A couple of days ago, I wondered aloud as to who the Penguins would call up as part of their Black Aces this year, when Wilkes-Barre Scranton’s (WBS) season would be over.
For those that don’t know what Black Aces means, Black Aces is a term for players called up from a team’s farm club after that farm club’s season is over. They wait in the wings in case there are injuries. The big league club has them on hand and they are still hockey ready, rather than potentially being a little out of shape, from their minor league season being over and they are neither playing or practicing anymore.
Yesterday, with WBS out of the AHL playoff mix, the Penguins ended my suspense. The Penguins recalled forwards Teddy Blueger, Jean-Sebastien Dea, Thomas DiPauli, Adam Johnson, Josh Jooris, Daniel Sprong, and Garret Wilson; Defensemen Lukas Bengtsson, Andrey Pedan, Chris Summers, and Jarred Tinordi; and Goalies Tristan Jarry and Michael Leighton.
Now that we know who the Black Aces are, the next question becomes, which of these players will actually get a chance to play?
I was reading an article on the Tribune Review that suggested the 3 Black Aces most likely to get some playing time would be Josh Jooris, who is listed as the Penguins’ 5th Center, Daniel Sprong, who was named to the AHL All-Rookie Team, and Tristan Jarry who alternated with Casey DeSmith as Matt Murray’s back-up. Their choices do seem to make some sense. However, I do have some thoughts that I would like to put out there for consideration:
I would think that if Mike Sullivan really thought of Jooris as the Penguins 5th Center then Carter Rowney would not be listed as the Penguins 4th line Center on NHL.com, with Evgeni Malkin listed as possibly out for Game 2 against the Capitals. Furthermore, Jooris really had a bad playoff series against Charlotte. He had 1 assist and was a -6 in 3 games. He is not play-off tested like Rowney. Therefore, he is at best 6th on the depth chart right now. He is a right handed Center, something the Penguins need, so he may get a chance to play, but the chances aren’t as good as one might think.
I really like Sprong and think he deserves to be more than a Black Ace, but we won’t go there right now. What I think really doesn’t matter – what matters is what Sullivan thinks. Sullivan apparently thought so little of the kid during the regular season, when he was one of the top 3 or 4 forwards on the team at the time and Sullivan deported him back to the minors. In fact, I ran across a discussion on another blog suggesting that Sprong could be traded in the off-season to Calgary for right handed Defense prospect Rasmus Andersson. The blog I read this on suggested this trade due to what I mentioned above, Sullivan’s lack of desire to play Sprong. With the depth the Penguins have at forward in general, and at Right Wing specifically, the chance of Sprong getting on the ice also seems remote. Although I would love to see that happen, I don’t see it. All I see is another case of Ian Cole.
Looking realistically at the team, I would think that Jarry and at least one of the Defensemen that were called up would be the more likely to get playing time. Since Jarry actually backed up Matt Murray at times during the regular season, he may be 1 injury away from playing.
The same could be said for the Defense. The Penguins were very lucky all season. Their Defense stayed relatively healthy during the regular season. However, the playoffs are a war and it is likely that the Penguins will need more than 6 Defensemen to get through 16 wins. I know that Sullivan will most likely use Matt Hunwick first (to the detriment of the team), the potentiality of more injuries happening here then every will else suggests a Black Ace Defensemen will get some ice time.
3elieve!!!
Hey, tOR!
Maybe they could cobble together a third and fourth line from the Black Aces and see what happens. Even if they did nothing, how could you tell the difference?
— 55
Hey 55,
Although I do think that there is at least 1 if not 2-3 Fs on the Black Aces that can help, since the Offense did score 3 goals on 22 shots, I really don’t think they are the problem. The real problem last night and all season has been a non-existent defense and as much as I hate to say it, some inconsistent play on Matt Murray’s part.
The 2 long range shots from the Caps D were on Murray, but the pathetic excuse for D left Stephenson all alone in the low slot, between the circles for the Caps second goal and then can someone explain to me how the D let Backstrom and Ovehkin get a 2 on 1 break with less than 2 minutes to play in a tie playoff game? For my thoughts the Pens would be better served flipping a pair of D men from the main line-up for 2 of the Black Aces. Personally, against the Caps I would rather see Pedan and Tinordi in and Ruhwedel, and Maatta out (let’s face it Letang is untouchable, regardless) but if Sullivan would rather then Bengtsson and either Pedan or Tinordi would still be an upgrade.
For Murray, I can’t help wonder if he is trying a little too hard for the first time. Over the last 2 playoff years he was unflappable but without the insurance of Fleury to back him up, he is not the same goalie. Of course it could simply be a bit of the sophomore jinx or he may be injured. He hasn’t been all that bad considering how porous the Pens D is but he certainly has been the same resilient wall that he was in his first 2 playoff runs.
tOR,
I was being a bit facetious as I know the number one glaring weakness of this team is defense (and with Pedan now having signed with the KHL, that becomes another missed opportunity). The defense isn’t getting it done. They are what they are. I lay the stagnation directly at Sullivan’s feet. He could try something new, but he won’t, until pushed into the corner, and forcibly, so it would seem. He’s going to whip the same horses, and they are indeed whipped. This defense is a hair’s width from total collapse, and they’re tired. They’re not making bone-headed plays because they’re stupid, they’re just beat.
I think game three was a crucial game. It’s difficult enough, game after game, to be battling from behind. Having to do that in the series, too, only adds to the weight of the desperation. Then again, perhaps that’s what they need, more desperation, any desperation. They haven’t shown enough of that so far in this series.
Suffice it to say, there will be more of just shuffling of lines. They will make the “safe” play. But, I think it’s time for a new wrinkle as well as a new look. A few players the Caps have never seen could be just the thing to upset their mojo. In any event, the bottom six has been the other glaring weakness. They played pretty well in round one, but they’ve lost that under stifling pressure from the Caps. They need to get a fore check, and they need to score. Part of my facetiousness is, in addition to doing something with the defense, they need to find some secondary scoring by some guys who might hit the net. The third line has had some good looks, they just can’t finish. I expected Brassard to have at least three goals by now. I’m not sure he has three shots. I guess that’s why he was on the fourth line last night, though I don’t see that made much difference. They were trying to get Kessel going by uniting him with Sheehan is my take.
Speaking of the devil, something needs to be done with Kessel. I don’t know what. He isn’t himself and it’s crippling the offense. Maybe put him back with Malkin? Why not? He’s gotta be hurt. I was hoping for Sprong, but maybe now, he might fit in to replace Aston-Reese. Nah. We’ll see Rowney Thursday.
This will be the third time I’ve said this in the last few days, they have nothing to lose and everything to gain going all out, or all in as it were. It’s no time to be cautious. Right now, they’re playing to not lose. And, it isn’t like they have no options. I don’t get why they seem to think that way. If they get through this round, they’ll be facing Boston or Tampa Bay. That ain’t gonna be a stroll in the park either way. It isn’t time to keep looking at the roster and saying, yep, these are the guys what brung us. They need to be bold. And, they need to be not afraid of losing.
They need to hit. Ferociously and first. Wilson is having a hearing, perhaps as we speak. I don’t count on much happening. It’s a phone hearing, I understand, so it’ll be less than five games if anything is even levied. But, even if the Caps are denied his services for a game, or two, they aren’t going to let up. If Wilson isn’t attempting to brain someone, then Ovie and MacDonald, et.al., will. That’s how they play. That’s the only way they can beat us. Except…
Murray needs to pick it up, too. He’s the third glaring weakness thus far in this series. He has to be better. They’ve got his glove hand measured. I believe every Washington goal but one has been glove side. Short of strapping a 55-galoon drum to his left arm, I don’t know what can be done. Oh, yeah, better defense might be a good start, but, again, he must be better, defense, or not.
It’s a vicious circle, cycling the same bodies through change after change of line and position, and it’s unnerving. Management and coaching will stick with their prevailing wisdom no matter the mounting evidence. It reminds me of what it was like in Hollywood for second string writers back in the 20s and 30s. They were never given the big chance because the moguls knew – THEY JUST KNEW – a $1,500-a-week writer was better than a $500-a-week writer.
– 55
Hey 55,
Well said! I am right there with you. What is the old saying bout doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results? Okay, so it may not be the clinical definition of insanity but certainly it is a sign of stupidity.
Who knows, there still is a lot of hockey to be played (at least 2 more games) so the Brassard trade may still work out but the Pens Management; Coaches and GM are surely looking like the team’s worst enemy. You don’t need to fix things that ain’t broke and let’s face it, the team was hitting on all cylinders until that trade.
Also within the scope of the Pens brain trust, you can let a player try and work his way out of a funk during the regular season but there is no room for error once the playoffs start.
I promised myself that I wouldn’t bring up certain players again until the end of the season but there certainly are several players Fs and D that are at least as good as players collecting bigger paychecks,getting ice time, and not getting it done.
Let’s see what Sullie does for game 4, will there be changes? I hope so!
Looks like even though Malkin skated a full practice yesterday he is out again for this afternoon’s game. Hopefully it is just as a precaution, and not because he re-injured something.
Since the Pens do have the lead in the series, I can see where they may want to be a little cautious.
I like when they make the Black Aces call ups, a few years they have been unable to because of how far WBS has gone into the playoffs, but it never hurts to have these kids around to show the main team how lucky they are and where they came from. I think it gives them a little more hop to their get-a-long.
Two things.
1. Hunwick’s numbers show a different story than how bad you and Rick think he is. He’s not horrible. I believe he is a regular 5-6 defenseman on just about any team in the NHL. If we do lose two defenseman I believe Pedan will be the first to go in.
2. Sprong. Sprong came up an played and reminded of Oscar Sundqvist. He was afraid to go to the traffic areas, barely did any forechecking let alone throw a check. Yes the guy who we were told supposedly played with a chip on his plays as soft or softer than Sundqvist. On top of that he acted like a ten year old when he was interviewed. He put his head down and whined I just go out and do what Crosby tells me to do. Then there was the game when he refused to skate. I think he has big fish small pond syndrome and I really think he would be bad for the locker room right now. It was why he was benched in WBS. I think he needs to mature as a person but instead he is just waiting until he gets his one way contract next year.
I hear Phil, I love when the Pens bring up the Black Aces, not only does it give the team more flexibility in terms of substitute players but the experience of just being around a Stanley Cup run (at least the last couple of years when the team won it all) can only help build a swagger in the future Penguins.
As for Sprong, I won;t go too far into it, but I do want to reiterate that I would agree with the way Sprong is being treated if he truly is an arrogant immature kid still. And I do agree that at his age that is a distinct possibility. However, I do not simply accept that line just because the team says it is that way. I did not see the interview, or any interview of Sprong, so I can’t make much of a statement here other than if the kid did put his head down and said “I just go out and do what Crosby tells me to do.” it would seem to me to suggest the opposite, that Sprong isn’t an arrogant know-it-all. When you are arrogant and full of yourself you keep your head up and blame Crosby.
In a discussion of physicality (although 8 games is hardly a strong sample volume) Sprong averaged 1.1 hits per game. Crosby’s avg was 0.9, Schultz, Sheahan, and Malkin averaged 0.6, Sheary averaged 0.4, and Kessel 0.1. Crosby, Malkin, Schultz and Sheahan may get passes as established offensive threats but Sheahan and more importantly, the player I think Sprong should have replaced Sheary averaged only 0.4 hits. Therefore any argument about hits falls on deaf ears with me.
In terms of defense, Sprong averaged 0.5 blocks per game, Crosby, Malkin, Sheary, Hagelin, and Aston – Reese averaged 0.4, Reaves who isn’t here anymore, averaged 0.3, Jooris, Dea, Kessel, and Brassard averaged 0.2. Again some of those players can get a pass as established scoring threats but the player I wanted to see Sprong replace was also below Sprong in this department. Sheary also had 37 give away’s in 79 games or 0.46 per game while Sprong only gave the puck away 2 times in 8 games or 0.25 per game.
Again, complaints about the Kids D fall on deaf ears for me.
If the Pens would trade Sprong for Andersson as that other blog suggests, I wouldn’t complain today. Although I haven;t seen him play yet, looking at some of his numbers, he may benefit the Pens. Also, I am resigned to Sullivan just simply not liking the kid and doing his best to paint a negative picture to cover up personality disputes that have nothing to do with hockey or hockey related issues. Furthermore, as long as it just remains Cole and Sprong that get sacrificed I won’t complain. A coach should have some wiggle room in this department. However, as I wrote once before, if more players are banished because of Personality issues, then I will start complaining.
As for Hunwick, sorry, again, you and I are on opposite sides of the coin. Hunwick has the 2nd worst team Goals Against per 60 minutes of Even Strength ice time. The only defenseman worse than Hunwick in this department is Letang. However, Letang also has one of the better team Goals For per 60 minutes of Even Strength ice time. In other words, Letang does make up for some of his defensive lapses. Hunwick is only ahead of Maatta and Ruhwedel in this Department but in Maatta’s case, he is far better defensively.
But I do agree that Pedan is the most likely of the Black Aces to get called on to step up and play if the urgency arises. He had the best overall season and playoffs and he does have some NHL experience.
We will see how it all plays out and soon.
Also, Sprong hasn’t been the prospect I have been watching the closest; I am more interested in the development of Bellerive, Militec, Angello, Pedan, and Bengtsson. Most of those names may still be another year away but they are the more interesting to me now. With the contract extension to Hornqvist, RW looks like a bit of a log jam still, next year. But I will worry more about that later.