With both Toews and Kane over 10 mill per, the Hawks are going to have to rely more on drafting and developing to fill out the roster. They have done a good job over the last few years with Nick Leddy, Saad, and now Teravainnen.

This is what the Pens should be doing, but just don't seem to get it. Both organizations have two prized assets and one is way above the other right now.
- Oneonta Penguin

I think the Hawks are one of the better-run organizations from top to bottom (maybe the best) in the NHL. The Penguins are not a bad one, and they were decimated by injuries to key players in the playoffs this year. That said, holding onto high picks and scouting well are paramount o success in the NHL today, something that I believe the Penguins are just starting to rediscover.

With both Toews and Kane over 10 mill per, the Hawks are going to have to rely more on drafting and developing to fill out the roster. They have done a good job over the last few years with Nick Leddy, Saad, and now Teravainnen.

This is what the Pens should be doing, but just don't seem to get it. Both organizations have two prized assets and one is way above the other right now.
- Oneonta Penguin

better coaching and execution in the playoffs.

beyond that, Toews and Kane signed bridge contracts (i want to say in the 5-6mil range) before they signed their monster deals compared to crosby and malkin who went straight to their 8.7 mil deals. thats some big savings.

beyond that, just better drafting and developing. it sounds like a cliche but it's true. the penguins have been one of the worst drafting/developing teams since crosby and malkin were drafted.

Here's hoping that Conor Sheary can become the Pens Tyler Johnson. Johnson is proving that size isn't everyting.

Here's hoping that Conor Sheary can become the Pens Tyler Johnson. Johnson is proving that size isn't everyting.
- cap1681

Really? That's now what my wife tells me.

Really? That's now what my wife tells me.
- jmatchett383

Sorry to hear about that....

Here's hoping that Conor Sheary can become the Pens Tyler Johnson. Johnson is proving that size isn't everyting.
- cap1681

I'm a bit skeptical. I think Johnson is listed at 180lbs at 5'9, while Sheary is 161 lbs at 5'8". Thats a pretty small dude out there. MSL is listed at 180 as well. I remember Janne Pesesson lit it up in WB and never sniffed the NHL. In other words, Ill believe it when I see it.

Here's hoping that Conor Sheary can become the Pens Tyler Johnson. Johnson is proving that size isn't everyting.
- cap1681

Isn't he an UFA? He wasn't drafted. Watch, we'll probably lose him and he will be the next Johnson.

I'm a bit skeptical. I think Johnson is listed at 180lbs at 5'9, while Sheary is 161 lbs at 5'8". Thats a pretty small dude out there. MSL is listed at 180 as well. I remember Janne Pesesson lit it up in WB and never sniffed the NHL. In other words, Ill believe it when I see it.
- sammy87

I've seen 175lbs for Sheary. He is pretty much the same size as Johnson.

I'm a bit skeptical. I think Johnson is listed at 180lbs at 5'9, while Sheary is 161 lbs at 5'8". Thats a pretty small dude out there. MSL is listed at 180 as well. I remember Janne Pesesson lit it up in WB and never sniffed the NHL. In other words, Ill believe it when I see it.
- sammy87

Until they do it at the NHL level I'm a skeptic. Brian Gibbons put up 30 pts in 28 games in his last AHL season with WBS. Sheary wasn't as nearly as productive this season.

Isn't he an UFA? He wasn't drafted. Watch, we'll probably lose him and he will be the next Johnson.
- madmike71

Yeah, but after what he did in the playoffs, I don't see them passing on him.

Until they do it at the NHL level I'm a skeptic. Brian Gibbons put up 30 pts in 28 games in his last AHL season with WBS. Sheary wasn't as nearly as productive this season.
- jfkst1

Brian Gibbons put up 30 points in 70 games in his first season at WBS.

Sheary put up 45 points in 58 games in his 1st season. Sheary also put up more points in 8 playoffs games this season than Gibbons put up in 34 career playoff games in WB/S. Sheary is a lot more talented than Gibbons.

better coaching and execution in the playoffs.

beyond that, Toews and Kane signed bridge contracts (i want to say in the 5-6mil range) before they signed their monster deals compared to crosby and malkin who went straight to their 8.7 mil deals. thats some big savings.

beyond that, just better drafting and developing. it sounds like a cliche but it's true. the penguins have been one of the worst drafting/developing teams since crosby and malkin were drafted.
- SuperHenderson13

Chicago hasn't made too many ridiculous moves trading away young assets for rentals, absent Vermette. They made a point to keep those assets knowing that this day was coming. On the other hand, Pittsburgh continues to throw away assets for rentals, yielding absolutely nothing in the form of future or Cups. Sure, the organization has a poopty developmental rating. However, its not like they have really made a point to keep picks.

I think "young" is a relative term. Toews/Seabrook/Keith are leading the way, and Hossa/Sharp are playing big roles. They're going to have some very hard decision to make in the next 2 years. But they do seem to have a fantastic ability to find young talent in both the first round as well as later rounds.
- jmatchett383

Their core is better and younger. What they end up doing, after another long playoff run this season, probably won't be as extreme as moving from their starting goalie, top minutes eating defender, second line center, &c. They have done all of that and survived the RFA crisis they had earlier.

All of this is designed for me to further bemoan the lack of leadership and tactical ability in the Penguns organization. Michael Rozsival plays meaningful minutes for Chicago and their system provides him the means to do his job and that if placed in the Pittsburgh D core would proceed to Scuderi it up. He would look lost, as would most every player injected into the Penguins roster and expected to be effective.

I've seen 175lbs for Sheary. He is pretty much the same size as Johnson.
- cap1681

Ive seen 160 and 175 listed on different sites. If its 160 I say you pass.

He gets a 2 way deal, gets some time with injuries, doesn't do much but scores a big goal. Half the members here commission a statue to be placed next to Gibbons.

I think the Hawks are one of the better-run organizations from top to bottom (maybe the best) in the NHL. The Penguins are not a bad one, and they were decimated by injuries to key players in the playoffs this year. That said, holding onto high picks and scouting well are paramount o success in the NHL today, something that I believe the Penguins are just starting to rediscover.
- jmatchett383

The decimated with injuries excuse only goes so far. Bad trades; poor contract extensions/free agent signings, questionable development and its throwing away prime assets for rentals that have yielded nothing has put them in the position they are in. Very few in house solutions; not that much to trade with value and a roster close to the cap. Not a good run organization IMO.

Boedker's past 3 years of ES regular season pts/60:
1.64
1.56
1.45

Those are far from top line numbers (~2pts/60). He's not a great defensive player either. I think he's getting overvalued because he plays a lot. Which is exactly what happened with Yandle and Vermette.
- jfkst1

What do you think those numbers could be with decent players (instead of lori korpokoski)?

Fair enough point on the Yandle and Vermette.

Ive seen 160 and 175 listed on different sites. If its 160 I say you pass.

He gets a 2 way deal, gets some time with injuries, doesn't do much but scores a big goal. Half the members here commission a statue to be placed next to Gibbons.
- sammy87

He's more of a goal scorer than Gibbons.

I'm not saying he is a sure thing, but it won't cost anything to give the kid a shot, and if it works out, add another young forward prospect to the mix, which brings our total to 3.

He's more of a goal scorer than Gibbons.

I'm not saying he is a sure thing, but it won't cost anything to give the kid a shot, and if it works out, add another young forward prospect to the mix, which brings our total to 3.
- cap1681

Yeah exactly. If anyone shows any skill at all, they've got to take a chance. They have so little in the "promising forwards" column.

Yeah exactly. If anyone shows any skill at all, they've got to take a chance. They have so little in the "promising forwards" column.
- madmike71

I feel like we actually have a deceptive amount of options for bottom 6 forwards in our organization but they're not being given shots. Next season Rust and Wilson should absolutely get elongated looks. No use in signing a Lapierre for 1.3 mil or whatever when we can have a more effective guy for cheaper.

He's more of a goal scorer than Gibbons.

I'm not saying he is a sure thing, but it won't cost anything to give the kid a shot, and if it works out, add another young forward prospect to the mix, which brings our total to 3.
- cap1681

Yeah I agree give him a 2 way deal. But when we struggle and everyone is crying like they have for Tangradi, BB, Pessenon, Gibbons, for this guy to get a shot without seeing anything, Pens are back where they started.

I feel like we actually have a deceptive amount of options for bottom 6 forwards in our organization but they're not being given shots. Next season Rust and Wilson should absolutely get elongated looks. No use in signing a Lapierre for 1.3 mil or whatever when we can have a more effective guy for cheaper.
- Victoro311

Can they play C?

IF Dupes is done, they really only have 2 bottom 6 players on roster. They need 4 more. Not sure if Rust, Wilson, Farnham, Megna make the jump or not. My guess is Wilson.

The decimated with injuries excuse only goes so far. Bad trades; poor contract extensions/free agent signings, questionable development and its throwing away prime assets for rentals that have yielded nothing has put them in the position they are in. Very few in house solutions; not that much to trade with value and a roster close to the cap. Not a good run organization IMO.
- Oneonta Penguin

So what is there left for the Penguins to do if they intend to be a playoff force while 87 and 71 are in their prime? Do you believe in the core of 71, 87, 58, 29? Johnston?

Can they play C?

IF Dupes is done, they really only have 2 bottom 6 players on roster. They need 4 more. Not sure if Rust, Wilson, Farnham, Megna make the jump or not. My guess is Wilson.
- sammy87

If it's me, I'm counting on Rust and Wilson. It sounds like they are prioritizing Comeau. Not sold on Farnham and Megna at all.

If it's me, I'm counting on Rust and Wilson. It sounds like they are prioritizing Comeau. Not sold on Farnham and Megna at all.
- madmike71

Farnham can barely skate. Not the worst option as an injury call up, but he should not be an NHL regular. Megna is unfortunate. He almost has all the tools, but doesn't... His skill set is top 6, but he's not good enough to be an NHL caliber top 6. Rust and Wilson should be getting looks at bottom 6 wings. Maybe Uher and Kuhnackl. Marcantuoni is early in his development, but he's a potential wild card.

We also can't forget about injured Zlobin. He was out all season, but who knows. An injury happens to our top 6, he could get a call, and he could surprise. Same with Dea. We have a lot of guys in WBS that get overlooked because they're not blue chips.

If it's me, I'm counting on Rust and Wilson. It sounds like they are prioritizing Comeau. Not sold on Farnham and Megna at all.
- madmike71

Farnham is a guy Pittsburgh called up to pick a fight in Philadelphia. He represents a maxim that has plagued hockey- that of "I know what I need to do to stay in the lineup"- for far too long. I hope never to see him in the NHL again.