"The Big Dog" Eric Tangradi

[steelcityassault]

What are you're expectations for Tangradi this season?

I think he starts in the AHL in Wilkes-Barre, but makes it back up to Pittsburgh by January or so.

Is a 20-goal NHL season realistic?

If you're a fan, check this out > http://facebook.com/BigDogTangradi

Click to read more...

 

[RobertKron]

That facebook page sure is something...

 

[Dipsy Doodle]

I think a 15g, 35 p season would be a respectable rookie campaign if he plays in Pittsburgh all year.

Only 4 rookies got 20+ goals last year, and 2 of those were 1st and 3rd overall picks. Possible for Tangradi, but pretty unlikely.

 

[PensFreak]

Playing with one of our superstar centers would definitely do something for his goal totals. I wouldn't be surprised to see him hit 20

 

[Kessel>Seguin +]

Watched this kid play for 4 years in junior and he can put up points playing alongside Sid of Geno in the NHL but he needs a linemate to do it.

And I have him as a friend on facebook and that is not his FB page ha

 

[snarktacular]

His nickname is really Big Dog? OK I've changed my mind. I'm glad we traded him, even if it was for Ryan Whiney.

 

[sawtooth420]

I think Tangradi is one of the most underrated prospects. The guy is a beast,with great hands and decent skating. He truly reminds me more of Kevin Stevens than any prospect I have seen in a long time...And I'm not just saying that as a Pens homer.

 

[clefty]

His nickname is really Big Dog? OK I've changed my mind. I'm glad we traded him, even if it was for Ryan Whiney.

Its just this one guy who keeps pushing, its been pretty much uniformly rejected and mocked by the rest of us. It is the worst nickname I've ever heard.

 

[hockeydemon05]

I think Tangradi was one of the most underrated prospects when he was Anaheim's property.

There, fixed it for you

But really, if he does make a home with the Pens, I could see 25-35 points happening.

 

[RobertKron]

Its just this one guy who keeps pushing, its been pretty much uniformly rejected and mocked by the rest of us. It is the worst nickname I've ever heard.

Aw, man. I wanted a T-Shirt.

 

[steelcityassault]

Its just this one guy who keeps pushing

 

[AK]

If "Big Dog" sticks, I hope Shero buries his ass in Wheeling forever.

 

[AugustBurnsRed*]

Why do people actually care what his nickname is?

 

[CertifiedPublicGuin]

Why do people actually care what his nickname is?

Yea, it's not as if teammates stroll around like "Yo Big Dawg, we goin' for a drink after the game?" *secret high-five hand shake*

It's a goofy gimmick for media to feast on and goofy fans to indulge in during their fantasy hour.

 

[Jack DiBiase]

Well, their captain is nicknamed "Sid The Kid". Do you actually think "Big Dog" is worse?

 

[CertifiedPublicGuin]

Well, their captain is nicknamed "Sid The Kid". Do you actually think "Big Dog" is worse?

Worse than Sid the Kid and the Dentist.

 

[Bjorn Le]

In NHL 11 he won the Rocket so

 

[Jack DiBiase]

Worse than Sid the Kid and the Dentist.

Now THAT was low.

 

[DuklaNation]

Watching him against the Leafs, he just looks too slow to me. Slow out of the gates and slow in his puck movement and in the offensive zone. Not much different than 2 yrs ago. I think if he was on Anaheim still, no one would be talking about him much. But because he's on Pittsburgh (Crosby, Malkin), he is touted highly. I dont see it personally. Until he has a good season other than his last OHL yr (at 20 yrs old), Im not a believer.

To date, Pittsburgh sidekicks have not had much success.

 

[Dipsy Doodle]

Watching him against the Leafs, he just looks too slow to me. Slow out of the gates and slow in his puck movement and in the offensive zone. Not much different than 2 yrs ago. I think if he was on Anaheim still, no one would be talking about him much. But because he's on Pittsburgh (Crosby, Malkin), he is touted highly. I dont see it personally. Until he has a good season other than his last OHL yr (at 20 yrs old), Im not a believer.

To date, Pittsburgh sidekicks have not had much success.

Couldn't disagree more. He moved very well out there tonight, especially for being 6'3", 220.

And his last good season was in the OHL? News to me, because he played great last year once the major injury to his hand healed. He put up about a PPG for the last half of the season.

 

[alcanalz]

Completely agree with Champagne, Tangradi was anything but slow tonight. He looked very good, very solid.

 

[The Mighty Duck Man]

Watching him against the Leafs, he just looks too slow to me. Slow out of the gates and slow in his puck movement and in the offensive zone. Not much different than 2 yrs ago. I think if he was on Anaheim still, no one would be talking about him much. But because he's on Pittsburgh (Crosby, Malkin), he is touted highly. I dont see it personally. Until he has a good season other than his last OHL yr (at 20 yrs old), Im not a believer.

To date, Pittsburgh sidekicks have not had much success.

That was exactly the case. Tangradi was almost never talked about in Anaheim, and the minute he went to Pittsburgh, everyone started to take notice, and he was all of a sudden a top-50 prospect on here.

 

[Dipsy Doodle]

That was exactly the case. Tangradi was almost never talked about in Anaheim, and the minute he went to Pittsburgh, everyone started to take notice, and he was all of a sudden a top-50 prospect on here.

He made the top 50 because he had his breakout season when he got traded. You're not going to gain repute putting up a PPG in the OHL after your draft year. But if you play a PF game and end up in the top 10 in league scoring, you're going to catch a few eyes.

Believe it or not, independent scouting services really don't have a bias towards Pittsburgh. Honest.

 

[DuklaNation]

If he's as fast you think, there is no excuse for him not making this roster. In fact given Pittsburgh's moves, they dont feel he will be on their roster. Go figure. For prospects like Tangradi, the #1 factor in them not making an NHL impact is lack of speed. Lets see what happens.

 

[FolignoQuantumLeap]

Saw him play yesterday and I was impressed. He skates well for such a big guy and he surprises me with his skill. He wasn't really shooting the puck but he set up some nice plays and demonstrated good vision on the ice. He's by no means a super star in the making but likely a great complementary player to one of Malkin or Crosby. He looks NHL ready to me.