Waived: [PIT] Emil Bemstrom, Nate Clurman, Jonathan Gruden, Joona Koppanen, Filip Kral, John Ludvig, and Sam Poulin waived by the Penguins
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BonMorrison
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Walkenthewalk
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- Dec 10, 2008
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Empoleon8771
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Poulin isn't a bust yet but he needs more AHL time. Upside is a vanilla bottom-6 center most likely but he just needs to play in as many games as possible.
Michael Farkas
Celebrate 68
He'd have to re-image his game some more to become a physical 4th line winger or something. Kuhnhackl did it for Pittsburgh a number of years ago and it got him some NHL checks for a while. Poulin doesn't really have an angle right now. There's no hook. Even in his draft year, checking my notes, I wrote that I wasn't impressed by his transferable skill level. He had a bit of a plus shot, but his playmaking didn't seem like it would hold. I didn't trust that he'd be a center as a pro either.
He just isn't that much better than he was as a junior. He had some jam in the Q, he has some jam now...he lacked puck protection ability in the Q, he lacks it now...he kinda had a shot then, he kinda has a shot now...but he never looked like much to me and he hasn't progressed very much. If he was in the league last year, he'd be in it this year...but he wasn't, so he's not. It's more or less one of those indiscernible 13th forward types...
SomeDude
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Gruden is probably the best NHL player on that list from the Pens and he already cleared waivers last year. He would be fine as a 4th liner. Good motor.
Dead Coyote
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- Oct 10, 2017
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A little surprised they let Bemstrom go for nothing, wouldn't be shocked to see him pick things up with another team. He clearly has some NHL talent.
Michael Farkas
Celebrate 68
He's been waived at least once each of the last three years. In the midst of that, he was traded for a minor leaguer. He has an NHL shot (a plus NHL shot at that) and nothing else. With Hayes added to the lineup, it makes Bemstrom unnecessary. Puustinen offers more than Bemstrom too, even if the shot is just a touch under Bemstrom's. If one of those guys goes down, Bemstrom will come back up probably.
If some club is missing a wrist shot down their lineup and want to try to catch...hmmm, not lightning but like...ya know when you put tin foil in microwave...? If they want to try to catch that for a dozen games before waiving him themselves, go nuts for donuts...
Luigi Lemieux
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- Sep 26, 2003
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Could see someone picking up Poulin. No longer waiver exempt but not good enough to make the squad
Big McLargehuge
Fragile Traveler
I'd be surprised if Poulin clears just because of his draft pedigree, though I don't think he's ready to be much of anything beyond a generic fourth liner at the NHL level at this point in time. There's been so much lost development time that he just needs more minutes. Big minutes in the AHL would be better for him than a limited role in the bottom six, but the rules don't care for lost time so it is what it is.
Bemstrom showed very, very little as a Penguin last season and has been on waivers multiple times before. Gruden is the best of that group from an NHL standpoint, but Ludvig getting claimed wouldn't surprise me either.
Bemstrom showed very, very little as a Penguin last season and has been on waivers multiple times before. Gruden is the best of that group from an NHL standpoint, but Ludvig getting claimed wouldn't surprise me either.
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SomeDude
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if Ludvig got claimed, he’d smash his head into a pillar trying to walk into the airport or something. I’ve never seen a guy inflict so much damage on himself while trying to hit others.
CheckingLineCenter
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Gurglesons
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I think if a team gives him an actual shot at NHL time he could be something.
Nothing special, but a 4th liner with an outside chance he can carve out a 3rd line role where he can play some PP time.
Randy Butternubs
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Poulin could likely benefit from a change of scenery.
Jacob
as seen on TV
- Feb 27, 2002
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I kinda hope for his sake someone snags him. Our bottom 6 is clogged.
- Jun 13, 2010
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Maybe. The problem is that every team has a Poulin-level player on the roster.
He might get claimed but I can't see him sticking with anyone. There are plenty of bottom 6 players on rosters and better ones available as UFAs. Poulins just in a tough spot right now where he needs more AHL time.
Jacob
as seen on TV
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I don’t think he does. He’s a complete player at the AHL level. He just needs a team that can give him 15-20 games to get comfy in the NHL. Like Sundqvist needed.
WarriorofTime
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- Jul 3, 2010
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If you’re a 2019 first round pick on the waivers, yeah you’re a bust even if you eventually manage to scratch and claw out 100-200 nhl career games played.
Sidney the Kidney
One last time
- Jun 29, 2009
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No clue. He didn't seem to really get much of a chance in Pittsburgh, at least at the NHL level. Usually relegated to the 4th line with minimal minutes in the rare times he got called up.
Randy Butternubs
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Gurglesons
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