Ryan Wilson: Karlsson makes progress Penguins, erik Karlsson, ryan wilson

So, I followed the link for those graphics to Twitter. The Pens with their 30% chance to make playoffs, according to this guy's models, have a better chance at making the playoffs than:

Detroit
Philly
Washington

That's 3 teams I figured the Pens would be battling with for the WC....if they're even in striking distance by April, that is. I think there's a chance we know they're not going to make it by beginning to mid March.

Hard to put a lot of stock in those preseason models, for me anyway, because of these things called.....injuries. Every team will have them, some much more significant that others. They can really change the landscape so to speak.

Pens were very fortunate with health last season, and season before, will that keep up with an aging core? We shall see.

If they can fix their PP, that 30% playoff chance is reasonable....maybe even a little low. Big "IF" though.

Call me crazy, I think this teams much better than last year's. If they can get that power play kicking and stay healthy, I can see them making playoffs. I also would like to see someone other than Doc on Sids left wing.

Call me crazy, I think this teams much better than last year's. If they can get that power play kicking and stay healthy, I can see them making playoffs. I also would like to see someone other than Doc on Sids left wing.
- nateca444

If the vets put up similar numbers (might be hard to do), it's not crazy at all. The bottom 6 will be better and the depth is a little better.

The comments about improving the PP are accurate. That's what kept them out of the playoffs. I doubt it will happen, but if they tightened things up defensively, that would go a long way too.

Got a team filled with guys looking for bounce back seasons. That's not going to look good on a model. And it's probably not much better in practice. Some might, but all of them?

Call me crazy, I think this teams much better than last year's. If they can get that power play kicking and stay healthy, I can see them making playoffs. I also would like to see someone other than Doc on Sids left wing.
- nateca444

Problem is who. Nobody expects McGroarty to step in there at this point. They've given Beau most of camp and another shot tonight. They just don't seem to have another top six guy on the roster.

Didn't see last nights game but heard DOC played pretty well? If he can build on last season I'm fine with him on Sid's line. He's obviously not replacing Jakes output but neither are any of the other options on the team.

Didn't see last nights game but heard DOC played pretty well? If he can build on last season I'm fine with him on Sid's line. He's obviously not replacing Jakes output but neither are any of the other options on the team.
- Thorny87

He's played well in the pre-season. He obviously won't score like Guentz, but he gets to pucks and works his ass off all over the rink. I don't think McGroarty is far off. He's looked better and better. I hope Sullivan gives him some minutes with Sid tonight and cancels this Beau experiment.

He's played well in the pre-season. He obviously won't score like Guentz, but he gets to pucks and works his ass off all over the rink. I don't think McGroarty is far off. He's looked better and better. I hope Sullivan gives him some minutes with Sid tonight and cancels this Beau experiment.
- madmike71

I'm all for it. I know DOC isn't the perfect fit but like you said he works his ass off and isn't void of offensive talent. If McG can step up and take that spot it'd be awesome, but from what I've seen early, he's a ways off.

Just LTIR him.

I'm all for it. I know DOC isn't the perfect fit but like you said he works his ass off and isn't void of offensive talent. If McG can step up and take that spot it'd be awesome, but from what I've seen early, he's a ways off.
- Thorny87

DOC sucks.

Hopefully Bunting isn’t off the 1st pp.

Beau seems pretty good defensively

Solid shift by Brunicke on that goal

Amadeus Lombardi is an all name type of guy.

Malkin’s galloping out there. Hopefully he can start this season on the right foot and cook from there.

Hopefully Bunting isn’t off the 1st pp.
- Grinder47

He certainly seems to be. It's been Sid, Geno, Rust, Rackell, Letang in every game and practice.

Still impressed with Brunike. Only 18. He'll be making noise sooner than later.

I missed the third but I didn't see McGroarty get a shift with Sid. Ridiculous. Sully can be such a buffoon. He's likely not ready, but why not give him a few minutes with your top center to see how he performs? Obviously, he's going to the A, but put him with your best center and learn something about the kid. Don't get it.

Still impressed with Brunike. Only 18. He'll be making noise sooner than later.

I missed the third but I didn't see McGroarty get a shift with Sid. Ridiculous. Sully can be such a buffoon. He's likely not ready, but why not give him a few minutes with your top center to see how he performs? Obviously, he's going to the A, but put him with your best center and learn something about the kid. Don't get it.
- madmike71

Brunike and Pickering are big winners of the preseason. Brunike looks nhl ready and is probably better than Graves, Aho, Shea, and Ludwig right now. He’ll be blocked to start but we’ve seen young defensemen force this issue before. He could do it too. The CHL transfer rules will do him no favors though.

I could see Pickering being ready as soon as next year.

Brunike and Pickering are big winners of the preseason. Brunike looks nhl ready and is probably better than Graves, Aho, Shea, and Ludwig right now. He’ll be blocked to start but we’ve seen young defensemen force this issue before. He could do it too. The CHL transfer rules will do him no favors though.

I could see Pickering being ready as soon as next year.
- Victoro311

This is why I hate how defensemen tend to get rated by prospect sites. Brunicke was considered a reach just months ago in many places. And Pickering has widely been written off as a failing prospect. Yet look at them now.

Says a ton about Brunicke that he's still here. May be it now that they will get a break after tonight so I'd expect a huge round of cuts. But looks promising for the future.

He certainly seems to be. It's been Sid, Geno, Rust, Rackell, Letang in every game and practice.
- Tojo.

Sullivan going to Sullivan. Keep the vets happy, keep my job.

Hopefully Bunting isn’t off the 1st pp.
- Grinder47

Couldn't care less whos on the PP if it works...if it doesn't work with him off it, I'm sure he'll be tried there again...

Malkin’s galloping out there. Hopefully he can start this season on the right foot and cook from there.
- Victoro311

Yeah, I've been noticing much more pep in his step so far. Hopefully he can keep that up.

Rak is looking to start off on a better foot as well. Hell, if he didnt go his first 19 games without scoring, taking until December 23rd to do so, I think its very possible the team would have had at least 3 more standings points last season....6 of those games the Pens lost by one, some of which in OT or SO. Then there was a handful of games they lost by 2 but there was an ENer scored on them.

Brunike and Pickering are big winners of the preseason. Brunike looks nhl ready and is probably better than Graves, Aho, Shea, and Ludwig right now. He’ll be blocked to start but we’ve seen young defensemen force this issue before. He could do it too. The CHL transfer rules will do him no favors though.

I could see Pickering being ready as soon as next year.
- Victoro311

He really does.