Prospect Info: Daniel Sprong Progress

[Jacob]

I hope he fell for attitude issues, and not anything related to his skill or projection as an NHL player. It's a lot easier to fix an attitude than it is like, someone's skating or shooting ability.

There's also always the chance that he just isn't comfortable in an interview setting, and maybe he pretended to be cocky because he thought it would impress teams. Or maybe he was just nervous and came off differently than how he really is. I think if there wasn't a very recent case like Ho-Sang in the back of scouts minds, they probably would've been more likely to shrug it off.

 

[Darth Vitale]

I hope he fell for attitude issues, and not anything related to his skill or projection as an NHL player. It's a lot easier to fix an attitude than it is like, someone's skating or shooting ability.

There's also always the chance that he just isn't comfortable in an interview setting, and maybe he pretended to be cocky because he thought it would impress teams. Or maybe he was just nervous and came off differently than how he really is. I think if there wasn't a very recent case like Ho-Sang in the back of scouts minds, they probably would've been more likely to shrug it off.

You and your rational thinking. This is HFB. It's all about the drama and Sprong's mama.

Also: the bolded is an excellent point that seldom gets brought up. Most guys, at that age, require some type of attitude adjustment or "time to see the world as it really is" adjustment. It's normal. And way easier to fix than subpar skating or subpar creativity. As in, it will be easier to fix his attitude issue (if there is one) than Maatta's skating.

That said we still have little information about the larger impression of his interview. And at this point, unless he's actively showing attitude issues right now, who gives a ****. Hence my earlier comment. Let's talk about the skills / how he's been progressing.

 

[HuskerTornado]

I think we would have seen any real attitude issues pop up when he was sent back down to juniors this season or when he was getting 6 minutes/game with the Pens. If he had a real problem, he'd have *****ed and moaned and we would have heard about it.

He's an elite offensive talent that the Pens have in their system, Pens fans should be the last ones trying to neg him already at this point.

 

[nhindian]

Gotta admit I was sort of hoping the Pens would find a way to grab Ho-Sang after he fell and I haven't heard anything about him since.

What's up with him?

 

[Speaking Moistly]

Gotta admit I was sort of hoping the Pens would find a way to grab Ho-Sang after he fell and I haven't heard anything about him since.

What's up with him?

He got sent back to juniors on day one of training camp because he was sleeping and subsequently late. Offensive numbers look about the same.

 

[Dread Pirate Roberts]

So this thread made it to four pages, and most of it was a guy arguing that the hopes the Pens lose Sprong in the expansion draft because he'll never be a leader? I forgot how much I missed this place.

I couldn't care less if Sprong is never a leader. The Pens aren't hiring for the position of "leader." It's Sidney Crosby's team. He's the leader. Malkin is the Players Only Meeting leader. Letang and Daley are the leaders for the defense. Sprong is applying for the position of "guy who skates fast up the wing and scores goals." I haven't seen any reason to think he can't do that job.

 

[Dipsy Doodle]

Extra, extra! Second round pick not flawless diamond!

Time to dump that gem in the trash.

 

[Pens1566]

Did anyone else notice he was in a sling last night during the on ice celebrations?

 

[djt153]

bad attitude towards arm health. injured arm not playing nice with healthy one. very troubled individual

 

[Jacob]

Did anyone else notice he was in a sling last night during the on ice celebrations?

Yeah. That would explain why he suddenly went from the 1st line to the 4th line in the AHL. Hopefully it doesn't require surgery (or maybe he already had it done?)

 

[Sjoelbak]

Yeah. That would explain why he suddenly went from the 1st line to the 4th line in the AHL. Hopefully it doesn't require surgery (or maybe he already had it done?)

A former Dutch goalie turned photographer was at the celebrations and posted on FB that Sprong injured his arm slightly in practice that morning or the day before. He also had a video of Sprong drinking from the cup and having visibly trouble with the alcohol. At least he won't have any Patrick Kane problems

 

[Daeni10]

A former Dutch goalie turned photographer was at the celebrations and posted on FB that Sprong injured his arm slightly in practice that morning or the day before. He also had a video of Sprong drinking from the cup and having visibly trouble with the alcohol. At least he won't have any Patrick Kane problems

Do you have a link? Would love to see the pictures

 

[Sjoelbak]

Do you have a link? Would love to see the pictures

I'll see what I can do when I'm home in an hour or so!

 

[Sjoelbak]

Here is Sprong barely holding his liquor

 

[xxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Here is Sprong barely holding his liquor

Look at how his body is trying to force him to go back for more alcohol but he's visibly fighting back. Character issues.

Seriously though, that's how I'd expect anyone to react to drinking Bud Light.

 

[metalan2]

Sprong would have been on the team and produced at a high level if Sullivan was coach all year.

 

[Jacob]

A former Dutch goalie turned photographer was at the celebrations and posted on FB that Sprong injured his arm slightly in practice that morning or the day before.

Okay that's good news.


I wonder what the superstition protocol says about touching the Cup if you didn't technically win it but your team / organization did.

 

[xxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Sprong would have been on the team and produced at a high level if Sullivan was coach all year.

I agree with you. His shot, skating and offensive ability are all NHL level already imo. His game needs polishing, but that's not a deal breaker for me. He'd learn and develop more at the NHL level than he ever will tearing it up against kids in a league where defense and an all-around game are afterthoughts.

 

[Jacob]

Wait, Sprong isn't 21 yet, so he's a scofflaw in addition to being a locker room cancer.

 

[SEALBound]

Wait, Sprong isn't 21 yet, so he's a scofflaw in addition to being a locker room cancer.

They put sparkling cider in there just for him. Grape flavored. That's his favorite.

 

[Al Smith]

Sprong would have been on the team and produced at a high level if Sullivan was coach all year.

Wasn't he sent back to the Q like the day after Sully arrived? I assumed, perhaps mistakenly, that there was some connection.

 

[Brandinho]

Wasn't he sent back to the Q like the day after Sully arrived? I assumed, perhaps mistakenly, that there was some connection.

The story I heard is that Johnston was insistent that Sprong wasn't ready. JR disagreed so Sprong got stuck in limbo where he didn't play much and burned a year off of his ELC. When Sullivan came in and immediately agreed with Johnston's assessment, only then was Sprong sent down.

 

[JTG]

Okay that's good news.


I wonder what the superstition protocol says about touching the Cup if you didn't technically win it but your team / organization did.

Yeah, I was wondering the same thing.

 

[DesertPenguin]

Sprong would have been on the team and produced at a high level if Sullivan was coach all year.

And if Sprong had played all year, the Pens might even have won the Cup!!!.......

 

[EVGENIMERLIN]

Geez that poor kid really can't hold his liquor haha