
IF WE'RE LUCKY
Here are a few players the Pens may like to take, but possibly will not be available.
Austin Watson- (RW, Peterbourough) Though the Ponikarovsky experiment was a failure, Shero has been looking for a large winger for a few years. The big forward of the future is currently considered to be Eric Tangradi, but it never hurts to have a backup plan.
Jeff Skinner- (C, Kitchener) Yes, I know he is a center, but if Bylsma continues to fancy Geno as a winger, than perhaps he could be a potential second liner (assuming Staal stays on checking line). He is a great shooter, and doesn't seem far off of development. I wouldn't get too worked up about it, as he will probably be gone anyways.
WITHIN GRASP
These guys are more likely to be around when pick #20 rolls around tomorrow afternoon.
Quinton Howden- (LW, MooseJaw) Howden has a little way to go in his development process, but Shero can do a very nice job of keeping the farm stocked by picking Howden. Howden possesses a well balanced array of offensive skill. I wouldn't mind seeing Shero take him one bit.
Dylan McIlrath- (D, MooseJaw) This 215 lb bulldozer provides exactly what the Pens need on their blue line. Aside from Brooks Orpik, the Pens current defense consists of smaller, agile and technical d-men (Letang, Goligoski, Eaton, Lovejoy, Gonchar). Yes, some of them are scrappy but don't provide the presence that a man like Orpik does. One Orpik is a huge presence, 2 makes it an intimidating force.
BIT OF A STRETCH
Some dark horse picks that will probably be there at #20 if Shero wants to take a chance.
John McFarland- (LW, Sudbury) Picked #1 in the 2008 OHL draft (above Seguin, etc), the potential is clearly there for McFarland. He is oozing with raw talent, though his development has hit a few rough patches. If the Pens are willing to put in the time to turn him back on the right track, this can be a risk/reward move that pays huge dividends.
Tyler Toffoli- (RW, Ottawa67s) Another "long term" type of player, Toffoli reminds me of a Sykora type shooter. Since the departure of Sykora and Satan, the Pens have been without pure goal scorers not named Sid or Geno. Toffoli can solve this problem, though it will take some time.
Here are the rest of the Pens picks:
Rd 3 Pick 20 (80)
Rd 4 Pick 20 (110)
Rd 5 Pick 20 (140)
Rd 6 Pick 2 (156)
Rd 6 Pick 20 (170)
Rd 7 Pick 20 (200)
The first round can be seen tomorrow on versus, starting at 7 ET.
1 comment:
I hope they get Vladimir Tarasenko. I think he falls to them too.
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