Toronto's forwards and offensive system won them those games. Not their defensive prowess. I'd also point out the fact Babcock has a knack for making mediocre NHL defenseman look effective throughout his career.
Whatever. I'm not going to get into the Hunwick battle. I don't want ColePens browsing through my post history. I'll let it play out this season, and like I've said since the signing, I bet he is a whipping boy around here by November - December. Especially if one of Letang or Schultz goes down with injury.
I wasn't really referring to Hunwick or Toronto's defense, at all. I was just talking in general terms. Toronto did very well against Washington this past spring, is my only point.
I think Toronto can win with what they have on defense. Maybe not the Cup, but they'll start to make waves this coming spring.
As for Hunwick, he seems to be slightly overpriced for my money, mostly too much term, but I think both JR and Sullivan are convinced that he fits our system to a tee.
I would not be surprised if Hunwick became a big-minute guy for us, like Hainsey was. Different player, but probably a better fit for Sullivan is Hunwick.
Worst-case scenario: Pouliot shows he is ready to take the leap and we have a nice problem of 8 guys battling for minutes.
To answer the question from the previous thread by HOG.
I think signing Archibald to a 2 year one way deal indicates that they plan on keeping him. Plus the organization seems confident that Sprong and ZAR will play for the Pens this year. They of course are waiver exempt, but no one else is. We are bringing in one center and have saved a spot for Cullen and we have Rowney as well. It is a numbers game. Not a guarantee, but a reasonable assumption.
Also the possibility that maybe there is more than one trade if we move a D in our trade for the centre. Maybe we then move a winger for a D.
I don't think the Pens brass thinks any of the kids will jump on the big club this year right out of camp, likely a month or two in if they play incredibly well in the AHL.
As for Archie, yeah maybe they see him as a regular and need to decide on Wilson, Kuhn, and him.
Archibald is the 13th or 14th forward, imo. I don't think he beats out any of the left-wingers, and he is clearly behind the top 4 right-wingers on this team (5 when Sprong is ready). If Archibald played center, I think he would easily move ahead of Rowney on the depth chart.
He is definitely caught in the numbers game here, so I would not be surprised if he is thrown into the deal for a 3C.
Ok, let's start thinking a bit outside box, here.
Let's say we don't acquire anyone before the season starts. Do you think this team can hold down a solid playoff spot without a true 3C for much of the season? All the way to the trade deadline, even?
Here's the thing: as it is right now, this will be the first time since 2013 that we'll have cap space during the season. The further into the season we go, the more that space stretches, due to cap hit proration.
For example, if have 3 million in space to start the season, by the deadline we could add over 7 million worth of player(s).
It is also easier to get teams to retain salary when it's only for part of a season, too.
The further into the year we wait, the more (and bigger) we could add.
Wait until the deadline and we could do something silly like try to get both Sedins for a cup run. (I am not really suggesting this as an example of a good idea.)
If we do not start the season with anyone else to play 3C, I believe the third-line center role becomes Dominik Simon's to lose. I think he is the only C prospect we have who can step into a top-9 role. The problem is he has played a lot of wing in the AHL. The other possibilities are either not ready or limited to 4C possibilities.
I don't think there is any question that JR will make a trade before training camp arrives.
I think the pens trade one of Wilson or Kuhn. Which is ashame. Just so we waste a roster spot for "toughness"
Silly post. Can we all just agree that Reaves is taking Kunitz' roster spot? The kids were here when Kunitz was here, right? If they are no longer here it will be because other kids will beat them out of a job, or the numbers game has caught up to them on the wings.
Perhaps JR isnt done dealing with St Louis? Maybe he circles back, considering we did over pay a tad for RR. Or even maybe RR is going to another club? I also feel as though Cole and Rust are expendable and should be talked about more often when it comes to moving pieces...
Cole, yes. Because of our current cap situation, with Maatta and Schultz signed but Dumoulin still uncertain, Cole could become harder to re-sign before next summer. So I would entertain moving him.
Rust, I just don't see the value in trading a cost-controlled, jack-of-all-trades winger who can just be a plug-and-play guy anywhere.
The question that has to be asked is why would the Sharks do that? Trade their center/winger Captain who will inevitably go back to center once Jumbo retires for a winger. Sounds made-up. But then again, you are referring to a facebook post so...
Sharks have decent center prospects, they like Ryan Carpenter who is not that young, they have high hopes for Daniel O'Regan, and the kid they just drafted (Josh Norris) looks like NHL-material.
I think the Sharks would do that deal to get a little younger, and to acquire a less-dependent scoring winger...someone who produces all on his own.
