So, Ryan Whitney and his 6 year 24 million dollar contract have been shipped to the ducks for Chris Kunitz and a prospect named Eric Tangradi I have never heard of before who is a star Junior player “in the mould of Bobby Ryan” (See The Bench Boss’ comments after the jump). Puck daddy says he has a ‘power forward upside’. We shall see if the Pens can develop that, as they have been treating Janne Pesonen poorly and have kept him in the AHL – he has his own Finnish song for Valhalla’s Sake.
Kunitz’ career high in points is 60 (with 25 goals, also a career high). This season he is on pace for 46 points (21 goals). Obviously his stock has risen now that he will probably play with Crosby.
I think the Ducks win this trade, but arguments can be made for both sides. If Tangradi pans out, then clearly the Pens win. Kunitz is 30. Whitney, while struggling this season, will probably turn into a value player at 4 million a year for the next 5 seasons, and he will only get better. Kunitz is apprently under contract through the 2012 season.
To conclude, the Pens could have probably got better players/picks in exchange for Whitney and his long term low(ish) cap hit contract. [I said that before knowing the potential impact of Tangradi]
Eric Tangradi plays for the Belleville Bulls and has been one of the top players in the OHL for last couple of years. He is a power forward in the mold of Bobby Ryan but with not as good of a skill set. He is American if that means anything and was on the Junior team this year. Should be a pretty good fit in Pittsburgh for nothing more than crashing the net, and banging in some goals if he plays with Sid or Malks.
i don’t see how your a hockey fan and don’t know who eric tangradi is? 87 point getter so far this season, second in the “O”. He will a second line player either next year or the year after. Penguins just made a great deal (although i do love whitney)
Coming from our Bench Boss, and just given the raw facts, I have no choice but to increase the Pens chances of winning this trade.
Do you think he will get games in the Bigs this year?
no definitely not. Belleville is the top team in the Eastern Conference (second overall in the league) and likely to be in for a long run to the OHL championship series unless the Cody Hodgson lead Battallion can knock them off.
and further “is a star player in junior” for your post rather than “was a star player in junior”
87 points in 52 games this year for the 6’4, 221 pound American.
Still assuming that Pittsburgh will be able to keep Malkin? Doubtful…
@ Vin
Malkin is secured through 2013/2014:
http://www.nhlnumbers.com/overview.php?team=PIT&season=0809&expand=y
@ Fruit Punch: Sorry, now I know. And knowing is half the battle.