D'Agostino may well walk to an organization where he has a better chance...but I'm sure the Penguins will try to sign him. I'm not so sure about Velischek or Seymour. I think one of that trio will get signed and the preference is going to be D'Agger.
any chance a guy like Ruopp goes back as an overager? I don't think Velischek or Seymour will be signed.
Agree with both of you on Velishcheck. I could see them perhaps signing him if they truly want to convert him to a forward or a swing-man, but if not, he'll probably stay unsigned or moved for little (conditional pick/future considerations). I also agree that D'Agostino will be signed by the Pens, unless they were to trade him. Yes they are deep on D, but I can't see D'Agostino "holding out" and not signing with the Pens until he becomes a FA, if the Pens convey to him that they want him on their team. Plus the Pens seem like they are high on this guy and think he has some upside, and have somewhat of a relationship with him by having him at camp. So I think they will try to sign him so they can develop him as a pro, even if it's ultimate as trade bait.
Regarding Ruopp & Seymour: these are two guys whom I think could both be candidates to resign with another team as overagers (i.e. like Muzzin did). Sure, they could make the jump to WBS or Wheeling, but one or both of them could be better off staying in their respective junior leagues and being leaders for them. We'll see, and I don't think it will be huge difference maker for their trajectories either way.
The Seymour pick was strange to me because I never saw anything in his game that screamed NHL potential. I honestly don't see what the scouting staff saw in him to use a draft pick on him.
Ray Shero said he wanted a denter. Seymour was drafted because they saw him in that light. While I'm sure they would love for him to be the next Markov or Kaberle found late in the draft, I think they knew they were getting a player with limited upside, but one who may also bring one specific element they were looking for. (and remember, at that time, Samuelsson wasn't looking particularly great, and who knows how some of our other "tough" Dmen like Ruopp may turn out, or how long a guy like Engelland will be around). Last year was a pretty weak draft year, so I don't really have any problem with this selection.
I wonder how things will shake out too if they can manage to sign Sustr.
Very simple: if they sign him and believe he's a top-4 guy starting next year in WBS (or even as a starter in the NHL), everyone gets moved down a notch and you likely see another one or two of our other prospects go out the door in a trade (or some of our "fringe" prospects mentioned above not signed). If they think Sustr can become the next Chara or Myers (the good Myers), then maybe they move out a guy like Morrow or Dumoulin for good young forward.
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