Caputi and Jeffrey?

[Henry Hank]

Has anyone been watching WBS and wants to give an update?

Just from following box scores and Jon Bombulie's blog, it's hard to get too good a read on either of them. They both seem to be playing just third or fourth line minutes. Jeffrey seems to be doing a good job on the PK - it seems like almost every point he has is short-handed. That's an exaggeration, but I'd guess that three or four of his nine points have come short-handed.

Caputi hasn't done much on the score sheet, but like I said he hasn't been playing a prominent role yet. He's probably one of the youngest players in the AHL if I had to guess... he just turned 20 right before the season started. It'll be interesting to see how he does once some call-ups/injuries occur and his role gets bumped up.

[WWGRD]

Henry, I've seen every WB/S game so far this season so here's my insight..

Jeffrey has been the Penguins second best penalty killer, behind Connor James. Those two are a huge threat shorthanded. Jeffrey drew a penalty shot on a breakaway a few games ago, but didn't convert. I believe he has 2 shorthanded goals. He's more than average in the faceoff circle. The AHL doesn't keep track of faceoff statistics, but he would probably be 3rd on the team. Letestu is the Baby Pens' faceoff specialist (maybe a future Zigomanis). Taffe is probably a little better too. Jeffrey also makes some difficult plays look simple. Stickhandling might be the best aspect of his game. For example, a few weeks ago in Houston, he settled down a bouncing puck in the neutral zone and then made a perfect saucer pass to Chris Minard, who buried a goal.

Caputi has played his third line role well. But that's not what the fans want to see. Next year he will be in the top 6. Although not overpowering, he has finished his checks and has shown that he will stick up for his teammates. Two games ago in Toronto, he tackled some guy in front of the net in a scrum. He hasn't dropped the gloves in the AHL yet, which is something I'd like to see (watch his OHL scraps). Sort of like Kennedy has his signature wrist shot goal from the corner, Caputi has scored a few times on the same move. While cycling behind the net, he quickly takes the puck from his backhand to his forehand, steps out in front and goes five-hole.

[canaan]

Chris Minard, who buried a goal.

was there any doubt?

[Kicksave]

Chris Minard, who buried a goal.

was there any doubt?

AHL Hall of Famer.

[Henry Hank]

Bombulie had the stat up on his blog I think in yesterday's post game. Jeffrey has a goal and four assists on the PK and his SHP are tied for the AHL lead with Connor James. I know most people are set on wanting Zigomanis back, but if the Pens choose to part ways with him after the season, Jeffrey may be in line to take over the 4th line center job.

Nice to see Caputi getting on the scoreboard more regularly. I hope it continues. He's a guy that could earn an NHL spot too next season with a good camp and could be a cheap Fedotenko replacement. A big key for the Pens getting over their cap crunch in the coming years will be getting cheap production from these type of guys (Kennedy's another example, although he came up last year obviously).

[Kicksave]

Bombulie had the stat up on his blog I think in yesterday's post game. Jeffrey has a goal and four assists on the PK and his SHP are tied for the AHL lead with Connor James. I know most people are set on wanting Zigomanis back, but if the Pens choose to part ways with him after the season, Jeffrey may be in line to take over the 4th line center job.

Nice to see Caputi getting on the scoreboard more regularly. I hope it continues. He's a guy that could earn an NHL spot too next season with a good camp and could be a cheap Fedotenko replacement. A big key for the Pens getting over their cap crunch in the coming years will be getting cheap production from these type of guys (Kennedy's another example, although he came up last year obviously).

I'd like to see Jeffery get some time in the NHL before he's anointed the 4th line center.

[bill from turtle creek]

No real need to replace Ziggy with Jeffery, since Ziggy is going to come cheaply anyhow. A guy like him is not going to much above the minimum, most likely, and I'm guessing that given his important role with the Pens, he isn't likely to go elsewhere and roll the dice.

[meecrofilm]

Don't forget that Jeffrey is doing well against AHL centres... Experienced NHL vets taking faceoffs are a whole different beast.

[Henry Hank]

No real need to replace Ziggy with Jeffery, since Ziggy is going to come cheaply anyhow. A guy like him is not going to much above the minimum, most likely, and I'm guessing that given his important role with the Pens, he isn't likely to go elsewhere and roll the dice.

Could have said the same thing about Hall.

[KG]

Chris Minard, who buried a goal.

was there any doubt?

AHL Hall of Famer.

Spoken from the AHL Hall of Famer himself...

[Kicksave]

was there any doubt?

AHL Hall of Famer.

Spoken from the AHL Hall of Famer himself...

It takes one to know one.

[KG]

quote]Spoken from the AHL Hall of Famer himself... [/quote]

It takes one to know one. [/quote]

I'm not there yet...How many posts do I need to get there? 5,000?

Maybe I should go back to the political thread and stir the pot...

[Idoit40fans]

I'm not there yet...How many posts do I need to get there? 5,000?

Maybe I should go back to the political thread and stir the pot...

I think 7500 is HoF, 5000 is All Star, I never even noticed that I was HoF, but i'm pretty sure All Star was 5000.

[meecrofilm]

Caputi's got 5 goals and 3 assists in his last 7 games now. Good to see he's starting to find a nice balance in his game.

[Jesse]

How about Nick Johnson? He's on fire at every level.

[meecrofilm]

I'm sure you've already stated this before Jesse, but what's the projection on Nick Johnson? Seems like a big kid who'd work well along the boards and cause some havoc for defenseman. He has indeed seemed to play well since his call-up, so I'd imagine that he could (hopefully) possibly stick. Do you think that if he finishes the season in the AHL while continuing to have a good year, that (good camp pending) he may have a shot at cracking the Pens line-up next year, or is more likely that he gets another WBS season under his belt, while seeing the occassional call-up? Caputi too (now 12 in the last 12, he possibly could get a call-up soon if the Pens need a body).

[Jesse]

I think if Nick continues to have a good attitude, we might seem him for a spell next year if there's another injury problem. He's not as size-oriented as you'd think, he beats guys with flair and stickhandling. He's a master with the puck and can deke in a phone booth. But, size makes the difference in the boards and he certainly gets it done there. He also has a great, underrated shot. I think WWGRD and Eastonpensfan said it best in the chat, he's great at making plays because he'll deke the entire team and crash the goal. He had an assists in the AHL playoffs last year doing that and Caputi scored off a similar chance last weekend. Overall, though, he's extremely smart, very consistent, and has a fantastic attitude. A lot of guys would have taken that demotion to Wheeling and sulked about it.