Dumoulin and Marino have both been upgraded to full contact!

I think I will dedicate my Lenten devotionals to the health of all my favorite athletes this year...

While no college UFA has ever lit up the NHL, I do believe that some have turned into decent players. Justin Schultz was one and ZAR has done decent.
- hipcheck_goalie

I was sort of thinking along those lines. Seems to be a lot of hype around these guys but they never seem to come close to the hype. What are some names? Weren't Butcher, Vesey, and Hayes(?) college UFAs?

One other aspect to inexplicably playing JJ on the first pairing no matter what is that let's say Dumo comes back and is terrible or gets re-injured. We now have no information on who might be a good partner for Letang because no one else was tried. JJ on the first pairing in the playoffs would just be admitting defeat from the get-go.

Just think, Ian Cole, 2-time Cup Champion, is playing elsewhere for just $1M more because, apparently, Sully didn't like him talking to the press or something. But JJ gets first pairing no matter how bad he plays.

Sully is a great coach in some respects, but in this case he is an objectively terrible coach.
- Hockey66

Agreed, much rather have Cole

One other aspect to inexplicably playing JJ on the first pairing no matter what is that let's say Dumo comes back and is terrible or gets re-injured. We now have no information on who might be a good partner for Letang because no one else was tried. JJ on the first pairing in the playoffs would just be admitting defeat from the get-go.
- Hockey66

Oh God, let's not think that way lol

Cool thanks. The Athletic happened to do a preview today of the top college and European FAs and the 2 defensemen were listed.

7. Jack Ahcan, D, St. Cloud State-NCHC

Ahcan has been a top defenseman in the NCHC the last few years. This season he was really leaned on by St. Cloud, logging big minutes in all situations. Ahcan is a fun player to watch. He’s full of skill and offensive creativity. He’s a power play quarterback at the pro level due to how well he walks the line, finds seams and improvises with the puck. He’s a good skater. He’s not the elite speedster that you’d like at 5-foot-8, but he’s got great edges and can evade pressure. Even though he’s not big, I think he’ll defend OK in the pros because he has push back in his game. I understand why a 5-foot-8 defender without huge numbers may not scream NHL player, but I think Ahcan can make it.

27. Connor Mackey, D, Minnesota State-WCHA

Mackey has been the No. 1 defenseman for one of the best teams in college. He had contract offers from teams last season but chose to go back for his junior season. He’s a 6-foot-2 defenseman who can move the puck well, has some bulk and physicality to his game, and skates well enough to stay with pros. It’s fair to say there is a lack of a wow factor in his game, and I do have mild questions on his offensive upside as he moves to the higher levels, but I could see enough puck-moving skill to play games toward the bottom of a lineup.
- Tojo.

From what I had read, Mackey has at least 8 teams desiring his services. Ahcan has ties somehow to the Pens as does Tommy Nappier. Nappier kinda excites me because, well he's a goalie, but has skills. He's a three year starter who excels in big games. Positionally sound, rarely loses focus, and above average puck handling skills. He's been to the Pens tryouts before and supposedly is a fan of JR.

Has there been any word on McCann?
- Rinosaur

Taking line rushes in full contact jersey centering Simon and Rodrigues.

Oh God, let's not think that way lol
- 668710

I mean, the regular season should be preparation for the playoffs. Playoffs are all that matters. Seems we are relying on a best-case-scenario without a contingency plan. Sully seems pretty stubborn in this regard and probably why he has trouble adjusting mid-series.

You make it through the first round of the playoffs? I lost by like 20. (frank)ing goalies shat the bed.
- j.boyd919

Nope. We had practically the same lineup and two players basically disappeared and I lost by like 12 points.

Taking line rushes in full contact jersey centering Simon and Rodrigues.
- Victoro311

Nice!

While no college UFA has ever lit up the NHL, I do believe that some have turned into decent players. Justin Schultz was one and ZAR has done decent.
- hipcheck_goalie

Martin St. Louis would like a word with you.

Kunitz wasn't so bad either. Probably more, those are just the ones off the top of my head. Sheary probably should get mentioned over ZAR and not sure if Dupuis went the college route.

So McCann took rushes, Marino and Dumoulin practiced with contact but didn't take rushes, and Bjugstad practiced in a no-contact jersey. Prerty good day on the injury front.

Taking line rushes in full contact jersey centering Simon and Rodrigues.
- Victoro311

Why Rodrigues? What are the other lines?

I was sort of thinking along those lines. Seems to be a lot of hype around these guys but they never seem to come close to the hype. What are some names? Weren't Butcher, Vesey, and Hayes(?) college UFAs?
- Hockey66

Torey Krug, Chris Kunitz, Tyler Bozak, Adam Oates, Marty St. Louis, Dan Boyle, pretty sure they were all UFA college guys

Why Rodrigues? What are the other lines?
- 668710

Edit: Nevermind I saw them

I was sort of thinking along those lines. Seems to be a lot of hype around these guys but they never seem to come close to the hype. What are some names? Weren't Butcher, Vesey, and Hayes(?) college UFAs?
- Hockey66

Martin St. Louis, Torey Krug, Fan favorite Conor Sheary!!!

Torrey Krug, Chris Kunitz, Tyler Bozak, Adam Oates, Marty St. Louis, Dan Boyle, pretty sure they were all UFA college guys
- j.boyd919

Ok, never mind then.

Maybe it's not much different than the draft, then, with the hype vs. hit ratio. But you don't need to use a draft pick to get them (Captain Obvious here).

Still, though, only 6+ good players over ~30 years. Probably equivalent to the hit rate of 7th rounders, which makes sense, since they are just one "round" later.

Sullivan has McCann day to day and game time decision

Ok, never mind then.

Maybe it's not much different than the draft, then, with the hype vs. hit ratio. But you don't need to use a draft pick to get them (Captain Obvious here).
- Hockey66

Well I think the hype is also a product of the Information Age we live in. We can get stats and updates on every player in any league really if we look for it so hype builds based on that whereas what did you have back in the day? Newspapers, hockey News mags, and tv? Haha

Zucker-Sid-Sheary
Marleau-Geno-Rust
Simon-McCann-Horn
Rod-Blue-Tanev

IMO this would be the best configuration. Maybe even let Zucker and Sheary swap sides.

Well I think the hype is also a product of the Information Age we live in. We can get stats and updates on every player in any league really if we look for it so hype builds based on that whereas what did you have back in the day? Newspapers, hockey News mags, and tv? Haha
- j.boyd919

Agree, I also think that since there are so few of them compared to draft prospects that the media and fans get hyper-focused on them. That and college FAs get to choose instead of the other way around.

Torey Krug, Chris Kunitz, Tyler Bozak, Adam Oates, Marty St. Louis, Dan Boyle, pretty sure they were all UFA college guys
- j.boyd919

Psshhh. Who are those guys?

So McCann took rushes, Marino and Dumoulin practiced with contact but didn't take rushes, and Bjugstad practiced in a no-contact jersey. Prerty good day on the injury front.
- Tojo.

Bjug should just retire at this point. How can he be so behind in his rehab

Maybe Tom Wilson will just choose to hurt JJ first. Then the speed and skill game will take over. I just don’t even know if Pens speed and skill is that much higher if higher at all than the craps.

Maybe Tom Wilson will just choose to hurt JJ first. Then the speed and skill game will take over. I just don’t even know if Pens speed and skill is that much higher if higher at all than the craps.
- Grinder47

Missed you around here, buddy.