Quoting: Jake_H
I watch a fair bit of hockey, enough to know that you're not giving Sprong, Simon, or Maatta nearly enough credit. Simon and Sprong are valuable depth pieces for the next two seasons at least, producing from the lower lines on cheap contracts until injury calls them higher up the lineup. Maatta isn't the best defenseman out there, but he gets much more grief than he deserves and his trade value is a lot higher than people suggest on here.
Lehkonen has potential and is off to a hot start, but he's far from a sure thing and yet the Pens are giving up possibly their best forward prospect to get him. Scherbak hasn't locked down a roster spot yet and has less NHL games than Simon or even Sprong, so it's not like the Pens are picking up two surefire NHL top-6 talents.
If you think Maatta would ride the bench in Detroit, how does that trade even make sense? And what is it about Athanasiou that you value so highly?
Has the skills and the speed to become an NHLer. He’s fast, agile and good with the puck. He’s a strong skater with the hockey sense and tenacity to compete in a high-level. speedy winger with great hockey vision. Lehkonen has superb acceleration speed and very good wrist shot. Despite lacking the size he uses his body well and is not afraid of going into tight situations.” – Miika Arponen, Dobber Prospects.
ask sprong and simon how the view from the bench was tonight for more than half the game. simon is a dime a dozen 13 forward. sprong has a a lot of offensive talent but is clueless on defense.
Maatta is a good defense man no doubt but his weakest point is his skating which in the pens type of game is a big negative. he is also a ld are deepest position. I never meant maatta would be on the bench most likely top pair and pp time in detroit vs the bench in Pittsburgh
. Lehkonen style of play and speed fit perfectly in pitt. Scherbak, i am hoping can turn it around in pitt with malkin and gonchar help.
not like sprong is surefire top 6 nhler and simon is not a nhler.
Athanasiou has lightning fast speed and is arguably one of the fastest players in all of Major Junior hockey. He has great offensive instincts and will play the body. His defensive game has gotten alot better. Is a highly skilled forward with supreme skating ability. Is also a sound two-way player who can be used in all game situations (and play all forward positions). He has size speed a great 2 way game plays all 3 forward spots with great hands. these are 3 gms/scouts view on him.
AA is a faster bigger version of sprong that back checks. detroit needs good young d (maatta)