GDT: 2024-2025 Training Camp

[Honour Over Glory]

I think your concerns are valid but I'm not super worried about Graves or even Sullivan ruining Brunicke by keeping him up.

If he's good/ready he'll find his way imo.

As you are well aware, I have absolutely zero trust in Sullivan and Quinn

 

[OtherThingsILike]

Brunicke looking good with Pettersson is a data point in answering the question of 'Is Marcus Pettersson good at mentoring young defensemen?'

 

[The Old Master]

Depends on whats best for him as far as developement goes. I dont mind burning a year of the ECL if he improves more then if he goes back to juniors. If hes screwed around between being anchored by Graves and sitting in the pressbox, well, then id rather not burn the 1st ELS year.

and we do know sully's track record

 

[Gurglesons]

Last time an 18 year old 2nd round pick played on this team we won a cup.

 

[DesertedPenguin]

Last time an 18 year old 2nd round pick played on this team we won a cup.

Considering the other magical ingredient is a midseason coach firing, you should be ecstatic if Brunicke makes the squad.

 

[GilbertSeinfeld]

Then they both end up in Michigan.

I don't wish that on my worst enemy.

 

[Pancakes]

As you are well aware, I have absolutely zero trust in Sullivan and Quinn

I don't have much either, I just think if Brunicke actually is ready to play this year he'll show it despite Sullivan's best efforts to mess it all up

 

[Honour Over Glory]

My comparison was Blake Coleman.

I don't think his production is ever going to be star level. I think he's the type of player that wins you a cup though and his attitude is undeniable in the pre-season, off ice stuff.

I can sort of see where you're getting that idea from for the comparison. Both are smart defensively, good play drivers, Blake is about 3" shorter and a far better skater than Rutger is, also Coleman is just finally realizing his potential, he had a couple of good seasons in NJ before he was moved (back to back 20 goal seasons) and his game wasn't well rounded offensively there until he joined the Flames and especially more so the last couple of seasons. But I think Rutger has better offensive instincts than Coleman at the same age.

Coleman just recently started to use his linemates more offensively and effectively, for me Rutger is already better than him at that. But I mean, I wish he could skate like Coleman, he'd definitely be a lock if that were the case, as I feel like he hangs a little back because of his skating and he adjusts his game for his positioning not to burn him if the puck goes back the other way and he is on the backcheck.

Let's be reality, if McG was any better a prospect then the Pens likely couldn't've traded for him.

I mean if we ignore the fact that he wanted out of Winnipeg entirely, yeah sure, that could be an assumption one could make.

 

[Jag68Sid87]

We should not blame ANYONE for a preseason results. Vets just go through the motions.

It is about getting ready (for the vets) and proving yourself (for the kids).

The problem is, the vets go through the motions during the regular season too, and the kids are not rewarded when they do prove themselves.

That is a Sullivan trademark.

 

[Jag68Sid87]

Considering the other magical ingredient is a midseason coach firing, you should be ecstatic if Brunicke makes the squad.

What does a Derek Lalonde firing in Detroit have to do with Harrison Brunicke?

Shirley you are not suggesting a coaching change in Pittsburgh???

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

Because those are the names that frequently came up as comparisons when we first acquired him, so I was curious how close he's actually been to that first comparison.

If he turns into a regular NHLer, cool. But a big part of the hype (at least to me) was this idea that he has future star potential. Maybe he still does. I'm not writing him off. I'm just saying that if the expectation is less than that now then the initial hype was overblown.

I mean a) if you are wondering the bolded that is not what your initial post said— it was this:

“Man, those Jamie Benn/Jason Robertson/Matthew Tkachuk comparisons are certainly looking like a pipe dream now”

I can only reply to what you post. It was not “curious to see how close he’s been” to them

and b) if he’s able to produce points in the league he’ll be a similar unique player to those guys as a top liner with weaker foot speed who scores below the hashes. I think there is a big difference between “this guy will be as good as these stars” and “if this guy becomes a good player he could succeed in ways similar to these players” but I forget I’m on HFBoards where everything has to be instant gratification and black and white.

He doesn’t have to dominate preseason games for that to continue to be true. But he’s been quite solid by every metric.

and why are expectations lower after 4 preseason games he’s looked solid in?

 

[Scandale du Jour]

The problem is, the vets go through the motions during the regular season too, and the kids are not rewarded when they do prove themselves.

That is a Sullivan trademark.

Can we wait until November until we bitch about the same things we always do?

 

[Honour Over Glory]

Considering the other magical ingredient is a midseason coach firing, you should be ecstatic if Brunicke makes the squad.

And the downside is, you burn his 1st year ELC, Sullivan still doesn't get fired and the lad suffers later in the season under Sullivan's moronic coaching.

Considering this coach is f***ing Teflon, him being fired is the least likely thing to happen this season and trust me, I want this more than anyone on this f***ing board.

MORE THAN f***ING ANYONE ON THIS BOARD.

Can we wait until November until we bitch about the same things we always do?

We're just fine tuning our performance for the season mate, it's all good hah.

 

[EXTRAS]

Mcgroarty look like he will be a center at some point?

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

I mean a) if you are wondering the bolded that is not what your initial post said— it was this:

“Man, those Jamie Benn/Jason Robertson/Matthew Tkachuk comparisons are certainly looking like a pipe dream now”

I can only reply to what you post. It was not “curious to see how close he’s been” to them

It was quoting pixie talking about Sullivan ruining another prospect. So the comment you quoted above was in conjunction with pixie's comment. The follow-up conversation was then in regards to those comparisons and how they did in their rookie years.

You're inferring from my original comment whatever was discussed after that in future posts/discussion about him even though my original comment that you quoted was directly in response to pixie's comment about Sullivan and any sort of prospect with a future.

But it's beating a dead horse at this point. Hopefully we can be rid of Sullivan and see exactly what kind of future McGroarty actually has rather than whatever stunted development he'll probably have with Sullivan around.

 

[OtherThingsILike]

I mean if we ignore the fact that he wanted out of Winnipeg entirely, yeah sure, that could be an assumption one could make.

I think the point the person you were responding to was trying to make was that if McGroarty were a better skater, a different team would've beaten our offer of Yager for him.

 

[Ogelthorpe]

I meant based on what you've seen in the pre-season. Does he look like a guy who could score 20 goals or 40+ points if he's given top six minutes?

Maybe it's just usage then and goes back to Sullivan being a jackass. If he IS capable of a Benn/Tkachuk/Robertson-like rookie season this year, then the fact he's not stapled to one of Sid or Geno is stupid.

To answer your question bluntly- Yes

He’s a smart player, and he has scoring pedigree. Are you telling me that if you put a guy like that, with another high IQ guy like Sid, he isn’t getting 20g and a total of 40+?

The fact that he isn’t stapled to Sid shows a problem with Sullivan, not McGroarty. So McGroarty isn’t the defensive player yet that Sully likes….. who gives a $hit. Even more reason to put him with the best 2 way center in the league. Does anyone think Kane or Ovi played a lick of defense at age 20?

 

[Ugene Magic]

I think the point the person you were responding to was trying to make was that if McGroarty were a better skater, a different team would've beaten our offer of Yager for him.

The thing is, McGroarty vs. Yager, now has a McGroarty must pan out moreso than had they just kept Yager because, Yager could actually end up being the better prospect of the two.

The Pens "paying the price" they did for a teams prospect they were on the hook to lose on the cheap was thrown out the window, and this could end up being a deciding loss for Dubas/Pens. Nothing has been written in stone yet.

Which brings me to why? The Pens should have been a have both or no deal. But that will be decided in the short/long-term future.

 

[Randy Butternubs]

Mcgroarty look like he will be a center at some point?

No.

 

[Andy99]

lol…Mike Sullivan effect…

“But even with that, it is hard to see how they plan on trying to actually win games.

They are not a fast team. They are not a great offensive team. They are not a great defensive team. They are not an overly physical or powerful team. They are not great on special teams. They do not have great goaltending. They just do not have anything that is easily identifiable or truly outstanding about them.”…”.It is to the point now where the team is not only not winning, it is also not really exciting and does not have anything unique about it.”

Penguins still lacking clear identity, strengths going into season

There are still a lot of questions about the 2024-25 Pittsburgh Penguins and what they will do well.

www.pensburgh.com

 

[eXile3]

lol…Mike Sullivan effect…

“But even with that, it is hard to see how they plan on trying to actually win games.

They are not a fast team. They are not a great offensive team. They are not a great defensive team. They are not an overly physical or powerful team. They are not great on special teams. They do not have great goaltending. They just do not have anything that is easily identifiable or truly outstanding about them.”…”.It is to the point now where the team is not only not winning, it is also not really exciting and does not have anything unique about it.”

Penguins still lacking clear identity, strengths going into season

There are still a lot of questions about the 2024-25 Pittsburgh Penguins and what they will do well.

www.pensburgh.com

In summary, we are old and slow with inconsistent goaltending, and a garbage PP.

The thing is, McGroarty vs. Yager, now has a McGroarty must pan out moreso than had they just kept Yager because, Yager could actually end up being the better prospect of the two.

The Pens "paying the price" they did for a teams prospect they were on the hook to lose on the cheap was thrown out the window, and this could end up being a deciding loss for Dubas/Pens. Nothing has been written in stone yet.

Which brings me to why? The Pens should have been a have both or no deal. But that will be decided in the short/long-term future.

Yes they should have insisted on an entirely one sided deal instead of upgrading prospects in what was a relatively fair, but still better for us trade.

I don’t think the Jets are around to just feed us prospects.

 

[Ugene Magic]

Yes they should have insisted on an entirely one sided deal instead of upgrading prospects in what was a relatively fair, but still better for us trade.

I don’t think the Jets are around to just feed us prospects.

Nor were they in a position to ask for, Yager. I think he was given up than was hasten to offer up other alternatives.

I don't think you understand the position they were in.

The better for us "is still under review".

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

They will never admit it and will speak to the opposite— but they clearly didn’t love what they saw from Yager over the course of a year and liked McGroarty more.

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

lol…Mike Sullivan effect…

“But even with that, it is hard to see how they plan on trying to actually win games.

They are not a fast team. They are not a great offensive team. They are not a great defensive team. They are not an overly physical or powerful team. They are not great on special teams. They do not have great goaltending. They just do not have anything that is easily identifiable or truly outstanding about them.”…”.It is to the point now where the team is not only not winning, it is also not really exciting and does not have anything unique about it.”

Penguins still lacking clear identity, strengths going into season

There are still a lot of questions about the 2024-25 Pittsburgh Penguins and what they will do well.

www.pensburgh.com

really agree with the quote

but also think that it’s clear that since the TDL Dubas has now decided to go into a holding pattern where they will set up for a rebuild but still give 87 and co. a “chance” to win by not actually stripping the team down. Which honestly? Im ok with. I like watching the stars. If they pick up some assets now without f***ing their cap structure long term then fine. It’s not optimal and I’m not thrilled but I’m ok with it. Do think people need to adjust expectations and not let Sullivan dominate their brain.

 

[Andy99]

They will never admit it and will speak to the opposite— but they clearly didn’t love what they saw from Yager over the course of a year and liked McGroarty more.

That has to be the case but I don’t know what that would be…he apparently looked great in Winnipeg’s preseason…if it’s a matter of McG being closer/more ready, that would be a stupid reason given where we are in a slow rebuild…you always keep the higher upside prospect…

really agree with the quote

but also think that it’s clear that since the TDL Dubas has now decided to go into a holding pattern where they will set up for a rebuild but still give 87 and co. a “chance” to win by not actually stripping the team down. Which honestly? Im ok with. I like watching the stars. If they pick up some assets now without f***ing their cap structure long term then fine. It’s not optimal and I’m not thrilled but I’m ok with it. Do think people need to adjust expectations and not let Sullivan dominate their brain.

I think if we just didn’t play Jarry and one of the other goalie hits, we’d have a good chance of at least making the playoffs and winning some games…I fault Dubas and Sullivan for his re-signing and continued negative presence on the team lol