CrosbyMalkin
Registered User
- Aug 7, 2005
- 6,700
- 1,722
Sprong was gone by december that year. He wasn't part of the reason at all.
I agree, it was as simple as let's give ZAR a shot to see if he could play like he did in college as a big goal scorer that did his damage close to the net like a Hornqvist. Obviously ZAR proved he couldn't do that at the NHL level and that is okay. ZAR did a great job as a shut down defensive specialist on a very underrated line last year. This team would of been sunk last year if th ZAR-Blueger-Tanev line didn't step up and play so well against the other teams top forwards. With the Pens missing 2 of its top 3 Centers for pretty much the whole year this team would of not finished close to the 7th best record in the NHL if not for that line. Like I posted earlier ZAR actually was important to that line because they didn't do near as well without him when he was hurt. I was surprised as anyone about that. I thought ZAR was along for the ride and it was Blueger and Tanev that made that line so effective. It turns out it was all 3 as a combination.