Line Combos: Pens 2022-2023 Training Camp thread: Its happenings

[Flying Dego]

Who is the pro scout?

The best that never was

Those are pretty fair assessments and pretty close to what I had. Re: DOC - that's why I want him in the AHL at 1C - to help evolve those offensive zone instincts. He shows flashes here and there and I think with offensive-minded wings, he can get there. You stick him with Poehling and McGinn though, he won't. That is why I want the coaching staff to push the offense on him.

As Emp stated he likely just doesn't have good hockey IQ but his athleticism helps him be involved where the play is. I'm not sure that's a teachable flaw.

Put Simon's brain in DOCs body and you have quite the formidable player.

 

[Empoleon8771]

To add, I also definitely think O'Connor is a regular by the end of the year because I don't think Sullivan will have an issue with his lack of offensive IQ. Sullivan likes his depth players to be safe more than anything else, just don't blow it so the top of the lineup can win games. If he had issues with defensive IQ, he'd never crack the lineup, but he's a pretty safe defensive player who brings size and speed to the table.

I think he's an ideal 4th liner going forward, and he'll have to improve his offensive IQ to become anything more than that. I'm very skeptical that he'll be doing that though, I think he probably is what he is.

 

[Flying Dego]

To add, I also definitely think O'Connor is a regular by the end of the year because I don't think Sullivan will have an issue with his lack of offensive IQ. Sullivan likes his depth players to be safe more than anything else, just don't blow it so the top of the lineup can win games. If he had issues with defensive IQ, he'd never crack the lineup, but he's a pretty safe defensive player who brings size and speed to the table.

I think he's an ideal 4th liner going forward, and he'll have to improve his offensive IQ to become anything more than that. I'm very skeptical that he'll be doing that though, I think he probably is what he is.

I agree this is basically his trend currently. He's got a lot to like but the instincts are poor.

I really hope a light bulb can turn on for him with some Ozone play. We don't need to continue the trend of having a 4th line with blackhole offensive forwards.

 

[SEALBound]

I think when you're in a position like DOC, subconsciously, you want to play the game you think will get you the ice time so I do think there is an aspect of balancing instincts with the desire not to make a mistake. This is why I want him in the AHL at 1C. Give him the "you're the 1C until you get called to Pittsburgh" and then let him run wild there. His nearly PPG pace in the AHL doesn't suggest to me that he has a lack of offensive zone instincts and early last year when he was in the top 6, I thought he did quite well. But at this point, he's not being asked to do that so again, I think there's a balancing act he may be trying to juggle.

I could be wrong though.

 

[DesertedPenguin]

So, no practices today. Then a preseason game tomorrow. When the Penguins regroup for practice Wednesday, they will have made some initial cuts and go from three practice teams to two.

Usually the first round of cuts is mostly guys going back to their junior teams. But the Penguins don't have many. They have three teenage defensemen - Nolan Collins, Isaac Belliveau, and Ryan McCleary who will all head back, plus first round pick Owen Pickering, who hasn't skated.

The only other junior eligible players are Raivis Ansons and Lukas Svejkovsky. Both are 20 and I assume both would be headed to WBS to begin their pro careers.

So it'll be interesting to see how the Penguins handle it without the usual crop of junior players to return.

 

[Randy Butternubs]

Yeah, DOC is an NHLer. Just may not be anything more than a 4th liner. Still a nice outcome for a college UFA signing.

 

[Peat]

I disagree that the problem with DOC is his offensive IQ. I think he gets into good positions and tries to do the right thing. I think that his problem is in tight situations he doesn't bring the puck out to find a team mate. I think that's something that can be better in time, and I think that he can score points from non-grindy situations, but I think that's going to be a real cap on his offensive ceiling.

 

[Gurglesons]

I disagree that the problem with DOC is his offensive IQ. I think he gets into good positions and tries to do the right thing. I think that his problem is in tight situations he doesn't bring the puck out to find a team mate. I think that's something that can be better in time, and I think that he can score points from non-grindy situations, but I think that's going to be a real cap on his offensive ceiling.

He’s basically speedy ZAR at this point.

Lack of awareness in using his line mates. Total difference between what we’ve seen over the past two years from Puusy.

 

[Peat]

He’s basically speedy ZAR at this point.

Lack of awareness in using his line mates. Total difference between what we’ve seen over the past two years from Puusy.

Again, I don't see a lack of awareness. I just see him not being able to do what his eyes offer.

My personal comp for him would be Garrett Wilson. He's got all the tools to bull it down the ice but that's about it.

Which is imo not really how he looks in the AHL either.

 

[OmNomNom]

He stinks.

devils fan peeping over to see how the trades been panning out for both of us -- how's smith been?

no evals on marino just yet, since our 1st preseason game is tonight

 

[Gurglesons]

devils fan peeping over to see how the trades been panning out for both of us -- how's smith been?

no evals on marino just yet, since our 1st preseason game is tonight

He was okay in the scrimmage. Probably has the third LD role locked down IMO.

Marino doesn’t stink, I’m just being a facetious hot taker. His biggest issue here was his cap hit which shouldn’t be an issue with Hughes and Nemec coming up and Siegs on a sweet heart deal.

Honestly the reality was we wanted better fits for the roles. Letang, Petry, Rutta makes way more sense than Letang, Marino, Ruhwedel especially with our LD player types.

 

[Peat]

devils fan peeping over to see how the trades been panning out for both of us -- how's smith been?

no evals on marino just yet, since our 1st preseason game is tonight

Mixed reports from journos watching practice, mixed showing in the first game but he got better throughout.

 

[DesertedPenguin]

Maybe a glimpse at opening night?

 

[DearDiary]

He was okay in the scrimmage. Probably has the third LD role locked down IMO.

Marino doesn’t stink, I’m just being a facetious hot taker. His biggest issue here was his cap hit which shouldn’t be an issue with Hughes and Nemec coming up and Siegs on a sweet heart deal.

Honestly the reality was we wanted better fits for the roles. Letang, Petry, Rutta makes way more sense than Letang, Marino, Ruhwedel especially with our LD player types.

Why does Smith have the LD position locked down? He will be sent down to the AHL because he's not waiver eligible. POJ is, so he will either be traded or be the #7 Dman. Besides that, Smith is not better than Friedman or Ruhwedel.

 

[Gurglesons]

Maybe a glimpse at opening night?

Very surprised POJ is not playing over Ty Smith.

Also very surprised Sullivan doesn’t have Archibald playing.

Obviously being sarcastic.

Why does Smith have the LD position locked down? He will be sent down to the AHL because he's not waiver eligible. POJ is, so he will either be traded or be the #7 Dman. Besides that, Smith is not better than Friedman or Ruhwedel.

Because he does. As is evidence by the above scrimmage.

 

[Empoleon8771]

That is an extraordinarily unusual group to be using in game 3 of the pre-season by Sullivan. I don't recall him ever having what seems like the full team in only the 3rd preseason game.

 

[DearDiary]

Because he does. As is evidence by the above scrimmage.

Heinen isn't making the roster?

 

[Empoleon8771]

devils fan peeping over to see how the trades been panning out for both of us -- how's smith been?

no evals on marino just yet, since our 1st preseason game is tonight

I thought he was fine in his game but he wasn't good enough to justify waiving another defenseman, if that makes sense. I think he needs to be better to not be sent to the AHL, but that's because of how many waiver eligible defensemen the Penguins have. He's NHL ready, just not good enough to risk losing someone like POJ (Joseph) or Friedman.

 

[DesertedPenguin]

That is an extraordinarily unusual group to be using in game 3 of the pre-season by Sullivan. I don't recall him ever having what seems like the full team in only the 3rd preseason game.

I think it's because they have two road games next, so the core won't play those games and will just play the final preseason game as a final tuneup.

 

[Gurglesons]

I think it's because they have two road games next, so the core won't play those games and will just play the final preseason game as a final tuneup.

I imagine we also are going to make some surprise cuts after Tuesday that will be shocking to anyone who has missed the point all summer.

Heinen isn't making the roster?

Smith is making the roster. We aren’t sending a 100+ NHL game vet to the AHL who we are attempting to build back the confidence of unless he falls flat on his face.

 

[Eggtimer]

Devils fan here hoping Smith works out for you guys . Except of course for the games against us. I am a fan of the kid and hope he can figure it out. It was very frustrating to see him play last season because his rookie season was very good.
I look forward to future Devils/ Pens games this season. Hopefully we are even somewhat relevant this year so games are more entertaining for divisional “rivals”

 

[Gurglesons]

It’s hilarious that Archibald is so bad he pretty much already lost his job to Caggiula. That being said, I imagine his heart issue is part of the problem.

Devils fan here hoping Smith works out for you guys . Except of course for the games against us. I am a fan of the kid and hope he can figure it out. It was very frustrating to see him play last season because his rookie season was very good.
I look forward to future Devils/ Pens games this season. Hopefully we are even somewhat relevant this year so games are more entertaining for divisional “rivals”

You guys always beat us even when you suck lol

 

[McGroarty2]

Maybe a glimpse at opening night?

13 forwards?

 

[DesertedPenguin]

So, no practices today. Then a preseason game tomorrow. When the Penguins regroup for practice Wednesday, they will have made some initial cuts and go from three practice teams to two.

Usually the first round of cuts is mostly guys going back to their junior teams. But the Penguins don't have many. They have three teenage defensemen - Nolan Collins, Isaac Belliveau, and Ryan McCleary who will all head back, plus first round pick Owen Pickering, who hasn't skated.

The only other junior eligible players are Raivis Ansons and Lukas Svejkovsky. Both are 20 and I assume both would be headed to WBS to begin their pro careers.

So it'll be interesting to see how the Penguins handle it without the usual crop of junior players to return.

So they just sent McCleary and Belliveau back.

 

[Empoleon8771]

I liked what I saw from Belliveau, curious to see how he progresses this year.

I'm also a bit surprised that they've seemingly thrown Archibald to the side for Caggiula, but at the same point, I don't know why I am. Sullivan already didn't use him when he was here in the past and I don't think Hextall is the type of guy to shoot himself in the foot to double down on a move he made. The team is solely focused on putting the best team out there, I don't think they'd keep someone up solely because they thought he was better when they signed him.

I think the interesting question to ask with Archibald is that was the team just completely wrong with him when they signed him or did they intend on bringing him in more like a Caggiula type of "prove it" deal and let him earn a spot? If they brought him in thinking he was a NHLer, I'd be concerned about their pro scouting.