Sucks Zlobin was sent down, but I'm sure it's for the best to get back up to par.
Saw he had three assists right off the bat the first two games for the, Nailer's.
Unless you are able to watch the Nailer's, TD, does anyone else get to see them much here? Would really like to see where he's at these first 3/10 games he plays.
Otherwise, I guess I'll have to stat watch.
Honestly, that has to be THE WORST article I have ever read. It is 100% conjecture, and with a website name like Penslabyrinth, it's obvious that the writer is 100% biased. His statements that "Zlobin is the biggest gem" or whatever do not originate from any source in the Pens' scouting staff or management, nor any other team's or independent scouts. It's total garbage fan hyperbole.
I'll be as thrilled as the next guy if Zlobin turns out to be a player, and I've got my fingers crossed like everyone else, but there is currently, due to him being out for injury, ZERO evidence that he will be an impact player at even the AHL level, let along the NHL. And it's not like the Pens stepped up and took him in the 1st or 2nd round, indicating that they specifically targeted this player which would indicate they are particularly high on him. He was their very last pick in that draft year. They rolled the dice on a long shot, and that's the whole story for now. Let's re-visit this if/when he starts to make an impact in WBS, but for now, this is simply fiction.
Nice speed there by Archibald.
The defender looking as fast as Hal Gill might have Archibald looking faster than he is tho
I remember when Archibald was drafted, and looking at the articles & reports leading up to the draft, I interpreted him as a Phil Kessel-lite: great, great speed (so I don't think it's an artifact of the video) and was a big goal scorer in high school. His size and level of competition he was playing at, which made him difficult to gauge as a prospect, were the things that led him to drop. It appears he has done a great job of making up for his less than idea size with some added grit and solid two-way play, but it shouldn't really be surprising at all that his speed and goal scoring ability carried over -- at least to the college level. Now, let's see what he can do at the Pro level, but I am optimistic. He just has so many tools, and seems to have the type of work ethic to be successful.
Kuhn is the guy I want to see get called up next, he has the size and hopefully he's using it in WBS right now to add the needed size and skill to the bottom 6 that this team desperately needs.
I wonder if Shero is still in the giving kids in WBS a chance, mood.
Kuhnhackl is a guy who simply needs to play hockey. I don't view him as the type of player like a Despres or Dumoulin or Brian Gibbons, where you can say they've paid their dues and seem to be particularly great at the AHL level and ready for the big show. The most important thing for Kuhnhackl is to get good minutes in a variety of opportunities with top-6 players and hopefully some work, eventually, on both special teams. So I don't think this has any thing to do with Shero's mood or ideology. This is literally Kuhn's rookie year in the AHL. He may not be particularly far away, and may get a cup of coffee if he performs and there were some injuries, but he's exactly where he should be right now to develop his game in the best way possible.
From what I hear, Kuhn isn't overly skilled though. Just has a good shot and needs to learn the pro game more.
I actually think Kuhn has good skill; very good skill actually. But his skill is less of the obvious variety, in that he's not going to wow and dazzle you with crazy hands or one on one moves like Crosby, Malkin, Bennett, etc. Kuhn's skills are very much aligned with James Neal. Neal is highly skilled, but not in those obvious ways. He makes those short little give & go passes. He goes to the net, but also knows how to hide & fade away to get open. And yes, he's got a hell of a shot, and he's got great hockey sense and instincts. And he's got fantastic size. I think he's actually maybe even closer to 6'3, because he looked noticeably bigger than Samuelsson and closer to Despres' height when the guys were all hugging after a goal the other night. I think this guy's hands and skills will show more as he gets to learn the pro game and gets used to the speed.
The skill is all there, so I'll be happy if he's just keeping it simple and working hard. The good news is that the Pens definitely see the potential in this player (given the way they spoke of him at the rookie camp, mentioned he could be a player on the horizon, etc.). And what's great is that Kuhn is getting top-6 ice time, PP time, and the chance to play with good players. So he's being put in a position to succeed, and I think by the time the season is all said and done, he will take a solid step forward. Hopefully by next year, or at the latest the following year, he'll be in a position where he's seriously challenging for a top-9 spot. In 3 years, I would love to see the following (pending acquisitions of real wingers, of course
)
Kunitz--Crosby--Bennett
Kuhnhackl--Malkin--Neal
Dupuis--Sutter--Archibald
I think that's a good line up that would offer great balance, and is also in the realm of being realistic. I think Megna has the chance to be a part of that conversation, as well, which is why I say the trio of Megna, Archie & Kuhn are legit NHL prospects, and all guys who have the potential to make an impact and make the team over the next 1-2 years (unlike guys like Guentzel, Blueger and others who at this point are less certain, but certainly further away from the NHL).
