I love reading up on news from the farm. Caputi better pull his act together. Details seem pretty minimal with regards to what exactly is getting him in trouble, but whatever it is he’ll hopefully push it aside and focus a bit more. I’d hate to see the Pens pass up on him in the future because of his ability to be a loose cannon.

John Curry continues to impress. He’s already Fleury’s backup next year in my mind. His contract would be far less than Garon’s and easily open up some more money to toss at a winger (or to re-sign one). When you consider the likeliness of a decline in the salary cap, this not only seems probable but also extremely logical from a financial stand point.

Great write up

It is pretty cool to hear some news on the AHL Pens and how promising a season they have had thus far. Pesonen deserves another shot up with big guys IMO…and hopefully a shot at the top-6 and not 3rd/4th line garbage. I didn’t see anything spectacular out of him in his short stints with the Pens this yr but that’s because he never got any quality minutes. Maybe he gets a better shot next yr as the team we have now looks pretty darn good and we’re no longer in a position of panic. I hope Frank is right about Curry being the back-up next season too. He’ll prolly only get starts in the first half of next year because “Fury” seems unbeatable every year down the stretch….when he’s healthy anyways. And don’t get too comfortable there Satan because a first round match-up with the Caps or Flyers will prolly leave us pretty banged up, and having you waiting in the wings for the 2nd round may give you the chance to get back in the good graces of us “sometimes critical” Pens fans…myself included.

Pesonen and Satan would be the first calls ups if the Pens were to suffer injuries to top six forwards, but that would be the only case where they would get the call. Both have proven that they can’t play 3rd/4th line roles.

I have been on the Pesonen band-wagon since they signed him but from what I have scene and read of him he is a top six forward only due to a lack of size and grit. He is also more of a passer and a dangler which would make him a better fit with Malkin than Crosby so if Fedentenko really sputters I wouldn’t be surprised to see Pesonen get the call but with his lack of experience Satan would probably come first.

Pesonen is the type of play-maker that could really help Stall become more of a goal scorer but he has found a real chemistry with Cooke, Dupuis, and Kennedy so that leaves no room for him there.

Ultimatly, Pesonen may get a real shot to be with the club next year if they lose some forwards in free agency but I don’t see it coming this year.

True. Losing Naslund hurt then and kinda sends a shiver up the spine now. Nice comparison to Staal. I for one openly admit I rag on Staal more than his numbers should permit. It just feels like every time he needs to come up big he doesn’t. He’ll pad a lead, but with the exception of that Detroit game he hardly is ever THE guy.

I’m sorry, but I just can’t see using the playoffs as a time when you should give someone a shot. Do I think the Pens should have experiemented with Pesonen during the regular season? Absolutely. I agree he was never given a fair shot to play with the top six. But to use the playoffs – a time when teams should be jelling more than experimenting – just doesn’t seem like good timing to me.