Rob Klinkhammer set career highs with Arizona last season of 11 goals, nine assists. — GETTY
DEJAN KOVACEVIC, DK ON PITTSBURGH SPORTS
News: The Penguins make a minor trade, acquiring forward Rob Klinkhammer from the Coyotes for defenseman Philip Samuelsson and a conditional draft pick.
Views: This is about as minor as it gets at the NHL level, as word this morning as that Arizona management was waiving Klinkhammer. The Penguins, with three top wingers out, preempted that with a trade in which they gave up a defenseman who was buried on the depth chart and would have to clear waivers if ever promoted again, as well as the customary draft pick. What’s more, he’s in the final year of a two-year contract that pays $625,000.
Remember that Zach Boychuk namedrop in today’s Friday Insider?
Well, this is precisely the ‘Boychuk bomb’ that the piece described. It’s one that addresses a current, glaring need, while stopping light years shy of the major trade that so many covet. It’s a tourniquet from the dollar store, nothing more. Which is exactly the way Jim Rutherford was — and should have been — thinking.
Not much to analyze with Klinkhammer. He’s 28, he went undrafted after playing overweight in juniors, and he took six years in the AHL to reach the NHL. He can be physical with his 6-foot-3, 214-pound frame, and he can score occasionally. He’s one of those prototype, play-on-any-line-or-even-get-scratched models.
Here’s one ridiculous goal last season:
And yes, Arizona announcer Matt McConnell, formerly with the Penguins’ broadcasts, really did refer to him as ‘The Colonel.’ Most unfortunate.
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December 5, 2014
News/views: Penguins make minor move
by Dejan Kovacevic • Coverage • Penguins
Rob Klinkhammer set career highs with Arizona last season of 11 goals, nine assists. — GETTY
DEJAN KOVACEVIC, DK ON PITTSBURGH SPORTS
News: The Penguins make a minor trade, acquiring forward Rob Klinkhammer from the Coyotes for defenseman Philip Samuelsson and a conditional draft pick.
Views: This is about as minor as it gets at the NHL level, as word this morning as that Arizona management was waiving Klinkhammer. The Penguins, with three top wingers out, preempted that with a trade in which they gave up a defenseman who was buried on the depth chart and would have to clear waivers if ever promoted again, as well as the customary draft pick. What’s more, he’s in the final year of a two-year contract that pays $625,000.
Remember that Zach Boychuk namedrop in today’s Friday Insider?
Well, this is precisely the ‘Boychuk bomb’ that the piece described. It’s one that addresses a current, glaring need, while stopping light years shy of the major trade that so many covet. It’s a tourniquet from the dollar store, nothing more. Which is exactly the way Jim Rutherford was — and should have been — thinking.
Not much to analyze with Klinkhammer. He’s 28, he went undrafted after playing overweight in juniors, and he took six years in the AHL to reach the NHL. He can be physical with his 6-foot-3, 214-pound frame, and he can score occasionally. He’s one of those prototype, play-on-any-line-or-even-get-scratched models.
Here’s one ridiculous goal last season:
And yes, Arizona announcer Matt McConnell, formerly with the Penguins’ broadcasts, really did refer to him as ‘The Colonel.’ Most unfortunate.