• Mon. Dec 23rd, 2024

Penguins Pick Six

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ByRick Buker

Jun 25, 2017

General manager Jim Rutherford and the scouting staff added six new players to the Penguins’ fold yesterday at the NHL Entry Draft in Chicago.

With the 51st overall pick—acquired from St. Louis in the Ryan Reaves deal—the Pens selected defenseman Zachary Lauzon from Rouyn-Noranda of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Although a bit undersized at 6-0 187 pounds, Lauzon employs a physical, stay-at-home style.

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While helping to lead the Huskies to the Quebec League championship, the 18-year-old tallied 21 points in 63 games, to go with 90 penalty minutes and a sparkling plus-42. He earned the Kevin Lowe Trophy as the Best Defensive Defenseman in the QMJHL.

Despite his modest output and a comparatively low draft ranking by NHL Central Scouting (143rd among North American prospects), he’s an excellent skater and moves the puck well, two black-and-gold prerequisites.

Jesse Marshall of Faceoff-Factor likened Lauzon to a smaller, edgier version of present Pens defenseman Brian Dumoulin.

In the third round the Pens selected Clayton Phillips, an undersized offensive defenseman from Fargo of the United States Hockey League. An explosive skater who patterns his game after Kris Letang, the 17-year-old Phillips has ties to Mike Guentzel (Jake’s dad), who helped recruit Clayton for the University of Minnesota.

The Hockey News described Phillips as a “smart, puck-moving D-man made for (the) modern NHL.”

The Pens switched gears as well as continents with their next picks, selecting a pair of European forwards in Round Five.

With the 152nd pick, they grabbed Jan Drozg, a Slovenian-born left wing who skated in Sweden during the past season. Described as a “late bloomer” by Randy Sexton, the 18-year-old tallied 22 goals and 54 points in 39 games, spread over three different leagues.

Competing for Slovenia in the Under 18 World Junior Championships, Drozg earned “Best Forward” and “Top Player on Team” honors.

Three slots later, the Pens drafted Swedish center Linus Olund. Ranked 57th among European skaters by NHL Central Scouting, the 5’11” 185-pounder totaled 15 points in 39 games for Brynas in Sweden’s top pro league. While serving as captain for Brynas’ minor-league club in 2015-16, Olund notched 34 points (18+16) in only 27 contests.

In the sixth round the Pens nabbed Antti Palojarvi, a puck-moving Finnish defenseman. Swinging back across the pond, they took Will Reilly of RPI, a rugged offensive defenseman who combines size (6’2” 197) with mobility and a heavy shot.

Reilly was named top prospect in the Ontario Junior Hockey League in 2015.

Sign ‘Em Up

With the Entry Draft in his rear-view mirror, Rutherford can turn his full attention to fleshing out the Pens’ roster. That includes securing at least some of the 20 players presently in the organization who are eligible to become free agents on July 1.

Most prominent among the pending free agents? Key defensemen Dumoulin and Justin Schultz figure to command JR’s attention—not to mention a healthy chunk of the $20 million in cap space presently available to the Pens’ GM.

Centers Nick Bonino and Matt Cullen no doubt are high on JR’s priority list, too. The duo combined for 31 goals last season, providing the Pens with uncommon depth and production down the middle.

The gritty Bonino, a top shot-blocker, penalty killer and clutch goal scorer, is sure to draw plenty of offers from other teams. Although the 40-year-old Cullen is pondering retirement, he hasn’t ruled out a return.

The Pens may also have an interest in re-signing feisty left wing Chris Kunitz and veteran defensemen Trevor Daley and Ron Hainsey if the price is right. Perhaps even depth defenseman Cameron Gaunce, who did a solid job of plugging gaps on a short-term basis.

Rutherford has encouraged his free agents to test the open market. Still, it’ll be interesting to see if he signs any in advance of free agency. JR inked blueliner Chad Ruhwedel to a two-year deal last week.

Wheelin’ and Dealin’

There were nine more trades in the NHL yesterday, mostly involving draft picks. However, two deals included player swaps.

Calgary acquired defenseman Travis Hamonic and a conditional fourth-round pick from the New York Islanders for a 2018 first-round pick, a 2018 second-round pick and a conditional second-round pick.

Columbus acquired a 2017 second-round pick from Vegas for forward Keegan Kolesar.

25 thoughts on “Penguins Pick Six”
  1. Big Congrats to the Wrecking Ball, no 8, Mark Recchi on his election to the NHL HoF

    1. Hey Coach
      He was one of the good guys in the league. I never heard anyone say a bad thing about Mark Recchi. By all reports he was a great team mate where ever he played. A true professional.
      Good guys can finish on top.! 🙂

  2. Hey Other Rick and Jim,

    This message is a carryover from the previous day’s comments.

    I’ve had a chance to stand down a little from my initial reaction to the Reaves trade. And I can appreciate your thoughts and concerns a little more.

    More to the point, why burn a comparatively high draft pick for a heavyweight when, for all intents and purposes, we already have a decent one in Tom Sestito?

    Aside from a tendency to slightly overplay his role, due in no small part to the way he was used (as Other Rick explained), I thought Sestito did a more than creditable job as our enforcer. He was quick to challenge offenders and settle scores. And while he isn’t the reigning heavyweight champ by any stretch, he’s an above-average fighter in today’s NHL.

    Coupled with the fact that he plays left wing, a position where we’re relatively thin, it might’ve made sense to stick with big Tom.

    Honestly, I’d still like to re-sign him, although I think the chances of that are slim and nil. I’m sure he wants a shot at regular NHL duty. Thanks to his generally effective work with the Pens, I think he’s put himself back on the map. I could see a number of teams, including St. Louis, New Jersey, Montreal, Columbus and Philly, having an interest in him.

    In terms of selecting a big defenseman like Nicolas Hague with the draft pick we dealt? For better or worse, the Pens look at skating and puck-handling first and size as an afterthought. Even if we’d held onto that pick, I don’t know if JR and Company would choose the type of player we all seem to covet.

    Anyway. I’m still glad to have Ryan Reaves. I think he’ll do a bang-up job of protecting our stars, and we might even see a little uptick in his output as well.

    Just wanted to share those thoughts.

    Rick

    1. Hey Rick,

      As you point out, yesterdays discussion is all pointless now, Reaves is here whether I liked the trade or not. And JR is obviously not losing any sleep over what I think, otherwise he would have consulted me first; as of this writing I must confess, he hasn’t called me, not even to soothe my ruffled feathers.

      In defense of my gravitation toward Hague, my understanding of him is that he is not only big, but has good puck handling and offensive skills. Going to last season he was known for his O but opted to start working on his D to become a shut down D man. I read a quote were he states he wants to be a top pairing so he wants to have a complete game. That is why I have been all over wanting him, I love that attitude and the work ethic; working hard to make weaknesses strengths,

  3. Hey Rick,

    I wonder if the Pens used that CMU guru to make the draft pick?

    I have no problem with who they drafted. I don’t believe the Pens have a chance at a quality guy coming from the draft in the near future, I’m all about being all in for the now. I don’t see the Penguins getting anything anywhere near a Crosby/Malkin combo possibly ever again.

    There are 31 teams in the NHL. That means statistic wise teams have a little over 3% chance to win the Cup each year. When you have a golden opportunity to go for it all, you go for it all.

    1. Hey Phil,
      I hear ya loud and clear. Many will agree with you 100 % .
      Please do not misunderstand me, but there is nobody who wants to see the team three peat more than me. I want Sidney Crosby to get a historic third Championship that would cement his career to another level in the NHL History books.
      Then Phil, honestly see him retire right after that while he still has his health to some degree. Concussions are not to be fooled with.
      Danny Grant,his brother and I were talking yesterday. Danny made a good point. When he played in the NHL there was a lot more violence and dirty play. One ref with no video replays could not possibly see everything.
      The average NHL career was less than 5 years he said. 10 years in the NHL was the exception. 15 years or longer was a rarity. Today players are all playing 10+ years in the NHL, 20 years is the exception and over 25 years is a rarity. But to his point was that head injuries are much more serious now because players are playing much longer and the players are much bigger, stronger and faster. In his day he was considered to be above average in size at 6′ 200 # ..today that number is 6’3″ 225# he said. Then he said,in his day if somebody ” INTENTIONALLY ” hit a star player in the head like they did to Crosby or Letang ,they would never make it back on the team bus that night.
      I digress..
      If we are honest with ourselves Phil,because our team was smaller than most these past few years, plus it was the second oldest in the league this year I believe as well, and our ownership refused to acknowledge the issue until just recently that our small team needs protection, the Pen’s have some real problems.
      1. Letang has had to play an exceptional amount of key minutes this past 3-4 years and he has taken a beating for it. He has suffered numerous concussions and head trauma issues and most recently under went neck surgery to correct the battle scars of his hockey career. He is injured almost every year and he is soon to be 30 years old. He is not 20.. It is irresponsible to let a player endanger himself any longer. Because they pay him such a high salary, 7.3 million a year, of course he will always want to play. But if he was Joe Average making 40 K a year, would you let him play knowing one wrong hit could put him in a wheel chair for the rest of his life. Of course not.
      We have other players on our team in similar situations who will remain nameless.
      Where you and I have a slight difference of opinion is that I prefer the Detroit model or Chicago model of trying to make it to the FINAL FOUR every year and then if lady luck smiles upon us we make it to the Cup final and try to win our fair share of Cups.You move pieces of your roster at key times to get younger and cheaper players while maintaining a few core pieces.
      I am not going to rehash old arguments but I think you must always purge your team of players when they are at the top of their careers PROVIDED you get skilled, younger, cheaper replacements and you keep Crosby as the face of the franchise.

      By the way we are in agreement on this point…. We drafted nothing in 2017 that will make a long lasting impression on future Pen’s teams.
      I think forward Linus Olund will have the best chance in 5 years of cracking the Pen’s line up. 3rd- 4 th liner.
      Phil, I have seen Lauzon play against Saint John. There is a reason he is rated 143 rd in the draft. Best defensive d man in the QHL. haha..
      That is the same thing as saying Connor Sheary is a 25+ goal scorer with out Crosby or Malkin. Put Lauzon on any other team,( except Saint John, league Champs) , he would be exposed for what he is. Mediocre.
      Good post.. respect your opinion Phil.

      1. Hey Jim,

        The concussion discussion is always an interesting one. I have thought about it as many ways as possible and the only way it gets fixed is if the NHL starts enforcing it’s rules harsher. The players are too proud to quit when they are too injured to continue playing and the owners are stuck to the contracts because of the way the players union bargained for it.

        If the NHL had contracts the way the NFL had contracts then teams would probably not have a problem releasing a player that shouldn’t be playing. Basically the whole problem is the result of an extremely poorly constructed system.

        The player problems or as you call them “battle scars” is one of the reasons I really like bringing in Reeves. I’m positive that other team’s players took cheap shots at the penguins, punches to the head, cross checks to the head and elbows to the head, because they knew there would be no retaliation. The Penguins played by the rules for two years and the NHL did nothing. Reeves was the only option.

        As for other stuff, Detroit is the only team I know that had been able to keep a decent team for years on end.

        Chicago did it the exact same way the Penguins did it. They missed the playoffs 9 out of 10 years to get Kane & Toews. They won their first cup in 49 years that way. As a note of interest, It took the Hawks missing 10 of 11 years to get the picks to win the cup in 1961. After 1962 they played the mediocre game for 40 years only missing the playoffs once & didn’t win a cup.

        They age thing is goofy. If the Penguins don’t resign Kunitz and they insert Sprong into the lineup, all of the sudden the team is a year younger, the same age as they are year.

        I respect the keep the team quality hope for some good luck plan and understand my plan is a bit outside the box. At the same time, I believe Malkin & Crosby should be able to retire Penguins at a time they decide they want to. They have both earned the right to make that decision and should never be ever traded or asked be traded unless they ask to be.

        1. Hey Phil,

          Interesting discussion;

          I don’t think the concussion issue gets fixed internally. I do believe an outside force, the Courts or Congressional investigations will have to be invoked. As you note the players themselves are way to proud often to their own detriment.

          There are two schools of thought though on winning Stanley Cups. You can wait until you bottom out and hopefully end up last so that you can draft a generational player like how the Pens won their first 2-Cups with Lemieux and even more importantly how they landed their last 3 Cups. They wallowed at the bottom for quite a time garnering 2 no 1 overall picks in MAF and Crosby and should have actually had 3 no 1 overall picks but the year they drafted Malkin was the first year of the Lottery and Was won the Lottery, but the Pens ended up with the better player in my mind.

          However, Montreal has won 10 Stanley Cups over the 50 year span the Pens have been in the League. I am not sure, but I dobt they have been near the bottom in any of those 50 years. They have just built a solid organization from top to bottom and have made many smart trades over those years to trade up in the draft and to identify young prospects on other teams and then pluck them away.

          I can understand the allure to want to try and get the next generational player, we are getting kind of spoiled here watching players like Lemieux, Jagr, Crosby, and Malkin, that we kind of want the next one. Unfortunately, Edmonted may have the next one in McDavid, maybe Matthews can rise to that level I don’t know. It may not be for another 10 years before we see another dominant player like that. And with the Lottery draft, you can’t really ensure getting that pick, you can just get better odds at landing the pick.

          I am not saying I agree or disagree, just that I understand that approach and that it is great to be able to watch that generational player night in and night out instead of waiting until his team comes to town.

          1. 100% right tOR, it probably will only be solved by outside force. Unfortunately it will probably take the crippling of a player or two.

            I can’t put Montreal into the same boat as Detroit, here is why. I believe they had an unfair advantage in the ’70s. for one, they didn’t really introduce a real draft until 1963 (If I remember correctly) and two, keep in mind this is before computers or hockey on TV, they had the most insane scout system built up and a even rumored to have coaches and GM’s in minor league systems paid off for tips on players and sometimes if they were really good keep them hidden from scouts.

            All of the new teams couldn’t compete and they already had the other 5 teams minor league teams crushed. I believe the Habs rule over the NHL was done in by computers. They also haven’t won in 24 years.

            So the tanking the draft for years or steady as she goes? I’m watching Boston for answers on this. While they didn’t get a top draft pick, they sure have had a boat load of first rounder picks in the last few years. It will be interesting to see how that plays out.

            I know we’re spoiled here. I followed the Pens before ’84, but it’s been so long, I don’t really remember what it felt like not having a guy chase for the Art Ross Trophy every year.

            I’m not sure how people are elsewhere, but speaking for my family and friends, we are hockey player people, not the team name. We want to see Crosby & Malkin win the Cup.

            The best way for me to explain it is, if the Penguins traded every player this year and brought in a whole new group of players and they won the Cup I wouldn’t care even a little bit. I don’t just root for the word Penguins. Actually if the Pens traded Crosby and Malkin I would drop my tickets. I’m invested in the players of the team, not the team name. Crosby and Malkin are my hockey team until they start over and bring in a new group of players to try for the Cup.

            1. Hey Phil
              I was typing while you posted your last post
              You, my friend are a very special fan….
              No wonder you and your buddy started this blog all those years ago.
              To read that if they traded Sud and Geno you would surrender your tickets. .. Wow.
              Not very many fans like you..Mr. Krundle.
              I am impressed.

            2. Hey Phil,

              I think that if I said you or anyone were wrong for being a hockey player person or a hockey team person, it would be like me saying you were wrong for saying you like the color blue or the color red. It is just what it is.

              Like you I come from a hockey family. I go back to the beginning with the Pens, but my mother goes back to the Hornets. I still remember how excited she was when the Pens traded for Pete Mahovlich because she saw him playing for the Hornets at the old Duquesne Gardens. In fact while Pete Mo was still in Montreal she would always comment on how she knew he was going to a great player when she first saw him in a Hornets Jersey. She also mooned over Andy Bathgate, having watched him in a Rangers uniform for years.

              However, even though like everyone in Pgh, I am spoiled, I love being able to watch Crosby, Malkin, and before them Mario, and Jaromir, I bleed black and gold. I am even more spoiled by the fact that the Pens have been able to be considered serious Cup contenders for the bulk of those years. Maybe that is why that even though I appreciate what Jaromir did for Hockey in general, I really think it is an affront to the Team, Lemieux and Briere in particular to suggest that his number gets retired too. He stormed out of Pittsburgh, public demanding to be traded so that all the teams in the league knew they had the Pens over a barrel in a trade and all they could get in return was luminaries Beech, Sivek, and Lupeshuck. And even when he could of returned as a FA, he spurned the Pens.

              I do agree that Crosby and Malkin should have the right to retire as Pens, generational stars have that right. If the Pens were that classless as to trade either of them in two or three years, I would be irate, but I wouldn’t abandon the team.

              My family was not just a hockey family, but a sports family, Every Pirates, Steelers, and Pens game was always on (TV or radio) all year round. However, as baseball and football have transitioned to a sport more about individual superstars rather than the team, we all have lost interest in those sports porportionally. Hockey is the only team sport where “team” is still the important word.

              Again, if a person likes red instead of blue, that is entirely up to them, I just prefer being true blue team.

            3. Hey tOR,

              I believe Jagr did what he needed to. We have no idea what went on. I don’t remember him “Storming Out”. What we do now know is that he gave his heart to the Pittsburgh team. He won five Art Ross Trophy’s and two cups. We also know that sometimes he played when he wasn’t payed for months and didn’t know if he was ever going to get paid. He also played as hard as he could until the Penguins traded every single player around him that had an ounce of talent. Basically they used Jagr’s name to sell tickets.

              Here is what we don’t know. Did he go in and ask for a trade in secret? Maybe he was told they would see they could do then they did nothing forcing him to take it public.

              If you want to get into that retired jersey raising, what about Mario Lemieux? The teams so called savior. The only thing he saved the team from was the financial ruin he himself laid upon the team collecting money while not playing.

              Keep in mind that when Jagr asked to be traded, that Mario Lemieux guy who’s jersey is up in the rafters was suing the Penguins. The same Mario Lemieux guy who was going to move the Penguins team to Kansas City.

              Thing weren’t good with the Penguins back then and we just need to take it for what it was. Jagr’s jersey needs to be raised. He only gave up on the team after the team gave up on itself.

              I’m not abandoning the team if they trade Crosby or Malkin, which is a moot point since they can’t anyway. I would just be supporting them the way you, Rick, and Jim support the team.

            4. I am sorry I brought up Jagr, he is only peripheral to what I wanted to say. I have a lot of friends that are still Jagr fans. I am not. I appreciate him as a generational talent, that is all. Again it is what it is.

            5. Hey tOR,

              I have lot’s of friends that feel the same way you do! It’s probably 50/50. I just believe he got the business end of the business end. I do love the debates on the subject, and it will be interesting to see how it plays out.

          2. Hi Coach
            I can not believe I am defending them because I am not a Habs fan .My Mom was and alot of friends are..But not me.
            However I do respect them very much for what they accomplished all the years the Molson family owned them. (Local Quebec ownership).There was a period where George Gillett owned them and things were run much differently and the team suffered. The third generation Molson Kids bought the Habs back from Gillett and vowed never to sell them again.
            The Habs are as much a part of the French nation of Quebec as Poutine and Maple Syrup.
            They run a classy organization. Case in point Coach.
            In Fredericton we had the Quebec Nordiques and Vancouver Canucks AHL Team. It was a very well run organization. When Quebec relocated their NHL team we were left with out a Sponsor. THE CANADIENS moved in to Fredericton.Serge Savard, then GM and VP met with a group of us local hockey organizers and in one 3 hour meeting spent 2 million dollars on Fredericton local hockey programs.The Golden Days we called it. Every team, in every division from age 6 to 60 had new Montreal Uniforms.The City became a sea of Red, White and Blue over night. The Habs trained local coaches at all levels.If you were an AHL Fredericton Canadians season ticket holder and you wanted to see the NHL Canadiens you got tickets.Always.No
            exceptions. To say the least, The Montreal Canadians were a classy organization. Serge Savard said to me personally that if the Fredericton AHL Team lost 5-6 million a year he would be very pleased.The cost of winning a Stanley Cup he said. I will never forget that meeting.
            So Coach what Montreal does is spend the time,effort and money to make their brand successful.
            This is why Mario and Sidney were first and always Montreal fans before they ever came to Pittsburgh. They both give back so much to the community of Pittsburgh because they learned it growing up and watching Montreal.
            I forgot to mention them to Phil above.
            Plus they always want to have a young French star to attract the young crowd. We are all old guys.We see 30 year players as young…But there not. Mc David and Matthews drive a young audience. We need that in Pittsburgh as well.
            THANKS COACH. ☺

            1. Hey Jim,

              Habs have a great system in place, there is no doubt about that. Mario & the Penguins have really been putting a lot into building rinks in and around Pittsburgh. Maybe they are emulating the Canadians.

              I do know that there has been a bunch of great players coming out of the Pittsburgh area. My brother coached Brandon Saad when he was younger.

              Vincent Trocheck, John Gibson and others have recently done well in the NHL. It should only get better.

              Also, on a side note, my nephew made the Team USA U18 inline squad and will be playing in the championships in August in China!

            2. Hey Phil,
              Where I am from, most fans do not get it.
              For the NHL to survive and prosper you need to expand in the USA !! Yes we can put another Team in Toronto or surrounding area and one will be in Quebec city very soon.( They will not pay 500 million US dollars to get one when there are 2 or 3 US teams that want to sell and relocate for 400 million or less !! ). But after that there are no great Canadian markets left.
              California has 3 successful teams. One founded by a Disney movie franchise. They have all done well. Why not another one up North ? Minnesota, Hockey country is another area where Hockey flourishes.
              Detroit. Hockey City USA . Thanks to the Little Caesars program they have built a large hockey base.There are many US success stories.
              But particularly in Pittsburgh.
              Many US born players are coming up thru the USHL,College and other development leagues.
              The proof is in the results. US Hockey, both Men’s and Women’s are now tops in the World.
              Canada,Russia, America and Sweden .
              On any given day any of these teams can beat each other. It was not always that way.
              Where the difference is, that after the first two lines of stars,( 11 players,) maybe Canada has the depth to field 60 players of equal, but lesser talent, and the USA and Sweden maybe can field only 20 more depth players.
              But that is changing fast. Many players are from Pennsylvania and your Pen’s programs.
              One thing the Europeans are doing better than us is producing great young Goalies. For the past 10 years you see it more and more.
              Glad to hear your Nephew will play in the U18 squad. That says something about him.
              cheers

  4. So, now that I ranted on what I wouldn’t have done, for those who may care, this is what I would have done to ensure a 3-peat. I really am not one to simply complain unless I had an idea of what should be done. Even when I coached, I never called a player out until I had an idea on how to fix the problem.

    In the coming season, my first line Power Play would look like this;
    Crosby – Kessel – Sestito – Malkin – Schultz

    What? Sestito on the PP! Yes, Sestito is a huge body 6’5, 220 something, As Rick noted below he has a 16% S%, like Wayne Simmons he would play way more havoc in front of the net than Hornqvist can. No slam on Hornqvist, I like him a lot, but he is fractional in size compared to Sestito. Also playing Sestito on the PP gives me tons of flexibility. I can put him on the ice without escalating a game into an automatic gladiatorial circus.

    My second line PP would be;
    Duchene – Hornqvist – Guentzel – Maatta – Shattenkirk

    What? Where did Duchene and Shattenkirk, come from? Colorado is looking for D men and have soured on Duchene. I package Letang, Domoulin, and Pouliot for Duchene and Zadoroc. If I have to, I use Maatta instead of Domoulin to pull off the trade. I then use the savings to sign Shattenkirk. Note I also try to Package Hornqvist and Sheary for Landeskog in that deal. If I pull that off replace Hornqvist with Landeskog

    On PK at Center I would use Bonino first Rowney second and if need be Duchene third (When Bonino or Rowney are in the box). The other Forwards would be Kuhnhackl, Hagelin, and Rust. My D would be Cole and Girardi first pairing and Zadorov and Domoulin/Maatta second pairing.

    My Even strength would then look like this;

    Crosby – Geuntzel – Rust
    Malkin – Kuhnhackl – Hornqvist
    Duschene – Hagelin – Kessel
    Bonino – Sestito – Rowney

    Utility Fs – Archibald and Wilson.

    By mid-season I should have Sprong inserted into the line-up. And even if I can’t pull off the Landskog part of the deal, I still trade Hornqvist before the trade deadline. Just like Letang, the Pens won tons of games, even PO games without him. Until the Pens actually can get a true power forward to be the net front presence, Sestito should be able to do the trick, much like, was it McKenna from the 90s.

    D Pairings
    Cole – Schultz
    Domoulin – Shattenkirk
    Girardi – Zadorov

    Ruwehdel is the 7th D man

    Where did Girardi come from? FA. His contract was bought out so he doesn’t really need a whole lot of $$$ to sign him. It is all bonus. So he could be had on the cheap if there was a chance to be part of a 3-peat Cup winner.

    Now I have no need to throw away my first pick or openly lay down any gauntlet, and openly challenging the league. Now the league will not be on the defensive, assuming that every little hit is a sign of aggression. They will not be nickel and diming our PK due to their attempts to prevent the old fashion bench clearing brawl that our apparent return to whining would seem to indicate. The Team now is larger and tougher from top to bottom and Sully won’t have to send out a player post hoc to take care of business. The bodies will be there immediately.

    With my first pick I can now grab either Kostin or Hague to restock for the future.

    As I wrote before, Justice is a double-edged sword. I will complain about goonery in a Pens uniform just as fast I would about goonery visited on the Pens.

    With apologies to those liking the current state, I see it ending in failure from to many penalties called against the Pens and refs calling every single marginal call against us because we returned to whining about the officiating.

    1. Hey tOR,

      I think there may be one big flaw in your plan. Do you really think there is a GM that will take on Letang’s $36 million contract knowing Letang has had a stroke, heart problems, concussion problems and now spinal surgery all in the last two years. Ok, let’s say a miracle happens. Do you really think a GM on top of taking a risk of losing his GM job over that would also throw in a quality player? It’s career suicide. To make the flaw even flawier (not a word), I would bet that there is a better chance of hell freezing over than Letang having Colorado as one of the ten teams from which he would accept a trade to.

      It’s easy for me to do as administrator, but just for fun I went back and checked how many times you brought up wanting to bring in Zaderov. It’s been 19 times. I personally don’t believe Zaderov has a proven defensive ability yet, but to be honest I haven’t followed his play. I’m guessing you have and I’m guessing he looks good.

      So the Avs are known to be looking for defense which means he probably won’t come cheap. Do you think the Pens should put a money offer in for Zaderov’s RFA or do you think the Pens should trade for his RFA? I’m not sure how you are trying to make this happen with Radulov unsigned and an RFA.

      If you do make the trade, I’m guessing we will be having to trade away a proven 2 time Stanley Cup winning defenseman for Radulov’s 0 playoff experience and -39 lifetime +/- in only 145 NHL games.

      That’s the big one. One of the smaller ones is Kunhackle on the second line. I have him most likely starting on the WBS Pens come September unless there is an injury.

      Here is how I see the lineup this fall.

      Crosby – Geuntzel – Rust
      Malkin – Kessel – Wilson
      Bonino – Hagelin – Sprong
      Cullen – Reeves – Rowney/Archibald

      Letang – Maatta
      Dumoulin – Hainsey
      Shultz – Cole

      Don’t get me wrong I could see some defensive moves. Especially to become bigger and probably if Shultz’s price tag comes in exceptionally high. But hey, let’s face it, it was doubted by everyone that this group could win a second in a row. Even here we said in February without a move at trade deadline the Pens couldn’t repeat, yet here we are in June with the same banter. The only difference is the word is threepeat not repeat.

      1. Hey Phil,

        I wasn’t listing what I think the Pens will look like, I was listing how I would try and construct the team.

        Letang does have major draw backs, even aside from his physical ailments. as you mention is his contract; not just the cost but the NMC. However, if Colorado is sour on Duchene may want to take a chance on Letang returning to form is they truly are looking for D.

        As for Zadorov, I would be trading for his RFA rights and then signing him. As an RFA he would be free to sign with anyone who was willing to pay a penalty, so Col could lose him anyway. And in my deal, They would be getting one D and if they pressed for Maatta a signed D, if I could get away with Domoulin the rights to 2 RFA D; one who logged a ton of ice time and while not playing like Karlsson performed pretty well, and the one who may be a bust or who may just need a change of scenery. the deal as well a dman who just could be in need of a change of scenery. And as you mentioned Zadarov hasn’t really set the league on fire himself. so they wouldn’t be giving that much in the deal

        In the end, the only way to know if they would deal is to try. Who would have thought JR could get Daly off of Chi for Scuderi? He just asked and they said yes.

        Probability is that Letang does make a come back and comes back with some most of his skill. I do see that you would project him as Pens no 1 pairing even though Schultz outplayed him all season and isn’t coming back from neck surgery, so apparently you still believe in him. Maybe Sakic would too.

        This may all be an academic discussion because of the NMC in his contract, but I would have still asked if Colorado is one of the teams Letang’s contract allows.

        Actually I guess this all just an academic discussion because as Rick points out above JRs decision was made and with Reaves here, my idea of using Sestito as my net front presence is all but moot.

        And yes I was one of those doubters even as late as early April I said I could see them one winning but that the probability was low. I said that if the Pens did win the Cup, they would owe it dominate offensive performances and heroic Goaltending and that I wasn’t as worried about CBJ and Was like everyone else. I said I though that CBJ wasn’t as good as they thought they were and that aside from their streak they were rather average and that Was would choke as usual.

        The Pens blew the doors off of CBJ and Was choked, Ott put up a great fight. Nsh maybe if not for injuries fights better and goes 7 but then again if not for Pens injuries… Injuries are part of the game.

        Also during the playoffs, although both Fleury and Murray had an off game, they both dominated turning in 5 SO total and the Pens O turned Brobovsky, the Vezina winner, Holtby, Vezina winner last year and runner up this year, Anderson, and Rinne into quivering masses, all of which were chased from their nets at least once, and a couple of them chased multiple times.

        The only thing that I didn’t see coming was the strong defensive performances the Pens no name D came up with in that final series, when they finally started limiting opponents to less than 30 shots. I was still a nay sayer about Maatta, Domoulin, and Hainsey until nearly the end of the run.

      2. Hey all,

        I don’t do much armchair GM-ing these days, mostly because the players I like don’t seem to be anywhere on Rutherford’s radar. Plus, he’s done a pretty good job without my input … 🙂

        A couple of comments. Given his health history and the length and weight of his contract, it’s hard for me to imagine another team ponying up a big-time return for Kris Letang. As good a player as he is when healthy, I would think there’s far too much risk involved for a potential trade partner.

        Perhaps if “Tanger” comes back and has an injury-free season, it might allay some of those concerns. But for now…unless we’re willing to retain a healthy chunk of his salary…I don’t think he’s tradeable. At least not for the type of return we’d hope to get.

        Regarding Dan Girardi. While he was once a very solid defensive defenseman with leadership qualities, his skills and mobility have eroded over the past few seasons, which I believe is why the Rangers bought him out. Signing him would be a lot like adding a guy we just cleared off the payroll…Rob Scuderi.

        Trying to read between the lines of some of the articles I’ve read, it sounds like Trevor Daley may still be on the Pens’ radar. Haven’t really seen any mention of Ron Hainsey, so I don’t know if JR is considering him or not.

        Rick

        1. Hey Rick,

          I you and Phil are right, I am not denying that, there are tons of potnetial road blocks to trading Letang, I still try though. The worst that can happen is the other GM laughs in my face, no big deal, it wouldn’t be the first time. But on the other hand if I could pull it off, I do think that this team proved they can win without him, and Duchene could fill a significant role on this team, particularly in the FO dept.

          For Girardi, I agree, he isn’t the Girardi of yore but he is younger than Scuderi when we brought Scuderi back. Scuderi was 37 and Girardi is only 33. Also, consider Daley is the same age and Hainsey is actually 36. And I am not really looking to offer him that much money or a long term contract, just a year or two for about 2 million. Since his contract was bought out, I would bank on him not really needing to be a complete hog about money and focus on trying to get a Cup. Furthermore, I am also not looking to put him as a top 4 D man but be there in a bottom pairing and defensive situations where his experience and skill still can contribute.

          I am not suffering under any delusions that the Pens will do as I suggest, so I actually feel that Daley and or Hainsey both may still be high in JRs mind. I am not down on either per se but again as group, I do think that the Pens could certainly and easily up grade their D core, I just don’t think they see it as big of a problem as I do. And since they are the ones getting paid to do it, well I can be like a thrid string QB, I can look really good because none of my bad ideas can hurt the team since they will never be enacted.

          1. Oh and as hard as I may appear to be with all of my wheeling and dealing suggestions, I am secretly pulling for the Pens to resign Kunitz. I like him and could see him contributing in a Cullenesque, dimished role.

            I can’t deny part of my reasoning is that his son plays on my wife’s cousin’s team, but it really is minor compared to the respect I have for him as player. He may not be a young gun anymore, but that guy is paragon of what a hockey player does, he always leaves everything out there on the ice.

          2. Hey Other Rick,

            “Hooks” Orpik over on PensBurgh wrote another excellent piece detailing some of the free-agent options.

            He mentioned d-man Michael Stone, who put up decent numbers for Arizona and most recently the Flames, as an option.

            Twenty-seven, 6’3″ 210, right shot. Not a McNasty (1 career fight), but not a pantywaist, either (202 hits in ’14-15). Made $4 mil last season, so probably a bit pricey. But maybe an option.

            He also listed Martin Hanzal and Brian Boyle as possible center candidates. Both have terrific size. Hanzal’s probably out of our price range ($3.1 mil last season–due for a raise). But Boyle at $2 mil wouldn’t break the bank.

            Dominic Moore might be a possibility, too. Up there a bit in years, but can skate, good on faceoffs and the PK, and plays with a little bit of an edge.

            Rick

            1. Hey Rick,

              Boyle really would bring a ton of size to the Pens in one fell swoop. For some reason, and I don’t know why, I thought that TB was close to resigning him, so I never really looked at him.

              I am not as big of a fan of Hanzal. If the Pens could sign either I would rather they sign Boyle. Their career FOs are fairly equal and both should at least not hurt the Pens in the FO circle but Boyle is younger and bigger.

              Moore did do a stint here way back. He is a great in the FO circle and could fill a 4th line role while taking important defensive zone FOs.

              I don’t like Bones as a 3rd line C during the regular season. His long scoring slumps preclude that for me, but there is no doubt that he is a tremendous defensive center and that he finds the back of the net once the post season starts, so I still wouldn’t mind having him stay if the $$$ would fit. I would use him just that way 4th line and defensive specialty Center and expand his role come the stretch run a play-offs. The problem may be that he will probably want more money than a player filling that role.

              Looking at Stone and the reality of what next years team may look like, He does look like a good fit. His current salary was a little over $1mil so he should be had for about $2mil particularly with a shot at the Cup. With Schultz and Letang he really wouldn’t be asked to be more than a third pairing anyway.

              I will have to read that article, now that I am thinking about it, I wouldn’t mind seeing a 6’7 centerman here. Question is will the Pens want/play a big guy like that.

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