2024-2025 Season Random Penguins Fodder

[Puck-Lurker]

"Guys, I just want to play somewhere. Will someone make up their mind, please!!!"



If this seems odd, this is the situation that Hextall tried to avoid a few years ago with Zohorna, but in a different way. The summary for those that may not get what is happening:

--Edmonton waives Lavoie to send to the AHL.
--Vegas claims him. Vegas either needs to keep him on the NHL roster, or waive him again.
--Vegas elects to waive him again.
--Edmonton claims him back. The rule says if you reclaim your waived player, they can be sent directly to the AHL ONLY IF another team didn't also put in a waiver claim.
--Edmonton waives Lavoie again (which means someone else besides EDM put in a claim, and EDM tries to send him to the AHL again, needing waivers)
--Vegas claims him again.

This guy is gonna end up like Tom Hanks in the movie The Terminal, just constantly living on waivers. Hopefully the NHL/CBA has something to stop this from being an endless cycle.

Okay... this should just not be a thing.

Vegas should not get a second chance to claim him. They picked him up and then waived him, that should be the end of Vegas claiming Lavoie. Lavoie should then go to Bakersfield -- or any team that tried to claim him before.

This looks like a very petty way to do business and the league should put a stop to this.

[100565]

I thought if a team claims a player from waivers then that team goes to the bottom of the list. This must not be true??

Quick googling shows the order of teams for waivers until Nov 1 is last year’s standings in reverse order. After Nov 1, then it goes by this year’s standings in reverse order. I don’t see any mention of if a team claims a player they go last. Am I just imagining this or was a rule changed?

[dark_forces]

"Guys, I just want to play somewhere. Will someone make up their mind, please!!!"



If this seems odd, this is the situation that Hextall tried to avoid a few years ago with Zohorna, but in a different way. The summary for those that may not get what is happening:

--Edmonton waives Lavoie to send to the AHL.
--Vegas claims him. Vegas either needs to keep him on the NHL roster, or waive him again.
--Vegas elects to waive him again.
--Edmonton claims him back. The rule says if you reclaim your waived player, they can be sent directly to the AHL ONLY IF another team didn't also put in a waiver claim.
--Edmonton waives Lavoie again (which means someone else besides EDM put in a claim, and EDM tries to send him to the AHL again, needing waivers)
--Vegas claims him again.

This guy is gonna end up like Tom Hanks in the movie The Terminal, just constantly living on waivers. Hopefully the NHL/CBA has something to stop this from being an endless cycle.

Okay... this should just not be a thing.

Vegas should not get a second chance to claim him. They picked him up and then waived him, that should be the end of Vegas claiming Lavoie. Lavoie should then go to Bakersfield -- or any team that tried to claim him before.

This looks like a very petty way to do business and the league should put a stop to this.

In the next CBA, this needs to be eliminated.
If a team waives a player, that same team should not be able to reclaim him on waivers for a minimum of 1 calendar year. If that player is bought out, then he's fair game to resign, but this waiver debacle is insane.

[Sigwolf]

In the next CBA, this needs to be eliminated.
If a team waives a player, that same team should not be able to reclaim him on waivers for a minimum of 1 calendar year. If that player is bought out, then he's fair game to resign, but this waiver debacle is insane.

For the secondary claiming team, absolutely. But the rule allowing the original team to reclaim a player that the claiming team subsequently waives should absolutely remain.

[Puck-Lurker]

I've had a question about the ELC of RMG.

Say RMG gets scratched next and perhaps, oh I don't know, Puljujärvi gets to play. Would that game count towards his 9? Because if I remember the language in the CBA, it's about the ELC player playing 10 games or more.

Extending on that.. does the Rangers game where Blomqvist backed up Jarry, count towards his 9 games? He dressed, but didn't get ice time.

[FLPensFan]

I've had a question about the ELC of RMG.

Say RMG gets scratched next and perhaps, oh I don't know, Puljujärvi gets to play. Would that game count towards his 9? Because if I remember the language in the CBA, it's about the ELC player playing 10 games or more.

Extending on that.. does the Rangers game where Blomqvist backed up Jarry, count towards his 9 games? He dressed, but didn't get ice time.

90% positive it is games you dress and play in, not games that you are scratched or sitting as a backup.

[KG]

DK on his pod is all over Sullivans decision to scratch Puljujarvi.

Basically saying you can’t healthy scratch him. I agree. He should not be the one that sits.

I mean if we are tying to get younger and more skilled , there’s no reason why Acciari and Hayes can rotate in and out of the lineup etc.

[Puck-Lurker]

DK on his pod is all over Sullivans decision to scratch Puljujarvi.

Basically saying you can’t healthy scratch him. I agree. He should not be the one that sits.

I mean if we are tying to get younger and more skilled , there’s no reason why Acciari and Hayes can rotate in and out of the lineup etc.

Sitting Puljujärvi was an absolutely ridiculous decision. There are two maybe three players in the bottom six that should play over him, not six...

Yeah you can do that 'who can PK' thing that coaches do, but even then, Puljujärvi plays, no question. I get that they want to play RMG while he's up, that DOC and Eller are guaranteed a spot. But you can send RMG down right now.. or scratch Hayes or Acciari or even Glass who looks alright..

Just not Puljujärvi when he's clearly feeling it.

[Pitts]

I've had a question about the ELC of RMG.

Say RMG gets scratched next and perhaps, oh I don't know, Puljujärvi gets to play. Would that game count towards his 9? Because if I remember the language in the CBA, it's about the ELC player playing 10 games or more.

Extending on that.. does the Rangers game where Blomqvist backed up Jarry, count towards his 9 games? He dressed, but didn't get ice time.

90% positive it is games you dress and play in, not games that you are scratched or sitting as a backup.

That rule does not apply to RMG, does it? He's a college player. The 9 game rule applies to junior players, correct?

[KG]

According to Vensel, it looks like McGroarty and JSI are out and Puljujarvi and Shea are in….

Oh to be a veteran and have Sullivan as your coach…

[Daniel]

I've had a question about the ELC of RMG.

Say RMG gets scratched next and perhaps, oh I don't know, Puljujärvi gets to play. Would that game count towards his 9? Because if I remember the language in the CBA, it's about the ELC player playing 10 games or more.

Extending on that.. does the Rangers game where Blomqvist backed up Jarry, count towards his 9 games? He dressed, but didn't get ice time.

90% positive it is games you dress and play in, not games that you are scratched or sitting as a backup.

That rule does not apply to RMG, does it? He's a college player. The 9 game rule applies to junior players, correct?

Specifically jr players under 20 who can't play in the AHL.

[FLPensFan]

I've had a question about the ELC of RMG.

Say RMG gets scratched next and perhaps, oh I don't know, Puljujärvi gets to play. Would that game count towards his 9? Because if I remember the language in the CBA, it's about the ELC player playing 10 games or more.

Extending on that.. does the Rangers game where Blomqvist backed up Jarry, count towards his 9 games? He dressed, but didn't get ice time.

90% positive it is games you dress and play in, not games that you are scratched or sitting as a backup.

That rule does not apply to RMG, does it? He's a college player. The 9 game rule applies to junior players, correct?

You are correct. I thought that, even if the player wasn't in Juniors...if they didn't play 9 games at the NHL level that the contract may slide, but it does not.

[FLPensFan]

DK on his pod is all over Sullivans decision to scratch Puljujarvi.

Basically saying you can’t healthy scratch him. I agree. He should not be the one that sits.

I mean if we are tying to get younger and more skilled , there’s no reason why Acciari and Hayes can rotate in and out of the lineup etc.

Sitting Puljujärvi was an absolutely ridiculous decision. There are two maybe three players in the bottom six that should play over him, not six...

Yeah you can do that 'who can PK' thing that coaches do, but even then, Puljujärvi plays, no question. I get that they want to play RMG while he's up, that DOC and Eller are guaranteed a spot. But you can send RMG down right now.. or scratch Hayes or Acciari or even Glass who looks alright..

Just not Puljujärvi when he's clearly feeling it.

It definitely isn't fair, but, I'm not sure pulling Acciari out and replacing him with Puljujarvi was the right move, either. Quite frankly, Puljujarvi's skillset, both pre-injury, and what he has shown this summer and camp, is far better than a 4th line player. Puljujarvi has the skills to be effective as a 4th liner, but for me, it's kind of like paying Rust 5M and then shoving him on the 4th line.

The optimal solution for me, is that Puljujarvi and Puustinen rotate in and out as the 3RW. I think McGroarty will go down until another injury occurs. St. Ivany didn't have a great game, so I'm ok throwing Shea in there. Keep everyone fresh.

So, for once...I'll give Sullivan some early praise. Switch out the right guys from the right spot. There are enough players breathing down other's necks that we shouldn't be stuck going with someone who has gone 15 games without a goal and generally played only average.

[KG]

DK on his pod is all over Sullivans decision to scratch Puljujarvi.

Basically saying you can’t healthy scratch him. I agree. He should not be the one that sits.

I mean if we are tying to get younger and more skilled , there’s no reason why Acciari and Hayes can rotate in and out of the lineup etc.

Sitting Puljujärvi was an absolutely ridiculous decision. There are two maybe three players in the bottom six that should play over him, not six...

Yeah you can do that 'who can PK' thing that coaches do, but even then, Puljujärvi plays, no question. I get that they want to play RMG while he's up, that DOC and Eller are guaranteed a spot. But you can send RMG down right now.. or scratch Hayes or Acciari or even Glass who looks alright..

Just not Puljujärvi when he's clearly feeling it.

It definitely isn't fair, but, I'm not sure pulling Acciari out and replacing him with Puljujarvi was the right move, either. Quite frankly, Puljujarvi's skillset, both pre-injury, and what he has shown this summer and camp, is far better than a 4th line player. Puljujarvi has the skills to be effective as a 4th liner, but for me, it's kind of like paying Rust 5M and then shoving him on the 4th line.

The optimal solution for me, is that Puljujarvi and Puustinen rotate in and out as the 3RW. I think McGroarty will go down until another injury occurs. St. Ivany didn't have a great game, so I'm ok throwing Shea in there. Keep everyone fresh.

So, for once...I'll give Sullivan some early praise. Switch out the right guys from the right spot. There are enough players breathing down other's necks that we shouldn't be stuck going with someone who has gone 15 games without a goal and generally played only average.

The main issue people have with Sullivan is that he only benches or scratches younger players. Part of this is on Dubas for giving Sullivan too many veteran toys to play with as well.

[DeHaven162]

DK on his pod is all over Sullivans decision to scratch Puljujarvi.

Basically saying you can’t healthy scratch him. I agree. He should not be the one that sits.

I mean if we are tying to get younger and more skilled , there’s no reason why Acciari and Hayes can rotate in and out of the lineup etc.

Sitting Puljujärvi was an absolutely ridiculous decision. There are two maybe three players in the bottom six that should play over him, not six...

Yeah you can do that 'who can PK' thing that coaches do, but even then, Puljujärvi plays, no question. I get that they want to play RMG while he's up, that DOC and Eller are guaranteed a spot. But you can send RMG down right now.. or scratch Hayes or Acciari or even Glass who looks alright..

Just not Puljujärvi when he's clearly feeling it.

It definitely isn't fair, but, I'm not sure pulling Acciari out and replacing him with Puljujarvi was the right move, either. Quite frankly, Puljujarvi's skillset, both pre-injury, and what he has shown this summer and camp, is far better than a 4th line player. Puljujarvi has the skills to be effective as a 4th liner, but for me, it's kind of like paying Rust 5M and then shoving him on the 4th line.

The optimal solution for me, is that Puljujarvi and Puustinen rotate in and out as the 3RW. I think McGroarty will go down until another injury occurs. St. Ivany didn't have a great game, so I'm ok throwing Shea in there. Keep everyone fresh.

So, for once...I'll give Sullivan some early praise. Switch out the right guys from the right spot. There are enough players breathing down other's necks that we shouldn't be stuck going with someone who has gone 15 games without a goal and generally played only average.

The main issue people have with Sullivan is that he only benches or scratches younger players. Part of this is on Dubas for giving Sullivan too many veteran toys to play with as well.

But who should have come out of the lineup? Hayes, Beauvillier, Glass, Acciari have all played pretty well, so it's not so cut and dry at the moment on who to sit. Probably shouldn't have been Pulj, and should have been McGroarty. For as nice as it is to have a 20 year old with great potential, he hasn't really done anything.

[Puck-Lurker]

DK on his pod is all over Sullivans decision to scratch Puljujarvi.

Basically saying you can’t healthy scratch him. I agree. He should not be the one that sits.

I mean if we are tying to get younger and more skilled , there’s no reason why Acciari and Hayes can rotate in and out of the lineup etc.

Sitting Puljujärvi was an absolutely ridiculous decision. There are two maybe three players in the bottom six that should play over him, not six...

Yeah you can do that 'who can PK' thing that coaches do, but even then, Puljujärvi plays, no question. I get that they want to play RMG while he's up, that DOC and Eller are guaranteed a spot. But you can send RMG down right now.. or scratch Hayes or Acciari or even Glass who looks alright..

Just not Puljujärvi when he's clearly feeling it.

It definitely isn't fair, but, I'm not sure pulling Acciari out and replacing him with Puljujarvi was the right move, either. Quite frankly, Puljujarvi's skillset, both pre-injury, and what he has shown this summer and camp, is far better than a 4th line player. Puljujarvi has the skills to be effective as a 4th liner, but for me, it's kind of like paying Rust 5M and then shoving him on the 4th line.

The optimal solution for me, is that Puljujarvi and Puustinen rotate in and out as the 3RW. I think McGroarty will go down until another injury occurs. St. Ivany didn't have a great game, so I'm ok throwing Shea in there. Keep everyone fresh.

So, for once...I'll give Sullivan some early praise. Switch out the right guys from the right spot. There are enough players breathing down other's necks that we shouldn't be stuck going with someone who has gone 15 games without a goal and generally played only average.

The main issue people have with Sullivan is that he only benches or scratches younger players. Part of this is on Dubas for giving Sullivan too many veteran toys to play with as well.

But who should have come out of the lineup? Hayes, Beauvillier, Glass, Acciari have all played pretty well, so it's not so cut and dry at the moment on who to sit. Probably shouldn't have been Pulj, and should have been McGroarty. For as nice as it is to have a 20 year old with great potential, he hasn't really done anything.

Which was why I said bumping out RMG first. For real, let the kid get some AHL ice.

The forward lines are actually looking okay as a whole, which is the main thing. We're not playing with empty sweaters night in and night out.

Imagine being Puustinen though. With Rust and Lizotte out, you imagine you have some opportunities. Next some kid fresh out of college gets time on ice. Then Rust comes back and Puljujärvi of all people comes out of the lineup, who had a terrific camp and a good start to the season. RMG scratched and Pulju back in. I imagine Lizotte will be out for a while yet, but he'll have a tough road pushing anyone out at this speed. Good problem

[FLPensFan]

Former Penguins property Filip Gustavsson gets the goalie goal tonight, also does the bench celebration line after scoring:

[Puck-Lurker]

The Lavoie saga is over.

- Edmonton waives Lavoie -- Trying to send him to Bakersfield.
- Vegas (and at least one other team) claims Lavoie -- Lavoie to VGK
- Vegas waives Lavoie -- Trying to send him to Henderson.
- Edmonton reclaims Lavoie -- Lavoie to EDM
- Edmonton waives Lavoie -- Trying to send him to Bakersfield (again)
- Vegas (and only Vegas) claims Lavoie -- Lavoie to VGK (again)
- Vegas waives Lavoie -- Trying to send him to Henderson (again)
- Lavoie clears waivers -- Lavoie plays for Henderson.

I hope Oilers management asked Lavoie if he wanted to go to play for Henderson or Bakersfield, were told he wanted to go to Henderson and decided to just let it be. This crap should not be allowed by the league.

[Puck-Lurker]

Woof... DK ripped into Jarry on his podcast today. He's seen enough.

Welcome to the club..

[FLPensFan]

Nedeljkovic activated from IR and sent to WBS for a Conditioning stint. He can play up to 3 games there. Last year when he did a Conditioning stint, he scored a goal.

[ahawk9]

I said this a few days ago but I really feel that this team is much better than the 23-24 Pens. The scoring has come from everywhere. No more Jansen Harkins skating hard and basically doing nothing else, his "deceptively hard shot" notwithstanding. The power play has shown improvement, which makes them better in and of itself, and certain players look to have rebounded or returned to form (Puljujarvi, Rakell, Malkin so far). Also, some of the new guys have done well in supporting roles. There are still some things to shake out, and there's always the Sully factor where he might sit guys to keep his faves in the lineup regardless of what the stats, the eye test, and the analytics say.

The defense still is awful, especially right now, and they have a Jarry problem where we'll see if they have the guts to waive him but they are more fun to watch than last year's team. Last season, the bottom two lines were offensive black holes. This still is probably a bubble playoff team but they seem to have more of what it takes to get there than they did last year. Time will tell but I'm at least heartened by some of what I've seen.

[Coffey Break]

I have been very pleasantly surprised by the entire 4th line.

Cody Glass is ferocious on the forecheck and he definitely looks like he has some skill to carry the puck into the zone with possession and a decent shot to boot. Noel Acciari looks like a completely different player on the RW - amazing what happens when you put a player in a position to succeed, as opposed to centering the lifeless corpse of Jeff Carter.

And Kevin Hayes - man, I wasn't so sure about this one when it happened. But I'll tell you what - he's playing the role we all expected from Jeff Carter in his twilight years. He's still got decent hands and he's already made a few passes that made me look twice. And he's not afraid to plant himself in front of the net which is a welcome addition to this team.

[Daniel]

I said this a few days ago but I really feel that this team is much better than the 23-24 Pens. The scoring has come from everywhere. No more Jansen Harkins skating hard and basically doing nothing else, his "deceptively hard shot" notwithstanding. The power play has shown improvement, which makes them better in and of itself, and certain players look to have rebounded or returned to form (Puljujarvi, Rakell, Malkin so far). Also, some of the new guys have done well in supporting roles. There are still some things to shake out, and there's always the Sully factor where he might sit guys to keep his faves in the lineup regardless of what the stats, the eye test, and the analytics say.

The defense still is awful, especially right now, and they have a Jarry problem where we'll see if they have the guts to waive him but they are more fun to watch than last year's team. Last season, the bottom two lines were offensive black holes. This still is probably a bubble playoff team but they seem to have more of what it takes to get there than they did last year. Time will tell but I'm at least heartened by some of what I've seen.

The problem is everyone is too aggressive and don't have the team speed to play that kind of game. Other than Pettersson, what defensemen can be relied on to play consistent good defense? The forwards aren't much better and it just doesn't seem that this team focuses on defense as much as they should. Doesn't help that Jarry is only as good as the defense in front of him and isn't one to wow you with saves.

[100565]

I like what Dubas has done. Flexibility.

He swung for fences last year but realized his mistake and changed course.

I think this year will depend on performance. If they are playing well and in playoff spot at the deadline, I could see him being a buyer. If they are borderline playoff team (or out) and not playing well, I think he sells. Time (and performance) will tell.

He has assets to trade if buyer. He has assets to sell if seller.

He put some hungry players on the team. Lots of positions have competition with players who need to prove something.

[DelPen]

As long as Kamloops stays in the WHL basement, Brunicke will be done on March 23 leaving 10 games left in the Pens season which I assume he could play with burning a year of his contract possibly but if he gets even better this year and we are pushing for the playoffs and are just missing one defenseman to give us a push he’d be a good add to end the season.