Anyone knows what's up with RW and why his blogs got deleted?

For some reasons mcqueen has jumped this past week into top 10 and as high as the flyers pick. I guess because he might a healthy, but not sure.

Eklund reminds me a lot of Marchand. Just fiesty/scrappy, smaller, but still good offensively. Martin plays with a lot of bite too. I think this team needs a toucher identity and these two fit that bill perfectly.
- Brownsoldier

McQueen on most mock drafts is top 10 although I know a couple have dropped him around 20 due to injury concerns or not seeing him enough.

Hmm, not really what I've heard of Eklund on scrappiness like Marchand. He is a 200 foot player though and one of the top skill players in the draft. Feels like he is dropping a little due to the centers and maybe defenseman moving up, so he'd be a nice get since maybe a month ago he was top 8 almost everywhere.

Regardless, there isn't a soft, offense only skill player where we are drafting. And most have a physical edge. So IMO no need to chase that with this pick.

Anyone knows what's up with RW and why his blogs got deleted?
- jmatchett383

If we talk about it, this thread will evaporate too.

I feel like in most places these were the tiers:

Tier 1: Schaefer, Misa, Hagens, Martrone

Tier 2: Desnoyers, Frondell, Eklund, McQueen. O'Brien has been moving up into this group pretty consistently lately. McQueen has the back concern but talent wise is here and IMO best of the group.

Tier 3: Smith, Mrtka, Martin, Bear. Most of these can move into the second tier if a scout particularly likes them, but have riskier offensive upsides. All do have the possibility of being top half of the lineup guys, just have different reasons why it's riskier than the guys above. All physical players too though so someone can fall in love with one. Maybe Aitcheson fits around here too, I just have him a little lower.

7 through 13 feels a bit open to me for those reasons. I think Tier one, Frondell, and Desnoyers are definitely gone before us and probably the top 6.

Talking about trading Rak... Dubas had the opportunity to trade him at the deadline for a nice return. I doubt Rak is going anywhere. My hunch is I don't think he wanted to trade Sid's favorite wing two years in a row.

Also... I would bet the Rags keep that pick this year. I'll be shocked if they're not better next year.

I feel like in most places these were the tiers:

Tier 1: Schaefer, Misa, Hagens, Martrone

Tier 2: Desnoyers, Frondell, Eklund, McQueen. O'Brien has been moving up into this group pretty consistently lately. McQueen has the back concern but talent wise is here and IMO best of the group.

Tier 3: Smith, Mrtka, Martin, Bear. Most of these can move into the second tier if a scout particularly likes them, but have riskier offensive upsides. All do have the possibility of being top half of the lineup guys, just have different reasons why it's riskier than the guys above. All physical players too though so someone can fall in love with one. Maybe Aitcheson fits around here too, I just have him a little lower.

7 through 13 feels a bit open to me for those reasons. I think Tier one, Frondell, and Desnoyers are definitely gone before us and probably the top 6.
- Tojo.

I'd put Frondell top-4 actually, but that's just me.

Good column on Muse.

https://www.dkpittsburghs...ckground-systems-hire-tlh

I'd put Frondell top-4 actually, but that's just me.
- jmatchett383

You know, I havent been super high on Frondell but I agree with you that it feels like he will go by #4... if only because he plays center. I could totally see Chicago taking him to run a Bedard-Frondell 1-2 punch. Utah, if they don't trade down would make a lot of sense.

Good column on Muse.

https://www.dkpittsburghs...ckground-systems-hire-tlh
- madmike71

The starting point, Muse says, is growing and developing a culture that fosters individual and team growth. After that in the list of priorities comes developing an off-ice foundation of strong mental skills, character, leadership and team-building. Then comes on-ice fundamental and general team concepts, habits and skills. Then comes playing within a system.

We had a coach like this very recently in Philadelphia, and all it led to was a lot of hard-working losses. The Penguins don't need a culture, they already have that. They need a coach who's going to take that culture and skillset and put it within a sytstem to maxmize their skills.

The starting point, Muse says, is growing and developing a culture that fosters individual and team growth. After that in the list of priorities comes developing an off-ice foundation of strong mental skills, character, leadership and team-building. Then comes on-ice fundamental and general team concepts, habits and skills. Then comes playing within a system.

We had a coach like this very recently in Philadelphia, and all it led to was a lot of hard-working losses. The Penguins don't need a culture, they already have that. They need a coach who's going to take that culture and skillset and put it within a sytstem to maxmize their skills.
- jmatchett383

Eh. We need a coach that will give prospects a shot and not suck while doing it. Unless some kids really out kick the coverage of the pedigrees this team is doing absolutely nothing in the remainder of Sid’s career. Taking shots and gambles on unproven players and out of the box thinking is much more important than maximizing veteran skillsets right now

The starting point, Muse says, is growing and developing a culture that fosters individual and team growth. After that in the list of priorities comes developing an off-ice foundation of strong mental skills, character, leadership and team-building. Then comes on-ice fundamental and general team concepts, habits and skills. Then comes playing within a system.

We had a coach like this very recently in Philadelphia, and all it led to was a lot of hard-working losses. The Penguins don't need a culture, they already have that. They need a coach who's going to take that culture and skillset and put it within a sytstem to maxmize their skills.
- jmatchett383

I'd say they need the culture too. A lot of lazy veteran play and no defensive structure.

I'd say they need the culture too. A lot of lazy veteran play and no defensive structure.
- Tojo.

That’s a good point. The Crosby era penguins do seem like they’ve constantly struggled with keeping Country Club Culture at bay. Definitely feels like we’ve been back there the past couple years

You know, I havent been super high on Frondell but I agree with you that it feels like he will go by #4... if only because he plays center. I could totally see Chicago taking him to run a Bedard-Frondell 1-2 punch. Utah, if they don't trade down would make a lot of sense.
- MacPatty

I think Chicago goes Martrone to play on Bedard's line. After that, they're kind of all centers. Maybe Hagens moves to wing. But it's hard to see him going past 4 just on pure talent.

Talking about trading Rak... Dubas had the opportunity to trade him at the deadline for a nice return. I doubt Rak is going anywhere. My hunch is I don't think he wanted to trade Sid's favorite wing two years in a row.

Also... I would bet the Rags keep that pick this year. I'll be shocked if they're not better next year.
- madmike71

Well at the deadline teams didn't know when they would be drafting and there were a lot of teams out of the running in Feb who are going to want to win this year.

Also consider that Dubas could have overplayed his hand at the deadline hoping that someone would offer him something stupid.

If we are going to try to rebuild on the fly, we should keep him, this would be my preference. But if we do the same thing as last year and make no effort to put together a winning team, we should just trade him.

It's interesting, Sids comments have been that he does not want to get involved in the coaching search, all he wants to do is win. Then Dubas hires a coach with limited experience who seems best for to coach a teardown squad. I wouldn't totally discount Sid being on his way out.

As for the Rangers pick, we should pray they keep the pick. I think they are massively overrated and could easily miss the playoffs again. McKenna is Crosby/Malkin level, I'd take a 1% chance of getting him over anyone who could be there at #12 for us.

Talking about trading Rak... Dubas had the opportunity to trade him at the deadline for a nice return. I doubt Rak is going anywhere. My hunch is I don't think he wanted to trade Sid's favorite wing two years in a row.

Also... I would bet the Rags keep that pick this year. I'll be shocked if they're not better next year.
- madmike71

You might be right. But I think it would be a different temptation if they can move up and potentially add a franchise center piece, then getting some late 20s pick.

Agree on the Rags pick, but we can still dream.

You might be right. But I think it would be a different temptation if they can move up and potentially add a franchise center piece, then getting some late 20s pick.

Agree on the Rags pick, but we can still dream.
- Tojo.

Honestly, I think someone here posted this a while back -- that team is in win-now. I could see them giving us the no. 12 pick, then turning around and taking next years pick and trading it for help for this year, but adding the top 13 protection again in the event something catastrophic happens and they do fall in the standings again.

You don't sign Sully without the idea of going for it all.

Well at the deadline teams didn't know when they would be drafting and there were a lot of teams out of the running in Feb who are going to want to win this year.

Also consider that Dubas could have overplayed his hand at the deadline hoping that someone would offer him something stupid.

If we are going to try to rebuild on the fly, we should keep him, this would be my preference. But if we do the same thing as last year and make no effort to put together a winning team, we should just trade him.

It's interesting, Sids comments have been that he does not want to get involved in the coaching search, all he wants to do is win. Then Dubas hires a coach with limited experience who seems best for to coach a teardown squad. I wouldn't totally discount Sid being on his way out.

As for the Rangers pick, we should pray they keep the pick. I think they are massively overrated and could easily miss the playoffs again. McKenna is Crosby/Malkin level, I'd take a 1% chance of getting him over anyone who could be there at #12 for us.
- MacPatty

I think he hired the coach to develop young players coming up, not to coach a teardown squad.

Apparently hennes and Quinn joining sully in New York

Talking about trading Rak... Dubas had the opportunity to trade him at the deadline for a nice return. I doubt Rak is going anywhere. My hunch is I don't think he wanted to trade Sid's favorite wing two years in a row.

Also... I would bet the Rags keep that pick this year. I'll be shocked if they're not better next year.
- madmike71

FWIW Yohe recent article suggested the Rak offers at the TDL were more underwhelming than the fan base thinks.

Apparently hennes and Quinn joining sully in New York
- 10inchTerror

Hasn’t worked in Pittsburgh for three years, I’m sure it’ll work in New York which is almost exactly three years behind the Pens in roster state. Resetting the clock is all Sullivan’s status quo needed!

If I was the Rangers, Id give up this pick so I had next year's pick to trade as the season goes on. I never like the idea of giving up an unprotected first before a season even starts. I think the Rangers have less risk of falling apart with Sullivan there, but still, injuries happen.

Even if the Rangers keep this pick, they should trade it. They only have so many chances left with this group. A 1st isnt going to help them.

Apparently hennes and Quinn joining sully in New York
- 10inchTerror

Having a head coach you got rid of as an assistant coach and an assistant coach you got rid of as a head coach is kinda funny.

In case we need a space to meet up in the future... this will work. Person who set it up passed away. https://pucks.proboards.com/ no ads no fees just a space.

Hasn’t worked in Pittsburgh for three years, I’m sure it’ll work in New York which is almost exactly three years behind the Pens in roster state. Resetting the clock is all Sullivan’s status quo needed!
- Victoro311

They'll get a boost from Sully. They have some good pieces. Elite tending. I believe they'll be a playoff team, but not a real contender. They're going to add too. They'll be one of the more interesting stories of next season.

In case we need a space to meet up in the future... this will work. Person who set it up passed away. https://pucks.proboards.com/ no ads no fees just a space.
- sufi-judge

Thanks, I'm going to save that.