Ryan Wilson: Optimal forward lines for Pittsburgh, in theory Optimal forward lines for Pittsburgh, in theory

So you're saying Schultz was a bad signing? Ok.... *Face Palm*

Who said RW doesn’t read these comments!?!?!? Hell this was straight out of the last thread or two. Folks should be proud of the ghost writing they did.

Tanev played almost 800 of his 940 5v5 minutes with Lowry. He's a capable third liner. I don't like the contract either, but we might as well give him credit for what he is since he's on the team. (Also why I'm not alarmed at the WOWY stats away from Lowry, he didn't play regularly anywhere else).

So you're saying Schultz was a bad signing? Ok.... *Face Palm*
- Barnaby36

He forgot certain players are only good when playing against certain other players.

McCann is actually the hardest guy for me to place. I don't like moving Jake over though I'd at least give it a shot. He's not enough of a possession driver to balance out Galchenyuk. Could be a shooter on the third line but Simon and Tanev are also options there.

McCann is actually the hardest guy for me to place. I don't like moving Jake over though I'd at least give it a shot. He's not enough of a possession driver to balance out Galchenyuk. Could be a shooter on the third line but Simon and Tanev are also options there.
- Tojo.

Flip McCann and Kahun, I don't see the point in placing two left wings with Crosby and two right wings with Malkin.

The bottom two lines are interchangeable and can be moved up the line up at will.

Their are some pretty good goal scorers on the bottom six. Simon being the lone exception.

I'll reserve judgment on the Tanev contract until he actually plays a game.

McCann is actually the hardest guy for me to place. I don't like moving Jake over though I'd at least give it a shot. He's not enough of a possession driver to balance out Galchenyuk. Could be a shooter on the third line but Simon and Tanev are also options there.
- Tojo.

People will do a lot of female doging, but I think you need to have a guy like Simon with Malkin and Galchenyuk. They are going to need a constant between them and I do not see Kahun or McCann getting it done. I go with
Jake - Sid - Kahun
Galchenyuk - Malkin - Simon
McCann - Bjug - Horny
Tanev - Bleuger - ZAR

But there is a ton of flexibility in this roster and I think Sullivan likes that. He will throw out 10 different lineups by November.

It's certainly fair to say GMJR... and a few other GMs... seem to have overpaid for some players this offseason, as well as going back to last offseason...

My question is this, as I haven't seen it asked or theorized anywhere... is it possible these GMs are looking to the Seattle expansion draft as relief for some of these contracts, and so they're willing to overpay a bit now? GMJR seemed to be pretty clear at least for the Tanev signing, that this was the current cost of acquiring said player... thoughts?

I do look forward to seeing this forward group in action this season

Lots to discuss with the lines until the puck drops in October. Don’t like moving Guentzel to his off wing. Whose the defensive conscience on the second line? Any chance Hornqvist gets traded and not Rust? I like Rust over Horny given his lesser cap hit and Horny’s health concerns given the style of game he plays.

Think Tanev has some promise to potentially break our top-9. Has a relentless mentality to him. Hat-trick in 2018 vs. the Bs FWIW:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgKTJ6hg9mQ

This is pretty shocking...

https://public.tableau.co...es&:origin=viz_share_link

People will do a lot of female doging, but I think you need to have a guy like Simon with Malkin and Galchenyuk. They are going to need a constant between them and I do not see Kahun or McCann getting it done. I go with
Jake - Sid - Kahun
Galchenyuk - Malkin - Simon
McCann - Bjug - Horny
Tanev - Bleuger - ZAR

But there is a ton of flexibility in this roster and I think Sullivan likes that. He will throw out 10 different lineups by November.
- burgh4life87

Kahun played a lot with Toews, I doubt it very much that a player like Toews would allow a rookie to freewheel on his line. Kahun will be responsible in his own end, let him cover up for the Russians.

This is pretty shocking...

https://public.tableau.co...es&:origin=viz_share_link
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Petts sample size there is only 20 games....which 20 games and were they with the Ducks or Pens?

Crosby - Guentzel
Malkin- Galchenyuk

Then whoever will forecheck.

Petts sample size there is only 20 games....which 20 games and were they with the Ducks or Pens?
- MattStrat

No clue... not a lot of charts on Pettersson or Riikola ...but looking at a few different charts, JJ had much better analytics last season than I expected.

Think Tanev has some promise to potentially break our top-9. Has a relentless mentality to him. Hat-trick in 2018 vs. the Bs FWIW:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgKTJ6hg9mQ
- MikeyKay

You can see why Sullivan and Rutherford were so high on him. Fast, relentless skating, there is not stop/start in his game, it is just go go go. He will be an instant favorite and whipping boy in the same regard lol

Kahun played a lot with Toews, I doubt it very much that a player like Toews would allow a rookie to freewheel on his line. Kahun will be responsible in his own end, let him cover up for the Russians.
- stackthepads

That's actually what I was a bit worried about. You would think a guy who played with Toews and Debrincat that much would have better possession numbers. But Chicago is terrible so that shouldn't matter.

That's actually what I was a bit worried about. You would think a guy who played with Toews and Debrincat that much would have better possession numbers. But Chicago is terrible so that shouldn't matter.
- burgh4life87

Wouldn't say missing the wildcard by a hair is terrible ... but yea.

That's actually what I was a bit worried about. You would think a guy who played with Toews and Debrincat that much would have better possession numbers. But Chicago is terrible so that shouldn't matter.
- burgh4life87

I dont think they're terrible. They had a very solid second half of the season with some nice streaks. They've made some good moves this offseason on top of getting the 3rd overall pick.

this is a deep ass forward group... surrounding sid/geno/jake with lots of 30-40pt guys and a ton of versatility.

as much as I love the guy and have hopes he will rebound this season, I think Hornqvist may be the one that should be moved. I still think you'd get a lot in return (assuming you get him to waive his NTC). If hes relegated to bottom 6, Tanev will bring a lot of what he brings at even strength. His PP spot is already in danger with Jake.

Horny for a quality 2nd pair D could fix a lot of problems.
or
just trade him to clear space for Gusev
or
Horny for Zucker if you wanted to commit larceny

Wouldn't say missing the wildcard by a hair is terrible ... but yea.
- MikeyKay

Possession wise at 5v5 they were in the bottom 10 teams of the league. They also allowed the 6th most goals at 5v5. They were not very strong, or deep.

this is a deep ass forward group... surrounding sid/geno/jake with lots of 30-40pt guys and a ton of versatility.

as much as I love the guy and have hopes he will rebound this season, I think Hornqvist may be the one that should be moved. I still think you'd get a lot in return (assuming you get him to waive his NTC). If hes relegated to bottom 6, Tanev will bring a lot of what he brings at even strength. His PP spot is already in danger with Jake.

Horny for a quality 2nd pair D could fix a lot of problems.
or
just trade him to clear space for Gusev
or
Horny for Zucker if you wanted to commit larceny
- YouMeAndDupuis9

As awesome as Horny for Zucker would be, it's super unlikely . Pens organization loves Horny, GMJR in particular. I don't think they will push him on his NTC.

Rust is as good as gone IMO. Really hope they don't move Bjug unless return is substantial.

You can see why Sullivan and Rutherford were so high on him. Fast, relentless skating, there is not stop/start in his game, it is just go go go. He will be an instant favorite and whipping boy in the same regard lol
- burgh4life87

That's why I am one of the only guys on here that likes bringing in Tanev. Sure the charts are mediocre and he may not replicate last years offensive production....but two things I trust the most in evaluating new players is the former fan base and jesse marshall.

WPG fans really, really wanted to keep him. he was a fan favorite there. and Jesse hasnt written the article yet but shared some video clips where you see he just does things no one else on our current roster does. we desperately needed a tenacious forechecker.