Penguins Breakout Player of 2011-12

went with Jeffrey. I think in a top 9 role he could pot 15g 20a if he plays 70+ games.

Had to go with DJ. I think Tangradi and Despres both have a little more potential than Jeffrey, but Jeffrey is pretty much guaranteed a spot on the team next year once he’s fully healed.

I think Despres has at least one more year in the minors before the Pens will bring him up – maybe we’ll see him for 7 games this year? And boy, I am hoping Tangradi makes the team, but we will just have to wait and see.

Jeffrey’s still got a ways to go as well, but you could see him showing flashes of his offensive potential as last season progressed. Further, while Crosby is out, yes there is an extra roster spot open… but that’s at center, allowing Jeffrey to have maybe a little more wiggle room and versatility in the lineup.

Tangradi needs to make a big step in the right direction this year, but I already see Jeffrey’s game acclimating to the NHL. I think he can do a job.

Had to go with Jeffrey only because of his hockey IQ, experience and consistency. Tangradi DOES have a higher ceiling since his potential is a top-6 forward, whereas, Jeffrey will most likely be a solid 3rd liner with the ability to jump into the top-6 and be comfortable.

A little OT but…

I (like most probably) want to see the 3 centre equation and if not don’t put Geno on the wing! Put Staal on the wing, I don’t care if Malkins FO% isn’t good, he’s not that great when he’s not comfortable and Staal has proven that he can play wing.

I’ve been thinking a lot about how I would set up the forward lines and I think I’m comfortable with this lineup:

Kunitz-Crosby-Dupuis
Neal-Malkin-Tangradi (Sullivan)
Cooke-Staal-Kennedy
Letestu (Jeffrey)-Adams-Asham

I had a hard time keeping Duper in the top-6 but I believe in cycling a BALANCED top 9 and keeping what has worked in the past, and the Kunitz-Crosby-Dupuis has worked and so has the Cooke-Staal-Kennedy. Tangradi can play RW and if he is inconsistent or the matchup suites Sullivan better he can be dressed and play his natural position and it also keeps Neal at his. The 4th line is versatile because Adams, Letestu and Jeffrey can play any of the positions.

If I were putting money down I wouldn’t want to bet on Tangradi, because so far he hasn’t managed to live up to what he seems capable of. I hope this is the year for him to make a role for himself in the NHL, but I just don’t know if he will actually make it happen.

Jeffrey, obviously, has the knee issues to overcome. But I also kind of think he has already “broken out” — as is evidenced by Shero’s willingness to give him a one-way contract (after this season). Last year he played enough games for us to see him in real action at the NHL level, and he fared quite well, imo. Maybe it’s the injury that’s making us forget, or maybe he was overshadowed a bit by the emergence of Letestu, but I think Jeffrey has already sort of kind of had his coming out party.

Then again, he’s a smart player, and that is definitely going to help him continue to improve as he gains more experience with the big boys.

And then there’s Despres. Due to our depth at defense plus him being a new arrival, I think you’re right and he’s going to spend much of his time at the AHL level. That said, I fully expect him to get the hang of AHL hockey quickly, and to earn himself call-ups when they are available. I also hope he makes it really, really difficult for them to send him down, even though they will probably have to. I’m excited about what he will eventually bring to the NHL, but this just might not be the year he gets his real chance.

I went with ET, primarily because of Jeffrey’s injury. I really like DJ as a player and see him as a quality 3rd-line center who can contribute respectable offensive totals. Neither are a given by any stretch, but if Tangradi can make the team and perform, he couldn’t ask for a better situation. PP time is there for the “net-front presence” role and he certainly has the skill set to do it.

I know alot of Pensbughers like Jeffrey , but I like Tangradi, even if he is the obvious choice. I believe he has a higher impact potential than Jeffrey. I’m thinking Kevin Stevens, but with the late 2000’s scoring standards not early 90’s. I really hope both flourish this season though.

I agree with your excellent run-down, Hooks. However, if the definition of “breakout” is “far exceeded expectations,” I’d lay money on Nick Johnson. He had 40 pts. in 48 games last season in WBS, and absent the injury could’ve proven himself worthy in Pittsburgh of at least a third-line role. With Kennedy potentially moving up to one of the top 2 lines, I think Johnson’s got a good shot at the third line.
You know my preference for finding right-handed wingers to play with all of the lefty pivots on this team, and that’s what Johnson is. Tangradi – for his talent ceiling – doesn’t seem to be able to play RW, Johnson’s natural position and the greatest roster need right now.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see Johnson score 12 goals/25 points over 50 games in a Pittsburgh uniform next season, and I’d consider that a breakout.

I voted Tangradi, but really only because of Jeffrey’s knee. The general rule of thumb is that you can find this year’s breakout players by looking at last year’s playoffs, assuming the player is less than, say, 26 years old. Unfortunately, that doesn’t work with the Pens this year because these three players combined for zero points in one game in the playoffs, and nobody else really had anything to write home about, either.

Mark Letestu was realllyyyyyyy under rated last year, he could put up 35-40 points (Dupuis range)

But if Jeffrey is healthy and makes all the right moves his ceiling is really high…I can’t say how many points I think he would get but he was exciting last year – so he is my choice. I admire Tangradi but I just don’t know where he could stick except the bottom 6 and occasional PP time.

A lot of teams would love to have this problem though, so I am not complaining!

Whole lot of prior comments, I just want to add my bit here:

1. Tangradi – this is a make or break year for him. If he has not stuck with the big club by December and started to have an impact in more of a top 6 power forward role, he is trade bait. I love the guy but I would bet against him being in the Penguins organization at any level in March. He just has never taken that step and I don’t think he will.

2. Jeffrey is the guy that can breakout this year. he made the most of his opportunity last year and stuck. I expect him to be on the Pens’ NHL roster after camp. I expect Shero to tell him to get a place and get ready for a full season with the big club. Only a lack of production or re- injury to the knee can hurt him. However he has done what the big dog has not thus far. He has had a measurable impact at the NHL Level. I can see him starting the season ad the 2-line center with Geno on 1.

3. Despres starts the season in WBS short of a miraculous camp. He might get a shot later in the season, especially if GMRS can get rid of Niskanen. Next year will be the year to look for the Sea Dog to break out.