Ryan Wilson: Prospiective Penguins for World Juniors Prospiective Penguins for World Juniors

Glad to see they gave Howe the benefit of the doubt. He's not going to carry a line, but hopefully he can be that perfect complimentary player who helps the elite talents do their best.

Bruinicke deserves top billing for Team Canada. He is looking like a stud, hopefully he can be fully healthy. Worst thing that could happen is come back too soon from a wrist injury and re-injure it.

Yager is going to kill it and I am going to continue to be sad that we dont have him anymore/

Yager is only 31st in scoring in the WHL and his numbers aren't up at all from last year. So, he's doing well, but not obviously taking that next step. Still uncertain how he turns out.

McGroarty has looked better and has been scoring 5 points in the last 6 games. I'm hoping a good portion of our prospects make the jump.

Unrelated to the RWs blog —

I am glad Dubas is a relatively diligent GM. Seems to kick the tires on any good person who is available (recently Jiricek). If Hoglander does get moved, my guess is that we get him too. Dubas usually does his best work with trades with the jury still out on the Mcgroaty trade, but I am looking forward to the TDL this year. For a roster that’s about to get a makeover, I’m excited it’s Dubas and not hextal..

Yager is only 31st in scoring in the WHL and his numbers aren't up at all from last year. So, he's doing well, but not obviously taking that next step. Still uncertain how he turns out.
- MickV

I mean, he's at 1.5ppg on a bad team that lost a lot of talent. Just got traded. I'd bet he gets the C for team Canada... His performance there will tell you a lot about where he is at.

I really don’t see the point of hoglander. Imagine this D core without Petterson also. I imagine Petts is a goner no matter what since he’s a ufa and could get a decent haul but I hope it’s not for hoglander. Retain half of Petts and aim for a 1st or a decent prospect like Savoie in EDM versus another change of scenery player. Van will prob need to move hoglander to resign ufa/rfa with their buyout cost going up 2m next year, don’t do them a favour.

That being said, martone should be the number 1 goal this year, although it looks like he might move up to the top spot on the draft boards.

Blazers' D-man Harrison Brunicke telling CFJC there is a chance he will be on the ice for Team Canada selection camp, which gets underway Dec. 10 in Ottawa. He's off to Pittsburgh to skate with Penguins and hopes to be at CAN camp. Has fracture in wrist suffered Nov. 10.

From somewhere on Reddit

I mean, he's at 1.5ppg on a bad team that lost a lot of talent. Just got traded. I'd bet he gets the C for team Canada... His performance there will tell you a lot about where he is at.
- MacPatty

I don't agree with this statement. Far too many times over the years kids have great tourneys there and are dubbed to be soon all-stars in the NHL and it doesn't happen. I don't think that tournament is a great gauge of how a players career is going to turn out. Just my opinion of it all.

Yager is now almost 20 years old (in one month) playing with kids anywhere form 15 years old and up and so far this season his production isn't up, that's usually not a good sign of progressing development. None of this is to say he wont turn into a very good NHLer, he very well could.

McGroarty is starting to heat up playing against adults/pros...5 points in last 6 games.

I would imagine this little streak they've tossed together ends tonight hahah

I don't agree with this statement. Far too many times over the years kids have great tourneys there and are dubbed to be soon all-stars in the NHL and it doesn't happen. I don't think that tournament is a great gauge of how a players career is going to turn out. Just my opinion of it all.

Yager is now almost 20 years old (in one month) playing with kids anywhere form 15 years old and up and so far this season his production isn't up, that's usually not a good sign of progressing development. None of this is to say he wont turn into a very good NHLer, he very well could.

McGroarty is starting to heat up playing against adults/pros...5 points in last 6 games.
- MattStrat

It's a best of the best tournament where the stakes and emotions are super high. So while it's not an absolute do well and you'll be a star scenario, it's one of the best looks you can get at Jr players and see what they are made of.

I'm glad to see McGroarty starting to put up some points, I may not have liked the trade but I'd be happy eating crow and seeing McGroaty turn into a star.

I really don’t see the point of hoglander. Imagine this D core without Petterson also. I imagine Petts is a goner no matter what since he’s a ufa and could get a decent haul but I hope it’s not for hoglander. Retain half of Petts and aim for a 1st or a decent prospect like Savoie in EDM versus another change of scenery player. Van will prob need to move hoglander to resign ufa/rfa with their buyout cost going up 2m next year, don’t do them a favour.

That being said, martone should be the number 1 goal this year, although it looks like he might move up to the top spot on the draft boards.
- 10inchTerror

I don't hate Hoglander, but where does he fit with all of the other turnaround bets we've made? I'd take him if Van would take Hayes back the other way.

If we are going to trade Pettersson, I'd rather trade him now, for a lesser return than wait it out to the deadline. 1. He is the most hit defender in the league and a situation like last year with Jake would hurt his value hugely. 2. If we trade him we are making the decision not to win. The sooner we do that the better chance of a top pick.

I think it will be a toss up between Martone and Schaffer. Hagens has been the front runner but Martone has a way higher ceiling. Even Misa, who is probably a slight tier below these guys looks really good. Getting in the top 4 this year would be great.

I don't hate Hoglander, but where does he fit with all of the other turnaround bets we've made? I'd take him if Van would take Hayes back the other way.

If we are going to trade Pettersson, I'd rather trade him now, for a lesser return than wait it out to the deadline. 1. He is the most hit defender in the league and a situation like last year with Jake would hurt his value hugely. 2. If we trade him we are making the decision not to win. The sooner we do that the better chance of a top pick.

I think it will be a toss up between Martone and Schaffer. Hagens has been the front runner but Martone has a way higher ceiling. Even Misa, who is probably a slight tier below these guys looks really good. Getting in the top 4 this year would be great.
- MacPatty

I always hate giving up. Especially since they've shown a little life, but embracing the suck is the best course. If the players want to convince Dubas they've turned things around, winning tonight would go a long way. I'm expecting a "come back to earth" game.

Don't want Hoglander unless I'm getting something to take him. Like you say, we don't need another turnaround candidate. Especially with his 3 year extension.

Hoglander: Why would this vertically and strength challenged player be on our radar at all.

I always hate giving up. Especially since they've shown a little life, but embracing the suck is the best course. If the players want to convince Dubas they've turned things around, winning tonight would go a long way. I'm expecting a "come back to earth" game.

Don't want Hoglander unless I'm getting something to take him. Like you say, we don't need another turnaround candidate. Especially with his 3 year extension.
- madmike71

Yeah, I wasnt saying we should give up (though maybe we should?) but if we do trade Pettersson then we are essentially giving up on this season.

I really want us to just set ourselves up for taking a competitive run next season. Whether we fully tank or actually try to make the playoffs this year, I just want to shed some of the dead weight and hopefully put some good pieces in place for the future.

Yeah, I wasnt saying we should give up (though maybe we should?) but if we do trade Pettersson then we are essentially giving up on this season.

I really want us to just set ourselves up for taking a competitive run next season. Whether we fully tank or actually try to make the playoffs this year, I just want to shed some of the dead weight and hopefully put some good pieces in place for the future.
- MacPatty

Peterson will be 29 in May. It will be his biggest contract and he’s past his peak. Same logic to walk away from guetz. If they didn’t have EK then why not, but Petts will bring back more futures in theory. Dubas could (frank) it up.

Peterson will be 29 in May. It will be his biggest contract and he’s past his peak. Same logic to walk away from guetz. If they didn’t have EK then why not, but Petts will bring back more futures in theory. Dubas could (frank) it up.
- sammy87

I agree, although this defence will be a spectacle to watch haha. I just hope it’s not for hoglander.

I agree, although this defence will be a spectacle to watch haha. I just hope it’s not for hoglander.
- 10inchTerror

It would depend. If it's Hoglander and a 1st then I wouldn't mind that package at all. If it is just for Hoglander then I wouldn't be as happy.

It would depend. If it's Hoglander and a 1st then I wouldn't mind that package at all. If it is just for Hoglander then I wouldn't be as happy.
- 123Kid

As much as I would hate to see Petts strengthen Edmonton I’d prefer someone like Savoie + but yeah I could deal with hoglander and a 1st. Dubas seems very focused on picks so hopefully that’s still the case.

It's a best of the best tournament where the stakes and emotions are super high. So while it's not an absolute do well and you'll be a star scenario, it's one of the best looks you can get at Jr players and see what they are made of.

I'm glad to see McGroarty starting to put up some points, I may not have liked the trade but I'd be happy eating crow and seeing McGroaty turn into a star.
- MacPatty

I agree, its a best of best and high emotions, I just think far too much stock gets put in it for player evaluation.

It would depend. If it's Hoglander and a 1st then I wouldn't mind that package at all. If it is just for Hoglander then I wouldn't be as happy.
- 123Kid

Is Hogs any good? He put up pts a season or 2 ago. But yeah hogs+ is probs market value.

Just remember….guetz didn’t bring much back.