Quoting: HabsForEver
Not sure about the WBSP, but it helps Laval because we get 2 quality AHL players who don't count towards the veteran limit. Also worth noting their terrible attitudes.
Absolutely in agreement.
For the WBS Penguins - they’re in a tight battle with Charlotte and Springfield for a playoff spot in the Atlantic Division right now (2 spots and 3 teams). With the 26th ranked offence in the AHL they’re obviously looking to add some (young-ish) veteran firepower to kickstart their anemic offence, giving goalies Casey DeSmith & Dustin Tokarski - who have both done well this season - some slight margin for error. Barber and Varone have produced well at the AHL level in the past and, if they’re going to be given an opportunity to succeed there then they should be able to thrive once again.
The Pens have the following “veterans” on hand in WBS (Trotman has been back and forth all year):
- C Phil Varone (612gp)
- RW Riley Barber (288gp)
- LW/C Andrew Agozzino (540gp)
- LW Jamie Devane (344gp)
- LD David Warsofsky (500gp)
- LD Kevin Czuckman (386gp)
- RD Zach Trotman (343gp)
Also, getting close to the 260 game cutoff is Cole Cassels (254gp) but otherwise everyone else has well under 200gp at the pro levels.
For the rest of the season Riley Barber can count aside from the 5 player limit as he’s still played fewer than 320gp, what I consider the “transitional veteran slot”. That would allow the Pens to dress Warsofsky & Czuckman on the blueline plus Agozzino, Varone, and Devane up front (or Trotman when he ends up back in WBS) as well as Barber. When Cassels hits 260gp then it would mean having to sit him or Riley Barber or use one of them towards the 5 full-fledged veteran spots (meaning Devane definitely sits). All in all the Pens at the AHL level have space to accommodate a couple of Vets so the deal makes sense in that regard for a team chasing a playoff berth. The WBS Penguins had the longest streak in NA pro sports and made the playoffs for almost 20 years in a row til last season. The fans there expect winners so the organization needs to take steps to at show they’re trying.