With the 14th overall selection in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, the Pittsburgh Penguins select…

[Jag68Sid87]

Forgetting who coaches this team, I am not buying the notion that the 14th overall pick in a very deep draft cannot step right into the NHL. If the guy is a center, for example, could he not outplay the likes of Ryan Poehling and Sam Poulin in camp? Could he not force his way into a nine-game trial (possibly at the expense of Jeff Carter to start 2023-24)?

If he is a right defenseman, could the player not force his way into the equation ahead of guys like Chad Ruhwedel and Mark Friedman? Possibly even making Jan Ruutta a healthy scratch at the beginning of the season?

And wingers are probably the most likely. I suppose it depends on the pick, as the chances of a non-CHL player cracking the lineup immediately are remote. But not crazy.

If someone like Zach Benson or Andrew Cristall ended up being taken at 14 by us, I would probably just pencil either guy into the lineup. Yeah they are small. This team obviously is not obsessed with size (possibly to their detriment), so why not?

The more I read about him, and the more I think about it, I feel as if Benson might be the next Mitchell Marner.

Considering our new President of hockey ops, that is not insignificant.

 

[Jacob]

Forgetting who coaches this team, I am not buying the notion that the 14th overall pick in a very deep draft cannot step right into the NHL. If the guy is a center, for example, could he not outplay the likes of Ryan Poehling and Sam Poulin in camp? Could he not force his way into a nine-game trial (possibly at the expense of Jeff Carter to start 2023-24)?

If he is a right defenseman, could the player not force his way into the equation ahead of guys like Chad Ruhwedel and Mark Friedman? Possibly even making Jan Ruutta a healthy scratch at the beginning of the season?

And wingers are probably the most likely. I suppose it depends on the pick, as the chances of a non-CHL player cracking the lineup immediately are remote. But not crazy.

If someone like Zach Benson or Andrew Cristall ended up being taken at 14 by us, I would probably just pencil either guy into the lineup. Yeah they are small. This team obviously is not obsessed with size (possibly to their detriment), so why not?

The more I read about him, and the more I think about it, I feel as if Benson might be the next Mitchell Marner.

Considering our new President of hockey ops, that is not insignificant.

If they look good and play a decent amount I'm not against it. They just can't be on the 4th line getting 8 minutes.

 

[Andy99]

Forgetting who coaches this team, I am not buying the notion that the 14th overall pick in a very deep draft cannot step right into the NHL. If the guy is a center, for example, could he not outplay the likes of Ryan Poehling and Sam Poulin in camp? Could he not force his way into a nine-game trial (possibly at the expense of Jeff Carter to start 2023-24)?

If he is a right defenseman, could the player not force his way into the equation ahead of guys like Chad Ruhwedel and Mark Friedman? Possibly even making Jan Ruutta a healthy scratch at the beginning of the season?

And wingers are probably the most likely. I suppose it depends on the pick, as the chances of a non-CHL player cracking the lineup immediately are remote. But not crazy.

If someone like Zach Benson or Andrew Cristall ended up being taken at 14 by us, I would probably just pencil either guy into the lineup. Yeah they are small. This team obviously is not obsessed with size (possibly to their detriment), so why not?

The more I read about him, and the more I think about it, I feel as if Benson might be the next Mitchell Marner.

Considering our new President of hockey ops, that is not insignificant.

you’re definitely ignoring our coach when you discuss this…he will not take any player that is all offensive skill and does not forecheck hard, defend well and PK (ok lol for a top six player)…I mean look how hard it is for Puusy to even get a cup of coffee…minimum that even Benson or Cristall takes 1-2 years playing against college hockey players, and show some defensive chops, before they break into the lineup…Sullivan could have Ovi as a prospect and would do the same lol

 

[Peat]

you’re definitely ignoring our coach when you discuss this…he will not take any player that is all offensive skill and does not forecheck hard, defend well and PK (ok lol for a top six player)…I mean look how hard it is for Puusy to even get a cup of coffee…minimum that even Benson or Cristall takes 1-2 years playing against college hockey players, and show some defensive chops, before they break into the lineup…Sullivan could have Ovi as a prospect and would do the same lol

Not his decision and there's a good chance whoever's chosen is traded before ever going pro.

 

[Jag68Sid87]

A couple of points here: first of all, both Benson and Cristall are WHLers so they would clearly be in training camp. It would be less likely that a Leonard, Perreault, Wood et al would leave college hockey or not go there at all in some cases, but it is not impossible. The Euros are a little trickier, but not all. A guy like Reinbacher could move directly to the NHL, imo.

Secondly, Dubas has more power than Hextall had when it comes to dealing and interacting with Sullivan. I am fairly certain that Hextall did pretty much whatever Sullivan wanted, acquired whatever Sullivan wanted, etc. Sullivan has more sway because he has more pull with FSG (presumably). Well, Dubas has more of that too now.

I don't think Sullivan can do whatever he wants anymore. Maybe I am too optimistic about this.

 

[Andy99]

A couple of points here: first of all, both Benson and Cristall are WHLers so they would clearly be in training camp. It would be less likely that a Leonard, Perreault, Wood et al would leave college hockey or not go there at all in some cases, but it is not impossible. The Euros are a little trickier, but not all. A guy like Reinbacher could move directly to the NHL, imo.

Secondly, Dubas has more power than Hextall had when it comes to dealing and interacting with Sullivan. I am fairly certain that Hextall did pretty much whatever Sullivan wanted, acquired whatever Sullivan wanted, etc. Sullivan has more sway because he has more pull with FSG (presumably). Well, Dubas has more of that too now.

I don't think Sullivan can do whatever he wants anymore. Maybe I am too optimistic about this.

You are way too optimistic…Sullivan has a lot of say in what he wants, as much if not more than before because Dubas is new to the organization and knows that FSG values Sullivan, as does Sid…he’s wouldnt make waves right now…give him maybe a year or two…also the GM can bring the player in but no GM is going to order the coach to play him…Sullivan will likely have more say over what players make it out of training camp than Dubas will…

 

[The Old Master]

Not his decision

true, but we have seen what happens to a guy that's up and sully does sully things to, just because.

 

[Jacob]

I could see Reinbacher coming to the AHL, no matter who drafts him.

 

[MeinerEiner]

Do you guys trade our 1st round pick and Granlund for Detroits picks #41,42 and 43?

 

[The Old Master]

Do you guys trade our 1st round pick and Granlund for Detroits picks #41,42 and 43?

only if i could package two of them together and move up to 16.

 

[Buddy Bizarre]

Do you guys trade our 1st round pick and Granlund for Detroits picks #41,42 and 43?

Absolutely not. Granlund doesn't have THAT much negative value.

 

[SomeDude]

Do you guys trade our 1st round pick and Granlund for Detroits picks #41,42 and 43?

I wouldn't package our 1st to downgrade to get rid of Granlund for any reason. If push comes to shove, a buyout on his contract really wouldn't be that bad. I see no need to pay to get rid of him. Plus, word is Dubas was targeting him in Toronto so the most likely scenario is we keep him anyways.

 

[SomeDude]

I hope Dubas is forward thinking enough to be in on any and all deals where teams are trying to move high picks to take on contracts. A guy like Garland is overpaid but is still a decent player. If you could get a high pick to take him on, that's the best chance to do the impossible goal of icing a competitive team while still building towards the future.

 

[PensandCaps]

Absolutely not. Granlund doesn't have THAT much negative value.

That's good value for the first alone, while also dumping his cap? I would take this deal and run.

3 2nds, and you lose his cap hit? You can restock some of the farm pretty fast. Very good players get drafted in that range, I'd rather have three chances in the top 45 than just one pick in the top 15.

 

[SomeDude]

When Michkov falls out of the top 5, I would move heaven and earth to move up to keep him from getting to the Caps. They were already gifted Miroshnichenko last year. It's potentially going to be a very quick turnaround for them which is nauseating as a Pens fan.

 

[Andy99]

When Michkov falls out of the top 5, I would move heaven and earth to move up to keep him from getting to the Caps. They were already gifted Miroshnichenko last year. It's potentially going to be a very quick turnaround for them which is nauseating as a Pens fan.

Yep…it won’t be us but I hope one of the teams in front of the Caps take him or trade the pick to someone who will…he’s an elite talent and worth waiting several years…I wouldn’t let him hold teams hostage by threatening not to come to the NHL if selected by their team…he’s not going to do that if he’s a competitive player at all…call his bluff…he’ll come here and play for some other team…he can always force a trade to the Caps when he’s a RFA lol but in the meantime that team will have his services for several years

 

[Buddy Bizarre]

That's good value for the first alone, while also dumping his cap? I would take this deal and run.

3 2nds, and you lose his cap hit? You can restock some of the farm pretty fast. Very good players get drafted in that range, I'd rather have three chances in the top 45 than just one pick in the top 15.

Why give up the highest this team has picked to erase a minor mistake in Granlund?
You either buy him out or take retention before you move the 14th selection.

 

[SomeDude]

Yep…it won’t be us but I hope one of the teams in front of the Caps take him or trade the pick to someone who will…he’s an elite talent and worth waiting several years…I wouldn’t let him hold teams hostage by threatening not to come to the NHL if selected by their team…he’s not going to do that if he’s a competitive player at all…call his bluff…he’ll come here and play for some other team…he can always force a trade to the Caps when he’s a RFA lol but in the meantime that team will have his services for several years

Jarmo has the balls to take him at 3, but I think his job is probably pretty close to being on the line so I see him taking a C who will help quicker for self preservation.

 

[PensandCaps]

Why give up the highest this team has picked to erase a minor mistake in Granlund?
You either buy him out or take retention before you move the 14th selection.

Because three 2nds by itself is already good value. Getting rid of Granlund without really losing anything is good.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

Getting rid of the second best pick this team has had in like 20 years in order to pooper-scooper the outgoing GM's giant shit he left on the rug before peacing out would be kind of hilarious in a sad way.

Ha... don't worry, though. I'm sure they'll just keep him.

 

[MeinerEiner]

That's good value for the first alone, while also dumping his cap? I would take this deal and run.

3 2nds, and you lose his cap hit? You can restock some of the farm pretty fast. Very good players get drafted in that range, I'd rather have three chances in the top 45 than just one pick in the top 15.

That was my train of thought as well. Additionally, there is the possibility of trading one or two of the picks for players.

 

[vikingGoalie]

you all realize that on average that a 14 overall pick has around a 70% chance of having a nhl career, and typically takes 3-4 years before they are are a regular nhl'er. Which yea, sure there are some magic beans to be found there, but even if we do get someone who will be a top 6 forward or top 4 defensemen by the time they crack the roster Sid/Geno/Letang are either gone or diminished. Why it makes a hellua lot more sense to use this pick to get an asset that is already in the NHL and will be on our team for a while. Assuming there is a trade to be had of course, and my druthers is use the 14OA to get a goalie that will lock that position down for the next 5+ years.

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

"The 14th overall is actually kinda worthless. So we should trade it for Hellebuyck."

 

[PensandCaps]

"The 14th overall is actually kinda worthless. So we should trade it for Hellebuyck."

Worthless for us. Not for rebuilding Winnipeg.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

"The 14th overall is actually kinda worthless. So we should trade it for Hellebuyck."

Well Hellebuyck is a goaltender and not a real player so he's not being UNrealistic.