I got the inspiration for the following loose-ramble ramble from Jim (aka James Arthurs), long-time reader, faithful contributor and occasional writer for PenguinPoop.
In a recent comment, Jim compared our remaining schedule to those of our closest playoff competitors, the Islanders and Panthers. I thought it was a great idea, so I decided to steal (er…borrow from) Jim and make it the basis for my ramble.
So Jim, my old friend, this one’s for you.
Without further ado, here’s how our schedule stacks up against the remaining slates for the Isles and Panthers.
|
Penguins |
Islanders |
Panthers |
|
BOS |
@TBL |
@CBJ |
|
PHI |
@CAR |
BUF |
|
@NJD |
TBL |
OTT |
|
MIN |
PHI |
@WSH |
|
@DET |
@WSH |
TOR |
|
CHI |
MON |
CAR |
|
@CBJ |
|
|
|
Projected Finish |
||
|
4-3 |
3-3 |
4-2 |
|
Season Ending Record |
||
|
41-31-10 92 pts |
42-31-9 93 pts |
42-33-7 91 pts |
For the sake of simplicity, I’m going to project that the three wild-card hopefuls will lose to the teams above them in the standings and beat the teams below them. Hardly a given, especially when you consider our Pens have struggled mightily against the Red Wings.
Too, teams like the Flyers and Blue Jackets have been knocking off stronger opponents of late and are eminently capable of playing the role of spoiler.
Based on my predications, the Isles will grab the top Eastern wild-card slot and our Penguins will edge out Florida for the last wild-card spot by a point. In the process, qualifying for the postseason for a 17th straight year by the hair of their chinny, chin chins. Or beaks if you prefer.
Ready Freddy
As detailed in a recent article about the PenguinPoop Curse, I’m rarely spot-on in my evaluations, personnel or otherwise. One notable exception?
Former Pens and present Wild center Frederick Gaudreau.
Freddy first made an impression on me during the 2017 Cup Final, when the then-obscure rookie from Bromont, Quebec, came out of nowhere to score three goals against us, including two game winners. A positive impression that was reinforced during a 25-game stint (including six playoff games) with the black-and-gold back in ’20-21.
Possessing great instincts and attention to detail, not to mention underrated talent, Freddy’s a gamer and a winner. Wisely snapped up by Minnesota GM Bill Guerin, he presently has 16 goals and counting for the Wild. All for the bargain basement price of $1.2 million.
Why we (GM Ron Hextall) let Freddy slip away is beyond me.
Springing Sprong
Don’t look now, but guess who notched his 20th goal of the season for Seattle on Thursday night?
If you guessed failed Pens prospect Daniel Sprong, you are correct.
Signed to a PTO by the Kraken last fall after washing out…or more appropriately…wearing out his welcome with the Pens, Ducks and Caps, the prickly 26-year-old Amsterdam native has obviously made the most of his last-chance opportunity.
Credit scholarly Kraken coach Dave Hakstol for bringing out Sprong’s best. Wish we could say the same for Mike Sullivan.
Klim Pickins’
It’s no secret there’s a dearth of promotable young talent in the Pens’ organization these days. While we’re identifying need, we could desperately use a bottom-six forward who combines size and ability with a bit of an edge. Someone who could handle the policing chores when push comes to shove, as it did the other night against the Preds, while providing some protection for our stars.
I’m happy to report I’ve located our man.
Problem is, he plays for the Oilers.
A bristling 23-year-old power forward from Russia, Klim Kostin (pictured) stands 6’3” and tips the scales at a robust 215 pounds. With 10 goals and 19 points in 51 games, the former first-round pick of the Blues (31st overall in 2017) is enjoying a bit of a breakout season north of the border.
As an added bonus, Kostin, who plays left wing and center, has a mean streak a mile wide and isn’t the least bit shy about dropping the gloves. And he can fight. Kind of an Ivan Drago on skates.
Oilers GM Ken Holland, a shrewd judge of talent, acquired Kostin on the eve of the season for Dmitri Samorukov, an unheralded Russian defenseman.
For all their talk of “long pants hockey,” you’d think Hextall and Pens exec Brian Burke might have identified Kostin as a trade target, especially given his favorable cap hit ($750 K).
But no dice.
Instead, we get to watch our 35-year-old captain battle the likes of hulking (6’6”, 232-pound) Preds hit-man Michael McCarron on a nightly basis.
Hey Rick,
If you peel away the years, looking back over past posts and comments, Rick and other Poop readers, you will see that our friend Jim once opined that then GM Jim Rutherford should not trade our 1st round pick and Oskar Sundqvist for Ryan Reeves. Jim coveted the very man you, Rick are coveting now, Klim Kostin. You disagreed with him. You wanted Reeves.
Just pointing that out Rick and giving Jim his a bit of a shout out.
Thank you Rick for those kind words. Your post above is excellent and as i have said to you numerous times, your writing is exceptional and your knowledge of our beloved Pens is with out peer.
What is obvious in both our articles is the Penguins if they indeed get the final Wild Card spot, will be by the narrowest of possible margins. 1 point !!! Maybe 2 points if we get lucky. That is nothing to cheer about. Play 82 games and sneak in the back door in last place. That is not what was supposed to happen.
We resigned the Core so we could dominate the Metro this year and win another Cup before Sid retires in 2 more years.
This year we get to play the Bruins and we will be done in 5 games…. Not what I expected to happen.
As a good friend of ours said many times….” It did not have to end this way ….
Thanks again Rick. Keep up the great work my friend.
Lets Go Pen’s.
Cheers
Jim