Just a quicky Penguins update. There’s a rumor afloat, published by Pittsburgh Hockey Now, tying the Pens to Edmonton right wing Zack Kassian.
A former 13th overall pick by Buffalo in 2009, the rugged 30-year-old right wing has fallen short of those lofty expectations, but he’s been far from a bust. In fact, the 6’3” 210-pounder’s developed into a fast, more-than-serviceable heavyweight/scorer who’s tallied 84 goals in 552 career games with the Sabres, Canucks and, most recently, the Oilers.
In many ways a throw-back to old-school power forwards like black-and-gold alumni “Scary” Gary Roberts and Rick Tocchet.
Needless to say, he isn’t shy about dropping the gloves. The fast-swinging lefty’s fought all the big heavies, including Tom Wilson and ex-Pens Erik Gudbranson and Ryan Reaves. Although he doesn’t always prevail, Zack generally gives a good account of himself and he’s fearless. And while he can lose control of his emotions at times (the Matthew Tkachuk donnybrook), a little fire might be just what the doctor ordered for our “just play” Pens.
What would it take to land Kassian? I’m speculating, but the Oilers…kayoed in the first-round of the playoffs two straight seasons…need inexpensive young talent to fill in behind mega-talented (and mega-pricey) superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
I’m guessing the Oilers would ask for a mid-level prospect like Radim Zohorna.
An added word of caution before we cough up a prospect to acquire Zack. Following back-to-back 15-goal seasons with the Oil, Kassian slumped to a meager two goals in 27 games during an injury-riddled ‘20-21 campaign (concussion issues).
Red-flag city. Given his hell-for-leather style, you wonder how much mileage is left on his tread.
Contract-wise, the Windsor, Ontario native has three seasons remaining on a deal with an average annual value of $3.2 million. To put that into perspective, only 300 K per season less than Bryan Rust.
Stay tuned…
The Other Rick
Regarding your Coaching list. I’m not disputing that each one of the
Coaches on your list have done a great job with their teams.
It’s really tough to compare them to Sullivan. Quenneville has been a
Head Coach for 20 + years while Evason has only been an NHL Coach
for a year and a half.
Also, I will make the point that Quenneville suffered pretty much the same
fate as the Penguins / Sullivan after winning the Cup in 2014-15 Season.
In 2016-17 and again in 2017-18 Chicago exited the playoffs in the 1st round
and missed the playoffs altogether in 2017-18. Quenneville was then fired
after (6) games in 2018-19. This I might add was with their core still intact.
Kane (29), Toews (29), Keith (34), and a pretty good supporting cast of
Panarin, DeBrincat, Schmaltz, Saad, Hossa etc….etc…..
The difference here is Kane and Toews are still in their 20’s while our Core
is pushing into their mid-thirties.
Sullivan still has a lot to prove but at the present time he should at least
been in the Top 3 for the Adams trophy. Quenneville is a HOF Coach for
sure but the comparison after winning his last Cup in Chicago to the Pen’s
playoff success is very similar – the one difference is Sullivan was still able
to get us into the playoffs.
As you know I’ve had my issues with Sullivan but with the abundance of
injuries, us being able to win the Division, and losing to a team that currently
has a chance to play for the Cup I would say he should be under consideration
for Coach of the year in the NHL.
I like Zack but I think the team needs to look more to the future after another failed playoff run.
I am hoping Zucker , Matheson and Petterson all get moved by expansion or a draft day trade.
Than Ron hopefully looks for a tough defenseman, Gudbransson or a Ben Hutton.
Get rid of Rodriguez, we are going to lose one , possibly 2 to Seattle, Make roster space for Radim , Legare and Poulin, give them some quality ice time and see what they can do.
I know none if this will happen.
I really don’t see a big change for this roster this off season, next summer big decisions will be made
Pretty much agreed Pens4ever,
ZAR has good points. If he stays, it may not be the worst thing, but if the team moves on, he won’t be hard to replace.
Zucker is a whole lot like Perron; he is a good player who just doesn’t fit. More importantly he could be used as trait bait.
Matheson and Pettersson; addition by subtraction – particularly if/when Ceci goes UFA. Unfortunately, the team needs an exit strategy. The Pens have let the left side of their defense go to pot.
Oleksiak, like Gudbranson is UFA this year, my guess is he wouldn’t want to come back as long as Sully is here, but I wouldn’t mind seeing him come back as either 3rd pairing or maybe stop gap 2nd pairing.
I would still rather find a way to pry Hague off Vegas.
I wouldn’t mind seeing Gudbranson back here either but like Oleksiak so long as Sullivan is here I doubt the Penguins are on his list of possible destinations.
The Penguins are not really deep in top 6 prospects but after Val d’Ors run Legare and Poulin deserve legit shots. Zohorna also played well enough for a top 9 spot.
So long as Sullivan is here and has ZAR, Zucker, Rodrigues, and McCann, in his tool box, I can see him tossing Legare, Poulin, and Zohorna to the side without a fair look.
I agree
Hey all,
With my brain in summer hibernation mode, I just wanted to point out some really good articles on Pensburgh.
They’re doing an in-depth review of individual performances by our Pens player during the past season, featuring narratives and all kinds of fancy stats. So far they’ve done Jared McCann and Teddy Blueger.
And Hooks Orpik gave a really compelling look into why the Pens fall short in the playoffs while other, less talented teams (Islanders) seem to thrive.
A good read. Hope everyone is well.
Rick
PS–I think Other Rick is cooking up a couple of features. Stay tuned.
Rick
I read the article on Pensburgh but I’m not really buying it. This is
just another way for them to deflect that our size has anything to
do with our playoff failure. Did they ever think that we don’t finish
plays because we’re banged up? I always think it’s funny how Maroon
and Reaves can play for two of the best teams in the league but not
the Penguins…..hmmmm. Also, Maroon has been on the last two
Stanley Cup Champions (St. Louis & Tampa) and may be heading
for a third Cup.
I don’t want to rip Hooks but he’s so against the Pens bringing in any
size and toughness. He also wrote an article crushing any thoughts
of Hextall trading for Kassian. He basically said this is a bad player
and a bad move. He always thinks your 4th line has to score – I think
what goes missing is those players are always much more valuable
in the playoffs. They don’t get it.
Hope all is well. I thought The Other Rick would be up on the beams
of Clemente Bridge after the Pen’s made the statement Sully is here
to stay. Lol
Hey Mike,
Other Rick and I work at the same gym, so we often discuss the Pens and hockey in general.
Whenever we want to push his buttons, we instruct someone to a) say something good about Sullivan, or b) say something bad about Malkin. Then we watch the veins in his neck bulge.
The other day I told one of my coworkers to tell OTR that he heard we were trading Pettersson AND Malkin to Anaheim for Gibson.
Other Rick erupted in a veritable fireworks display … (hee hee). All in good fun … 🙂
Rick
PS–He’ll never play for the Pens. But the Baby Pens re-signed Jamie Devane (6’5″ 231) today. So there is at least one heavyweight in the organization.
That’s too funny. I can’t wait to post something regarding Malkin
or Sullivan. Appreciate the info!! Lol
I hoping Hextall gets creative and finds a way to reconstruct our
4th line. I always talk about 3rd and 4th line player’s cant be
guys that couldn’t cut it on the 1st and 2nd lines. Zahorna is
an intriguing player and could possibly be used on the 3rd line
but he doesn’t have the makeup needed for a 4th line player.
This off-season will surely be an interesting one. GO PENS
He’s tries so hard to contain himself but just can’t … lol
Yes, it should be an interesting off-season. I really like what I see in Zohorna. He averaged a point per game in the Czech League (not easy to do) and the same with the Baby Pens. And he showed really well for the Pens in limited ice time.
I was really impressed with his combination of size, speed, touch and hockey smarts. Total opposite end of the spectrum, size-wise, but perhaps the case of a late bloomer a la Martin St. Louis, who didn’t really establish himself in the NHL until he was 25.
Zohorna doesn’t possess a mean streak. But his sheer size alone would make him difficult to deal with. And if we can find a spot for Legare (and maybe Poulin and Angello) it should go a long way to giving us the kind of functional size we’re lacking.
Would still like to add a guy who can fight. Maybe on D (Gudbranson?).
Rick
Rick
I’m not down on Zahorna and I like him as well. I just don’t think he’s a 4th line player. If he can crack one of our top 3-lines I’m all for it. Too often the Pen’s take a player and just look to find a spot for him no matter the circumstances “Simon” IMO theirs just certain players whose make-up is not compatible with your checking line.
Trade Malkin and Letang for (1) cold six-pack and one warm six-pack and call it a day.
LOL – You think I poked the bear??
Yes, I think you succeeded…lol I believe a response will be coming your way … 🙂
Rick
PS–Hear ya about the “Simon Syndrome.” The Pens have always sacrificed muscle for that last little morsel of…well…Simon.
In the early 80s we inexplicably traded Kevin McClelland and Marty McSorley…tough guys both…to the Oilers so we could pack the roster with the likes of Lee Giffin, Grant Sasser and Steve Gotaas, all who were about 5’10” 180. It was maddening …
Rick, Mike
Sorry I’ve been busy as Rick B can attest.
Let’s play a little logic game.
Which name doesn’t belong with the others;
1. Rod Brind’Amour
2. Mike Sullivan
3. Dean Evason
4. Joel Quenneville
Answer – Mike Sullivan, the other 3 coaches are actually good coaches and who are finalists for the Jack Adams Trophy.
Mike Sullivan? It may not have been his fault, luck of the draw and all of that, but he had a cake schedule – especially down the stretch run – and often played the handful of non-embarrassment teams when their big guns were injured. Even in many of the wins, the team often looked less than stellar against the weakest of opponents.
Sorry, Mike Sullivan doesn’t get any special dispensation in my books, like so many Pittsburgh Sports fans like to hand him. Pittsburgh Fans love to ride Mike Tomlin, Derek Shelton, and before him Clint Hurdle but give Sully a pass.
The league got it right, snub Sullivan. The only Adams Award Mike deserves is the Gomez Addams award. I can hear the train whistle now and see Sully with his hands on the detonator with ready to totally derail this team. Too bad his buddy JR (Uncle Fester) can’t be with him for another self destructive season.
Hopefully Hextall and Burke will move on