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GM: Pesonen still in Pens future

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When the Penguins signed Finnish winger Janne Pesonen as a free agent in July, they spoke of the possibility of him becoming a top-six forward in the NHL as early as this season. But, when the Penguins summoned five players from their minor league team in Wilkes-Barre a few days ago to serve as a playoff taxi squad, Pesonen didn't make the list. It included forwards Chris Minard, Jeff Taffe and Dustin Jeffrey, defenseman Ben Lovejoy and goalie John Curry. Pesonen appeared in seven NHL games in 2008-09 and failed to record a point while receiving limited ice time. He was highly productive in the American Hockey League, however, putting up 32 goals and 50 assists in 70 games. Pesonen will be an unrestricted free agent this summer and, somewhat surprisingly, has said that he would like to re-sign with the Penguins. And, even though Pesonen had no impact at the NHL level in his first winter in North America, the Penguins apparently wouldn't mind having him back. "Absolutely not," general manager Ray Shero said. "He was good for us. "Maybe with a different situation next year, he'll get a better opportunity [to play in the NHL]. "He really adjusted well and, on top of that, is a great guy. He's really well liked by his teammates We'll talk [about bringing him back]. We're definitely not closing the door on it."

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Janne Pesonen, Mark Buckner/Getty Images Janne Pesonen, Mark Buckner/Getty Images
May 20, 2009  08:02 AM ET

Even though this is the first I've ever heard of him, I really like this guy.

May 20, 2009  08:39 AM ET

He is doing great in the AHL. I think he has a ton of potential. It won't be the first or last time you have heard of him.

May 20, 2009  08:48 AM ET

UNderstandable that he isn't called up for the rest of the playoffs - its huge pressure for a kid with basically zero NHL experience to just jump into a Conference Final or Cup Final - both of which will be physical to a degree - and if they want to groom this kid, they are doing it the right way.

And why wouldn't he want to stay in Pittsburgh? Even if he only signs for 2 years, think of how inflated his numbers will be, playing wing for Crosby or Malkin! He'll cash in like Kevin Stevens in the mid-90s, even if he isn't as good as his numbers end up being.

May 20, 2009  09:01 AM ET
QUOTE(#1):

Even though this is the first I've ever heard of him, I really like this guy.

So let me get this straight...Pesonen was not drafted but signed as a free agent from Finland...there was talk he could be a top 6 forward...yet now does not make the skating 15 which includes the black aces as call ups...He played in 7 nhl games but failed to record a single point...The Pens say he is a great guy though...as does this commenter who 'really likes this guy'.
Well you know what I really like?
The fact that this is the best that T&R could come up with today with game 2 of the series set to fly tomorrow...(sarcasm)
Ruutu & Cole are question marks and how healthy is Gonchar...I mean really?

May 20, 2009  09:05 AM ET
QUOTE(#2):

He is doing great in the AHL. I think he has a ton of potential. It won't be the first or last time you have heard of him.

I'm sure you probably already have...word out of Finland is he bottles his own 'bath water' for export to PA...He labels is as PESPEN and signs each bottle in peson... :)

May 20, 2009  09:15 AM ET
QUOTE(#2):

It won't be the first or last time you have heard of him...

May 20, 2009 08:02 AM ETReport Abuse | QUOTE
Even though this is the first I've ever heard of him...
------------------
Actually, clearly it is the first time ^ you has heard of him ...so how can you say 'it won't be the the first time' when obviously it was?

May 20, 2009  09:16 AM ET
QUOTE(#4):

So let me get this straight...Pesonen was not drafted but signed as a free agent from Finland...there was talk he could be a top 6 forward...yet now does not make the skating 15 which includes the black aces as call ups...He played in 7 nhl games but failed to record a single point...The Pens say he is a great guy though...as does this commenter who 'really likes this guy'. Well you know what I really like?The fact that this is the best that T&R could come up with today with game 2 of the series set to fly tomorrow...(sarcasm)Ruutu & Cole are question marks and how healthy is Gonchar...I mean really?

Well maybe the Elitist Baun-ded should write FanNation and give them some advice on the T&N?

"He labels is as PESPEN and signs each bottle in peson... :) "

I have no doubt you know that fact, PERSONALLY.

May 20, 2009  09:16 AM ET
QUOTE(#6):

May 20, 2009 08:02 AM ETReport Abuse | QUOTE Even though this is the first I've ever heard of him...------------------Actually, clearly it is the first time ^ you has heard of him ...so how can you say 'it won't be the the first time' when obviously it was?

It was an obvious typo. Seriously, go CYBER STALK someone else.

May 20, 2009  09:23 AM ET
QUOTE(#8):

It was an obvious typo. Seriously, go CYBER STALK someone else.

No, that's not a typo. You don't seem to even understand the meaning of the word "typo". A typo is a spelling error due to speed typing and lack of proof-reading (rather than not knowing how to spell the word).

What you wrote was an illogically phrased sentence, not a typo.

May 20, 2009  09:24 AM ET
QUOTE(#4):

as does this commenter who 'really likes this guy'.

Is that suppose to be me? What I like about him is that even though he didn't stick with the big league club this year, he says he wants to come back and try again, instead of whining and crying about not getting a chance.

May 20, 2009  09:26 AM ET
QUOTE(#9):

No, that's not a typo. You don't seem to even understand the meaning of the word "typo". A typo is a spelling error due to speed typing and lack of proof-reading (rather than not knowing how to spell the word).What you wrote was an illogically phrased sentence, not a typo.

What I meant is that after I had typed it I realized it hadn't made sense. And no I didn't have time at the moment to go back to fix it. Build a bridge and get over it.

May 20, 2009  09:27 AM ET
QUOTE(#9):

No, that's not a typo. You don't seem to even understand the meaning of the word "typo". A typo is a spelling error due to speed typing and lack of proof-reading (rather than not knowing how to spell the word).What you wrote was an illogically phrased sentence, not a typo.

What she was wrote was a common figure of speech, and although not used in the best context, the intended meaning is obvious.

Seems like PensFan-DWI is getting hated on and ganged up on.

May 20, 2009  09:28 AM ET
QUOTE(#12):

What she was wrote was a common figure of speech, and although not used in the best context, the intended meaning is obvious.Seems like PensFan-DWI is getting hated on and ganged up on.

Oh, don't worry about it. I can handle it. Thanks though. ;)

May 20, 2009  09:34 AM ET
QUOTE(#13):

Oh, don't worry about it. I can handle it. Thanks though. ;)

I was just making sure I was reading the situation correctly.

May 20, 2009  09:40 AM ET

Pesonen is being groomed the right way. The Pens signed him as a project and under League rules, could only sign him for one year initially. As with a fair amount of European players, he needed time to adjust to the North American game. Now he has that tmie and I think he'll be with the Big club next season.

May 20, 2009  09:41 AM ET
QUOTE(#14):

I was just making sure I was reading the situation correctly.

No problem.

Back on point. As I read/understood the situation with Pesonen is that there was some talks that he had trouble adjusting to the rink size in the AHL/NHL compared to what he was used to in Finland. But that seems as if it might have worked itself out. The scouts obviously saw a ton of potential in him though, and with the experience in the AHL...who knows what could happen if you bring him and give it another go on one of the first three lines.

May 20, 2009  09:43 AM ET
QUOTE(#3):

UNderstandable that he isn't called up for the rest of the playoffs - its huge pressure for a kid with basically zero NHL experience to just jump into a Conference Final or Cup Final - both of which will be physical to a degree - and if they want to groom this kid, they are doing it the right way. And why wouldn't he want to stay in Pittsburgh? Even if he only signs for 2 years, think of how inflated his numbers will be, playing wing for Crosby or Malkin! He'll cash in like Kevin Stevens in the mid-90s, even if he isn't as good as his numbers end up being.

Thats the issue though. He isn't a kid. He played a while in Finland. He was a superstar over there and the Pens thought they could bring him in and get some use out of him. The issue with Janne isn't with his talent. He is an amazing puck handler and shooter. He has some size issues. With his physical size and with the size of the regulation rink here in north america. He is used to having a lot of room to work with and use his speed. I think he will make it to the top club next year if he resigns. He just needed a year to learn the game over here.

May 20, 2009  09:49 AM ET
QUOTE(#13):

Oh, don't worry about it. I can handle it. Thanks though. ;)

And...and...and I don't like the way you wear your clothes. And you call that a pythagorean theorem? Piling, all in good fun.

Is it common practice to have a goalie in your playoff call ups? It seems odd to me to bring up a goalie instead of someone that can fill in a line somewhere, but maybe it's for practice sake or development.

May 20, 2009  09:50 AM ET
QUOTE(#3):

He'll cash in like Kevin Stevens in the mid-90s, even if he isn't as good as his numbers end up being.

And Kevin Stevens earned his money bro. Rob brown, warren young, randy cunyworth, and dan quinn all cashed in on lining up with Super Mario though. Especially Rob Brown. That guy scored 49 goals one year on that line. The next season he left in free agency and I think he didn't score that many goals total for the rest of his career!

 
May 20, 2009  09:55 AM ET
QUOTE(#18):

Is it common practice to have a goalie in your playoff call ups? It seems odd to me to bring up a goalie instead of someone that can fill in a line somewhere, but maybe it's for practice sake or development.

Don't know if it's common, but it's ceratinly a safe bet. God forbid anything happens to Fleury, but you'd hate to only have one goalie on the Playoff roster if anything does.

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