I think Smith would be good as a 2nd pairing defenseman. I think DP has to play due to waiver eligibility.
- j.boyd919

I think hes in the same boat as Beau Bennett. I wouldnt be shocked to see him moved at the draft to be honest

Sam Bennett is NOT better than Joe Thornton.
- j.boyd919

He is only 20! He would be Perfect as a starting 3C for the Pens.

He averages more goals in his first 2 seasons in the NHL 18 & 16 averages to 17 than Joe has had since 2011 (except for one season when Joe had 19 goals).

6'1" 185 lbs is not big. You must be one tiny dude.
- j.boyd919

Also not sure how you are getting a 21 year old former 4th overall pick with a career best 36 point season from the team with the 6th most cap space on an offer sheet.

He is only 20! He would be Perfect as a starting 3C for the Pens.

He averages more goals in his first 2 seasons in the NHL 18 & 16 averages to 17 than Joe has had since 2011 (except for one season when Joe had 19 goals).
- so_buzz11

And Thornton has more career assists than Bennett will have career points.

The value to getting Joe is that he doesn't cost any assets. He is coming off of major knee surgery at 38 and was already pretty slow before. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to get him in that 3C spot, but not if they have to sign him to a multi year deal or over $5M.

Stipulation in signing should be that he has to shave off that stupid beard. Either way, I think he stays out west.

The value to getting Joe is that he doesn't cost any assets. He is coming off of major knee surgery at 38 and was already pretty slow before. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to get him in that 3C spot, but not if they have to sign him to a multi year deal or over $5M.

Stipulation in signing should be that he has to shave off that stupid beard. Either way, I think he stays out west.
- MacPatty

This is the worst thing posted about signing Thornton.

He is only 20! He would be Perfect as a starting 3C for the Pens.

He averages more goals in his first 2 seasons in the NHL 18 & 16 averages to 17 than Joe has had since 2011 (except for one season when Joe had 19 goals).
- so_buzz11

He is a good player with lots of potential but will cost more in assets than he is worth to the Pens ATM.

Jumbo on the Pens eh I'm in. Sign him, Kuni, Schultzy and let go

The value to getting Joe is that he doesn't cost any assets. He is coming off of major knee surgery at 38 and was already pretty slow before. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to get him in that 3C spot, but not if they have to sign him to a multi year deal or over $5M.

Stipulation in signing should be that he has to shave off that stupid beard. Either way, I think he stays out west.
- MacPatty

Thornton is too old and out of shape. He has been on the top PP and top linefor years. His assist total is way, way, way over rated! It will be an extreme disappointment if Joe is ever a Penguin.

Thornton is too old and out of shape. He has been on the top PP and top linefor years. His assist total is way, way, way over rated! It will be an extreme disappointment if Joe is ever a Penguin.
- so_buzz11

Would be pretty cool. Kind of a new age Ray Bourque story if they won. One of the best passers to play the game playing with one of the best shooters? That could get very interesting. And people saying they need to focus on getting D...Did you watch the playoffs? Cause apparently D don't matter! Sign a couple plugs and stack your offense.

I'd be a little worried about goaltending though. If Murray goes down and they don't have MAF to save the day then they're in trouble.

Thornton is too old and out of shape. He has been on the top PP and top linefor years. His assist total is way, way, way over rated! It will be an extreme disappointment if Joe is ever a Penguin.
- so_buzz11

What was the difference in signing Cullen at 38 and signing Thornton at 38?

Would be pretty cool. Kind of a new age Ray Bourque story if they won. One of the best passers to play the game playing with one of the best shooters? That could get very interesting. And people saying they need to focus on getting D...Did you watch the playoffs? Cause apparently D don't matter! Sign a couple plugs and stack your offense.

I'd be a little worried about goaltending though. If Murray goes down and they don't have MAF to save the day then they're in trouble.
- mgriffen

Getting Letang back is a huge difference in that defense. He logged 30 minutes a game in the 16 cup run that trickles down quite well. Jarry will likely serve as a back up he seems to be a promising young goalie. Any long term I'm sure JR could find a more established back up type goalie. We need a 3c regardless of those other needs you pointed out so why not thornton on a friendly deal chasing the cup. No guarantee we'd be able to get back and have success.

I wonder if Ryan Miller would take 2-3M to play a backup role and chase a Cup.....

He would be a fitting backup/insurance policy for Murray, and at 37 by the start of the season, is coming into the twilight of his career.

What was the difference in signing Cullen at 38 and signing Thornton at 38?
- j.boyd919

Cullen wasn't out of shape

I wonder if Ryan Miller would take 2-3M to play a backup role and chase a Cup.....

He would be a fitting backup/insurance policy for Murray, and at 37 by the start of the season, is coming into the twilight of his career.
- cap1681

The only other UFA goalie i would want to see the Pens go after is Brian Elliott.

I wonder if Ryan Miller would take 2-3M to play a backup role and chase a Cup.....

He would be a fitting backup/insurance policy for Murray, and at 37 by the start of the season, is coming into the twilight of his career.
- cap1681

Jarry + cap space > Miller

Still not a guarantee MAF is gone.

I wonder if Ryan Miller would take 2-3M to play a backup role and chase a Cup.....

He would be a fitting backup/insurance policy for Murray, and at 37 by the start of the season, is coming into the twilight of his career.
- cap1681

I'd rather just roll the dice with Murray/Jarry and spend those 2-3M elsewhere in the lineup.

I'd rather just roll the dice with Murray/Jarry and spend those 2-3M elsewhere in the lineup.
- j.boyd919

Problem with that is i don't think Jarry is ready to play every day in the case of a Murray injury. Miller or Elliott give you that solid #2 guy that can hold the fort down when needed.

I'd rather just roll the dice with Murray/Jarry and spend those 2-3M elsewhere in the lineup.
- j.boyd919

Agreed... and especially NOT Miller... THE most overrated goalie in the NHL. He's worth nowhere near 2-3M.

Jarry + cap space > Miller

Still not a guarantee MAF is gone.
- Feds91Stammer

Regardless of if LV takes him or not(which i think they will), MAF is gone.

What was the difference in signing Cullen at 38 and signing Thornton at 38?
- j.boyd919

Cullen was signed to be a 4C for $1M. Thornton would be closer to 2.7 - 3M. Thornton has had very difficult injuries over his carreer and the big knee issue recently! Cullen is in better shape at 40!

Id love to upgrade third pairing as well. Maybe clear out Sprong and Pouliots salary and sign Brendan Smith for the third pairing?
- gdsmack267

Smith would be a good 2nd pair guy that would upgrade Maatta at about the same price. That's a move I'd look into if we can't get a true top 2 defenseman for the left side. But that move doesn't effect the cap.

3rd pair, I'd try to replicate what we did with Schultz and bring in a vet puck mover to compete with Pouliot. Maybe Michael Del Zotto? He has some nice underlying numbers, could be a giod bounce back candidate on a cheap price.

Basically defensively I'd like to make to moves, one in the top 4 and one on the bottom pair, both aimed at adding more skill.

Cullen was signed to be a 4C for $1M. Thornton would be closer to 2.7 - 3M. Thornton has had very difficult injuries over his carreer and the big knee issue recently! Cullen is in better shape at 40!
- so_buzz11

Are you a physician that's been monitoring both Cullen and Thornton?

The value to getting Joe is that he doesn't cost any assets. He is coming off of major knee surgery at 38 and was already pretty slow before. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to get him in that 3C spot, but not if they have to sign him to a multi year deal or over $5M.

Stipulation in signing should be that he has to shave off that stupid beard. Either way, I think he stays out west.
- MacPatty

We've done well with our 3rd line C rocking a beard all season...