Peter Tessier: Pionk signs avoids arbitration, but Copp? Is Pionk overpaid in his new 2-year deal with the Jets- probably but the NHL is a funny place.

Agreed. Overpayment. I think an arbitrator might have awarded less.

There is definitely some upside to Pionk and he is young. Maybe Huddy can refine him but our last and ongoing project Kulikov hasn't panned out so I'm not that hopeful.

Agreed. Overpayment. I think an arbitrator might have awarded less.

There is definitely some upside to Pionk and he is young. Maybe Huddy can refine him but our last and ongoing project Kulikov hasn't panned out so I'm not that hopeful.
- jetsnation

Pionk showed a lot of offensive flashes last year and more the year before. The eye test and advanced stats towards end of the year showed he is more of a #6 guy. Hopefully he improves

Agreed. Overpayment. I think an arbitrator might have awarded less.

There is definitely some upside to Pionk and he is young. Maybe Huddy can refine him but our last and ongoing project Kulikov hasn't panned out so I'm not that hopeful.
- jetsnation

Can you name one player Huddy has ever refined? There has to be actual evidence of them improving defensively under his watch, and you can’t use top level guys like Morrissey and Trouba as the development curve would get them where they were going regardless

Peter Tessier: Pionk signs avoids arbitration, but Copp?
Is Pionk overpaid in his new 2-year deal with the Jets- probably but the NHL is a funny place.
- Peter.Tessier

Pionk was certainly not overpaid. He will be the Jets #4D, and when you look at what the average #4D in the league is making, he is much lower. You would swear the Jets won the stanley cup given the mass exodus of overpaid rfa and ufa's from their roster.
I think Buff/Pionk/Niku could be a very good RD setup. If Chevy can find a way to move Kuli, and add Gardiner for a 3M cap deficit , the D lineup would be quite stacked.

Side note, did anyone read the MTL blog about acquiring Laine and signing a 10.5M AAV deal? That is just insanity from a 50 point, -24 player. And who on MTL could compare to playmakers like Scheiffs and Wheels?

Pionk was certainly not overpaid. He will be the Jets #4D, and when you look at what the average #4D in the league is making, he is much lower. You would swear the Jets won the stanley cup given the mass exodus of overpaid rfa and ufa's from their roster.
I think Buff/Pionk/Niku could be a very good RD setup. If Chevy can find a way to move Kuli, and add Gardiner for a 3M cap deficit , the D lineup would be quite stacked.

Side note, did anyone read the MTL blog about acquiring Laine and signing a 10.5M AAV deal? That is just insanity from a 50 point, -24 player. And who on MTL could compare to playmakers like Scheiffs and Wheels?
- bikeguy99

If Pionk is playing top 4 minutes next season, the Jets are missing the playoffs.

It means you’re either committing to take Josh Morrissey completely out of the game by negating any positive impact he might otherwise have via worst possible partner, or you’re committing to JoMo-Buff as a top pairing, and letting your second pairing get absolutely massacred.

It is not an exaggeration to say that Neal Pionk was the worst regular dman in the NHL last season, and while some guys pulling press box duty were worse (Anthony Bitetto among them), nobody was as consistently bad as Pionk. He successfully defended 1 controlled zone entry last season. *ONE****

Good article PETE,
The problem
Here is arbitration always favours points and minutes played. Based on that, Pionk got exactly what arbitration would have given him. Look at Ceci, in Toronto and what Toronto gave him. Exact reason why he got more than he should as well.

If Pionk is playing top 4 minutes next season, the Jets are missing the playoffs.

It means you’re either committing to take Josh Morrissey completely out of the game by negating any positive impact he might otherwise have via worst possible partner, or you’re committing to JoMo-Buff as a top pairing, and letting your second pairing get absolutely massacred.

It is not an exaggeration to say that Neal Pionk was the worst regular dman in the NHL last season, and while some guys pulling press box duty were worse (Anthony Bitetto among them), nobody was as consistently bad as Pionk. He successfully defended 1 controlled zone entry last season. *ONE****
- Rexypoo

Rexy, the Jets RD is far from the problem. Wether Pionk or Niku is #2RD or not is fine with me. I would be far more worried by our LD. I have ZERO faith in Beaulieu at the NHL level, and Kuli is a 3rd pairind D at best. Most D are overrated. All a team needs is one or two good offensive D. The rest can be 1M guys like Poolman and Morrow to get the job done.

In a perfect world, Chevy would trade Perrault, Little, Kuli away for picks, sign Gardiner, extend Ras 5 years 3.5M AAV, extend Connor 7 years 6M AAV, extend Laine 7 years at 7.5M AAV, extend morrissey 7 years at 5.25M AAV, Locking up their stellar core long term, while keeping 13M+ cap space to acquire that #2C they need and strengthen any other areas required. So go make 12845 phone calls chevy and getter done!

Good article PETE,
The problem
Here is arbitration always favours points and minutes played. Based on that, Pionk got exactly what arbitration would have given him. Look at Ceci, in Toronto and what Toronto gave him. Exact reason why he got more than he should as well.
- Ross77

Why yell at him then?

Level set: we are still not deep enough down the middle and now the defence is weaker as compared to last season

Trouba - overpay by Rangers ... Myers - overpay by Canucks ... Tanev - overpay by Pens ... Chariot - overpay by Habs ... honestly - didn't wanna lose any of em ... honestly - wouldn't have paid them what they're getting now

If Copp can become a producing 2C then - most excellent ! ... I have to see it first cause I don't believe it yet

The fact that Pionk is getting $3M per and Jets don't want to give Copp the same will have to be explained to at least one player ... if ya know what I mean

The cap is a beast to deal with ... if it's secondary intent (after saving owners the $$) is to bring parity to the league ... well - it's working ... don't get me wrong - without a cap not sure we'd have our team back

If our prospects can rise to the occasion on D (and, at wing) then good ... once more, will have to see it first

I took a look at a couple of 'best FA's left lists' ... not impressed at all ... we need to sign Connor, Laine, and Copp (Comrie ?) as a first priority ... sorry if that's too obvious

Why yell at him then?
- DrunkenCanuck

He’s far away, have to yell so he can hear me, duh

He’s far away, have to yell so he can hear me, duh
- Ross77

Gotcha. I thought you might be mad about the Jets giving Pressbox Pionk that contract.

Gotcha. I thought you might be mad about the Jets giving Pressbox Pionk that contract.
- DrunkenCanuck

I’m not happy about it, but I also think people are over reacting about a two year/3 mil per deal. I’d honestly take this deal all day over the one Myers got. I am hopeful playing less minutes on a better team with probably a far better D partner than Staal will help.

I hope Pionk keeps developing but unless Maurice dumps his confusing defensive system the Jets will be in trouble.

I hope Pionk keeps developing but unless Maurice dumps his confusing defensive system the Jets will be in trouble.
- islansjet

He’s 24. At best, Pionk has 2 years left to develop. The starting point is “worst in league”, so I’ll take any and all improvements.

Give Pionk a chance.....at least we don't have to teach him to skate.

Yeah, that was a shot at Patty.....!

I’m not happy about it, but I also think people are over reacting about a two year/3 mil per deal. I’d honestly take this deal all day over the one Myers got. I am hopeful playing less minutes on a better team with probably a far better D partner than Staal will help.
- Ross77

100% on Myers. Who Pionk play with though?

100% on Myers. Who Pionk play with though?
- DrunkenCanuck

Ideally? The popcorn machine

Ideally? The popcorn machine
- Rexypoo

He’s 24. At best, Pionk has 2 years left to develop. The starting point is “worst in league”, so I’ll take any and all improvements.
- Rexypoo

Worst in the league,
Ristolainen says hello

100% on Myers. Who Pionk play with though?
- DrunkenCanuck

I’d prefer Poolman or Niku get to play with Morrisey but knowing Maurice it’ll be Pionk

I’d prefer Poolman or Niku get to play with Morrisey but knowing Maurice it’ll be Pionk
- Ross77

Correction R77: if it’s up to Maurice it will be Morrissey/Phaneuf

I’d prefer Poolman or Niku get to play with Morrisey but knowing Maurice it’ll be Pionk
- Ross77[/quote

Willing to give Pionk a chance, but really am unfamiliar with him. Only saw him a few times. So ????

Some reports say good, some say not so good. Guess we can hope for the best. Still think the Jets need to make a major move on "d" or we are in deep cauca.

[quote=Ross77]I’d prefer Poolman or Niku get to play with Morrisey but knowing Maurice it’ll be Pionk
- grahamzky[/quote

Willing to give Pionk a chance, but really am unfamiliar with him. Only saw him a few times. So ????

Some reports say good, some say not so good. Guess we can hope for the best. Still think the Jets need to make a major move on "d" or we are in deep cauca.

No reports say good...

No reports say good...
- Rexypoo

Yes, actually have read some.