Ryan Wilson: Penguins Prospect Tournament Preview Penguins Prospect Tournament Preview

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No Pouliot? Or did I miss him?

No Pouliot? Or did I miss him?
- jmatchett383

He's broken.

I'm interested in Jaden Lindo... And at 6-2 211 lbs for an 18 year old, that's pretty impressive.

He's broken.
- Ben37

Oh damn, that's right. He and Maata, right?

I'm interested in Jaden Lindo... And at 6-2 211 lbs for an 18 year old, that's pretty impressive.
- rival22

I would have been too, but he's broken as well.

Oh damn, that's right. He and Maata, right?
- jmatchett383

Yeah they both had surgery to repair Labral issues.

I'd be more interested in seeing some video clips rather than those annoying gifs...those annoying gifs...those annoying gifs...those annoying gifs...those annoying gifs...those annoying gifs...those annoying gifs...those annoying gifs...those annoying gifs...those annoying gifs...

I would have been too, but he's broken as well.
- Ryan_Wilson

I know he was broken for the prospect camp, but I thought he was playing in this tournament.

"For me I want to focus on forwards who have the potential of playing top 6 NHL hockey. The Adam Payerl's of the world don't interest me as much. Every offseason shows that you can get quality bottom six forward help and not break the bank to do so. The area that is incredibly difficult to get help with is a top six caliber player."

An amazing statement coming from a Penguins' blogger.

Real hockey stuff!

Understated the disappointment of Kapanen being out...been a while since we had a prospect like that (Bennett....before that?? )

"For me I want to focus on forwards who have the potential of playing top 6 NHL hockey. The Adam Payerl's of the world don't interest me as much. Every offseason shows that you can get quality bottom six forward help and not break the bank to do so. The area that is incredibly difficult to get help with is a top six caliber player."

An amazing statement coming from a Penguins' blogger.
- Only_A_Ladd

Haha well we ended up with some decent, experienced bottom 6 guys this offseason. Then again, we tried some value signings in the past and it didn't quite work out..

Though to be fair, in addition to free agents, it seems like there are always 4-5 guys in the AHL pushing for bottom 6 roles in the NHL.

Real hockey stuff!

Understated the disappointment of Kapanen being out...been a while since we had a prospect like that (Bennett....before that?? )
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Do you consider Maata and Pouliot good prospects?

Haha well we ended up with some decent, experienced bottom 6 guys this offseason. Then again, we tried some value signings in the past and it didn't quite work out..

Though to be fair, in addition to free agents, it seems like there are always 4-5 guys in the AHL pushing for bottom 6 roles in the NHL.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Yes, but those guys are in the AHL for a reason. Some combination of youth, lack of speed, lack of discipline, lack of hockey sense, lack of offensive pop, etc. Some guys look like they could play 4th line minutes, but there's usually something that the average fan doesn't know/notice that keeps them in the AHL.

Do you consider Maata and Pouliot good prospects?
- jmatchett383

Im talking about top 6 forward prospects.

Im talking about top 6 forward prospects.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Well, you guys didn't have "prospects" because for 3 straight years, Malkin/Crosby/Staal went right to the NHL. Angelo Esposito was a bust, you had no 1st-3rd rounder in 2008, and the the D picks started.

Yes, but those guys are in the AHL for a reason. Some combination of youth, lack of speed, lack of discipline, lack of hockey sense, lack of offensive pop, etc. Some guys look like they could play 4th line minutes, but there's usually something that the average fan doesn't know/notice that keeps them in the AHL.
- jmatchett383

Sigh, yes that is reason they are bottom 6 prospects...

Well, you guys didn't have "prospects" because for 3 straight years, Malkin/Crosby/Staal went right to the NHL. Angelo Esposito was a bust, you had no 1st-3rd rounder in 2008, and the the D picks started.
- jmatchett383

I know...that was the point, and why I'm excited about Kapanen. After Malkin/Crosby/Staal were drafted, we've not had many homegrown forwards period. Let alone top 6 ones.

Haha well we ended up with some decent, experienced bottom 6 guys this offseason. Then again, we tried some value signings in the past and it didn't quite work out..

Though to be fair, in addition to free agents, it seems like there are always 4-5 guys in the AHL pushing for bottom 6 roles in the NHL.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

A solid bottom 6 is usually a combination of: 1) good cap management, 2) developing specific players in the minors for those spots (at low cap hits, see point 1), and 3) luck. This site is full of fans talking up their top 6 and pointing how those 2 lines compare with established contender x, y, or z and they conclude "we have a shot". No: you don't. A top 6 will win you a series or 2, but in the end, you need 4 lines for the Cup. Pens do look improved in the bottom 2, for sure.

Sigh, yes that is reason they are bottom 6 prospects...
- YouMeAndDupuis9

But that's the thing. It's why guys like Craig Adams (4 years ago, when he was good) are in your bottom 6 over younger, cheaper guys. Even the bottom 6 guys in the NHL are top-6 players in the AHL because they're just better players. For instance:

You may have a guy in the AHL who LOOKS like an NHL bottom-6 player. Had good size, works hard, plays on the PK, and has a decent defensive game. But maybe his foot speed won't work in the NHL. Maybe his decision making with the puck isn't quick enough for the NHL.

My point is that there's a reason why the players in the AHL are in the AHL. If they were able to play in the NHL, especially for cheaper cap hits, they'd be in the NHL.

Matt Murray is 6'4". Holy crap!

A solid bottom 6 is usually a combination of: 1) good cap management, 2) developing specific players in the minors for those spots (at low cap hits, see point 1), and 3) luck. This site is full of fans talking up their top 6 and pointing how those 2 lines compare with established contender x, y, or z and they conclude "we have a shot". No: you don't. A top 6 will win you a series or 2, but in the end, you need 4 lines for the Cup. Pens do look improved in the bottom 2, for sure.
- Only_A_Ladd

The Pens are, oddly enough, perhaps the most improved team in the division. My undying hatred for Steve Downie (which you'll all develop by January), you actually have a real bottom-6 assembled. Ehrhoff is better than Niskanen in all facets. Getting rid of Orpik is a huge plus, no matter who takes his spot. Couples with the fact that you probably won't have the most man-games lost due to injury this year, you guys (on paper) should win the division with ease.

But that's the thing. It's why guys like Craig Adams (4 years ago, when he was good) are in your bottom 6 over younger, cheaper guys. Even the bottom 6 guys in the NHL are top-6 players in the AHL because they're just better players. For instance:

You may have a guy in the AHL who LOOKS like an NHL bottom-6 player. Had good size, works hard, plays on the PK, and has a decent defensive game. But maybe his foot speed won't work in the NHL. Maybe his decision making with the puck isn't quick enough for the NHL.

My point is that there's a reason why the players in the AHL are in the AHL. If they were able to play in the NHL, especially for cheaper cap hits, they'd be in the NHL.
- jmatchett383

Part of the reason had to be because Bylsma had a love affair with experienced grinders...haha

Don't get me wrong, I get your point. But ultimately, I think its less about what skill attributes they're missing, and 95% about experience and understanding the little things. Uher/Payerl/Rust/Megna/etc are all better at hockey than Tanner Glass or Adams...

Part of the reason had to be because Bylsma had a love affair with experienced grinders...haha

Don't get me wrong, I get your point. But ultimately, I think its less about what skill attributes they're missing, and 95% about experience and understanding the little things. Uher/Payerl/Rust/Megna/etc are all better at hockey than Tanner Glass or Adams...
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Well, yes, HCDB kept on playing the Cup roster even when things got bad. If he'd had his way, he would have stayed in Pittsburgh and brought Orpik back. I was speaking in generalities.