Official GDT: Pens @ Ducks 1/23/25

[john66]

I've been wondering for a couple weeks why POJ is playing over Graves. Graves was fine and played with some grit when he filled in due to illness. And if you're trying to move him, he needs to play.

Blomqvist next 2 starts.

[FLPensFan]

I've been wondering for a couple weeks why POJ is playing over Graves. Graves was fine and played with some grit when he filled in due to illness. And if you're trying to move him, he needs to play.

Blomqvist next 2 starts.

Welcome to the board. I don't think there's any real chance of moving Graves in the immediate future. I do think he has been playing better, but, I also think they like Pickering. POJ can play his offside, and that leaves Graves out of the lineup.

[Puck-Lurker]

I've been wondering for a couple weeks why POJ is playing over Graves. Graves was fine and played with some grit when he filled in due to illness. And if you're trying to move him, he needs to play.

Blomqvist next 2 starts.

Welcome to the board. I don't think there's any real chance of moving Graves in the immediate future. I do think he has been playing better, but, I also think they like Pickering. POJ can play his offside, and that leaves Graves out of the lineup.

Welcome around John66!

Kind of sucks for Graves, who has looked much better this season, for the most part. Not 4.5M better, but better and serviceable 3rd pairing. The contract AAV and long term make him about as likely to get moved as Jarry. Just not happening even if we'd like it to.

Pettersson is our best defensive defenseman and our best LHD. Not getting scratched to play Graves.

Sully has a love affair with Grzelcyk, to be fair Dubas probably too. To me on some days, replacing Grzelcyk with Graves in the lineup is just moving deck chairs on the Titanic. Kinda pointless. That last again against the Ducks, Grz was good. Not sure he is - on average - worse than Graves. Doesn't matter because Sully plays him top 4 every game.

Enter Owen Pickering. Up and coming LHD, big fellow, plays a sensible game and is adapting to the NHL. First round pick and he looks like he belongs. Unknown what his ceiling is. Pens love him, proven by keeping him around and dressing him. I'd never sit him to play Graves.


They gave Graves a look on RHD, a while ago, if I recall. To be honest, I agree with Sully that Joseph is better on his offside than Graves. If we were comparing #3LD options, I might play Graves over POJ, but that spot is taken by Pickering.