Prospect Info: Daniel Sprong Progress

[DesertPenguin]

Kessel, Hornqvist and Reaves are exclusively RWs, and Sheary seems to be best deployed at RW with Guentzel - Crosby, so getting Sprong in the lineup mayvrequire a position change to LW. Sprong has said he's comfortable with that, but I'd like to see him get some time there in the A before he gets thrown to the fire with the big boys.

 

[ZeroPucksGiven]

Kessel, Hornqvist and Reaves are exclusively RWs, and Sheary seems to be best deployed at RW with Guentzel - Crosby, .

See I feel like it's the other way around: Sheary is a better LW vs RW

Guentzel can play both wings effectively

 

[Whakahere]

I see Sprong starting in the AHL and doing well. Then traded for a 3C near the deadline.

 

[steelcityassault]

I see Sprong starting in the AHL and doing well. Then traded for a 3C near the deadline.

Sprong's not getting moved..

 

[Shady Machine]

I see Sprong starting in the AHL and doing well. Then traded for a 3C near the deadline.

That 3C better be Matt Duchene if Sprong is traded and even then, I won't be happy.

 

[td_ice]

"Progress is my middle name"--- Daniel Sprong

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

"Progress is my middle name"--- Daniel Sprong

I thought his middle name was "Springhaas".

 

[Penguins23]

I'm hoping for a Guentzel like season from Sprong but that could be setting the bar too high.

 

[BHD]

Kessel, Hornqvist and Reaves are exclusively RWs, and Sheary seems to be best deployed at RW with Guentzel - Crosby, so getting Sprong in the lineup mayvrequire a position change to LW. Sprong has said he's comfortable with that, but I'd like to see him get some time there in the A before he gets thrown to the fire with the big boys.

Take Reaves out. He could make a name for himself on the fourth line, but he shouldn't be standing in the way of a player like Sprong.

I'm hoping for a Guentzel like season from Sprong but that could be setting the bar too high.

I'd be happy if he got ~30 points. Vesey had 27 points while playing up and down the Rangers lineup.

 

[td_ice]

I thought his middle name was "Springhaas".

Hahaha, nice.

 

[T1K]

Take Reaves out. He could make a name for himself on the fourth line, but he shouldn't be standing in the way of a player like Sprong.



I'd be happy if he got ~30 points. Vesey had 27 points while playing up and down the Rangers lineup.

TBH, if it's Sprong in the AHL gets 1st line minutes vs him being in the NHL getting 4th line minutes, I'd rather see him in the AHL. That said, I think these are the opening night lines if Sprong were to make the team:

Sheary-Crosby-Hornqvist
Rust-Malkin-Kessel
Hagelin-Guentzel-Sprong
Wilson-Rowney-Reaves

If Sprong can play LW that opens up way more options

 

[froods]

See I feel like it's the other way around: Sheary is a better LW vs RW

Guentzel can play both wings effectively

Considering Jake played LW and Sheary played RW.......

 

[cygnus47]

Take Reaves out. He could make a name for himself on the fourth line, but he shouldn't be standing in the way of a player like Sprong.

Shouldn't be, but will. He wasn't acquired to sit in the press box, or we wouldn't have traded out of the first round and given up our only centre prospect for him. JR thinks we need him in our lineup.

 

[Peat]

Shouldn't be, but will. He wasn't acquired to sit in the press box, or we wouldn't have traded out of the first round and given up our only centre prospect for him. JR thinks we need him in our lineup.

His point is Sprong is looking for a top 9 scoring role and that Reaves is looking for a bottom line enforcer role and therefore they're not competing for the same roster spot.

Which is roughly true, except we've got a lot of established guys who can play top 9 attacking roles or bottom 6 checking roles, and with Reaves taking one of the latter that means more competition for Sprong to beat for the former.

 

[ZeroPucksGiven]

Considering Jake played LW and Sheary played RW.......

Not exclusively. When that line was first formed Sheary was LW and Jake RW

I still feel that Sheary is a better LWer and his potential is maximized on that side

 

[Riptide]

Take Reaves out. He could make a name for himself on the fourth line, but he shouldn't be standing in the way of a player like Sprong.

Well seeing how Sprong shouldn't be playing on the 4th line, it shouldn't be an issue.

I'd be happy if he got ~30 points. Vesey had 27 points while playing up and down the Rangers lineup.

Meh... given the centers and players we can likely surround him with... I'm not sure how happy I'd be with 30 points. I think I'd like to see something closer to 40 pts. Not sure how realistic that is.

 

[Pens x]

TBH, if it's Sprong in the AHL gets 1st line minutes vs him being in the NHL getting 4th line minutes, I'd rather see him in the AHL. That said, I think these are the opening night lines if Sprong were to make the team:

Sheary-Crosby-Hornqvist
Rust-Malkin-Kessel
Hagelin-Guentzel-Sprong
Wilson-Rowney-Reaves

If Sprong can play LW that opens up way more options

I agree with this lineup. But that fourth line is just...gross

 

[JTG]

Considering Jake played LW and Sheary played RW.......

It went both ways. Jake looked awesome as a RW

 

[Andy99]

TBH, if it's Sprong in the AHL gets 1st line minutes vs him being in the NHL getting 4th line minutes, I'd rather see him in the AHL. That said, I think these are the opening night lines if Sprong were to make the team:

Sheary-Crosby-Hornqvist
Rust-Malkin-Kessel
Hagelin-Guentzel-Sprong
Wilson-Rowney-Reaves

If Sprong can play LW that opens up way more options

I like these lines, but....
If they have to move Guentzel to center and Sprong makes the team, you can bet he'll be playing with Sid. lol I love how everyone here wants Horny back on the first line because he plays so well there yet Sully and Sid don't want him there.

 

[T1K]

I like these lines, but....
If they have to move Guentzel to center and Sprong makes the team, you can bet he'll be playing with Sid. lol I love how everyone here wants Horny back on the first line because he plays so well there yet Sully and Sid don't want him there.

The issue with that is then the 3rd line has no one that can create scoring opportunities. I think Jake can definitely do that, but his role at the NHL level has largely been as a scoring winger. Playing C and setting guys up at this level will be a daunting task in itself. I think there's a lot of untapped line combos potentially if Kessel plays with Sid. I feel like they could be great together. Sprong seems like he could fill a Neal type of role with Geno too. I'm really interested in seeing this play out, but from the outside looking in, Jake is the clear choice to start the season at 3C (unless someone has a great camp).

 

[Honour Over Glory]

See I feel like it's the other way around: Sheary is a better LW vs RW

Guentzel can play both wings effectively

That's just not the case though.

Guentzel is a LW and if need be, a passable C. But he is not a good RW'er.

Sheary seems to be more effective on the off wing than the left side, but that's not to say he's terrible on the left side at all, he's comfortable on the left wing and you can see it in his game, but he's also very good on the right side.

Rust for example is a right winger, but when he breaks out, he sways to the left side, moving the other winger to his right when they rush into the offensive zone.

Kessel likes to stay on the right side and then float to the left when he's in the offensive zone, but primarily he's a right winger and he rushes up that right side more often than not.

 

[Honour Over Glory]

TBH, if it's Sprong in the AHL gets 1st line minutes vs him being in the NHL getting 4th line minutes, I'd rather see him in the AHL. That said, I think these are the opening night lines if Sprong were to make the team:

Sheary-Crosby-Hornqvist
Rust-Malkin-Kessel
Hagelin-Guentzel-Sprong
Wilson-Rowney-Reaves

If Sprong can play LW that opens up way more options

From what I have read about Guentzel's future with the Penguins, Sullivan has no interest taking him away from Crosby's wing and JR is on that boat as well. So this notion of Guentzel as 3C is like the most desperate scenario Sullivan could be pushed into, which would have him try that.

 

[Empoleon8771]

I know it's just a drill, but Sprong has some pretty slick hands.

 

[Dipsy Doodle]

I know it's just a drill, but Sprong has some pretty slick hands.

Man, I can't wait until this kid is on Geno's wing.

 

[SCPens]

Shouldn't be, but will. He wasn't acquired to sit in the press box, or we wouldn't have traded out of the first round and given up our only centre prospect for him. JR thinks we need him in our lineup.

Our only centre prospect....really? And in all honesty JR isn't the only one that thinks he's needed in the lineup.