Biggest Surprise, Dissapointment?

[pcm]

Okay, time for an Pens predictions/expectations thread:

1. Who will be the biggest surprise of the season?

2. Who will be the biggest disappointment?

3. Which rookie (or currently in AHL) will have the biggest impact this year?

....
1. I'm one of Martin's biggest bashers, but I'm going to go out on a limb and say the guy finds his jockstrap this year. With Michalek gone, and Martin solidified on the second pairing, I going to predict he plays solid, positional hockey, logs a bunch of minutes, and maintains a top plus rating. Though it's possible this is just a prayer.

2. It's hard for me to single out one player here, as I kind of think that our collection of supporting forwards are going to struggle big time. That's Kunitz, Cooke, Kennedy, Dupuis, and even to a degree Sutter. My guess is that the pressure to contribute and perform over their heads will have them clenching their sticks all season long. This will be the Pens achilles heel, and no doubt we'll be talking about sitting some of these guys to give Tangradi, Jeffrey, Bennett a chance.

3. I say Tangradi earns a regular spot on the top 2 lines by the end of the season and shines in the playoffs. I also think Bennett will become Sid's winger down the line, but not until next season at the earliest. Despres will have a solid season for a rookie, but nothing spectacular.

[Gaucho]

I don't see why guys like Kunitz, Cooke, Kennedy, and Dupuis should feel more pressure than before.

[Eismann]

Biggest surprise: Bortuzzo
Biggest disappointment: Tangradi
Rookie: Bortuzzo

[columbia]

I don't see why guys like Kunitz, Cooke, Kennedy, and Dupuis should feel more pressure than before.

I can see it on some level, given Staal's departure.
The whole set of Fs is going to have to account for his absence.

[Gaucho]

I don't see why guys like Kunitz, Cooke, Kennedy, and Dupuis should feel more pressure than before.

I can see it on some level, given Staal's departure.
The whole set of Fs is going to have to account for his absence.

Sure, but then again they missed their captain for 3/4 of last season at did just fine. I do think we need another Top 6 forward, but not desperately.

[pcm]

Ture, I suppose I mean that their ability to handle that pressure will be diminished. Cooke is 34, Kunitz and Dupuis are 33. Adams is 35. The issue on the horizon is the change of guard for our supporting cast of forwards.

[penny lane]

rookie~ s despres
surprise~ GM RAy shero ready to roll the dice from the get-go. Shouldn't be a surprise, but last year was few changes; too few changes. Not this year!
I hate choosing a dissapointment~ so I will not! Not today!

[Bioshock]

Biggest surprise: Martin will play often and play very well.
Biggest disappointment: Tangradi, lol.
Rookie: Despres

Also think Bennett will get up here for unforeseen reasons and he will impress in a 5 or 6 game stint with the club.

[Gaucho]

The issue on the horizon is the change of guard for our supporting cast of forwards.

Absolutely.

[Beveridge]

1. Who will be the biggest surprise of the season? Paul Martin

2. Who will be the biggest disappointment? Simon Despres

3. Which rookie (or currently in AHL) will have the biggest impact this year? Bennett (think he is going to get a shot at the very start)

[Willie Kool]

Biggest surprise: Niskanen - here's your second unit PP QB.

Biggest disappointment: Fleury - gonna be glad we have Vokoun when the inevitable mental breakdowns occur.

Rookie: Bennett - if they give him the chance he seems to have earned in WBS.

[Idoit40fans]

Are there any expectations for tangradi anymore? How can he disappoint?

[mikey287]

Biggest surprise - Marc-Andre Fleury
Biggest disappointment - Tomas Vokoun
Rookie: Eligible for Calder or not, Tangradi

[Bioshock]

Really love that Vokoun signing with the condensed season upon us.

[Lt. Dish]

rookie~ s despres
surprise~ GM RAy shero ready to roll the dice from the get-go. Shouldn't be a surprise, but last year was few changes; too few changes. Not this year!
I hate choosing a dissapointment~ so I will not! Not today!

Your positivity is awesome, penny.

[pressure=9Pa]

Biggest surprise - Dupuis, who has been itching for a full season with 87.
Biggest disappointment - Sutter, we will expect him to be Staal.
Rookie: B. Bennett, I'm negative here and this is process of elimination.

[shmenguin]

historically, dupuis has played better when he's been split from crosby, imo. i don't expect him to put up big numbers this year.

[shmenguin]

does bennett only have 6 goals in 28 games this year? eesh...

[Gaucho]

does bennett only have 6 goals in 28 games this year? eesh...

I don't think there is any reason whatsoever to be disappointed with the season Bennett is having.

[shmenguin]

does bennett only have 6 goals in 28 games this year? eesh...

I don't think there is any reason whatsoever to be disappointed with the season Bennett is having.

i don't really know anything about it aside from his stats. what's been going on?

[Big Easy Pens Fan]

Dupuis the biggest dissapointment? No. Lest we forget he shined last year and is not "over the hill" yet. Plus, at least for the start of the sesaon, he has the longest current point streak in the NHL. How many of y'all remembered that?

BEPF

[Grunthy]

Beau is fine. He is on pace for like 70pts. I'd say that would a pretty good first pro season...

[shmenguin]

i was just curious about his goal scoring. i have nothing against him - i'm actually hoping he'll be the last piece of the top 6 this year. but i was surprised at his goal output. 6 total. 4 even strength. bad linemates? bad luck?

[It'sagreatdayforhockey!]

Dupuis the biggest dissapointment? No. Lest we forget he shined last year and is not "over the hill" yet. Plus, at least for the start of the sesaon, he has the longest current point streak in the NHL. How many of y'all remembered that?

BEPF

I'm one of the biggest Dupuis fans, but I can see him being a disappointment this season (compared to last years numbers). He seems like the type of guy who really thrives on the long season and out hustling other players once the season becomes a grind. In a shortened season I can see this being much more of a sprint to the playoffs and so he wouldn't have that edge.

[knives of ice]

Tangradi has 1 goal in his past 17 games with the baby pens. he's never ever shown any offensive abilly with the big club and has had a ton of chances. if he is getting regular playing time we are in trouble.

Jeffrey deserves a chance and has shown much more upside than any other young player thus far.