With Pascal Dupuis out for the first month of the season and the same for Eric Fehr which the Penguins already had time to prepare for, unlike the Dupuis’ injury, the only thing settled on the third line is Nick Bonino at center.
It will likely be a revolving door at the wings with Beau Bennett, David PerronDaniel Sprong, and possibly Sergei Plotnikov if he struggles in the top-6.
The Dupuis injury is a great opportunity for Bennett who is in a make or break first half of the season as his value around the league is at an all-time low and the Penguins staff doesn’t have much confidence in him.
The Penguins don’t want to overuse Sprong and prefer at least early on for Sprong to play a 4th line role and get special teams work, then have his role increase. Bennett, though, will surely be on a short leash as was the case all last season.
Can Bennett find a way to expand his role and become a factor on the penalty kill?
“I talked to Beau today a little bit about working with Gary [hide] Agnew on the penalty kill,” Mike Johnston said.
Bit of an interesting development there, though, is it smart to have an injury prone player like Bennett going out and blocking shots?
He might break into pieces.
Another beneficiary of the Dupuis injury is Bobby Farnham who will now be a regular to start the year and Mike Johnston is counting on him to be part of the Penguins second PK pair.
“Farnham is a good penalty killer,” Johnston said. For now the staff see’s Bonino, Matt Cullen and Farnham as the top-3 on the PK. It will be a mix and match after that.
“I see Bonino being a core guy. Cullen being a core guy. Farnham,” Johnston said. “Then we’ve got Geno and Plotnikov have been killing throughout the preseason. Sid killed last year. We’re trying to use more and more players.”
You can also add Chris Kunitz to that group.
— The coaching staff would like to bring a 13th forward on the trip. The final three forwards not to make the roster out of camp were Bryan Rust, Kevin Porter, J.S. Dea. Rust didn’t have a strong camp but Rick Tocchet loves the north-south speed he brings down the wing.
— The Penguins recalled Oskar Sundqvist and sent Olli Maatta to Wilkes Barre in a paper move (Salary Cap Reasons). Sundqvist is not expected to stay with the club.
— Penguins management was confident Tim Erixon would clear waivers and he did today, giving the Penguins flexibility to send him down to the minors at any point. Johnston indicated again today he wants eight defensemen for practice purposes.[/hide]
Yup just like Sam said this team looks only good on paper and Ea 16
While the decision to take Malkin off the top PP Is easy to see is asinine after one game to write the team off as a whole means your a stupid fucking idiot… Then again… You’re fat Sam
There you go you fucken morons… separate Sid and Geno… brilliant call
Who are the Bonino > Sutter crowd? I want keep tabs on that
I’m in the just about anyone》Sutter if that counts.
I love it so much that you are Jaydogg. Just like the Despres trade all over again. Im looking forward to your passionate defense of that statement this season.
We’re. It still pretending Despres doesn’t suck, are we? Suck less then lovejoy? I’ll maybe listen to that. But he still fucking blows.
One game… Sutter receives a gift playing with the Sedins. dumb
Sutter playing On sedins line tonight
Sutter 1st.
it’s been like that all pre-season, chubby.
Did you hear why? Basically he has been thrown up there to see if he can play with the Sedins because the team thought he wasnt the “ideal 2nd line C” and that Bo Horvat was a better option
http://nhl.nbcsports.com/2015/10/07/brandon-sutter-didnt-have-the-greatest-preseason/
Been waiting for this game so long. Anyone else going to home opener? I got ripped on tickets though ticket exchange. 500 for two tix lower level behind the benches
More two day old news from Sam! Sun rises. Sun sets.
enjoy guys http://www.tsn.ca/nhl-acknowledges-more-players-using-cocaine-1.372075
Looks like king finally settled his overdue tab with collections.
Only thing Bennett will break this month is his Wrists
He’ll probably break them on your junk.
bennett will break his wrist again
I want to go on the record and say Bennett is going to put these concerns to bed this year. If he can stay healthy, he is an NHLer.
And if he doesn’t stay healthy he is a UPMCer
Agreed and he is a top 6 playmaking wing
I don’t get what the paper move provides. Why bring up Sundqvist at all? Just move Maatta to the minors so his cap hit is not against the team.
Sundqvist is getting a real call up. Maatta is the paper move.
Thanks
I’m not sure that this is the case. You call up Sundqvist to get closer to the cap ceiling without going over, so that when Fehr is put on LTIR, you have the max amount of flexibility while he’s there. Read Mike Colligan’s article from last year on thehockeywriters.com.
Or this http://thehockeywriters.com/olli-maatta-demoted-penguins/
I read somewhere MJ wanted an extra forward on the trip. Assumed it was Sundqvist.
Oh my look at this Zach Kassian checked into Rehab. called it……back in 2013
Your boy Despres will be next to check in.
Don’t think so Cory, had intel from two agents that he was a mess. Have heard nothing like that about Despres
Let it go.
Why does it say “Guest” next to your name, King?
Someone didn’t pay their bill.
Lets face it, Beau Bennett is one of the last remaining projects still on this team from the Shero era. I don’t see Beau being around much longer. The only reason why he is still here is because he doesn’t make much money and he is a winger who has slightly higher skill than an AHL player. Almost like an Eric Christiansen. We all know how that one turned out…
So was Randy Gilhen. But I’m not in a hurry to bring him back, either.
You know who was a good penalty killer?????? Max Talbot
You know who is done in the NHL????? Max Talbot.
Why are people fascinated with bringing back ex Penguins?
c’est vrai