As a Canadian I grew up basically cheering for Canadian players. It’s kinda weird to cheer for an American but Chucky was definitely the most fun guy to watch this season. It wasn’t often that I was like “frick man, you can’t do that” and obviously I’m incredibly critical 😂

My biggest reservation about Chucky on the wing is on the breakout. He’ll break it out better on his strong side and when he heads the puck up the ice to someone cutting across and he fills the middle lane then he’s ready for a 1T and if he gives to a righty cutting across then he’s catching it on his forehand and if he can gain the zone and cut back then he’s also passing on forehand. For offensive zone draws go ahead and put him on the right wall - that’s a no brainer but I think all other zones he belongs on the left

I really like his game. I know Vic is a big fan (did you know Vic and Ruhwedel have the same birthday?)

I would call his shot elite but as RW pointed out he hasn’t always played with guys who put him in positions to score. That was by far the biggest weakness for he entire Coyotes roster. It wasn’t that they had bad shooters, it’s that they weren’t being setup for prime time shots. Chucky isn’t going to drive play on his own but he’s not going to be a drag either. Every once in a while he will flat out turn someone inside out. I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if he is a perfect fit playing with Sid and Guentzel and goes for 30/35 and perhaps even more. I wouldn’t call him incredibly fast but he’s not slow, slightly above average. He’s a much better winger than center. Anyone who thinks he’s a decent center (Tanner) is dreaming!
- WSCTeton17

Thanks man. Nice to hear some good things about the guy.

Thanks man. Nice to hear some good things about the guy.
- Barnaby36

As a center he definitely gets caught watching the puck and loses his guy at times. I didn’t find that to be the case as a winger. He was drafted in Pitt. I’m sure he’s taking it somewhat personally that he’s been traded twice now and that he needs has a great opportunity to have a career year in a contract season. I’m excited for Geno. No matter what he should have a good D pairing and some at least decent wingers to play with.

ZAR was also interviewed recently. The article said for fans to expect him to take on more responsibility but all of his quotes were about him praising how good the Pens depth were and how they connect well with eachother

As a center he definitely gets caught watching the puck and loses his guy at times. I didn’t find that to be the case as a winger. He was drafted in Pitt. I’m sure he’s taking it somewhat personally that he’s been traded twice now and that he needs has a great opportunity to have a career year in a contract season. I’m excited for Geno. No matter what he should have a good D pairing and some at least decent wingers to play with.

ZAR was also interviewed recently. The article said for fans to expect him to take on more responsibility but all of his quotes were about him praising how good the Pens depth were and how they connect well with eachother
- WSCTeton17

So we're definitely getting rid of Rust then? Hard to take on more responsibility as the 13th forward.

DASRT60 and shooting percentage fairies. Best way to get the most out of any player.

I thought Pronman's prospect rankings at the Athletic we're interesting. Pens 28th overall guessing because we have no blue chip prospects (only two guys he's projecting top half roster players). He ranks but also does tiers.

Very Good/Legit Bubble: Addison, Legare

Legit Prospect: Poulin, Hallander, Bellerive, POJ, Almeida

Legit/Chance Bubble: Lafferty, Larmi

Has a chance: Pavlachev, Drozg, Miletic, Angello, Bjorkvist, Marino, Lucchini, Caulfield

Depth: A. Johnson, Reilly, Gorman

My biggest surprises were Legare at 2 already seemingly due to his nasty RH shot as an elite PP weapon (could use that this year) and Bjorkvist at 14 because Pronman doesn't see enough skill. Also Almeida is in a tier group I don't often see him in with some of the team's better prospects.
- Tojo.

With the way Bjorkvist is training and how big he's getting, I'd like to think his chances go up a bit.

With the way Bjorkvist is training and how big he's getting, I'd like to think his chances go up a bit.
- nateca44

Oh he'll get a chance in the big league but what they are saying is that he's not overly skilled at all. As I mentioned, what I saw was a dump and chase guy much like Hörnqvist.

Oh he'll get a chance in the big league but what they are saying is that he's not overly skilled at all. As I mentioned, what I saw was a dump and chase guy much like Hörnqvist.
- Barnaby36

Sounds a bit too similar to Erik Tangradi.

DASRT60 and shooting percentage fairies. Best way to get the most out of any player.
- Grinder47

My God give it a rest. I'm not into the #fancies at all but come on dude.

Oh he'll get a chance in the big league but what they are saying is that he's not overly skilled at all. As I mentioned, what I saw was a dump and chase guy much like Hörnqvist.
- Barnaby36

I've never played hockey, is there a way he can work on that stuff? It is just natural stuff that you really cant get better at?

My God give it a rest. I'm not into the #fancies at all but come on dude.
- jmatchett383

When you can’t contribute to conversation, you throw insults. That’s usually how it goes.

I've never played hockey, is there a way he can work on that stuff? It is just natural stuff that you really cant get better at?
- nateca44

You can always work to improve any aspect, but you do have a natural ceiling. John Scott can attend all the clinics he wants and work on his stick handling for 10 hours a day, but he'll never be as good as Pavel Datsyuk.

When you can’t contribute to conversation, you throw insults. That’s usually how it goes.
- j.boyd919

I mean, I don't think that charts and graphs should be the only way to evaluate a player (and I still think the "expected" thing is a load), but every single post is the same thing. He's the anti-RW, they're both the same, just at opposite ends of the spectrum.

Sounds a bit too similar to Erik Tangradi.
- jmatchett383

hahah thanks for ruining my day

I've never played hockey, is there a way he can work on that stuff? It is just natural stuff that you really cant get better at?
- nateca44

I believe jmatchett answered your question. Natural talent in hockey can't be taught tbh but you can improve in some areas.

NHL.com is reporting that Thornton and Marleau are skating in SJ

NHL.com is reporting that Thornton and Marleau are skating in SJ
- WSCTeton17

I'm not surprised. A lot of former Flyers would attend off-season workouts at the Flyers facility. They probably know the rink owners after many years so it's easier to arrange off-season skating sessions than it would be elsewhere. Probably just staying in shape for when that call does come.

for some reason I feel like Galchenyuk will disappoint us. just in terms of expectations....he has to score 25 or more goals to not be considered a disappointment.

On the other side, I'm excited for Kahun.

for some reason I feel like Galchenyuk will disappoint us. just in terms of expectations....he has to score 25 or more goals to not be considered a disappointment.

On the other side, I'm excited for Kahun.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Spoken like a true Flyers fan.

I'm not surprised. A lot of former Flyers would attend off-season workouts at the Flyers facility. They probably know the rink owners after many years so it's easier to arrange off-season skating sessions than it would be elsewhere. Probably just staying in shape for when that call does come.
- jmatchett383

That and the development coaches are always happy to get out their with the guys off the record. I’m definitely getting the itch to watch more sports. CFL isn’t enough. I need the NFL and then NHL to kick back up

When you can’t contribute to conversation, you throw insults. That’s usually how it goes.
- j.boyd919

Don't you only throw insults?

I mean, I don't think that charts and graphs should be the only way to evaluate a player (and I still think the "expected" thing is a load), but every single post is the same thing. He's the anti-RW, they're both the same, just at opposite ends of the spectrum.
- jmatchett383

Oh I agree with that haha. I don’t believe charts and graphs are the only way either. I welcome blogs that show video of how things were executed. One reason why I’m a big fan of Jesse at the Athletic. I wish RW would do more video analysis. He does it like once in a blue moon but I honestly think he’s over writing for HB and just does it as supplemental income (even though I’m sure it’s a tiny amount. I don’t know how they get paid).

But his blogs have suffered a lot in the last year and a half. He used to provide a more video analysis and I wish he’d spend the dog days of summer doing more of that. Examine Arizona’s PP with Galch, show misreads by JJ if you want to best that horse, find examples of why the Simon/Bjugstad/Horny line worked well, poop like that.

In the summer we don’t need daily blogs, now is the time to highlight some substance. One guess would be access to game tapes.

Don't you only throw insults?
- joecool2931

Nah not usually. Not unless they’re deserved numbnuts.

for some reason I feel like Galchenyuk will disappoint us. just in terms of expectations....he has to score 25 or more goals to not be considered a disappointment.

On the other side, I'm excited for Kahun.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

His career 82 game average is 21.25 goals. Why should he be expected to get 25+?