Ryan Wilson: The power play without Phil Kessel The power play without Phil Kessel

Speaking of Gusev - the athletic is reporting that vegas wants a 2nd round plus either a lower level prospect/or later round draft pick. If I am pittsburgh, I would offer my 1st, plus a decent prospect and see if we can get back our 2nd from VGK with Gusev. Not unlike the deal for Reaves, but the player in return isn't billed as a 4th liner.

I don't get the Gusev loved. Yeah, he's put up spectacular numbers in the KHL, never having played a meaningful pro game on North American ice. He could be the next Panarin or he could be the next Jiri Dopita. It's worth taking a chance for sure, but not if the price is a first rounder or a top organizational prospect. THEN you have to figure out how to fit an extra $4M into your cap.

IMHO.

Your GM needs to be tarred and feathered.

The PP will be fine. They’ll have 2 solid units and they have tons of options. I’m not a fan of Guentzel in front of the net and taking some of the abuse that goes along with it.

Speaking of Gusev - the athletic is reporting that vegas wants a 2nd round plus either a mid level prospect/or later round draft pick. If I am pittsburgh, I would offer my 1st, plus a decent prospect and see if we can get back our 2nd from VGK with Gusev. Not unlike the deal for Reaves, but the player in return isn't billed as a 4th liner.
- burgh4life87

I’d actually be ok with that. Or you can bet on yourself and ask for the Knights 2nd rounder in hopes the pens finish better than they do and their pick becomes the better one.

I don't get the Gusev loved. Yeah, he's put up spectacular numbers in the KHL, never having played a meaningful pro game on North American ice. He could be the next Panarin or he could be the next Jiri Dopita. It's worth taking a chance for sure, but not if the price is a first rounder or a top organizational prospect. THEN you have to figure out how to fit an extra $4M into your cap.

IMHO.
- jmatchett383

2nd rounder and lower teir prospect\later round pick is the going rumor from the Athletic. They also expect the 3.5 to 4 mill range on a 2 year deal (the two years is the sticking point).

I don't get the Gusev loved. Yeah, he's put up spectacular numbers in the KHL, never having played a meaningful pro game on North American ice. He could be the next Panarin or he could be the next Jiri Dopita. It's worth taking a chance for sure, but not if the price is a first rounder or a top organizational prospect. THEN you have to figure out how to fit an extra $4M into your cap.

IMHO.
- jmatchett383

Lmao you love your illogical comparisons.

Gotta go with grinders 6 man pp unit imho tbh

Gotta go with grinders 6 man pp unit imho tbh
- Feds91Stammer

I read his comment yesterday and I couldn’t stop laughing. i mean, why haven’t we done that already? 6 on 4 with our goalie still in net would be great.

I don't get the Gusev loved. Yeah, he's put up spectacular numbers in the KHL, never having played a meaningful pro game on North American ice. He could be the next Panarin or he could be the next Jiri Dopita. It's worth taking a chance for sure, but not if the price is a first rounder or a top organizational prospect. THEN you have to figure out how to fit an extra $4M into your cap.

IMHO.
- jmatchett383

Well, you found a way to make your opinion wrong. They arent asking for a top prospect

Interesting article on Gusev...its from a Vegas POV but shows that he's far from a guarentee

https://t.co/qvqqYXR92b


for those two lazy to read it...one spoiler... Plotnikov had higher scoring rates than Gusev when you look at their production by age.

I don't get the Gusev loved. Yeah, he's put up spectacular numbers in the KHL, never having played a meaningful pro game on North American ice. He could be the next Panarin or he could be the next Jiri Dopita. It's worth taking a chance for sure, but not if the price is a first rounder or a top organizational prospect. THEN you have to figure out how to fit an extra $4M into your cap.

IMHO.
- jmatchett383

For me, that last art of the blog is the key. He's a RH wing who runs the PP from the left side boards..... exactly what Kessel did. So you have an ideal fit. Still a calculated risk, but the spot is there to maximize his talents. 4M for 2 years is a bargain if he gives you top 6 production and if he's on the top PP, there's a great chance that happens.

It's the opposite of Galchenyuk, whose PP spot isn't available, and that limits him reaching his fullest potential s a scorer here.

follow up from the last blog...

that Bjorkqvist article isnt free but the dude is breaking like every Penguins fitness record...like the NHL team records at age 21.

there were videos of him cleaning 300 pounds with ease...deadlifting 530 pounds...etc

the author (Taylor) shared a clip a few weeks ago of him hip thrusting 440 pounds...now just 3 weeks later he is hip thrusting 530

none of this means hes a great hockey player but he does have 2nd round pedigree...was a leader at Providence....and an athletic freak. lots of reasons for optimism with this kid. could be a great bottom 6 add this season.

2nd rounder and lower teir prospect\later round pick is the going rumor from the Athletic. They also expect the 3.5 to 4 mill range on a 2 year deal (the two years is the sticking point).
- burgh4life87

After reading the article, that's what they're being offered, but they're holding out for a better asset like a top prospect. I'd send the first before our best prospects if possible just because they're closer to NHL level, though I'd send Poulin.

Interesting article on Gusev...its from a Vegas POV but shows that he's far from a guarentee

https://t.co/qvqqYXR92b


for those two lazy to read it...one spoiler... Plotnikov had higher scoring rates than Gusev when you look at their production by age.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

I just said this, but scorers fail all the time when they don't get the same PP opportunities they're used to (hi Daniel Sprong). The Pens happen to have his spot open, giving him a great chance for success.

follow up from the last blog...

that Bjorkqvist article isnt free but the dude is breaking like every Penguins fitness record...like the NHL team records at age 21.

there were videos of him cleaning 300 pounds with ease...deadlifting 530 pounds...etc

the author (Taylor) shared a clip a few weeks ago of him hip thrusting 440 pounds...now just 3 weeks later he is hip thrusting 530

none of this means hes a great hockey player but he does have 2nd round pedigree...was a leader at Providence....and an athletic freak. lots of reasons for optimism with this kid. could be a great bottom 6 add this season.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Thanks for the share. I don't think they have a star, but adding Bjorkvist, Bellerive, and Joseph to WBS this year as me optimistic they'll have some more cheap talent soon.

Interesting article on Gusev...its from a Vegas POV but shows that he's far from a guarentee

https://t.co/qvqqYXR92b


for those two lazy to read it...one spoiler... Plotnikov had higher scoring rates than Gusev when you look at their production by age.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Lol when they were 18 in the MHL

Gusev is a lock to be a middle 6 F in the nhl.

Kessel is obviously a good power play player because of his skill set. His pk box probing and 2v1 decision making was the best on the team, but that’s not saying much. I think these areas are the most deficient in 87’s, 71’s, and 58’s games. Relying on saucer passes through the box has been their philosophy for years, so it’s no wonder Phil was better in this regard. With that being said, Phil’s inability to one-time the puck was a huge gaffe whenever those lower percentage saucer passes did find his tape. I think Letang should take this spot and Shultz should be up top.

Maybe the Powerplay without Kessel won't allow 11 shorties against.....

Lol when they were 18 in the MHL

Gusev is a lock to be a middle 6 F in the nhl.
- Feds91Stammer

why would we give up a 1st round pick (or top prospect) and potentially more...plus clear out multiple useful players to create cap room (rust, bjug, etc), and then give a $4M contract on a middle 6 F.

I mean I'm not fully opposed as Im intrigued by the upside.. but if all we are "guarenteed" is a middle six forward from an already stacked forward group...thats still a risky move for a win now team with already bare cupboards.

why would we give up a 1st round pick (or top prospect) and potentially more...plus clear out multiple useful players to create cap room (rust, bjug, etc), and then give a $4M contract on a middle 6 F.

I mean I'm not fully opposed as Im intrigued by the upside.. but if all we are "guarenteed" is a middle six forward from an already stacked forward group...thats still a risky move for a win now team with already bare cupboards.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Because middle 6 is his absolute basement, and he's ready now

His ceiling is Panarin, Dadonov, and for 4 million per that's exactly what we need right in the Cup window

Because middle 6 is his absolute basement, and he's ready now

His ceiling is Panarin, Dadonov, and for 4 million per that's exactly what we need right in the Cup window
- RoloTahmasee

Exactly. He could be a ppg player.

why would we give up a 1st round pick (or top prospect) and potentially more...plus clear out multiple useful players to create cap room (rust, bjug, etc), and then give a $4M contract on a middle 6 F.

I mean I'm not fully opposed as Im intrigued by the upside.. but if all we are "guarenteed" is a middle six forward from an already stacked forward group...thats still a risky move for a win now team with already bare cupboards.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

1. From the articles already posted, a 2nd rounder and good prospect will get you Gusev, everyone is lowballing Vegas, so you only have to give up so much.

2. Trading Rust for the space is a no brainer. JJ and Gudbranson too.

3. That article basically said you can expect 50 points minimum from Gusev and if he gets powerplay time, more (given the opening on the half wall with Phil gone, bingo)

So the hesitation is strange and the "bare cupboards" don't mean much either. If Gusev produces up to 60+ points with Malkin at a PPG, you are extending your cup window a few more seasons. That is the end game here right? Pull that trigger and lets roll.