Pesonen signs with KHL club - 8-4-09

Good riddance. I don't think I could handle another season of "Call up Janne!!!" or "Did you know Pesonen broke the Pens AHL scoring record? He's gonna score 50 on Sid's wing!"

Like Seth said, he was a low risk venture that didn't pan out, no harm done. But really, people, he was nothing more than a fancy stick-handling version of Chris Minard.

AHL superstar, NHL bum.

It's unfair to label him a bum since he never really got a shot.

But there is obviously a reason that he didn't get called up even when Byslma was in charge. And the fact that it appears that no NHL team pursued him this offseason tells me that there is something about his game that makes them think he can't be productive in the big league.

I have to admit to suggesting that Pesonen should have been called up early last season when the Pens were dealing with injured and ineffective wingers.  However, when Bylsma replaced Therrien, it was clear that Pesonen lacked something (probably physicality) required to play in the NHL.  If Bylsma, who knew him best, didn't want him, neither should have any of us.  He belongs in Europe.

Yeah, because I much preferred Dupuis on Sid's line. At least Pesonen had SOME offense in him. How much could he produce playing with Godard?

Having said that, I'm in agreement with Seth. I didn't think Pesonen got a fair shot in the NHL but maybe he didn't deserve one.

I'm still curious who's going to play on Malkin's other wing. I really doubt Tangradi's ready to make the leap. Maybe Caputi?

I called for Pesonen to get a shot with Sid or Geno as well. ANYTHING looked like a better option than Miro Satan for most of the regular season...

Dammit Bones, I'm a blogger not a mind reader.

Here's something equally stupid I posted on this subject way back when:

community.post-gazette.com/.../no-dupuis-fedotenko-tonight-1-8-09.aspx

Kev, I'm afraid we're going to see the Dupuis top 2 lines experiment again.

Don't say it, Goat! Don't say it! Gahhhh!

Sadly I think you might be right. Would they be willing to break up the third line and bump Kennedy up? He's got more goal potential than Dupuis, and it's not like we're lacking in third-line guys.

Godard gets shot on Geno's wing. Scores 50, shocks world.

Guerin-Crosby-Kunitz

Fedotenko-Malkin-Jeffrey

Kennedy-Staal-Cooke

Dupuis-Adams-Rupp

The only reason I would go with Jeffrey is that he has some NHL experience and I want to see Caputi develop some more. Wouldn't mind seeing him spend at least half the season in Wilkes-Barre.

Jeffrey or Wallace may make the team, but only as fourth liners.  Caputi or Tangradi would have to be unbelievable in camp to stay up.  Dupuis and Kennedy seem to be the only candidates to fill Geno's line.  Don't worry though, the playoffs are a long way off.

New PG Poll: What's most likely:

1) Godard gets shot on Geno's wing.

2) Jeffrey gets shot on Geno's wing.

3) Mario gets shot on Geno's wing. (In best shape of life.)

4) Goat gets shot.

Am I the only one who likes Godard?  I mean, I realize the role of enforcer seems to be getting more and more done away with, but with division rivals like the Flyers and the whole concept of a "Stanley Cup hangover" with other teams specifically trying to punish the Pens, I think Godard and Rupp are going to see their ice time.

I think Mr. Shero has the right idea bringing in Rupp as well...you're looking at guys who understand that they're going to be scratched sometimes and be ok with that, but they're also going to give their all to see their teammates don't get the wrong end of the stick (literally).

As for the second line...I'm going with the Duper.  I don't see the AHL guys getting pulled up for that...at least not to start.  Maybe as the season goes on a little and things settle in.

Meh. Except for Kennedy, I don't really like our options. ;)

I guess training camp might be a "throw stuff at the wall and see what sticks" approach.

Goat: Mario should come out of retirement and just play the PP. ;)

I guess I don't mind Godard all that much. I like the guy well enough, and I understand his role. It would be nice though if he had a little more Georges Laraque in him, in terms of ability to control the puck a little, especially behind the net. I won't make the "Detroit gets by without an enforcer" comment. It wouldn't break my heart if they traded him but I'm not going to lobby for it either.

I like Godard, but the fact is that if Fedotenko and Guerin hadn't signed team friendly contracts, he and Dupuis probably wouldn't still be here.

Detroit also isn't in a Division with Philly or a conference with Washington.  The east definitely is a little rougher than the west overall, I think.

I'll admit that part of my liking of Godard is just because I think he's an awesome guy.  I've met a handful of pro sports players in my life and I think of them all, he was the coolest dude among them.

I'll also admit that I just enjoy watching a good hockey fight sometimes, and I think if my team's going to be involved in 'em, I'll take Godard in the black and gold.

Goat: I think it's fair to say that if Guerin and Fedotenko hadn't signed team-friendly contracts, -they- wouldn't be here.  Or, at least, not both of them.  

Guerin in particular didn't just take a paycut, He straight-up allowed himself to be robbed.  I've got to think his agent is still chewing nails unless there was some sort of extra bonus/similar monetary agreement thrown in there.

Not that I'm upset by that.  I was stoked when they announced they re-signed him...I was pretty sure that no matter how much he wanted to stay in the 'burgh, he wouldn't take -that- kind of cut.

Mario is in the best shape of his life and all he had to do was stop eating french fries!

Ok last time I get to sing this... Na na na na na na na na!

All I can say is thank god

I got so tired of hearing the Janni would score 50+ on sid 's wng

It was a decent experiment it didn't cost us anything so it is a wash

People acted like he was the second coming

I know Robby Brown scored 49 goals on Mario's wing  

But Janni you are no Ribbie Brown

I remember when everyone was calling for Pesonen's call up, and I remember EXACTLY what I said at that point.

At that time, Pesonen had 13 AHL goals.

Miro Satan had 13 NHL goals.

You'd have to be an absolute idiot to want Pesonen, the one guy on the team more soft than Satan, on Sid or Geno's line.

Pesonen was soff AND slow.  Good riddance.  But nice move by Shero.  Low risk/high potential reward.

Godard fills his role PERFECTLY and at a reasonable salary.  The Pens are lucky to have his services again this year.

I don't like Dupuis on the Top 2 lines.  Put him on the 3rd line in place of Kennedy.  Dupuis's spot on the 4th most likely filled by Jeffrey (or maybe Wallace).

Move TK up.  I think Kennedy would be better on Sid's wing, but Guerin isn't going anywhere (this year), so I think he'll end up on Malkin's right.  He could audition for Sid's right b/c Guerin isn't likely to re-sign.

Tangradi is a year away.  Look for Tenk to leave via FA after this season and Tangradi to take his spot on Malkin's left.

Rupp can also play some on the 3rd line.  Lots of possiblities.  I'm thinking we see, early in the season, something like this:

LW                C                   RW

Kunitz       Crosby            Guerin

Tenk         Malkin             Kennedy

Cooke       Staal               Dupuis

Rupp         Adams            Jeffrey/Wallace