Confirmed with Link: Penguins acquire Erik Karlsson for Granlund, 1st rounder in 2024, Rutta, Petry, DeSmith (more in first post)

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

I’m thinking Smith not being included means Dubas and his group are high on Smith. With us adding another PPQB and SJS losing theirs Smith would’ve been a logical throw-in especially going to a young rebuilding team that can let him play through some mistakes. He’s cheap which is good for us but not really a fit on paper, so they might just see something in him. Hell, maybe Sully does too, just couldn’t play him last year due to waivers and cap reasons.

I think it's a little weird how the league wide commentary, at least on here, is that Smith is already a huge bust or something. He seemed pretty interesting in the limited time I saw him last year.

 

[OnMyOwn]

This was the idea last year in my mind with Petry. Just didn't pan out.

If they can't get it done with Erik friggin' Karlsson... well... maybe look behind the bench.

I think a lot of these moves from Dubas is really going to give Sully a test. Dubas basically brought in players who fit his style of coaching and the best offensive D of the past 30 years. If he gets bounced in round 1 or fails to make it again, I’m guessing Sully is out because there aren’t any more excuses.

 

[Empoleon8771]

I’m thinking Smith not being included means Dubas and his group are high on Smith. With us adding another PPQB and SJS losing theirs Smith would’ve been a logical throw-in especially going to a young rebuilding team that can let him play through some mistakes. He’s cheap which is good for us but not really a fit on paper, so they might just see something in him. Hell, maybe Sully does too, just couldn’t play him last year due to waivers and cap reasons.

I think they also kept Smith because he makes a boatload of sense as an injury replacement for Letang and Karlsson. You don't want Ruhwedel sliding into the top-4 when Letang or Karlsson gets hurt, but Smith replaces their skillset while he has shown to be capable of playing those minutes.

 

[The Great Mighty Poo]

From this:



To this:

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

I think a lot of these moves from Dubas is really going to give Sully a test. Dubas basically brought in players who fit his style of coaching and the best offensive D of the past 30 years. If he gets bounced in round 1 or fails to make it again, I’m guessing Sully is out because there aren’t any more excuses.

You are absolutely right that he is getting the exact roster he wants. At least to my eyes. And that it should be more than enough to be a put up or shut up moment for him.

But I doubt it actually pans out that way. Sullivan will be around longer or as long as the core will IMO.

EDIT: I do think it's funny that Sully was rumored to be pushing for Cheech last year and now Dubas is like "oh yeah... how about ERIK FRIGGIN KARLSSON, BUD?!?"

 

[Empoleon8771]

I think it's a little weird how the league wide commentary, at least on here, is that Smith is already a huge bust or something. He seemed pretty interesting in the limited time I saw him last year.

Yeah I actually saw something on Smith that was really glowing on his potential NHL upside:

He's super underrated because he broke into the NHL early and hasn't taken the next step, so people wrote him off as a bust. But his performance since then has been really intriguing and he looks like a legitimate prospect at this point.

Smith is only 23 at this point after all.

 

[pistolpete11]

A lot of talk about how PP1 will look, but what about the PK?

Petts, Graves, Letang, and....? Sullivan probably looks at this as even more reason to play Ruhwedel

 

[Victor Z]

Next to nothing. Kane...
Bailey, if he has a bounceback... Doubtful at his age.
Heinen could potentially put up 40 points with Rust usage from last year. Will cost like 1M.

Bailey is like Granlund in that it practically requires a court order for him to shoot the puck.

 

[AuroraBorealis]

Now what we need most for more entertainment is Mears getting replaced by Getzoff, or someone from the outside.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

Yeah I actually saw something on Smith that was really glowing on his potential NHL upside:

He's super underrated because he broke into the NHL early and hasn't taken the next step, so people wrote him off as a bust. But his performance since then has been really intriguing and he looks like a legitimate prospect at this point.

Smith is only 23 at this point after all.

I know it's a low bar but dude is easily one of if not THE best of this team's "prospects." He just isn't counted as such because of his already-existing NHL resume like you said. 23 is a baby for a defenseman.

 

[Empoleon8771]

A lot of talk about how PP1 will look, but what about the PK?

Petts, Graves, Letang, and....? Sullivan probably looks at this as even more reason to play Ruhwedel

Yeah Ruhwedel will play on the PK.

Ruhwedel should be the 3rd pair RD anyway. I know people don't like him but he's fine if he's playing 12 minutes a night on the 3rd pair.

 

[AuroraBorealis]

A lot of talk about how PP1 will look, but what about the PK?

Petts, Graves, Letang, and....? Sullivan probably looks at this as even more reason to play Ruhwedel

It'd be nice if they trained Joseph to do it, just to see if he can. Marino learned and managed just fine.
Friedman's also a possibility still...
But you're right. It looks like Chad will play over Smith, especially since the PP1 blue line is blocked.

 

[BusinessGoose]

That's a complex trade, but pens turned a few pointless pieces into at least one good player

 

[Hockey 4 everyone]

i haven’t paid too much attention to him since he went to SJ, how is EK defensively these days? I’m sure he takes chances, but can anyone speak to his defensive play?

 

[Empoleon8771]

I think Penguins fans are unfair to Ruhwedel. His issue is that he's a #6 or #7 type of guy who has had insane longetivity with the Penguins. I don't understand why the Penguins keep bringing him back. But his on-ice results are consistently not bad and he has been pretty good defensively overall. He's just painfully bland and doesn't do anything to stick out.

He's like Ben Lovejoy without the size. I think my biggest issue with him is that I'd rather have someone with his skillset that isn't like 5'10" and 180 lbs, but it's not the end of the world to have Ruhwedel as your 3rd pair RD after Letang and Karlsson.

 

[CascadiaPenguin]

You just hate him cause he’s bald and you’re scared you will be too one day Andrew.

Petts is a way worse looking dude than Ruh

Not to pick on the wounded, but gotta’ mention Jake.

 

[ChaosAgent]

Yeah Ruhwedel will play on the PK.

Ruhwedel should be the 3rd pair RD anyway. I know people don't like him but he's fine if he's playing 12 minutes a night on the 3rd pair.

I don't mind if Ruhwedel is eating time on the PK.

We PK what...8 minutes a game? So Ruh can take half of that. Then he just gets 2 shifts each period at ES = 10 minutes a game.

 

[HandshakeLine]

For the people saying "Omg everyone is just bitching about this trade"... what f***ing thread are you reading? like 90+% of people are ecstatic and at least know the Pens will be a blast to watch.

Why do we always let the minority of people speak for the majority? This is a dope day. Even if we don't win, this team is going to be a freaking blast.

Yeah, honestly, this redeems Dubas' self-promotion and easily overshadows the sorta strange/lackluster UFA signings. I'm still skeptical about the new regime, but this is a move that makes sense and the price was very good.

 

[AuroraBorealis]

i haven’t paid too much attention to him since he went to SJ, how is EK defensively these days? I’m sure he takes chances, but can anyone speak to his defensive play?

He allowed the most 5v5 goals in the salary cap era for a D-man in a given season last year. That pretty much sums it up.

 

[IcedCapp]

Can all of the people who whined about Dubas doing nothing receive 1-week bans?

 

[Zirakzigil]

A lot of talk about how PP1 will look, but what about the PK?

Petts, Graves, Letang, and....? Sullivan probably looks at this as even more reason to play Ruhwedel

Sadly. Unless POJ can step up big.

 

[Empoleon8771]

I don't mind if Ruhwedel is eating time on the PK.

We PK what...8 minutes a game? So Ruh can take half of that. Then he just gets 2 shifts each period at ES = 10 minutes a game.

Yeah this is more or less what I'm expecting. He'll play super limited minutes and will get PK time, but Karlsson and Letang are both going to be playing a huge majority of the games.

 

[HandshakeLine]

Now what we need most for more entertainment is Mears getting replaced by Getzoff, or someone from the outside.

This fanbase can only handle so much excitement, bud. Better cool it.

 

[The Old Master]

Pissed we moved Rutta. Our defense is toilet paper soft now

just how sully likes it.

 

[WickedWrister]

Yeah I actually saw something on Smith that was really glowing on his potential NHL upside:

He's super underrated because he broke into the NHL early and hasn't taken the next step, so people wrote him off as a bust. But his performance since then has been really intriguing and he looks like a legitimate prospect at this point.

Smith is only 23 at this point after all.

He was legitimately one of our best defensemen in training camp but his contract flexibility made him the obvious choice to be sent to WBS. Got a few games with the big club when we had those rash of injuries and I thought he deferred too much on the PP. Certainly worth a look as the #6/#7 D and has more upside than Ruh.

Here's to hoping that he can have a POJ-esque glowup this year after some seasoning in Wilkes.