Confirmed with Link: Penguins sign forward Derek Grant [1 year/650k]

[Sidney the Kidney]

Because at best he gets to wear this:

or this roided monster

Versus these things:

or

Why is the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguin tougher looking than his NHL counterpart?

 

[pokey10]

I feel like this is an odd move. The guy has played LW/C, but mostly C last year. He's got some size at 6'3" and can produce to some degree, but what is this centermen madness?
Sid
Geno
Brass
Sheahan
Cullen
Grant
Teddy

I mean you are going into the season hoping that Brass is going to gel in a LW role. Or that Grant competes for a LW role. It feels like throwing **** at the wall and seeing what sticks.

One thing that has me a bit concerned..why was he not resigned? Why would Rowney been a better value in anyone's mind unless there is something we don't know? Grant's other NHL stints were pretty much a tub of nothingness.

Im pretty sure this is to address our faceoffs and defensive zone possession. Our bottom 6 advance stats last year was atrocious. We now have a 4th line that can play anywhere across the top half of the ice.

 

[Dipsy Doodle]

Why is the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguin tougher looking than his NHL counterpart?

The WBS Penguin's muscles are a shield for his fragile ego.

 

[BladeRunner66]

Why is the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguin tougher looking than his NHL counterpart?

...and why the red eyes? 81 said he's on roids but he also looks like he's high or something.
Comics style...

 

[billybudd]

Why is the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguin tougher looking than his NHL counterpart?

When Howard Baldwin commissioned a logo redesign, for reasons known only to him, it came down to two finalists: a muscle penguin and this one

https://orig05.deviantart.net/d1cf/..._penguins_logo_by_pd_black_dragon-d2zw6se.png

Baldwin went with the latter.

Later, when the Pens put an AHL club in Wilkes-Barre, it needed a logo and they just happened to have an unused design already trademarked.

 

[Darth Vitale]

I can see why JR would sign him given the price. Any ideas why Grant would want to sign? He obviously wants an opportunity to further prove himself, but why does he feel that best opportunity, and/or current money, is with the Pens?

Grant is a hockey historian at heart and knows our Championship pedigree and winning culture are unparalleled. Also we have Phil Kessel and them other bitches don't.

 

[Jacob]

It seems unlikely but maybe it was the only one-way deal Grant got offered. Or maybe he sees us as being short on guys like him, having lost Kuhn & Rowney, and thinks he can carve out a niche. Or maybe he *really* likes a challenge.

I know that even if the money was the same I’d take him over Kuhnhackl & Rowney, and I like Kuhnhackl.

 

[Freeptop]

I don't have a big problem with the signing (eh, league minimum - if he busts out, he can be buried in the AHL), but I wouldn't put too much stock in his 12 goals last season.

First, 3 of those goals came on the powerplay, and he's not even making the second unit on the Pens without a significant number of injuries. (Wait, this is the Pens we're talking about, so he'll probably end up on the first unit for a time around December).
Second, his shooting percentage last year was absurdly high. Over 18%. Even the most elite players can't sustain that. So expect regression on that front.

Based on a reasonably average shooting percentage, and a shots total similar to last year's, I'd guess he'll get around 3-5 goals this season. Which would still be more than Rowney or Kuhnhackl, at least. And is reasonable for a fourth-line player.

Really, my only worry about the signing is how it potentially blocks some prospects, but, hey, if they can't beat out Grant for a spot, then they probably need more time in the AHL anyway.

 

[BladeRunner66]

I don't have a big problem with the signing (eh, league minimum - if he busts out, he can be buried in the AHL), but I wouldn't put too much stock in his 12 goals last season.

First, 3 of those goals came on the powerplay, and he's not even making the second unit on the Pens without a significant number of injuries. (Wait, this is the Pens we're talking about, so he'll probably end up on the first unit for a time around December).
Second, his shooting percentage last year was absurdly high. Over 18%. Even the most elite players can't sustain that. So expect regression on that front.

Based on a reasonably average shooting percentage, and a shots total similar to last year's, I'd guess he'll get around 3-5 goals this season. Which would still be more than Rowney or Kuhnhackl, at least. And is reasonable for a fourth-line player.

Really, my only worry about the signing is how it potentially blocks some prospects, but, hey, if they can't beat out Grant for a spot, then they probably need more time in the AHL anyway.

Exactly.

Better to have him as a stepping stone for those young AHLers than Kuhn or Rowney!, a better challenge will only make them hungrier. If they don't deserve to become NHLers than let them learn the ropes a little more, Grant is only signed for one season afterall.

Disagree on goals output, if he plays on the 3rd at times that could easily amount to 10+, as a 4th i project more than 5 but of course that's based on regular use. Could he be a healthy scratch at times? If the kids all pan out, sure but i don't think that'll happen.

Again, it all depends on what the Pens do. Switching from a 4th checker to a 3rd line more of a scoring role like Ducks did last season with him?

My bet is that either he gels on a strong 4th or he gets moved around on the bottom 6 as a patch all season if he doesn't fit anywhere (healthy scratch time = kids opportunities) -or- can easily adapt to emergencies/experiments as a power patch.

One thing is sure, we won't have any problems whatsoever on C next season, curious if he'll be effective as a winger though.

 

[ZeroPucksGiven]

When Howard Baldwin commissioned a logo redesign, for reasons known only to him, it came down to two finalists: a muscle penguin and this one

https://orig05.deviantart.net/d1cf/..._penguins_logo_by_pd_black_dragon-d2zw6se.png

Baldwin went with the latter.

Later, when the Pens put an AHL club in Wilkes-Barre, it needed a logo and they just happened to have an unused design already trademarked.

I'll never forgive Balwin for changing the logo after back to back Cups

 

[Jacob]

A muscly Penguin was first used for the Russian Penguins, I’m not entirely sure even what that was but I have a hat with the logo and some Cyrillic on it.

 

[Ugene Magic]

Grant is a hockey historian at heart and knows our Championship pedigree and winning culture are unparalleled. Also we have Phil Kessel and them other *****es don't.

Preach my apprentice. The Death Star is almost operational.

May the Phil be with you!

 

[EightyOne]

A muscly Penguin was first used for the Russian Penguins, I’m not entirely sure even what that was but I have a hat with the logo and some Cyrillic on it.

Hmm...I have a jersey, but it is like this and not muscly-more...husky lol. Is this what you were thinking of?

Russian Penguins hockey team statistics and history at hockeydb.com

Current KHL team Slovan Bratislava has what appears to be an eagle as the robopen:

and to stay relevant....uh....I saw a 2014 fishing trip pic on Derek Grant's instagram with Ryan Johansen...so, get ready for JR to bring in some more 'tough skill' there this year, eh?

 

[billybudd]

A muscly Penguin was first used for the Russian Penguins, I’m not entirely sure even what that was but I have a hat with the logo and some Cyrillic on it.

Article about Baldwin's Russian Penguins.

Interviews - Stephen Warshaw | Mafia Power Play | FRONTLINE | PBS

Logo was similar, but not the same. Possibly the same artist.

Russian Penguins logo

 

[Jaded-Fan]

Article about Baldwin's Russian Penguins.

Interviews - Stephen Warshaw | Mafia Power Play | FRONTLINE | PBS

Logo was similar, but not the same. Possibly the same artist.

Russian Penguins logo

I actually have a game worn Jersey from that team.

 

[Jacob]

I wish I wasn't such a dumbass as a kid and bent the shit out of the bill of the cap because it'd be cool to wear now.

 

[RSPens]

What about this one...

 

[Tom Hanks]

When Grant signed he got a text from Crosby saying welcome to the club and if he needs a place to stay when he first gets to Pittsburgh he can stay with him. Or if he wants to grab a drink, play some golf or if he needs anything to let him know.

Sid the good guy.

 

[SHOOTANDSCORE]

When Grant signed he got a text from Crosby saying welcome to the club and if he needs a place to stay when he first gets to Pittsburgh he can stay with him. Or if he wants to grab a drink, play some golf or if he needs anything to let him know.

Sid the good guy.

Building a relationship with his new linemate.

 

[Darth Vitale]

A muscly Penguin was first used for the Russian Penguins, I’m not entirely sure even what that was but I have a hat with the logo and some Cyrillic on it.

Makes sense. Probably started in the 70s when entire Russian athletic teams were on 'roids. Only logical the logo would be on 'roids too.

 

[Darth Vitale]

What about this one...

Also known as "The Mr. Burns of Penguins."

 

[Tom Hanks]

Building a relationship with his new linemate.

 

[Rakell67]

Also known as "The Mr. Burns of Penguins."

I saw this earlier and was going to make a similar comment.

 

[Crosbyfan]

What about this one...

My thought on this is...how do you not seem like you are hooking, holding, tripping, or even embellishing or diving every shift you wear this logo...no matter how clean you play?

Your captain complaining about a call to a ref while wearing this...ref answers: "yeah right!"