I dunno fellas, I agree the org is favoring Kunitz because he's a Penguins bro and all...
However, this team can't progress with that kind of attitude.
Kunitz is going to have to play craptacular hockey to get removed from that line now. It's going to be easy to rack up points with those two and that's my fear right now...
The whole angle of "Well, Pouliot's development leaves a lot to be desired, but who knows how poorly we'd have ****ed up (insert name)" is so weird, and depressing. Yeah, it's probably true, but it doesn't absolve the Pouliot pick as being the wrong one.
I dunno fellas, I agree the org is favoring Kunitz because he's a Penguins bro and all...
However, this team can't progress with that kind of attitude.
Kunitz is going to have to play craptacular hockey to get removed from that line now. It's going to be easy to rack up points with those two and that's my fear right now...
You bros need to learn a thing or two about bro status and elite bro status.
Perron has not been here long enough to achieve bro status. Kunitz can't just be demoted from elite bro to non-bro, he's still one of the bros. You're comparing a bro to a non-bro, bro.
Don't let an unassuming camp mask the fact that Pouliot's already the best PPQB in the organization and a good bet to become a very productive top pairing defenseman over the next few years.
Don't let an unassuming camp mask the fact that Pouliot's already the best PPQB in the organization and a good bet to become a very productive top pairing defenseman over the next few years.
Don't let an unassuming camp mask the fact that Pouliot's already the best PPQB in the organization and a good bet to become a very productive top pairing defenseman over the next few years.
I wouldn't say it's a good bet he becomes a very productive top pair D. Him turning into Goligoski 2.0 is totally possible and probably the most likely situation (middle pair PP specialist).
Nothing Scuderi can't do something close to and then surpass overall with his defense.
Hopefully. It's also extremely likely he sees nothing above 2nd PP unit time with the top PP being Sid, Geno, Hornqvist (or Kunitz ^___^), Kessel and Letang--whom you know is not being taken off despite years of awful decisions on the PP.
Pouliot's not accountable for the org's dumb decisions, even if he may have to suffer the consequences.
Except he already QBs a PP better than Gogs ever has. He simply hasn't been given the opportunity to show it this fall.
Hope you're right, RRP. He's a damn-important guy to our defense, and the way he's played throughout the rookie tourney and camp/pre-season has me very worried. He's looked terrible, even against notably weaker competition in the rookie tourney. He is either not nearly as far along as we'd hope, or he just looks disinterested/lost. Either way, not good.
-edit- And aside from an infrequent flash here or there, hinting at some underlying offensive potential, he looked pretty bad last season as well.
I meant Goligoski 2.0 as in a middle pair PP specialist.
I think Perron's every bit as nasty and capable along the boards. I'm saying defensively and getting the puck to Sid and Kessel quickly on breakouts.
Pouliot being held accountable is fine by me. He needs alot of work.
The only reason to keep Kunitz up there is that they want a certain type of player with Sid and Kessel. Perron is a more dangerous player at this point, but may not be better at what is needed on that line.
I think it sends a bad message to not even try others there though. Zero competition.
I've accepted it though. Just gotta hope Perron gets a spot on the Malkin line. Or they better be damn certain Sprong is in the NHL next year b/c Perron won't be here.
I don't know if it's as bad as all that. I don't have a single issue with his offense, last year or this year - right now he's a gifted player who's going through the motions with rookie and B teams, and not getting the opportunity to play his role with skilled NHL players who can take advantage of how processes the game.
Defensively he's a work in progress, but he has all the tools, they simply need to be sharpened up. As an offensive defenseman with 34 NHL games to his credit, I think that's to be expected - anyone who thought he'd be ready for a seamless transition to the middle pair this year were probably getting a little ahead of themselves. The fully-formed Maattas of the world are few and far between.
Your mileage may vary, but that seems to me to be the low end of Pouliot's potential.
Jumping off topic, but did Bonino skate with the B team today?
Oskar Sundqvist
Plus: He’s every bit of 6-3, 210 and plays a physical game. He can also, as I asked him Friday, play wing, if necessary. Long range, good stick. Almost made the team last year.
Minus: He can say his hamstring is “perfect” all he wants. There’s a reason we’re asking. Has also won only 10 of 30 faceoffs in the preseason.