Was hoping DOC makes the team.
- jmatchett383

I feel like DOC is a solid bottom 6 guy. Unsure why we keep putting guys ahead of him.

Either O’Conner or Puustinen
- sjfpp

Poehling will probably make the team and needs to clear waivers if he doesn't. DOC and Puustinen can be stashed in WBS and that's better for them than press box

Oh I hope that too, really do. My point is the chances of a late 1st round pick, or later, becoming a NHL mainstay are very slim. If he became an effective NHL mainstay on the 4th line I still think he's a successful pick.

One of Dupuis biggest assets was his skating along with his sense. How's Poulins skating?
- MattStrat

It improved the year after we drafted him to the point it's no longer a liability, but he's not a burner.

Skating isn't similar just comparing him to Dupuis as maybe that's his skill level. And maybe he also carved out a top 6 role with his size and hockey smarts above his skill like Dupuis did with his speed.

And maybe he ends up a second line talent in skill too. I definitely think the narrative he had a bad season in WBS is a bad take. He just didn't blow the doors off the AHL, but he had a nice rookie season for a player his age.

I feel like DOC is a solid bottom 6 guy. Unsure why we keep putting guys ahead of him.
- Victoro311

DOC definitely deserves a shot, though I'm not too mad they brought back Heinen and traded for Poehling which are likely the moves that block him.

It improved the year after we drafted him to the point it's no longer a liability, but he's not a burner.

Skating isn't similar just comparing him to Dupuis as maybe that's his skill level. And maybe he also carved out a top 6 role with his size and hockey smarts above his skill like Dupuis did with his speed.

And maybe he ends up a second line talent in skill too. I definitely think the narrative he had a bad season in WBS is a bad take. He just didn't blow the doors off the AHL, but he had a nice rookie season for a player his age.
- Tojo.

Absolutely...there are other attributes than skating that can get ya there as well, no question. Admittedly, I had the guy pretty much wrote off haha but your words regarding him have me lukewarm on him again. We shall see how it all shakes out....and soon.

Poehling will probably make the team and needs to clear waivers if he doesn't. DOC and Puustinen can be stashed in WBS and that's better for them than press box
- Tojo.

Only 23...first round pedigree...a team would probably snag him if Pens attempted to send him down.

Only 23...first round pedigree...a team would probably snag him if Pens attempted to send him down.
- MattStrat

I think Biggs was 23 when we acquired him in the Kessel trade. Those first round pedigrees stop mattering if you haven’t really shown anything by 21.

DOC definitely deserves a shot, though I'm not too mad they brought back Heinen and traded for Poehling which are likely the moves that block him.
- Tojo.

I was mostly talking about Archibald and Cagiula. I don’t think either will actually wind up above DOC in the depth chart but just annoying that we’d sign guys of that caliber and let them take up cap/contract spots when we already have them

I was mostly talking about Archibald and Cagiula. I don’t think either will actually wind up above DOC in the depth chart but just annoying that we’d sign guys of that caliber and let them take up cap/contract spots when we already have them
- Victoro311

I consider Cagliula just an AHL vet for call ups. And I'd be fine if he wasn't here. But they probably needed experienced depth there.

Like it or not, Sully was going to want a vet PKer to replace Boyle and ZAR. And Archibald I'd rather have in press box than a guy who can play in WBS.

I mostly just don't think they expected to add 2 more cheap players after they signed him. And technically they could waive him at his contract, but I'd share your concern that they wouldn't

Only 23...first round pedigree...a team would probably snag him if Pens attempted to send him down.
- MattStrat

He's a guy people think deserved a change of scenery, though likely he's that former 1st that is hopeful to be a bottom 6 you mentioned earlier. He's at least as interesting as DOC and Puustinen to me.

Absolutely...there are other attributes than skating that can get ya there as well, no question. Admittedly, I had the guy pretty much wrote off haha but your words regarding him have me lukewarm on him again. We shall see how it all shakes out....and soon.
- MattStrat

It's a little disappointing because he looked so good the year after we drafted him and hasn't looked like that since. But he was arguably WBS best forward the second half of the year as a young rookie. Bust feels extreme.

I think Biggs was 23 when we acquired him in the Kessel trade. Those first round pedigrees stop mattering if you haven’t really shown anything by 21.
- Victoro311

hahaha big Tyler Biggs, forgot about him.

I dont know that is entirely true. JR seemed to have a 1st rounder fetish when he was GM for Pens. Seems other teams take flyers on guys like Poehling from time to time as well, especially if its a for free waiver claim...

hahaha big Tyler Biggs, forgot about him.

I dont know that is entirely true. JR seemed to have a 1st rounder fetish when he was GM for Pens. Seems other teams take flyers on guys like Poehling from time to time as well, especially if its a for free waiver claim...
- MattStrat

Yeah I’m not saying that Poehling can’t bloom into an NHL player at 23, I’m just saying that at 23 he’s so far removed from his draft year that his draft position is very irrelevant and he should be evaluated on what he’s shown thus far as a pro. Same goes for Alex Nylander and other guys who’ve been in the same boat.

Yeah I’m not saying that Poehling can’t bloom into an NHL player at 23, I’m just saying that at 23 he’s so far removed from his draft year that his draft position is very irrelevant and he should be evaluated on what he’s shown thus far as a pro. Same goes for Alex Nylander and other guys who’ve been in the same boat.
- Victoro311

I agree. I should also mention I dont have much expectation of Poehling blooming into much...buy ya never know. Crazier things have happened.