Problem with paying Pionk what his counting stats are going to earn him is that it will never again be worth what he's being paid except this contract year. I'd rather have Samberg make Salomonsson look good the next 7 years than Pionk. Or go get Jiricek and hedge your bet on another top 4 RHD. Pionk for 6+ years at anything more than 5M (for sure will be im just saying) will be hard to stomach but you just know the Jets are gonna do it
Player Discussion: Neal Pionk Part 2
- Thread starter Hunter368
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voyageur
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- Jul 10, 2011
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What you have to ask is if the guys in the dressing room think that?
He's now in his 6th year as a Jet. Been remarkably healthy over that time. And even when injured with a broken foot kept playing.
Jets have made the playoffs 4 of the 5 years he's been here. You listen to Arniel or Chevy speak there's respect there. Doesn't sound like he needs a lot of motivation. Can we enjoy the bounce back year before plotting his replacement? I think he's the clear #1RD this year in almost every statistic.
Don't you have to ask the guys in the office? As in Chevy has the power and isn't in the locker room.
Everything you are saying is true. It's just a matter of what you feel is most important in valuing players when building a team.
Years with the team.
Durability.
Team making playoffs.
It's very true that he has been easily our #1RD in all 20 games this year. Not even close. Making me a lot less apprehensive about a potential extension. He has also been not at that level for the 160 games before this season.
Are we able to replace his production for 1/6th of the cost next year? His production from this year? Not likely. His average production over his 6 years as a Jet? Yeah, we probably could.
For now, just trying to enjoy him doing his part, pulling his weight as a cog in the real efficient machine the Jets have going right now!
It's going to be an interesting off-season. Especially with Iafallo starting to put it together. Someone has to go.
voyageur
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You build a team in the room though. Pionk being here made it easier for Samberg to take the next step, as a lodger in his home. Forbort came as a free agent to play with Pionk and train with offseason. Iafallo comes here in a trade and fits right in with his former teammate. Chevy has taken years to find a team that is gelling inside the room, and enjoying playing hockey. I imagine during the Wheeler era there were always some conflict of personalities. Chevy's the guy who has to look forward beyond this year so ultimately he will have the final say in what the future looks like.
Will be interesting how Chevy manages cap especially with Iafallo coming on strong. I wonder if Ehlers has as many connections as we don't have any other danes on the team and not that many europeans.
As a fourth liner
Thank you.
People playing him off as some guy who's just playing well in his contract year is trash.
- Dec 29, 2016
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People can consider that he might be -
Some might even say he's done it before.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with making that assumption jump.
The problem is, the timing is bad - he's on a roll and the Jets are playing well
It's really not the time to get into it - that might be the only "trashy" part.
So, people make a pretty scathing assumption about him, being he's only playing for the money. Pretty strong character attack.
Yet, the guy suffers through a significant injury and the gruesome death of his friend but still puts the jersey on and busts his ass, and nothing.
I think one of these things is a much stronger statement about his character.
He's a Jet ffs I'd rather think positive fights about him, especially since he's never shown himself to be lazy or nonchalant.
You can question his quality of play, it's the character attack I dont like.
- Dec 29, 2016
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I don't think anyone is saying he is only playing for the money -
But it possible that he might be playing better for the money - and that is not a character attack.
These guys make big money and sometimes go through very difficult negotiations to get that money - so questioning money as a motivator shouldn't surprise you.
Like I said, it's probably the wrong time to get into it about his next contract -
voyageur
Hockey fanatic
- Jul 10, 2011
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Maybe one day I will repost the Pionk for Trouba trade thread, because it started before anyone saw him play. The fact the Jets didn't tank after losing Buff, Trouba and Myers all in one season has a lot to do with Pionk's contributions. The De Melo acquisition gave Josh some solid footing again. It's been a process to rebuild the defense, and with Heinola ready for action, Salomonsson now in the organization it's a stronger position depth wise that it was 5 years ago.
