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

[LOGiK]

Thanks man. Today sucks ass.

However, I went to pickup a doghouse for him today and the people selling it are apparently Bryan Rust’s uncle and aunt (I live in Manitoba) so that was fun and unexpected. Talked about Karlsson, the Cup party etc. Also how much they hated Burke lol. Said the Pens org is world class in how they treat players etc. Small world.

Did you tell them Rust should be on the third line?

 

[BusinessGoose]

Yeah...I noticed that too.

I don't think it's a bad idea, as it removes the weakness of having a forward playing D on a potential SH break. I'm sure that Letang could get back before Malkin does. I just hope Letang isn't expected to pass to EK's wheelhouse for a one timer :\.

The question is if the PP falters, how happily will Letang move to the 2nd unit, and would Reardon even do it! Time will tell.

All in all, this does make the upcoming season much more entertaining.

Werent most of the SH breaks because of shitty cross ice passes by Letang?

Anyway, anyone concerned about having two D men on the powerplay... Don't worry, the pens have five forwards on it with Tanger and EK.

 

[SEALBound]

Without Jake, I have no issue running Sid-Geno-Letang-Karlsson-Rust/Rakell

With Jake back, he can replace Rust/Rakell.

 

[wheelz87]

I do hope they go Letang left circle and karlsson qbing the thing. Can’t afford to run Geno/Letang anymore with the amount they turn it over. Karlsson will be able to get back with some help from Letang.

 

[66-30-33]

With Karlsson I want the PP to pass quickly and shoot instead of passpasspasspasspass and turn it over. I’m guessing they keep the same dumb strat though.

 

[Peat]

I forget who said it here first but maybe the answer is to let Karlsson QB the thing from Kessel's spot. It gives Karlsson a bit of freedom to move around knowing Letang has the point and can cover him.

Of course, the fact that both can rotate with each other fairly freely, letting us try this new fangled thing called movement, is also brilliant.

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

I think the best thing Karlsson's gonna bring to the power play is his ability to gain the zone and his ability to keep pucks in. I don't expect him to be some kind of 50pt power play guy or anything, but I do think the performance and effectiveness of the unit should go up pretty significantly. They have to find the right combination of guys and positions though.

 

[farscape1]

As long as Sid keeps getting points and keeps betting Ovi then im happy. Sid needs 29 points to catch Coffey for number 14 all time.

 

[66-30-33]

I forget who said it here first but maybe the answer is to let Karlsson QB the thing from Kessel's spot. It gives Karlsson a bit of freedom to move around knowing Letang has the point and can cover him.

Of course, the fact that both can rotate with each other fairly freely, letting us try this new fangled thing called movement, is also brilliant.

Our PK should also be aggressive AF with sticks and blocks. Always challenging puck carrier forcing the other teams PP to constantly pass quickly. Wonder how our new guys are with that.

 

[eXile3]

As long as Sid keeps getting points and keeps betting Ovi then im happy. Sid needs 29 points to catch Coffey for number 14 all time.

He’s 1 playoff point from owning 5th all time. The only guys ahead of him played for the Oilers dynasty. I want to see him have one more playoff run where he collects some points.

 

[66-30-33]

He’s 1 playoff point from owning 5th all time. The only guys ahead of him played for the Oilers dynasty. I want to see him have one more playoff run where he collects some points.

Hopefully he can reach 3rd overall. If Pens go far in the next few and he gets his points it's almost possible Pavelski has got 20 in his last 2 playoffs, but Crosby will need 33 before he retires. Scoring is more open now and he will have Karlsson helping so it's possible if he signs another 1-2 years.

 

[PaulD]

Did you tell them Rust should be on the third line?

or in the coaches dog house

 

[Sidgeni Malkby]

Weren't most of the SH breaks because of shitty cross ice passes by Letang?

Anyway, anyone concerned about having two D men on the powerplay... Don't worry, the pens have five forwards on it with Tanger and EK.

I think Letang/Crosby/Malkin have all been guilty of lazy/ill-timed/risky cross ice passes on the PP.

Pre-EK retrospect....
I think Malkin would have been best on top. He's the best passer and one-time shot, but he would never get back in time to even try and stop an SH break. It would have been intriguing to see what Crosby could have done there too. He's been graciously giving up space to Malkin on the PP for years.

Lol...yeah...Tanger and EK could be deemed as 5 forwards, but honestly, that's what you want. I mean Petersson wouldn't really bring much on the PP :/.

 

[steelcityassault]

I think the best thing Karlsson's gonna bring to the power play is his ability to gain the zone and his ability to keep pucks in. I don't expect him to be some kind of 50pt power play guy or anything, but I do think the performance and effectiveness of the unit should go up pretty significantly. They have to find the right combination of guys and positions though.

Agreed, remember how good Gonchar was at keeping pucks in the zone at the last split second..

 

[WickedWrister]

For me, its the breakout. Soooo sick of the same routine where one guy lugs the puck up the ice and then drop passes to the trailing guy with speed. Yeah, that works when you have a guy like MacKinnon whose speed backs everyone off, but not with our old boys.

 

[Zirakzigil]

For me, its the breakout. Soooo sick of the same routine where one guy lugs the puck up the ice and then drop passes to the trailing guy with speed. Yeah, that works when you have a guy like McKinnon whose speed backs everyone off, but not with our old boys.

Time to bring back this guy to help with the break out and forecheck!

 

[SEALBound]

The benefit of Karlsson in the puck moving is also just the threat of having a guy that can motor up the ice. So you can catch other teams if they are cheating towards the forwards. Matheson provided that ability as well and some of his best moments were him streaking up the ice.

Now that said, if we are falling back to the tried and true but often unproductive pull up at the circle and drop to the trailer, I'm glad that is going to be one of Letang or Karlsson for the majority of the game. Nothing worse that watching the likes of Sid, Geno, Jake, Rust, Zucker, and Rakell passing it off to Pettersson or Dumoulin and watch them chest snipe the goalie who has a clear view of them with their wet noodle of a shot.

 

[3074326]

The benefit of Karlsson in the puck moving is also just the threat of having a guy that can motor up the ice. So you can catch other teams if they are cheating towards the forwards. Matheson provided that ability as well and some of his best moments were him streaking up the ice.

Now that said, if we are falling back to the tried and true but often unproductive pull up at the circle and drop to the trailer, I'm glad that is going to be one of Letang or Karlsson for the majority of the game. Nothing worse that watching the likes of Sid, Geno, Jake, Rust, Zucker, and Rakell passing it off to Pettersson or Dumoulin and watch them chest snipe the goalie who has a clear view of them with their wet noodle of a shot.

If I see EK skate up the ice and drop pass at center ice, I'm driving to Pittsburgh and taking a shit on the steps outside the arena.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

If I see EK skate up the ice and drop pass at center ice, I'm driving to Pittsburgh and taking a shit on the steps outside the arena.

I get that the drop pass on the powerplay thing is something a lot of teams do.

But when I watch this team do it when there are lanes clear enough to drive a semi through it makes me want to rip my hair out.

 

[3074326]

I get that the drop pass on the powerplay thing is something a lot of teams do.

But when I watch this team do it when there are lanes clear enough to drive a semi through it makes me want to rip my hair out.

It's one of the more infuriating things about the team. Drives me insane. The reliance on it... even when it doesn't work.

 

[WickedWrister]

It's one of the more infuriating things about the team. Drives me insane. The reliance on it... even when it doesn't work.

I forget what year we (and every other team in the league) started doing this play on the PP. Maybe 2015ish? I seem to remember it being really successful with Phil Kessel... but then the rest of the league adjusted.

 

[The GM]

Now that the dust has settled a bit, I’m not sure if I’m happier we acquired EK or that we got rid of DeShite

 

[CascadiaPenguin]

Free to read PG article on Letang

As for his specific role on the top power play, Letang said he is open-minded about where coaches Mike Sullivan and Todd Reirden plan to deploy him.

“If they ask me to play in the pocket, if they ask me to play [in the left circle], on top, net front, it doesn’t matter,” Letang said. “Just as long as we can sit down in a room and make it work out together. That’s all we need to do.”

'I love the addition': Kris Letang gushes over Penguins' trade for Erik Karlsson

MONTREAL — If you happen to be wondering whether Kris Letang had an issue with the Penguins making their blockbuster trade for Erik Karlsson, another...

www.post-gazette.com

I love this:

After the Penguins first engaged the San Jose Sharks in trade talks, Letang said new president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas called to clue him in.
“He goes, ‘I’m not looking for approval, but how do you see this fit?’” Letang said.
“It would be unbelievable,” Letang replied."

Class act, team-first dude.

 

[Turin]

I love this:

After the Penguins first engaged the San Jose Sharks in trade talks, Letang said new president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas called to clue him in.
“He goes, ‘I’m not looking for approval, but how do you see this fit?’” Letang said.
“It would be unbelievable,” Letang replied."

Class act, team-first dude.

I also like the tidbit about how EK was the best player available on the market so he was their target. Simple and obvious philosophy not taken by enough GMs.

 

[CascadiaPenguin]

I also like the tidbit about how EK was the best player available on the market so he was their target. Simple and obvious philosophy not taken by enough GMs.

Very true, definitely something that was never in Hextall's "this is really hard" mindset. Good luck with your re-homing, man. Lost a 15 year old dog last year and it still sucks. But lucked into a wonderful puppy three weeks ago, and that whole "circle of life' thing. Of course this dog may not be long for the world if she doesn't stop chewing my power cords.