Before I start my ramble, I need to state that this post is pure pipe dream.
I happened to be scanning the list of restricted free agents who did not receive qualifying offers on NHL.com when I saw a name that stopped me in my tracks.
Dominik Kahun.
Frankly, I was stunned. In my humble opinion we got fleeced when general manager Jim Rutherford peddled the speedy winger to Buffalo at the trade deadline for Conor Sheary and Evan Rodrigues.
I’m not alone. Just about every other blog and media outlet has questioned the deal as well, along with many of you.
After a pokey start (two assists in his first 11 games), I thought Kahun did a terrific job for us last season. He tallied 10 goals and 25 points over his last 39 games here, while displaying a really nice skill set…excellent speed, good puck smarts and creativity, a deft passing touch and a willingness to hustle and play a 200-foot game.
Even better, the 25-year-old Czech Republic native proved to be a versatile performer who could slot up and down the lineup. When injuries riddled the top six, he filled in ably next to Evgeni Malkin and Bryan Rust. He also worked well with Jared McCann (are you listening JR?).
A perfect second-tier player, really.
I have no idea why he was deemed expendable. Although signed for a friendly $925,000, I heard rumblings that Rutherford didn’t think he could re-sign the pending RFA at a favorable rate. Too, shortly before the Pens shipped Kahun out they imported fellow port-sider Jason Zucker.
I really don’t care. It was a mistake to trade Kahun. And I’d really like to get him back. He’s familiar with the guys and knows our system. I think he’d be an ideal fit for our still coalescing third line.
A rather large fly in the ointment. Even though the Sabres didn’t extend Kahun a qualifying offer, they’re actively seeking to re-sign him. So Dominik may not be all that “free” after all.
If he does hit the free-agent market, there’s the not-so-small matter of what other clubs might be willing to pay for his services. Still, it’s certainly worth kicking the tires.
JR’s known for correcting his mistakes. Well, I hope he can fix this one.
Lafferty Re-ups
The Pens have re-signed forward Sam Lafferty to a two-year deal with an average annual value of $750,000.
“We have been very pleased with Sam’s development,” said Rutherford. “His size and speed are big advantages in today’s game, and we like what he brings to our lineup.”
The 25-year-old native of nearby Hollidaysburg made a splash during his rookie season with the black and gold, despite seeing limited ice time (9:37 ATOI). He tallied six goals and 13 points in 50 games while filling in at both center and left wing.
Displaying an aggressive streak, Lafferty also dished out 95 hits, fourth among black-and-gold forwards.
I have a rookie Jose Pagan baseball card. JR it’s yours for 2 Mickey Mantle rookie cards. The demise of sanity started with the Derreck Brassard trade. I swear I was screaming so loud from Modesto, CA that JR could hear me yell “Don’t do it!” Without the benefit of advanced stats, I felt Riley Sheahan was beginning to come into his own and the need to shake up the line-up was unnecessary. I liked watching
Dominick Kahun start to turn it up and the new chemistry of the team resulted in a 4-8 record after this ill-thought of trade. I always considered the Brassard trade an ego thing for JR. He had to have him and that was it.
Hello Giannotti and welcome to PenguinPoop.
You won’t get any arguments here about the Brassard trade. The Pens were on something like a 16-4-1 run leading up to the trade…and a lot of that was with Casey DeSmith in goal. A three-peat was looking very possible. Ian Cole and Jamie Oleksiak were clicking as a solid, physical third-pairing. Ryan Reaves was riding shotgun. And Riley Sheahan was emerging as a serviceable third-line center.
Then JR swings the Brassard deal, costing us Cole and Reaves, and it literally all goes to hell.
Has there ever been a more overrated player than Brassard? I can only imagine how Ottawa feels, having dealt Mika Zabanejad to get him. Talk about your one-sided trades.
Rick
Hey Rick,
Gonna throw another name out there for you – how about Jesper Fast?
He is fast, avgs 129 hits at 5 on 5/82gams (pretty high for a Pens fwd), and works the PK. Despite having a career 5 on 5 O-zone start of 44.9% he has avged 25 pnts/82 games.
Just thinking out loud
Yes. I read about him on another blog. He’d be perfect. I wish JR hadn’t acquired Sceviour and we had more cap space.
Rick
There may be ways to still work it if a decent $$$ and yr can be reached. Lafferty and Angello (if or when he signs) can be hidden in WBS until JR finds a new home for Sceviour and/or Aston-Reese.
Hey Rick,
We talked. You know I hated this trade and quite frankly I don’t buy the excuse that JR didn’t think he could resign Kahun, not if the team were truly in a “win now mode”. When in win now mode you hold on to your best assets even if you lose them to FA in the off season. And Kahun was a top asset. He was 5th on the team for 5 on 5 Assists and Points per 60 minutes (1.51 and 2.31 respectively). At 5th in both columns he was a top 6 forward and JR traded him for a bag of pucks and a broken stick in Sheary and Rodrigues (sorry Caleb – they were both playing 4th line in Buf, you don’t trade a top 6 for 2 4th liners)
The interesting thing about your comment “JR’s known for correcting his mistakes” you have to have made lots of mistakes and went out to try and correct them to establish a pattern of making and correcting mistakes. Until you have a pattern no one notices it.
Also, about Kahun resigning with the ‘burgh, there is also the idea of will he want to come back to a team that disrespected him? Yes, money could mollify bruised egos but that would mean JR would have to lay out a larger sum, so if numbers between Buf and Pgh where close, he still may not choose Pgh.
Also wik, I am glad they resigned Lafferty. I thought he deserved more ice time last season. His 5 on 5 points per 60 was higher than several players who got more ice time all the while his O-zone starts were significantly lower than the afore mention empty sweater (39.44 for Lafferty vs a certain pylons 68.61). And if they find themselves Cap strapped, he still is waivers exempt and can be hidden in WBS.
Also, Also wik, I would like to see the Pens take a flyer on RHD Matt Benning, Edmonton didn’t QO him either. He is probably too big though for Sully, he is 6’1″ 203lbs. I don’t dislike Ruhwedel but quite frankly I am not comfortable with him being a regular, he is a 7th. Benning was 1 of only 4 Oilers to be on the Plus side of the +/- at +8. I certainly would consider him as a possible pairing for the Giveaway artist Matheson.