Line Combos: HFPens Decides - 22/23 - 3rd Defensive Pairing

[Randy Butternubs]

Poll #8: Who do you want as the 3rd Defensive Pair? Pick 2. Vote for what you want to see. Write in votes for players that the Penguins already have acquired are welcome but if you vote twice neither vote will count. And if you only select one that vote will not count (unless you also have a write in vote).


Some assumptions and rules:

1. You are to vote for what you want to see -- not what you expect the coaches to do.
2. Crosby and Malkin are the top two centers.
3. Jarry is the starter and DeSmith is the backup.
4. Options will be based on (August 19, 2022) health. All seem to be healthy.
5. Unless listed as a 'LD/RD' on CapFriendly the defensemen will play on their "correct" side. This means Rutta, Ty Smith, Friedman, and Ouellet can play either side.
6. I will not be listing players for positions they have not played at the NHL/AHL level. For example, I will not be listing Hallander as an option for the third line center. But DOC and Zohorna will be options for 3C.
7. Due to the amount of one-way contracts, I may not be able to include everyone as voting options. Feel free to write them in as a vote, though.
8. A majority vote is not needed to win. But we may have runoff polls if I deem the numbers to be too close.
9. I will be working my way "down" the lineup. If the cap is exceeded at a 22-man roster that is where the polls will end.
10. Petry is the 2 RD.

Let me know of questions, concerns, or objections.

Current HFPens Line Combo:

Guentzel (63%) - Crosby - Rakell (54%)
Zucker (47%) - Malkin - Rust (83%)
- -
- -

Dumoulin (81%) - Letang
Pettersson (81%) - Petry
-

Jarry - DeSmith

Click to read more...

 

[Gurglesons]

POJ - Ruhwedel

 

[AuroraBorealis]

Honestly dunno. I voted Smith - Rutta for entertainment's sake, but I just want whoever's best in camp on LD out of the 4 guys.

 

[SEALBound]

Mark Eaton and Craig Adams. Then sign another vet.

 

[Ugene Magic]

Somewhere Chad is...

 

[DesertedPenguin]

I really, really want the Penguins to go POJ-Petry and Smith-Rutta. Trade Pettersson to create cap space that can be used at the deadline to bolster a weakness.

I know everyone is worried about depth and unproven players on the left side, but I'm bullish on POJ and I think Smith will get on track quickly.

 

[Randy Butternubs]

@wheelz87 want to add a partner for Rutta?

 

[Buddy Bizarre]

POJ-Ruuta

Feel bad for Ruh bc he's been a solid guy

 

[jmelm]

POJ + Rutta.

POJ deserves to get 20-30 games to see what he can do. He's done his time in the minors and I'd like him to get his chance before just replacing him with Smith.

At the same time, giving Smith 20-30 games in WBS (or until there's an injury & call up opportunity) to get acclimated to the Pens system and get his confidence back to where it was in his rookie year is not a bad thing either.

Then at that point, the Pens can decide what to do with these guys and if they're going to trade either one or trade/waive Friedman, etc.

 

[Randy Butternubs]

Pens can have both POJ and Smith on the roster. But that very likely means both Friedman and Ruhwedel get "sent" to WBS.

 

[DesertedPenguin]

Pens can have both POJ and Smith on the roster. But that very likely means both Friedman and Ruhwedel get "sent" to WBS.

I'd rather POJ and Smith both play. If the only way to do that, at least to start, is to send Smith to WBS, then so be it. I don't want them sitting in the press box.

POJ + Rutta.

POJ deserves to get 20-30 games to see what he can do. He's done his time in the minors and I'd like him to get his chance before just replacing him with Smith.

At the same time, giving Smith 20-30 games in WBS (or until there's an injury & call up opportunity) to get acclimated to the Pens system and get his confidence back to where it was in his rookie year is not a bad thing either.

Then at that point, the Pens can decide what to do with these guys and if they're going to trade either one or trade/waive Friedman, etc.

As much as I want both POJ and Smith in the lineup, I think this is the most likely scenario. It's prime asset management.

 

[wheelz87]

@wheelz87 want to add a partner for Rutta?

Nah I’m good. I want ruutta on that pair and I’m straight undecided after that. I’ll be the odd guy with only one vote

 

[dogthateats]

Lol someone voted for POJ

 

[jmelm]

Pens can have both POJ and Smith on the roster. But that very likely means both Friedman and Ruhwedel get "sent" to WBS.

Friedman *might* clear waivers (though I think it's more than 50/50% he gets claimed), but Ruhwedel 100% gets claimed.

No chance Ruh goes on waivers. He took a lot less to stay here and he's earned it. We would be dumb to risk that as well. He would have positive trade value if we actually wanted to move him.

 

[Randy Butternubs]

Friedman *might* clear waivers (though I think it's more than 50/50% he gets claimed), but Ruhwedel 100% gets claimed.

No chance Ruh goes on waivers. He took a lot less to stay here and he's earned it. We would be dumb to risk that as well. He would have positive trade value if we actually wanted to move him.

Oh yeah, I'm all about the asset management. Keep as many NHL defenders as possible. Was just saying it is possible cap-wise to have both POJ & TS in the NHL.

 

[Flying Dego]

POJ-Ruuta

Feel bad for Ruh bc he's been a solid guy

Who in their right mind would feel bad for Ruh? The dude whether he plays or not collects an NHL check and has had unheard of stability for a fringe 6/7 D.

Literally a fairytale for him.

 

[orby]

POJ/Rutta is the logical choice. Keep either Friedman or Ruhwedel as the #7.

 

[Randy Butternubs]

Only a few hours left.

 

[Gurglesons]

Bunch of POJ truthers in here.

Friedman *might* clear waivers (though I think it's more than 50/50% he gets claimed), but Ruhwedel 100% gets claimed.

No chance Ruh goes on waivers. He took a lot less to stay here and he's earned it. We would be dumb to risk that as well. He would have positive trade value if we actually wanted to move him.

In season sure. What team is taking him and losing a spot right during or after camp?

 

[Empoleon8771]

Friedman should be waived regardless because he's not important enough to the team to justify keeping him on the team and they need cap space.

 

[dogthateats]

I feel like a lot of people voting POJ never watched Smith play

 

[Gurglesons]

I feel like a lot of people voting POJ never watched Smith play

Regardless Smith will be playing the 3rd pairing LD. So they’ll get plenty of time to watch him.

I’d love an example of the last time someone traded for an NHL player that played 100+ games within six months and then immediately dunked them in the AHL.

 

[Randy Butternubs]

Again, it's what you want to see.

 

[dogthateats]

Alls i’m sayings is if people seent Smith they would want to see him in the lineup

 

[Gurglesons]

Alls i’m sayings is if people seent Smith they would want to see him in the lineup

Realistically, we also need transition and production from whoever plays with Rutta.

Rutta is a nice defensive archetype but he needs someone that can move the puck and produce on his left side.