Ryan Wilson: Penguins begin long climb in prospect rankings Penguins begin long climb in prospect rankings

Doo-be-doo-be-do!

Surprising seeing Pickering ahead of Rutger.

Should have traded Pickering instead of Yager in the deal since clearly he is ranked higher

Rankings are always subjective to whoever is doing the evaluation, but after looking at a few other rankings I think this might be a more compressive order:

1. Rutger McGroarty
2. Joel Blomqvist
3. Owen Pickering
4. Harrison Brunicke
5. Vasili Ponomaryov

Brunicke at 3 and Broz at 4 seem odd to me. I do think Pronman does goalies separately. He's not the only one putting Brunicke that high though so maybe he's better than I expected.

Here’s what’s going to happen. Winnipeg is going to be in a playoff spot by the deadline and shopping for center depth because reasons. Eller is going to have another good season and be an attractive expiring vet with Cup experience. We trade Eller for Yager back. Cup.

It will be a big year for the Pens with how they handle their contracts and potential trades or signings. A team to watch for sure.

Was McGroarty a good trade? Honest question. I know nothing of him.

Most likely. Obviously won’t know till they both start their careers. 14th overall one year for 14th overall the year after. I like the Groaty is bigger and plays physical since we lack that so much. He is always ranked higher in prospect lists than Yager so that’s good I suppose.

Go make a trade for Nick Robertson now.

Was McGroarty a good trade? Honest question. I know nothing of him.
- Aaron_85

On paper, yes. McGroarty is more NHL ready and I think has a higher floor/ceiling. In reality, he could be a bust and Yager could be a star. Hard to truly judge for a few years.

On paper, yes. McGroarty is more NHL ready and I think has a higher floor/ceiling. In reality, he could be a bust and Yager could be a star. Hard to truly judge for a few years.
- SuperHenderson13

Their upside is likely similar but McGroarty’s floor is much higher as of now. No real way to determine winner or loser until we know who they become once they finish the prospect phase of their career and even then, how things match up with each team’s timeline can tip the scales. For example, if Yager ends up better but McGroarty is able to come in and help the team be competitive for the stars’ swan song it was worth it. On the other hand, if McGroarty is better but this team just continues to suck, it’d be better to have a slightly worse player that’s two years younger who’s timeline better aligns with the rebuild

After trading McGroarty for Yager, it doesn't even look like a rebuild anymore. Most of the talent is already in WBS. Using Pensburgh's list, 8 of the top 9 players under 25 have already turned pro: McGroarty, Blomqvist, Pickering, Murashov, Koivunen, Ponomarev, Poulin, and Broz. (Our 2 recent seconds are 7 and 10). So what youth we have in the system should be coming soon, with not much talent in the 2 recent drafts.

Taylor Haase
10:16 AM - August 27, 2024 Cranberry, Pa.
Currently skating at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex: Chad Ruhwedel (in Rangers gear), Sergei Murashov, Noel Acciari, Bryan Rust, Vasily Ponomarev, Tristan Broz, Rutger McGroarty, Cody Glass.

Pretty sure Sergei Murashov has conceded like, two goals this entire session and just to Vasily Ponomarev. They had Noel Acciari parked in front practicing tips. He stoned Bryan Rust a few times. Also made easy work of a Chad Ruhwedel wraparound attempt.

Taylor Haase
10:16 AM - August 27, 2024 Cranberry, Pa.
Currently skating at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex: Chad Ruhwedel (in Rangers gear), Sergei Murashov, Noel Acciari, Bryan Rust, Vasily Ponomarev, Tristan Broz, Rutger McGroarty, Cody Glass.

Pretty sure Sergei Murashov has conceded like, two goals this entire session and just to Vasily Ponomarev. They had Noel Acciari parked in front practicing tips. He stoned Bryan Rust a few times. Also made easy work of a Chad Ruhwedel wraparound attempt.
- madmike71

Geno should get his ass there and start working out so it doesn’t take 1/3rd of the regular season.

Geno should get his ass there and start working out so it doesn’t take 1/3rd of the regular season.
- Grinder47

At which you'd be upset, saying that with all this extra preseason work, he'll be gassed for the last 1/3rd of the regular season.

At which you'd be upset, saying that with all this extra preseason work, he'll be gassed for the last 1/3rd of the regular season.
- jmatchett383

If that’s the case he should retire.

Geno should get his ass there and start working out so it doesn’t take 1/3rd of the regular season.
- Grinder47

No Sid or Letang on this list either so I bet they aren't training at all. What a bunch of slackers! No way any of these guys are actually training on their own.

No Sid or Letang on this list either so I bet they aren't training at all. What a bunch of slackers! No way any of these guys are actually training on their own.
- Tojo.

I love hearing these young guys are in Pittsburgh early. If I wanted to make an impression on my new team that's exactly what I'd do.

No Sid or Letang on this list either so I bet they aren't training at all. What a bunch of slackers! No way any of these guys are actually training on their own.
- Tojo.

Their conditioning is never in question.

Their conditioning is never in question.
- Grinder47

I'm just busting your chops a bit because being here means nothing about what shape you'll be in. But I agree, Geno's conditioning can vary year to year while Sid and Letang are models of consistency.

Good interview with rutty Mcgroaty.

He seems really stoked to be in Pittsburgh. Wonder why he really wouldn’t sign in Winnipeg? Sounds to me how he gushed about Pitt being a sports city that the city itself could be a factor. Said he wasn’t promised a spot except for at the prospects challenge, so hopefully he comes out in beast mode and claims a spot.

You guys should listen to the Doug Armstrong interview on the Cam and Strick podcast. I feel like a lot of you who are bigger fans of the GM aspect of hockey than the actual hockey would benefit from it.