This is true. Although Sprong/Sundqvist could get good practice time with the big boys. Still would much rather have them getting good quality playing time elsewhere (AHL/Juniors) though.
- Pens_Burgh

Yeah, you guys are right. Maybe a full yeah with juniors would be best for Sprong and Sundqvist. But with Sprong it's CHL or NHL. I don't know what would be better. A full year of him dominating as a first liner on CHL or reduced minutes as a third/fourth liner on the NHL? I think I would go with NHL.

edit: by juniors I meant AHL zzz

Yeah, you guys are right. Maybe a full yeah with juniors would be best for Sprong and Sundqvist. But with Sprong it's CHL or NHL. I don't know what would be better. A full year of him dominating as a first liner on CHL or reduced minutes as a third/fourth liner on the NHL? I think I would go with NHL.

edit: by juniors I meant AHL zzz
- Conse

Sprong wasn't even in the top 10 in points in the league. He can improve plenty.

Or how about Crosby turning Kessel from an angry off-ice hobbit into a decent human. How about the competitiveness of the Pens making Kessel get in shape? Malkin needs no one to help him. He helps the 4 other guys on this line. And this is coming from a Devils fanboy.

Yeah, you guys are right. Maybe a full yeah with juniors would be best for Sprong and Sundqvist. But with Sprong it's CHL or NHL. I don't know what would be better. A full year of him dominating as a first liner on CHL or reduced minutes as a third/fourth liner on the NHL? I think I would go with NHL.

edit: by juniors I meant AHL zzz
- Conse

I'm pretty sure Sprong has to stay in Juniors until he's 20 if he doesn't make the big club this year.. which sucks but it is what it is.

This is true. Although Sprong/Sundqvist could get good practice time with the big boys. Still would much rather have them getting good quality playing time elsewhere (AHL/Juniors) though.
- Pens_Burgh

I'm not as intimately familiar with them as yinz are, so I don't know if they're AHL eligible or waiver exempt or whatever. If they can play in the A and are waiver exempt, though, I imagine they'd be better served getting consistent time until closer to the stretch.

I still miss Craig Adams

I'm not as intimately familiar with them as yinz are, so I don't know if they're AHL eligible or waiver exempt or whatever. If they can play in the A and are waiver exempt, though, I imagine they'd be better served getting consistent time until closer to the stretch.
- BulliesPhan87

Sprong is an 18/19 year old. He can only play in the juniors. That's why I'm in favor of giving him the 9 game try out. Just for XP purposes. By the time the nine games are over Fehr will be coming back and Sprong can go play top line minutes in the juniors and brush up on how to dominate against children while preserving his ELC.

As far as Sundqvist, I want him to be the first in line as far as call ups go this season. That way he can get NHL bottom 6 XP which is where he should play for us in the future while working on his offense with big minutes in the AHL thought the season

I'm pretty sure Sprong has to stay in Juniors until he's 20 if he doesn't make the big club this year.. which sucks but it is what it is.
- Pens_Burgh

Wait wait wait. So I get that if we send him down this year is locked in for this season, but that means he's locked in next season too? I thought he basically had the same set up as this year but without the option of the 9 game cus aren't Leo Draisaitl and Reinhardt supposed to make their rosters this year or are they over 20? That's beyond stupid.

Wait wait wait. So I get that if we send him down this year is locked in for this season, but that means he's locked in next season too? I thought he basically had the same set up as this year but without the option of the 9 game cus aren't Leo Draisaitl and Reinhardt supposed to make their rosters this year or are they over 20? That's beyond stupid.
- Victoro311

Yeah there was a blog about it a few weeks ago, I can only see the past 5 blogs on this one so I couldn't find it. But if I remember correctly he's locked in until 20 if he doesn't make the NHL this year. It's a poopty rule for sure.

Edit: Leo played 37 NHL games and Reinhart will be 20 on Nov 5th

Someone correct me if I'm wrong

Yeah there was a blog about it a few weeks ago, I can only see the past 5 blogs on this one so I couldn't find it. But if I remember correctly he's locked in until 20 if he doesn't make the NHL this year. It's a poopty rule for sure.

Edit: Leo played 37 NHL games and Reinhart will be 20 on Nov 5th

Someone correct me if I'm wrong
- Pens_Burgh

He can't play in the AHL until he is 20. He can go to the NHL to void his junior commitment.

He can't play in the AHL until he is 20. He can go to the NHL to void his junior commitment.
- jfkst1

Gotcha, so I was half right. Maybe next year he'll make the big club, but with how BB was handled I'd have to imagine they'll be very careful with him.

He can't play in the AHL until he is 20. He can go to the NHL to void his junior commitment.
- jfkst1

This makes sense. I thought it was something along those lines. Otherwise that'd be crazy.

He can't play in the AHL until he is 20. He can go to the NHL to void his junior commitment.
- jfkst1

Chicago released Visnosky... wonder if GMJR will give him a look? Def a better option then Scuds if healthy...

Gotcha, so I was half right. Maybe next year he'll make the big club, but with how BB was handled I'd have to imagine they'll be very careful with him.
- Pens_Burgh

Like I said, I want him sent back down after his 9 games (if he gets them). That way he can put the finishing touches on his already potent offensive skills and gain even more confidence. Plus, if we wait until next season to start burning his ELC then he'll still have a year of ELC by the time Hornqvist moves on. Imagine having a player playing in the top 6 on an ELC! When was the last time that happened? Crosby and and Malkin? He'll have two years of ELC left if we wait until he turns 20, but if he looks good enough I want him to be able to earn a roster spot next season.

Chicago released Visnosky... wonder if GMJR will give him a look? Def a better option then Scuds if healthy...
- Brianandr1

I don't see the point of adding another bottom pairing defenseman unless Scuderi gets got. Just adds to the probability that we'll lose someone we regret to waivers.

Like I said, I want him sent back down after his 9 games (if he gets them). That way he can put the finishing touches on his already potent offensive skills and gain even more confidence. Plus, if we wait until next season to start burning his ELC then he'll still have a year of ELC by the time Hornqvist moves on. Imagine having a player playing in the top 6 on an ELC! When was the last time that happened? Crosby and and Malkin? He'll have two years of ELC left if we wait until he turns 20, but if he looks good enough I want him to be able to earn a roster spot next season.
- Victoro311

Agreed, I'd like to see him get his 9 games, even if it's 4th line duty. I've been thinking that this guy can be our "Saad" in a way. I have real high hopes for this kid and was stunned he fell to us. Idk if I would have picked Sprong or Bittner given the choice.

Agreed, I'd like to see him get his 9 games, even if it's 4th line duty. I've been thinking that this guy can be our "Saad" in a way. I have real high hopes for this kid and was stunned he fell to us. Idk if I would have picked Sprong or Bittner given the choice.
- Pens_Burgh

I would have picked Bittner. I was pissed we didn't get him and I was originally upset we got Sprong. He struck me as a smallish winger that had success in the juniors but wouldn't translate to the faster, more intense pace of the NHL. Boy was I wrong, and boy am I glad I don't have decision making power for the Penguins organization.

I would have picked Bittner. I was pissed we didn't get him and I was originally upset we got Sprong. He struck me as a smallish winger that had success in the juniors but wouldn't translate to the faster, more intense pace of the NHL. Boy was I wrong, and boy am I glad I don't have decision making power for the Penguins organization.
- Victoro311

I knew Sprong was a great player, he was ranked mid-late first round much throughout the year, as was Bittner though. I guess it really would depend on what we needed and I would have picked Bittner due to his size most likely. Glad we got Sprong though from what we've seen. Haven't seen or heard anything on Bittner though.

I knew Sprong was a great player, he was ranked mid-late first round much throughout the year, as was Bittner though. I guess it really would depend on what we needed and I would have picked Bittner due to his size most likely. Glad we got Sprong though from what we've seen. Haven't seen or heard anything on Bittner though.
- Pens_Burgh

He's plying for the Winterhawks right now. Not in camp.

He's plying for the Winterhawks right now. Not in camp.
- Victoro311

Gotcha. That's why then

Sprong wasn't even in the top 10 in points in the league. He can improve plenty.
- jfkst1

Of course he can improve, he's 18. He can improve at any level. I have stated before I'm in favor of the 9 game tryout.

The CBJ game really sold me on him when I got to watch him play a full game against NHL competition.

If he looks good during the 9 game tryout, its not a "waste" of a year of his ELC if he can contribute in a 3rd/4th line role and 2nd powerplay.

Who's gonna make Kessel backcheck I wonder? lol

So, looks like no TV channels are carrying the game. Any feeds? Streams? Bad advice about our defense?

So, looks like no TV channels are carrying the game. Any feeds? Streams? Bad advice about our defense?
- powerhouse

Its actually probably on Root... ESPN also has the Pirate game, and I don't think Root gets it then. Just Comcast not having the listing right

Of course he can improve, he's 18. He can improve at any level. I have stated before I'm in favor of the 9 game tryout.

The CBJ game really sold me on him when I got to watch him play a full game against NHL competition.

If he looks good during the 9 game tryout, its not a "waste" of a year of his ELC if he can contribute in a 3rd/4th line role and 2nd powerplay.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

If he were to stick, I could see Sprong chipping in 15 goals on the fourth line + PP time. Insane depth.