Salary Cap: Season starts soon!

[JTG]

Remember how upset people were that we didn't sign Horton?

 

[billybudd]

I would be very surprised if Clowe's contract isn't insured.

Horton's situation is rare. From CBJ's beat writer:

I did a little research and both Lou and Shero have evaded the question of whether he's being paid by the insurance company or not. Lou offered a "no comment" and Shero changed the subject.

Doesn't mean he's not insured, but "Ryan not officially retiring has to do with LTIR procedures" strikes me as a strange answer to a question about whether the Devils are getting reimbursed by an insurance provider.

 

[Riptide]

There are stats that say he's bad on the PK, and he's a bad PK specialist carrying that cap hit for two more years. He's an anchor at even strength and has that damn limited NTC, too. Maybe try and sell him as a 5 on 3 PK specialist?

And those same stats say Sutter is bad on the PK.

 

[Riptide]

I think Sprong is so far ahead of where Bennett was at 18. We can't look at 2 guys and treat them the same way.

Bennett was REALLY thin when we drafted him. He needed to go the college route. Sprong is a pretty strong guy. He wasn't getting pushed around, and he was making heads up plays that I still haven't seen Bennett make with any sort of consistency. I'm real interested to see how his preseason plays out.

Bennett was drafted as a project, and we couldn't just let him be. The decision to come out of Denver when he did was the beginning of the head scratchers for me. He should have stayed at least another year, if not the full 4 years.

This has nothing to do with BB when he was 18. We rushed him when he turned pro. There were multiple times we could have and should have sent him to the AHL - and we never did. Lets not do the same thing with Sprong. We have more than enough offensive depth that him being up isn't likely a vastly superior option to who we already have.

 

[Farnham4top6]

And those same stats say Sutter is bad on the PK.

sutter is horrible in the defensive zone or at everything except skating down the right board sniping pucks.

 

[JTG]

This has nothing to do with BB when he was 18. We rushed him when he turned pro. There were multiple times we could have and should have sent him to the AHL - and we never did. Lets not do the same thing with Sprong. We have more than enough offensive depth that him being up isn't likely a vastly superior option to who we already have.

This actually has nothing to do with BB at all. How BB should be handled has nothing to do with how Sprong should be handled.

Bennett was drafted as a project and he wasn't allowed to fully develop.

Sprong isn't a project.

 

[Ogrezilla]

sutter is horrible in the defensive zone or at everything except skating down the right board sniping pucks.

Well that's just plain not true. Sutter is really good in the defensive zone. His problem is that he plays way too much of the game there. He's even good at getting out of the D zone. But then he has no idea what to do except skating down the right board sniping pucks. If he can't do that, or if he doesn't score doing that, he's immediately back to playing defense. But the eye test and stats both agree that he's good at defense. His possession is terrible, but he still gets scored on very little. And he lowers the goals against per 60 of pretty much everyone he plays with. The problem is that he also lowers their possession and goals for along with it.

 

[Vujtek]

Crosby and MacKinnon working the drive-thru at Tim Horton's:

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-p...920.html?soc_src=mediacontentstory&soc_trk=tw

 

[Jag68Sid87]

This has nothing to do with BB when he was 18. We rushed him when he turned pro. There were multiple times we could have and should have sent him to the AHL - and we never did. Lets not do the same thing with Sprong. We have more than enough offensive depth that him being up isn't likely a vastly superior option to who we already have.

This actually has nothing to do with BB at all. How BB should be handled has nothing to do with how Sprong should be handled.

Bennett was drafted as a project and he wasn't allowed to fully develop.

Sprong isn't a project.

I'm with JTG. Bennett and Sprong are two different players, from two different drafts, under two different regimes. All players are unique, as are their situations.

For every Bennett that suggests we should send Sprong back to junior hockey, there's a Maatta, a Letang, a Staal or any number of players who suggests he could be ready for at least a nine-game trial.

Let's see how he does and not make assumptions based on other players/situations.


I will say one more thing. THIS could be the ideal environment for a Sprong to break in. Four offensive lines, a team 100% committed to playing an offensive style. It might actually be a better setting for Sprong than for a Sundqvist (for example). Sundqvist might have been better served breaking in when this team was obsessed with the third line, or obsessed with grinding dem biotches down, etc.

But a young offensive winger breaking in with veterans like Matt Cullen and Patric Hornqvist, not to mention the superstars and Eric Fehr and Dupuis and Kunitz, etc.

That could be really good for Sprong. Just sayin'.

 

[Tasty Biscuits]

According to the Pens' site, Sheary will be getting a look at LW next to Geno and Hornqvist tonight. For whatever that's worth.

 

[Moose Lips]

I'm with JTG. Bennett and Sprong are two different players, from two different drafts, under two different regimes. All players are unique, as are their situations.

For every Bennett that suggests we should send Sprong back to junior hockey, there's a Maatta, a Letang, a Staal or any number of players who suggests he could be ready for at least a nine-game trial.

Let's see how he does and not make assumptions based on other players/situations.


I will say one more thing. THIS could be the ideal environment for a Sprong to break in. Four offensive lines, a team 100% committed to playing an offensive style. It might actually be a better setting for Sprong than for a Sundqvist (for example). Sundqvist might have been better served breaking in when this team was obsessed with the third line, or obsessed with grinding dem biotches down, etc.

But a young offensive winger breaking in with veterans like Matt Cullen and Patric Hornqvist, not to mention the superstars and Eric Fehr and Dupuis and Kunitz, etc.

That could be really good for Sprong. Just sayin'.

It very well could be a fine time for Sprong to jump right in with all this depth.

From the look in his eyes after scoring he's wanted to be in that spot all his life. Although this certainly is not his only opportunity to make the NHL, it is the one that fulfils the dream...to be one of those good enough to make it, fit in at 1st chance.

Not unheard of...I'm sure we all are looking forward to see how the preseason fares for him. If he keeps it up a 9-game look-see should be in order.

Perhaps his development needs a quantum leap from junior level...again, not unheard of, though not all that common.

I'm also all for the same with Sundqvist (9 game rule notwithstanding).

Very interesting pre-season this year, a bit early to make any assumptions ofc.

 

[Shady Machine]

According to the Pens' site, Sheary will be getting a look at LW next to Geno and Hornqvist tonight. For whatever that's worth.

That doesn't surprise me. MJ said some games they would play the lines they expect for the season and others they'd experiment with a prospect with Sid or Geno.

 

[Shady Machine]

I'm with JTG. Bennett and Sprong are two different players, from two different drafts, under two different regimes. All players are unique, as are their situations.

For every Bennett that suggests we should send Sprong back to junior hockey, there's a Maatta, a Letang, a Staal or any number of players who suggests he could be ready for at least a nine-game trial.

Let's see how he does and not make assumptions based on other players/situations.


I will say one more thing. THIS could be the ideal environment for a Sprong to break in. Four offensive lines, a team 100% committed to playing an offensive style. It might actually be a better setting for Sprong than for a Sundqvist (for example). Sundqvist might have been better served breaking in when this team was obsessed with the third line, or obsessed with grinding dem biotches down, etc.

But a young offensive winger breaking in with veterans like Matt Cullen and Patric Hornqvist, not to mention the superstars and Eric Fehr and Dupuis and Kunitz, etc.

That could be really good for Sprong. Just sayin'.

I just see no reason to rush him. Also, if Sprong makes the team, who are you moving? Kunitz isn't getting benched for Sprong. Bennett or even Perron would be the likely culprits. So you have to ask yourself. Does Sprong in place of Perron or Bennett make this team better?

I know my answer to that.

 

[Farnham4top6]

I'm with JTG. Bennett and Sprong are two different players, from two different drafts, under two different regimes. All players are unique, as are their situations.

For every Bennett that suggests we should send Sprong back to junior hockey, there's a Maatta, a Letang, a Staal or any number of players who suggests he could be ready for at least a nine-game trial.

Let's see how he does and not make assumptions based on other players/situations.


I will say one more thing. THIS could be the ideal environment for a Sprong to break in. Four offensive lines, a team 100% committed to playing an offensive style. It might actually be a better setting for Sprong than for a Sundqvist (for example). Sundqvist might have been better served breaking in when this team was obsessed with the third line, or obsessed with grinding dem biotches down, etc.

But a young offensive winger breaking in with veterans like Matt Cullen and Patric Hornqvist, not to mention the superstars and Eric Fehr and Dupuis and Kunitz, etc.

That could be really good for Sprong. Just sayin'.

Sundqvist played most of last season with offensive lines.
He had linemates like Schremp and kabanov.

 

[The Greatest 101]

According to the Pens' site, Sheary will be getting a look at LW next to Geno and Hornqvist tonight. For whatever that's worth.

Sheary has a good shot,but I would try Simon there first.

 

[Riptide]

This actually has nothing to do with BB at all. How BB should be handled has nothing to do with how Sprong should be handled.

Bennett was drafted as a project and he wasn't allowed to fully develop.

Sprong isn't a project.

And neither is he fully developed.

 

[Fordy]

i would try ****ing bennett there first

 

[Mr Jiggyfly]

i would try ****ing bennett there first

I'm gonna let you in on a secret...

Unless some miracle happens, these lines have already been pre-determined, despite the lip service from MJ and naive attitude of some posters around here there is really open competition for the top six.

Kunitz Crosby Kessel
? Malkin Hornqvist
! Bonino BB
$ Cullen Plotnikov

? = Dupuis or Perron.
! = Loser of Dupuis and Perron
$ = Camp winner

 

[ZeroHero]

So Perron didn’t play last game and he’s not playing tonight, maybe he’ll get his chance next game with Sid – Kessel.

 

[Ragamuffin Gunner]

Perron - Crosby - Kessel
Plots - Malkin - Horny
Duper/Kuni - Bonino - Bennett
Duper/Kuni - Cullen - Sundy

 

[Ugene Magic]

Crosby and MacKinnon working the drive-thru at Tim Horton's:

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-p...920.html?soc_src=mediacontentstory&soc_trk=tw

Just an FYI: Watch through the series of them.

Sid: "how much does a hockey puck weigh?"

One answer given: 32 ounces.

One person nailed it at 6.

 

[Contender]

Features a quote from MJ about Scuderi.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Features a quote from MJ about Scuderi.

Link isn't working for me, what is it?

If it's saying something good about Scuderi being important to the team, I won't believe it until MJ actually starts playing Scuderi with non-AHL partners.

 

[Contender]

Link isn't working for me, what is it?

http://blogs.post-gazette.com/sport...etters/44981-how-does-scuderi-fit-in-09-24-15

Earlier today, Johnston was asked that question.
"Rob, the staple of his game is great positional play. Really sound choices defensively. He moves the puck well out of our zone but I thought last year, he got up a little more into the rush. He did a little more on the offensive blue line. We want him to keep his core foundation [and] like any other player, try and add to it. But penalty killing, he's a top guy for sure. Anytime if we're into the season where you're playing match-ups, he's a good match-up guy against top players because he always has prime ice. He always seals people out. He's a good box-out guy down low. Those are his strengths."

 

[Empoleon8771]

http://blogs.post-gazette.com/sport...etters/44981-how-does-scuderi-fit-in-09-24-15

Yeah I found that link after I posted it by searching Scuderi on twitter.

Pretty standard stuff from MJ, I'm glad to see that he never said that he'd be playing any sort of role on our team. And even if he had said that, I wouldn't believe him based on how he's been used so far in preseason.