I don’t know about you. But as a die-hard Penguins fan and professed hockey nut, there’s something about this time of year that keeps my adrenalin pumping and senses tingling. With the NHL trade deadline just around the corner, I’m constantly scanning news wires and websites for updates.
Right now, I’m poised on the edge of my seat. I blame Jim Rutherford.
Shortly after announcing yesterday morning that he’d acquired defenseman Ron Hainsey from his old team, the Carolina Hurricanes, the Pens’ GM stated he’d make a decision on adding another defenseman “in the next 24 hours.”
With his typical candor, JR hinted that he wouldn’t shy away from making other deals if he thought it would help the team.
I’ve been glued to my computer screen ever since.
Kind of reminds me of those old Miss Clairol commercials on TV from back in the day. Does she…or doesn’t she (color her hair)?
Will he…or won’t he (make another trade)?
To digress, last season was a perfect storm for the Pens in so many ways. The flurry of trades, starting with the Phil Kessel blockbuster. A new coach with a fresh approach. The free agents and call-ups from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Veterans and kids and alike trying to establish themselves and forge a new identity. Keeping the emotional pot stirred just enough, while coalescing in time for a magical Stanley Cup run.
It’s not quite the same this year. Much to his credit, Rutherford kept the team virtually intact while sprinkling in spirited newcomers like rookie forward Jake Guentzel. His bargain-basement signing of Justin Schultz…sheer genius.
Yet something’s missing. A certain spark. An indefinable something you can’t feel or touch, but notice when it’s not there.
What’s that old saying? Familiarity breeds contempt? While the Pens are hardly simmering with contention, you get my drift.
Injuries, especially to the defense and dual dynamos Bryan Rust and Conor Sheary, certainly have taken a toll. So has an exceedingly long grind, stretching back some 16 months. World Cup participants like Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin have barely gotten any rest.
Then again, repeating (as Cup champs) ain’t for sissies.
Trek back in time, if you will, to the 1991-92 season. The Pens had won their first Stanley Cup the previous spring. Led by the incomparable Mario Lemieux, the black-and-gold boasted no fewer than six Hall-of-Famers, along with then-rising stars Jaromir Jagr and Mark Recchi. Not to mention burly 50-goal scorer Kevin Stevens and the dean of mean on defense, Ulf Samuelsson.
Talk about stacked. Yet something was missing from that squad, too. On February 19, the Pens’ record stood at 27-24-7. Unthinkable given the extraordinary talent on hand.
GM Craig Patrick moved boldly. He parted with perennial All-Star Paul Coffey, the second-highest scoring defenseman in NHL history, not to mention future 500-goal man Recchi, in a three-team deal that reaped power forward (and present Pens coach) Rick Tocchet, hulking defenseman Kjell Samuelsson and 1-A goalie Ken Wregget.
The key to the swap was Tocchet. A ferocious bordering on feral competitor, he’d played on good-to-outstanding teams in Philadelphia for seven years, but never won a Cup.
“He said all he wanted was a chance to win,” said Coffey, ironically a good friend. “He has a heart the size of a building. He’ll do what it takes to win.”
A heart on full display a short time later. During a tilt with Chicago on March 15, Tocchet was struck by an errant shot, which fractured his jaw. After leaving the ice for repairs, he returned in the third period wearing a makeshift shield. Blood stains spattered on the front of his jersey, he scored two huge goals (in heavy traffic, no less) to ignite a comeback victory.
The Pens went on to capture a second-straight Cup. Tocchet has often been cited by his teammates as the driving force behind the triumph.
Okay…back to the present.
Judging by the team’s recent efforts, I think the current Penguins need a spark, too. Perhaps a player (or players) who are aching to win it all, just as Tocchet was all those years ago. Hainsey, a character guy who labored 14 years in the NHL trenches without experiencing a whiff of playoff competition, might provide some hunger.
I don’t know if he’s enough.
In culinary terms, a little more seasoning may be required to make a perfect stew.
Hey Guys
Second period just starting. What a beautiful site.
On television it looks very impressive. I am envious of all you who can be there in person. Just a really good game. Sid scored.Murray made 6 or 7 great saves. Hainsey looks good too.
Cheers
Hip,hip, hooray ! !
Great finish to a great game in a great venue from a fantastic city.
Congratulations Pittsburgh !
Visually that was one of the most stunning out door games yet. ( Just enough snow to remind everyone we are a winter sport even though many NHL teams play in warm weather climates where the only snow they ever see is in their Freezer. There will be other outdoor games in the future for sure, but it will be very difficult to top yours at Ketchup field.
Well done.
Cheers.
Hey guys
As of 9 am reports in my media zone both French and English have Pen’s doing a major deal.Shopping hard the reports say.
MAF has approved a trade Quebec Media has posted.
Plus apparently they are in the hunt for Matt Duchesne as is Montreal.
Could be fun.Lots of rumors going around.
Cheers
Thanks Jim,
I did hear something about Duchene but my source was sketchy. I would rather have Landeskog but a third line center that could boost Kessel and Hagelin would be really welcome. Maybe I can still hope Wiercioc, Zadarov, or Tuytin are part of the deal too.
If your report is accurate, even if the deal doesn’t go through, I am happier now. I may have more confidence in our decisions.
Hey Jim,
Thanks, so much, for the update. You’re a lot more plugged in than I am, and it’s great that you’re keeping us informed … 🙂
Just a thought regarding the Hainsey deal. I know everyone’s upset over the 2nd round pick–especially in light of the Eaves-to-Anaheim trade. Keep in mind that Carolina is picking up half Hainsey’s tab. I’m sure JR had to make some kind of concession to get Ron Francis to do that.
While I don’t have anything to compare the deal to at this stage, I have a feeling defensemen may command a higher price in the market. Especially a competent one like Hainsey.
Plus–let’s face it. We’re kind of over a barrel (or in a barrel going over Niagara Falls) right now. We HAD to get a defenseman. A decent one, too. Given all the factors, I think JR did a good job.
Bottom line? I think Hainsey will help us.
Back to the rumors. By all accounts, it seems the Pens are pursuing Duchene rather than Landeskog. Really not sure why. For one, Duchene’s pricier. Not to knock him–I know he’s a terrific player–but we already have Sid and Geno. And we have so many (too many) guys of his ilk and stature.
I’d 100 times rather have Landeskog. He’s a piece we don’t have–a genuine power forward with skill. Plus, he’d enable us to bump Kunitz back to the fourth line, where he was very effective.
Rick
PS–See Other Rick, it’s started me on my “we need more size” rant … 🙂
PSS–Just saw that Letang’s out for tonight’s game. Maybe just as well. Honestly wouldn’t mind seeing Sid sit, too. Don’t want a repeat of 2011 (shudder).
Hey Rick,
You know I am right there with you, I would rather have Landeskog which was the trade I proposed the other day, but ….. Thinking about what Duchene might be able to do with Kessel…. I’ll give it a chance.
The big question here for me; is there another D-man in the Pens future? I would love to see a guy who could fill a role on the 2nd pairing with how often Letang gets hurt. That way if Letang does go down, Schulz has shown he can be the No 1 guy, and really is a better PP QB, so Schultz can step in as no 1 until Letang gets back but the Pens have someone to drive the 2nd pairing. Daley getting hurt, hurts. In a perfect world that D has some size and snarl.
Hey Rick,
What is really interesting is what the Quebec Media posted ! Fleury has accepted a trade to an undisclosed team. I read another US based story yesterday saying that the Pen’s offered him a choice of 3 teams and he had accepted one. Since he is the key stumbling block in any trade deal due to the size of his contract and his age, this tells me something significant is going on and we are not talking about swapping fourth line forwards or 6/7 d men. This is real. Great for us.
Rick, please post as soon as you here anything, because being in Pittsburgh you will hear of the actual player signing before I will.
How is the weather for the outdoor game? I will be watching anxiously.The Canadian media are carrying the game on 2 national channels.That is pretty cool.( They are going to preempt a Western Canadian Team for 2 teams from Pennsylvania.) Hahaha ! I love it.
How hockey has changed in 50 years.
Lets Go Pen’s. 🙂
If I may, one last point.
If I told ANYBODY in Canada 50 years ago that tonight, all across Canada we will be watching 2 Teams live from Pennsylvania, play Hockey in the middle of out door Foot ball stadium in 50 + degree F. weather, and 50 to 60,000 people in attendance, and one Team would be a 2 time Stanley Cup Champion and the other Team a 3 time Stanley cup Champion…. They put in a rubber room and throw away the keys. Ball hockey maybe…. Ice hockey not a chance.
Cheers.
Hey Jim,
Thanks for the update. Now I am starting to get really excited. I can’t help wonder what is going on.
Sounds interesting Jim. I hope there’s some truth to it. It’s good to get some sort of feeling that JR is at least in the game. I wouldn’t mind Duchene coming here, or Landeskog either, though I don’t know how much more offensive muscle they feel they need. Then after all that, they’d still have a D with holes in it. I’m still a believer that, for the most part, effective D wins cups.
Just an Update,
Eaves went to Dallas for a 2nd round Pick. He has 21 Gs, 37pts and -10 in 59 games. JR paid a 2nd rnd pick and a prospect for a Hainsey 4G, 14pts and -16 in 56 games. Comparing Fs to D is tough enough let alone factoring in team needs but it still seems to me that JR over paid.
Hi other Rick … I haven’t seen Dallas play too often, but judging solely by the numbers, it looks like the Ducks make a pretty good pickup for just a 2nd round pick. I notice at NHL.com they call the pick a “conditional second-round pick.” Is there a simple explanation for what “conditional” means in this context, or am I opening up another can of worms?
Jayelene
Conditional picks mean that Eaves or Anaheim has to achieve something for Dallas to get he pick. A perfect example was our trade for Kessel last year, the Pens gave Toronto a conditional pick that depended on the Pens making the playoffs last year, so the Pens had to pay the Pick. Had the Pens missed the playoffs then the Pens would have kept their pick. If Anhaim or Eaves do not meet the condition, Anaheim keeps their pick.
(I simplified the the Kessel conditional pick, it was actually a bit more complicated).
I didn’t get a chance to read the full deal to know what conditions were set, but now knowing that the pick is conditional makes the Hainsey deal look worse. Anaheim kept a loop hole in their trade, the Pens have to give up their Pick whether Hainsey helps or not.
Thanks for the help, other Rick. FYI, From NHL.com:
The conditional pick going to Dallas was acquired by Anaheim from the Toronto Maple Leafs in the trade that involved goaltender Frederik Andersen made June 20. If Anaheim advances to the Western Conference Final, and Eaves plays in at least half of their games in the first two rounds of the playoffs, the Stars get the Ducks’ first-round pick in the 2017 draft.
So, it could actually be a 1st round pick, so maybe the Pens trade wasn’t so bad, after all.
Jaye
Hi Jayelene
Good research. The problem with conditional picks is that they usually favor the seller and not the buyer.Plus situations often change.
When the orgininal Toronto trade was made, nobody would have ever thought that Toronto would make the play offs so soon.With the play of their kids and with a proper player pick up at the deadline, Toronto could make it to the second round of the play offs conceivably. So now instead of picking about 34 th out of 62 spots at the draft, you now could be drafting about 53 rd. At 34 th you can draft a first round player who has dropped to the second round mostly due to unforseen injury. At 50 plus their is a big, big difference in player quality.
That is one of the reasons Anaheim moved the pick.
Plus from the Dallas Stars point of view if they get to play in the Western conference finals that means they are guaranteed at least 6 home playoff dates.
Realistically probably 8 or 9 home dates.Given as you advance to each round of the play offs the revenue increases and the last figures I saw 2 years ago said that each play off gave is worth about 2.6 + million dollars a game. So for 20 million dollars and a very excited fan base for next year, I would gladly
give up a first round pick.
If you indulge me another minute please. In Pittsburghs case if we were to win the 2017 Stanley Cup, a second round pick is no problem to give up.Ron Hainsey, if he was the only piece we needed to win, but as Coach and Rick have been saying this team needs alot more players than just a Ron Hainsey to win it all. So in that regard some people believed we have over paid for him.
That is why I am still waiting for the big multi-player trade we need to do. But to do that, you need to move MAF and his 5.75 million dollar cap hit and other high profile players as well.You have to give quality to get quality in return.
Thanks for letting me ramble on Jaylene.
Cheers
Hey Jim and Jayelene,
Good discussion. Let me add that now that we gave that 2nd round pick to Carolina for Ron Hainsey, we may not be able to make a deal that could benefit the team more. That 2nd round pick could have been used to sweeten the pot for a number 2-3 D man who has size and snarl
Hi Jim,
I don’t think you’re rambling at all, and I appreciate you guys taking the time for this discussion. I grew up watching hockey with my dad, and watching my brothers play, so I’ve had a love of the game itself for as long as I can remember. (I even played from time to time with my brothers, but I think that was primarily a concession to shut me up, or take shots at me. 😉 ) So I have a pretty decent understanding of what’s happening on the ice, at least for someone who has “limited” playing experience. But I am a complete novice when it comes to NHL trades, salary caps, the draft, conditional picks, etc. That was ok, I guess, until I started to develop an interest in such things. These little Q&A sessions are enlightening to me … I really appreciate it!
Jayelene
Rick
In my opinion the only chance teams have against the Pens is to go after
them physically. JR needs to address this going into the playoffs. If you
look at the Caps they’ve picked up our style of pinching there “D” – The
big difference is there doing it with size. I would like to see JR pick up a
rugged winger / defenseman or this may be the year the Caps raise the
cup.
Hey Mike,
It seems you and I have similar views. I, too, would like to see us get a little heavier to better compete with teams like Washington, Columbus and…out west…Minnesota.
I keep harkening back to the ’91-92 team. They muscled up just enough to be able to hang with (then) bruisers like the Rangers and Blackhawks, without taking too much away from the extraordinary skill level that allowed them to capture the Cup in ’91.
A balancing act, I know. And especially difficult to do in the salary-cap era. But I’m confident if anyone can pull it off, it’s JR.
Rick
PS–Speaking of teams that scare me, add the Rangers and Blackhawks to my list. Especially the Hawks. They’ve borrowed a page from us and stocked their bottom-six with hungry, energetic kids. They look an awful lot like the Pens did last spring.
Hey Mike
Good points you raise.
Totally agree. Last year was pure Genius and a lot of desperation by the players and Coaches… and it worked. Plus having the HBK line becoming a constant scoring threat giving us 3 scoring lines and that was a complete surprise to many teams. As you noted now the other teams have made adjustments, personnel and hockey systems wise and we need to be ready. Like we posted before we need a blockbuster trade to shake things up.
Like the old saying, size matters!
Good to hear from you.
JIM
Great Point Jim,
Although Kessel is having an great year the HBK line isn’t. It just may be that is factoring into my trepidations. Right now, Sid, Geno, and Phil are providing the bulk of the drive. And most of Phil’s scoring has been on the power play or when at the beginning or end of shift with other line-mates, or when the lines get juggled. He is not getting the help he had last year to drive the Hydra into full gear. Haven’t looked at the metrics yet nor do I think anyone really has metrics divided into specific line make ups, but I would venture to say that last year HBK was providing a ton of O zone time, keeping the puck away from opponents and now isn’t.
As for your old saying, I can’t help but picture Arnold playing Mr Freeze saying that in Batman Forever (Bad movie with a coulpe of good lines in it)
I just read this on another blog and thought I would share;
Jimmy Murphy: Have heard that the Penguins would like to keep Marc-Andre Fleury, but also hearing that he’d consider waiving his modified no-trade clause for three teams, and that he may have already approved one team.
Jimmy Murphy: Not that it matter just yet for Fleury, but have been told by a NHL source that the Vegas Golden Knights will target him.
Chris Nichols of FanRag Sports: Elliotte Friedman on 630 CHED on if he thinks the Penguins are done trading after they acquired Ron Hainsey from the Hurricanes.
“No, I don’t think so,” considered NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman during a Thursday afternoon appearance on Edmonton’s 630 CHED. “I saw Rutherford had an availability this morning and they’re three guys down now, right. The other thing with Maatta out and Schultz out – although he’s practicing today or skated today – and now Daley out six weeks; what they’re probably going to do is they’re going keep Maatta and Daley out (until) the playoffs, like Chicago did with Patrick Kane two years ago, and come back with added guys.
“So I think Pittsburgh will add another D and I wouldn’t be surprised if they add another forward too. They’re in it to win it, and Rutherford will go for it all and sort it out later.”
Hey Rick,
Like you I am glued to my screen,
However diverge a bit Rick, I am hoping against hope that JR will swing a blockbuster trade. I would not say “To his credit, Rutherford kept the team virtually intact”. Although last year, I was a major proponent of standing pat at the trade deadline, this year, since August I have been saying that you can’t repeat with exactly the same line-up. Should the Pens fail to win a repeat Cup I lay the blame at the feat of last year’s hero, JR.
As I wrote yesterday, I do believe Hainsey is an upgrade on D but only because I have no confidence in the rest of the team D. I won’t bore anyone by repeating the pathetic statistics.
Although, I don’t feel as much of a need for a power forward as others, I would not argue against acquiring one and in fact recently proposed a trade that would have done just that.
However, the Pens are at least posturing like the will not do that. JR still clinging to his tired out, old refrain was quoted yesteday, “Penguins intend to hold on to Marc-Andre Fleury
Goaltender could be essential piece in Stanley Cup run, Pittsburgh GM says”
(In an article on the NHL.com web site)
MAF represents the most expendable yet still valuable asset that JR could vend yet swelling in his huberis he takes an asinine stance in the media. Unless this is just posturing I would say JR may need 302ed. I would say he really has lost touch with reality. Like Nero playing worn out tunes on his fiddle at his resort in Anzio while Rome burned, JR drones on with his “We want to keep 2-starting goalies on the pay roll while the rest of the team burns” hackneyed tune.
The Pens really are paper thin everywhere but Goalie. Even though the current make up of forwards are leading the league in scoring the bulk of that scoring is generated by mainly 3 men, Crosby, Malkin, and Kessel.
I am sorry about this rant but reading that afore mentioned article sticks in my throat.
Hey Other Rick,
While I don’t quite share your views–at least not with the same fervor–I do understand your deep-rooted frustration.
Watching the Penguins grow increasingly smaller (and for a good while, more benign) I literally couldn’t go two days in a row without posting a diatribe of some sort about their lack of size and snarl.
At times I felt like the proverbial tree falling in the woods that nobody heard. Which made me all the more frustrated.
I welcome you to vent as often and as passionately as you like, my friend. If I’m not mistaken, this blog was created by Phil Krundle and Reg Dunlop for that very purpose … 🙂
Rick
Don’t stop Coach .
That is the fun part of being a fan !!! 🙂
Letting off a little steam once in a while.
Cheers
Hey Rick
To use your culinary reference. I Think we need more MEAT and not just a bit of seasonings to make a perfect stew. The other teams have a few more younger and heartier vegetables in their pantry to cook with.
So I hope Master Chef Jimmy R.has good luck at the NHL market and gets some new ingredients.
Otherwise we will all be crying in our soup come May 1st.
Cheers
Hey Jim,
LOVE your witty culinary response … 🙂
Could not have expressed things more eloquently–or colorfully–my friend … 🙂
Rick
Hey Jim,
Your comment reminds me of an old commercial for a resturant chain where a little old lady after looking at the Hamburger she was given turns back to the Kitchen area/Camera and asks “Where’s the beef?”
I agree 100%, this team needs more than seasoning, it needs substance. This team needs a blockbuster deal this year; a blockbuster deal like the one Patrick pulled in trading fan fave Mark Recchi for Rick Tocchet. I really don’t get the feel that JR has enough guts to try and pull off that deal, nor do I think he has enough mojo left even if he did, judging by how much he paid for a guy that never found his way to a single play-off game in 14 seasons, when 53% of the league gets to experience that opportunity every year. I would think the laws of probility would suggest that random chance should be ruled out for Hainsey’s lack of a play-off appearance before.
That’s harsh, other Rick. But having a basic understanding of the laws of probability, maybe not too harsh. You make a good point.
By the way, Rick B, great article! I’m glad to hear I’m not the only one checking every couple hours to see if that big trade is in the wind. 😉
Hey Jayelene,
Thanks for putting up with my frustration right now.
I agree with you about Rick, you have to give him credit for coming up with good articles so consistently and so frequently. He is a friend of mine and I know his schedule can leave him little time to focus here. It amazes me that he can come up with these ideas and flesh them out into coherent, well written articles, so quickly.
Aw, gee … 🙂
Thank you for the kind words and faithful support. You all keep me going with your wonderful, insightful comments.
Rick
👍👍
I’ll jump on board and butter you up, too, Rick. I LOVE your articles (and all the insightful comments they generate). The truth is, this blog is the first place I turn to each day to get my Penguins news, and often the only place I need to look. Other Rick makes a great point – it’s amazing that you come up with this good stuff day in and day out. I’m sure I speak for all of us when I say it’s greatly appreciated! – Jayelene
Thank you Jayelene.
That means a lot … 🙂
There are lots of really great Penguins blogs out there, with some excellent writers. Ones who have a deeper technical grasp of the game than I. Especially in the area of metrics.
I’m truly honored that you all read and like my features … 🙂
Rick