Player Discussion Daniel Sprong

[bsu]

I really like sprong. Keep shooting that puck.

 

[ohcomeonref]

The Pens board is now comparing Sprong since the trade to their other RWers in point production. Anaheim has been historically bad for over a month, the comparison is useless. Since the trade the Ducks have scored 43 goals and the Pens have scored 80. Its amazing what Sprong has accomplished on such a terrible team.

 

[Honour Over Glory]

The Pens board is now comparing Sprong since the trade to their other RWers in point production. Anaheim has been historically bad for over a month, the comparison is useless. Since the trade the Ducks have scored 43 goals and the Pens have scored 80. Its amazing what Sprong has accomplished on such a terrible team.

It's not all of us.

Some of us just want both sides to be happy with what they got and I am still hoping Sprong develops in Anaheim. JR royally boned his waiver status because he got excited like the dumb old fart that he is and now he's learning how to get better at the NHL level when he should be getting more time in the AHL, but I know Sprong will do well. It's easy to bash a guy on a team that is spiraling downwards in a very bad way, you'd think some of the folks in our fan base would remember the Generation X era of bad that we endured.

I am actually glad to see so many of you guys happy with Sprong. I really really hope he succeeds in Anaheim. I really do. That elite shot of his is nuts and when he realizes he's capable of doing more on the ice away from the puck, the guy is going to be a damn solid steal.

 

[All Mighty]

I just have to say, after watching last night's game, I'm super impressed with how far Sprong has come with his defensive play in such a short amount of time. He flat out looked clueless when he first got here, but he was actually competent last night. And even though he was on the 4th line, he was working his butt off and still created some offense.

 

[Sean Garrity]

I just have to say, after watching last night's game, I'm super impressed with how far Sprong has come with his defensive play in such a short amount of time. He flat out looked clueless when he first got here, but he was actually competent last night. And even though he was on the 4th line, he was working his butt off and still created some offense.

I agree, and there have been no visible signs of pouting or drop in effort level.

 

[Static]

I agree, and there have been no visible signs of pouting or drop in effort level.

As long as he gets PP time and is playing with a center who he has some chemistry with then playing fourth line ES minutes doesn't seem like a big deal. Probably more in the 14 minute range than 12 though.

 

[Gurglesons]

The Pens board is now comparing Sprong since the trade to their other RWers in point production. Anaheim has been historically bad for over a month, the comparison is useless. Since the trade the Ducks have scored 43 goals and the Pens have scored 80. Its amazing what Sprong has accomplished on such a terrible team.

It’s because certain posters on our forum want to act like Sprong should’ve have gotten those chances while here above Kessel, Hornqvist and Rust.

Let’s be honest, would you play Sprong above those players? I’m sure Anaheim would happily take any of those three for their 1st or 2nd line over Sprong.

Most of us want Sprong to succeed in Anaheim and wish him the best.

Certain posters trying to paint the trade as a bad move or Pettersson as a bad acquisition for a player like Sprong just are fabricating arguments. As I said a page ago. It is the definition of a win win. Both teams moved out an excess asset with potential. And both players have seemed to take their new opportunity by the horns.

 

[70sSanO]

The Pens board is going nuts over this trade. I think there were 5 or 6 pages just today. It would take us years to catch up. The Pens fans have spent more minutes talking about Sprong in the last month than he played for them in the last 3 years... lol.

I really like what I’m seeing from Sprong especially on the defensive side. He never be a great 2 way player, but he seems to have embraced both ends.

When he first came over he was so over anxious to get a touch on the puck and shoot. He is now moving the puck and positioning himself so much better. He’s still a long ways away, but things are moving in the right direction.

John

 

[Arthuros]

I've never seen a "containment thread" before, and I hope we never have to make one.

 

[nbducksfan19]

The Pens board is going nuts over this trade. I think there were 5 or 6 pages just today. It would take us years to catch up. The Pens fans have spent more minutes talking about Sprong in the last month than he played for them in the last 3 years... lol.

I really like what I’m seeing from Sprong especially on the defensive side. He never be a great 2 way player, but he seems to have embraced both ends.

When he first came over he was so over anxious to get a touch on the puck and shoot. He is now moving the puck and positioning himself so much better. He’s still a long ways away, but things are moving in the right direction.

John

It is crazy to read that thread. It is like a case study of insecure groupthink trying to convince themselves that Sprong has been bad.

The reality is sprong has shown tons of offensive potential and has not been a liability defensively.

 

[KaseMeOutside]

He's got 7 goals and 11 points in 20 games in a support role and he's also shown improvement away from the puck.

 

[JabbaJabba]

He's got 7 goals and 11 points in 20 games in a support role and he's also shown improvement away from the puck.

Would be amazing if he develops into a 30 goalscorer. This team sorely needs scoring now and in the near future.

 

[branmuffin17]

Agreed he's improved his all-around game since the first few games.

He's got a very distinctive style in passing...looks a bit awkward or forced, but his passing seems to be very accurate and pretty good vision...just sometimes a bit on the slow side. He often seems to telegraph his passing, too.

 

[KaseMeOutside]

The pens really hurt his development. Hes still in a rookie experience wise. It makes sense that he can still rapidly improve with sustained playing time.

Not saying he's going to be a star just that it makes sense that he's getting better away from the puck

 

[Coach Travis]

The Pens board is going nuts over this trade. I think there were 5 or 6 pages just today. It would take us years to catch up. The Pens fans have spent more minutes talking about Sprong in the last month than he played for them in the last 3 years... lol.

The Pens board is nuts in general. It's not unheard of to have to go to a 2nd GDT for a regular season game and in the playoffs, it's a given.

I've never seen a "containment thread" before, and I hope we never have to make one.

LOL, well it's pretty hotly contested between the two sides and it was leaking into every thread.

I'm really happy to see Sprong succeeding and I've actually taken to catching a few Ducks games after a Pens game since they come on pretty late in the Eastern Time Zone. Sprong's a pretty electric player when the puck is on his stick and I had to laugh when he pulled out a couple baller defensive plays against the Pens.

Pens fans can talk all they want about there not being room for him but if you can't find room for a 25-goal scorer at $750K, that's a failure by the team, not the player.

 

[All Mighty]

The Pens board is nuts in general. It's not unheard of to have to go to a 2nd GDT for a regular season game and in the playoffs, it's a given.

LOL, well it's pretty hotly contested between the two sides and it was leaking into every thread.

I'm really happy to see Sprong succeeding and I've actually taken to catching a few Ducks games after a Pens game since they come on pretty late in the Eastern Time Zone. Sprong's a pretty electric player when the puck is on his stick and I had to laugh when he pulled out a couple baller defensive plays against the Pens.

Pens fans can talk all they want about there not being room for him but if you can't find room for a 25-goal scorer at $750K, that's a failure by the team, not the player.

I'm sorry you put yourself through that

 

[Exit Dose]

I'm sorry you put yourself through that

If you need someone, we're here to help. It's not your fault. It's not your fault.

 

[Anaheim4ever]

The Pens board is nuts in general. It's not unheard of to have to go to a 2nd GDT for a regular season game and in the playoffs, it's a given.



LOL, well it's pretty hotly contested between the two sides and it was leaking into every thread.

I'm really happy to see Sprong succeeding and I've actually taken to catching a few Ducks games after a Pens game since they come on pretty late in the Eastern Time Zone. Sprong's a pretty electric player when the puck is on his stick and I had to laugh when he pulled out a couple baller defensive plays against the Pens.

Pens fans can talk all they want about there not being room for him but if you can't find room for a 25-goal scorer at $750K, that's a failure by the team, not the player.

Our AHL team is much more fun to watch & a future Penguin might be playing on our AHL team given how these teams do a decent trade every so often.

 

[Coach Travis]

Our AHL team is much more fun to watch & a future Penguin might be playing on our AHL team given how these teams do a decent trade every so often.

I keep saying GMJR needs to call up the Ducks and see what he can get for Derick Brassard. Seems like whatever players whoever we send you turns things around and vice versa.

 

[Big Fat Rebound]

I'm sorry you put yourself through that

Should have highlighted 4 words after that. He watches us after he watches the Pens? This fine gentleman can be forgiven if he wonders if he’s even watching the same sport

 

[KaseMeOutside]

I'd like to see what this kid can do in a more wide open system

 

[Kalv]

I'd like to see what this kid can do in a more wide open system

Like... the Penguins

 

[Duck Off]

I'd like to see what this kid can do in a more wide open system

at least a system that doesn't require constant puck retrieval. I'm flabbergasted that Carlyle is so content with giving up possession. It's infuriating.

 

[DigiDuck]

at least a system that doesn't require constant puck retrieval. I'm flabbergasted that Carlyle is so content with giving up possession. It's infuriating.

Makes you wonder if that's why they can't even make consecutive passes anymore. They know they can't make any controlled entries to get any pressure going so why bother even trying to hold onto it.

 

[vikingGoalie]

Glad Sprong is working out for you guys. The Sprong discussion might actually rival the anti/pro fleury threads of seasons gone by.
The crux of it is some were saying that he had to beat out established RW's in front of him, without pointing out that some (Rust for one) were struggling mightly at the time but getting force fed minutes regardless. It's also a straw man argument in so much that I for one was advocating just a few shifts with a top 6 center in a game, he didn't have to be glued to Malkin's hip for 10 games straight to see if there was something there. They also seem to fail to grasp that the coach literally would bench Sprong for any excuse whatsoever and that Sprong was looking over his shoulder every shift. Personally I think it all came down to a personality clash, Sullivan has a history of running useful players out of town if he takes a dislike to them. Only one he couldn't do that too was Kessel. *I* for one think you guys have a potential stud and won't be surprised at all if he is putting up 30G next season and goes up from there. 750K cap hit next season and 30G..
Hopefully Petterrsson works out for us and we are both happy, I like how he plays but he might have the weakest shot I have ever seen outside of beer league hockey and he gets pushed around easily. The real test is how he holds up in the playoffs when the physicality ratchets up, I'm a little concerned considering how slight of build he is.