Say this about Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford. He ain’t afraid to be bold.
A fortnight after hinting at reinforcing his quicksilver Cup-winners with a much-needed physical presence, JR backed up his words with deeds.
Upset with the way foes took liberties with his players—Sidney Crosby in particular—with little-to-no protection from the league or referees, the Pens’ plucky GM took matters into his own hands.
Starting the summer off with a bang—quite literally—he acquired heavyweight right wing Ryan Reaves from St. Louis last night in exchange for prospect Oskar Sundqvist and a swap of draft picks.
Regarded as the capo dei capi of NHL enforcers, the burly 6’1’’ 225-pound Reaves is tougher than…well…just about everybody. That includes Washington bad boy Tom Wilson, who regularly terrorized the black and gold over the past few seasons and during the playoffs in particular.
Reaves beat Wilson with ease back in 2014-15, along with nearly everyone else he’s squared off against.
Indeed, not since Big Georges Laraque cut an exceedingly wide swath through opposing thugs have the Pens boasted such an imposing skater. Regarded by many as the NHL heavyweight champ, the Winnipeg native has beaten the toughest of the tough, including former Pen Deryk Engelland and Blackhawks buzz saw Jordin Tootoo, whom he kayoed.
Although physical play clearly is his stock in trade, Reaves is far from one dimensional. In addition to his 239 hits with the Blues last season (10th highest in the league), he flashed a little offense, notching a career-best seven goals in 80 games.
“He can play,” Rutherford said when announcing the deal. “He skates very well for a big guy. He gets in on the forecheck, which is what we like. He can certainly fit into our system and play.”
“We know first and foremost that he is a really good person,” added Pens coach Mike Sullivan. “We think he’ll fit into our locker room extremely well. He’ll help our veteran leadership. He’ll help our team chemistry. For a lot of reasons, we’re thrilled to have him.”
Reaves is smart about the physical side of the game. He brings to mind a Pens enforcer from the distant past, Bob “Battleship” Kelly. One of the most feared fighters of his day, Kelly didn’t drop the gloves too often. He fully understood that the threat of retribution is often enough to keep an unruly foe in line.
The burly newcomer possesses the same sensibility when it comes to his policing duties. Makes him a perfect fit for a team that prefers to stay out of the penalty box.
Given the Pens’ lack of depth at center, especially with Nick Bonino and Matt Cullen poised to become free agents, parting with Sundqvist was a bit of a surprise. Yet while the rangy Swede appeared to take a step forward last season, notching 20 goals for the Baby Pens, he faltered during brief cameos in the ‘Burgh.
The Pens also swapped their first-round pick (31st overall) for the Blues’ second-round pick (51st overall), which they’ll use today barring further trades.
Welcome Aboard
In other news, Rutherford signed defenseman Chad Ruhwedel to a two-year deal on Thursday worth $1.3 million.
Signed last summer to provide depth on the blue line, the former Sabre proved to be a pleasant surprise with his mobility and all-around efficient play. He tallied 10 points in 34 games, to go with a plus-9. Chad also appeared in six playoff games before being sidelined with a concussion.
The team also signed Frederik Tiffels—a sixth-round pick in the 2015 Entry Draft—to a two-year entry contract. Possessing good speed and decent size (200 pounds), the German-born left wing tallied 27 goals during three seasons at Western Michigan University.
Around the League
There’s been plenty of trade activity over the past few days as teams seek to gain an edge for the upcoming season.
Former Cup champ Chicago has been surprisingly active. In perhaps the most shocking swap of all, the Blackhawks reacquired Pittsburgh native Brandon Saad from Columbus for First-Team NHL All-Star Artemi Panarin. The Hawks also dealt longtime defensive stalwart Niklas Hjalmarsson to Arizona in exchange for rearguard Connor Murphy and forward Laurent Dauphin.
Here’s a quick summary of recent deals through Friday:
| June 23—St. Louis acquired center Brayden Schenn from Philadelphia for center Jori Lehtera, a 2017 first-round pick (No. 27) and a conditional 2018 first-round pick
June 23—Chicago acquired a 2017 first-round pick (No. 29) and a 2017 third-round pick (No. 70) from Dallas for a 2017 first-round pick (No. 26) June 23—Columbus acquired center Jordan Schroeder from Minnesota for center Dante Salituro June 23—New York Rangers acquired defenseman Anthony DeAngelo and a 2017 first-round pick (No. 7) from Arizona for center Derek Stepan and goalie Antti Raanta June 23—Columbus acquired left wing Artemi Panarin, left wing Tyler Motte and a 2017 sixth-round draft pick from Chicago for left wing Brandon Saad, goalie Anton Forsberg and a 2018 fifth-round draft pick June 23—Arizona acquired defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson from Chicago for defenseman Connor Murphy and center Laurent Dauphin June 22—Montreal acquired defenseman David Schlemko from Vegas for a 2019 fifth-round pick June 22—New York Islanders acquired center Jordan Eberle from Edmonton for center Ryan Strome June 22—Carolina acquired defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk and a 2018 seventh-round pick from Vegas for a 2017 second-round pick |
Hey Rick,
I will admit I am completely unfamiliar with Reeves, but every thing I have read this morning says that this guy can skate and is a big hitter. I have watched Mike Sullivan mold an entire team and have no doubt Sully & Tocchet will set out a plan for how they want Reeves to play and if he doesn’t follow it he will be riding the pine.
I do like to have an enforcer that plays offense rather than defense. Philly & Columbus skirted the defensive enforcer roll by using the NHL rule that says if a teams defenseman join a skirmish around the net the faceoff is outside of the zone. When the Pens had Engelland the Fleyers & Jackets would always start stuff in front of their own net to try to get the faceoff circle moved.
I really think that adding Reeves will really cut back on a ton of stuff like that.
Hey Phil,
Like you, I prefer to have my muscle up front. I think it places you in a better position to dish out punishment. And, as you so aptly noted, forwards don’t have the same restrictions as d-men during scrums.
Regarding Reaves, to quote Mickey from Rocky III, “this guy’s a wreckin’ machine.” He truly has destructive punching power–not to mention great strength–which is why most of his fights don’t last too long.
Again, he’s pretty smart in the way he goes about his business. Reaves doesn’t fight all that much…mostly because other guys want no parts of him…but also because he knows how to intimidate without dropping the mitts.
In many ways, the perfect enforcer for the Pens.
Switching gears a little, it’s interesting to note that while we’ve muscled up a bit, Columbus got more skilled by acquiring Panarin from Chicago. They figured they’ve got to be more like us, and we figured we’ve got to be more like them.
Two opposite styles meeting somewhere in the middle.
Rick
Changing the subject, I just saw that Colorado is interested in D-Men, would anyone here try and trade Letang for Duchene (apparently the player Colorado is dangling), maybe add say Hagelin in the deal to free up $$$$, then go all in to sign Shattenkirk and resign Schultz?
Hi Coach
Dump Letang and Hagelin if we could a decent return. Sign Schultz but forget Shattenkirk. After watching the Washington series I would not waste my 7 million dollars he will want to receive plus the very long contract.
The jury is out on Duchene. Maybe Gabe Landeskog and our our favorite Russian d man…
I really do not think Letang will get us very much now with his broken neck surgery, many concussions and long contract.
But that is what we need to do to succeed .Think outside the box !!
I would rather have Landeskog myself, but apprently Col is shopping Duchene. So to get out from under that $7mil for a part time D man, I would personally would still flip him for Duchene. Duchene is $6mil, so we would free up $1.25 Mil and we could either skate him at C or on Malkin’s LW.
Duchene had a bad year last year but so did the whole team. On the plus side he is a proven 30G scorer and is a very strong FO man. Last year he won 626% of his FO and the year before he won 57.9% and has a life time FO% of 52.4%. He also has good Take Away to Give Away stats. Playing third line Center behind Crosby and Malkin should make those numbers all better and if he skates with Kessel His O should go way up. Or if he plays LW playing with Malkin and takking most of the Draws makes that a pretty dynamic line.
Of course this all assumes Col is one of Letang’s tradable teams. Since they are looking for D men, they may not want to add Zadorov in the deal unless the Pens maybe throw in Pouliot. The Change of scenery may do him good.
Sorry I am tired and still slightly out of sorts; I didn’t finish my thoughts that well.
So to your point about Letang’s injury and contract, if Col is disillusioned with Duchene, it looks like a good flip, both sides take a risk with both sides potentially getting the player they need to fill the role needed.
And as for Shattenkirk, I agree, he looked really bad, but then again, Was did look like a good fit for him and Orpik was a millstone around his neck. Pair him with Maatta or Domoulin and you just may see a different player under Sully. Maatta would be my first pick because he had shown some chemistry with Letang last year before his injury and I like Cole with Schultz. Honestly, if I had to, I would even throw Domoulin in the mix to get Duchene and Zadorov, because although Domoulin carried a heavy load in the playoffs I would much rather see the snarl of Zadorov in the line-up.
Oh and I meant proven goal scorer who topped out so far at 30 not a proven 30 goal scorer.
Rick, and everyone on this board, I apologize,
I apologize for my rants, perhaps I pushed too long and hard. UNfortunately sometimes my passion for the game goes too far. I don’t know. I am sorry that I may have put you through my tantrums
It’s okay, Other Rick. That’s what this site is for … 🙂
I apologize, too. Sometimes I can get pretty dug in and intense while expressing my views. That’s why I backed away from the keyboard (before Jayelene sent me to my room … 🙂
Boy, this trade sure stoked some passions, didn’t it?
Rick
yes it did.
Amen Brothers.
That is why this blog is special.
Great job to all.
Hey tOR,
Rant all you want, as long as you’re posting a reason behind your rant and what you believe. The only thing I dislike is when people just come on and post we need to trade (insert players name here) he is garbage. I love hearing and debating opposing intelligent thoughts. Though I consider myself quasi block-headed, sometimes a good debate can sway my opinion.
It’s interesting to read all the pros and cons from you guys – thanks for the analysis! But with all this weeping and gnashing of teeth, I’ll tell you two people who are sleeping a lot better at night – Sidney Crosby & his neurosurgeon.
Your not kidding Jay. And all his family and friends in Cole Harbor as well.
Have a good summer if we do not have a chance to talk for a while.
What ever happens in 2018…No one can say the back to back wins were not Impressive.
Maybe Jaylene,
Maybe Crosby and his nuerosurgeon are sleeping better now and through the summer, but it won’t last long. I don’t know how far back your Pens memory goes, but let me invoke another former Pens enforcer, Dave the Hammer Schultz. Like Reaves, he was the most feared enforcer of his day. Unlike Reaves he could score.
When the Pens traded for him Schultz was only 28, so he was younger, and the who city went wild thinking that an end finally came to the pushing of the Pens around.
Unfortunately all that happened was the circus that circus performers bring with them. In the mentality of a true goon, you really don’t fear your opponent, even if they beat you a couple of times. Like the gambler, you think that the next opportunity you get you are going to win. so the only people that Schultz scared off was the midling guy who wouldn’t try gooning it up anyway unless the circus came to town. Particualrly the young guns just keep coming at the current sheriff.
Soon after Schultz got here, the refs got fed up with the circus he created every time he stepped on the ice. whether or not he really was sent on the ice, the perception was he was sent out there to start something. In quick order the refs started whistling him for the most trival calls and then even anything that the could justify as if they didn’t truly see the whole play. In the end, as an enforcer he was useless, because he was never on the ice. He was sitting in the penalty box on tripping, hooking, or any number of other B_ calls the refs could come up with. In the rare occaision he was on the ice he got tagged with every additional penalty the refs could dream up.
In todays day and age, all these refs have to do is tag a game misconduct to any other penalty they can dream up when Reaves protests the call. as the game misconducts start piling up, automatic suspensions will soon follow, so Crosby and Malkin will be back to square one, players will take all the liberties they want on Crosby and Malkin and then even when Reaves gets back from his suspensions, all they need to do is take one for the team, Reaves is gone again and they can get back to business as usual.
And let’s face, JR basically has laid the gauntlet down, so there will be no question as to why Reaves is out there. You don’t trade a first round pick, or even a second round pick for a goon. Call up Barnum and Baily and put it all under the Big Top!!!
I have always been a fan of hard nosed hockey, but not circus antics. Goonery for goonery’s sake is as objectionable when the Pens do it as it was when I complained about opponents doing it to them.
Hard nosed hockey is more a question of what Sully has preached, taking the hit and playing through it without lowering yourself to the circus antics. I just hope Sully doesn’t buy into JRs descent into madness.
When I first heard the deal, I just thought the Pens paid too much for Reaves, but the more I look at it, the more I analyze it, the more I despise this trade. If you want to have tough hockey teams you keep your draft picks and you look for tallker kids in the draft with some talent with the right attitude and the frame to build the bulk to be a power forward. You don’t go out and hire mercenary goons.
Hey Rick,
Of course everyone is trying to put a good spin on this mess. If you listen to the Pen’s media we have done a fantastic job in preparing for the Three Peat.
I am sorry I just do not see it that way and I am a huge fan of size,strength, speed, skill and strong physical play. As the legendary Punch Imlach said and many others as well,” if you can not beat them in the alley, you sure the heck can not beat them on the ice”. In some ways I believe that is true.
We simply paid to much for what we received back.
Rick, I have mentioned this before. The 2017 Penguins were not as good as the 2016 version, although they were 95 % the same team ! Why? Because the body can only absorb so much punishment before something gives.
We were a banged up group this year. Can they do it again?
I know I am in the minority in this but I do not see this group three peating as is. They CAN but they need changes. I just do not see Reeves as the final piece to three peat and as I said before, we paid way to much for him.
People will have different views and that is okay with me. I have thick skin !!
Plus they are a great bunch of knowledgeable fans.Even couples disagree once in a while ..
Good article Rick ..
Jim
Hey Jim,
I know you and Other Rick are against the trade, and I do understand your concerns.
Keep in mind that we’re on the very front end of a three-month process. This is liable to be only the very first step in a series of moves. I really don’t think we should judge Rutherford and his staff too harshly until we see the finished product.
Personally, I don’t think we lost anything with this trade. You know as well as I that a 31st pick is anything but a lock to make it. Honestly, the Pens have built themselves as much through free-agent signings like Sheary and Wilson as they have through the draft.
Sundqvist? I thought the kid regressed. Do you think we’d have parted with him if the coaching staff saw anything in him, anything at all? Especially since we’re liable to be short on centers?
To me, we gave up nothing. And we received Reaves, by all accounts, the toughest guy in the league. Opposing players actually fear him.
He’s smart, too. He doesn’t run around dropping the gloves every two seconds. He knows when to use a glare or a bump … or an impromptu counseling session. Sometimes that’s all it takes to maintain order and keep the peace.
I realize we have a log jam at right wing. Two things. Some guys are capable of playing the off wing. Perhaps the coaching staff has a feel for who might be shifted to the left side. And, as I mentioned before, this is likely only the beginning of what’s liable to be a lengthy process. One that might not wrap up until September.
Personally, I wouldn’t get too worked up over things just yet. I prefer to put my trust in Rutherford. Until he proves otherwise, I think he’s earned it.
Rick
Lord – this deal was a long time coming!! Finally we won’t have to sit and watch while guys try to put our skilled players in the hospital.
This was adding much needed toughness and grit to a beat up Penguin
team.
Hey Mike,
There’s been a surprising amount of pushback on this deal. But, like you, I’m glad to have Reaves.
In today’s NHL, they don’t come any tougher.
Rick
With all due respect Rick, Battleship Kelly twice had 50+ points in his brief tenure with the Pens and topped out with 27 markers in 69 Gp that season and was +18 for his career as Pen, Reaves doesn’t stack up at all with Kelly.
As for channeling Laraque and Ruutu, yes I admit I like those guys when they were on the team, but guess what, the won the cup when they parted ways with them.
Reaves has scored 27 G in 419 GP, Kelly once scored 27 in one season and only 69 games of that season to boot. Reaves has 51 Pnts in his 419 GP. Kelly had 58 one season. Reaves owns a -4 career +/-.
And as for Laraque he has no Cups, and neither does Reaves and the Stl teams he played on. In fact they were early exiters with Reaves.
You cannot dress up a sows ear into a silk purse no matter how much makeup you powder it up with. Reaves is nothing more than a goon and JR gave up a 1st round pick for a goon.
As for JR he is also the man who hired MJ and had the same senior moment he had when he hired MJ when he traded for Reaves.
Yes I want the team tougher but this was a stupid trade!
I am willing to bet you my friend, if Reaves plays more than 20 games and is still here come playoff time the Pens do not 3-peat and within 3 seasons Hague will at least be a regular dman in the NHL. He may not be challenging for the Norris, but he will be a solid D man. The terms will take three years, but you can name the stakes.
Hey Other Rick,
I know you don’t like this deal. I think we’ll have to agree (or disagree?) to be polar opposites on this one.
You’ve taken my point about Kelly way out of context. Nowhere did I mention that Reaves is on Battleship’s level as a scorer. Obviously, he’s not. Didn’t mention Ruutu at all, so I don’t know how he worked his way into your rebuttal.
I said Reaves reminds me of Kelly in the way he goes about his enforcing business. That’s all.
I stand by what I said. I don’t think we let a potential star slip away by trading the 31st pick (basically a second rounder).
Reaves is genuinely tough. There will be no more shenanigans–or least not nearly as many–with him on board.
Regarding the log jam at right wing. Injuries happen, my friend. So do trades. One thing is certain. Sullivan will do what he feels is best for the team. Maybe Reaves plays 40 games against heavier teams and Archibald plays 40 against skating teams.
We’ll see how it shakes out.
I, for one, will be very happy to have Reaves when we play the likes of Columbus, Washington and Winnipeg. I’m sure Sid and Geno will be, too.
Rick
I mentioned Ruutu because he was also on those Laraque teams that failed to win the Cup. Straight up goons do not win Cups. The game still comes down to Gs and as I mentioned below, Reaves P60 is not at all good, particularly when Sestito has better numbers and is a Penguin right now ,or at least a FA who would no doubt resign if offered.
And let’s not forget Sestito was on the roster this post season with all the black aces and got 0 ice time. Had the Pens used Sestito at all last year, none of this discussion takes place. There would be no exigency to hire a pure goon. Let alone trade a draft pick for one.
Also in Sestito’s favor, he plays LW where there is a job opening.
And as for the draft pick, you name the stakes, anything from just a beer or a gentlemanly post right here, “you were right Rick” to what ever you want to name.
Those analytics guys from CMU must not have been consulted at all. This makes no logical sense only knee jerk reactionary, visceral sense and it goes against everything Sully has been preaching since he got here, as he has tried to distance the team from the circus of pure goonery.
Even if other deals are made, at best any new deals just work to recover the stupidity of this deal.
Apparently, I am not going to change your mind and you are not going to change mine. Next summer, even if you don’t take me up on the bet, I will bring this back up, whether the unlikely happens and the Pens 3-peat or the more probable the Pens find themselves with early tee times from a lack of actual hockey players on the team, replaced with circus performers.
Fine, Other Rick, bring it back up.
There are lots of things I could write, but in the interest of decorum, I’m going to bite my tongue (and fingers) for now.
Perhaps I’ll even send myself to my room, as Jayelene would suggest … 🙂
I’ve stated my case.
Rick
Hi Rick,
Points are well taken… This is not September 15 th and there will indeed be many ups and downs until the team takes final shape.
Also let us not forget the loss of Jason Bottreil and Randy Sexton.
They are not here any more and maybe we will miss them?
For me the chance to get Kostin as a winger for Geno was too much to pass up. During last nights draft, they had THE top 10-12 picks already in a room back stage to speed up the draft process and get easier media interviews.Kostin was selected to be in that room ! The top Russian player of the draft they said. Last year he was tearing up the league and people said he would go top 5 for sure.His talent was so good the pundits said they would have drafted him last year in the first round but could not due to age limits.Yes he had a serious injury this year and he fell to 18th place. But that did not stop him. He has one heck of an upside. I would have gambled on him and got another tough guy in free agency.
Another Mario mistake. We draft at 51st, a pick that is rated 143 by Central scouting to as high as 170 by others for a French Canadian kid, that there were at least 100 other better picks to chose from.
That does not make sense unless the boss tell you to !
Rick I hope we can resign Schultz and Bonino .
Then steal 3 or 4 good free agents cheap with some size and skill.
Are we going to move Hornqvist? No. Kessel? No. Rust? maybe. Sheary ? Looks like it.
Sprong? He is on his last year of a 3 year entry level deal . I have seen him play several times since Christmas and he is a keeper. Next to their Goalie he was the best player on the ice for Charlottetown. Not just on the score sheet either. He has an edge to his game that I like. You do not play him this year Rick, next year he will be in a Montreal uniform scoring 30-35 goals a year !
Then Reeves…. Something does not make sense to me.
This is the last time I will harp about it.
Lets go pen’s….
Let me throw this stat out there as well, for anyone who think Reaves is anything but a goon his P60 is 0.91, Tom Sestito’s P60 since he has been a Pen is 1.89 the same as Carl Hagelin and Sestito is already on the team and a LW where there are job openings and very well liked on the team, yet he doesn’t play.
Hey Other Rick,
I like Sestito, too. Like the way he went about his business.
I think we have to trust that Rutherford and Sullivan discussed this. For whatever reasons, perhaps they felt big Tom couldn’t do the job. Or maybe they plan to re-sign him as the Baby Pens’ heavy.
Anyways, the deal was made. What’s done is done.
Rick
You are right Rick the deal is done, and I am sorry, but I am irreconcilably and diametrically opposed to this trade. And since Sestito actually has more hockey sense as evidenced by hi better P60, I would suggest that Reaves is better suited to be WBS tooth fairy
Yes, Other Rick, Sestito’s points/60 minutes are better (1.25 for his NHL career).
He’s also had the benefit of playing for the Pens, as opposed to the considerably less offensive Blues. His non-Penguins PP60 is 1.18–fairly in line with Reaves’.
I’m not predicting a breakout 20-goal season for Reaves. But it’ll be interesting to see how he does on a team with more pedigree.
FYI, his career shooting percentage is 11.2–not too shabby. Sestito’s is very good–16.4.
That’s not why Reaves is here. He was acquired to be an alpha physical presence and to protect the Pens’ stars, which he most assuredly will do.
Rick