Plotnikov

[BealestreetTyrant]

Is anyone taking a chance on Plotnikov as a sleeper? Or think he will be a staple in the top 6 (of the Pens)?

Or will he be ousted by Kunitz/Perron/Bennett?

Thanks

[vonderpibe]

He got drafted in the 16th round (out of 20) of my draft today.

I think he might be worth a gamble, but not a reach. Personally, I think I think Kunitz will have first priority, but Plotnikov could battle for second line duties - he can probably beat out Bennett (or will play there while Bennett is injured).

Other players drafted in the same round: Niemi, Nichushkin, Dubinsky, Yakupov, Bonino, Dano, S. Bennett, Johansson, Williams, Brouwer, M. Granlund

[petegreg21]

Been holding him on my farm since April. He's been improving by leaps and bounds the past two weeks and looked fantastic tonight with Malkin and Hornqvist. They have some very good chemistry going and complement each other well.

MUCH more valuable in multi-cat leagues than point-heavy leagues, but I wouldn't be shocked to see him throw up 20+20.

[Savvy1982]

He'll make final roster cuts for my team - but I'm expecting him to be a 3rd line player with some grit (like Leo Komarov last year).

However - The Penguins top 6 CANNOT stay healthy, so I expect Plotnikov will see some time beside Malkin - and from there who knows?

He could have a huge year, or he could be a thoroughly unexciting depth forward. We just don't know.

My league is JUST deep enough that he's worth a roster spot (390 players drafted) - but he could be on the waiver wire by Xmas just as easily as he could be a top 10 scorer for me.

[Wrist_Shot]

He better not take Perron's spot in the top six. Kinda worried at the moment.

But yeah, long term I don't think he sticks up there this season (besides injuries as noted above).

[fungchen3]

I was thinking about him myself.

Not sure if I want to drop Daniel Sprong to pick him up for a few points this year or hold onto Sprong and wait for long-term rewards.

I think 20-23-43 for Plotnikov could be doable this year.

[donpaulo]

I gambled on him in multiple leagues. It was more a gut call than hard statistical study. I feel he plays top 6 minutes for the pens when all is said and done

[BealestreetTyrant]

Thanks everyone! I'm debating about taking a flyer on him in later rounds. Though if my draft goes similar to some ones above I may not!
Thanks for naming some draft positions!

[MaCK]

This doesn't really say much but it's still interesting to hear, I was reading a Pens forum and their fans want Kunitz on the 3rd line and Perron/Plotnikov in the top 6 with the obvious 4 (Crosby/Malkin/Kessel/Hornqvist).
According to their fans they don't see it happening because their coach/management favour the veterans and will try not to separate Kunitz from Crosby, but according to them it would be better if they did.

[petegreg21]

This doesn't really say much but it's still interesting to hear, I was reading a Pens forum and their fans want Kunitz on the 3rd line and Perron/Plotnikov in the top 6 with the obvious 4 (Crosby/Malkin/Kessel/Hornqvist).
According to their fans they don't see it happening because their coach/management favour the veterans and will try not to separate Kunitz from Crosby, but according to them it would be better if they did.

That really only sounds bad for Perron then, not for Plotnikov...

Plotnikov-Malkin-Hornqvist has looked pretty good so I have a feeling thats set for opening night. I really only see Kunitz and Perron as the moving parts right now.

[Savvy1982]

That really only sounds bad for Perron then, not for Plotnikov...

Plotnikov-Malkin-Hornqvist has looked pretty good so I have a feeling thats set for opening night. I really only see Kunitz and Perron as the moving parts right now.

If I'm Pittsburgh I would play Perron with Crosby, not because he will significantly out-produce Kunitz (I think they would put up similar numbers) but because Perron is little use on the third line. He's not a great checker, he's not terribly smart defensively, and he seems to need elite linemates to produce.

Kunitz on the third line (with Bonino and Bennett/Dupuis) gives you a more versatile player on the third line who can still chip in offensively. Perron being there is a poor fit.

[Dikoi]

I think the top 6 for the Pens is pretty much set for the start of the season at least:

Kunitz - Crosby - Kessel
Plotnikov - Malkin - Hornqvist

Perron being the odd man out.

[MarmotKing]

I'm hoping to gamble on him in the late rounds of my draft. I'm pretty sure half my league has no idea who he is.

[RememberRobitaille]

Rico Fata
Brett Sterling
Luca Caputi
Janni Pesonen
Dustin Jeffrey
Erik Christensen
Eric Tangradi
Zach Boychuk
Chris Conner
Matt D'Agostini
Chuck Kobasew

Phew! That's the Penguins past 10 years of attempting to fill a top 6 hole with unproven NHL players (I'm sure I missed a few). Simply put, they're terrible at it. All the wingers who have ever produced reasonable to good numbers with Crosby/Malkin have been established NHLers, acquired from other teams.

I know people are excited about Plotnikov, and I've read some promising things about him on here, but I think the smart money has to be on the dude failing to live up to expectations. This team's history in this regard is just too terrible for words. Go with the proven guys. Injuries pending, Kunitz and Perron are your top 6 guys. After that, Bennett and Dupuis. In a couple years we'll add Plot's name to the above list and have a good laugh at how bad this team is at identifying/developing talent.

[petegreg21]

Rico Fata
Brett Sterling
Luca Caputi
Janni Pesonen
Dustin Jeffrey
Erik Christensen
Eric Tangradi
Zach Boychuk
Chris Conner
Matt D'Agostini
Chuck Kobasew

Phew! That's the Penguins past 10 years of attempting to fill a top 6 hole with unproven NHL players (I'm sure I missed a few). Simply put, they're terrible at it. All the wingers who have ever produced reasonable to good numbers with Crosby/Malkin have been established NHLers, acquired from other teams.

I know people are excited about Plotnikov, and I've read some promising things about him on here, but I think the smart money has to be on the dude failing to live up to expectations. This team's history in this regard is just too terrible for words. Go with the proven guys. Injuries pending, Kunitz and Perron are your top 6 guys. After that, Bennett and Dupuis. In a couple years we'll add Plot's name to the above list and have a good laugh at how bad this team is at identifying/developing talent.

Have you ever watched him play? You say you've "read some promising things", but have you ever actually seen him on the ice before? Cause it doesn't sound like it.