Daniel Sprong, the Penguins' second-round pick, takes his media turn Saturday morning. -- JOSH YOHE

June 27, 2015

NHL Draft 2015, Day 2: Yohe on the floor

SUNRISE, Fla. — And Round 2 has arrived… Event: 46th NHL Draft, Rounds 2-7, 10 a.m. p.m., BB&T Center Penguins’ picks: Round 2 (46), 5 (137), 6 (167), 7 (197) TV, radio: NHL Network (national), SiriusXM NHL Network Radio Online: Draft Tracker / Multimedia / Media notes UPDATE 9:50 a.m.: Good morning from Sunrise. The

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188 Comments Newest to oldest

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Eric
6-27-2015, 9:21 am
Does Mr. Rutherford land Kessel today?

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Senor_Moneyshot
6-27-2015, 12:18 pm
For the love of god, NO.

kristenj66
6-27-2015, 9:23 am
Looks like GM's are already very busy this morning.

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PlazMan
6-27-2015, 9:24 am
Can we please not crucify JR for moves he hasn't made yet? Let's not forget, Shero is the GM who left this team with no Forward depth

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mr black
6-27-2015, 9:49 am
++ Everyone knows we don't have much leverage to get what we need. I believe JR knows he can't get any serious offers unless shows he is willing to play any card. Don't think statements and releases aren't calculated. Everyone keep your poker face while JR raises the pot.

JosePagan
6-27-2015, 9:57 am
Exactly, PlazMan. I'd go further and say that JR is not exactly making this up as he goes along and that HIS bosses have tasked him with improving the club. It almost beggars belief that any club would pay Malkin, Letang, Sid and Fluery what they are and then "rebuild" or "bring up the young guys (whoever the hell they are)" or some such. When you rebuild then you really have to consider stripping down to essentials. If you have four Ferraris in the garage you don't buy Kias to "complement" them.

Jose

Rocco
6-27-2015, 10:13 am
Jose, LOL on the KIA comments. However, in the last JD Power IQS, Kia finished 2nd among all automakers, behind only Porsche and six KIA models finished best in class.

So...give me dependable KIA wings around these centers with six of them being the best in the league at what they do....and I'll take those KIAs all they way to the Stanley Cup.

...and no...before you ask....I don't sell KIAs.

DL
6-27-2015, 11:07 am
Exactly ^

Marc
6-27-2015, 1:18 pm
screw dependable! have you ever driven one of those KIAs? Bleh

Irishfeck
6-27-2015, 9:24 am
I can't tell you how much I've enjoyed these updates! Maybe the best way, is to say that it's the first thing I looked for this morning. Great work Josh!

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thebeloved
6-27-2015, 9:29 am
The morning draft is good news for Pens fans. GMJR was at iHop at 6am for the early bird special.

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scotty1212
6-27-2015, 9:30 am
this is awesome coverage great inside info on the pens and rumors

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DJ
6-27-2015, 9:38 am
Here's hoping GMJR oversleeps this morning, whether by exhaustion or the shenanigans of our co-GMs team.

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Rage
6-27-2015, 9:43 am
MORE PHOTOBOMBS FROM STEVE STEREO!!!

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Whovian87
6-27-2015, 9:51 am
Hey, how about this time we wait and see what the execs actually do before we all go nuts screaming and crying about who they got and who they gave up. This way we don't drive ourselves crazy over stuff that didn't happen and may not happen. Patience is important, for the execs and for us.

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grateful4panic
6-27-2015, 9:57 am
Calm rationale isn't really a strong suit for this fanbase.

JosePagan
6-27-2015, 10:04 am
@ panic: Witness the debates about bringing back Kennedy, Tyler or Gonchar, Sergei. You'd think they were considering trading for Ovechkin...

Jose

Whovian87
6-27-2015, 10:08 am
Yeah, so many get so upset at the possibility that this guy might go for this guy, but uh, yeah that wouldn't happen for 20 different reasons. All we can do is wait to see what happens, or doesn't for that matter.

JosePagan
6-27-2015, 9:52 am
Josh, do you have a sense that since Kessel, Skinner, Oshie et al were not moved yesterday that the demand for a Number One pick has been changed to young talent or that perhaps a more realistic view will be taken by the GMs that hold those players?

Jose

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unipress_5533f164c643b
6-27-2015, 10:06 am
I think fans tend to make more out of Rutherford statements because he is actually making statements to us. Jim Rutherford is very open with the media and fan base about his actions. Much more than the past GMs. He gives us information and we all go bananas. Let's go with common sense. If I'm any gm, of the pens I would want Crosby, Malkin, Fleury, Maata, Pouliot and Hornqvst. Those are desirable players on the Pens because they are either franchise players or with a lot of potential or reliability

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bpn8pitt
6-27-2015, 10:09 am
Maybe. Big difference when you think about buying a car compared to when you actually get on the lot and look at prices. Sounds like things weren't coming cheap yesterday.

unipress_5533f164c643b
6-27-2015, 10:45 am
Yes indeed. It's better for them to look for good deals on the free agent market, reclamation projects and some tryout contracts. I understand the desire for top two line forwards, but in 2009 Fedotenko and Talbot were not exactly big scoring line presences, but Malkin worked well with them. Maybe it's more about finding the right player and not the most talented.

Eric
6-27-2015, 10:07 am
Outside the draft, are the Pens still interested in the Russian winger/wingers?

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Eric Bowser
6-27-2015, 10:18 am
While much of the attention is on the Penguins and Maple Leafs discussing a deal centering on Phil Kessel, I'm not sure the Penguins are willing or able to deal a young defensemen such as Olli Maatta or Derrick Pouliot.

Instead, we could see the Penguins take a step back and go for value by trading a Beau Bennett or Scott Harrington to Carolina for Alex Semin.

Canes would have to take on about $3 million of his $7 million cap hit to make this work for the Penguins.

The team is rumored to have Serge Plotnikov and Viktor Tikhonov as possible July 1 free agent signings to help address the issues at forward.

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JosePagan
6-27-2015, 10:37 am
My only problem with Semin is that if Perron is not exactly the model of consistency then Semin sets the standard, no matter how many Russians are on the roster...

Jose

burnley_penguin
6-27-2015, 11:14 am
Like Jose, I'd be concerned with Semin's consistency especially when we've already got the inconsistent so far Perron.

Also, those Russians are an unknown in the NHL. Their numbers look good in the KHL but will it translate? Don't want to have too many improvement projects on the go at once.

Walter White
6-27-2015, 12:28 pm
Semin is horrible ... no need for his lazy ass on this team!

pghgolfgirl
6-27-2015, 10:31 am
I'll be happy if he doesn't do anything stupid like trade Maatta. Right now he is scaring me...

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cgframe
6-27-2015, 10:36 am
GMJR needs to stand pat and wait for the right offer or time. Don't throw what little assets you have away. Remember Pens don't have to do anything. Plenty of quality players under contract and a few very solid options still available as UFA or teams desperate to get under the cap.

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pghgolfgirl
6-27-2015, 10:48 am
+1

cgframe
6-27-2015, 10:38 am
Maata and Pouliot should only be moved if a team is willing to seriously over pay. The rest of the D prospects should be fair game.

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William Maloni
6-27-2015, 11:34 am
Definitely the latter.

nightsky73144
6-27-2015, 10:45 am
Had really been hoping Pens would make a play for Hagelin...

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Mizery
6-27-2015, 11:45 am
You think the Rangers would really trade him within the division? Even if the Pens wanted him I don't see them being able to pry him from the Rangers.

DJ
6-27-2015, 11:47 am
Saw that. Agree.

tflameinson
6-27-2015, 10:55 am
Sprong seems to be very highly touted offensively. "Wizard with the puck." Great nickname as well, "the Flying Dutchmen"

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cgframe
6-27-2015, 10:55 am
Excellent pick. Kid has talent. WBS and Gary Roberts can teach him 2 way game and pack on muscle.

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jmsoss
6-27-2015, 11:00 am
I like the pick!

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NHL Draft 2015, Day 2: Yohe on the floor

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