Ryan Wilson: Penguins missing top line right wing to start the season Penguins missing top line right wing to start the season

Can Zucker not play rw?

This makes Poulin playing opening night much more realistic....now seize that sh!t boy, seize it.

Can Zucker not play rw?
- Blackstrom2

I always thought he was comfortable with both...before going to the Pens, that is. I dont think he was tried there once in any of the games I watched.

This is a blessing in disguise.

Kapanen has proven unable to perform at an elite level. While he has tremendous speed, he is lacking most other fundamental skills. Most importantly, his hockey IQ is absent. He is a similar player to Kessel, without Phil's desirable shot. He continually proves himself to be a one-dimensional play-breaking turn-over machine.

Training camp can now be wisely spent finding a player with which Crosby can generate some chemistry. This will not happen with Kapanen.

I always thought he was comfortable with both...before going to the Pens, that is. I dont think he was tried there once in any of the games I watched.
- MattStrat

I know it takes him off Malkin's wing, but I feel like Zucker would perform very well there.

This is a blessing in disguise.

Kapanen has proven unable to perform at an elite level. While he has tremendous speed, he is lacking most other fundamental skills. Most importantly, his hockey IQ is absent. He is a similar player to Kessel, without Phil's desirable shot. He continually proves himself to be a one-dimensional play-breaking turn-over machine.

Training camp can now be wisely spent finding a player with which Crosby can generate some chemistry. This will not happen with Kapanen.
- Jackie Daytona

JMO, but they're not looking for elite skill from Kap. Like many other Sid's wings over the years, they're looking for a player who will... 1) doggedly pursue the puck with speed. 2) Open up space for Sid and Guentz. 3) Get those guys the puck.

He's the new Dupuis. 40 point player who does those kind of things.

This makes Poulin playing opening night much more realistic....now seize that sh!t boy, seize it.
- MattStrat

Yup and even someone like O'Connor.

Per; Pens Inside Scoop

With Kapanen not yet in Pittsburgh due to immigration issues and Sceviour not on the ice, here is the Pens' workflow...

Guentzel-Crosby-Rodrigues
Zucker-Malkin-Rust
McCann-Jankowski-Lafferty
O'Connor-Blueger-Tanev

Dumoulin-Letang
Pettersson-Marino
Matheson-Ceci
Riikola-Ruhwedel

Per; Pens Inside Scoop

With Kapanen not yet in Pittsburgh due to immigration issues and Sceviour not on the ice, here is the Pens' workflow...

Guentzel-Crosby-Rodrigues
Zucker-Malkin-Rust
McCann-Jankowski-Lafferty
O'Connor-Blueger-Tanev

Dumoulin-Letang
Pettersson-Marino
Matheson-Ceci
Riikola-Ruhwedel
- Thunderbolt

Ya know, if the Pens had a quality 3C I wouldn't be mad at the idea of Lafferty as a potential 3RW.

Isnt pairing Ceci with Matheson accomplishing exactly the same thing pairing Johnson with Schultz? In other words, arent we shooting ourselves in the foot by sticking Ceci there? Id rather see Ruhwedel. UGH

Isnt pairing Ceci with Matheson accomplishing exactly the same thing pairing Johnson with Schultz? In other words, arent we shooting ourselves in the foot by sticking Ceci there? Id rather see Ruhwedel. UGH
- Amanion

Yeah, many here have basically echoed this sentiment since the trades and signings. I was originally excited at the idea of a Riikola/Ruhwedel pairing. It wouldn't' have been a sexy pairing but IMO would have been serviceable, cheap and allowed the Pens to fill out the lineup with more quality players.

Yeah, many here have basically echoed this sentiment since the trades and signings. I was originally excited at the idea of a Riikola/Ruhwedel pairing. It wouldn't' have been a sexy pairing but IMO would have been serviceable, cheap and allowed the Pens to fill out the lineup with more quality players.
- Rinosaur

More of the same I guess
From Crankshaft (Murray) to Scuderi 2.0 to Johnson to Gudbrandson to Ceci
More awful, slow defenseman scared of the puck. Not exactly what you want in todays era of puck movers...

JMO, but they're not looking for elite skill from Kap. Like many other Sid's wings over the years, they're looking for a player who will... 1) doggedly pursue the puck with speed. 2) Open up space for Sid and Guentz. 3) Get those guys the puck.

He's the new Dupuis. 40 point player who does those kind of things.

Unfortunately, Kapanen is incapable of doing any of those things. Other teams will continue to ignore Kapanen's presence. Meanwhile, Sullivan will not have that option, as he will be reminded of Kapanen each time Sid insists on line changes.

JMO, but they're not looking for elite skill from Kap. Like many other Sid's wings over the years, they're looking for a player who will... 1) doggedly pursue the puck with speed. 2) Open up space for Sid and Guentz. 3) Get those guys the puck.

He's the new Dupuis. 40 point player who does those kind of things.
- madmike71

You may get 1 and 2 from him, but you aren't going to get #3 from him, he'll just shoot the puck high and wide instead.

Prob says a lot about Poulin or l’égares chances of making the team that O’Connor slotted in over either of them. That being said O’Connor is older and played NCAA so he is prob the closest prospect.

I also read a Montreal reporter said if the CHL season isn’t going for whatever reason that CHL players could join the AHL. So that could be a plus for Poulin and Légaré if thé A starts up first.

Prob says a lot about Poulin or l’égares chances of making the team that O’Connor slotted in over either of them. That being said O’Connor is older and played NCAA so he is prob the closest prospect.

I also read a Montreal reporter said if the CHL season isn’t going for whatever reason that CHL players could join the AHL. So that could be a plus for Poulin and Légaré if thé A starts up first.
- 10inchTerror

In the previous thread I said my prediction was O'Connor would earn a spot at the very least on the Taxi squad.

Unfortunately, Kapanen is incapable of doing any of those things. Other teams will continue to ignore Kapanen's presence. Meanwhile, Sullivan will not have that option, as he will be reminded of Kapanen each time Sid insists on line changes.
- Jackie Daytona

I'm gonna give ya 7.5/10 on the troll efforts. Not bad.

Prob says a lot about Poulin or l’égares chances of making the team that O’Connor slotted in over either of them. That being said O’Connor is older and played NCAA so he is prob the closest prospect.

I also read a Montreal reporter said if the CHL season isn’t going for whatever reason that CHL players could join the AHL. So that could be a plus for Poulin and Légaré if thé A starts up first.
- 10inchTerror

That would be awesome.

In the previous thread I said my prediction was O'Connor would earn a spot at the very least on the Taxi squad.
- Rinosaur

I’ve always read the FO was very high on him. Just never hear of any specifics. I hope Erod can fill in well in Kap’s spot so he can be bumped down the lineup personally. But all in all I’m excited. MM and CC should be able to handle 3rd pair duty... I hope haha.

I’ve always read the FO was very high on him. Just never hear of any specifics. I hope Erod can fill in well in Kap’s spot so he can be bumped down the lineup personally. But all in all I’m excited. MM and CC should be able to handle 3rd pair duty... I hope haha.
- 10inchTerror

I dont care how blasted I get for saying this haha but there were a few games last year I said stick ERod up with Sid after seeing what ERod was doing in those games with the limited time he was given. He has speed but Ive seen tenacity I like too. Seemed to be above 50% on the boards. Again, limited time and that also feels like a lifetime ago since everything thats happened in the world and personally...but F it, give it a shot...and if it shows any kind of promise let it stick for a bit. Having said all of that, it' just not Sully's way. He doesn't give much time in the top 6 to figure things out.

This is a blessing in disguise.

Kapanen has proven unable to perform at an elite level. While he has tremendous speed, he is lacking most other fundamental skills. Most importantly, his hockey IQ is absent. He is a similar player to Kessel, without Phil's desirable shot. He continually proves himself to be a one-dimensional play-breaking turn-over machine.

Training camp can now be wisely spent finding a player with which Crosby can generate some chemistry. This will not happen with Kapanen.
- Jackie Daytona

Kessel a low IQ player? His play making was better than his shot.

New Yohe article states something I and a few others stated we'd like to see. While he guesses the top four will be Letang, Dumo, Petts and Marino he said we could see Matheson with Marino and Petts with Ceci which I'm really hoping for.

I think Marino can help mitigate the weaker points to Matheson's game and the same for Ceci's game if he's paired with Pettersson which would also allow the Pens spread the TOI more efficiently.

Kessel a low IQ player? His play making was better than his shot.
- Victoro311

I think if some people are expecting him to be a 30/30 guy they will be disappointed. If you expect a 20/30 type of player you'll be satisfied.

Plus, like with most goal-scorers who up in the low 20's, you're going to have periods of five or more games without a goal which to some indicates inconsistency.

I'm not really sure what to expect form his all-around game. I truthfully don't know much about his game, but from everything I've read he's not a liability on the ice which is really all I care about it. If he's fast enough to keep up, can help drive play, not be a liability and pot a few goals then I think it's a win.

Per; Pens Inside Scoop

With Kapanen not yet in Pittsburgh due to immigration issues and Sceviour not on the ice, here is the Pens' workflow...

Guentzel-Crosby-Rodrigues
Zucker-Malkin-Rust
McCann-Jankowski-Lafferty
O'Connor-Blueger-Tanev

Dumoulin-Letang
Pettersson-Marino
Matheson-Ceci
Riikola-Ruhwedel
- Thunderbolt

Sure glad we traded a bona fide 40 point 3RW, PP stud, and playoff performer for a third pairing LD and a plug.