Penguins/NHL
Bayda, others not happy?
The waiver claim of winger Chris Bourque has had a ripple effect in the Penguins organization. Veterans like Ryan Bayda are not happy about it.
There was not an issue in the organization with the signing of Martin Skoula. The signing caused some heart ache for a player like Nate Guenin but Skoula has paid his dues and is respected by those who were bypassed by him.
The same can not be said for Chris Bourque. Bringing in an un-proven 23 year old forward who was bypassed by 29 other teams has not sat well with veterans in the organization.
Bourque has been a scratch for four of Pittsburgh five games and will be scratched again tonight against Ottawa.
With Max Talbot returning to the lineup in 6-8 weeks, Bourque will not have a regular spot in the lineup unless Penguins General Manager moves a couple veterans and that appears unlikely.
Very soon we’re going to be at the point where it might be detrimental to Bourque’s development to sit night after night.
He’s a smallish, 23 year old forward who has not proven to this point to be an NHL caliber player. He needs to be playing regularly in the American Hockey League, if he can’t get in the lineup most nights at the NHL level.
It’s a decision Pittsburgh’s going to have to make within the next month: Find a spot for him or try to sneak him to the minors.
Atlantic Division Rival scouting the Penguins farm system
The New York Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins and Phoenix Coyotes made offers to Wilkes Barre/Scranton Penguins defenseman Nate Guenin this summer.
Guenin jumped on the Penguins offer early, signing with his home-town team but it should not come as a surprise that the Rangers have been scouting Guenin this season.
The Rangers had scouts at Wilkes Barre’s past two games. In fact Guenin likely would have been claimed by the New York Rangers if defenseman Alexei Semenov didn’t spurn their offer at the last minute
The Rangers remain in the market for a #7 defenseman.
