With nothing in particular to write about, I thought I’d scrape a few random thoughts together into a Penguins This ‘n’ ‘At.
Without further ado.
How Ya Gonna Keep ‘Em Down on the Farm?
Houston, we may have a hockey player (or two). With seven goals and nine points in 13 games, forward Tristan Broz is off to a great start in his rookie pro season. Like erstwhile Baby Pens teammate Owen Pickering, the former second-round pick has matured physically and now tips the scales at a solid 205 pounds on a 6’0” frame. The better to excel down low and in traffic.
In all likelihood, we’ll see the 22-year-old Wisconsin native in a Penguins jersey before the season is over.
Fellow rookie Ville Koivunen is also off to a strong start with the Baby Pens. He, too, has collected nine points (three goals and six helpers). The knock on the 21-year-old Finn is his skating, or more accurately the pace at which he plays, and his overall play (a team-worst minus-6). However, he’s undeniably skilled and crafty. Koivunen could join Broz in the bigs before the season is out.
On the flip side? Another rookie forward, Rutger McGroarty, appears to be adjusting slowly to the pro game. The high-profile summertime acquisition has three points (1 + 2) for the Baby Pens to go with a minus-5.
Give him time.
A player I’m personally pulling for?
Power forward Jagger Joshua. Out since training camp with an upper-body injury, Joshua made his season debut on Saturday and collected an assist against Bridgeport. This on the heels of a strong finish to the 2023-24 campaign when he amassed an impressive seven goals and 16 points in 17 games down the homestretch with the Baby Pens.
For the unfamiliar, Joshua is a bruising 6’3” 210-pound left wing whose calling card is physical play, much like his big brother Dakota, who skates for the Canucks. He’s presently on an AHL contract, so technically he isn’t Pens property. Hopefully a situation GM Kyle Dubas will remedy in the not-too-distant future.
Goodness knows our Milquetoast-ish Pens sure could use a player of his ilk.
Speaking of guys on AHL contracts, the Baby Pens recently signed Russian defenseman Nikolai Knyzhov to a tryout. The 6’3” 222-pounder, who has 81 games of NHL experience (all with San Jose), had been in the Pens camp earlier this fall on a PTO.
Hey, if he’s able to defend at all, sign him up!
Around the League
Numerous articles have been written of late suggesting Bruins coach Jim Montgomery might be on thin ice following his team’s sluggish start.
Really?
Only two short seasons ago, Montgomery led Boston to an incredible 135 points (65-12-5), an achievement that earned him the Jack Adams Award. Last season the Bruins garnered 109 points under his watch.
I couldn’t help but think of our own coaching situation. Our Pens are off to a worse start than the Bruins, have missed the playoffs two years running, yet Mike Sullivan’s job appears to be more secure than a CPA’s during the height of tax season.
Go figure.
In other news, old friend Ryan Reaves, at the present plying his nefarious trade for Toronto, ran afoul of the league law for a seismic, shoulder-to-head hit on the Oilers’ Darnell Nurse. Reavo’s been suspended for five games.
Oh, and Kasperi Kapanen has been placed on waivers by the Blues. Sad to say, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a player do less with so many raw tools than Kappy.
Hey Rick,
You reported that people are suggesting Montgomery would be fired, well he was. Just saw it. But FSG still clings to Sullivan. Pride goeth before a fall. FSG appears willing to die on this hill
Hey all,
Just a quick follow-up on Kapanen. He was claimed on waivers today by the Oilers.
Zach Laing wrote the following in an article on OilersNation.
“Kapanen will bring some speed to an Oilers bottom-six lacking in it, with his top skating speed ranking in the 95th percentile, according to NHL EDGE, even though his speed bursts rank in the bottom-half.”
“Hockey Viz pegs his contributions as that of a fourth liner, providing offence at a seven percent rate below league average, his defence at a two percent rate below league average, and his penalty kill work at four percent below league average.”
“With Kapanen on the ice for 1,739 five-on-five minutes since the start of the 2022-23 season, teams have struggled to drive play with him on the ice, controlling 46.3 percent of the shot attempt share, 43.6 percent of the expected goals share, 42.9 percent of the scoring chance share while getting outscored 85 to 63 for a 42.6 percent goal share.”
Yikes…
Rick
I’d honestly rather keep the kids down in WBS where they will get ice time, learn to play together, and have a shot a winning games too. If they get brought up under Sully they can meet Borquey and tell him their favorite nacho toppings. Then in 4 years the team will wonder why all the prospects are busts.
Amen Nick.
Like you, I’m not in any particular hurry to promote the kids, pretty much for the reasons you expressed.
Let them develop and gain confidence with the Baby Pens. Like you, I don’t have much confidence in Sullivan’s ability (or desire) to cultivate young talent. As you alluded, for the most part seven minutes of ice time a game on the fourth line or third defense pairing.
I’m truly hoping for a coaching change before we start a youth movement in earnest. I just don’t think Sully’s the right man for that job.
Rick
Hey Rick,
If you recall I said I wanted Broz to start the season off as the teams 3rd line Center and Koivunen first crak at Malkin’s LW; their early success should surprise anyone capable of evaluating talent.
As for Pickering, Belliveau was playing better than Pickering but he is still down on the farm. However, Pickering’s defense he is light years better than Grelczyk and so is Graves better than Grelczyk, but who did Sullivan sit and who is still out there being a millstone around an aging Letang’s neck?
Honestly Rick, as much as I used to push for these kids to get a chance but right now, with the Sullivan Virus sickening this team to only 4 regulation Wins this season (3 of them by Blomqvist who is now in the minors) I don’t want these kids near that moron. He has ruined way too many kids already.
If FSG is too stupid to boot this clown of coach then I pray they trade away all their kids so they have a chance. No one deserves this 7734