Ryan Wilson: Penguins make their most promising signing of the offseason Penguins make their most promising signing of the offseason

Brutal comment. Come on, man. He posted about top prospects of the team you're supposedly a fan of. I bet there'd be no issues if he had done the Islanders top 10 prospects. I appreciated him posting that in the detail that he did like I appreciate pretty much everything he posts.

His assessment of you adoring fringe NHLers/4th line guys was pretty accurate haha. Very long sample size around here of that being the case...but that should probably be expected of someone who chose the user name Grinder. Not to say that all grinders are 4th liners/fringe NHLers...just the ones you seem to always love.
- MattStrat

jUsT gIvE tHem ShiFtS nExt tO SiD

Idk why, but I have this feeling we are going to pull off a Puustinen and Graves for Laine type deal before the season starts.

Thanks for the kind words on the last blog Feds and Matt

I missed that St. Ivany actually turned 25 this week, so he should be out and cleans up my top ten.

From last blog:


Today @ 11:51 AM ET
Just for kicks, here's my top 11 under 25 (5-11 are all pretty close for me)

1) Yager- Aside from maybe the goalies, this is one potential core piece they have. Not an elite prospect, but has a chance to be a 2 way center with 30 goal upside.

2) Blomqvist- was one of the top goalies in the AHL as a rookie. If he maintains that with a lesser defense this year we should be seeing him soon

3) Murashov- I'm putting him higher than most people because I think he has star potential and you can't say that with most everyone else. If he goes to WBS, there will be a strong battle for future starter.

4) Pickering- still tracking as a top four defensive defenseman, but looking closer to a 4 than a 2 and never developed that offensive side they hoped when they took him in the first round.

5) Howe- first of three tweener forwards that we can hope become middle six types. Grit in his game gives him the edge for me

6) Ilyin- put up 29 points in 65 games in the KHL as a teenager. Smart, 2 way player that might be a steal in the 4th round because his skill level doesn't stand out and he's Russian.

7) Koivunen- 2 years ago he didn't look like he could skate in the AHL in a 12 game tryout, let alone be in the NHL. This year, he had one of the best seasons ever in his Finnish league for a 20 year old. Probably one of the most interesting prospects to watch early on as his stick will go way up or down depending on how he looks in the AHL.

8) Poulin- injuries and taking a year off for mental health have stalled him the past couple years. But still had 16 goals and 31 points in 41 games while playing a physical 2 way game. Would need to clear waivers, but Pens haven't left spots open, so he will need a strong camp and start to the year or risk being buried.

9) Brunicke- on talent, the Pens reached for him in the second round as he seems more like a 4-5 at best right now. But he's a big, physical, right shot defenseman who can skate. The Pens don't have a lot of most of those things in their system so he can still be a nice role player, he just doesn't have as high an upside.

10) Ponomarev- strong debut AHL season with 24 goals in 64 games but slipped to 8 in 39 while battling injuries. Dependable 2 way center with skating issues. Probably ready to push for a spot, but like Poulin with Lizotte and Hayes coming in it limits his opportunity, and in his case he doesn't need waivers. Besides that one AHL year, he hasn't been that big a scorer, so I think he's a bit overrated.

11) St. Ivany- breakout season saw him end the year in Pittsburgh and looked solid. Will have to fend off veteran Aho who plays either side, but looks like an NHL regular. Not sure he is much beyond 6-7 guy, but it's enough that he just misses my top ten and I wouldn't argue if someone else put him in.

Honorable mentions that have a shot but longer odds IMO: Broz, Cruz, Pieninemi, Ludwig, Gruden, Powell, Plante in that order
- Tojo.



I like this. Thanks for the thoughtful comment which lead to some fun discussion.

I think Pickering could model after Petterson - maybe a top pairing compliment, or a dependable 2nd pairing guy. As for the players we got from Carolina, I’m not as low on them as you are (and you mention that this list is loose after 5), but I think you’ve pretty much nailed their order.

As for Yager, who would be our breakout comparison for him in a best-case-scenario? With his height-weight- and play style, I think he could be a Mitch Marner light (60-80pts). Thoughts?

Idk why, but I have this feeling we are going to pull off a Puustinen and Graves for Laine type deal before the season starts.
- 123Kid

Could… you imagine? Dubas rarely looses trades it seems. Not great at UFAs, however. I think I am ok with that if you can just get rid of your bad signings lol.

I'm laughing at the picture that says he's 5'12"

Thanks for the kind words on the last blog Feds and Matt

I missed that St. Ivany actually turned 25 this week, so he should be out and cleans up my top ten.
- Tojo.

I guess I lost my nuance card when I comment on here drunk too often

I'm laughing at the picture that says he's 5'12"
- ChonDerry

Same. If there was only another, easier way to express his height.

Same. If there was only another, easier way to express his height.
- coohill

4'24"

If he earns a spot in Training camp why send him back We need quality players now Jump in the deep end of the pool he might be able to swim Maybe as good as Michael Phelps

How many games/tape have you guys watched of these prospects you’re typing novels about?

[quote=Grinder47]
I’ve always been very candid that I know (frank) all about these guys. I really only start tracking them once they get into the AHL.

I like this. Thanks for the thoughtful comment which lead to some fun discussion.

I think Pickering could model after Petterson - maybe a top pairing compliment, or a dependable 2nd pairing guy. As for the players we got from Carolina, I’m not as low on them as you are (and you mention that this list is loose after 5), but I think you’ve pretty much nailed their order.

As for Yager, who would be our breakout comparison for him in a best-case-scenario? With his height-weight- and play style, I think he could be a Mitch Marner light (60-80pts). Thoughts?
- Brownsoldier

I agree on Pickering. Maybe a little more like Dumoulin.

The Carolina guys, Dubas has said they have Koivunen and Cruz rated higher than most people, same as Bunting, which is a big part of why they traded with Carolina. I will say it was a smart time to take a chance on Koivunen. Because if he lights it up in the A, I will change my tune on him quickly. His biggest question is can he adapt to NA game and smaller rinks because he uses the extra time and space that he won't have very effectively.

Best case for Yager? Maybe someone like Sean Couturier. I don't think he'll be an elite scorer like Marner, but 25-30 goals and 60-70 points while being able to match against opponents top lines. He's so good defensively his coach would drop him off the top line to check the other team's best players when protecting a lead late. And he's been proactive picking the brains of Crosby and Cullen on how to improve.

I agree on Pickering. Maybe a little more like Dumoulin.

The Carolina guys, Dubas has said they have Koivunen and Cruz rated higher than most people, same as Bunting, which is a big part of why they traded with Carolina. I will say it was a smart time to take a chance on Koivunen. Because if he lights it up in the A, I will change my tune on him quickly. His biggest question is can he adapt to NA game and smaller rinks because he uses the extra time and space that he won't have very effectively.

Best case for Yager? Maybe someone like Sean Couturier. I don't think he'll be an elite scorer like Marner, but 25-30 goals and 60-70 points while being able to match against opponents top lines. He's so good defensively his coach would drop him off the top line to check the other team's best players when protecting a lead late. And he's been proactive picking the brains of Crosby and Cullen on how to improve.
- Tojo.

I always forget Cullen is still in the org.

How many games/tape have you guys watched of these prospects you’re typing novels about?
- Grinder47

Besides a handful of AHL games per year, very little. I don't think even the teams have access to games from Russia unless they go in person. I just read up a decent amount, have developed my own ideas on what to look for, and like talking about prospects when I can.

This is just Hockeybuzz, not trying to claim some expert scout opinion lol. We're not experts here, just a bunch of people who like talking crap about our favorite team year round.

[quote=Victoro311]
I’ve never pretended to seriously track prospects. I used to track tough kids but there aren’t any anymore. Everyone is just praising each other for re rewriting scouting reports that they read from others.

[quote=Grinder47]
Praising each other? Is it really that serious? It’s the offseason man and we’re not actively trying to make the team better

Besides a handful of AHL games per year, very little. I don't think even the teams have access to games from Russia unless they go in person. I just read up a decent amount, have developed my own ideas on what to look for, and like talking about prospects when I can.

This is just Hockeybuzz, not trying to claim some expert scout opinion lol. We're not experts here, just a bunch of people who like talking crap about our favorite team year round.
- Tojo.

By reading what is said here I certainly know the the word expert should NEVER be used to describe anyone on the site including the head rumor czar Fake NEWS

By reading what is said here I certainly know the the word expert should NEVER be used to describe anyone on the site including the head rumor czar Fake NEWS
- broncohorvath

So you admit you're not an expert

Laine’s cap hit belongs on the top LW next to the other one. Get it done dubas. Our crap for their significantly better crap.

Laine’s cap hit belongs on the top LW next to the other one. Get it done dubas. Our crap for their significantly better crap.
- 10inchTerror

I don’t see Laine working well with Sid at all. He’d be a fit for prime Malkin but not 40 year old Malkin. I truly do not think he’d pan out here between not fitting well with our centers and Sullivan being pretty much guaranteed to hate him.

I don’t see Laine working well with Sid at all. He’d be a fit for prime Malkin but not 40 year old Malkin. I truly do not think he’d pan out here between not fitting well with our centers and Sullivan being pretty much guaranteed to hate him.
- Victoro311

How about is right handed strong finishing ability on the PP? I think that could possibly help.

[quote=Grinder47]

You always double down when being called out by multiple people hahaha

I don’t see Laine working well with Sid at all. He’d be a fit for prime Malkin but not 40 year old Malkin. I truly do not think he’d pan out here between not fitting well with our centers and Sullivan being pretty much guaranteed to hate him.
- Victoro311

Sid needs a checker. Harkins would have fit the bill for cheap but no one has any vision.