I just watched the scrimmage again focusing on Jankowski's line and Ceci. Anyone that says Ceci didn't have a very good game is biased. Ceci literally gave up zero and he had several nice passes and joined the offense on some nice occasions including the last goal by Jankowski. Jankowski's line had the most scoring chances of any line and it was nice that Jankowski got two goals but he had several nice passes and was very solid defensively. It was only a scrimmage but I was very impressed with actually all the Rutherford signings tonight. Matheson is going to be very good for us and he is going to be a difference maker. Even Rodriguez looked good and had tons of chances and set up Crosby on his goal. If Rodriguez is your 13th forward you are doing pretty good.
Will all find out how these guys play against opposing competition but call me impressed with all the new guys. The defense is mobile and all the players seem to be able to get in the offense when needed. Also nice to have some size on each pairing which will help in front of the net with several of the teams in our division with some big forwards that go to the net.
I will say it now that the Pettersson-Ceci pairing is going to be world's better than JJ-Schultz. With that 3rd pairing we win that series against the Habs. Remember JJ-Shultz gave up 5 of the 9 goals even with sheltered minutes. I think that pairing single handily lost that series.
This groups forward speed is so much faster than last season. Every line has very good speed which is important because last playoffs the Habs looked faster. I don't think any team is faster than what the Pens will put out this season. We added one of the fastest defenseman and one of the fastest forwards in the game and it looks like Lafferty is ready to make his mark on the 4th line adding even more speed. Getting rid of our slowest players also improved the team speed just as much as adding the burners. This is the team that can play Sullivan's system with every shift. That 2016 team was my favorite to watch of the Crosby era and this team can play that way. Rather play fast and have a pressure forecheck and lose than play the NJ trap and win. Hopefully we can do both like 2016. Let's Go Pens!!! See you guys on here tommorow night for the opener!
Leafs fan here,
I was like you and wanted to focus on Ceci at the start of last year and it was a bit of a ride. He never seems to look all that good but If he's played properly, hes a really effective defensive D. His defensive analytics are well above average and his actual goals against were elite.
Some quick stats:
5v5:
Rank out of the 124 Dmen who played more than 900+minutes:
Goals Against/60:
Ceci: 41st lowest out of 124
Goals against REL:
Ceci: 6th lowest out of 124
PK on top pairing with most consistent partner:
Rank out of 67 PK pairings with at least 40+ minutes:
Goals Against/60:
Muzzin/Ceci: 7th lowest out of 67 pairings
Goals against REL:
Muzzin/Ceci: Best in the NHL out of 67 pairings
He did all this while being played pretty defensively including being one of the main shutown guys the Leafs would throw out at the end of games.
Elite goals against numbers there BUT don't let him get involved in the offence too much. He was a habitual play killer and needs to be meshed with the right partners.
