The Pittsburgh Penguins made a big move on Monday, sending Harrison Brunicke back to junior. It’s a move that upset some fans but Hunter and Patrick are here to tell you that it’s going to be a good thing for the long haul. They discussed how Brunicke showed that he is far ahead of expectations as a prospect and how if he plays well at junior this year, there could be a spot waiting for him next year. After that, they dive into the lines from practice on Monday and how Rutger McGroarty has made the team since he’s still on a line with Lars Eller and Jesse Puljujarvi. They also discuss how the top power play has both Letang and Karlsson on it, which Hunter wants to see more of. Finally, they end the show with some BOLD predictions for this season!
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17 Comments
Another great decision let the give younger player a chance.
I’m sorry you think sending Brunicke down was a smart decision, but you’re wrong.
I’m with Pat, I love their current PP concept.
If they have a top 10 pp – they will challenge for the division title
Oh baby, we are back
To all the people saying sending him down is a bad decision (which it isn’t), who’s gonna step up and defend him when other teams pick on him when he hits that wall from playing more hockey than before at 18?
Bold prediction: Tristan Broz scores 10 goals after being called up for injury relief!
Yeah Brunicke being sent back isn't really surprising. I was optimistic but then honestly the last game he played against Columbus was a little rough. There was a few times he got manhandled against the boards, which isn't a problem, he's only 18. Just gotta get his strength up to be a fulltime NHLer.
I’m in the pro camp of sending “Harry” down. Best case, he plays all 9 games well and goes down (they’re not mortgaging the future/pulling a Sprong and burning 1 year from his ELC).
Worse case, Graves and him get caved in by Rangers transition game, Matthews, McDavid, a relentless Hurricanes forecheck, and a heavy Winnipeg team.
The pros/cons aren’t symmetrical, and basically Sullivan echoed this in his comments today (doing right by the player).
Based on his camp performance, Brunicke will likely have a better chance to play in the World Juniors, which will allow him to play a best-on-best tournament. Seems like a prudent development path. He is another piece of the return on the Guentzel trade (the second round pick) that is looking good right now. The system is remarkably improved over the last 6 months.
Rakell appears healthy and looks like a completely different player than last season. He's vital to our success as line two is absolute handful if Raks reverts to 2022-23 form. Think the Bunting/Malkin tandem continues to cook and Bunts pots 25-30 goals. Line 2 will be one of the best 2nd lines in hockey. PP will be a weapon this year and I agree with Pat's top 10 prediction. I also think Karlsson realizes (I'm sure Quinn is making certain of it) he needs to return to offensive catalyst instead of deferring to others. His numbers increase substantially (also increasing the numbers of many others). Rutger is a stud and is the type who will improve weekly so I expect him to be an impact player by seasons end. His winning/high expectations attitude is exactly what we need as well. Jesse P and others have a lot to prove and I think we get that perfect storm of legendary stalwarts doing their thing and multiple players who had down years or have been counted out – surprising a lot of their detractors. I don't think we're fighting for a playoff spot late. I think we assert ourselves early in the season as a bona fide playoff bound club.
Don't like this D corps or the goaltending. How did beer league skater noel acciari make this team. Why is matt neito still here? Why is Peterson still here? They better score cause they're going to give up a ton.
Karlsson will give up more than he gives
Pens always talk good during training camp we'll see
What happens if they go 2 and 8 right off the bat?
Pustinen can't score send him down. Bring up broz.
Hunter, ive got that same shirt
My hope, for Brunicke, is that, when they told him they were sending him back to juniors, that the Pens' staff told him what they wanted him to work on and continue to develop for next season. I'd seen several reporters talking about him being easy for the NHL guys to push off of the puck, if they got him near the boards, etc.
PP top 10? Yes, Sid 100 +? absolutely, Sullivan? no way, Mine, Pens 3rd in metro, just wait and see