Comments on: Jonathan Cheechoo is a Very Viable Option for the Penguins

By: Kelly

Kelly — Sat, 15 May 2010 04:58:19 +0000

As a Sharks fan, I can testify that Jonathan Cheechoo is a clutch player. He annihilated penalty shots for the Sharks last season, and plays well in playoffs. He is a fast player and amazing when used effectively. He also drew numerous penalties for the Sharks in the 08-09 playoffs (which unfortunately the Sharks chose not to capitalize on…) and I would love to see him make a comeback.

Age has nothing to do with it. Jody Shelley is 34 and not someone you want to get in a fight with

By: Jean Pronovost

Jean Pronovost — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 17:53:06 +0000

“With the salary cap and the Ottawa Senators bid for the playoffs, they are not stupid enough to leave $3 million dollars in salary cap sitting in the AHL. Most likely they had hoped that Cheechoo would either get picked up off waivers or he would not report to the AHL.”

Just thought I’d point out that Cheechoo’s $3 million salary does not count against the Sens cap as long as he is in the minors. Yes, they still have to pay him, but his salary does not count against their cap. I wouldn’t take this guy if the Sens offered him up for nothing. Trust me, they’re still laughing their asses off in San Jose that not only were they able to get the Sens to trade them Dany Heatley but that they would take Cheechoo and his bloated salary off their hands too.

By: DR Hook

DR Hook — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 13:40:43 +0000

To be fair to me… I was referring to “this summer’s FA market” and more long term to an attempted fix to the no-winger problem.

The reason I’m not on the Cheechoo bandwagon is that if we picked him up he has a payout of $3.5 million NEXT SEASON and a cap hit of $3 million.

Cheechoo’s goal scoring fell to 12 goals in 66 games and with Ottawa worked himself down to the 4th line getting about 12 minutes of ice time. His 5 goals and 14 points to go along with his MINUS 11 didn’t cut it with the Senators. Minimum offense production combined with his deficiencies on defense it’s easy to see why he isn’t a very hot commodity.

Using Fedotenko’s performance (who BTW makes half of Cheechoo’s salary cap hit) isn’t a good argument to take-on $3.5 million RISK for next season.

The reason being is if a Cheechoo reclamation project fails… not only does it screw up the team this year but will really screws it up next season.

The salary cap forces (successful) teams to make fiscal, long term decisions. The decisions to throw money at problems is long gone in the NHL. Although the Rangers, Flyers and Red Wings have been able to go after who they wanted no matter what the risk… those days have (mostly) gone the route of the dinosaur.

I seriously don’t see any reason whatsoever the Penguins would attempt to get Cheechoo this season let alone the potential negative impact of his contract would be next season even he if got up to Mike Rupp’s numbers.

By: Phil Krundle

Phil Krundle — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 22:33:54 +0000

It seems irresponsible to me to break up a Stanley Cup winning team that is not doing that poorly. Cheechoo is just a few injury laden years away from winning the Rocket Richard Trophy, at only 29 years old you wouldn’t give this guy a shot on a line with one of the best passers in the NHL?

Fedotenko has 8 goals playing consistently on a line with last years Art Ross Trophy winner and the Penguins current assists leader. Cheechoo got screwed in Ottawa after they picked up Kovalev, he played most of the season on the 4th line and has 5 goals. Cheechoo’s plus-minus is better than Fedotenko’s.

Cheechoo is player that the Penguins can get without giving much if anything up. The Pens took a chance on the washed up Guerin and look how that turned out.

By: DR Hook

DR Hook — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 16:05:37 +0000

This summer’s FA market of wingers looks pretty bad. It’s made up of most old and over-paid (that means at the minimim… way more than the Pens can afford) players.

It appears that we will lose about 3 (or more) of our FA’s and the FA’s on the market are in their late 30′s and just about cooked. Kariya, Selanne and Tkachuk (unless their investments have gone sour) aren’t going to hang around and get beat-up especially for peanuts which is all the Pens can afford to pay.

If anything… I think the Pens should put into the collection basket everything they have at one forward. Get one forward and then fill in the blanks with players like Caputi, Johnson and Jeffery.

Wasting money and praying for a Jonathan Cheechoo to find whatever he lost or some other reclamation project IMHO isn’t worth the time nor the trouble.

If this Olympics have shown anything they’ve displayed that a team playing a system can provide solid competition to even the most heralded of teams.

I think the Pens will have to breakup the “best 3rd line in hockey” as Kennedy is the best winger we have under contract next season. I wouldn’t at all be surprised if Malkin and Staal share center duties on a line with Kennedy. It would be a lot better than having 2 of the best centers in the NHL playing with wingers that just can’t convert the scoring chances that they get.

I am not one of those on the Cheechoo bandwagon.

By: Boombastic

Boombastic — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 15:21:27 +0000

I thought you were all talking about Julie SheChoo being the next Penguin forward SheChu——she scores.
Boom– Boom– Boom
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/333079-2010-winter-olympics-the-25-hottest-olympians-to-watch-for#page/2

By: Ron Malore

Ron Malore — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 14:12:21 +0000

In other words the 2-hour delay is over and your school bus just arrived. LMAO. I will let Cheechoo’s career from this day on serve as your epitaph.

By: McLovin

McLovin — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 03:02:04 +0000

Wow! Your post suggesting the Penguins trade away Jordan Staal and keep Petr Sykora is almost exactly one year ago. I guess memory and being able to judge a hockey players ability go hand in hand. Throw in your lack of basic Engish skills and my guess is your borderline a Philadelphia fan. Faster than a tick of a clock you have went from amusing to annoying. Good luck with your ignorance, I’m finished trying excercise the minds of the doltish, you are on you own.

By: KULT SKATER

KULT SKATER — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 00:11:45 +0000

Cheechoo makes $3.5 million and doesn’t fit under the cap this year. On top of that the guy just isn’t performing. I’m sure you must have a medical background that allows you to determine he’s healthy unfortunately when you combine that with your business degree it sort of looks like you got your degrees on off the back of a match book cover. We can’t afford him now if he actually was playing good yet he sucks and on top of that you claim the salary cap is going down. Brilliant? Not.
Unfortunately there aren’t tests to pass before posting here.

Now to explain how the Penguins are going to get a quality winger……… the only thing I know for sure is that Ray Shero won’t be calling you or you buddy McLovin for help.

By: RBuckle

RBuckle — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 17:53:05 +0000

@ kultscater @milore – there are no wingers inthe penguins system right now. 2 say cheechoo is washed up at age 29 and after his injuries which he took care of in the off season and was never been given a chance since is ludicrous.
why don’t you 2 explain to all of us how exactly the pens are going to get a quality winger without any cap to spare and with the cap possibly going down next year instead of just stupid talk.

By: KULT SKATER

KULT SKATER — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 17:42:55 +0000

Shero is going to be searching for winger each season until someone rises to the top in WB?S and that will happen as long as we have the core players down the middle and as long as the NHL has a salary cap. Cheechoo for whatever reason has lost it and 29 teams feel the same way Ottawa does.

BTW, I thought eternity is what took place between the trading of Jagr and the drafting of Crosby!

By: Ron Malore

Ron Malore — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 11:03:25 +0000

Besides your postings appearing to have been written with a Thesaurus in your holster this all gets down to you thinking Cheechoo has some worth. Plus that he can play on Crosby’s line. You also think that Dustin Jeffery is not worth not much more than a bag of pucks. Since most of us know that Shero could make this move in a NY minute let’s just say that your post sort of plays him out to be a fool for not getting it done.
As to your SMOKING side comment about me suggesting a Jordan Staal trade I’d don’t recall that but wouldn’t have a problem supporting my thoughts at the time – that is, if I actually posted that. I would also need to know the context of the discussion at the time. I hope you can LINK it, otherwise this could be one of those “Calvin” flights of fantasy wouldn’t it?

By: Ron Malore

Ron Malore — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 22:41:03 +0000

As per your second comment which also has very little top do with Cheechoo. Jeffery played well enough to be selected to play for Planet USA in the AHL ALL-STAR game. I never indicated he would be on the Penguins replacing Staal or Crosby or Malkin or on the 4th line as a checker either……… but since you claim to be interested and have asked politly to let you know – I will. Dumping one of your better prospects for a nobody isn’t very intelligent IMHO. Developing an asset can be for future trade material or working into the NHL lineup if someone gets injured. Jeffery has some limitations and Blysma likes him because he’s a North South skater who always keeps his legs moving. He He’s not a great lateral skater and that’s what they are working on with him but he is a good skater with start and stopping skills and can change direction so fast that his skating isn’t a liability (at least not in the AHL). Jeffery is a hard worker and doesn’t shy away from any contact and while he’ll probably never be a great goal scorer he goes for the net plays with his head-up and is one of the gritiest players in WB/S.
I hope that helps you a little better than just looking at stats.

By: McLovin

McLovin — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 22:31:17 +0000

Apparently your benignant disposition I referred to above has led to your inability to read that I wrote Jeffrey is tied for 43rd over all in GOAL SCORING with 13 other players. Because Jeffrey has played more games than most of the other players puts him at 51st overall in the league. If we could get a roll of hockey tape for this guy it would be amazing.
Dave Molinary’s opinion that you read about Cheechoo being washed up goes unambiguously with who knows who’s opinion you misappropriated of the way Ottawa’s team is managed and your entire knowledge of hockey in general. Last year at this time you were saying the Penguins should trade Jordan Staal. For the record, he’s younger than Jeffrey. Keep up your effulgent comments, I’ve been needing a good laugh ever since Bill Watterson stopped his daily strip.

By: Ron Malore

Ron Malore — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 21:46:54 +0000

It’s hard to figure out where to start in a response to you McLovin— Obviously I’m not WRONG WITH ANYTHING ABOUT JEFFREY because all I posted was that “I thought” he was the leading scorer in the AHL for players under 22 years old. As it turns out Brock Trotter of Hamilton just passed him up. And Tyler Ennis also just passed him up. A week ago Jeffery was on top. Anyhow, missing in this is one thing and that’s the point. My point is that Jeffery has more trade value than dumping him for a has been hockey player. Your suggesting that we get the has been Cheechoo and put him on a line with Crosby or Malkin. I’m saying you could probably pick up Cheechoo for future considerations and still keep one of the Penguin’s top prospects who BTW is 13th in scoring not 43rd. But who’s really counting, eh.

By: McLovin

McLovin — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 19:23:45 +0000

If you could let me know also, how soon do you think the Penguins will be in need of this 22 year old left handed CENTER prospect who can’t forecheck? Do you think he’ll be replacing Staal? or Crosby? maybe Malkin? Perhaps you want to use this slow as molasses guy on the fourth line checking line? I’m interested, please let me know.

By: McLovin

McLovin — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 19:13:17 +0000

Your wrong on everything. Tyler Ennis is the number one overall scorer under 22 and Jeffrey isn’t even in the top 10 under 22 goal scorers. If your talking playing time and powerplay time yes he leads the league.
Unfortunately I beleive you may well fit in Krundles Taco Bell combo platter comment. Maybe if you watched the players like Cheechoo play instead of taking Molinary’s and others opinions who don’t watch as your own you would be better off. Ottawa has traded away more talent over the last few years than most teams have, there is a reason no one wants to stay there.

By: Ron Malore

Ron Malore — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 18:35:52 +0000

This is what happens when their are way too many snow days— Jeffrey (I believe)the leading scorer for players under 22 years old. The others are mostly lifer AHL players. That a big difference. So, not only do you look a tad silly thinking Cheechoo fits in here but trading away Jeffrey just adds to it. Just for the record, Jeffery albeit no speed demon he would skate circles around Cheechoo.
Good GM’s don’t trade prospects for has-beens. Good GM’s send has-beens like Cheechoo down to the AHL while paying the rest of his $3.5 million in salary because they aren’t good enough to cut it in the NHL.