Confirmed with Link: Pens sign Jay McClement to a tryout contract

[EightyOne]

Congratulations on being the first person in history to use the word great in describing Jay McClement. Waiting 2 months to address your obvious needs is what leads you to sign McClement. If he's such a great player, why was he still a free agent until the end of August?

Im not sure if I can't detect your sarcasm..or if you couldn't detect the sarcasm from Warm Cookies.

 

[SCPens]

I don't know how many centers they need at camp, but they have plenty to play preseason games assuming Sid and Geno don't even touch the ice. They have seven centers competing for one fourth line spot, I hope (please trade for a 3C)
Rowney, McGregg, Dea, diPauli, Johnson, Blueger and Simon. If they're bringing in this guy, they are worried. Can't see the move as anything else

It's a friggin PTO. There's absolutely NO commitment from the Pens here, he's a camp invite. Rutherford's simply covering his bases. If you can't see this I can't help you.

 

[cheesedanish87]

I don't know how many centers they need at camp, but they have plenty to play preseason games assuming Sid and Geno don't even touch the ice. They have seven centers competing for one fourth line spot, I hope (please trade for a 3C)
Rowney, McGregg, Dea, diPauli, Johnson, Blueger and Simon. If they're bringing in this guy, they are worried. Can't see the move as anything else

They need more then 7 centers.

They have 2 sets of back to back preseason games, so you need 8 centers to play those back to back games.

You always have injuries that could happen during camp that you need to be prepared for.

 

[AjaxTelamon]

They need more then 7 centers.

They have 2 sets of back to back preseason games, so you need 8 centers to play those back to back games.

You always have injuries that could happen during camp that you need to be prepared for.

I think Teddy B. can handle a back to back or two. That kid is a gamer.

 

[brewski420]

Congratulations on being the first person in history to use the word great in describing Jay McClement. Waiting 2 months to address your obvious needs is what leads you to sign McClement. If he's such a great player, why was he still a free agent until the end of August?

You should learn to read. Obviously not what he said. And McClement wasn't signed to anything. Just a PTO!!

 

[jmelm]

#trademalkin

 

[Peat]

They need more then 7 centers.

They have 2 sets of back to back preseason games, so you need 8 centers to play those back to back games.

You always have injuries that could happen during camp that you need to be prepared for.

Not sure the org sees all those guys as centres anyway.

 

[OnMyOwn]

I love PTO's.

 

[Corvidae]

Do you think they'll use the same parade route or switch it up this year?

 

[#1GuinFan]

Congratulations on being the first person in history to use the word great in describing Jay McClement. Waiting 2 months to address your obvious needs is what leads you to sign McClement. If he's such a great player, why was he still a free agent until the end of August?

#AbnoxiousPostFail.

Re-read his post, slowly as suggested, and you'll understand the "great" 4th line center he is referring to is the guy we waited for to decide between us, retirement, and Minny. Well worth waiting for given what he gave this team over the past two seasons.

This is a PTO, lots occur. If the Pens felt he belonged on the team now, they'd have signed him to a real contract. Nothing to lose sleep over.

 

[Jacob]

Fine with it. It's just a PTO, and they rarely get contracts.

 

[WayneSid9987]

Mackey got some JR quotes today about this:

"He’s had good success killing penalties and winning faceoffs," Rutherford said. "With what we’re looking for in the way of depth at that position, he’s going to be given a good chance to make the team."

Rutherford, however, isn't overly worried about a 2016-17 campaign that saw McClement log a career-low 11:23 of ice time, win just 48.2 percent of his faceoffs and produce a Corsi For Percentage (CF%) of 45.36 during five-on-five play.

"You can’t just go on one year as to what a player does," Rutherford said. "You look at his whole career. You look at where he is in his career. You hope that he has a good camp and shows what he’s done over his career."

Even if McClement looks spectacular and earns a contract, he projects as a fourth-line options, Rutherford said. The GM remains involved in trade talks for a third-line center, which could concievably push Carter Rowney to the wing.

"We'll continue to work on it," Rutherford said. "There’s a few options there. We’ll see what happens here in the next little while. But, again, it’s what I said all along. If there’s somebody that we feel fits what we’re looking for, we’ll do it. If not, we’re going to wait until that time comes."

More at: http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/...ement-Jim-Rutherford-PTO/stories/201708260110 with quotes from McClement.

 

[Pens x]

Mackey got some JR quotes today about this:



More at: http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/...ement-Jim-Rutherford-PTO/stories/201708260110 with quotes from McClement.

Ugggh, he's definitely going to sign McClement.

 

[Zero Pucks]

If people are upset because they think Rowney is a fringe NHLer, just wait until they get a close look at McClement.

 

[wej20]

Ugggh, he's definitely going to sign McClement.

😕

Were you expecting him to trash him and say he's got no chance of being signed?

 

[ncm7772]

Eh, no harm no foul, could get something out of him. Still, this isn't a move that's gonna help the 3C/4C issue.

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

Ugggh, he's definitely going to sign McClement.

 

[Dipsy Doodle]

Any move or non-move we make between now and getting a 3C is going to be met with some variation of this:

 

[SCPens]

Any move or non-move we make between now and getting a 3C is going to be met with some variation of this:

Not by everybody. Look I'd much prefer to give an internal option (Blueger, Johnson, McKegg, Dea, etc.) a crack at one of the bottom 6 centre slots over McClement. But here's the thing about a PTO signing like him - what if he's as healthy as he's been in like 5 years? What if he comes to camp and has an extra little jump in his stride? He's good on the dot and he kills penalties, two areas the Pens need help with. This is a smart, no risk move by Rutherford that I'm sure would be a short term, low salary signing at best. Or he's simply cut after they see what he has left in the tank.

 

[Speaking Moistly]

Any move or non-move we make between now and getting a 3C is going to be met with some variation of this:

I like how you think getting a 3C will do it and not getting the mythical third 1C without paying much.

 

[ColePens]

If people are upset because they think Rowney is a fringe NHLer, just wait until they get a close look at McClement.

I don't know what is in store for Rowney at the NHL level, but I think we can all agree he at least deserved the 4C spot leading into camp. He busted his ass last year and put up a very solid effort for the Pens. So at least leading into camp, I'd say he's earned that 4C spot.

It may not be ideal or perfect, but let's see what he provides.

 

[Dipsy Doodle]

I like how you think getting a 3C will do it and not getting the mythical third 1C without paying much.

This is sobering. I've been far too optimistic.

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

Any move or non-move we make between now and getting a 3C is going to be met with some variation of this:

Is that guy holding up a cactus?

PS. I just think the emoji describes the people going nuts over every little thing because I picture them running around like that and chuckle.

 

[ColePens]

Is that guy holding up a cactus?

PS. I just think the emoji describes the people going nuts over every little thing because I picture them running around like that and chuckle.

Granted it is only like 3-5 total users going nuts and the rest of us allllll get sucked in (especially myself) on responding.

I would say 90-95% of us are all in the "Meh let's just see how it plays out" mindset.

 

[Jacob]

The fears of returning to a ******, pre-Sullivan 4th line are completely unfounded.

Even if that does happen, and we start the year with some crap like Kuhnhackl - McClement - Reaves, and they suck ass and the team is worse off for it, we know that JR is absolutely not afraid to admit a mistake and make it right. And that's assuming Sullivan wouldn't do it first and call up Blueger, sit Reaves for Archibald or whatever else is in his arsenal.

I think we should probably expect a dip in total offensive output from the 4th with Cullen gone, but I don't expect it to be any less effective. Hopefully more-so. I understand, Gladams is still in our memories, but that's not going to happen again. Neither JR nor Sullivan will let it.

*If* McClement gets a contract, it'll only be because he earns it in camp, and even then he'll still have to earn his spot in the line-up every night. Sullivan isn't going to put up with ******** if there are better and more productive players in the press box or in Wilkes-Barre.