LATEST PENGUINS BUZZ
— The Penguins had two scouts in attendance for the Canadiens – Capitals game last night. Read what you want into that but the Dale Weise talk isn’t going away, despite an iffy past between Weise and Mike Sullivan.
ON THE AHL FORWARD GROUP
With Evgeni Malkin and Nick Bonino set to return Saturday afternoon vs Winnipeg, Sullivan has to open two spots in his lineup. When it’s certain both are going to be able to play, roster moves will be made.
The easiest call is removing centers Kevin Porter, a favorite of Sullivan’s it should be noted, and Oskar Sundqvist, leaving Bryan Rust, Tom Kuhnhackl, Scott Wilson, and Conor Sheary on the wings for now.
Porter is a wildcard, though. Because of his ability to play wing and a penalty kill presence, he could still stick around. Almost every coach seems to have a Kevin Porter type they love. Mike Sullivan appears to be no different. That will be an interesting call. Others have clearly established themselves above him where he doesn’t deserve to stay in the lineup.
While Rust, Sheary, Wilson and Kuhnhackl could be safe for now, it could still be short-term for at least a couple of them. The Penguins have not ruled out adding a forward at the deadline, they are confident Eric Fehr will return at some point in mid-to-late March and Beau Bennett is again avoiding shoulder surgery, meaning he could become an option at some point, though, iron-man Beau doesn’t have much support from the coaching staff anymore.
What’s interesting with the group of AHL guys is they all provide different attributes and it’s a group of wingers where some are more effective against certain teams than others and vice versa.
Get in a playoff series against the Tampa Bay Lightning that is a skating game and Conor Sheary makes more sense than others. Play a heavy, structured team and not so much.
Some Thoughts on the Group
Scott Wilson – 3 goals, 1 assist, +1 rating, 54.6 CF% in 16 games
Wilson was a prolific goal scorer this season in the minors and he plays a type of style that correlates to playoff hockey, one reason former coach Mike Johnston put him in the lineup last season in the playoffs against New York. What has stood out with Wilson of late is his ability to get to the soft spots in prime scoring areas. Everything bodes well for Wilson being a player who should stick as a 4th line winger down the stretch but it was interesting how many others were called up ahead of him, including Tom Kuhnhackl. Even with his strong play of late, far from certain he sticks around.
Bryan Rust – 2 Goals, 1 Assist, -2 rating, 50.24 CF% in 24 games.
Rust gives the Penguins a speed dimension on the wings. His speed through the neutral zone makes him effective at zone entries. He’s defensively responsible and we’ve seen the confidence the coaching staff has in him as he’s played over Phil Kessel on a few occasions late in games. 37 hits in 24 games. With Rust, the question is whether there’s any real scoring upside. He flys around the ice but so did Joe Vitale. He’s one of those players who skates so well his impact looks better than it actually is.
Conor Sheary – 3 Goals, 2 Assists, -6 rating, 57 CF% in 26 games
The advance stats are excellent for Sheary. He drives possession, 57 CF% 5 v 5, tops among Penguin forwards, and a 32.4 scoring chance/60 percentage is tops among the AHL callups. Sheary gives the Penguins a skill option in the bottom-6 but can anyone imagine him being much of a factor in a seven game series against the Capitals? That said he’s a slippery player who stood out against the Rangers a few weeks ago. Mike Sullivan is a big fan. I get the sense he has some sustaining power in the lineup for now but we’ll see.
Tom Kuhnhackl – 2 goals, 1 assist, -2, 48.6 CF% in 19 games
Kuhnhackl possesses less speed and skill than the others but gives the Penguins more size on the wing and a player who can play along the wall, providing somewhat of a heavy game. Kills penalties, his play is starting to trend up. The Penguins’ coaching staff looks at him as somebody whose play could translate to playoff hockey.
I think Sam meant Chicago will trade Ladd to Florida…
Ladd to Chicago!
That was necessary.
Ladd, fraser and harrison to blackhawks for marco dano and 2 draft picks…1st in 2016
Trump is cut up on the debate stage, but this shlt won’t fly in a democracy when you’re looking to get things done.
I think people are ready for an unprofessional president. He’s gonna win.
people also want “less mobile defensemen” and think defenseman who block a lot of shots suck. Thats why voting should be left to those that are educated or have an IQ over 12.
Opposite ends of the spectrum, but I respect that Bernie and Trump speak their mind as opposed to working hours on end to vet and deliver canned b/s answers. The problem is, one is a card carrying communist, and the other is a volatile crazy mess.
From an entertainment perspective, its fantastic TV. But neither is presidential material. Yet unfortunately, no one else on these stages are either.
Oh, it’s tremendous TV. Every time Trump insults Rubio, it looks like Marco is surprised, like it’s the first time it happened, and how he can’t get over how these insults are being thrown his way on national television. Phenomenally entertaining – makes you want to just curl up with a big glass of whiskey and watch the dumpster burn.
I enjoy Trump’s total disrespect for Cruz. Ted Cruz and his followers are all that is wrong with this country and when you hear Trump bluntly say “no one likes you” – you feel like this crazy bast.ard is up there saying what most of the world always thought. But still, while entertaining, this does not make Trump a good presidential candidate. Jon Stewart did this for years, but I’d never vote for him. Humor is one thing, but a brash personality will get nothing done as US President. CEO, sure, they only have to convince themselves to do something… Read more »
Agree with all of that. The problem is, there isn’t that person that IS a good presidential candidate.
Agreed. Pathetic, but true. I’ll vote for Hillary because the world didnt fall apart when Bill was in office. I’d prefer someone who could improve foreign affairs and not be another divisive figure, but since not one legitimate candidate represents these necessary qualities, i’ll take Bill Clinton’s decent domestic track record.
Too bad Kasich said the dumb thing he said last week, was hoping as the only near-level-headed person on the stage that he would rise above the crazy.
I’ll probably end up voting libertarian for the third presidential election in a row.
Sam is mighty quiet – maybe he’s hitting up his insiders to see what else Florida is going to do.
Media said this morning Ladd might end up with Florida or Hawks but most likely Florida because they were in need of vet. I yesterday Tallon indirect way said they will try to get ladd maybe ladd wanted Hawks last minute or Tallon didnt want to pay more. Because talon said there is deals pending but not concrete and you guys will know in a few days so fuckk off stan..
Iggy was suppose to go to the Bruins last minute change the went to pens even Bruins players were exited at first.
Did you guarantee he’d go to Boston, too?
I love that its the media who got it wrong. Yet Sam says, “i dont see Ladd going anywhere else but Florida.” Wrong. Again.
Sam – you and kingpuck should talk. Then you can both make up things that won’t happen.
You’re DiMaggio-like streak for literally getting nothing right is still in tact. Congrats, sam.
Pens have Al Santilli at another Flyers game tonight. Telling you Raffl is being watched closely. Might be Schultz tho.
I got Stanley Cup fever. This is the year!
Exited when there is at least 6to 8 teams with more chance
Are you saying you’re leaving?
From your lips to God’s ears.
Ladd for Dano and first, plus a conditional pick
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
Anyone else expecting Ladd to be traded to the Ducks by this tomorrow?
Florida will get Ladd they need to add stanley cup winner on their team outside of jagr none of the players have won the stanley cup.also panthers GM knows Ladd from the Hawks days .I dont see Ladd going anywhere but the Panthers
Pretty much rules out Ladd going to Florida. Thank you.
Looks like he’s going to the Hawks. Good call Sam. Fat idiot.
Sounds like #FlaPanthers backing away from Ladd and Boedker; price way too high for the teams liking. Looking at smaller deals. #samisdumb
Ladd is a Hawk per Dreger. Sam is a rube, per me.
#LaddBlackhawk, #DumbSam, #GayFrench
Sundqvist sent to Wilkes Barre.
Big debate for Jeb Bush tonight. Family isn’t sure if they want Mexican or Italian for dinner.
Any 3 of those 4 are fine as your fourth line. Maybe no offense but they skate hard and wear a team down. Perfectly fine if we have our 4 elite scorers putting up points and get a little something from a Bonino-fehr line
Sam’s lemon party is sustaining
lemon and Hot dogs
I bet there’s not many things you won’t shove in your mouth.
Rust downside seems like Craig Adams in his prime.
Rust is a better Joe Vitale.
Porter seems like Adams 2.0 to me sir
Sid’s PTO has sustaining power
What about corsi?
Npl when he is not on this site https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYRcAKYYEG4 lazy fat fuckk
meatspin.com
disgusting
I wonder if Npl has the clip when his Ex cheated on him
HAHAHA HE WENT TO IT!
Jeb Bush’s campaign has sustaining power.
The Habs have sustaining power.
Sam’s diet does not
he is fat and weighs 320LBS
BTW Sam how is the relationship going with Micheal Sam I see you are Proud Using his Family name.Relationship must be at its finest
But your name is Sam
Samtheman. Sam is Npl he changed his name since he is been with micheal
So its established the french sam the man is in fact with michael sam
That is correct.
Again, Sammy – kudos for the honesty, but you really need to start thinking about your long-term health.
Bravo.
This blog does not have sustaining power
I don’t think chubby understands how a conditional pick works.
Conditionals are optional, but shampoo is mandatory.
One does not simply have “sustaining power”
So who we drafting in the first round ya’ll?! Hahaha
too soon we have to wait 2018 to know
Same thing for our 3rd round pick, since it was traded along with Bryan Rust last year.
What?