The Pittsburgh Penguins reduced their training camp roster by three, it was announced today by executive vice president and general manager Ray Shero.
Forwards Bryan Lerg, Zach Sill and Keven Veilleux have each been re-assigned to the team’s top minor-league affiliate, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League (AHL).
Pens cut three more
8 months ago
Hooks Orpik
13 comments
0 recs |
Email
PrintComments
I’m probably the only one that has faith in Veilleux still. I wish him and Tangradi saw more ice time last night. And I think it’s incredibly stupid not to at least try Veilleux in front of the net on the PP. He has better hands and skill than Tangradi, though he’s not as strong, but why not at least try it. Harrington and Morrow are getting every shot but what about the young forwards? Not really.
No, I still think Veilleux can put it together. He’s young and the time out with injuries has slowed his development. He does have a good amount of skill for such a big guy and last year he started to show more of a mean streak, which I believe was one of the knocks on his game in the past (ie, didn’t play up to his size).
I don’t read too much into early demotions for guys who were almost certain to start the year in AHL. I feel the same way about Despres. They are going to get a full AHL camp leading up to more prominent roles with WBS. I think it is strictly a player development philosophy/decision, nothing more.
As for Morrow and Harrington, they are not “getting every shot” as they have no shot of making the NHL this year. However, there is more of a benefit in keeping them around longer to get more exposure to pro hockey and the Penguins organization. Because when they are ultimately cut, which they will be, they are going back to their respective Junior teams.
That’s all true, I’m probably looking too much into it, but I still would have liked to see some players in the exhibition games and/or get more ice time before getting sent down.
By “every shot” I wasn’t really referring to that Morrow and Harrington have a chance—they should stay as long as they can but they are both logging pretty good minutes. Both Morrow and Harrington got time on the PP and PK!! Why wasn’t Kuhnhackl given a chance before being returned to Windsor? He’s in the same situation as those guys and has had a great camp.
Veilleux showed what he can do when given more responsibility. When more WBS players were being called up last year and he moved into a top6 role with WBS he shined and showed flashes of his top6 scoring potential.
by Geno McFleury on Sep 23, 2011 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions
I used to be pretty high on Veilleux, but now I don’t know. Rare to see a guy play 2-3+ years in the AHL and then become and NHL scoring player.
KV’s route to the NHL might be to be a Mike Rupp player- play simple, forecheck really hard, hit people left and right and fight all challengers.
"You come at the King, you best not miss."
by Hooks Orpik on Sep 23, 2011 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions
Veilleux really only has one full year of professional hockey under his belt and when he was given the room to play in the top-6 he was more than good.
Tangradi has played more in the AHL and might even be there again this year so by your definition, you don’t have much hope for him turning into somewhat of a scorer in the NHL?
Both of these players are similar. They both had troubles with consistency and learning how to play the game with their big frames. If we aren’t giving up on the Big Dog then we shouldn’t give up on Keven since he has the tools to be a top-6 winger OR be a solid bottom-6 grinder.
If Veilleux gets into a top-6 role with WBS then that’s his route to the NHL but if he is thrown back to the bottom-6 then he will continue to transform his game into a Rupper. I’d rather see him and WBS coaching staff take the former.
by Geno McFleury on Sep 23, 2011 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Yes, to some degree Tangradi’s in that boat. Injury history must be considered and allowed for, but just saying “he’s always hurt” isn’t really a positive for one’s career.
Tangradi’s a little different in that he’s broken through to the NHL. He’s played 15 NHL games last year and got a chance to make his mark. Veilleux’s been nothing but a farmhand, and even if you call his first pro year a wash (which it basically was) is he any closer right now to making the Penguins than he was last season? I don’t think so. I would think all of Johnson, Williams, Park, Vitale and Craig are ahead of KV in the organization’s eyes.
"You come at the King, you best not miss."
by Hooks Orpik on Sep 23, 2011 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions
That’s where I would expect KV to be at this point right now though. I could bet you if he has a chance to earn minutes and a bigger role with WBS then he will be in the discussion next year. Every player you listed above him are older and more experienced. KV is only 22 he still has plenty of time.
I just don’t see how people can be like oh yea Vitale, Johnson, etc. are NHL players but disregard that they spent a fair amount of time in the AHL but completely wash away the idea of KV becoming an NHLer?
by Geno McFleury on Sep 23, 2011 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions
I wasn’t specifically saying Veilleux’s a wasted cause, but please name me some NHL regular top 6 players that have spent 2+ years in the AHL. It’s very much an uphill battle for him at this point.
"You come at the King, you best not miss."
Just to be annoying I decided to take you up on the challenge to Geno McFleury!
Versteeg spent 3 season in the AHL with 13 NHL games in the 3rd season. I don’t think he’s a true top 6 guy, but he’s still a very solid player. This said, it was an enlightening experience searching for such a player, as there really aren’t many of them.
I wonder what that says about Tangradi’s future. The guy is still young, though, and I think his lack of a true breakthrough speak more to the depth on the team than anything.
As for Veilleux, he wouldn’t be the first big guy to need a lot of seasoning before possibly making the NHL. The size aspect means that teams have that much more patience with the players, because if they can make the NHL they really have a chance to be effective, given that natural advantage. That said, if Veilleux makes it to the NHL even just as a 3rd liner I’d count that as a huge success.
Fair enough.
So Bennett has 1 more year at DU and then 1 at WBS anything more he’s a bust. Get to it Beau!!!
by Geno McFleury on Sep 23, 2011 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Ya I know. He’s planning on staying at DU one more season THEN going pro.
According to this logic Bennett would need to spend no more than 1 to maybe 1.5 years down at WBS before making the jump or there’s little hope for me.
by Geno McFleury on Sep 23, 2011 7:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on PensBurgh
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Latest Puck Daddy - NHL from Yahoo! Sports
- Watch Ilya Kovalchuk’s Game 6 goal for Devils, a.k.a. power-play porn (VIDEO)
- Devils look to eliminate Rangers in Game 6; Hal Gill’s broken tibia (Playoff Puck Previews)
- Conan O’Brien joins long list of LA media that don’t really know what’s going on with the Kings
- For Los Angeles Kings, when does rest become rust for Stanley Cup Final?
- Dominik Hasek wants NHL return; Tortorella on Game 6; Nash to Boston? (Puck Headlines)
Latest stories and headlines from NHL.com
- Simon Gagne enjoying LA Kings' success, returns to practice after concussion absence
- Gagne back at practice, enjoying Kings' success
- First-place Knights go sight-seeing while awaiting Memorial Cup final
- NHL Network and NHL.com unveil comprehensive coverage plans for the 2012 Stanley Cup Final
- Canadiens hire Rick Dudley as assistant GM
