DesertedPenguin
Registered User
- Mar 11, 2007
- 7,349
- 8,228
With the dust settled on the opening of free agency, some thoughts:
- The signings are mid. Lizotte might be the best of the three.
- The signings also don't matter. The Pens don't have surefire prospects. They need competition. If Ponomarev and Poulin, for example, take a huge leap forward, it's easy to kick Hayes to the curb or bury Beaulivier.
- I know everyone is skeptical of the above, but it's not like they're talking up Hayes a whole lot and Dubas outright said Beaulivier is here to compete and that's it.
- I think the next steps are extensions for Crosby and Pettersson. I think Pettersson will have a partial NTC for only a portion of the deal.
- I think the plan is to work with Rakell and Graves to rehab their games as much as possible. With Rakell, it comes down to health. With Graves, I'm expecting him to be on the third pair to start. No pressure. Get in a groove. See what happens.
- I think there will be at least two more trades, including for a top six wing. Robertson is absolutely one who could be in the mix.
- I think the Pens are going to utilize WBS heavily to give certain players opportunities while not caring if someone has to go through waivers.
- I think if the Pens are in contention at the deadline, they'll buy and sell at the same time.
- I think Crosby is smarter and more pragmatic than people are giving him credit. He's competitive, and he's optimistic, so he always thinks the Pens are in it. But the right pitch will have him buy in to a 2-3 year process.
- The signings are mid. Lizotte might be the best of the three.
- The signings also don't matter. The Pens don't have surefire prospects. They need competition. If Ponomarev and Poulin, for example, take a huge leap forward, it's easy to kick Hayes to the curb or bury Beaulivier.
- I know everyone is skeptical of the above, but it's not like they're talking up Hayes a whole lot and Dubas outright said Beaulivier is here to compete and that's it.
- I think the next steps are extensions for Crosby and Pettersson. I think Pettersson will have a partial NTC for only a portion of the deal.
- I think the plan is to work with Rakell and Graves to rehab their games as much as possible. With Rakell, it comes down to health. With Graves, I'm expecting him to be on the third pair to start. No pressure. Get in a groove. See what happens.
- I think there will be at least two more trades, including for a top six wing. Robertson is absolutely one who could be in the mix.
- I think the Pens are going to utilize WBS heavily to give certain players opportunities while not caring if someone has to go through waivers.
- I think if the Pens are in contention at the deadline, they'll buy and sell at the same time.
- I think Crosby is smarter and more pragmatic than people are giving him credit. He's competitive, and he's optimistic, so he always thinks the Pens are in it. But the right pitch will have him buy in to a 2-3 year process.