No problem. I think that we fans sometimes forget how big these guys are and how fast they play. This was a split-second hit from a big guy who happened to land a hit when Letang was at exactly the wrong place with his body in exactly the wrong position to accept it. Not Letang's fault or Doan's, to me, just really unfortunate.
- jmatchett383

Well there should be more of it then. If it was a good ol hockey hit everyone should be doing it - I actually said that if it was legal the Pens players should be doing the same.

How long do you think it would be before someone was suspended if everyone did it & there was a concussion or 2 every game? It was legal & the concussion unfortunate but do you think the league would be ok with 8 concussions every day?

Now if the answer is no - there was a problem with the hit.

You're probably right because you can't sign him to a offer sheet til July and the draft is in June
- willi

We would have no picks 1-3 in 2016 but we would have Saad and Winnik (if he re-signs).

Of course, we have to evaluate Saad at $5M vs. Saad on his ELC now. Is he worth all of that?

interesting stuff from TIOPS (I know, i know... just thought it was interesting)

according to TIOPS, Johnston's time here is done unless they make a serious run, Rutherford is a 50/50 shot.

interesting, i'm not sure i believe it, but i'll just pose the question.

According to earlier stories in the season, Babcock is more concerned about his position with a new team more so than the money. he basically wants more of a front office role along with the coaching duties.

so my question, lets assume we fire johnston and rutherford. would you be willing to give babcock a lot more influence over team decisions in addition to coaching?
- SuperHenderson13

Yep.

I think perhaps the biggest issues with the Pens is Lemieux/Burkle/Morehouse level.

But the Babcock stuff isn't really worth discussing at this point, imo.

Here's a question:

What happens if the Pens miss the playoffs? Trade Sid or Geno? Blow it up? Fire people?

Whats happens if the Pens go out in the first round? Retooling? Johnston out?

what do you guys think for both scenarios?

Which forwards should they have gotten for the pieces they were willing to move?
- jmatchett383

GlenX has gone ok with the Caps, or even Stafford?, I think the Flames would have dealt Sven B for Despres easy & maybe even given a pick in to go with him. Canes & Tlusty maybe depending on cap space but we'll never know. As it turns out with the injuries & the cap it was probably better having Lovejoy than any forward unless they could have brought in Dumo or Harrington with the cap difference between Despres & Lovejoy. I personally would have loved seeing Sven B running with Geno.

interesting stuff from TIOPS (I know, i know... just thought it was interesting)

according to TIOPS, Johnston's time here is done unless they make a serious run, Rutherford is a 50/50 shot.

interesting, i'm not sure i believe it, but i'll just pose the question.

According to earlier stories in the season, Babcock is more concerned about his position with a new team more so than the money. he basically wants more of a front office role along with the coaching duties.

so my question, lets assume we fire johnston and rutherford. would you be willing to give babcock a lot more influence over team decisions in addition to coaching?
- SuperHenderson13

Sure, Pittsburgh has given everyone who has a key to the suite the Assistant GM tag. I'm sure he would get it. If he wants to be coach/GM, great. JR is done after next year anyway.

Yep.

I think perhaps the biggest issues with the Pens is Lemieux/Burkle/Morehouse level.

But the Babcock stuff isn't really worth discussing at this point, imo.

Here's a question:

What happens if the Pens miss the playoffs? Trade Sid or Geno? Blow it up? Fire people?

Whats happens if the Pens go out in the first round? Retooling? Johnston out?

what do you guys think for both scenarios?
- YouMeAndDupuis9

If the Pens can get Babcock they'll do it.
I feel bad for Johnson, this could end up being his only tenure in the NHL and he really is a deserving coach. There arent many coaches who could overcome the injuries the Pens sustained this year.
People may point to last year but the Metro was a joke last year, this year it rivals the central as the toughest in the NHL.

I dont think JR is let go though, if the Pens flame out I think one of the big three gets moved. They'll need a GM to deal with the fallout from that move and old man JR is perfect for that.

Although none of this matters because we're winning the cup this year.

I could be wrong but I thought i remember hearing that Botteril is their answer to cap management and analytics. No offense but for having someone that high up being a cap manager he has failed miserably with this team. It blows my mind that a professional sports team that operates in a cap league can ever be put in the position to have to play shorthanded bc of the cap number.....dont worry you are not alone, the Flyers rushed Mason back from injury and dumbass Berube actually made him play due to the fact that they couldnt afford to recall a goalie.
- did109

Pretty sure the Kings played a few short handed as well at the start of the season. Now go make excuses for them about their alleged wife bashing D man & all their injuries but what's the difference (aside no one at the Pens has put his fist through his partners face (allegedly))?

So the team that wins the cup 2 out of 3 years gets a pass but everyone - yes looking at your squinty little (frank)ed up squirrel eyes Dangerous Ranger, starts putting poop on the Pens??

Well go (frank) yourselves!

Yep.

I think perhaps the biggest issues with the Pens is Lemieux/Burkle/Morehouse level.

But the Babcock stuff isn't really worth discussing at this point, imo.

Here's a question:

What happens if the Pens miss the playoffs? Trade Sid or Geno? Blow it up? Fire people?

Whats happens if the Pens go out in the first round? Retooling? Johnston out?

what do you guys think for both scenarios?
- YouMeAndDupuis9

There are two reasons why Geno can't be traded:
1) Crosby's health.
2) Perceived notion of Russians running back to the KHL either hurting his return or being true.

They won't tell Sid that he's got to give the power play a different look. Or tell him who his line mates are. They won't establish a new Captain. So, they certainly aren't trading him. Of the two, I would trade Sid. I think Malkin is the better player. I still don't think its necessary to trade one of them, but the richness of the return for other assets is probably 1/4 of what it was in 2013.

Everyone knows who I've wanted to trade, why, and what I think the return could have been. It's a sad day. Letang, Fleury, Kunitz. Orz. Those drafts. Those contracts. This is it. This summer. It's the last chance to build a team around the 2 MVPs and have it develop before they're exiting their prime years.

If I'm Pitt's GM I try recouping as many draft picks as possible. Not sure they have any assets to do that anymore and the rights to pending free agents are useless with the 5 day window to negotiate before free agency.
- rangerdanger94

Oh really? Well I'd be more concerned with your team before offering us any advice. How many more guys do you have to sign? How many prospects do you guys have that are legitimate? How's your cap space going? Winning is great but it does come at a cost that the Rags will/have discovered, how much is Yandle going to cost to resign or are you just going to trade him next year? Lots of questions now go (frank) off & answer them somewhere else because personally I don't give a (frank)!

There are literally no good UFAs/RFAs this summer with an exception. The Penguins aren't signing Derek Stepan to an offer sheet nor are the Rangers trading him to Pittsburgh.
- Johnny Wrath

Eric Fehr. I think he'd be great with you guys. I hope the islanders sign him.

wtf happened to the Pens board today?

Did Ek throw out personal invites to all & sundry to get on here & give us a hug??

Trying to get through the comments before heading out to work & half of Philly is on here with a few other (frank)ers from other (frank)ed up teams - Matchett not talking about you your a Pens fan deep deep down where you don't like to go but always do!

(frank), I'm going to work & (frank)ing off to get away from these orange (frank)ers with their (frank)ed up orange sense of (frank)ed up humour!

(frank)!

Just 1 more thing, apparently it's going to be ok if Downie throws Karlsonn into the boards & finishes his season - it's in the rules & everyone is ok with it, apparently! Or because it's Downie maybe be better if Scuds or Winnik does it! I wish/hope Lappy has a spoonful of grit for tomorrow's game.

Remember when Scuds hip checked Datsyuk into tomorrow pre season & all the Detroit fans wanted him suspended? (frank)ers!

Eric Fehr. I think he'd be great with you guys. I hope the islanders sign him.
- Cptmjl

Oh boy. I really don't think I would like that. Maybe if it was 2008. It's a slim free agent crop for sure.

Pretty sure the Kings played a few short handed as well at the start of the season. Now go make excuses for them about their alleged wife bashing D man & all their injuries but what's the difference (aside no one at the Pens has put his fist through his partners face (allegedly))?

So the team that wins the cup 2 out of 3 years gets a pass but everyone - yes looking at your squinty little (frank)ed up squirrel eyes Dangerous Ranger, starts putting poop on the Pens??

Well go (frank) yourselves!
- Aussiepenguin

Rangerdanger is a douche that continually trolls every other board. The only times he tries to talk hockey is if he's telling you how much better the rangers player is.

There are two reasons why Geno can't be traded:
1) Crosby's health.
2) Perceived notion of Russians running back to the KHL either hurting his return or being true.

They won't tell Sid that he's got to give the power play a different look. Or tell him who his line mates are. They won't establish a new Captain. So, they certainly aren't trading him. Of the two, I would trade Sid. I think Malkin is the better player. I still don't think its necessary to trade one of them, but the richness of the return for other assets is probably 1/4 of what it was in 2013.

Everyone knows who I've wanted to trade, why, and what I think the return could have been. It's a sad day. Letang, Fleury, Kunitz. Orz. Those drafts. Those contracts. This is it. This summer. It's the last chance to build a team around the 2 MVPs and have it develop before they're exiting their prime years.
- Johnny Wrath

I don't think the khl is much of an option atm with their financial struggles

Eric Fehr. I think he'd be great with you guys. I hope the islanders sign him.
- Cptmjl

He'll be a pain in our ass if the isles get the caps

If letang isn't coming back I would rather not make the playoffs. No need to drag this thing out.
- pensfan024

F that idea. F trading Geno too.

There are two reasons why Geno can't be traded:
1) Crosby's health.
2) Perceived notion of Russians running back to the KHL either hurting his return or being true.

They won't tell Sid that he's got to give the power play a different look. Or tell him who his line mates are. They won't establish a new Captain. So, they certainly aren't trading him. Of the two, I would trade Sid. I think Malkin is the better player. I still don't think its necessary to trade one of them, but the richness of the return for other assets is probably 1/4 of what it was in 2013.

Everyone knows who I've wanted to trade, why, and what I think the return could have been. It's a sad day. Letang, Fleury, Kunitz. Orz. Those drafts. Those contracts. This is it. This summer. It's the last chance to build a team around the 2 MVPs and have it develop before they're exiting their prime years.
- Johnny Wrath

The thing is as well, you don't think they ask Sid who he wants to play with? The same with Geno? It already came out they asked Geno about playing with Jagr unless that was a smoke screen which it possibly could have been.

Letang has played well this season & you can expect more of the same next year so why would you trade him? I get that you are looking at the return but you also have to replace the player you are trading. His cap hit is already in the good zone bordering very good, who will you get to replace him?

It's easy on here to say trade him of trade her (so to speak & no not talking about Sid!!!), but give us some names that will come back. Replacing any of the core will get a haul but who is coming back? Trade Geno & replace him with good players - ok who which team has the 'good players' they will trade for Geno? Same for Letang, who are you trading for? I believe most teams if not all teams would want Letang so why would we trade him? Injuries are luck most of the time unless there is an incident where malice is involved. It's also training techniques. If they have a weights program not suited to their bodies or their positions injuries will occur - we had that here at a club where a staff member (weight & strength coach), put it back on the club doctor about his teams injuries due to the 'advice' the doc was giving the coach about training techniques & what weight program they should be doing. The team ended up with a massive injury toll.

interesting stuff from TIOPS (I know, i know... just thought it was interesting)

according to TIOPS, Johnston's time here is done unless they make a serious run, Rutherford is a 50/50 shot.

interesting, i'm not sure i believe it, but i'll just pose the question.

According to earlier stories in the season, Babcock is more concerned about his position with a new team more so than the money. he basically wants more of a front office role along with the coaching duties.

so my question, lets assume we fire johnston and rutherford. would you be willing to give babcock a lot more influence over team decisions in addition to coaching?
- SuperHenderson13

If that is the case, he won't be coming back to Detroit. I understand he is a heavy analytics guy. If that is the case, I'd take him anytime for personnel decisions. I like Johnston's system, but I don't trust Rutherford at all. I think he was mixed on this season and that is as good as I can hope for with him.

Oh boy. I really don't think I would like that. Maybe if it was 2008. It's a slim free agent crop for sure.
- Johnny Wrath

Guy is exactly what id like on our team. Plays with an edge keeps it reasonably clean scores some goals. Great along the boards. They cant all be twenty with a huge upside. Id sign him to a two or three yr deal without even thinking about it.

He'll be a pain in our ass if the isles get the caps
- Isles_since_6

Yep. The guy kills us every time we play them hes one of the main reasons the caps give us fits.

F that idea. F trading Geno too.
- madmike71

If the pens miss the playoffs or lose in round 1.
1)Johnson and JR will be fired
2)Crosby, Letang, Malkin, Maatta, and Duper 100 percent not being traded!
3)Fleury and Horny 90 percent not being traded
4) Kunitz 50/50... cap hit vs what the pens get in return
5)Everyone else is available including Pouliot and Perron for the right price...
6) Sutter must be traded... Scuds should be traded (yes he does have minimal value)

If the pens miss the playoffs or lose in round 1.
1)Johnson and JR will be fired
2)Crosby, Letang, Malkin, Maatta, and Duper 100 percent not being traded!
3)Fleury and Horny 90 percent not being traded
4) Kunitz 50/50... cap hit vs what the pens get in return
5)Everyone else is available including Pouliot and Perron for the right price...
6) Sutter must be traded... Scuds should be traded (yes he does have minimal value)
- Brianandr1

granted, hed probably be one of the only guys they could move that would have value, but there is no reason to trade him. they need more of him.

granted, hed probably be one of the only guys they could move that would have value, but there is no reason to trade him. they need more of him.
- stayinthefnnet

I think they might consider moving him in a larger package deal... say with Edmonton or Carolina... but major pieces would have to come back in return.. highly unlikely that's why I put it at 90 percent

I would add 6) Get Babcock at whatever price and let him run player operations... If anyone has earned a shot its him

I think they might consider moving him in a larger package deal... say with Edmonton or Carolina... but major pieces would have to come back in return.. highly unlikely that why I put it at 90 percent

I would add 6) Get Babcock at whatever price and let him run player operations... If anyone has earned a shot its him
- Brianandr1

haha yeah. to me 90 percent and highly unlikely arent necessarily in the same ballpark when discerning odds.

but yes. sign me up for 6.

haha yeah. to me 90 percent and highly unlikely arent necessarily in the same ballpark when discerning odds.

but yes. sign me up for 6.
- stayinthefnnet

If Carolina was offering Jordan Staal in a package I would consider moving Horny, though Perron would be much more preferable... If a top stay at home d man was available ... say Brent Seabrook to pull a random name