Just a bit of a loose leaf ramble ahead of tomorrow night’s game with Dallas.
Flying the Koop(anen)
The Penguins placed Joona Koppanen on waivers yesterday. If no one claims him by 2 pm today, the 27-year-old forward can be reassigned to the Baby Pens.
During 10 games with the Pens, Koppanen registered one assist while filling in mostly on the fourth line. In six games with the Baby Pens, he tallied a goal and an assist.
Frankly, I’m not sure what Kyle Dubas and Dan Muse, both of whom were complimentary, see in the hulking Finn. Yes, he provided size (6’5” 217) if not jam (only nine hits), was an effective penalty killer and registered okay underlying numbers considering his role. But he’s definitely a player of limited impact, at least at the big-league level.
Still, it almost seems that Dubas views Joona as a poor man’s version of another player of similar dimensions and background, Justin Brazeau. Koppanen was among the first, if not the first, free agents signed by our POHO/GM when he took over in 2023.
I feel Boko Imama plays a more well-rounded game, to say nothing of the aggression and physicality he provides. However, with Brazeau and Noel Acciari slated to return soon, Boko’s stay in the ‘Burgh could be just as fleeting.
Speaking of players recently assigned to the Baby Pens, I’ll be the first to admit I was disappointed when prospect Tristan Broz didn’t get a longer look. After making his NHL debut in the Pens’ 4-2 win over the Sabres on November 26, he was healthy scratch the next two games before being sent back post haste to the Baby Pens.
However, on further review, I think I get it. While Broz did okay by my eye test, the 23-year-old center registered some of the worst 5v5 underlying numbers against the Sabres, including Corsi (31.82), Shots for Percentage (25) and Expected Goals for Percentage (13.93).
Fortunately, one game does not a player define or a career make. The Bloomington native, who notched his ninth goal of the AHL season last night in the Baby Pens’ 6-2 victory over Lehigh Valley, will surely be back at some point.
No Deal?
For a brief time, rumors were hot ‘n’ heavy that Tristan Jarry would be dealt to goaltending poor Oilers. However, in light of Tristan’s recent play, I can’t imagine he’s still on the trading block.
Solid at the beginning of the season while rotating with Arturs Silovs, the two-time all-star’s been nothing short of superb since returning from IR. As of this post, he’s tied for 16th (out of 80 goalies) in Save Percentage (.913), 27th in Goals Against Average (2.61), tied for 15th in Goals Saved Above Average (5.25) and tied for 15th in High Danger Save Percentage (.860).
It’s safe to say he’s been the driving force behind our recent 4-1 run.
Coming off the worst season of his career, whodda thunk it? Certainly not I. Count me among those who wanted to run Jarry out of town on a rail.
However, since returning from exile last spring, the 10-year vet’s displayed an almost steely resolve along with a new level of maturity. The big question…can he keep it up? Tristan’s had a tendency to wear down as the season progresses.
Still, with Jarry and to a lesser degree, Silovs, not to mention hot prospects Sergei Murashov and Joel Blomqvist honing their craft at Wilkes, the Pens possess enviable organizational depth at a critical position.
With so many teams struggling between the pipes, it will certainly enable Dubas to operate from a position of leverage and strength should a favorable deal arise.