Happy Fourth of July everyone!
I have a rare couple of minutes to sit and think (or maybe something else that rhymes with that). So, I have some random thoughts!
The most interesting thing that I have come across recently is a little blurb on another site that seems very interesting – particularly when it ties in with some of the rumors of this past Spring.
During this past Spring there were rumors to the effect that Detroit Red Wings’ head honcho, Steve Yzerman, is looking for a top four Right-Handed Defenseman (RHD). Could Wings be interested in Erik Karlsson? Judging by some of what I am reading, that smoke is rising again. Well, consider me interested.
My asking price for Karlsson? Former Red Wings First Round Pick Nate Danielson (pictured above). To get the deal done, I would retain as much as $3 – 3.5 million and throw in our first, First Round Pick from this year’s draft. Of course, if I had to add Benjamin Kindel to grab Danielson then I think I would want maybe a couple of Second Round Picks in exchange (Kyle Dubas seems to be better drafting after the First Round).
Danielson just could be that exit strategy for next season when Evgeni Malkin’s contract runs out. In the interim he could look really good easing his way into the NHL behind Sidney Crosby and Malkin.
A Red Wings fan friend of mine mentioned that Danielson wasn’t being invited to his team’s developmental camp – I can dream for a couple of days that means Detroit may be moving him.
Understand, I have nothing to substantiate the above, just idle musing.
It has been a week since the NHL Draft but I keep having people ask how I would grade the Penguins most recent Draft. My answer is a C+
Landing Bill Zonnon, Peyton Kettles, and Charlie Tretheway kept the team from getting a lower grade. All three of these players should eventually make this our favorite flightless fowl a better team.
However, passing on Kashawn Aitcheson with the 11th pick kept the grade from being an A. The trading back up the draft to get the 24th pick but sacrificing the 58th pick just to grab a player that they could have easily grab with the 31st pick as well as drafting Gabriel D’Aigle. Trading the 12th pick for two First Round Picks, kept the grade from getting lower than a C.
William Horcoff isn’t a bad pick but they could have drafted him with the 31st pick and kept the 58th pick for later use to take either Charlton Trethewey or Mace’O Phillips, then taking the other with our first pick in the third round.
In the end, the team did get some good players, but Dubas could have done a whole lot better.
Another discussion that keeps coming up around me all the time is what do I think of Dubas’ FA signings. Sorry folks, but so far Dubas is failing badly. When every signing a GM makes has question marks as to whether he should even be considered an NHL player, that GM or Head of Hockey Operations is failing – failing badly. Our Penguins FA grade to date, a D.
The only thing that is keeping this grade from dropping lower than a D is that two of the signings were players still at or just before their prime age, Parker Wotherspoon and Alexander Alexeyev and even those two are question marks.
Does anyone blame me for hoping that Dubas sends up fireworks of his own this Fourth of July by making the trade I proposed above – Karlsson for Danielson?
The Penguins continue to corner the market on massive forwards. In his first move of…
A heaping helping of good news as we anxiously await official word of any trade…
The Penguins suffered an ugly, disjointed, bizarre, humbling (pick your descriptor) setback at the hands…
In addition to the trade deadline, now less than 48 hours away, there’s a weightier…
Every once in a while life prevents me from doing a full recap of a…
I was reading some articles about the Penguins’ possible approach to the looming trade deadline…
View Comments
Hey Other Rick.
Interesting thoughts and take, my friend. Especially on a potential Danielson-for-Karlsson trade.
The Wings have a long-standing tradition of employing and embracing Swedes, and I’ve got to think there’s pressure on Yzerman to have the team turn the corner and make the playoffs…or else.
Maybe Karlsson would be a fit there.
I confess I’m not super-familiar with Danielson, only that he was regarded highly enough to be drafted ninth overall.
I took a peek at his EliteProspect bio, which tend to be a bit on the effusive side.
“Danielson was a creator of rush offence, building speed beneath the puck, charging through the neutral zone with possession, carving the ice up with powerful, agile crossovers, and turning the corner on opposing defenceman. Equal parts natural speed as a skater and handling skill made that a relatively effective signature move for the Wheat Kings centre.”
Sure sounds impressive. However, his rookie pro season at Grand Rapids (12 goals, 39 points) was hardly eye-popping. Still, he’s only 20, and he played his last season of junior under former Pens coach Mike Johnston, who tends to prepare his players well.
In terms of Dubas’s performance, I tend to grade on the curve and am a little more lenient than you…lol. Not saying they’re going to be great or anything, but I don’t mind any of the forward additions.
I am concerned about the defense. I was hoping Dubas would land at least one established (and physical) defenseman on the left side, and maybe he still plans to although they don't grow on trees. As of now, our defense is a concern to me.
I am still unclear on exactly what Dubas’s plans are. He almost seems to be following the Pirates’ model…signing underachievers or guys who’ve slipped and have something to prove…I guess to continue stockpiling draft capital.
I guess I just answered my own question… :)
Rick