TIOPS MORNING BUZZ: THURSDAY EDITION
TIOPS MORNING BUZZ: THURSDAY EDITION PENGUINS/NHL — The Toronto Maple Leafs whooped the Boston Bruins 6-1 last night and have won six of eight games going into Friday’s contest vs the Penguins. There might not be a more under-appreciated player in the league than Phil Kessel. Few guys come around who can score coming down the right side like he does. Some Toronto reporters called it the Leafs most impressive game they’ve seen them play in years. The Penguins will likely be seeing a different team than they saw in the second game of the season. If the Leafs beat the Penguins, that city might be ready to plan a parade. — The Penguins want to be a great puck
TIOPS Daily Buzz: On the Fleury Extension, Scuderi & more
TIOPS DAILY BUZZ *Rumblings, Musings, Opinions* 1. Marc Andre Fleury’s 4 year, $23 million extension today was far from a surprise. Momentum was moving in the direction of the Penguins committing another long-term contract to Fleury in recent weeks and once word leaked of Allan Walsh meeting with Penguins officials last weekend, it was only a matter of time before the deal got finalized. When initially hired over the summer, Jim Rutherford was lukewarm about whether Fleury was the Penguins long-term goaltender but all he needed was one month to change his mind? As I wrote in yesterday’s Daily Buzz Section, Rutherford did extensive homework on Fleury and realized just how important he is in the Penguins room and well
TIOPS DAILY BUZZ: Marc Andre Fleury, Nick Spaling, Why no MVP Talk for Brown
TIOPS DAILY BUZZ *Rumblings, Musings, Opinions* — Penguins goaltender Marc Andre Fleury could not be off to a better start as preliminary negotiations between Penguins associate GM Jason Botterill and agent Allan Walsh are underway. Walsh met this weekend in Pittsburgh with the Penguins brass, including GM Jim Rutherford, and a deal could happen quickly. Rutherford did extensive homework on Fleury this summer and learned how well liked Fleury is by everyone in the organization, including the players. He’s falling into the trap that others in the organization have in the past. Sources say Rutherford believes Fleury is one of the most important players inside the Penguins room and feels going into another direction won’t sit well. It’s been amazing
Importance of having right group of wingers around Marcel Goc on 4th line & more in today’s TIOPSDailyFive
TUESDAY’S DAILY FIVE *Rumblings, Musings, Opinions* 1. All this talk about the Penguins improving their fourth line, it’s all going to depend on having the right wingers around Marcel Goc. Goc could be one of the NHL’s best 4th line centers, but as we saw last season during his time with the Penguins, playing Craig Adams, Tanner Glass with him minimized his impact with the team. It’s why Paul Bissonnette makes little sense for the Penguins as a regular or extra forward. You don’t want your No. 12 and No. 13 forwards being Bissonnette and Craig Adams. Among the group of wingers who will be in the mix on the 4th line, Craig Adams, Blake Comeau, Jason Megna, Adam Payerl,
Talking Bissonnette, Gilbert, Browns, Walker & Alvarez in today’s TIOPSDailyFive
MONDAY’S DAILY FIVE *Rumblings, Musings, Opinions* 1. Craig Morgan of FOX Sports Arizona reported last week the Penguins, Capitals and Wild are among three teams with interest in Paul Bissonnette. I’ve been unable to confirm to this point the Penguins are interested in Bissonnette, but if they are, which remains to be seen (unlikely I’d say), Pittsburgh’s interest is likely only on a tryout or two-way contract. Bissonnette is more known for his entertaining self off the ice but he can play a little and provides toughness. He’s not a John Scott out there. However, it’s telling the Coyotes don’t want him back and for a player who can be signed for near the league minimum, not a good sign
Trading your best defenseman in Paul Martin during the season isn’t so cut and dry & more
FRIDAY’S DAILY FIVE *Rumblings, Musings, Opinions* 1. With his eye on testing free agency and the Penguins knowing this, Paul Martin has privately told close associates he wouldn’t be surprised if he’s traded this season, sources tell Inside Pittsburgh Sports, but with Jim Rutherford a win-now/short-term GM, there are still some level of doubts around the league. In previous years under Ray Shero, the Penguins have let too many players leave for nothing because their eye was on the present in chasing a Stanley Cup, not the future. Will that actually change for a franchise with the same expectations? One thing that has been telling from Rutherford this summer is he hasn’t made one trade of a current roster player
LeBeau seems genuine in touting Manziel and more in today’s TIOPSDailyFive
THURSDAY’S DAILY FIVE *Rumblings, Musings, Opinions* 1. Is Dick LeBeau being genuine about how dangerous he feels Johnny Maziel can be on the football field immediately as a rookie? Let’s just say LeBeau isn’t sitting in his office fearing Brian Hoyer at the helm. “I think he [Johnny Manziel] is going to be a handful for all of us,” LeBeau told the Cleveland Plain Dealer Monday. “You watch all his games and he created plays, he made plays, he kept plays alive. He has the ability to see people and the touch with the football to get it in there late in the down. I think he will be successful at this level. I’m expecting Manziel to be the starter.
Gerrit Cole the Pirates biggest concern & more in today’s TIOPSDailyFive
WEDNESDAY’S DAILY FIVE *Rumblings, Musings, Opinions* 1. The Pirates biggest concern is not Andrew McCutchen, it’s Gerrit Cole. Things are sure setting up where it’s possible the Pirates are going to get nothing from Cole the rest of the way and it wouldn’t be a shock if a few weeks from now the Pirates shut Cole down. The concerning part for Cole wasn’t his stat line last night, it’s how he isn’t ready pitch at a high level in the Majors yet, as he works his way back from a shoulder injury that has been limiting him since June. Not good. Cole’s velocity dipped significantly after the first two innings last night, though he reportedly says it was “intentional”, but
One theory out there on Penguins talking Kapanen up as NHL ready & more in today’s TIOPSDailyFive
TUESDAY’S DAILY FIVE *Rumblings, Musings, Opinions* 1. I wouldn’t bury the Pirates just yet if they are to be without Andrew McCutchen for up to a month. This is going to be a stretch where the pitching staff has to carry them, no question about that. Know the schedule is brutal starting August 11 with a stretch of 22 straight games against teams with a .500 or better record, but somehow the Pirates have found a way all season to stay in playoff contention despite a terrible April, Gerrit Cole taking a step back and not staying healthy, Francisco Liriano struggling in first half, Pedro Alvarez being a disaster this season, Starling Marte regressing, the bullpen regressing, and the first
Neal Huntington might as well spend the money available to him this season & more in today’s TIOPSDailyFive
MONDAY’S DAILY FIVE *Rumblings, Musings, Opinions* 1. Two criticism’s of Neal Huntington is he over-values his own prospects and 2. doesn’t have an owner who pushes him to spend the money available to him. Bob Nutting gave his blessing to the Pirates acquiring David Price but Nutting is never going to be someone who pushes Huntington to make a move for a particular need area. There is a complete difference with the hockey team in town who strive to win championships. Now Penguins ownership claims Ray Shero spent their money recklessly, but during his tenure Shero had an ownership group that pushed him to make moves and spend the money they made available to him. The Marian Hossa trade is