Ryan Wilson: Scratching and clawing for standings points Scratching and clawing for standings points

Sidney Crosby’s uninspired (in my opinion) attempts it just feels dead on arrival.

-- RWilson

I was thinking it was just me noticing that!

At one time they used to end practice with a shootout exercise/contest.

-- RWilson

I was thinking it was just me noticing that!

At one time they used to end practice with a shootout exercise/contest.
- sufi-judge

With the 3v3, I'm guessing a lot less games get to the shootout? Maybe he doesn't want the wear and tear on the goalies? Bylsma definitely won a ton of shootout games back then. Eric Christenson was automatic.

Marshall was on The Fan this morning. Missed most of it, but he loves the idea of getting Hoglander. Thinks he would be great on Geno's line.

He thinks this recent decent string of play won't alter plans. i.e. Petts is a goner.

He talked up Broz. Thinks he's a Rust kind of player. Has improved a lot.

Is Mcgroarty injured for USA? Wanted to watch him tonight but don’t see him around

Mcgroaty was playing for WBS. Almost got the hat trick tonight. He looked good.

5 points in his last 5 games. He’s def picked it up in the second half of his season so far. Usage is probably also a factor.

Mcgroaty was playing for WBS. Almost got the hat trick tonight. He looked good.
- 123Kid

Hopefully he can keep it up and put some pressure on Dubas to get rid of one of our also-ran forwards to clear a spot for him.

Yeah he looked great. He drove play and capitalized on the other teams mistakes. Dished out a few big hits. He played as advertised when we got him.

Mcgroaty was playing for WBS. Almost got the hat trick tonight. He looked good.
- 123Kid

Wasn’t he playing with team USA earlier in the tourney?

Wasn’t he playing with team USA earlier in the tourney?
- drummer829

Last year. Played a handful of games with the Pens, but been in Wilkes most of the year.

Is Mcgroarty injured for USA? Wanted to watch him tonight but don’t see him around
- drummer829

Ineligible, he's a year too old.

D pairs in practice were interesting. Pettersson is on the third pair as they seem to want balance as they play POJ on his off side. Nice to see Pickering as a young guy Sully actually trusts.

Pickering-Letang
Gryz-EK
Pettersson-POJ

D pairs in practice were interesting. Pettersson is on the third pair as they seem to want balance as they play POJ on his off side. Nice to see Pickering as a young guy Sully actually trusts.

Pickering-Letang
Gryz-EK
Pettersson-POJ
- Tojo.

Aside from poj I think this is the best setup. Gryz and ek having been doing their thing. I’d rather Pickering be getting a real workload with Letang to see what he’s actually capable of versus 5 minutes a night on the 3rd pair. And Petts can just do Petts things.

D pairs in practice were interesting. Pettersson is on the third pair as they seem to want balance as they play POJ on his off side. Nice to see Pickering as a young guy Sully actually trusts.

Pickering-Letang
Gryz-EK
Pettersson-POJ
- Tojo.

That is interesting for sure. We are one of 6 teams tied or within 1 points of the final wildcard. Pickering with Letang might just be the trial to see if we can survive without Pettersson and still have a chance at the playoffs.

Gryz is building some serious value himself. He probably goes too, but I could actually see him being resigned for 1-2 years if we are keeping Karlsson. They have turned into a good pair.

That is interesting for sure. We are one of 6 teams tied or within 1 points of the final wildcard. Pickering with Letang might just be the trial to see if we can survive without Pettersson and still have a chance at the playoffs.

Gryz is building some serious value himself. He probably goes too, but I could actually see him being resigned for 1-2 years if we are keeping Karlsson. They have turned into a good pair.
- MacPatty

At this point almost half Pickering's time has been with Letang. I think he's been pretty good for his age and experience. Not great, but Letang hasn't been the same guy either.

I'd guess it has more to do with Sullivan wanting to cover POJ on his off-side, but he wouldn't do it if he didn't have some trust in Pickering. I agree we'll probably see Pickering-Letang and POJ-Karlsson after the deadline. Unless one of the trades they get an add back like Bunting was for LD.

Wasn’t he playing with team USA earlier in the tourney?
- drummer829

Not sure. I have been busy with work this season so I haven't made it to as many WBS games. Just know him and Ponomarev looked good. No Broz who usually looks great. Koivunen was solid as well.

Kaliyev of waivers. That's a guy I think we would be wise to put a claim in on. He's got some major holes in his game to work on but hes got some offensive upside. Surprised he hasn't put more pucks in the net with as good of a shot as he has.

Don't think we have a roster spot, but maybe if he clears we could trade Puljuju for him?

Kaliyev of waivers. That's a guy I think we would be wise to put a claim in on. He's got some major holes in his game to work on but hes got some offensive upside. Surprised he hasn't put more pucks in the net with as good of a shot as he has.

Don't think we have a roster spot, but maybe if he clears we could trade Puljuju for him?
- MacPatty

They could send Puljujarvi down since he's been on waivers. But I think they need to do that or something similar just to activate Letang. They'd have to waive Shea or Graves, either of which is fine by me. (Or maybe Tomasino to IR).

I'd be intrigued. I had wanted to take a chance on Kaliyev when we drafted Poulin. He seems to be a bit of a PP specialist with half his goals at the man advantage, but maybe there is a fit with our new split up PPs.

They could send Puljujarvi down since he's been on waivers. But I think they need to do that or something similar just to activate Letang. They'd have to waive Shea or Graves, either of which is fine by me. (Or maybe Tomasino to IR).

I'd be intrigued. I had wanted to take a chance on Kaliyev when we drafted Poulin. He seems to be a bit of a PP specialist with half his goals at the man advantage, but maybe there is a fit with our new split up PPs.
- Tojo.

Can’t hurt. Although a left shot he plays RW and even though almost half his points are from the PP he did put up 28 points in like 50 games two years ago. Wish he played a heavy LA King game though. Man I’d love to have knies or McCann in TO watching them this year.

Did you see the new vatrano contract?

Vatrano's new contract is worth $18 million and will pay him $3 million yearly in base salary, according to The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun. However, the pact reportedly carries an average annual value of $4.57 million because of $9 million in deferred salary. Starting in 2035, he will make $900,000 a year for 10 years, during which time he plans to live outside of California so he can pay less taxes on the deferred salary.

That’s some serious agent work to come up with this thing. Good way to take care of his future though.

Did you see the new vatrano contract?

Vatrano's new contract is worth $18 million and will pay him $3 million yearly in base salary, according to The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun. However, the pact reportedly carries an average annual value of $4.57 million because of $9 million in deferred salary. Starting in 2035, he will make $900,000 a year for 10 years, during which time he plans to live outside of California so he can pay less taxes on the deferred salary.

That’s some serious agent work to come up with this thing. Good way to take care of his future though.
- 10inchTerror

Interesting…..not sure how much $900k will be worth n the 40’s?

In theory I would think it would be wiser to take it up front. Invest and earn that way. vs paying CA tax. Just a S&P index will pay 15%+.

Interesting…..not sure how much $900k will be worth n the 40’s?

In theory I would think it would be wiser to take it up front. Invest and earn that way. vs paying CA tax. Just a S&P index will pay 15%+.
- sammy87

Thought the same thing. US will be printing $100000 bills by then.

Interesting…..not sure how much $900k will be worth n the 40’s?

In theory I would think it would be wiser to take it up front. Invest and earn that way. vs paying CA tax. Just a S&P index will pay 15%+.
- sammy87

Yeah that is very true. It’s a different thought process though for sure.

Interesting…..not sure how much $900k will be worth n the 40’s?

In theory I would think it would be wiser to take it up front. Invest and earn that way. vs paying CA tax. Just a S&P index will pay 15%+.
- sammy87

Nobody was actually going to pay him $18M over 3 seasons though. He is a over 30 and has had one 40 point season and one 60 point season in his career. He was maybe getting $4.5M from someone, this deferred cash was just a smart way of adding value for himself.

I actually think the timing on his part is pretty smart. He is 30, may try to keep playing until 40 and then this deferred cash becomes retirement income for another decade.

He is a nice player, pretty good result for him and the team here.