Penguins/NHL
Mike Johnston’s power in the organization or to put it better, lack of power in the organization, will be evident when the Penguins make a final determination rookie winger Daniel Sprong.
Penguins GM Jim Rutherford has a case of saying one thing and doing the complete opposite weeks later so anything that comes out of his mouth publicly should be met with some pause.
That said, Rutherford told the Tribune-Review today Sprong has done enough to stay in the NHL.
From the Trib:
[“It looks that way,” Rutherford said when asked whether Sprong has done enough to stay past the nine-game threshold. “If you’re asking me today, it looks that way.”]
What’s best for Sprong and what’s best for team in the present is more important to the top decision makers than what’s best for the organization four years from now when Sprong could be a star winger still playing on an entry level contract.
Keeping Sprong would also be looked at as a positive PR move for the team, something those at the top of the hierarchy in the organization care a little too much about.
According to team sources, Mike Johnston has recommended To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!
Btw – Perron on Malkin’s left wing is also right move now.
Sprong should go back to Jrs. Period.
i think sprong should be given a shot in the top 6. the pens need youth in the lineup. however i would rather seem him go back to juniors that be a 4th liner.
If the coach doesn’t see him in a top 9 role this year then there is no reason to have Sprong on the team. At worse his long-term development is a wash sending him back and you save a year of elc. There is no reason to have him playing on the 4th line. The difference between our 12th forward Cullen or Sprong probably favors Cullen on the 4th line because he’s more experienced in playing that role.
I heard Sprong was going back, and the reason given was that there were those in management (confirmed not GMJR) who see moves coming and that they like the “Domi” model and feel he is better served back in jr working on his game versus being here amid the possible changes (hint at coach AND an upcoming trade). Now the Trib had Rutherford saying he has shown enough to stay. As a educated observer (cue dbags comments) I would hope that they wouldn’t keep him around past the 9 game mark only to send him back down in 20 or… Read more »
Always good to hear from ya king
Haters going hate
The Pens are biding their time until the Ducks $hit can BBQ Boudreau.
Thanks King! Love your intel.
King, what type of trade do you see going down? Perron for Russel?
I don’t see them moving away from getting a top 4. So my guess is TJ Brodie after he proves that he’s healthy. And on a bigger trade, if the blues were willing to give up Shattenkirk then I see the pens going all in
Pirates may have dodged a bullet when they shot down burkle/lemuiex buying the team…..Not sure how you can take 3 of the top offensive talents in the world and struggle to score goals, but 1 way would likely including hiring 100 GMS, 100 coaches, and making sure none have had prior success in there given roles before being offered their jobs….. well done.
Agreed. Thanks for joining the Mario needs to sell club.
Didn’t people in the know say at the draft that another year in Juniors would not help Sprong because he was in such a shitty league that all he would do is pick up bad habits playing against such inferior competition?
I see the changed up the pp setup again, Kessel working the half wall, Letang on the point, Hornqvist in front, Malkin/Crosby rotating between half wall and down low. It’s not quite there yet but it’s another step in the right direction and getting closer, get rid of the Malkin/Crosby rotation and get Sid to stay down low with Geno on the half wall and I think this set up has the potential to really start clicking. Kessel gives the shot treat of the half wall, Malkin is now set up similar to Stamkos/Ovie with that backside 1 timer and… Read more »
sprong will be a 4th liner and his confidence will be shot in no time. thank god we have two fossils in dupuis and kunitz to save the day. young hockey players really suck, you get good when you are around 34.
Still too dumb to realize that Kunitz & Dupuis have zero effect on Sprong, they are both LWs while Sprong is a RW so where they play will not impact where Sprong plays at all. Kessel and Hornqvist are the 2 players blocking Sprong right now so if you’re pissed about him playing on the 3rd line(which is the perfect spot for him) you anger should be with them not with Dupuis or Kunitz. You might as well blame Scuderi for blocking him because he has about as much impact on where Sprong plays as Kunitz & Dupuis do.
what’s blocking sprong is the coach wants him back in junior hockey. he should be in the top 6. move him to LW. he’s only 18. he’ll be able to adjust rather easily.
Gonchar will teach the Defense how to be beaten by a 4th liner come playoffs.just like Moen did in the habs series
SHUT. THE. FUCK. UP. about the fucking Habs…. we couldnt give two shits and even less fucks about your favourite team. eat several bags of dicks you Hab felating asshole
You seem to find all of the un-moderated words, Zero.
Makes me LOL haha.
Gonchar now on the coaching staff?
this team is nothing more than a CIRCUS.Probably a circus is runned better than this organization
Looks like he is gonna work with the D including scouting in Europe… cant have enough coaches or voices telling everyone their own opinions. It’s a big issue I am starting to think… to many voices in a room
Morehouse is running this organization like the government, as inefficient as possible.
gonchar is a mute no need to worry about having enough coaches.he will probably only talk to russians and fill the team with russians.just like your liberal trudeau is doing with muslims 25k+ by christmas hope you enjoy your christmas gift ron klatt .Soon the country will be called islam republic of Canada
I have no issues with helping out on the international stage by taking in 25000 refugees. I just want a fair trade so I hope they do take you in return but they have to leave your mom… the males in that 25000 will have to fuck someone amirite?
yeah help those camel jockeys with your tax money while they work under the table and send money to their country and having better life than you
If they are working “under the table” it has more to do with the assholes hiring them not wanting to pony up the remittances and it allows them to pay them less you uneducated twaat nugget. It’s fucking amazing how stupid you are in all walks of life.
How doy uo know hes a mute…you in the locker room you on the ice with him..you attend practice with him?….your just a troll who loves the canadians and hates russians…your a twat nay a retard
I disagree to an extent. There is never too much positive influence when everyone knows their role and focuses on it, the big issue is everyone adhering to their roles and not overlapping. Gonchar working with the young defenseman on pp techniques and shot selection is nothing but a great situation, him giving opinions on anything else is pointless.
Seems to be the case tho, we can see it on TV when PPs are being drawn up… who is running it? Johnston or Tocchet? Johnston alluding to decisions being made over his head pertaining to who is in the line up (Scuderi the game he sat vs FLA I believe was apparently not his decision). There seems to be a lot of people saying to much.