Well, our Penguins have finally made a move that I’m reasonably happy about. They signed restricted free agent Anthony Angello to a two-year contract worth $725,000 at the NHL level. It’s a two-way deal in the coming season…meaning Angello can be sent to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Given that he’s waiver exempt, a likely possibility.
The second year is one-way.
Angello, a right-hand shot who can play center or wing, could provide a badly needed power element and dash of oomph to a team desperately in need of one. He stands 6’5” and weighs 210 pounds…a virtual redwood among Smurfs. And he does possess a scoring touch…16 goals in 48 games with the Baby Pens in 2019-20 and 16 more the season before that. In eight games with the Pens in which he received a trickle of ice time (5:43 ATOI) the former fifth-round pick managed to notch his first NHL goal.
Given his size and inclination to compete in the dirty areas, Angello could be a prime candidate to at least partially fill Patric Hornqvist’s sizeable skates as a net-front presence. Although not a particularly accomplished fighter, Angello will drop the gloves when the situation calls for it.
First he has to crack the lineup. Hardly a lock given coach Mike Sullivan’s preference for speed. But at least Angello’s signing provides a potential physical presence.
The Pens also signed forward Frederick Gaudreau and goalie Maxime Lagace to one year, two-way deals for $700,000 at the big-league level.
Black-and-gold fans may remember Gaudreau from the 2017 Stanley Cup Final. The undrafted forward tallied three goals for Nashville—including the winning goal in Games Three and Four—and looked for a time as if he might pull a Max Talbot and help derail our chances for a second-straight Cup. However, those three goals equal Gaudreau’s career regular-season output in 84 games with the Preds.
Shades of Conor Sheary, who only seems to score against the Pens.
In Lagace, GM Jim Rutherford signed a former Vegas goalie. Just not the one we were hoping for.
A 27-year-old journeyman who climbed the ranks from the low minor leagues, Lagace has logged an unsightly 3.92 career goals against average and .868 save percentage (yikes) in 17 NHL games with the Golden Knights. Not sure what JR was thinking here, although Lagace did enjoy a career year with Providence of the AHL last season (2.37 GAA, .919 SV%).
Because they’re signed to two-way deals, none of the three players count against the Pens’ cap. So we still have roughly $2.5 million to spend, according to CapFriendly.
Restricted free agents Pontus Aberg and Sam Miletic remain unsigned.
Former Pens in Play
Goalie Thomas Greiss signed a two-year deal with Detroit. Forward Jayson Megna reupped with Colorado for a year. Defenseman Derrick Pouliot signed a one-deal with Philadelphia.
Hey all,
I know at this stage we’ve most likely filled our forward spots and probably can’t afford him even if we haven’t. But I’ve been keeping an eye on Dominik Kahun (still unsigned) and saw this blurb about him on “The Hockey Writers.”
“It was a bit of a surprise to see Buffalo not tender a qualifying offer to Kahun. He finished with 12 goals and 31 points in 56 games last season, a 45-point pace over 82 games. He’s averaged 40 points per 82 games for his career, as well as 2.11 points/60 at five-on-five, the latter of which is better than Andreas Johnsson, Logan Couture, and Claude Giroux.
The bottom line is Kahun is an underrated player. He’s not an elite scorer, but he’s highly efficient. His overall play has been worth a GAR (goals above replacement) of 13.5 over the last two seasons, so he’s adding value to his teams. He’s only 25 years old. He shouldn’t cost a lot to sign, and he could be a great value buy.”
Yes, I’m STILL trying to figure out what the Penguins didn’t like about this kid. (In case you haven’t noticed, I have trouble letting go…especially when things don’t make sense.) To me, he’s exactly the kind of player you want for your third line.
Anyway…just thought I’d share this for what it’s worth.
Rick
Hey all,
A very interesting article about Mark Jankowski over on Pensburgh.
Hooks Orpik did a Q&A with a blogger from a sister site that covers the Flames. The answers weren’t all that encouraging.
The skinny…Jankowski’s a big guy who skates pretty well for his size and covers the ice. Doesn’t have much of a shot, despite scoring 31 goals during his first two seasons. Smooth player who doesn’t always seem to be putting forth a ton of effort. The blogger even used the “l” word (lazy), although that was in reference to Jankowski’s college days. We already know he’s not physical.
In this guy’s opinion, not a ton of upside beyond what Jankowski’s already shown. Nor did he feel that his “off season” in 2019-20 (five goals in 56 games) was all that far off.
Sheesh.
There is a bright spot, however. According to Evolving Hockey, Jankowski’s very good at suppressing expected goals against. So he is a good defensive player. Perhaps more of a fit on the fourth line rather than the third.
Rick
Yes, let’s hang on the word of a nobody from Calgary whose qualifications to write about hockey are zero.
Hey Stratton,
I was merely pointing out an article that might shed some insight on what type of player Jankowski might be. Which seems to reinforce the general consensus. From the sounds of it, the blogger had connections to the team and how Jankowski was viewed inside the organization.
Once again, way to twist things around so you can apply your ultra-negative stamp to things…or more to the point…toward the commenter.
I mentioned this before, but in case you didn’t read that comment I’ll repeat it here. I don’t mind you commenting and offering a dissenting opinion. That’s part of what makes a blog go.
However, more often than not there’s a sharpness to your comments that’s intended to put down or belittle.
With all due respect, figure out a way to soften your comments so they don’t have a personal edge.
Thanks.
Rick
Hey Rick,
I’m not sure what to think about the move. Do’t get me wrong, I like Angello. I think he should have been given a legitimate shot last season, particularly during Hornqvist’s absences. Therefore, I am glad he was resigned.
My sticking point is the two-way nature of his deal. I can’t shake the feeling that JR is trying to find a way to keep Simon around. I keep having nightmares of Simon coming back and getting top line TOI again.
SOP.
To quote Charlie Brown, “Agh!”
I am trying to stay positive but it is getting harder and harder to do.
Hey Other Rick,
I hear ya. I can’t imagine too may other teams are out there saying, “Hey we really need to sign Dominik Simon.”
Maybe Bill Guerin and the Wild will sign him. Then again, maybe not.
Speaking of Dominiks, I keep checking to see if the “Good Dominik”…Kahun…has been signed. So far, no. But due to all of JR’s recent moves, I doubt we’d be able to sign him at this stage unless we somehow move a player (Sceviour?).
Rick