying Dmen develop a few years later than Wingers/Centers... which is why young Dmen are a big time (frank)ing commodity.
- Guile

All players improve as they get older. Where players start to digress is when their legs start to go. Even then their natural ability, drive and experience help them to compensate for the normal aging process. 22, 25, I don't care, they can still get better and they should get better.

I'd say by 25 you are what you are. But let's talk about this...

What can we NOT expect from Petterson?
-He will never be a dman who really generates scoring chances and drives offense.
-He will never be a physical shut-down dman.

What can we expect from Petterson?
-He's a complimentary dman who plays a fundamentally sound game
-He's got excellent awareness and seems to think a couple of moves ahead
-He won't lead a pair, but he's the type of dman IMO that will let an offensive-minded dman play his game.

So where is the ceiling of a player like that? Realistically he will remain a 3rd pairing dman who will continue to tighten areas of his game and be able to handle more minutes. Sometimes that's all you should want out of a player.

I think if he continues to tighten his game and focus on some weak spots, he could be a borderline #4Dman.
- Rinosaur

Now, when I see those high points on him, I view him as a possible Dumoulin in the making. So I give Petterson a few months in this system, and (assuming a possible trade of Maatta)... pair him up with Schultz once he returns.

That is why I keep saying a hoping mid pairing ceiling, because it makes perfect sense and he fits the bill for what Schultz would need in his pair.

And I REALLY hope he can put on a few pounds without it affecting his game. He is too damn skinny.

edit: Yes, I am quite defensive and very wishful thinking of Petterson... because I don't want this Sprong trade to be us completely fleecing ourselves on the potential value of Sprong. If he becomes mid pairing, then you can't complain.