I'd say he does those things inconsistently.
Confirmed Trade: [PIT/NSH] Michael Bunting, 2026 4th for Luke Schenn, Tommy Novak
- Thread starter 5cotland
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I'd say he does those things inconsistently.
Empoleon8771
Registered User
Yeah that was the part with Bunting I was most disappointed with, he really didn't do that. He was vanilla during play and then just got in scrums after the whistle. He has really fallen off from what he was in Toronto.
Scoresberg
Perpetual Mediocrity
Novak is skilled but soft. I don't like how we handled him as we truly had the chance to lock down a top-six spot for him and just see how it panned out. It's not like we're flush with center talent - or have ever been. In terms of player development, that's an obvious blunder. Not so much otherwise, 3.5 mil guy playing +10 minutes a night isn't going to fetch you anything of value.
Schenn's probably a good locker room guy but in terms of on-ice performance this is addition by subtraction.
I've always liked Bunting as a player, a feisty player who has some offensive punch to go along. More of a complementary player who needs good teammates around him and he'll have a top-six winger spot in Nashville.
Schenn's probably a good locker room guy but in terms of on-ice performance this is addition by subtraction.
I've always liked Bunting as a player, a feisty player who has some offensive punch to go along. More of a complementary player who needs good teammates around him and he'll have a top-six winger spot in Nashville.
King In The North
Sean Bennett
SeanMoneyHands
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- Apr 18, 2019
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Dubas found the only GM stupider than him, big props to KD. This is highway robbery.
OtherThingsILike
Registered User
Possibly. Schenn would fill the same role that Desharnais did, but better.
It would depend on whether or not the Penguins keep Schenn.
StlBigFly
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Option A: Dubas is helping facilitate another trade
Option B: Dubas acquired the guys Toronto wanted just to troll them
Option B: Dubas acquired the guys Toronto wanted just to troll them
uncleben
Global Moderator
Honestly, props to him if it's B
That'd legit be hilarious
Accelleratii
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We know the market is strong for middle 6 centers and depth dmen. He acquired both. Very possible it's a delayed three way, though Novak does seem to fit exactly what he's looking for.
There probably aren't many contenders looking for multi-year deals right now. Not on the Novak/Schenn level anyway
- Aug 14, 2011
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Novak is pushing 30, he’s not a prospect lol
Assuming you didn’t make schenn..
Highway robbery?
Novak and bunting are about same age and bunting has been better. Unless you think Schenn is worth more than a fourth…. Don’t think “highway robbery” is the term to be applied here lol
Empoleon8771
Registered User
Play Novak with Evgeni Malkin rather than Mark Jankowski and we'll see how much "better" Bunting is than him.
Novak plays some of the easiest minutes in the league. As mediocre as his linemates have been (for the most part), his quality of competition is far lower. He was bad at 2C/2W down the stretch last year and horrific at 2C to start the year this season.
He might prove he can hang with legit competition in Pitt, but it's far from a forgone conclusion. Bunting has had some good seasons, and he's only about 19 months older than Novak. I wouldn't be shocked if you said he'd be better than Novak next year, or vice-versa. Wouldn't be shocked to hear they're both big disappointments either.
Empoleon8771
Registered User
I think playing with Mark Jankowski instead of Evgeni Malkin has a much larger impact on production than the quality of opponent they're playing against.
I don't disagree that Novak has played incredibly easy minutes, that's at least what the analytics suggest. But I still think teammates have a larger influence on production than opposition.
Malkin hasn't exactly been fantastic this season, has he? And though he's basically awful at everything a center needs to do outside of offense, Novak has always produced better at center in Nashville. I wouldn't be surprised if it works out, wouldn't be surprised if it doesn't. Worth a shot for the Penguins either way
Super Hans
Stats Evangelist
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Trotz's relationship with Lamoriello must've been like a kid listening to his grandpa's war stories about beating nazis, so he went to his local protest to do the same, only grandpa Lou is right there with him getting his ass kicked.
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I mean he started with Stamkos who he flat out stunk with so he got demoted. Malkin is washed and I prefer Stamkos to him anyways still but hey, you’re the king.
