Confirmed Signing with Link: [PIT] Jared McCann signs extension (2 years, $2.94M AAV)

[Mick Jagr]

Just thinking outside the box: can Simon play center?

Is this an experiment worth trying? Simon can really pass the puck and also is defensively responsible.

If Sullivan didn't have a boner for him then he wouldn't be in the league.

 

[Djp]

Does this mean he isn’t getting traded?

 

[Tasty Biscuits]

Does this mean he isn’t getting traded?

It's JR man.....who knows haha

 

[Dipsy Doodle]

As I've said before, I think McCann can still be a successful player here, but you have to get the right complementary players.

He needs someone on his line to be able to carry the puck and make plays, whether he's at C or LW. He can't be that player. He's the guy who skates, shoots, plays solid defense, and forechecks. Those are a lot of positive qualities.

Internally, that means putting players like Simon, Poulin, and Blueger with him.

Hornqvist and Marleau though? No bueno.

 

[Dr Quincy]

Totally fair if not edging towards bargain contract.

Still don't know what his role for them is though.

Probably best at W.

 

[Dr Quincy]

As I've said before, I think McCann can still be a successful player here, but you have to get the right complementary players.

He needs someone on his line to be able to carry the puck and make plays, whether he's at C or LW. He can't be that player. He's the guy who skates, shoots, plays solid defense, and forechecks. Those are a lot of positive qualities.

Internally, that means putting players like Simon, Poulin, and Blueger with him.

Hornqvist and Marleau though? No bueno.

Yup. Not a lot of vision and doesn't use his linemates super effectively. But will get some breakaways, play decent defense and has an above average shot.

 

[Jerkbait]

I don't believe you. Continue.

Hmmmmmm you don't have to research it son... Calgary was noted as a key landing place for murry Bennett was mentioned as coming other way... research it pal

 

[Jerkbait]

Riikola is good tho. I could see him usurping Johnson at some point, and you need to give a little to get a guy like him to stick around for another year while Joseph fine tunes in the minors.

McCann won't replace Zucker, Gunetzel or Rust in the top 6, and this would be an overpay to use McCann as a passenger winger in a mediocre bottom 6. Same with Kapanen if you think Sullivan will play somebody on their off-wing and force force Kap down the lineup.

McCann - Tanev sounds like the basis of an expensive, and not particularly useful, third line. Unless you think Hornqvist/Murray can return a play-driving winger with a workable salary.

Murray for Sam Bennett was mentioned in a candian article this week. A third line of tanev McCann and Bennett would be hard to play against

 

[Bounces R Way]

Never been that impressed. Has a good shot and not much else. Less than 3 per sounds about right.

 

[Dangles78]

If Sullivan didn't have a boner for him then he wouldn't be in the league.

This post sucks. Simon is most definitely an NHLer, easy. Criticize his usage with the Pens since that's fair, but to say he wouldn't be in the NHL if Sully wasn't his coach is such a bad take.

 

[Harvey Birdman]

As I've said before, I think McCann can still be a successful player here, but you have to get the right complementary players.

He needs someone on his line to be able to carry the puck and make plays, whether he's at C or LW. He can't be that player. He's the guy who skates, shoots, plays solid defense, and forechecks. Those are a lot of positive qualities.

Internally, that means putting players like Simon, Poulin, and Blueger with him.

Hornqvist and Marleau though? No bueno.

Anytime I’ve ever seen McCann raise his game to his potential is when he has a winger that can carry the puck and drive past the neutral zone. Pair him with even one winger like that and he can play center. But if he is supposed to be the primary driver is when he becomes lack luster at center. If he doesn’t have that kind of winger he needs to be at wing.

 

[FunkySeeFunkyDo]

Just thinking outside the box: can Simon play center?

Is this an experiment worth trying? Simon can really pass the puck and also is defensively responsible.

I think it’s a good idea. But with a Tanev on the fourth line. Bluegar and McCann on the third line with Hornqvist or Poulin.

 

[AveryStar4Eva]

Centre options are looking terrible this offseason so makes sense to sign a guy that can kind of play it. If Pens can pick up a right winger at this years deadline to play with Sid then Tanev-McCann-Kapanen looks like a real solid third line

 

[Ryder71]

OK value for his production. Still not sure how he "fits" as I don't see him as a full time 3C.

I don't think he does fit. I'd prefer they move him.

 

[Ryder71]

Sam Bennett isn't a good NHL centre either.

He's a good player for the bottom six though. I'd prefer him over McCann. And Bennett has a playoff pedigree.

 

[lawrence]

I was kinda starting to worry guys like Virtanen and Debrusk is targeting Alex Tuch money. Hopefully McCann can drives down that market a little.

 

[Ryder71]

Centre options are looking terrible this offseason so makes sense to sign a guy that can kind of play it. If Pens can pick up a right winger at this years deadline to play with Sid then Tanev-McCann-Kapanen looks like a real solid third line

McCann disappears for long stretches. When he gets hot he can really make a difference, but his cold spells are really bad. He's a feast or famine guy. Which in that role isn't a good thing. We need consistency.

 

[inthe6ix]

weird signing

wasn't he benched for lafferty during the playoffs or was he injured

 

[Randy Butternubs]

weird signing

wasn't he benched for lafferty during the playoffs or was he injured

He wasn't benched FOR Lafferty. He was just benched due to a piss poor showing and Lafferty was the 13F. Not like his linemates helped him, though.

 

[RSPens]

Did you miss the 2nd half of the season?

You mean where McCann was a 3C and wasn't as successful as when he was a 2C?

 

[Mr Jiggyfly]

weird signing

wasn't he benched for lafferty during the playoffs or was he injured

He's been a playoff ghost as a Pen and plays like he wears horse blinders...

Not sure how keeping a guy who has been part of their playoff problems helps to resolve things, but JR claims he has big plans of change coming, so uh, ya.

 

[Junohockeyfan]

Definitely better than fair value compared to similar players in Compher and Kerfoot.

 

[cvrle1]

Rust is on a sweetheart of a contract. Dude is going nowhere.

I hope not, but for some strange reason his name keeps being tossed around. I think that contract and fact that he had monster of season is why he is in trade rumors. Sell extremely high while you can sort of a thing.

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

He's been a playoff ghost as a Pen and plays like he wears horse blinders...

Not sure how keeping a guy who has been part of their playoff problems helps to resolve things, but JR claims he has big plans of change coming, so uh, ya.

Just you wait to see what JR does once he clears Letang's salary off the books.

 

[Oddbob]

Is the 2.94 because of Covid? Normally his stats seem like he would have got 4-4.5 per.