Rutherford reminds me of Snow on the Islanders. Looks like a moron and all his GMing is a disaster...then suddenly everything breaks their way at once. I am skeptical it was genius plays on his part haha, but sometimes these things happen. Doug Wilson in San Jose is another one, and now he's being hailed as brilliant.

But Kessel trade, Hagelin swap, utilization of good AHL depth guys, Sullivan hire, Daley trade....still think he stumbled his way into it but so be it. But the new on-ice philosophy and the players who implement said philosophy are why this team is where it's at. That's the variable between this year and the last few where we giggled away as they flamed out.
- Mononoke

i still think that, in a recency bias plagued, results driven business, people from top to bottom tend to get way more credit than they deserve when poop works out, and largely piled with unfair amounts of criticism when sound decision making doesnt work out.

the kessel trade had obvious questions, but it was one i dont think you could pass up. they really didnt move much. the hagelin deal is honestly one of the things i attribute it most to, but again, at that time they traded a dude they just sunk a first rounder into for a guy who was absolutely lost and on a 4 million dollar a year deal with term left. that could have blown up big time.

the daley deal was huge too, and one that i was surprised they could even make. i think they will really miss him next series.

Rutherford reminds me of Snow on the Islanders. Looks like a moron and all his GMing is a disaster...then suddenly everything breaks their way at once. I am skeptical it was genius plays on his part haha, but sometimes these things happen. Doug Wilson in San Jose is another one, and now he's being hailed as brilliant.

But Kessel trade, Hagelin swap, utilization of good AHL depth guys, Sullivan hire, Daley trade....still think he stumbled his way into it but so be it. But the new on-ice philosophy and the players who implement said philosophy are why this team is where it's at. That's the variable between this year and the last few where we giggled away as they flamed out.
- Mononoke

And perhaps not having Fleury as the starter...

Rutherford reminds me of Snow on the Islanders. Looks like a moron and all his GMing is a disaster...then suddenly everything breaks their way at once. I am skeptical it was genius plays on his part haha, but sometimes these things happen. Doug Wilson in San Jose is another one, and now he's being hailed as brilliant.

But Kessel trade, Hagelin swap, utilization of good AHL depth guys, Sullivan hire, Daley trade....still think he stumbled his way into it but so be it. But the new on-ice philosophy and the players who implement said philosophy are why this team is where it's at. That's the variable between this year and the last few where we giggled away as they flamed out.
- Mononoke

The one thing I'll say about Rutherford is this: I remember early in the season when they were struggling and I was absolutely baffled at how they were losing -- Fleury's SVPCT was excellent and they were generating shots, but something was missing.

I thought giving Johnston the shiv was ice-cold, but it probably needed to happen because they didn't have too many bullets to fire in trade.

But I do have to give Rutherford credit for two things that turned out to be huge: the Hagelin trade and the Daley trade. The Daley trade was utter theft.

But the thing about it that stands out is that desperation or not, they got deals done in-season, in a year where we went, what, three or four months without a trade? So I can honestly say that he did his job -- he tried to make the team better

Keep banging that drum. People have to understand that we're not killing guys like VDV and Ryan White

I said it earlier: You can respect them as players yet still understand they need to be upgraded
- AllInForFlyers

Speed, skill, smarts. It's what I want up and down the lineup. Our d is covered soon enough (Schultz might not make it through the year; AMac might not make the opening day roster). Forwards still need a piece or two long term and a couple pieces short term. But our lineup can be transformed next season without significant spending (Nielsen my one exception). And it's really all about the bottom 6. Hexy just needs to get inspired by what is going on now...think outside the box a little bit and don't get too enamored with present guys who are mediocre. Like I said, a bottom 6 like this could be a game changer next season, I think:

Raffl/Laughton-Nielsen-Read
Leier-Cousins-PEB

Speed, skill, smarts. It's what I want up and down the lineup. Our d is covered soon enough (Schultz might not make it through the year; AMac might not make the opening day roster). Forwards still need a piece or two long term and a couple pieces short term. But our lineup can be transformed next season without significant spending (Nielsen my one exception). And it's really all about the bottom 6. Hexy just needs to get inspired by what is going on now...think outside the box a little bit and don't get too enamored with present guys who are mediocre. Like I said, a bottom 6 like this could be a game changer next season, I think:

Raffl/Laughton-Nielsen-Read
Leier-Cousins-PEB
- Mononoke

pavelski would be great number 2 center behind Giroux

i still think that, in a recency bias plagued, results driven business, people from top to bottom tend to get way more credit than they deserve when poop works out, and largely piled with unfair amounts of criticism when sound decision making doesnt work out.

the kessel trade had obvious questions, but it was one i dont think you could pass up. they really didnt move much. the hagelin deal is honestly one of the things i attribute it most to, but again, at that time they traded a dude they just sunk a first rounder into for a guy who was absolutely lost and on a 4 million dollar a year deal with term left. that could have blown up big time.

the daley deal was huge too, and one that i was surprised they could even make. i think they will really miss him next series.
- stayinthefnnet

He just had an air of incompetence much of the last 2 years from the outside. I'm sure he didn't inspire much faith as a Pens fan. But doing the wrong thing can sometimes turn out well. Life

Speed, skill, smarts. It's what I want up and down the lineup. Our d is covered soon enough (Schultz might not make it through the year; AMac might not make the opening day roster). Forwards still need a piece or two long term and a couple pieces short term. But our lineup can be transformed next season without significant spending (Nielsen my one exception). And it's really all about the bottom 6. Hexy just needs to get inspired by what is going on now...think outside the box a little bit and don't get too enamored with present guys who are mediocre. Like I said, a bottom 6 like this could be a game changer next season, I think:

Raffl/Laughton-Nielsen-Read
Leier-Cousins-PEB
- Mononoke

if read can find some past year magic and leier can roll with them, thats not bad at all. you need to hit on at least 2 or 3 guys that outplay their contracts in todays league. thats easier when you get a young guy on an ELC.

thats the biggest difference between this team and past ones for the pens. rust would have never been in the lineup because that spot would have been for tanner glass.

Speed, skill, smarts. It's what I want up and down the lineup. Our d is covered soon enough (Schultz might not make it through the year; AMac might not make the opening day roster). Forwards still need a piece or two long term and a couple pieces short term. But our lineup can be transformed next season without significant spending (Nielsen my one exception). And it's really all about the bottom 6. Hexy just needs to get inspired by what is going on now...think outside the box a little bit and don't get too enamored with present guys who are mediocre. Like I said, a bottom 6 like this could be a game changer next season, I think:

Raffl/Laughton-Nielsen-Read
Leier-Cousins-PEB
- Mononoke

At a minimum, that third line has to be made functional. They cannot get caved in like they did last year

He just had an air of incompetence much of the last 2 years from the outside. I'm sure he didn't inspire much faith as a Pens fan. But doing the wrong thing can sometimes turn out well. Life
- Mononoke

honestly watching him speak, he doesnt inspire confidence that he will be breathing for more than a few months.

im not gonna declare the guy a total genius. his track record with carolina has some large blemishes and albatross deals. i also think he was pretty well snookered on the staal trade, and he is reaping some tertiary benefits of his previous (frank) up now in his new role.

if read can find some past year magic and leier can roll with them, thats not bad at all. you need to hit on at least 2 or 3 guys that outplay their contracts in todays league. thats easier when you get a young guy on an ELC.

thats the biggest difference between this team and past ones for the pens. rust would have never been in the lineup because that spot would have been for tanner glass.
- stayinthefnnet

if read is still here next here, he's going to start having to look over his shoulder. always liked him, but he is not the same player he was a couple of years ago. not sure why that is, but competition for he 3rd line is going to start ramping up next year and the year after with younger players coming up. that's not even including the free agent market

At a minimum, that third line has to be made functional. They cannot get caved in like they did last year
- AllInForFlyers

well, whether you consider it ultimately worth it to pony up for him, i think if you do plop neilsen into that spot as suggested, that line will automatically be able to tread water.

if read can find some past year magic and leier can roll with them, thats not bad at all. you need to hit on at least 2 or 3 guys that outplay their contracts in todays league. thats easier when you get a young guy on an ELC.

thats the biggest difference between this team and past ones for the pens. rust would have never been in the lineup because that spot would have been for tanner glass.
- stayinthefnnet

I'm not trying to be hyperbolic, but if was an owner, I'd fire a GM who kept guys like Tanner Glass up in the NHL

If people don't understand that era of hockey is done like dinner, I don't know what else to tell them

pavelski would be great number 2 center behind Giroux
- funmaster18

At a minimum, that third line has to be made functional. They cannot get caved in like they did last year
- AllInForFlyers

I'm thinking about the likely non-Frans scenario. Cousins was actually OK as 3C...I just question the scoring potential bc he won't be a defensively heavy player. Even if they use Laughts-Cuz-Read again, that 4th line has to GO. PEB to wing, Leier perhaps at the LW. Sign someone for 4C.

I don't think they'd do it, but if say Konecny makes the team, maybe bump Raf to 3C. He could do it and probably better than Cousins, but he has more value at wing. I just see 3C as a position that doesn't have a real organizational solution. There's Cuz..and....Vorobyov who is a complete wild card...and that's it. Even if we draft a Rubtsov, that's 3 years away. My goal is to upgrade 3C and sort of bump everyone down.

I'm not trying to be hyperbolic, but if was an owner, I'd fire a GM who kept guys like Tanner Glass up in the NHL

If people don't understand that era of hockey is done like dinner, I don't know what else to tell them
- AllInForFlyers

very much agreed.

but its just insanely prevalent still. that old boy notion permeates the sport for some reason. dont get me wrong. you need guys that have that grit factor. but people thinking it needs to be in that form are wrong and outdated. guys can be 180 lbs and play with grit. or you can have your traditional ones, but they need to be able to play.

tbs trio of boyle, callahan, and brown all bring that aspect. but they can also bring tangible aspects of attributes as well.

deryk england made more this year than the pens entire fourth line.

if read is still here next here, he's going to start having to look over his shoulder. always liked him, but he is not the same player he was a couple of years ago. not sure why that is, but competition for he 3rd line is going to start ramping up next year and the year after with younger players coming up. that's not even including the free agent market
- funmaster18

BSH had a good article. By the (my) eye and analytics, he was a very useful player forechecking, cycling, in NZ, PK, d zone...but his natural scoring just seemed off. Last year we can forgive. But this one was weird. His shooting % was low, but he also seemed hesitant to shoot and drive the dirty areas and was satisfied on the perimeter. He talked about that with Hak in his exit interview. He might have lost a gear in his skating, but if he can fix that stuff, maybe there's room for improvement. With how subtly good he was in all 3 zones, I'd like to think so. Umby he is not.

I'm thinking about the likely non-Frans scenario. Cousins was actually OK as 3C...I just question the scoring potential bc he won't be a defensively heavy player. Even if they use Laughts-Cuz-Read again, that 4th line has to GO. PEB to wing, Leier perhaps at the LW. Sign someone for 4C.

I don't think they'd do it, but if say Konecny makes the team, maybe bump Raf to 3C. He could do it and probably better than Cousins, but he has more value at wing. I just see 3C as a position that doesn't have a real organizational solution. There's Cuz..and....Vorobyov who is a complete wild card...and that's it. Even if we draft a Rubtsov, that's 3 years away. My goal is to upgrade 3C and sort of bump everyone down.
- Mononoke

I think, repeat THINK, Cousins can play 3C, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't have concerns about his skating. I thought it was...barely OK. I think there might be a little room for it to improve, but if it can't, he'll likely always be just barely holding on

You have been right all along to point out the dire need for more centers in the system. That was something we never had to worry about in the Clarke/Homer era, but we really do need a few, and one of them definitely needs to be high-end

I'm not trying to be hyperbolic, but if was an owner, I'd fire a GM who kept guys like Tanner Glass up in the NHL

If people don't understand that era of hockey is done like dinner, I don't know what else to tell them
- AllInForFlyers

Rangers

deryk england made more this year than the pens entire fourth line.
- stayinthefnnet

See, somebody needs to get fired for that, and it's not Bob Hartley

- 2Real

how excited are you?

I think, repeat THINK, Cousins can play 3C, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't have concerns about his skating. I thought it was...barely OK. I think there might be a little room for it to improve, but if it can't, he'll likely always be just barely holding on

You have been right all along to point out the dire need for more centers in the system. That was something we never had to worry about in the Clarke/Homer era, but we really do need a few, and one of them definitely needs to be high-end
- AllInForFlyers

Hated his skating when he came up. Still hate it. It's below average. But he was way smarter than I anticipated and actually solid 2-way. He's got hockey sense, grit, and some decent hands. Speed on the wing is a necessity though for him. I think he'd be an excellent 4C and a capable 3C...but he is going to need help on the wings for that.

BSH had a good article. By the (my) eye and analytics, he was a very useful player forechecking, cycling, in NZ, PK, d zone...but his natural scoring just seemed off. Last year we can forgive. But this one was weird. His shooting % was low, but he also seemed hesitant to shoot and drive the dirty areas and was satisfied on the perimeter. He talked about that with Hak in his exit interview. He might have lost a gear in his skating, but if he can fix that stuff, maybe there's room for improvement. With how subtly good he was in all 3 zones, I'd like to think so. Umby he is not.
- Mononoke

He was so reliable in a 3rd line role that could move up and down when/if needed. After this past season as a whole, I feel like he could be replaced easily. This is strictly from an eye test perspective. His initial burst of speed seems gone. Was it that high ankle injury that did it? When he has time and space he still makes some good place. It just feels like that happens less frequently lately.

Hated his skating when he came up. Still hate it. It's below average. But he was way smarter than I anticipated and actually solid 2-way. He's got hockey sense, grit, and some decent hands. Speed on the wing is a necessity though for him. I think he'd be an excellent 4C and a capable 3C...but he is going to need help on the wings for that.
- Mononoke

Yep. All of this

I knew he had hockey sense -- he was one of the last players I watched multiple times during his final year of junior when he was right there for the OHL scoring title

He really is a smart player, understands the game, game situations and can learn to be a really smart defensive player

But that skating...don't know. It's an issue

Hated his skating when he came up. Still hate it. It's below average. But he was way smarter than I anticipated and actually solid 2-way. He's got hockey sense, grit, and some decent hands. Speed on the wing is a necessity though for him. I think he'd be an excellent 4C and a capable 3C...but he is going to need help on the wings for that.
- Mononoke

Cousins has an intangible quality that makes me want to keep him in the lineup to see where he goes. I'm not overly impressed with his skating/skill set, but he just seems to be one of those guys that has the potential to be in the right place at the right and make the right play at the right time.

See, somebody needs to get fired for that, and it's not Bob Hartley
- AllInForFlyers

Hartley sucks too though. They all suck over there led by Burke. Calgary has a dynamite top 6 and maybe the best 1-2 d in the league...but blow. That's what regressive thinking and lack of adaptability does for you.