Game Day Buzz: Despite lack of role with team, Penguins would be better served to hold onto Jeffrey
GAME DAY BUZZ Dustin Jeffrey is a well mannered person who will never publicly say this but you can bet he would not have minded being in Eric Tangradi’s shoes last week and being traded to another team that planned on giving him a better opportunity and regular role in the lineup than he’s getting with the Penguins. Jeffrey has been scratched for 13 of 17 games this season but will return to the lineup tonight in place of Joe Vitale who will be a healthy scratch. With the way he’s viewed by the coaching staff, Jeffrey will probably be back in the press box Sunday night, regardless of how he plays tonight. That’s just how it’s gone for him.
Breaking down why the Penguins strongly feel Tanner Glass will be an ugrade over Arron Asham
COMPARING TANNER GLASS VS ARRON ASHAM Rugged role players Tanner Glass and Arron Asham had identical offensive numbers last season, 5 goals and 11 assists and received identical deals in free agency, Glass signing a 2 year, $2.2 million contract with the Penguins and Arron Asham heading to Broadway, signing a 2 year, $2.2 million contract with the New York Rangers. Who signed the better player and fit for their system? Arron Asham was a player who was very well liked in Penguins locker room from the players to management. Asham is regarded as an all around great guy, would stick up for his teammates at the drop of the hat and provided a tough presence on the 4th line
Breaking down Penguins forward depth chart & Analysis on Projected Lines
FORWARD DEPTH CHART With the lockout over, burning questions for the Penguins upfront is how the top-6 will shake up after the departure of Steve Sullivan and revamping a third line around the newly acquired Brandon Sutter, following the trade of Jordan Staal on draft day this past June. Strong indications have been that Matt Cooke will enter camp as the front runner to move up to a top-6 role in a short-term role on a line with Evgeni Malkin or Sidney Crosby. Other internal options who could get early looks include Tyler Kennedy, Eric Tangradi and a longshot candidate being Dustin Jeffrey who if given the opportunity, could be primed for a breakout season. Despite the loss of Staal,