Disappointing season in the book; Pens move towards 2012-13
Well another CPHL season has passed and once again it is an earlier exit for the Pens. This year they did well to earn 100pts in the regular season to clinch 4th. Realistically that should have been good for 1st, but the Isles had an amazing run in the sim. Heading into the season the Flyers were identified as the main competition in the division and when push comes to shove the team failed against this team. The Atlantic division turned into the division of death. The Isles as stated earlier had a love affair with the sim, the Pens and Flyers battled for the next available seeds and finished 4-5 and the Rags made it in at 8th.
The Pens season turned around when Pavel Datsyuk was acquired. The best all around player in the game today was unreal for the Pens scoring 21 goals and adding 17 assists for 38pts in 35 games; however an injury derailed the success and caused Datsyuk to miss a huge chunk of the season and the first two games of the playoffs. The absence of the Datsyuk was a huge difference down the stretch so it forced the teams hand in acquiring Prospal and Pavelski, who filled in well given the circumstance.
Heading into the playoffs things were still positive but the Flyers crushed that vibe quickly and violently in a 4 game sweep. And the Pens were left scratching their heads with teams who are much less active in the trade market and activity levels, leaving the organization to wonder if all the trading is worth it or should the team just get personal that it likes and roll the dice with that team.
Next season shows a franchise at a crossroads. However one thing I learned early in the season is that the sim is random and to get upset with the results is not going to make the CPHL near as enjoyable as it is when the results are taken with a grain of salt. Winning is still the #1 priority in Pittsburgh, but I won’t be losing much sleep if the results are not as good as I think they should be.
This new philosophy will drive the Pens next season. The team will stay competitive but will also be made up a lot different than in past years. The deconstruction of this year’s failed group will start early and the construction of a new team will begin early and mostly be worked on before the season starts.
The team will be very good, but will be a lot younger and will not be as stacked with ratings as it has in the past. This team will be constructed from within. For the first time players from the ECHL levels that have been drafted by this organization will start to lace them up for the big club. High rated roster guys will be shipped out in deals for picks and prospects to replenish the farm.
Where do players from this year’s roster fit?
Up front:
Kovalchuk-Datsyuk-Kane
This year’s top line will stay intact unless we decide to move Kane. We liked the way this line performed and it gives our forward ranks a veteran kick.
Pacioretty-Stamkos-Eberle
Total NHL Goals 127 > Total age 66 This line consists of 3 young NHL snipers and should be able to light the lamp if it can find some consistency. When the goal output is almost double the age, it tells you the calibre of sniper this line will have.
Evander Kane-Desharnais-?
This line will be an offensive young line rather than a shutdown crew. Anchored by 2 guys coming off breakout NHL seasons this line should be able to add some secondary scoring from the bottom 6. Helm will be given a shot on this line if he is not traded.
?-Eller-?
Lars Eller will be handed fulltime CPHL duty after coming off a great two way NHL season. His wingers will likely be acquired through some offseason
trades.
Who’s out?
Sami Pahlsson – UFA – To be honest this guy may be brought back in. He is a great defensive guy and I think could be very affordable for next year.
Sam Gagner – Too many offensive forwards, this young skilled guy may be the odd man out.
Joe Pavelski – great two way guy. We love Pavs, we just have too many guys in the top 6 that can do the same thing. If he stays he will bump one of Eberle or Patches down to line 3.
Darren Helm – very well could be a Penguin next season. We are open to options on him and would move him in the right deal. If he stays he’ll play a big bottom 6 and PK role.
Travis Moen – victim of numbers, his salary will likely be more then we are willing to pay given our depth. He was a good gritty and depth guy for us for the past 2 years.
Ethan Moreau – If he decides to keep playing he will likely be kept as a 4th liner/13th forward due to his veteran leadership and grit.
Loui Eriksson- One of my favorite NHLers to watch, great 2 way guy who is one of the most underrated all around players in the game. Constantly puts up 70+ points while being a very skilled defensive player.
Vaclav Prospal- A great stop gap for us; he was good in the NHL this season, but we just have no room.
Defense
Lidstrom – Edler
This was a great unit for us all season long and it will be kept together as long as Lidstrom returns. If Lidstrom retires, look for Jack Johnson to step up.
Subban-Gorges
These guys were another unit we liked a lot and will be keeping together.
Kulikov-Hedman
These 2 rookies will finally make their CPHL debuts after spending 3 years in the ECHL. Kulikov broke out this year and has improved every year he has been in the NHL. This season he averaged 22mins a night with the Panthers. Hedman has been the Lightnings top dman for the past two seasons and we are hoping that trend continues into the CPHL.
Rafael Diaz
This rookie will be filling in as the #7 dman after playing 18mins a game in the NHL as a rookie. He has good offensive upside and should continue to improve.
Who’s leaving?
Nik Lidstrom? – If Lidstrom decided to retire then that will leave a huge gap on the Pens blue line. However we think he plays one more year.
Chris Phillips – If Lidstrom leaves there will be a chance we keep the veteran shutdown guy to add some experience to the top 4. We look to trade his rights when the playoffs end.
Brad Stuart – Similar situation as Phillips, if Lids leaves then we may retain him for some veteran spunk, otherwise we will look to ship out his rights.
Goaltending
Carey Price – no reason to do anything here as we have the best young goalie in the game. He really stepped up his CPHL game this past season and we hope he can build on it moving ahead.
Backup? – Budaj’s salary may keep him out of the role, but if we have enough salary we may keep him he may stick around.
As of now these are the plans of the Pens moving forward. But if history shows anything its that the Pens roster changes almost as much as the Jackets, time will tell if patience may be the new look of the Pens, but the pieces are in place for a successful future. The Pens will be looking to bring in as many 1st round picks and top prospects as possible and will move out the above listed stars to complete this resurgence in Steel Town.
Bring on the off-season!
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