DOC is a big time breakout candidate for the Pens this year. He has all the tools to become a quality NHL player, and he has the AHL track record of success to back up that he might become something as well. Also showed flashes at the world championships of very strong play. Other AAAA guys have done that in the past, granted, but I really think DOC could blossom into something if the Pens give him a chance.
I'm feeling mildly bullish on DOC. Last off-season, I thought he wasn't coming along well enough, and was all tools no impact. He showed impact.
If we got a a player from another team who was ppg in the AHL, had two seasons of useful bottom six NHL production (albeit in limited minutes), and was a grade A athlete who was willing to use it, we'd be moderately excited. I don't see any reason not to be just because he's one of ours.
Perhaps, but when you're a cap strapped team with almost no prospects to speak of you can't afford not to give a chance to the few guys you have who show flashes of being something more than an AHL player.
Maybe Nylander is a nothing player, but for how cheap he signed for it'd be a mistake not to find out for certain. Like I said, there's only so many cap dollars to address all the other holes we need to plug. If Nylander can be a cheap effective option...it's worth finding out imo.
Aye, just... well, I hope things fall that we can plug that hole another way, I think. I wouldn't be surprised if he's a trade add-on. He's not an awesome one, but you can maybe persuade a team with difficulties recruiting they want him rather than another late pick.
Ya but Nylander is like 750k vs 5 mil. You need that depth. But you need that cap to fill in the roster above him. This team doesnt need a 13th forward vet. This team needs top 12 talent and to let the young players be the depth. You can get vet depth at the deadline
He is cheaper, but if he doesn't work, he doesn't work. But I guess we'll see.
I don't see anything that either of those guys do that make me think they'll be anything more than waiver bait within 2-3 years. Blueger and Rust are an exception to the rule, not the rule. For every 1 guy you have like Rust, you have 10 guys like Wilson, Kuhnhackl and Lafferty.
I think that the argument of upside regarding O'Connor/Poehling vs Bonino is fair, but that argument just leads me to the conclusion of "don't do either, go look for someone else". If it's a question of outperforming their contracts, I'd sooner go sign someone like Comtois from Anaheim and pray he can get back to at least close to what he was in the past.
O'Connor is intriguing to me, but I personally see nothing in Poehling at this point. If he was 5'11" instead of 6'2", I don't even think Hextall would have traded for him.
If you can get enough Comtois at the right price you don't need to, great. Me, I'd be surprised.
Also re Poehling, I thought he showed a real deft passing touch at times. He's willing to go the tough areas. I'm low on his IQ but the tools are there and to a certain extent, manic energy can substitute for IQ on an athlete like him.
Also 20/20 hindsight but right now it looks like we gave up on Lafferty too early.
