Player Discussion: Neal Pionk Part 2

[Bob E]

If Pionk continues to put up 50+ point seasons, what is his next contract going to be?

I'm not sure I pay Pionk $6.5M per, though that likely becomes his market value.

The change to Pionk and Trouba’s analytics since the trade has me wondering about Rasmus Ristolainen again. Could a change of scenery and new partner have a profound impact to his analytics?

Not sure RR has the hockey IQ to be successful but he may surprise and be a steal for someone.

 

[Whileee]

If Pionk continues to put up 50+ point seasons, what is his next contract going to be?

I'm not sure I pay Pionk $6.5M per, though that likely becomes his market value.

The change to Pionk and Trouba’s analytics since the trade has me wondering about Rasmus Ristolainen again. Could a change of scenery and new partner have a profound impact to his analytics?

Not sure RR has the hockey IQ to be successful but he may surprise and be a steal for someone.

I remain skeptical of the metrics for players in tough roles on really bad teams, especially defensemen. Look at Doughty's shot metrics. He's fallen off a cliff since the Kings went into a nosedive - worse than Ristolainen in the past two seasons. That said, Pionk's metrics with the Rangers were over just a couple of years, and Risto's numbers have been problematic for a longer period.

But I wouldn't be shocked if Risto had better metrics if he moved to a better team and environment.

 

[Adam da bomb]

If Pionk continues to put up 50+ point seasons, what is his next contract going to be?

I'm not sure I pay Pionk $6.5M per, though that likely becomes his market value.

The change to Pionk and Trouba’s analytics since the trade has me wondering about Rasmus Ristolainen again. Could a change of scenery and new partner have a profound impact to his analytics?

Not sure RR has the hockey IQ to be successful but he may surprise and be a steal for someone.

If Pionk is the 2nd best D after Samberg and Heinola arrive what's wrong with paying him 6.5? You don't need 4 top wingers after Wheeler's deal ends you shift money to paying your top 2 D well. You can alocate the money from little to Little's replacement and the money from Perrault and and what Laine is earning right now goes to Laine's next deal. Then you have a younger cheaper guy like Apple/Harkins/Roslo complete your top 6 who are cheaper. If they price themselves out you have someone else in your pool who goes from prospect to 2nd line.

 

[Bob E]

I remain skeptical of the metrics for players in tough roles on really bad teams, especially defensemen. Look at Doughty's shot metrics. He's fallen off a cliff since the Kings went into a nosedive - worse than Ristolainen in the past two seasons. That said, Pionk's metrics with the Rangers were over just a couple of years, and Risto's numbers have been problematic for a longer period.

But I wouldn't be shocked if Risto had better metrics if he moved to a better team and environment.

How about with the Jets?

Morrissey-Ristolainen (Trade)
Samberg-Pionk
Edmundson (FA)-DeMelo
Poolman

I think Hamonic or Edmundson signs with Jets this summer, which may mean there’s no need for Risto. But if not, Risto adds size, physicality and offence to the d corps.

 

[Bob E]

If Pionk is the 2nd best D after Samberg and Heinola arrive what's wrong with paying him 6.5? You don't need 4 top wingers after Wheeler's deal ends you shift money to paying your top 2 D well. You can alocate the money from little to Little's replacement and the money from Perrault and and what Laine is earning right now goes to Laine's next deal. Then you have a younger cheaper guy like Apple/Harkins/Roslo complete your top 6 who are cheaper. If they price themselves out you have someone else in your pool who goes from prospect to 2nd line.

I suppose. If Pionk is putting up 50+ points a year, with solid defensive play, why not pay him.

 

[Upperdeckjet]

Re-signing Pionk is going to be an interesting conversation as we end the year and go through the summer. No doubt he is a very good NHL defenseman. I'm thinking if we commit to Pionk and Morrissey as our 1a/1b, we need to have a real strong supporting cast along with them. By strong, I do mean physically strong.

I would move on from Niku and hope that Heinola matures. I am really counting on Samberg. Tucker Poolman as a 7th would be fine for me. I have also come around on Kulikov as a number 6 for the right price if he would be happy playing both sides as needed for a few years. I would be looking for a stud horse # 2 right side defenseman. I think Chevy, Maurice and our captain know exactly what changes are needed on our defense. I think a physical presence on your back end is a requirement to be successful in the NHL down the stretch and during the playoffs.

I simply do not see a spot / role for Niku if we commit to Pionk while at the same time, maintain high hopes for Heinola.

 

[DRW204]

I think anything over 6m for Pionk is to much. Imo I don't think he is all that great defensively, and he's benefitting immensely from high PP TOI and points (secondary assists), he has already far surpassed the amount of pp1 time that Trouba got last year when he hit 50 pts. Yeah he's racking up points on the PP but IMO he is not that great of a distributor or a shooter and he's been part of the reason it has been underwhelming this year. His 5v5 scoring is not all that great either despite a player who does have some solid offensive tools.

 

[McWeber]

Gotta say from watching the game tonight I was super impressed by Pionk. The way he keeps the puck in to maintain pressure is something id kill to have on the Oilers.

 

[Adam da bomb]

I think anything over 6m for Pionk is to much. Imo I don't think he is all that great defensively, and he's benefitting immensely from high PP TOI and points (secondary assists), he has already far surpassed the amount of pp1 time that Trouba got last year when he hit 50 pts. Yeah he's racking up points on the PP but IMO he is not that great of a distributor or a shooter and he's been part of the reason it has been underwhelming this year. His 5v5 scoring is not all that great either despite a player who does have some solid offensive tools.

Agree to disagree. His gap control against Caps was a thing of beauty. He gets his shot through a lot more than Trouba.

 

[GNP]

If Pionk continues to put up 50+ point seasons, what is his next contract going to be?

I'm not sure I pay Pionk $6.5M per, though that likely becomes his market value.

The change to Pionk and Trouba’s analytics since the trade has me wondering about Rasmus Ristolainen again. Could a change of scenery and new partner have a profound impact to his analytics?

Not sure RR has the hockey IQ to be successful but he may surprise and be a steal for someone.

_________________________________________________

I don't know how good Risto is ? but if he's above average, Chevy should take a run at him. I like his size and physicality but can he play ?

 

[Jet]

Agree to disagree. His gap control against Caps was a thing of beauty. He gets his shot through a lot more than Trouba.

I'm continually impressed with his defensive work as an offensive leaning guy. He'll be just over 200 NHL games after this season so he still has some improvement there too. I pay him 6.5 for sure

 

[KingBogo]

I'm continually impressed with his defensive work as an offensive leaning guy. He'll be just over 200 NHL games after this season so he still has some improvement there too. I pay him 6.5 for sure

Yeah I'm hoping for something in the Morrissey range. And I'd really like to see Chevy lock him up this summer. I'm really hoping he feels like he has landed in a good spot and wants to stay long term.

 

[Duke749]

I'm continually impressed with his defensive work as an offensive leaning guy. He'll be just over 200 NHL games after this season so he still has some improvement there too. I pay him 6.5 for sure

I’m hoping he doesn’t cost that much but if so, so be it. Think we still get good value in that contract with the improvement we’ve seen alone this year.

 

[Packofwolves]

Poink 6-38 = 44 points +11
Trouba 7-20= 27 points - 12
Differential of 23 goals for and against Pretty high I would think

 

[DeepFrickinValue]

12th in scoring in the league for defenseman.

NHL.com Stats

 

[WiscoJet]

Can't wait till Samberg is on his left side, should be a great fit. The Hermantown pair.

 

[Adam da bomb]

12th in scoring in the league for defenseman.

NHL.com Stats

He can easily jump to 10th with a point next game. Top 10 might be very hard to break.

 

[Whileee]

Poink 6-38 = 44 points +11
Trouba 7-20= 27 points - 12
Differential of 23 goals for and against Pretty high I would think

Plus/minus isn't a reliable metric. But Pionk is considerably better than Trouba on just about every performance metric this season.

It's to the point that I'm a bit concerned about Pionk's next contract. It could be too rich.

 

[Adam da bomb]

Plus/minus isn't a reliable metric. But Pionk is considerably better than Trouba on just about every performance metric this season.

It's to the point that I'm a bit concerned about Pionk's next contract. It could be too rich.

While don't we have him for another season still? If his contract is too rich and the Jets can't afford him they can trade him at the trade deadline for a 1st and a great prospect.

 

[Daximus]

While don't we have him for another season still? If his contract is too rich and the Jets can't afford him they can trade him at the trade deadline for a 1st and a great prospect.

No keep him. I'd pay $7 right now pretty easily. If we can get MoJo and Pionk bigger more physical linemates we can be a good team. Samberg might be the answer to Pionk if he signs. Heinola could also work well in a 2 pairing role.

 

[DEANYOUNGBLOOD17]

No keep him. I'd pay $7 right now pretty easily. If we can get MoJo and Pionk bigger more physical linemates we can be a good team. Samberg might be the answer to Pionk if he signs. Heinola could also work well in a 2 pairing role.

$7 is below the $650,000 minimum ..... just buy a reduced beer $7 bud lite at the next Jets game....

We have him for one more year on his current contract at team friendly rate..... He will then be a RFA owing us 1 more year b4 he gets to UFA....

That will be when Chevy can do his sweet thing and get him on a Morrissey type contract.

If he does not want to sign a team friendly contract we can do a 1 year arbitration awarded deal and trade him at the tdl

 

[DRW204]

Agree to disagree. His gap control against Caps was a thing of beauty. He gets his shot through a lot more than Trouba.

if you are noticing pionk shoot more on the PP that's a problem. he should not be shooting, it should be going to Laine. However, Pionk is crap at setting Laine up for the One-T and has to throw it on net or go back to Wheeler.

i am fully anticipating Pionk to get more $ than Morrissey. Total Points and TOI are usually the drivers for Dmen salaries, and Pionk leads the Jets in both. He is one of the most reliant Dmen in the league on PP for point production (2nd among Dmen in the top 50 for PP points to total points ratio). He should be grateful he's a RHD and has that role on the PP to individually bank points, but his presence on there has been one of the reasons the PP has been underwhelming this year after 2 years of being top 5

 

[Adam da bomb]

if you are noticing pionk shoot more on the PP that's a problem. he should not be shooting, it should be going to Laine. However, Pionk is crap at setting Laine up for the One-T and has to throw it on net or go back to Wheeler.

i am fully anticipating Pionk to get more $ than Morrissey. Total Points and TOI are usually the drivers for Dmen salaries, and Pionk leads the Jets in both. He is one of the most reliant Dmen in the league on PP for point production (2nd among Dmen in the top 50 for PP points to total points ratio). He should be grateful he's a RHD and has that role on the PP to individually bank points, but his presence on there has been one of the reasons the PP has been underwhelming this year after 2 years of being top 5

That’s how Connor gets his pts is deflections on pp. If all Laine can do is one t and has no other shoots that’s a problem with a capital P.
Pp has dried up because of predictability. It is the exact same for last 3 yrs.

 

[DRW204]

That’s how Connor gets his pts is deflections on pp. If all Laine can do is one t and has no other shoots that’s a problem with a capital P.
Pp has dried up because of predictability. It is the exact same for last 3 yrs.

Connor doesn't have a single pp goal in which it deflected off a pionk shot where pionk would be the 1A

There's other shots other than Laine of course however it's due to Pionks inadequacy at setting up Laine is why you are noticing Pionk shooting more. Pionk should probably be the very last option on the pp1 to shoot

Maurice shares some blame for the pp struggles for sure I never said pionk was the sole reason, however, you cannot tell me from watching the games that Pionk is elevating that PP, I'd say he's holding it back due to his inefficiency of setting up Laine.

 

[Adam da bomb]

Connor doesn't have a single pp goal in which it deflected off a pionk shot where pionk would be the 1A

There's other shots other than Laine of course however it's due to Pionks inadequacy at setting up Laine is why you are noticing Pionk shooting more. Pionk should probably be the very last option on the pp1 to shoot

Maurice shares some blame for the pp struggles for sure I never said pionk was the sole reason, however, you cannot tell me from watching the games that Pionk is elevating that PP, I'd say he's holding it back due to his inefficiency of setting up Laine.

Buff hardly ever set up Laine it was usually Wheeler. I also think Wheeler is the last person who should be shooting on pp. pionk is good at holding puck in their zone. His shot doesn’t get blocked as much as Trouba’s did and he doesn’t always try and shoot it. Maybe Niku would have been better at it if he could figure out the D thing. Maybe Heinola will be better.
pionk rarely makes bad turnovers virtually perfect compared to Tuba. His gaps are great. He has been one of our best D defensively.