Probably because he's a C and we have 5 Cs on the roster.
To be fair, Brassard and Cullen had been injured and Sheahan is presently playing as an RW, and Blueger hasn't gotten a sniff regardless. Grant has gotten his share of looks.
Is Blueger incapable of playing LW? Surely he's a better option than Wilson and can slot into the 4th line either as LW or as a second center option if they want to move Cullen over to the wing.
The Blueger thing has gotten weird. If he can’t play wing, which I doubt, then he can play C because they’ve been putting the other Cs at wing on a whim. He’s leading WBS in points and goals, he’s supposedly been nhl ready or close since last season and the Pens have been a lazy mess. Last season Rowney was hobbling around uselessly over him and now you have someone like Wilson bringing energy instead of seeing what Blueger could do.
Maybe he sucks at the NHL level, but I know Garrett Wilson is 27 and has 2 points in 47 games and 0 in 34 before this season. That got a chance.
The problem here was signing all of Sheahan, Cullen and Grant when you had Blueger as a NHL ready 4C. I don't know why anyone is acting surprised or wondering why Blueger hasn't gotten a chance yet. He's 8th on the Penguins depth chart in terms of centers.
Maybe he sucks at the NHL level, but I know Garrett Wilson is 27 and has 2 points in 47 games and 0 in 34 before this season. That got a chance.
Even if they're bearish on his NHL upside, surely that sort of production deserves a look. It wouldn't be the first time a guy who is producing in the AHL has defied middling talent evaluations and made the transition successfully. Not even attempting to find out if that describes Blueger is completely bizarre.
Sullivan has completely forgotten what won him 2 cups. Playing young guys and trusting them in key roles over guys who didn't deserve the ice time.He is definitely better as a pivot, but he can play wing better than a perimeter guy like Dea, because TB is pretty crafty along the wall (think Guentzel like there).
So the mystery continues.
Sullivan has completely forgotten what won him 2 cups. Playing young guys and trusting them in key roles over guys who didn't deserve the ice time.
Sullivan has completely forgotten what won him 2 cups. Playing young guys and trusting them in key roles over guys who didn't deserve the ice time.
He’s doing it with ZAR, it’s just IMHO he’s latched onto the wrong young guy, sadly.
I’m 99% sure TB is better than ZAR. All ZAR does better is hit. They are both good PK guys, TB is better defensively, TB is a way better passer and worlds better on the boards. He’s a lot better stickhandler and better skater.
TB has even found his scoring touch.
I’m 100% convinced ZAR is being given all this leeway and unearned chances because they want a 25 year old Kunitz, but I don’t see him even remotely in the same universe.
He’s doing it with ZAR, it’s just IMHO he’s latched onto the wrong young guy, sadly.
I’m 99% sure TB is better than ZAR. All ZAR does better is hit. They are both good PK guys, TB is better defensively, TB is a way better passer and worlds better on the boards. He’s a lot better stickhandler and better skater.
TB has even found his scoring touch.
I’m 100% convinced ZAR is being given all this leeway and unearned chances because they want a 25 year old Kunitz, but I don’t see him even remotely in the same universe.
It absolutely boggles my mind how professionals who are at the highest level of their profession can fall victim to seeing what they WANT to see rather than see what is real.
ZAR is the next Kunitz. Cool, while they're at it, maybe they can draft some 5'11 kid out of Nova Scotia and if they squint real hard, no matter how much he sucks, they can pretend he's the next Sidney Crosby.
It's seriously aggravating to watch.
It absolutely boggles my mind how professionals who are at the highest level of their profession can fall victim to seeing what they WANT to see rather than see what is real.
ZAR is the next Kunitz. Cool, while they're at it, maybe they can draft some 5'11 kid out of Nova Scotia and if they squint real hard, no matter how much he sucks, they can pretend he's the next Sidney Crosby.
It's seriously aggravating to watch.
My thing is, if ZAR is your standard for being a top six guy, then TB deserves that chance way more because he’s much more skilled and his overall game is better.
I think TB is a bottom six guy likely, but no one can tell me ZAR is a better player. It’s nonsense and now TB is admitting he’s frustrated, which pisses me off because he’s done everything the right way.
Then some goober like ZAR doesn’t have to put in the work and years TB did.... it’s pretty ****ed.
I would be interested in seeing if ZAR can develop a bit more. I want to see his goal total at the end of the year.He’s doing it with ZAR, it’s just IMHO he’s latched onto the wrong young guy, sadly.
I’m 99% sure TB is better than ZAR. All ZAR does better is hit. They are both good PK guys, TB is better defensively, TB is a way better passer and worlds better on the boards. He’s a lot better stickhandler and better skater.
TB has even found his scoring touch.
I’m 100% convinced ZAR is being given all this leeway and unearned chances because they want a 25 year old Kunitz, but I don’t see him even remotely in the same universe.
The ZAR situation reminds me of my local junior team. They drafted this kid who, no offense to him, was absolutely terrible. They'd play him in a top six role to justify them drafting him high, and once every 20 games he'd score a nice goal or two and their quotes to the media would be to the effect of, "That's why we see so much potential in him" before he'd inevitably go another 20 games without a goal.
ZAR's the same way with this organization, it seems. Does very little of note for 95% of the time, then has a game like he had the other night where he scored 2 goals, and suddenly Sullivan and Co. seem justified in their belief of him as a top nine mainstay.
I would be interested in seeing if ZAR can develop a bit more. I want to see his goal total at the end of the year.
And that PK goal, a TON of credit goes to Sheahan finding his ass and drawing the defender to him to keep ZAR open for that goal. So he really doesn't do anything for me to say he's going to be this 15-20 goal scorer.He scored one goal on the PK and one tap in EN goal. Context of it all is that he’s shown zero chemistry with anyone.
Put TB with Malkin and Kessel and he will actually make plays and win board battles and help make those two better, because he has skill and a high IQ.
He’s a lot like Simon in the way he thinks the game and dishes the puck, but he’s better defensively. There is so little to dislike about his game.
Just again ridiculous to read a guy like him admitting he’s frustrated. Zero doubt in my mind he sees ZAR not have to work for his opportunities and put in his time, and has to get under his skin when he has to know he’s a better player.