Pittsburgh Penguins

Jolt Cola, mayo, peanut butter cups, aliens, and hockey
August 8, 2017, 2:56 PM ET [84 Comments]
Ryan Wilson
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As of right now the Penguins did not give Sidney Crosby a third line center for his birthday. As of right now there is no interesting Penguins news to speak of. As has been weekly tradition this summer I answered some of your Twitter questions.




I heard that John Tavares is unhappy in New York and that he will sign an identical contract to the one that is expiring with the Islanders, except with the Penguins. The Islanders are really high on Olli Maatta, Scott Wilson, and Ryan Reaves...




I honestly don't know. They have a center depth issue right now. Something has to give. I realize Jake Guentzel is not going to be playing center, but the status quo dictates that he does. What else can they do?

Sheary-Crosby-Rust
Wilson-Malkin-Hornqvist
Hagelin-Guentzel-Kessel
Kuhnhackl-Rowney-Reaves


That's the best I can do right now to balance the lines with what is currently on the roster. This isn't what it will look like on opening night.




It's crazy to me, but I believe the correct answer is that Johansson is the bigger loss. Marian Hossa is a Hall of Fame winger and one of my favorite players. The decline finally started in his play. Chicago slithered their way out of his cap hit which has more value than anything right now. Washington was an amazing team last year. They aren't as good anymore. Marcus Johansson is part of that. He is a very good winger and his contract was reasonable. The second question ties in with the first one. Brooks Orpik's contract was always going to cost the Capitals a really useful player. It did, it was Johansson.




Tough call. I think Aston-Reese has the upper hand right now despite Sprong already having an NHL sample size. Aston-Reese is older and he will be playing the left wing where I think there is more opportunity available. Sprong has to beat out Phil Kessel, Patric Hornqvist, Conor Sheary/Jake Guentzel, Ryan Reaves, Bryan Rust, and even Josh Archibald. I think the Penguins are going to want to give Daniel Sprong as much time in the AHL as he needs because he is playing catch up at this point.




Cody Franson was unsigned into September the last time he was a free agent so this isn't new territory. One thing that mostly all Penguins defenders have in common (recent acquisitions) is that they can skate. Cody Franson has decent underlying numbers but he can't skate. He doesn't fit the mold of what the front office is looking for right now. Franson will find work eventually and if put in a proper role will be a net positive for his team.




I love the Olympics with the NHL players. The players love doing it. The league is a business and doesn't feel as though the risk lines up with the reward. The fact that the next Olympic Games are in South Korea definitely plays a role in the NHL playing hardball. If it were China (2022 host) I bet the league would be making more of an effort. I'm disappointed that the players won't be going. If I can watch the biathlon I can certainly watch whatever players represent their country in hockey, but it won't be as fun.




I think that Carolina has shown with their recent contract signings that they understand the value of their defense corp. I don't think you'd be "getting one over" on Ron Francis and Eric Tulsky. If the Penguins wanted one of their better defenseman I can't see a deal that Carolina would be interested in that didn't involve Jake Guentzel. Considering the Penguins won back to back Stanley Cups based on their scoring depth I'm not sure I'd mess with that right now. They also don't have a third line center and any trades right now should have that in mind.




I think that Tampa Bay bounces back this year and takes back control of the division. I love the direction Toronto is headed, but it is tough to peg just how far along they are. Montreal is good, but not great. I think Detroit stinks and will finish near the bottom. Florida has taken significant steps backwards which gives opportunity to Ottawa and even Buffalo.

If I were to pick four teams to make the playoffs it would be Tampa Bay, Toronto, Montreal, and Boston. Still plenty of time for roster changes though.




Every player is different, but I imagine the general course of action is to rest and relax as soon as the season ends (whenver that is). The body needs recovery time and by working out hard right after a long grueling season seems counterproductive. After all the bumps and bruises start to feel back to 100% the player will probably return to strength training and other cross fit related activities. August is around the time you'll see the players start returning back to the rink and working on on-ice activities. Like I said, every player is different, but I think that is the general sequential order.




Oh yeah. Universe is too big to arrogantly think our little planet is the only one fostering life. We'll never make contact with these other life forms, but I believe there is life on some level somewhere else.




Neither is great for you, but the few times I go this route it is mayo. Usually on a roast beef sub or a hamburger.