Poulin seems like he MIGHT be a mix of PF and skill, but who knows. From what I've read up on Legare, while he has some skill, the focus has been on his net-front presence and comparisons to Hornqvist.

I'm also not necessarily focusing on "team fit," but rather the direction of the NHL. While you'll always need players who can play a physically imposing game, it's moving farther and farther away from the power-forward mold due to the faster transition game that we're seeing more of.
- Rinosaur

I think those comparisons were only made to show that he isn't a puck carrying forward. He is a winger that will shoot whenever he gets the puck and he has an amazing shot. Slap and wrist shots are both elite. I think a good comparison would be Hoffman in Florida. He isn't much to watch throughout the entire game, but if he has any open space in the ozone, he is going to rip it on net.

Orpik retires today. Notched out a really nice career for himself. Won cups, made money. Not much more you can ask for
- jchst22

Made some hits I want a fan of and was on the wrong side of the Crosby captaincy debate but all in all from stories I’ve heard from both Pens and Caps, the guy was the very definition of a professional. Good for him and his crazy as (frank) eyes.

Made some hits I want a fan of and was on the wrong side of the Crosby captaincy debate but all in all from stories I’ve heard from both Pens and Caps, the guy was the very definition of a professional. Good for him and his crazy as (frank) eyes.
- Victoro311

Check out his interview on Chiclets. He’s got some funny stories about Geno and Ovi.

I think those comparisons were only made to show that he isn't a puck carrying forward. He is a winger that will shoot whenever he gets the puck and he has an amazing shot. Slap and wrist shots are both elite. I think a good comparison would be Hoffman in Florida. He isn't much to watch throughout the entire game, but if he has any open space in the ozone, he is going to rip it on net.
- burgh4life87

I'd say that's accurate for both he and Legare.

Poulin might have better passing skill. Both look to have a great release.

After the Blues win the cup everyone thinks “big boy” hockey is back. Can’t wait to see those knee jerk reactions.
- j.boyd919

So you are arguing that there will be no philosophical changes in style of play in the next 3-5 years? Not saying you've said that, just trying to see what this comment is implying.

Yeah, they made a smart hockey decision on an aging player with an expiring contract. Everything I've read over the years he was there has pointed to him being loved in Philly by everyone.
- MattStrat

Wayne Simmonds, the 25-goal scorer who would hit, play through injuries, and fight anyone if need be was beloved by Philadelphia (and LA). But the last 2 seasons have been rough. So yeah, he's just about shot.

Hell, he had just as many points in Nashville last year as Zac Rinaldo.

Not likely, but what if Legare is a power forward that is the next Jamie Benn or Ryan Getzlaf? Simply being "a power forward" doesn't automatically qualify you as a lumbering giant with no skills whatsoever. I'm not going to say he's a better pick than the 3 guys you mentioned, but I don't think he's automatically bad because he shares some traits with a guy who was a perennial 20-25 goal scorer in his prime.

Also, keep in mind that, no matter who they drafted, they're likely 3-5 years away from having any meaningful impact on the roster, so whether or not they "fit" on the team right now shouldn't have much to do with their selections, either.
- jmatchett383

I haven’t read all of the comments but I think what you’re saying is really obvious or at least should be. Power forwards who can also score are pricey. You’re right, you never know when one of these guys will be the next Benn. Not to mention he said Legare, who is the guy we moved up to get, compared to other guys noted in around the first round. Poulin was our actual first rounder and they play similar styles. I’m assuming they were at or close to the best player available on GMJRs list. Chayka moved up to get Soderstrom who he had 3rd on his list

Wayne Simmonds, the 25-goal scorer who would hit, play through injuries, and fight anyone if need be was beloved by Philadelphia (and LA). But the last 2 seasons have been rough. So yeah, he's just about shot.

Hell, he had just as many points in Nashville last year as Zac Rinaldo.
- jmatchett383

He was also a guy who scored 50% of his goals on the power play (at least it always felt that way) and he will not be getting power play time in pittsburgh, at least not enough to make a difference. I expect he still grinds out 5 more seasons of bottom 6 play somewhere though.

The Flyers didn't "give up" on him, he was an impending UFA on a non-playoff team. That happens every year to players, but it doesn't mean those organizations are "giving up" on them.
- jmatchett383

Plus his ask to re-sign was too high is what they said

Who’s worked up? I’m not worked up about anything. Just pointing out that you’re logic is as flawed as it comes.
- j.boyd919

Your********

Pick up Pomminville and Ennis for $1M each.

So you are arguing that there will be no philosophical changes in style of play in the next 3-5 years? Not saying you've said that, just trying to see what this comment is implying.
- jmatchett383

I think that plenty of teams will try to model their teams after the most recent cup champions. It’s a big copycat league and I’m sure there will be teams that try to emulate the Blues/Bruins final even as close as next season. I also believe that whether or not teams SHOULD change their philosophy to that depends on who is part of your core. As for teams like the Pens, Lightning, Toronto, Vegas, etc. (fast and skilled teams) I believe they should stay the course in their models as it would give them the best opportunity to maximize their roster whereas teams like Blues, Bruins, Winnipeg could still continue to play physical hockey.

Is Parayko going to be moved? Theres your fix.
- Doogs

Parayko was top 5 on some people’s Smythe ballots. He was great in his shutdown role (although I thought he was too stagnant/nonchalant with the puck at times)

He was also a guy who scored 50% of his goals on the power play (at least it always felt that way) and he will not be getting power play time in pittsburgh, at least not enough to make a difference. I expect he still grinds out 5 more seasons of bottom 6 play somewhere though.
- burgh4life87

He was definitely a PP net-front presence and that's where he did a lot of his damage. But he wasn't beloved in Philadelphia for that, it was everything he brought even when he wasn't scoring. That's what's been missing the last 2 years. So he's beloved, but it was time.

And I agree, he'll get by on "leadership" and such for some team for a while longer.

I think that plenty of teams will try to model their teams after the most recent cup champions. It’s a big copycat league and I’m sure there will be teams that try to emulate the Blues/Bruins final even as close as next season. I also believe that whether or not teams SHOULD change their philosophy to that depends on who is part of your core. As for teams like the Pens, Lightning, Toronto, Vegas, etc. (fast and skilled teams) I believe they should stay the course in their models as it would give them the best opportunity to maximize their roster whereas teams like Blues, Bruins, Winnipeg could still continue to play physical hockey.
- j.boyd919

I know what you're saying, but I just see a bias. You mention the Pens, Lightning, etc. "fast and skilled," but then mention Blues, Bruins, etc. as simply "physical." Really, the Blues, Bruins, and Jets play "physical and skilled" because you can, amazingly, be both physical and skilled.

And yes it's a copycat league, and teams will try to emulate the most recent Cup winners. Really, it comes down to getting everybody to play the same way and having enough skill. St. Louis, Chicago and LA didn't win because they checked people do death, they ultimately won because their style and skill was better than the other team's, just like Pittsburgh and Washington.

So yes, a fast-paced transition game is obviously an asset, but it doesn't mean that you can't play physical hockey and be successful, either.

Parayko was top 5 on some people’s Smythe ballots. He was great in his shutdown role (although I thought he was too stagnant/nonchalant with the puck at times)
- WSCTeton17

I thought he was terrible. Got beat to the outside constantly, took way too many low-percentage shots as the PP QB, was losing battles to players he had 6 inches and 40 pounds on, couldn't defend a 1-on-1, and was generally careless with the puck. Played well in Game 7, though, aside from the delay of game penalty.

Pick up Pomminville and Ennis for $1M each.
- Barnaby36

We have less than 4 mill and space and just sent out qualifying offers to 5 guys. We likely have nothing left to spend.

I know what you're saying, but I just see a bias. You mention the Pens, Lightning, etc. "fast and skilled," but then mention Blues, Bruins, etc. as simply "physical." Really, the Blues, Bruins, and Jets play "physical and skilled" because you can, amazingly, be both physical and skilled.

And yes it's a copycat league, and teams will try to emulate the most recent Cup winners. Really, it comes down to getting everybody to play the same way and having enough skill. St. Louis, Chicago and LA didn't win because they checked people do death, they ultimately won because their style and skill was better than the other team's, just like Pittsburgh and Washington.

So yes, a fast-paced transition game is obviously an asset, but it doesn't mean that you can't play physical hockey and be successful, either.
- jmatchett383

Oh you’re definitely right. I agree that the bruins, blues and jets are all skilled as well. I didn’t mean that they weren’t skilled. I just meant that their identity is often referrrd to as physical big body teams whereas Tampa, Pittsburgh, Toronto are generally referred to as fast and finesse. Both can definitely be effective. I Don’t believe you have to be one or the other but I do think that teams with foundations for one or the other should stay the course and not abandon plans for the sake of emulating the recent finalists.

The Flyers didn't "give up" on him, he was an impending UFA on a non-playoff team. That happens every year to players, but it doesn't mean those organizations are "giving up" on them.
- jmatchett383

I'll give you that giving up may have been too strong. At $4M per and 30 years of age he should still be a desirable commodity.

It is obvious he is not the player he once was. Hornqvist has many of the same concerns about himself yet he still has a couple more years left in him.

Don't get me wrong, I think Simmonds is every bit as valuable as Hornqvist. I only want one of them and right now Hornqvist is the guy I want. It wasn't always that way but it is now.

I'll give you that giving up may have been too strong. At $4M per and 30 years of age he should still be a desirable commodity.

It is obvious he is not the player he once was. Hornqvist has many of the same concerns about himself yet he still has a couple more years left in him.

Don't get me wrong, I think Simmonds is every bit as valuable as Hornqvist. I only want one of them and right now Hornqvist is the guy I want. It wasn't always that way but it is now.
- Thunderbolt

Absolutely agree.

Oh you’re definitely right. I agree that the bruins, blues and jets are all skilled as well. I didn’t mean that they weren’t skilled. I just meant that their identity is often referrrd to as physical big body teams whereas Tampa, Pittsburgh, Toronto are generally referred to as fast and finesse. Both can definitely be effective. I Don’t believe you have to be one or the other but I do think that teams with foundations for one or the other should stay the course and not abandon plans for the sake of emulating the recent finalists.
- j.boyd919

Okay, then we agree. I just hate some people think "physical" = no skill. There's no instruction manual for winning a Cup, and there's no one right way. If you have a speedy finesse team that runs and guns, that can work. If you have a team that can use its size to impose its will on the other team with guys, that can work. Neither will work if you don't have skill and chemistry.

And you're right, teams shouldn't abandon their philosophy based on what happened last year, but the NHL is gonna NHL.

Doubtful after that Playoff run. He was solid.
- j.boyd919

Very, was hoping they got him in January when it was possible.

Jesse Marshall has a great piece on Legare on the Athletic. Here's an excerpt...

I think Legare’s role on this line translates nicely into what you’ll get out of him in the future. Legare has never met a shot he doesn’t like, and his shooting mechanics often get underplayed. He’s a player that consistently finds the front of the net and open scoring areas. His penchant for shooting, combined with his vision, puck distribution and ability to draw defenders away from his teammates make Legare the type of linemate that elevates those around him.

In a fashion similar to Chris Kunitz or Patric Hornqvist, Legare isn’t the type of player that is going to go out and finesse his way to goals all by himself. However, when you put Legare on a line with talented players, everything seems to come together in ways it hadn’t previously. That’s because Legare is a space eater. He loves to get to the front of the net and shake it up down low. I’d even go as far as to say Legare’s ability to stalk open scoring areas reminds me a bit of Jake Guentzel’s.

Many reports have Penguins after Simmons, Zucker and Tyler Myers...Idk how we would sign Myers unless they agree to a deal and trade Schultz. Maybe JR will trade Horny, Rust, and Schultz for Zucker and some younger cheaper talent and sign Myers and Simmons as the replacements.

Another excerpt from Marshall...

In an aggregate ranking of major scouting services, Legare comes in at an average of 44 overall. Personally, I had him listed as the 36th best skater in this draft class. For the Penguins to get Legare with the 74th pick is a great value and one that might be worth the spend in draft picks when you consider what makes Legare a top-50 caliber prospect.