Tyler Kennedy

by Phantaskippy on Jul 8, 2009 2:35 AM EDT

With all the changes in Pittsburgh I've been somewhat surprised to hear so little talk of Kennedy. He'll be entering his third year in the NHL, and last season I thought he was becoming a quality player. He won't be a point a game guy or a big goal scorer, but I think he can at least fill Talbot's role on Malkin's line.

That's my Kennedy fandom set on low, I think the kid has top 6 forward written all over him. He's not a pure shooter or a power forward, but he can be a 20 goal scorer (he had 15 in 67 games last year) and he's got great drive and speed. I expect him to get plenty of opportunity this year, and I hope he can take advantage of it. He turns 23 in a week and I can see him being a great forward for this team for years. I especially think he has the tools to work well with Malkin and Fedetenko on the second line. I guess we'll see.

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Hard to break him up from Staal

I love the way Staal, Cooke, and Kennedy play, I doubt that this line will change next year.

by Piratefan13 on Jul 8, 2009 7:48 AM EDT reply actions

He reminds me an awful lot of Mark Rechi.

by PensFan024 on Jul 8, 2009 10:36 AM EDT reply actions

I totally agree. Recchi-ish for sure. All hustle.

Red Wings-1 Max Talbot-2

by Mr.BrettKeisel on Jul 23, 2009 4:09 AM EDT up reply actions

I think Kennedy is a really good player, and he could work well with Malkin, but like Piratefan13, I’d be hesitant to break up the Kennedy-Staal-Cooke line. On the other hand, if it is only temporary, then putting Dupuis on that line and moving Kennedy up could work pretty well.

by jackm on Jul 8, 2009 11:21 AM EDT reply actions

I think we have other third line players, and mainly I’m looking at when Talbot is gone. Rupp isn’t a good fit with Malkin and Fedetenko, Kennedy has speed and playmaking ability with toughness, he scores more than Talbot and I think his game would mesh with Malkin better than most.

Obviously if Staal Kennedy and Cooke work like they did this year they will be back together for the playoffs when you really need that shutdown line. But while Talbot is out I think Kennedy is a logical choice to move up.

by Phantaskippy on Jul 8, 2009 12:58 PM EDT reply actions

I agree, I think since Bylsma has the whole year (read: training camp) to set stuff up, he can experiment with different combinations. Who knows, maybe someone else will work better on Staal’s line than Kennedy.

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by Hockey Beard in SLC on Jul 8, 2009 9:56 PM EDT up reply actions

Staal and Kennedy work well together, but if you can cycle the puck a little, play a gritty game then you can be a 3rd line winger….A guy like Dupuis, even though he’s fallen out of favor here, could be a good TK replacement.

I’d much rather see Kennedy get a shot on the 2nd line than Dupuis, that’s for sure

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by Hooks Orpik on Jul 9, 2009 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions

On the contrary, maybe some time with Malkin is just what Dupuis needs. He’s bound to rack up some points and maybe it would give the pens the opportunity to shuffle him off when Talbot returns.

I like Kennedy and Staal together way too much to seperate the two of them.

by bbill on Jul 29, 2009 7:14 PM EDT up reply actions