…However I do agree with the thoughts on TK…seems like everyone except Bylsma hates the idea of having him up. Maybe Bennet’s worth a shot, but he’s not really tearing it up in the AHL. And he was hurt all last year – don’t want to have him up if physically he’ll get killed. Tangradi is doing ok too…but I hope this year is his last shot…he’s had a lot of chances and just hasn’t seemed able to compete at the NHL level.

1.) The penguins have one of the lowest percentages in terms of drafted forwards playing on that roster. So the amount of skill that could complement Beau is severly lacking.

2.) The AHL is a higher level of hockey than it’s been since 04-05.

Considering Beau is a rookie and still has 23 points in 28 games, that’s quite an accomplishment given the above factors. So, I think he tearinf it up more than his numbers would suggest.

Keep in mind the penguins didn’t have a Jordan Eberle, or Taylor Hall, or RNH…etc….to send down to their farm team. In terms of elite level talent…..It’s Beau Bennett aaaaannnddd that’s about it.

So, if I sound like I feel we are wasting Crosby and Malkin’s prime years by debating whether to put Tangradi or Ferriero or Tyler Kennedy on their wing IT’S BECAUSE I THINK WE ARE! (sorry for making that all caps but ahhhh it’s sooo frustrating.)

It’s like having a race car and then buying cheap small tires and low octane fuel. Can it still go fast? Sure, but why have the ferrari if we’re not going to take advantage of it’s potential with the right equipment?

Which brings me to Mr. Bennett. I’m not sure Bennett would be served better in WBS. For a few reasons:

1.) He’s an elite level talent in the amount of skill he possesses and the way he thinks the game. For his game to grow and evole other elite level players will accelerate that growth more than career third and forth liners.

2.) We all know he could get a bit stronger and faster. But gains in strength and speed occur in the off season. So, he not going to get any faster or stronger down there than he is up here.

3.) Elite level talent historically only struggles when it is required to be “the guy”. Bennett doesn’t have to do that with the big club. We have TWO guys who already are comfortable sharing Mario’s cape.

So in conclusion, I don’t think anything could be better for Bennett’s development than to finally get a chance to ride shotgun with other guys that finally think the game the way he does. To help matters he has more than one choice to choose from!

However, Doan was never going to Pittsburgh, and was not something that actually could have happened. The Pens got rid of Staal because they have a cap nightmare coming next season and theres no way they could have added another top line player. They are already over the cap for next season, and only have 15 players signed. How in the hell could they have added another $7.5 million on top of that?

And funny enough, I would welcome the Pens speaning even more money on their offense. They are never going anywhere because their defense/goaltending is terrible, and they have little cap space to fix it. Spending any more on offense just makes them worse in the long run.

My instinct, though, is to say that Bennett will have more natural chemistry with Sid. Geno plays his best hockey with a big power forward like Neal (and before, Malone), who can pull defensemen off of him and cause a distraction. Sid plays well with straight-ahead guys like Kunitz, but also with those that can think the game at his level, the more creative-type of player. Sid and Bennett are both passers at heart, just with a scoring touch, and seem to think the game in the same kind of way.

I like the idea of bumping Matt Cooke – he played well with Sid last year and proved that he can actually put the puck in the net.

The Beau Bennett pick is the pick for the 2013-2014 season, but he’s too green at this point.

A real dark horse (and probably not a great one): Mike Knuble. He’s an FA, and it’ll be a short season and he’s had a lot of time to rest up. Sign him for the year to bridge the gap to Beau maybe.

GAH I WANT HOCKEY TO START TOMORROW!!!