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On June 28 2014 13:25 QuanticHawk wrote:
I would think that trading a player of Neal's level would net more than a top 6 winger and an average third liner. They probably should have wrangled a decent prospect out of that.
Neal is like a super-Kunitz. Without Malkin he is nothing. Even with Crosby he was only so so, he truly had a unique, Sedin like bond with Malkin and now that its broken he'll go back to being good but not great winger. Expect 60-65 points from him next year. So in that way its fair, I just dont get why the Pens went for that, their one genuine winger removed. Hornquist is going to be a 80-90 pointer next year though so there is that
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Yeah it's very hard to say how good Neal actually is.
On the other hand Hornqvist consistently gets 40 points on a not very inspiring Nashville team. I think Hornqvist's slowness would work out okay with Malkin since Malkin isn't a speed demon either. Hornqvist at least won't take crazy penalties and fines, and Neal's already proven he's invisible in the playoffs. I don't think Neal is bad but he's not going to "lead the way" like Nashville fans are hoping.
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Neal is still one of the best pure shooters in the league, even if he was set up a ton by Malkin. Like you said, even if that was true, he's still a 90ish point player on Malkin's wing. Hornqvist isn't a lock for that.
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I think it was a good deal for the Pens. Not a steal, just a good solid deal. What Neal brought to the table.. Was not needed anymore. It is also a good shake up for the players. With the changes in front office and roster now as well, I am cautiously positive. Serious atmosphere change is needed at the club, and it has been a good start to the off season.
I hope that Hornqvist will replace Dupuis on the first line and the Pens will add perhaps Kulemin and Hemsky to Malkin's line. With that the top 9 could look a lot better:
Kunitz - Crosby - Hornqvist
Kulemin - Malkin - Hemsky
Spalling - Sutter - Dupuis
(I know Spalling has played C but reportedly is a natural winger?)
From what I've heard, Hornqvist is really good with the puck and doesn't give it away too easily, goes to the hard areas, works hard and has a net-presence.. Something the Pens really need. With added "grit" and Kunitz maybe utilized a lot better as a puck-retrieval type of guy.. And Hornqvist has been tipping in Weber's shots.. Could potentially be deadly line with Koon & 87..
I'm convinced that Dupuis will not be a top 6 player after his knee injury.. Without his speed, he just will not be able to create any space whatsoever.. Half-decent hands.. Not that big a frame.. But still great for 3rd line, no doubt about that. Maybe Gibbons and Spalling battle it out between 3rd and 4th line.. 4th line could look something like
Spaling/Gibbons - Vitale - Stempniak
I hope that maybe Bennett will also get an extended look at top 6 during the season.. And other young players will be given extended looks as well. Bylsma looked like he hated youngsters, with maybe one expection being Maatta. And that's only because he had no other options with the D injuries the Pens were struggling with. Johnston comes from a Junior league and will not be afraid to play young players and let them play through mistakes and develop.
With Johnston's active system and north-south hockey.. I like these additions. And Rutherford has hinted towards making Malkin happy so hopefully they'll sign two of Kulemin Vrbata and Hemsky.
God, this post-Bylsma era already feels so good.
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actually I never thought Dupuis was a top 6 guy. As you said his major asset was his skating
The reason why he became a decent top 6 guy is because he created what so many others couldnt; chemistry with Crosby.
Its really really hard to find wingers for Crosby, you never know, it might not even work with Hornqvist ( he could become a 40 goal scorer too ) and Dupuis could take his spot back on Crosbys line.
Also, sometimes it can be hard to evaluate the offensive potential of some players who are on really defensive teams like Hornqvist or Dupuis back in his Wild days.
but I am optimistic that the pens will be in a better spot next year, even after Rutherfords messed up trying to hire a coach...
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Why is it so hard to play hockey with the supposedly best player on earth?
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On June 29 2014 11:02 Orcasgt24 wrote:
Why is it so hard to play hockey with the supposedly best player on earth?
b/c it's hard to keep up?
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On June 29 2014 12:20 EiBmoZ wrote:Show nested quote +On June 29 2014 11:02 Orcasgt24 wrote:
Why is it so hard to play hockey with the supposedly best player on earth? b/c it's hard to keep up?
He never really had a real winger if you think about it except that time Hossa was there for a bit. Him and Neal never had the magic Neal and Malkin had, so the best the Pens could do was stick Malkin on his wing which is stupid. If you dont believe Crosby isnt the best/one of the best players just look how he elavated Kunitz and Dupuis. Both of those lucky sons of bitches should wake up and thank god every god damn morning that they fluked to be his wingers and gel enough with him. Especially Kunitz, that pig farmer is a Stanley Cup Olympic Champion multi millionaire, and he is there wholly thanks to Sidney.
If he stays on the Ducks he's just their 4th line checking guy, making 800k a year and happy to just be there.
Kunitz is like that guy who lent Zuckerberg 10,000 in college and ended up with 10% of facebook, a lottery winner of life.
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Kunitz was always a 50-60 point player on Anaheim. He's averaged a bit higher on Pittsburgh, but he clearly isn't some 4th line guy who suddenly triples his point totals just because he plays with Crosby.
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of course, everyone knows Kunitz could barely tie his own skates before he got traded to Pittsburgh.
sometimes you have good points man. but the way you overdramatize and shit on everything isnt really interesting.
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On June 29 2014 18:10 GolemMadness wrote:
Kunitz was always a 50-60 point player on Anaheim. He's averaged a bit higher on Pittsburgh, but he clearly isn't some 4th line guy who suddenly triples his point totals just because he plays with Crosby.
Everytime Crosby is injured, Kunitz becomes invisible. He is a perennial 3rd liner who was turned into a first line scorer thanks singularly to Crosby.
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On June 30 2014 03:07 Sub40APM wrote:Show nested quote +On June 29 2014 18:10 GolemMadness wrote:
Kunitz was always a 50-60 point player on Anaheim. He's averaged a bit higher on Pittsburgh, but he clearly isn't some 4th line guy who suddenly triples his point totals just because he plays with Crosby. Everytime Crosby is injured, Kunitz becomes invisible. He is a perennial 3rd liner who was turned into a first line scorer thanks singularly to Crosby.
he was scoring at a pace of .95 pts a game before being traded to pittsburgh.
he mustve been the best 3rd liner in the whole league back then!
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Gunnarsson for Polak... not sure how I feel
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Polak was okay third pairing defenseman in a crazy defensive team. Gunnarsson was our #2 defenceman behind Phaneuf, and Polak doesn't seem like he's going to be a top defenseman...
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It's a horrible trade for TOR. Polak is old and "defensive." Sure, Gunnarsson isn't perfect, but this definitely makes Toronto worse. Nice job, STL.
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Toronto top 2 pick in 2015 now. Reimer has asked to be traded. Very few goalies have the ability to consistently win games despite having to make twice as many saves as the opponent. They will tank so hard
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On June 30 2014 03:07 Sub40APM wrote:Show nested quote +On June 29 2014 18:10 GolemMadness wrote:
Kunitz was always a 50-60 point player on Anaheim. He's averaged a bit higher on Pittsburgh, but he clearly isn't some 4th line guy who suddenly triples his point totals just because he plays with Crosby. Everytime Crosby is injured, Kunitz becomes invisible. He is a perennial 3rd liner who was turned into a first line scorer thanks singularly to Crosby.
Strange, didn't know that Crosby used to play on Anaheim. 2011-2012 Crosby plays 22 games. Kunitz gets 61 points, the second most he's gotten in a season on Pittsburgh.
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On June 30 2014 08:14 GolemMadness wrote:Show nested quote +On June 30 2014 03:07 Sub40APM wrote:On June 29 2014 18:10 GolemMadness wrote:
Kunitz was always a 50-60 point player on Anaheim. He's averaged a bit higher on Pittsburgh, but he clearly isn't some 4th line guy who suddenly triples his point totals just because he plays with Crosby. Everytime Crosby is injured, Kunitz becomes invisible. He is a perennial 3rd liner who was turned into a first line scorer thanks singularly to Crosby. Strange, didn't know that Crosby used to play on Anaheim. 2011-2012 Crosby plays 22 games. Kunitz gets 61 points, the second most he's gotten in a season on Pittsburgh.
Yeah, Getlzaf and Perry are awful linemates amirite?
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EPT
