Dear Santa,
Yes, the early Christmas gift of GM Jim Rutherford to Penguins’ fans, Jamie Oleksiak, looks pretty good in his first game as a Penguin. (I really like his nickname “The Big Rig.”) He led the team in hits in his first game in a Penguins’ sweater. He also flashed some really Christmas-y sweet skating moves; once to get open space and a lane to the net and a couple of times eluding forecheckers. Unfortunately, he missed the net on the open chance his skating gained him, and again (though no fault of his own), his first night’s CORSI was on the negative side (11 Shot Attempts For with 15 Shot Attempts Against). I am thinking that total was due more to his defensive partner for most of the game Matt Hunwick. Hunwick is one of the few Penguins who still has negative CORSI numbers after the resurgence of the fore-check.
I must also say I do like the fact that Oleksiak actually skates while he is on the ice and doesn’t just stand there like so many of his peers do. No, Oleksiak seems to have learned that the best way to beat the fore-check is to keep skating; a moving target is harder to hit and catch. You would think that with Kris Letang’s, Brian Dumoulin’s and Ollie Maatta’s skating ability –and the fact that all three have exhibited some good moves of their own to carry the biscuit all the way into the attacking zone– that they would do less standing and more skating. Alas, they don’t. So my first Christmas wish is that the rest of the Penguins’ “D” learn from Oleksiak and not vice versa.
Also, Santa, even though the Penguins were able to beat the really naughty Columbus Blue Jackets (they should get lumps of coal in their stockings), the Blue Jackets are slumping (4 -5 -1 in their last 10 games) on the back end of a back-to-back series and without the services of Brandon Dubinsky (one of the more naughty ones, Santa), Ryan Murray, and Zach Werenski, and lost Boone Jenner (another candidate for coal) for a dangerous cross-check in the second period, Columbus still stole a point and almost got both of them. Our Penguins may be able to crawl out of the hole they are digging, but I remain unconvinced. All teams have their share of injuries that they must overcome to prove themselves winners, so I am not feeling all that sorry for Columbus, but their depleted and tired line-up almost sent the Penguins to another loss.
Therefore Santa, please, please, please, do not let this be the end to the Penguins’ moves. My Christmas wish list: make Ottawa to trade us Erik Karlsson and Jean-Gabriel Pageau. The media is reporting that Ottawa may be willing to deal these players. Please Santa, give Rutherford the courage to think about the future to make a deal like this happen. We may need your help with this because it may have to be a multi-team swap to get the deal done. Please drop Rutherford some extra outside of the box thinking in his stocking.
I have read that Andrea Athansiou is not happy with the lack of ice-time that he has been getting in Detroit. Santa, I was hoping that Rutherford would have signed Athansiou as an Restricted Free Agent (RFA), but since he failed that maybe you could bring us Athansiou in a trade as well. With Athanasiou, Hagelin would become redundant and Athanasiou can play Center as well as Left Wing.
To bring these trades off, Santa, I would suggest that you could offer Letang (hemay be picking up stats right now but this may be our last best chance to shed him), Ian Cole (I hate to see him go, but I am resigned to his departure), Matt Hunwick (addition by subtraction?) Carl Hagelin, Conor Sheary, and Tom Kuhnhackl (I like him too, just like I like Cole, but it appears that Mike Sullivan doesn’t), as well as draft picks (but keep the picks to a minimum please — maybe some of the players on this list might net Draft Picks that could sweeten the pot for Ottawa.)
The final presents I would like to see in my Penguins’ stocking is Daniel Sprong at least to get a shot. Sidney Crosby needs a quality winger that isn’t afraid to shoot the puck.
I know I haven’t always been on my best this season Santa, I have been a little critical of my favorite hockey team, but that is only because I want to see a 3-peat.
Go Penguins!!!
The Other Rick
My Christmas wish list… well I already mentioned in another post but… get rid of some waste on the roster.. Hunwick, Hagelin, Sheary ad Letang, bring some gifts to Pitt that will want to play with the other toys already their and to turn around this season which is not lost..yet.
MERRY CHRISTMAS from Canada everyone!!
Merry Christmas and I like your list!
I just read an article suggesting that the Pens are close to a deal with Buffalo, suggesting that they are only waiting for the trade moratorium to end and hinting that Evander Kane may be the object of the trade. I hope not. Kane is having a good year but I question his team spirit and he is a $5.25 cap hit.
I may be advocating a $7mil “D” man, but I am suggesting shedding a $7.25 mil “D” man to make it work. I am not sure how the Pens make this work, unless Buffalo retains salary.
This is getting interesting.
Hey Other Rick,
Evander Kane possesses a mouth-watering combination of attributes…size, skating, scoring touch and genuine toughness. He’s the type of player I’d normally jump out of my skin to acquire…but…and it’s a BIG but, apparently he’s had a near endless string of off-ice incidents and issues.
Given how important character is to Jim Rutherford…he really looks at how he thinks a guy will fit in the locker room…I can’t for two seconds imagine he’d be interested in Kane.
Yes, JR traded for Kessel, who was reputed to be a bad actor. But Phil’s negative image was pretty much a fabrication of the Toronto media. At best, Kane seems to be selfish and immature. At worst, a genuine bad apple.
Rick
Hey Rick,
Don’t get me wrong, there are tons of things to point to as positives for Kane. So for Kane fans, I get it. I guess my real concern is that he is UFA and I keep looking at the track record of rent-a-player trades, look at Washington last year grabbing Shattenkirk. Also look right here in the ‘burg;Hossa and Inginla.
Kane is only 26 and may be on the verge of maturing emotionally, so if the team is going to sign him to an extension, then maybe, but as a rent-a-player, most definitely no! please.
Hmmm. Kane. That would be very interesting, aside from what Rick said his off ice antics.
I agree with tOR that he probably is more mature now, that and some of that Buffalo Kane stuff was Patrick Kane. Probably the worse stuff actually.
I am a big Penguin fan and would like the team to improve via trade as well but why on Earth would the Senators trade Karlsson to us for what you propose. They would need 3/4 grade A assets to even consider it. Just wishful thinking on your part or do you really think Hagelin, Hunwick, and Kuhnhackl have considerable value?
Hey Ed,
Good to hear from you.
The above was written more from just a wish list but;
First, in all reality, I don’t think Ottawa would be the biggest stumbling block. I think the Penguins would be. I have a feeling that they will never part with Letang.
Second, trading Letang would be the key to the trade. Letang’s stock is going up. Statistically, he is one of the top offensive threats in the league. He could net the Penguins the type of draft picks the Penguins would need, if traded to the right team who may be thinking an Offensive D man to drive their PP is the key; if he is traded very soon, before his Hyde face starts showing again.
Third, Ottawa has been reported as asking for Karlsson’s list of no trade teams, so they are considering trading everyone. They appear ready for a reboot and Karlsson is 29 I believe; not really all that old, but vulnerable to a team in rebuild mode.
Fourth, Ottawa is also said to be in financial trouble. There is talk of them moving the Franchise. Karlsson is a $7 mil D-man, potentially a luxury for a rebuilding team that is struggling to tread financial water; think Jagr for Beech, Lupaschuk, Sivek.
Fifth, after giving away so much of their future to acquire Duchene, should the Penguins acquire enough picks/prospects to trade it could be a no brainer for a team that is struggling and going to hit the reset button.
So, it may not be all that improbable from Ottawa’s point of view.
Thanks for checking in Ed
By the way, in a completely, possibly non realistic manner, what would your Penguin wish list be?
🙂 Excellent Other Rick!
Also Santa, could help JR find us “The Earth Mover” to go along with the The Big Rig.
— 55
P.S.: Santa, I’ve been good all year. 😉
Thanks 55,
I think I heard someone say, Gonchar is the one that urged the team to trade for “the Big Rig”
Who would “The Earth Mover” be?
Me to 55 on Point.
I liked Jamie Oleksiak last night. He is a bit rough around the edges but at least he can skate and anything that weighs close to 260 # and can move at 40 mph is a dangerous situation waiting to happen. Call me old fashion, call me an antique but I like having a few really big guys on the team. It gives you peace of mind. It is like taking a gun to a knife fight.
Also call me greedy…Santa bring us some more presents please. A new really good, really fast, really big center with talent, but cheap.. A couple of upgrades to our wingers and a new home for Letang…
Can you do that Santa ?? 🙂
Hi Jim,
I liked his debut, too. He’s got a definite upside. He seems mobile, has a wicked slapped, and he didn’t give away the puck as I can remember, but had a take away and set up a couple others. I think I’ll like him set up in front of the net and setting ’em down when necessary. I’m pulling for him to fit and work out.
TOR, I’m not sure who The Earth Mover might be, maybe someone like Bogosian, if Buffalo is in play, though he’s $5.5 mil. Ottawa has a big kid, Ben Harpur, 6’6″, 220-something, though I don’t know the book on him.
Karlsson intrigues me in black and gold, but it would depend on what it costs to land him. I want them to be better and win, but I don’t want to see them squander too much of the future, if that’s what it might take. But, I’m with you that I’m doubtful the Pens would ever part with Letang. They won’t even scratch him.
— 55
Agreed 100%, I don’t want to throw away too much more of the future for anything. That is why I would try and use some veterans to get picks if I could and then use those picks to trade to Ottawa but you are right if the Pens won’t make him a healthy scratch after throwing that bad pass off the boards and then standing around watching Kase skate in, they’ll never trade him.
Hey Other Rick,
Fabulous, just fabulous. I chuckled the whole way through, and was thoroughly entertained.
You did a great job of weaving in your Christmas wish list to boot. Wonderful … 🙂
Rick
Thanks Rick,
This one was really fun to write and sort of just jumped out on its own. I watched a video of the Penguins doing their version of “A Christmas Story” (if you haven’t seen it, do it, watch it asap. It is funny!!) and all of a sudden this just wrote itself.
By the Way Rick, Do you care to share your Penguins Christmas Wish List?
A little add-on.
In Penguins lore we have ‘The Goal’, ‘The Trade’ and ‘The Save.’ I’d like to add ‘The Shift’ to the list.
Even though he didn’t score, I thought Sidney Crosby’s effort on one particular shift in overtime was among the most remarkable I’ve ever seen, rivaling Jaromir Jagr’s solo romps through the entire Chicago team during the ’92 Final. He demonstrated all of his amazing attributes…speed, power, balance, deception, vision, smarts, hand skills and creativity…in an amazing 60-second display.
My goodness, what a player. How truly blessed we are to have him.
Rick
Amen to that