Ryan Wilson: Early thoughts on top pairing + goaltender money Early thoughts on top pairing + goaltender money

Lets not worry about the Panthers' business...although I have to agree that 14.5 mill cap hit just on goalies is crazy haha

Could of swore someone around here, who had watched practices or pre seas games, said that Dumo was looking much swifter...

Lets not worry about the Panthers' business...although I have to agree that 14.5 mill cap hit just on goalies is crazy haha

Could of swore someone around here, who had watched practices or pre seas games, said that Dumo was looking much swifter...
- MattStrat

Yea someone said he looked fine, I would never say Dumo was ever swift though lol 🤣.

Yea someone said he looked fine, I would never say Dumo was ever swift though lol 🤣.
- 668710

Hahaha swifter than last year I should of said. He was a pretty strong skater in those back to back cup days though. He could rush up ice with puck himself at times and was never usually being burned or beaten by opposing skaters very often, or ever.

Just being at a few practices and watching the Detroit game, I do think Dumoulin has gained a step from last season. He did have a few good rushes up ice. I remember him circling behind the net in the offensive and looking strong on his skates. If anything, Letang drags down Dumoulin! He might put up the points, but the miscues in his own end and the constant times he is caught pinching often put Dumoulin in a vulnerable position. There is no way to trade Dumoulin because you only have 1 other top four D and 6 3rd pairing ones!

Just being at a few practices and watching the Detroit game, I do think Dumoulin has gained a step from last season. He did have a few good rushes up ice. I remember him circling behind the net in the offensive and looking strong on his skates. If anything, Letang drags down Dumoulin! He might put up the points, but the miscues in his own end and the constant times he is caught pinching often put Dumoulin in a vulnerable position. There is no way to trade Dumoulin because you only have 1 other top four D and 6 3rd pairing ones!
- sjfpp

So, are you calling Letang a 3rd pair D-man or Petry?

Just being at a few practices and watching the Detroit game, I do think Dumoulin has gained a step from last season. He did have a few good rushes up ice. I remember him circling behind the net in the offensive and looking strong on his skates. If anything, Letang drags down Dumoulin! He might put up the points, but the miscues in his own end and the constant times he is caught pinching often put Dumoulin in a vulnerable position. There is no way to trade Dumoulin because you only have 1 other top four D and 6 3rd pairing ones!
- sjfpp

hahaha come on now

So, are you calling Letang a 3rd pair D-man or Petry?
- pier6687

I was pondering this as soon as I read the post as well haha

So, are you calling Letang a 3rd pair D-man or Petry?
- pier6687

I assumed Letang was a top pair. Sorry you couldn’t figure that out on your own. Parse this!

I think petry is an upgrade over Marino in the short term but dumo sucking is a huge blow to the D and makes out overall D much weaker. Def going to need an upgrade at some point sooner than later on the left side.

Hahaha swifter than last year I should of said. He was a pretty strong skater in those back to back cup days though. He could rush up ice with puck himself at times and was never usually being burned or beaten by opposing skaters very often, or ever.
- MattStrat

I agree with you here. Dumo has always been a good skater and that's a big part of his game. Last year looked scarily similar to how Orpik (another underrated skater in his prime) looked at the end of his time here when he lost a step and started losing his ability to gap control because he couldn't recover so left his opponents a lot of room.

But Dumo's skating has always been a foundational part of his game. It's why he's been so good at covering for Letting all these years. Last year, Letang seemed to pinch a lot less (which may have been good) I think because he knew Dumo couldn't cover as well for him.

My hope is POJ evolves into that type of player, but he has to make the roster and hold a 3rd pair spot first. Looks like Smith is still ahead of him. Best position battle in camp.

Kind of strange none of us have mentioned they divided the groups into an NHL and prospects group

Notable names already in prospects group and seemingly not making the team: DOC, Caggiula, Puustinen, Nylander

Notable names still with NHL group: Archibald, Zohorna, Poulin, Poehling for last 2 spots (3 possible if they find some cap magic)

D is still Ruhwedel, POJ, Smith, Friedman for the last 2 spots, 3 with cap magic

I say cap magic because it's hard to fit 23.

Zohorna seems to be making a small push. Poulin is only forward left who clears waivers and was briefly in WBS group so not sure how serious he is, but that he's there now over other and practicing on 2nd PP is a good sign

Yeah, I put Ruhwedel because if Smith makes the team, they might have to pick between POJ and Ruhwedel.

Just being at a few practices and watching the Detroit game, I do think Dumoulin has gained a step from last season. He did have a few good rushes up ice. I remember him circling behind the net in the offensive and looking strong on his skates. If anything, Letang drags down Dumoulin! He might put up the points, but the miscues in his own end and the constant times he is caught pinching often put Dumoulin in a vulnerable position. There is no way to trade Dumoulin because you only have 1 other top four D and 6 3rd pairing ones!
- sjfpp

Oh yea that was you who said Dumo looked better because you were at the scrimmages, good to hear again. I think Petry will be just fine as our 2nd pair Dman, he was playing top pair minutes last year for Montreal when he didn't even want to be there.

Kind of strange none of us have mentioned they divided the groups into an NHL and prospects group

Notable names already in prospects group and seemingly not making the team: DOC, Caggiula, Puustinen, Nylander

Notable names still with NHL group: Archibald, Zohorna, Poulin, Poehling for last 2 spots (3 possible if they find some cap magic)

D is still Ruhwedel, POJ, Smith, Friedman for the last 2 spots, 3 with cap magic

I say cap magic because it's hard to fit 23.

Zohorna seems to be making a small push. Poulin is only forward left who clears waivers and was briefly in WBS group so not sure how serious he is, but that he's there now over other and practicing on 2nd PP is a good sign

Yeah, I put Ruhwedel because if Smith makes the team, they might have to pick between POJ and Ruhwedel.
- Tojo.

I am surprised by both Zoho and Poulin, but that's a good thing. I wouldn't say Archi as being notable with the NHL group, he'll be a nice player to have as a 13th forward and I think that was the thought process of signing him. We can put him anywhere in the lineup for short term fixes when injuries hit.

Edit: If there's no D injuries to start the season I still think Ruh gets traded before the season starts, possibly POJif not Ruh.

Kind of strange none of us have mentioned they divided the groups into an NHL and prospects group

Notable names already in prospects group and seemingly not making the team: DOC, Caggiula, Puustinen, Nylander

Notable names still with NHL group: Archibald, Zohorna, Poulin, Poehling for last 2 spots (3 possible if they find some cap magic)

D is still Ruhwedel, POJ, Smith, Friedman for the last 2 spots, 3 with cap magic

I say cap magic because it's hard to fit 23.

Zohorna seems to be making a small push. Poulin is only forward left who clears waivers and was briefly in WBS group so not sure how serious he is, but that he's there now over other and practicing on 2nd PP is a good sign

Yeah, I put Ruhwedel because if Smith makes the team, they might have to pick between POJ and Ruhwedel.
- Tojo.

I think POJ stays up. I forgot if it was Sullivan or Hex that said it but one of the two basically said that POJ has done all he can in the AHL and its time for his shot. It sounds like Smith has won the 3LD spot but I think POJ stays up to compete. I also don't see how you can keep both Ruhwedel and Friedman. One of those is either going to be traded or sent down and likely claimed.

DOC will probably be a casualty of cap compliancy since he's exempt which is a shame because I think he's a solid bottom six NHLer. Would much rather have him around than Archibald, who I'd send down and if he gets claimed then whatever. It also sounds like Zohorna has won a a permanent NHL gig. Likely will be as our 13th forward but I'm not seeing them sending him down, he seems to have really impressed the coaching staff. Poehling I think is up right now due to the injury to Carter. I'd assume that Poulin would be the next guy to get knocked down to the prospect group since he's also exempt and hasn't earned a spot like Zohorna.

I think POJ stays up. I forgot if it was Sullivan or Hex that said it but one of the two basically said that POJ has done all he can in the AHL and its time for his shot. It sounds like Smith has won the 3LD spot but I think POJ stays up to compete. I also don't see how you can keep both Ruhwedel and Friedman. One of those is either going to be traded or sent down and likely claimed.

DOC will probably be a casualty of cap compliancy since he's exempt which is a shame because I think he's a solid bottom six NHLer. Would much rather have him around than Archibald, who I'd send down and if he gets claimed then whatever. It also sounds like Zohorna has won a a permanent NHL gig. Likely will be as our 13th forward but I'm not seeing them sending him down, he seems to have really impressed the coaching staff. Poehling I think is up right now due to the injury to Carter. I'd assume that Poulin would be the next guy to get knocked down to the prospect group since he's also exempt and hasn't earned a spot like Zohorna.
- Victoro311

I think Archie is perfect as the 13th forward. I wouldn't want any of the younger guys to sit. And I think Ruh or POJ gets moved. Friedman is safe in my mind because that's Hexys boy. He has no ties to Ruh or POJ.

Oh yea that was you who said Dumo looked better because you were at the scrimmages, good to hear again. I think Petry will be just fine as our 2nd pair Dman, he was playing top pair minutes last year for Montreal when he didn't even want to be there.
- 668710

It wasn’t me that commented on Dumoulin at the scrimmages.

It wasn’t me that commented on Dumoulin at the scrimmages.
- sjfpp

I don't know if people are referring to me, but I commented that I thought Dumo look way more fluid in the Detroit game. Def better than last year. I didn't see any scrimmages either.

I read Shirey's piece on DK's site.... Thought it was too critical for a preseason game. He was skating better than anytime last year IMO. That's a positive.

I think POJ stays up. I forgot if it was Sullivan or Hex that said it but one of the two basically said that POJ has done all he can in the AHL and its time for his shot. It sounds like Smith has won the 3LD spot but I think POJ stays up to compete. I also don't see how you can keep both Ruhwedel and Friedman. One of those is either going to be traded or sent down and likely claimed.

DOC will probably be a casualty of cap compliancy since he's exempt which is a shame because I think he's a solid bottom six NHLer. Would much rather have him around than Archibald, who I'd send down and if he gets claimed then whatever. It also sounds like Zohorna has won a a permanent NHL gig. Likely will be as our 13th forward but I'm not seeing them sending him down, he seems to have really impressed the coaching staff. Poehling I think is up right now due to the injury to Carter. I'd assume that Poulin would be the next guy to get knocked down to the prospect group since he's also exempt and hasn't earned a spot like Zohorna.
- Victoro311

I don't know if spots are won yet, but seems like they've decided on most.

Poulin I think got moved back up with Carter and Blueger a little banged up, was in prospect group a day earlier then Blueger got dinged up. But it's a positive for him to get that nod over DOC and shows he's making a good impression.

Poehling has to clear waivers so I think he makes it.

I think it will be hard for the Pens to keep even 8 D let alone nine. Maybe if Zohorna beats out Archibald they can find room. If Smith wins the spot, would hate to lose Ruhwedel or POJ. Friedman I think is just victim of the numbers game, but he has a good chance to clear anyways.

It wasn’t me that commented on Dumoulin at the scrimmages.
- sjfpp

Ahh ok haha

I don't know if spots are won yet, but seems like they've decided on most.

Poulin I think got moved back up with Carter and Blueger a little banged up, was in prospect group a day earlier then Blueger got dinged up. But it's a positive for him to get that nod over DOC and shows he's making a good impression.

Poehling has to clear waivers so I think he makes it.

I think it will be hard for the Pens to keep even 8 D let alone nine. Maybe if Zohorna beats out Archibald they can find room. If Smith wins the spot, would hate to lose Ruhwedel or POJ. Friedman I think is just victim of the numbers game, but he has a good chance to clear anyways.
- Tojo.

I don't think Hextall takes the chance on waiving Friedman. Most likely what we see is Smith go down unless a trade can be made or IF a trade needs to be made. I think they are giving Smith all the chances now because they know he's gonna have to go down if a trade can't be made.

I don't think Hextall takes the chance on waiving Friedman. Most likely what we see is Smith go down unless a trade can be made or IF a trade needs to be made. I think they are giving Smith all the chances now because they know he's gonna have to go down if a trade can't be made.
- 668710

If you keep Friedman as the 23rd player the team is about 500k over the cap. Even sending Smith down they have to waive someone. And I don't think they go 12 forwards and 8 defensemen.

That's working against them, they just don't have room for 23 without moving a salary. And by some miracle, nobody is a candidate for LTIR to start the season.

Basically the team chose to give up a 23rd roster spot, which would be Friedman's to lose to a prospect, by signing Ruuta. Archibald could be swapped straight for a forward like Zohorna, he had no impact besides competition. They just lost the ability for a 14th forward or 8th defenseman to make the team. And in Friedman's case, he's 8th or 9th.

Not hockey related, but damn the NFL and the Dolphins are in some serious sh!t. Blatantly lied about Tua not being concussed last week, cleared him to play tonight and now the kid's in a level 1 trauma center after a basic sack. Disgusting to watch and brings back memories of Donald Parham last year.

Not hockey related, but damn the NFL and the Dolphins are in some serious sh!t. Blatantly lied about Tua not being concussed last week, cleared him to play tonight and now the kid's in a level 1 trauma center after a basic sack. Disgusting to watch and brings back memories of Donald Parham last year.
- Pags

Yea it was not that hard at all, definitely was from Sunday. Just dumb poop right there.