Hi Pens Fans. Greetings from up North.
Great to be back. I had to take a little sabbatical to clean up a few issues closer to home and now 6 days before Christmas I have been bitten once again by the dreaded writer’s bug. Before I start, I have so many wonderful people to thank and you all know who you are. Thank you for your kindness and patience. My last communication with Phil was so prophetic when he said, “you write when YOU want to, not because you feel you have to. You will know when the time is right.”Thanks Phil. I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas !
Where do we go from here? What is next? That was a great response by one of our long-time contributors tonight, 55 on Point. It opens our minds to many different possibilities as we ponder the elusive question …Can the Penguins three-peat in 2018? One would think with a team that boasts the talents of Sidney, Geno, Phil, Matt, Kris and Justin that the answer was inevitable. Subject closed. No debate! Yet I am taken back to memories of my childhood when another great team was in a similar situation to our beloved Penguins. Their names were Steve, Larry, Rod, Ken. And who can ever forget Guy, Jacques, Jean, Mario, Serge, Yvan, Henri, Gaston…You know know who they are!! I believe at least 15 members of their team are in the Hockey Hall of Fame today! The Gold standard of hockey teams. (My mother would be proud. I am not a Montreal fan.)
My point being, Pens fans, is that we are at a crossroads today for our team. We wear the same team sweaters as our Cup-winning team in 2016, but to be brutally honest this current Penguins team is a mere shadow of the team that hoisted the Cup in 2016. Can we ever forget, ‘Bonino, Bonino, Bonnnninooo’? And the no-name kids who skated like their very lives depended on it and swarmed the opposition? 650k a year rookies all from the AHL a few months earlier running over 8 million dollar NHL star players like they were playing a game of pond hockey in Northern Ontario. It did not matter which line was on the ice, we simply out played them all!! Plus our PP/PK were incredible. That is what real champions do my friends. Oh, such sweet memories.
Today we have a problem, Houston. We do not out-play any elite teams as we did in 2016. We do not beat that many lower teams either. Our Penalty Kill and Power Play are not a strong suit for us anymore. OTR will kill me on this because I have not had the latest stats but the last time I checked we were not that great 5 on 5 either. Bottom 30% of the league?
The good news is today with the addition of 24-year-old 6’7″ defenseman Jamie Oleksiak, even with his past health issues, he represents a change in personnel to help regroup our team for the 2018 chase for the Cup. Remember Hal Gill? Same idea, only Oleksiak is a much better skater. With a new team, new coaching and a fresh surrounding he may develop into a solid shutdown d-man…something this team is lacking. Hope he can stay healthy.
In a separate trade today Jimmy R. sent Josh Archibald and minor-league goalie prospect Sean Maguire, plus a 6th round pick to Arizona for a 4 th round pick and 36-year goalie Michael Leighton, who was sent to the WBS Pens. Archibald was immediately inserted into the Coyotes lineup and first-round pick, 3rd overall, Dylan Strome was sent to the AHL. For me this is just window dressing and the real trades will come shortly in the New Year. Our needs are many but nothing more important than a true 3rd line center man who can create his own offense and at least one new left winger with size to play with him. Geno and Phil, Sid and Jake, move Riley to fourth line with Carter Rowney playing wing. Elevate Daniel Sprong before the All-Star break.It may be time to end the Reaves experiment ?
Leads me to my final point, Pens fans. You’re not going to like it. Before the trade deadline in 2018, orchestrate a trade for Letang to unload his 7.3 million contract and use that cap space to reacquire a #1 or #2 front line, RENTAL d-man to pursue the elusive 3rd Cup in 2018. Does this guarantee success ? Hell no, but if we do not do something bold, assertive and creative I can guarantee you failure for sure in 2018!
Which would you rather have, Pens fans?? … Your thoughts please..
In previous articles and posts over the last year or so I commented on trading Letang and everyone here told me I was crazy..no way…he is a superstar, well now look what you guys are writing!!!
You guys talk about the Reaves experiment…what about Sheary and Hagelin and Matta and Hunwick..all four over paid and overated. GM JR wants to shake it up… move three of those guys and Letang. I still like Ryan, he doesn’t get enough ice time.. but that’s my opnion.
As far as the two trades.. I love getting Oleksiak, big and better skating then Gill, he is comfortable playing the right side..hopefully he is used properly and gets a chance to prove himself, could be a sleeper deal!!! And Leighton I think will be a real good back-up for Murray and send Jarry down for more playing time ( he is the real deal as well).
But bottom line even to make playoffs..they need Sid and geno to put up some points every night, for me Geno has been disappointing this year so far.
A three-peat is possible.. but real changes are needed.
Hi P4E, 🙂
Good to hear from you. It has been a long time since we have had a chance to post this way. To long. Thanks for your fine comments. I agree with your over all assessment, ( except Olli ), and indeed last year You, Coach and I were definitely in the minority on Letang.
I really think that view is changing now.
You like the physical dimension that Reaves brings to the team.I can understand your position, but if that being the case, he only plays about 5 minutes every other game. Even the trainers have more ice time than Reeves! Hard to be a protector of star players when sitting in the press box.Personally,I think the Blues pulled a fast one on JR. I would love to my draft pick back. But time will tell.
Oleksiak will help in the physicality department as well I believe.
Sheary, Hagelin and Hunwick are not what I would have on my team moving forward either. Full agreement with you. Over paid, under producing.
I am afraid the pundits say the Pen’s will let Cole go and keep Hunwick… Bad move.
I wonder if anyone asked Justin his opinion on who he wants as a d partner.They looked mighty fine together last year to me.
Finally P4E, how are your kids making out playing hockey this year? Must keep you busy. Thanks again for your post. I really appreciate all your informed opinions and I always learn something from you even when we disagree a little. In this case we are very closely aligned. Merry Christmas !
Have a good night.
Jim
Thanks Jim… I am very passionate about my Pen’s and I like to think I know what I am saying.. the kids keep me very busy with hockey!!
Hey Pen’s 4ever,
Unfortunately, the addition of Reaves has been a bit of a mixed bag.
On one hand, I do think his presence has discouraged foes from taking liberties with our stars. On the other hand, he’s contributed very little as a player. Of course, as you pointed out, he hasn’t been given much of an opportunity, either.
It’s a classic Catch-22. Reaves can’t prove he can play unless he gets more ice time, and Sullivan won’t give him more ice time until he proves he can play.
In hindsight, given the Pens’ preferred up-tempo style, I think Reaves is a poor fit. While he’s hardly the heavyweight champ, Oleksiak should provide enough of a physical presence to serve as a deterrent. If he shows he can play, I’d expect the Pens to deal Reaves in the New Year.
Rick
Wow Jim,
Great stuff. You and I are on the same page. I left a lengthy comment back on Rick’s page that says basically the same as you do here. Elevate Sprong and trade Letang are keystones to the moves that I think need to happen for a real shot at a 3-peat. I mentioned it twice, in my response to Rick’s latest contribution and in a reply a little earlier, so I won’t bore with a complete reiteration but the deal I would make is with Ottawa to address the Sheahan situation as well (I agree with you there too, he can be solid, solid 4th liner but he is not filling in at 3rd line like the team needs).
I am not completely as sold as you that JR actually has more trades up his sleeve right now. I still worry about his commitment to truly shaking the team up after his comments about being indebted to guys that brought us so much. I would hope that since he is a GM he will find the courage to do what is needed but his almost lachrymose quote does cause doubt.
Hey Coach,
I have read your detailed response to Rick’s article yesterday. Well done.
Two months ago we both posted the need for some major changes and we were most definitely in the minority of public opinion at that time. I think things are starting to change a little. Fans expectations and reality have clashed significantly in the past 4 weeks. Sports fans in Canada are starting to talk about what is wrong with the Pen’s ? Did Kunitz,Cullen,Bonino, and Hainsey really mean that much to their success in 2017? Apparently so my friend. Let’s us not forget the defection of Rick Tochett as well. His contribution to our winning Cup teams may have been grossly under estimated.
What ever the reasons, I am here to tell you Coach that JR will have NO CHOICE but to make significant trades as the season moves on, or he and Sullivan may be looking for new jobs come start of next season.
Remember how popular Dan Byslma was… But they had to sacrifice somebody !! If we do not 3 peat in 2018 there are going to be a lot of questions asked and nobody will like the answers. Just look what happened to the great Montreal team. They never recovered. Went thru 2 ownership changes and a lot of angry fans. If they are not careful, it could repeat itself here to.
Thanks for the kind words Coach. 🙂
Hey Jim,
What is the old saying’ “Pretty words are seldom true and true words are seldom pretty?” Nobody wanted to listen when we questioned the current state of the Penguins. The hardest thing to do is look objectively at ourselves. Nobody wants to acknowledge the ugly short comings.
Although Kunitz, Cullen, Bonino, Daley, and Hainsey all contributed heavily to the Penguins back-to-back Cups, looking at what they are doing this year, only Hainsey is playing well enough to question whether or not we should have resigned him. Bonino’s early injury and Cullen’s lack of TOI may be contributing factors but I am not going to lament those loses, what I do find problematic is what the team did to replace them. The team had from July until now all they could come-up with is Hunwick and Sheahan.
Interesting and quite right to note the loss of Tocchet. I am not sure is Recchi is doing all that bad, it is hard to tell. Another old saying garbage in – garbage out. If the team doesn’t give Recchi the right material, there is not much he can do.
I do agree that eventually JR will have no choice but to make a sacrifice, but the question is will it be in time? With every Pens loss and every conference team win, the hill gets steeper. Even after JR would make a deal, there would be lag time until the new players can really find their feet meaning that the longer he waits, the bigger and more expensive the trade will have to be.
I don’t think either JR or Sullie need to actually get that 3-peat to keep their jobs, but surely if they sit on their laurels, do little or nothing, with resultant missing of the play-offs, perhaps they will be in the hot seat.
By the way, Glad to have you writing again. I enjoy reading your perspective. I hope everything is working out outside of the Penguins for you. You have had my best wishes since you first alluded to some rough roads and you and your family will be in mine and my families thoughts and prayers going through this holiday season and into the new year.
Hey all,
I hear that once again JR has been very quietly approaching various teams regarding a 3rd line center and that something could happen within 2- 3 weeks. I am in the minority but I like Ian Cole and really hope he stays with our team. Various posts today have all but written him off as a piece of a major trade for a future 3rd line center man. Especially since the addition of Oleksiak.
Whatever the reasoning it is clear that JR is not finished in his mid season rebuild and that can only bode better for us come trade deadline in March.?? Will it be enough ?
Time will tell.
Cheers
Hey Jim,
I am not so sure you are in the minority. I think most people like Cole but are simply resigned to him leaving since all of the talk suggests he is not someone Sullivan likes. I know that is how I feel as well as most of the people I talk to. Actually, come to think of it, no one I talk to has ever said anything bad about Cole. Letang, now that is another matter.
Same here Coach. Nobody talks ill of Cole in my circle of friends.A matter of fact they commented on his physical play, his willingness to block shots and admire his grit.
I just do not see the need to trade him right now. For his 2.1 million Cap hit, he is a better value than Hunwick in my opinion.
Others may have a different opinion on the subject.
Cheers.
Hey All,
Toronto Hockey writer and HNIC commentator Elliotte Friedman wrote yesterday about the two minor trades that Pittsburgh made that “this is just the tip of the ice burg,and much more to come”. He was in conversation with several other GM’s discussing the situation that JR faces.
I really hope he is right…. Could be some belated Christmas Presents for us in January .
Lets go Pen’s !!