2013 Training Camp, Day 3 report is up...

[Gaucho]

I'd say they both are.

[shafnutz05]

I think the Sutter trade was outstanding. The guy is a solid third-liner that can score goals and put up points at a reasonable level. And I know fan sentiment isn't always the best barometer, but the vast majority of Canes fans seem to have been disgusted by this trade, and the opposite seems true for Pens fans.

(not to hijack the thread, the PK stuff just got me thinking about Sutter)

[netwolf]

Sutter will be a great fit here. Book it.

[shafnutz05]

Sutter will be a great fit here. Book it.

I completely agree, and I wouldn't be surprised if he puts up numbers that come close to Staal's.

[Gaucho]

I wished Staal had stayed, but all things considered the trade was as good as you could possibly hope for.

[meecrofilm]

Adams happened to play with Staal (they definitely complemented each other well at first), who was a top PKer. Dupuis plays with Crosby, it doesn't mean he's a top-line winger. And now Adams has lost his Crosby, so to speak. Still a great shot-blocker, no doubt, because of his fearless attitude, but his 5-on-5 play at this point is borderline destitute, and I don't think his PK ability at this point negates that fact.

Jeffrey between Glass and Vitale is a much more complete 4th line, and DJ was an elite PKer in the AHL and is still in the upswing of his career.

[Gaucho]

Sutter will be a great fit here. Book it.

I completely agree, and I wouldn't be surprised if he puts up numbers that come close to Staal's.

Believe me, I would be surprised. In fact, I think it's Staal whose numbers are going to be improve. But that really is beside the point.

[meecrofilm]

Sutter will be a great fit here. Book it.

I completely agree, and I wouldn't be surprised if he puts up numbers that come close to Staal's.

Staal on the Pens' stats, or Staal with the Canes' stats? Even if it's the former, 50 points in 62 games (I think?) is pretty darn solid, and we can only hope Sutter won't have the luxury of 2nd line minutes like Staal did. I'd definitely be surprised, but thankfully Sutter will make up for it with better even strength D.

[pcm]

I really hope Jeffrey earns a permanent spot in the lineup; with Cooke, Kennedy and Dupuis all free agents this summer, Jeffrey would make a perfect replacement.

I'd love our lines going into the playoffs to be:

Kunitz-Crosby-Bennett
Tangradi-Malkin-Neal
Cooke-Sutter-Dupuis
Glass-Vitale-Jeffrey
ex: Adams

[Godric]

I really hope Jeffrey earns a permanent spot in the lineup; with Cooke, Kennedy and Dupuis all free agents this summer, Jeffrey would make a perfect replacement.

I'd love our lines going into the playoffs to be:

Kunitz-Crosby-Bennett
Tangradi-Malkin-Neal
Cooke-Sutter-Dupuis
Glass-Vitale-Jeffrey
ex: Adams

Whats your problem with Kennedy??

[Godric]

Sutter will be a great fit here. Book it.

I completely agree, and I wouldn't be surprised if he puts up numbers that come close to Staal's.

Believe me, I would be surprised. In fact, I think it's Staal whose numbers are going to be improve. But that really is beside the point.

I wasn't a staal hater by any sense of the imagination but I just don't see Staal scoring more. He didn't show anything that indicated he was being held back by his linemates or ice time.

[meecrofilm]

I do. His game is still developing, he's not 30 or something.

[farnham16]

I really think Bennett is making this team. There is are a ton of veterans on this team, it wouldn't be that big of a deal to throw a rookie out there. Especially considering the guys he would play with. Look at how well the Flyers rookies played last year. Let Bennett play and see what he can do.

[DesertPenguin]

I really think Bennett is making this team. There is are a ton of veterans on this team, it wouldn't be that big of a deal to throw a rookie out there. Especially considering the guys he would play with. Look at how well the Flyers rookies played last year. Let Bennett play and see what he can do.

Bennett has probably earned the right to be the #1 callup when and if we need guys due to injury, but the 13 we have on NHL contracts should be the 13 forwards on the big club right now, while Bennett gets valuable minutes and experience in WB/S. He is off to a great start down there, but we need to be careful not to pile on too much too fast for the guy, especially considering he hasn't played a lot of hockey in the past few years because of injury. His time will come and he will get his cup of coffee this year, but he isn't quite ripe for full NHL duty yet.


Kunitz - Crosby - Dupuis
Tangradi - Malkin - Neal
Cooke - Sutter - Kennedy
Glass - Vitale - Jeffrey
Adams

Martin - Letang
Orpik - Niskanen
Despres - Bortuzzo
Engelland

A lot of decisions need to be made at forward in the offseason. Cooke, Dupuis and Adams are UFAs. Kennedy, Tangradi and Jeffrey are RFAs. Shero could go a lot of ways here but I doubt he keeps everyone. Bennett will have his spot carved out for him then to be on the big club full time.

P.S. After writing this post, the flexibility we have at forward with young guys like Bennett, Jeffrey and Tangradi, coupled with the glut of defensive talent on the way, makes me really optimistic for the future. Shero's cupboard is full of enough pieces to make this team a contender for at least the next 5 years.

[helmespc]

Shero hates rookies.... Bennett will be splitting time and Tangradi will be on a short leash.

[Gaucho]

But he loves cookies.

[meecrofilm]

And is not afraid of wookies.

[joopen]

Shero hates rookies.... Bennett will be splitting time and Tangradi will be on a short leash.

And Bylsma will have Bennett playing 7 minutes on the 4th line and people will question Bennett's ability because he hasn't scored playing alongside Craig Adams and Tanner Glass

[penny lane]

Bill Phillips ‏@WPXI_BPhillips
#Pens Bylsma strategy for scrimmage "we are going to play Pittsburgh Penguins ice hockey." @WPXI @11ontheIce pic.twitter.com/n5JC0wkW

* i know what you're thinking*

[pcm]

I really hope Jeffrey earns a permanent spot in the lineup; with Cooke, Kennedy and Dupuis all free agents this summer, Jeffrey would make a perfect replacement.

I'd love our lines going into the playoffs to be:

Kunitz-Crosby-Bennett
Tangradi-Malkin-Neal
Cooke-Sutter-Dupuis
Glass-Vitale-Jeffrey
ex: Adams

Whats your problem with Kennedy??

No problem with Kennedy. I just think he's the most likely forward (after Adams) to be made expendable, and therefore traded. I'd much rather see Dupuis as our 3rd line RW than Kennedy...

But that means upgrading Crosby's RW, which could happen if (1) both Bennett and Tangradi earn a spot in the top 6, or (2) one of them earns a spot and we bring in a rental top 6 forward.

[shmenguin]

trade kennedy for what? he's better than whoever you'll get back. in your scenario, someone will just be moved to line 4 and jefferey will be moved to nachos.

[columbia]

Unlike Staal, Kennedy is the kind of player you keep around until the summer.
If a deal can be made, ok; if not, you say aloha and keep on keeping on.

Having said that, he won't be dropping off the depth chart (this year).

[Digitalgypsy66]

I just wish Adams would stop getting in fights. Fearless, but he gets pounded everytime. Ugh.

[pcm]

Unlike Staal, Kennedy is the kind of player you keep around until the summer.
If a deal can be made, ok; if not, you say aloha and keep on keeping on.

Having said that, he won't be dropping off the depth chart (this year).

Yeah, agreed. Unless Tangradi/Bennett exceed expectations in a big way. I'm just looking ahead to the summer when all these guys come up for new contracts, and I don't really see a place for Kennedy. Either Dupuis drops down and supplants him, or Jeffrey moves up into his spot. Jeffrey (if he pans out) will be a cheaper, more versatile, "grittier", better defensive 3rd liner.

[tfrizz]

I really think Bennett is making this team. There is are a ton of veterans on this team, it wouldn't be that big of a deal to throw a rookie out there. Especially considering the guys he would play with. Look at how well the Flyers rookies played last year. Let Bennett play and see what he can do.

I don't think he will, and it's because of the veterans on the team. Of the forwards at camp, Bennett and Megna are the only ones that are waiver exempt. After losing Nick Johnson on waivers after last year's camp, I can't see Shero taking that risk again by putting Tangradi or Jeffrey on the waiver wire.

I'm sure Bennett will be #1 on the call-up list though.