One-by-one, members of the special supporting cast that contributed so mightily to the Penguins’ back-to-back Stanley Cups are moving on to other pastures…or ice surfaces as the case may be.
Over the past 16 months, veteran mainstays Nick Bonino, Ian Cole, Trevor Daley, Marc-Andre Fleury and Chris Kunitz have left the ‘Burgh through trades or free agency. So have kids Tom Kuhnhackl, Conor Sheary and Scott Wilson.
That’s a lot of turnover, both on the ice and inside the locker room.
Add Carl Hagelin to the list of the dearly…and recently…departed. In an effort to shake up his slumping troops–our guys are in the throes of a dismal 1-5-1 slide–general manager Jim Rutherford swapped the supersonic Swede to Los Angeles for left wing Tanner Pearson.
“The way things have gone here in the first part of the season, it’s obvious that we had to make a change,” said the Pens’ GM. “I feel bad. Carl Hagelin is a popular guy. I like him a lot personally. He was part of winning the Cup. But at the same time, we’re not tracking toward winning a Stanley Cup right now, and changes are necessary.”
Save for a decent second half in 2017-18, Hagelin was mostly absent from the score sheet over the past couple of seasons. Nor was he burning up the track this year (a goal and two assists in 16 games).
Although the former “HBK Line” standout contributed in other ways–most notably with his world-class speed, defensive acumen and penalty killing–his paucity of production was a nagging issue, especially when you consider No. 62 spent the majority of his 5-on-5 time skating alongside mega-talents Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kessel.
Coupled with the fact that “Hags” earned a healthy $4 million a year and was due to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season? You could say the skids were greased.
Although he’s off to a disastrous start (a lone assist in 17 games), Pearson’s been productive in the past. Following a breakout campaign in 2016-17 (a career-high 24 goals), the 26-year-old portsider sagged to 15 goals and 40 points last season. But the pedigree is there (he’s a former first-round pick), along with decent size (6’1″, 201) and an inclination to use it (over 100 hits in each of the past three seasons).
When on his game, Pearson’s effective in traffic and has a knack for cashing in on rebounds and second-chance opportunities. With garbage goals and scoring from the paint at a premium in today’s NHL, the Pens can certainly use another player who excels around the net. While hardly a Hagelin-esque burner, he possesses good speed and plays a solid all-around game.
“He’ll be a good fit for us,” Rutherford said. “He’s a little younger than Carl. He’s locked into a contract for a couple more years that we like ($3.75 AAV through 2021). He’s a good all-around player, and I believe that he’ll help us.”
The downside? Finding the proper fit could be an issue, especially given coach Mike Sullivan’s pronounced penchant for line juggling. Pearson enjoyed most of his success on the left coast while skating on a set line with Jeff Carter and Tyler Toffoli.
While stunned and disappointed to see their friend depart–none more so than best buddy Patric Hornqvist–the Pens for the most part acknowledged the need for change.
“I don’t think we’re playing the way we want right now,” Kris Letang said. “I don’t think we’re happy about results. And I think these things happen in those circumstances.”
Rutherford Gets Extension
In other noteworthy news, the Penguins extended Rutherford’s contract, which was set to expire at the end of this season. The new three-year deal runs through 2021-22.
“I knew in November of 2015, that we wanted to extend him,” said president and CEO David Morehouse of the plucky 69-year-old exec. “We knew he was the right guy from the day he stepped into the office.”
Hey TOR,
Pens are not done with trades.
I will be glad when they trade Kris Letang. He has been here to long and that money needs to be use to strengthen the leaky defense. I believe his contract can do that and help this team get to where they want to be . Stronger.
I hinted Tanner Pearson weeks ago. That trade bait list .
I hope he brings in more better speedy players. Tanner Pearson is strong skater (below or above average)and it does make Pens slower. I’m curious to see if he can’t hang on to pens high -tempo style game. Kings are completely different. He’s a mixed bag. Great shot and put himself spots to score goals. Does some good things. Different scouting reports on him. Time will tell.
I understand the Sprong’s situation to a certain extent. C’mon. They need to trade him already to team that will get him a more decent chance. There’s no way you keep sitting him. It’s ruin his confidence and probably overall game more.
Honestly, Sprong should have opportunity to play tonight to help the scoring depth.
He doesn’t. It is what it is.
I’m curious to see if players will step up in Crosby’s absence. Will Sullivan demoted Rust and Simon? Plus the Pk and Power-play. Will they do good against the Lightning?
Praying for Speedy recovery for him.
I count on Guentzel, Kessel ,Dumoulin, Hornqvist and Malkin to get the job . LGP!
Trades won’t make them better either. There are to many issues. Trades may or may not fix the underlying issues on this team. I might eat some crow.
Its should be some concerns because it has been the same for two seasons and coaching staff hasn’t adjust their system to have better players on the ice. Every Penguins shortcomings falls on the management and coaches. Somewhat the players.
Rutherford maybe get off the hook because his new contract extension and knowing how to find a better way to fit this team. He tried hard to fix his mistakes that goes sour andhas backfired. He trade players he didn’t want to. He has brought Playerst to this team. Sullivan hasn’t use them in right spots to be great assest to this team. Rutherford can bring in a lot players to help them win games me. Will Sullivan do right by them? No . He like his guys. He miscast guys that don’t adjust to him and undeserving accountability with them. Doesn’t hold fairness to players. He has run 3-5 players out town.
Scratched Jamie Oleksiak because he does to much to help the team. He get himself in ‘trouble’ defenseman are getting scratched.
Letang? Johnson?
Neither.
I don’t think it will be a difference with swapping out a winger for another winger,if any, difference as long Sullivan refuses to adjust a “system” that the better coaches have clearly deciphered and are game-planning to exploit. Miscast players in their wrong playing spot.
If Sully thinks he can still win with the same tactics that brought success in 2016, we are destined to endure a bylsma-esque meltdown of this team’s potential.
It has been that way for longtime. Sullivan and Rutherford are not on the safe page.
Sullivan want players to adjust him without him adjust to his players. Line combos are terrible. Johnson playing 25 minutes a game won’t cut. He supposed to help cut Letang minutes. Where?
I don’t see Reechi nor Sullivan practicing with Sprong as the season has progressed.
The Pens clearly need better defensive cohesion, stable line combos , structure and to be able to present a different look at times, but will Sullivan recognize that before its too late? I think it too late , imo. He doesn’t no how to switch up against opposition. He talk same philosophy over and over. It’s getting old. Same exits, puck on the boards and players are confused with different players on the ice. Totally out sync.
Sullivan’s b2b cups are in the rearview mirror. Devils loss about 8-9 games. In between two games they beat The Penguins. Pens played every game lackluster and not ready for the puck drop. Sullivan has been doing very poor with Penguins for almost two seasons.
Will Rutherford hold Sullivan accountable? Will he fired him? Changes to coaching staff?
Hey Dee,
Any team with Crosby and Malkin never be counted out. Vegas (NHL Futures) still has them near the top of the favorites to win the Cup. Nash, TB, and Tor are tied for top fave at 7/1. The Pens fall in at 16/1.
However, in truth, I am rapidly reaching the point of saying scrap this season and start retooling for next – if I am JR.
I start with a sit down with Sullivan. The main topic of discussion would be his maltreatment of Sprong while doting on Letang. He would be told in no uncertain terms that his job is on the line. A large reason this team has disintegrated so fast was Sullivan’s pouting over Cole and Reaves backing JR into a corner for a bad trade. I said it last season and I am saying again. When it is one player, it is the player. When it is this many players, it is most likely the coach. Sullivan would be told HE has to learn to play nice with the team. Being coach of a team precludes the team has players. Without players, no team, no need of a coach.
Also, impress upon him his need to develop a plan B and C for each game so the Pens can adapt quickly when opponents shut them down. He hasn’t been able to adjust his strategies since the Cup years. The team started to stagnate during the second run and the arrogance of the team, thinking it could dictate to all opponents, the same tired strategy, game in and game out reached its peak last year and has continued to plague our team.
Step 2, I tell Letang to give me his 8 team list. I do my best to get prospects of picks for him, but regardless, my main goal is to get out from under a one way player.
Step 3 Start trading off some other veterans for prospects. This will no doubt be the only way to get Sullivan to start playing some of the kids from WBS. It is well past time to give players like Blueger, A Johnson, Angello, and Prow a chance (Not to mention Sprong – But Sullivan may have burnt that bridge beyond reclamation). These 4 (5) players could not possibly play any worse than Letang, J Johnson, Rust, Sheahan, Cullen, or Grant.
Step 4 Start now trying to lure Pedan, and Bengtsson back across the pond for next year as well as look long and hard at other KHL players that could bouy the team back up to a contender retool. Crosby and Malkin still have some good years left, but not as many as they once had.
Hey Dee,
Not sure if you saw this but I am hearing a potential of Maatta to Ana for either Josh Manson or Brandon Montour; a LHD for a RHD. The numbers crunch rather evenly as all 3 players are a hair over $4 mil. Manson is older (27 v 24) and bigger (6’3 v 6’0).
I also am hearing that some teams are interested in Addison and he could be a chip around trade deadline if JR deludes himself into thinking the team has a Cup run this year.
Thoughts?
Who will be next to go? I don’t think we are done with trades.
Hey RiniJG,
I don’t think JR’s done dealing, either.
I hate to suggest this, but I think Daniel Sprong’s the next to go…or at the very least on a short list. As the team’s presently constructed, there just doesn’t seem to be any room for him. Nor does Mike Sullivan seem to like him.
Playing Sprong on the fourth line is a waste. And, frankly, I like the look of our team better with Garrett Wilson and Zach Aston-Reese as the bottom line wingers. Even though it doesn’t jibe with their 40-something Corsi’s, they seem to be doing a decent job of applying pressure once they set up in the offensive zone.
It’s a shame, because I think one day Sprong will do exactly what Rutherford said he will do…score a lot of goals in this league. Like Markus Naslund before him, I just don’t think he’s going to do it here. At least not unless JR deals a top-nine right wing to open up a spot for him.
Bryan Rust isn’t exactly tearing it up, and I suppose Rutherford might entertain the thought of dealing him. But “Rusty” has that speed and…especially with Hagelin gone…I think we need that element of his game more than ever. Too, when he’s on he brings a lot to the table…including the ability to slot comfortably onto virtually any line, which gives Sullivan a lot of flexibility.
I’d be loathe to trade him. Which points me back to Sprong.
Anyway, that’s my two cents.
Rick