WHo is the Colonel? Klink?
Size and grit is what Klinkhammer brings, something the Pens still need. The winger is 6'3" and 215lbs. He is amongst the biggest guys on the team now. He put up career highs in goals, assists and points last season. In 72 games, Klinkhammer had 11 goals, 9 assists and 20 points. This season for the Coyotes, he has put up 3 goals in 19 games.
The good thing about Klinkhammer besides his size is his composure. He is a big body that plays very physical - he ranked 2nd among forwards in Arizona last year with 168 hits. That is good because the Pens need that, but Klinkhammer plays that game while avoiding penalties. He only had 19 penalty minutes last season and four in 19 games this year.
Klinkhammer will wear number 20 for the Penguins.
My Thoughts On the MOve
Alright, let's start with question one. Big name players don't just get traded willy-nilly overnight. It takes days, weeks, hell months to get those deals done. Do the Pens need to make a move for top six talent? Absolutely! I am not saying they don't. However, it has to be the right move, which takes time. So no, this Klinkhammer deal isn't the big splash everyone was hoping for, but in the interim he will be a good piece to add to this team.
Secondly, why did they give up Samuelsson for a fourth liner? Let's be honest, Philip Samuelsson had little future in Pittsburgh. He was behind Pouliot, Harrington, Dumoulin and Chorney on the depth chart. It would have taken catastrophic circumstances for him to see playing time in Pittsburgh. GMJR saw that and he was able to turn Samuelsson into a needed big-bodied bottom six player and a draft pick. That's a hell of a deal.
I personally like the move. I think the Pens needed to get bigger and Klinkhammer does that. The other thing is, he plays a physical game but has outstanding composure. Few guys throw the body around like he does and have low penalty minutes. That's another plus.
Klinkhammer won't score 20 goals a year, but if he puts up 10 on the 4th line with Goc and Adams then thats good. He is a responsible defensive forward and he can kill penalties. It was a solid move for a solid player.
I am hoping for the big move like everyone else is. I'd love to see an Evander Kane or Jordan Eberle on this team, but this deal does help us immediately. So let's role with it and have fun coming up with fun names to use when he scores goals!