Firstly, I am fully aware that Ron Hextall is the GM and not Brian Burke. However, I would be completely shocked if Burke has absolutely nothing to do with the way the current roster is constructed. Both of them have obviously not been in the job for very long, so they haven't yet had the ability too fully make the roster their own. With that being said, I am going to compare the current players in the lineup to what Brian Burke has for his ideal lineup in his book.
First Line: One guy with size.
1LW: Top skill, size (even if not a black-and-blue player), ability to finish.
1C: Top skill, Foot speed, first power-play unit, 65 points or better, leader.
1RW: Sniper, Foot speed, green light to score, first power-play unit.
Summary: This line pretty much follows exactly what Burke wants from his first line in the book, although I would say it is reversed with the sniper in Guentzel playing on the left. It is a little undersized in Rust not being big in stature, but he plays much bigger than what he is. This line also has Sidney Crosby, doesn't get much better than that. I don't think he can do much more here, it is almost perfect.
Second Line: Two guys with size.
2LW: Size (even if skilled), secondary scoring, second power-play unit.
2C: Second skill level, responsible defensively, face-off skill.
2RW: Size (with some bite), scoring ability, second power-play unit.
Summary: Just like the first line, this line pretty much follows the template and goes above. Malkin has never been known for his defensive responsibilities, or his face-off ability, but he is pretty much on par with the best in the game in every other aspect of the game, although he has slowed down a bit. I think that has had to do with injuries unfortunately. Kapanen fits the description to a tee, and so does Zucker, although he might be a little undersized and didn't have the greatest first full season as a Penguin from an offensive perspective.
Third Line: Size, fighter disciples.
3LW: Must be smart, above average skating, ability to move, shootout skill.
3C: Penalty killer, face-off guy, high hockey IQ, foot speed a must, workaholic, right-handed shot.
3RW: Size, Second fighter, middleweight, skilled and smart enough to shut people down, penalty killer.
Summary: This line is literally that description. Crazy lol. Not sure if Heinen is any good at shootouts, maybe someone can let me know in the comments.
Fourth Line: Grit, fighter disciples.
4LW: Penalty killer, responsible, hard to play against, last minute of each period.
4C: Size, face-off skill, shot blocker, shutdown role, agitator.
4RW: Fighter and can play, penalty killer, speed, last minute of each period.
Summary: I don't think you could find a better fit for the 4LW and 4C for what Burke wants. Rodrigues fits the description as well. The only knock on him is that he isn't really a fighter, although he has one fight in his NHL career, against his teammate Kapanen lol.
Summary for forward group: The forward group is pretty much exactly what he would want from his book, starts to make me think that Burke might have more influence on this team than his title president of hockey operations will let on.
First Defence Pair: Skill.
1LD: Can move puck, or lug it out of trouble, top-end foot speed, high hockey IQ.
1RD: Size, play against top line, hard shot, can shut people down and move the puck, right-handed shot.
Summary: In Pittsburgh's case, this inverted with Letting on the right and Dumolin on the left. The concept matches the both players almost to complete perfection. He has to love his first pair.
Second Defence Pair: Size.
2LD: Skill, second power-play unit, good decision-maker, eliminate/pin (even if no hard finish), some penalty killing.
2RD: Smart, mobile, finish and pin/eliminate, some bite, penalty killer, right-hand shot.
Summary: Here is where I see Pittsburgh having some potential issues. Obviously Marino fits the description nicely, but Pettersson and Matheson leave a little bit too be desired. I think Matheson can be what Burke wants here, and they are kind of stuck with him with that contract. His main issue is his decision making. He has all the attributes in my mind to be a 2nd pairing defenseman, but his decision making leaves a lot to be desired. Pettersson's underlying numbers look really solid I must say, and as someone that doesn't watch all Pittsburghs games, I am not sure why he is the 5th most used defenseman. I am sure some Penguins fans can fill me in. He could fill that 2nd pairing role in my mind without the power play ability as it doesn't look like he has the ability to quarter back a power play in the NHL. It feels a little bit odd paying a player that much for playing 3rd pairing minutes.
Third Defence Pair: Big size, one fighter.
3LD: Penalty Killer, hard minutes against bottom-six forwards, third fighter.
3RD: Size, hard to play against, fights when needed, finish checks hard, penalty killer.
Summary: I don't think you can do much better than Petterson in a 3LD spot on your team. He must surely be one of the best 3rd pairing defenseman in the league. Friedman and Ruhwedel leave a little bit too be desired in my opinion. I like Ruhwedel as a 7th defenseman, and maybe Friedman can become a solid NHL defenseman. Maybe someone can fill me in on Friedman to help me build a better understanding of him as a player.
Summary for defence group: I definitely think that the defense is weaker than the forward group when everyone is healthy. I think there are better 2nd pairing options in the league than Matheson, but I understand that they are stuck with that contract. I wonder if Hextall/Burke will make any moves during the season to improve.
Goaltenders.
Starter: Play 60-65 games, battles, elite athlete, great mechanics.
Backup: Great work ethic in practice, push the starter, makes shooters better, survive with low workload, popular.
Summary: I think Pittsburgh made the right decision in moving on from Murray and rolling with Jarry. He didn't have the best of seasons and disappointed in the playoffs, but I think he will come good with time, maybe already starting this season. If not, Pittsburgh is going to have to find a new #1 goalie. By looking at DeSmith's numbers, he seems to be a reliable backup, I don't know how he is personally, but I would imagine he fits the back-up description.
Why not move up Blueger 3C, move Carter on the RW and McGinn on the LW
Heinen and ZAR can both play on their offside so whoever is better
Rodrigues and Lafferty fight for the 4C with Hallander
Pettersson spent a good portion of the season playing 2nd pair minutes. He occasionally went to 3rd pair minutes because he is a defensive defenseman and didn’t provide as much offense as Matheson, so they put Matheson with the more offensive lines and Pettersson with the more defensive lines.
Why not move up Blueger 3C, move Carter on the RW and McGinn on the LW
Heinen and ZAR can both play on their offside so whoever is better
Rodrigues and Lafferty fight for the 4C with Hallander
Well Hallander is a winger and not going to be a center in the nhl.
Why not move up Blueger 3C, move Carter on the RW and McGinn on the LW
Heinen and ZAR can both play on their offside so whoever is better
Rodrigues and Lafferty fight for the 4C with Hallander
I am not saying the Penguins won't do that, I was just comparing their current depth chart with Burkes philosophy. This is their lineup according to DF.
Pettersson spent a good portion of the season playing 2nd pair minutes. He occasionally went to 3rd pair minutes because he is a defensive defenseman and didn’t provide as much offense as Matheson, so they put Matheson with the more offensive lines and Pettersson with the more defensive lines.
That is what I figured. Does Marino have another offensive level to unlock in his game, or is he basically going to be what he is now offensively? I would imagine a Pettersson-Marino pair would be good if Marino can improve offensively.
Well Hallander is a winger and not going to be a center in the nhl.
Quoting: Poehling
Why not move up Blueger 3C, move Carter on the RW and McGinn on the LW
Heinen and ZAR can both play on their offside so whoever is better
Rodrigues and Lafferty fight for the 4C with Hallander
When completely healthy the open spot will be the 3rd line Wing. The 4th line will be ZAR/Blueger/McGinn.
3rd line: Hallander, Poulin, Legare, Lafferty, E-Rod, Zohorna, O’Connor, D.Simon and maybe Angello will compete for that open wing spot on the 3rd line. Except, I don’t see Angello playing on the 3rd line.
Even though I’m a Angello fan, I wish he would of gotten more PT or get more PT. I actually wish they replaced Tanev from within instead of with McGinn.
Should have taken that 2.75M from McGinn and added another 1M or 1.25M and would have paid someone like Nick Foligno(who got 3.8M with Boston) 3.75M-4M per for 2-3 seasons. And use Angello/Zohorna on that 4th line of ZAR/Blueger/Angello. And Foligno could be a top 6 wing with Geno instead of Zucker, or a 3rd Line Wing with Carter and Heinen.
But anyways, when completely healthy, that 3rd line will be Carter and Heinen and then one of those 8 players I mentioned(if the roster stays as is). If they would sign Bozak for example. When completely healthy the 3rd line would be Heinen/Carter/Bozak.
But Heinen has the scoring potential and is more of a mid 6 than McGinn. McGinn will take Tanev’s spot. ZAR/Blueger/McGinn will be the 4th line and play close to 3rd line minutes still. But Heinen takes McCanns spot. McGinn takes Tanev’s.
Heinen had 16 goals 47 points in 16-17. And 11 goals and 34 points in 17-18. And then 10 goals, 26 points in 18-19 in 58 games when he got traded to Anaheim. Then just had 7 goals and 14 points last season in 43 games with Ana.
He needs to get back to the production he had playing in Boston. Production and numbers took a hit the last 2 seasons in Anaheim(It’s why his contract was cheap). But 47 points and 34 points in his two seasons with Boston is very solid 3rd line production. Anaheim was a dumpster fire the last two years. Wasn’t his fault his numbers suffered.
That is what I figured. Does Marino have another offensive level to unlock in his game, or is he basically going to be what he is now offensively? I would imagine a Pettersson-Marino pair would be good if Marino can improve offensively.
Marino has another gear offensively. His numbers were down this past year cause he played a good chunk of the season with Matheson. So he had to be the defensive stalwart on that pair cause, well Matheson is terrible defensively. Once he was paired with Pettersson again like he was the whole year before, he played just as good, if not better than his rookie season. He and Pettersson just work so well together. However Marino can play competently both ways.
When completely healthy the open spot will be the 3rd line Wing. The 4th line will be ZAR/Blueger/McGinn.
3rd line: Hallander, Poulin, Legare, Lafferty, E-Rod, Zohorna, O’Connor, D.Simon and maybe Angello will compete for that open wing spot on the 3rd line. Except, I don’t see Angello playing on the 3rd line.
Even though I’m a Angello fan, I wish he would of gotten more PT or get more PT. I actually wish they replaced Tanev from within instead of with McGinn.
Should have taken that 2.75M from McGinn and added another 1M or 1.25M and would have paid someone like Nick Foligno(who got 3.8M with Boston) 3.75M-4M per for 2-3 seasons. And use Angello/Zohorna on that 4th line of ZAR/Blueger/Angello. And Foligno could be a top 6 wing with Geno instead of Zucker, or a 3rd Line Wing with Carter and Heinen.
But anyways, when completely healthy, that 3rd line will be Carter and Heinen and then one of those 8 players I mentioned(if the roster stays as is). If they would sign Bozak for example. When completely healthy the 3rd line would be Heinen/Carter/Bozak.
But Heinen has the scoring potential and is more of a mid 6 than McGinn. McGinn will take Tanev’s spot. ZAR/Blueger/McGinn will be the 4th line and play close to 3rd line minutes still. But Heinen takes McCanns spot. McGinn takes Tanev’s.
Heinen had 16 goals 47 points in 16-17. And 11 goals and 34 points in 17-18. And then 10 goals, 26 points in 18-19 in 58 games when he got traded to Anaheim. Then just had 7 goals and 14 points last season in 43 games with Ana.
He needs to get back to the production he had playing in Boston. Production and numbers took a hit the last 2 seasons in Anaheim(It’s why his contract was cheap). But 47 points and 34 points in his two seasons with Boston is very solid 3rd line production. Anaheim was a dumpster fire the last two years. Wasn’t his fault his numbers suffered.
Just because McGinn is Tanev light doesn’t mean he will be relegated to the fourth line. He even said himself on why he chose Pittsburgh is because they offered him a bigger role than he was getting in Carolina or anywhere else was offering. So he likely will get a middle 6 role. They will put him where he fits best. I mean it isn’t a big secret. Burke and Hexy said they wanted more grit in the top 6. Spreading out the scoring and putting a guy like McGinn in the top 9 wouldn’t be a surprise in the slightest. It also wouldn’t be a surprise if McGinn finds his way to the 4th line cause he isn’t producing enough on the scoresheet also. But they most likely will start him out in the top 9, possibly top 6 when everyone is healthy, unless he finds a chemistry line tanev did with Blueger while everyone is hurt.
Just because McGinn is Tanev light doesn’t mean he will be relegated to the fourth line. He even said himself on why he chose Pittsburgh is because they offered him a bigger role than he was getting in Carolina or anywhere else was offering. So he likely will get a middle 6 role. They will put him where he fits best. I mean it isn’t a big secret. Burke and Hexy said they wanted more grit in the top 6. Spreading out the scoring and putting a guy like McGinn in the top 9 wouldn’t be a surprise in the slightest. It also wouldn’t be a surprise if McGinn finds his way to the 4th line cause he isn’t producing enough on the scoresheet also. But they most likely will start him out in the top 9, possibly top 6 when everyone is healthy, unless he finds a chemistry line tanev did with Blueger while everyone is hurt.
ZAR/Blueger/McGinn should play on a line together. And like I said, same as last season. 4th Line but play 3rd line minutes.
That’s pretty much the consensus thought. ZAR/Blueger/McGinn line.
And when fully healthy. They will probably stick together as the 4th line. Again, playing 3rd line minutes.
And a 3rd line of Heinen/Carter/????. I predict Hallander/Carter/Heinen. Though I would like it to be Heinen/Carter/Bozak. Bozak signing for 1.25M for 2 seasons. And Bozak playing Center until Sid and Geno get back.
That’s pretty much the consensus thought. ZAR/Blueger/McGinn line.
And when fully healthy. They will probably stick together as the 4th line. Again, playing 3rd line minutes.
And a 3rd line of Heinen/Carter/????. I predict Hallander/Carter/Heinen. Though I would like it to be Heinen/Carter/Bozak. Bozak signing for 1.25M for 2 seasons. And Bozak playing Center until Sid and Geno get back.
Just because the putz’ outside of the organization think it should be because they believe McGinn is the exact same player as Tanev so he should have the same chemistry as Tanev doesn’t mean he actually will. They have stated they want some pushback in the top 6. There is no doubt they will likely try him out in a top 9 role to start.
Bozak signed with the blues for league minimum. And Bozak sucks. He wouldn’t be any better than Angello.
Just because the putz’ outside of the organization think it should be because they believe McGinn is the exact same player as Tanev so he should have the same chemistry as Tanev doesn’t mean he actually will. They have stated they want some pushback in the top 6. There is no doubt they will likely try him out in a top 9 role to start.
Bozak signed with the blues for league minimum. And Bozak sucks. He wouldn’t be any better than Angello.
I just saw Bozak signed. I don’t think u understand. 4th line but play 3rd line minutes. Either way, I’ll choice to believe the professional putz’s opinion over yours(someone I don’t know and don’t know the credentials of). But we’ll see. I fully expect to see ZAR/Blueger/McGinn line.
I completely agree with this take:
“The ice time and usage of McGinn in Pittsburgh will be an interesting one to watch. As an energy forward who is a solid PKer, he’s a natural to pencil into the role that Brandon Tanev has vacated. That brings about its own challenges, being as Tanev was always very good on the ice. McGinn at 27-years old with 345 NHL games under his belt is a known quantity, he’s not suddenly going to play 17 minutes a night or score 20 goals in a season, but he’s not really being placed in a role to do that.
At minimum he’s going to play good defense, and has been matched against top opposition. At best (like last year where his 8 goals in 37 games were on pace for 18 in a full 82 game season), McGinn can finish and chip in some offense. Twice he’s been a 10+ goal scorer in the NHL. Twice more he’s been on pace for it before shortened seasons have thwarted him. McGinn’s a player who probably scores 11-15 goals, around 30 points, throw a hit or two, kill some penalties and be a reasonably solid middle lineup forward for the Pens, just as Tanev was before him”.
I just saw Bozak signed. I don’t think u understand. 4th line but play 3rd line minutes. Either way, I’ll choice to believe the professional putz’s opinion over yours(someone I don’t know and don’t know the credentials of). But we’ll see. I fully expect to see ZAR/Blueger/McGinn line.
I completely agree with this take:
“The ice time and usage of McGinn in Pittsburgh will be an interesting one to watch. As an energy forward who is a solid PKer, he’s a natural to pencil into the role that Brandon Tanev has vacated. That brings about its own challenges, being as Tanev was always very good on the ice. McGinn at 27-years old with 345 NHL games under his belt is a known quantity, he’s not suddenly going to play 17 minutes a night or score 20 goals in a season, but he’s not really being placed in a role to do that.
At minimum he’s going to play good defense, and has been matched against top opposition. At best (like last year where his 8 goals in 37 games were on pace for 18 in a full 82 game season), McGinn can finish and chip in some offense. Twice he’s been a 10+ goal scorer in the NHL. Twice more he’s been on pace for it before shortened seasons have thwarted him. McGinn’s a player who probably scores 11-15 goals, around 30 points, throw a hit or two, kill some penalties and be a reasonably solid middle lineup forward for the Pens, just as Tanev was before him”.
Cool beans! I’ll take McGinn’s, Sullivan’s, Hextall’s and Burke’s words for it over some “professional” putz’ and you lol.
Cool beans! I’ll take McGinn’s, Sullivan’s, Hextall’s and Burke’s words for it over some “professional” putz’ and you lol.
Id be a huge fan of these lines to start(although I think Sid will be back for the season opener. He’s a workout warrior and will train properly and be healthy for the season opener).
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