2024-2025 Season Random Penguins Fodder

[Michael74]

I think this is the equivalent of bringing a freshman to the varsity team for a few games. I think it's a really good move for two reasons. Gives them end of season experience at the NHL level, which is invaluable because they can't go into the summer knowing specifically what to work on. Not only that, but it'll give the WBS team a boost when the playoffs start. Watch the scene in Bull Durham when Crash talks about his time in "the show". I think that scene is pretty accurate, the awe the players will have because 2 got to the NHL level and will bring back stories and a bit of excitement. Might not be much, but these are kids and we tend to forget the emotional aspects of the game.

As for W/L, I doubt they make much of a difference there.

I don't know that the current environment here is conducive for these guys to flourish. We have some VETS up here who aren't really interested in mentoring these young guys. Ask Pickering about that. And it's a team that has a head coach who generally avoids playing young players as if they're the bubonic plague! I strongly disagree with bringing them up for those reasons. If they're confidence gets shaken at all it puts them further behind the eight ball for next year. No, I don't see anything positive to come out of this. And again if they win a few, it could cost them a nice piece for the future.

It would have been better to bring up Poulin and PU. They've played well down there and maybe this would be one last look for them. Personally, I don't think they're very good, so no harm IMO could really be done.

That's the thing, I don't think it matters. I think they get them in games to see their progress then send them back. To me the emotional part is more important.

The intent by management is to try and spark the team, otherwise they'd just wait until next year. If these young guys come up and produce even for a game or two, that could create a problem for our draft options. This close to the end of the season why risk that? That's not a smart strategy IMO.

Are you sitting in Dubas office? How in the world do you know the intent? Look, I've been a big proponent of getting the best pick possible this year, but I don't see this as disrupting their chances at that one single bit. I also don't think the intent here at all was to try and spark the team for the rest of the season.





Reward your youth, evaluate them a bit for next season, then return them for the AHL playoffs.

Do I know this personally? Yes. Do I feel the need to share specifics on this message board? No! And his intent is to spark the team and reward these young guys. At this time I fundamentally disagree with that decision.

And it's pretty ironic coming from you considering you were pushing for 4th OA. I told you that wasn't gonna happen prior to them going on that run of theirs. They need to lose to stay in the top 10 at this rate.

I will say that bringing in Wes Clark was a fantastic albeit obvious move!

[FLPensFan]

[Daniel]

I think this is the equivalent of bringing a freshman to the varsity team for a few games. I think it's a really good move for two reasons. Gives them end of season experience at the NHL level, which is invaluable because they can't go into the summer knowing specifically what to work on. Not only that, but it'll give the WBS team a boost when the playoffs start. Watch the scene in Bull Durham when Crash talks about his time in "the show". I think that scene is pretty accurate, the awe the players will have because 2 got to the NHL level and will bring back stories and a bit of excitement. Might not be much, but these are kids and we tend to forget the emotional aspects of the game.

As for W/L, I doubt they make much of a difference there.

I don't know that the current environment here is conducive for these guys to flourish. We have some VETS up here who aren't really interested in mentoring these young guys. Ask Pickering about that. And it's a team that has a head coach who generally avoids playing young players as if they're the bubonic plague! I strongly disagree with bringing them up for those reasons. If they're confidence gets shaken at all it puts them further behind the eight ball for next year. No, I don't see anything positive to come out of this. And again if they win a few, it could cost them a nice piece for the future.

It would have been better to bring up Poulin and PU. They've played well down there and maybe this would be one last look for them. Personally, I don't think they're very good, so no harm IMO could really be done.

That's the thing, I don't think it matters. I think they get them in games to see their progress then send them back. To me the emotional part is more important.

The intent by management is to try and spark the team, otherwise they'd just wait until next year. If these young guys come up and produce even for a game or two, that could create a problem for our draft options. This close to the end of the season why risk that? That's not a smart strategy IMO.

Are you sitting in Dubas office? How in the world do you know the intent? Look, I've been a big proponent of getting the best pick possible this year, but I don't see this as disrupting their chances at that one single bit. I also don't think the intent here at all was to try and spark the team for the rest of the season.

This goes back to running an organization the way it should be run....by rewarding your young players for playing well, as well as looking towards the future. Koivunen is 6th in AHL scoring. He's consistently produced all season long. He deserves a callup. RMG got 3 games to start in the NHL due to the Rust injury. He started slow, but started coming on in December/January, and his been on fire his last 20 games. He deserves another look.

The goal of the AHL squad is to develop players and get them ready for the NHL. AHL Playoffs and Championships can be a big part of that growth, but I don't think a chance to see a young guy at the NHL level should be passed up because the AHL team is fighting for a higher seed. They are in the playoffs. RMG and Koivunen will be back for the playoffs. They'll get more from the NHL club then they will

I expect RMG and Koivunen to be on the NHL club next year, but this is what I have talked about previously...give these guys looks during the season or end of season. Worst thing they could do is go into camp next year planning for RMG and Koivunen to be on the big club, and look totally out of place at the NHL level, need more development, and now not having capable replacements sans for your Heinen, Hayes, Acciari types. This gives the Penguins a chance to evaluate where they are when playing against higher competition, and allows a guy like Koivunen to see his first taste of the change of pace and stronger opponents.

I see no harm calling these guys up even if the team has been playing poorly. These aren't goalies. A goalie like Blomqvist being exposed to poor defensive efforts, yeah, maybe that could do some damage. But I don't see that being the same for a forward callup.

Reward your youth, evaluate them a bit for next season, then return them for the AHL playoffs.

As for Poulin and Puustinen...I think you should already know the answer there. Again, I've been a proponent of both, but they are showing more as career AHLers or short term callup option rather than NHL forward. Skating was always going to be Poulin's issue since the day he was drafted. Puustinen needs to shoot and play defense to stay at the NHL level. I would not be surprised to see both of them move on next summer, but they are both under contract next season. I'd also rather get another look at Hallander in the bottom 6 than Poulin at this point...if Hallander does indeed re-sign here. I'd rather see Avery Hayes get a shot over Puustinen at this point. Other, younger players are passing Poulin and Puustinen on the depth chart. They haven't seized their opportunity or forced another opportunity by playing better in the minors.

I don't think Poulin will be a bust, but I do think his mental health issues pushed his development back. No issues with him taking a longer route, especially since it seems like he'll top out as a 3rd liner. He'll need to reinvent his game like Puck-Lurker discussed earlier but not the end of the world. He's having a really nice season but not sure what line he's playing on. hard to find ice time or depth charts for the AHL.

Prospects like him, at the tail end of a teams window, can get lost in the shuffle. Too young to be developed at the NHL level because it's go go go and they can't slow down for a guy like him, then become too old to develop when the window is closed. Teddy Blueger was 25 when he played a regular role with the Penguins and had a pretty nice career with them as a PK, bottom 6 guy. It's not too late.

[FLPensFan]

Best way to find WBS lines is Twitter. They post the lineup before the start of every game. Last game, Poulin played RW on the 3rd line, with Nieto on LW and Boris Katchouk at center. A few games ago, he was 3rd line LW with Ponomarev at center and Chase Stillman at RW. On March 8th, he had a hattrick plus an assist playing LW on a 4th line, with Marc Johnstone at center and Atley Calvertat RW.

Beginning of the season, he was getting more top 6 time. The last month or more, he has been getting bottom 6 time as McGroarty and Koivunen got hot.

[Cow_Master66]

Kudos to Ovi for grabbing the whole team to send off MAF after his last game vs Washington.

[Pens4Life]

Yeah Ovi is a great guy, big character, not just legend on the ice.

[Pens Fans Sweden]

Yeah, no, Ovechkin is not a great guy.

[Pitts]

When they didn't trade Rakell, and now with them calling up their two best forward prospects in garbage time I have a hard time understanding what the objective is anymore. They aren't close enough to re-tool and compete. And they are clearly not all in on a rebuild (as I believe they should be). They should pick a lane and stay there. Otherwise they'll stay in the mushy middle in perpetuity. This doesn't help the core see the post season, and it doesn't further this teams ability in accruing building blocks for the future.

It's not about the team. Or about winning/losing games right now. I think that's the part you're missing. It is about rewarding two of your better prospects for a great season. Getting some time to play with and be around Sid and the rest of the guys, along with making a boatload more money for a little bit. It's good for the young guys and may make things easier for them to transition next season.

Sure, the team might get a little boost from it, and that sucks as far as the draft pick is concerned, but is anyone really expecting a big impact? Would last night's outcome have been any different if they were in the lineup? Maybe, but unlikely IMO.

Plus, I'm guessing they won't be up for the rest of the season depending on when the WBS playoffs start. And for all of Dubas' talk last off-season about injecting the youth into the lineup, heck, some might say he owes a few of the young guys at least a little peak.

Just FYI = Yohe posted on twitter yesterday that he heard they are up for the rest of the season. Will go back down after.

[KG]

Imama out for 4-6 months. Biceps surgery. Ouch.

[KG]

[Puck-Lurker]

Sullivan playing Line Blender II: Top 2-3 Coach Edition

[Antonio]

Holy Christ that is ugly

[Victor]

WBS beat Charlotte tonight 5-3. They are second in the division now, 2 points ahead of... Charlotte! Both teams have 9 games remaining.

Poulin, Puustinen, Ponomarev each had a goal. Broz with 2 assists. Brunicke had an assist in his first game.

Larsson was in net, Murashov as backup.

Puljujärvi was on the other end. No points for him.

[FLPensFan]

Sullivan playing Line Blender II: Top 2-3 Coach Edition

I think at this point, he's just trying different things that he normally wouldn't try to see if it works. Like hey, next season, our LD is out, but I know I can play Timmins there and he'll do fine because I did it last year.

Or, maybe he's just stubborn and IS CERTAIN that these 18 skaters are definitely all the guys that give us the best chance to win, but, they aren't winning, so, he's trying them in different configurations. Jarry to LD may be coming soon; Ned to 4th line center, Crosby in goal.

[Michael74]

Koivunen was playing RW in WB, so yes, and it's only practice, but they're starting him on the opposite side he prefers.

[KG]

If McGroarty and Koivunen are ready to be full time contributors next season then that will make next season much more fun to watch. We've been waiting to get some legit prospects into the lineup for a long time now. Way too many veteran place holders. Even if we stink next season, I would rather lose with this type of lineup instead of a bunch of Heinen's and Acciari's.

McG-Sid-Rust
Koivunen-Geno-Rakell
Ponomarev-Novak-Tomasino
Dewar-Lizotte-Poulin

Trade Hayes, Heinen, Acciari.

Defense is up in the air. Need to see what happens with Karlsson. Hopefully KD retains so we can get a nice return. Hopefully we don't see any more trades of us taking veteran contracts back for draft picks. No more Hayes type deals. We already have too many picks the next 3 years.

Let's ice a team with some youth and spunk instead of a veteran laden team that shows up once a month.

Oh and we need to bring in a new young coach obviously!

[Puck-Lurker]

If McGroarty and Koivunen are ready to be full time contributors next season then that will make next season much more fun to watch. We've been waiting to get some legit prospects into the lineup for a long time now. Way too many veteran place holders. Even if we stink next season, I would rather lose with this type of lineup instead of a bunch of Heinen's and Acciari's.

McG-Sid-Rust
Koivunen-Geno-Rakell
Ponomarev-Novak-Tomasino
Dewar-Lizotte-Poulin

Trade Hayes, Heinen, Acciari.

Defense is up in the air. Need to see what happens with Karlsson. Hopefully KD retains so we can get a nice return. Hopefully we don't see any more trades of us taking veteran contracts back for draft picks. No more Hayes type deals. We already have too many picks the next 3 years.

Let's ice a team with some youth and spunk instead of a veteran laden team that shows up once a month.

Oh and we need to bring in a new young coach obviously!

Absolutely. That would be a clear direction for this teams future. If to some degree the kids can be acceptable and grow on an NHL level, bring them up. We wouldn't have to be good or mediocre. We could be worse than this season and it would put more bums in seats.

That does depend on them providing excitement at the NHL level. In turn creates a need for them to play on a nightly basis and have meaningful minutes. Not be kinda Blandström on a 4th line. .

It would create a need to open roster spots. Pick your player who should make room. Need to have people shipped out or the kids are in nacho hell and sent down. Don't resign nothing veterans we've seen enough of, don't acquire them in free agency,leave a bunch of spots open.

If we are to invest in any area - to meet cap requirements or something... Picking up a really good LHD and shipping out one of Letang and let's be honest probably would be Karlsson.

And in all likelihood, this cannot function with Sullivan here. Get him out, show the reset button is being tapped.

What Dubas does from this summer will heavily inform my view on his performance. If he backs away further from a quick turn around and starts rebuilding, using youth and honestly nice pickups like Novak, Tomasino and Timmins.. good.
If we're buying a few Nietos that'd be bad.

[KG]

I know most think that EK will be the one to get traded this summer, mainly because he wants to go a contender.

But I tell you, Letang has had a horrible season. Maybe now that Montreal is close to a playoff team he will want to go home? Letang plays with no structure to his game. He needs to be properly coached and play a straight forward game these days. Problem is our coaching staff don't know how to implement a defensive system.

[ahawk9]

I wouldn't mind if Letang waived his NMC and went to Montreal. That said, three more years at $6.1 million for what he's been doing? Yikes!

[dark_forces]

I wouldn't mind if Letang waived his NMC and went to Montreal. That said, three more years at $6.1 million for what he's been doing? Yikes!

Is there a scenario where we deal Letang and keep Karlsson for the PP, and pair him with a more stay at home type? I just don't see both being dealt in the same offseason.
You figure Pickering, Shea, and Timmins will make next year's team. They'll likely sign a left shot defenseman in free agnecy. POJ may not be back, same for Grzelcyk. The defense should look a lot different.

[FLPensFan]

I wouldn't mind if Letang waived his NMC and went to Montreal. That said, three more years at $6.1 million for what he's been doing? Yikes!

Is there a scenario where we deal Letang and keep Karlsson for the PP, and pair him with a more stay at home type? I just don't see both being dealt in the same offseason.
You figure Pickering, Shea, and Timmins will make next year's team. They'll likely sign a left shot defenseman in free agnecy. POJ may not be back, same for Grzelcyk. The defense should look a lot different.

I don't think POJ will be back. He's been very up and down, both before he left for STL and since he returned. He looks good for a stretch, then looks awful....so does Grzelcyk....so does Graves....so does Karlsson....so does Letang.

It's almost like, it's a trend or something.

Timmins, Pickering, and Brunicke could make the start of a nice defensive makeover. Unfortunately outside of Provorov and Gavrikov, the LD market is not very good this summer.

[Puck-Lurker]

I wouldn't mind if Letang waived his NMC and went to Montreal. That said, three more years at $6.1 million for what he's been doing? Yikes!

Is there a scenario where we deal Letang and keep Karlsson for the PP, and pair him with a more stay at home type? I just don't see both being dealt in the same offseason.
You figure Pickering, Shea, and Timmins will make next year's team. They'll likely sign a left shot defenseman in free agnecy. POJ may not be back, same for Grzelcyk. The defense should look a lot different.

I don't think POJ will be back. He's been very up and down, both before he left for STL and since he returned. He looks good for a stretch, then looks awful....so does Grzelcyk....so does Graves....so does Karlsson....so does Letang.

It's almost like, it's a trend or something.

Timmins, Pickering, and Brunicke could make the start of a nice defensive makeover. Unfortunately outside of Provorov and Gavrikov, the LD market is not very good this summer.

We don't need very good. Acceptable and solid would be an upgrade.

[FLPensFan]

I wouldn't mind if Letang waived his NMC and went to Montreal. That said, three more years at $6.1 million for what he's been doing? Yikes!

Is there a scenario where we deal Letang and keep Karlsson for the PP, and pair him with a more stay at home type? I just don't see both being dealt in the same offseason.
You figure Pickering, Shea, and Timmins will make next year's team. They'll likely sign a left shot defenseman in free agnecy. POJ may not be back, same for Grzelcyk. The defense should look a lot different.

I don't think POJ will be back. He's been very up and down, both before he left for STL and since he returned. He looks good for a stretch, then looks awful....so does Grzelcyk....so does Graves....so does Karlsson....so does Letang.

It's almost like, it's a trend or something.

Timmins, Pickering, and Brunicke could make the start of a nice defensive makeover. Unfortunately outside of Provorov and Gavrikov, the LD market is not very good this summer.

We don't need very good. Acceptable and solid would be an upgrade.

Provorov
Gavrikov
Orlov
Lindgren
Grzelcyk
Dumoulin
Martinez
Chowloski
de Haan
Wotherspoon
Brisebois
Englund
Smith (Brendan)
Gilbert
Fleury
Johnson (Jack)
Hanley
Mahura
Reilly
Kylington
Dermott
Lagesson

Bunch of names...not a bunch of good or solid names. I kind of would like to see Filip Kral get a shot next year. He's a UFA this summer. I haven't watched him enough on the defensive side in WBS, but he's put up good numbers with 7 goals, 22 assists for WBS.

[KG]

I would also look at the RFA market. I wouldn't be surprised to see Dubas do something similar to what St. Louis did this off season. Make a couple of offer sheets for mid players so it doesn't cost too much high draft pick capital.

[Puck-Lurker]

I wouldn't mind if Letang waived his NMC and went to Montreal. That said, three more years at $6.1 million for what he's been doing? Yikes!

Is there a scenario where we deal Letang and keep Karlsson for the PP, and pair him with a more stay at home type? I just don't see both being dealt in the same offseason.
You figure Pickering, Shea, and Timmins will make next year's team. They'll likely sign a left shot defenseman in free agnecy. POJ may not be back, same for Grzelcyk. The defense should look a lot different.

I don't think POJ will be back. He's been very up and down, both before he left for STL and since he returned. He looks good for a stretch, then looks awful....so does Grzelcyk....so does Graves....so does Karlsson....so does Letang.

It's almost like, it's a trend or something.

Timmins, Pickering, and Brunicke could make the start of a nice defensive makeover. Unfortunately outside of Provorov and Gavrikov, the LD market is not very good this summer.

We don't need very good. Acceptable and solid would be an upgrade.

Provorov
Gavrikov
Orlov
Lindgren
Grzelcyk
Dumoulin
Martinez
Chowloski
de Haan
Wotherspoon
Brisebois
Englund
Smith (Brendan)
Gilbert
Fleury
Johnson (Jack)
Hanley
Mahura
Reilly
Kylington
Dermott
Lagesson

Bunch of names...not a bunch of good or solid names. I kind of would like to see Filip Kral get a shot next year. He's a UFA this summer. I haven't watched him enough on the defensive side in WBS, but he's put up good numbers with 7 goals, 22 assists for WBS.

Not signing anyone is a legitimate option. Still better than a bad contract. Bringing up Pickering has to be the starting point I imagine. If not that, then at some point midseason.

Král ain't it. Yes he has some offensive, but I question he can defend from what little ive seen. From zero to the dog house in record time if Pens tried.

I'm guessing Dubas resigns Grzelcyk and lets POJ walk, again. Resigns Timmins and stands pat. Look for a waivers pickup maybe.