I'm not even the biggest fan of Ian Cole, but I think that playing paired with Ian Cole while moving the puck to the likes of Malkin, Sid, Kessel, etc. is a much more advantageous position than playing with Andrew Ference/Nick Schultz/Oscar Klefbom as a rookie and moving the puck to Eberle/Nuge/Hall. That's a pretty big difference in quality of team mates. I don't see why it's hard to believe that higher QoT+Similar QoC = better play.

Also, the coaches and system probably had a lot to do with it as well.
- j.boyd919

I'm not going to argue that QoT has an effect on overall play. I will say that I don't think Ian Cole was a vast improvement over his Edmonton d-partners, though. But still, he should have just mentioned QoT, as his QoC in the playoffs was higher than it was on a daily basis in Edmonton. So why mention his QoC as a sticking point of why he looked bad in Edmonton and then say he looked great with a higher QoC in Pittsburgh? Just say, "He was asked to do too much as a young player on a horrible team." I believe Schultz even admitted when he came over that his confidence was at an all-time low, so I guess he, as a professional hockey player, didn't realize that it wasn't his fault that his QoC was too high.

Nail Yakupov won't be receiving a qualifying offer from the Blues. Pick him up on a one year deal to see if he can turn it around with a elite center? Pens don't really need another RW but it's an idea.

Nail Yakupov won't be receiving a qualifying offer from the Blues. Pick him up on a one year deal to see if he can turn it around with a elite center? Pens don't really need another RW but it's an idea.
- Zac_O

I think your offense is just fine. No need to risk chemistry/moral over a bust of a 1st overall.

So bored. I want deeeeelz!

brady ferguson at development camp! TALK ABOUT IT!!!!

I'm not going to argue that QoT has an effect on overall play. I will say that I don't think Ian Cole was a vast improvement over his Edmonton d-partners, though. But still, he should have just mentioned QoT, as his QoC in the playoffs was higher than it was on a daily basis in Edmonton. So why mention his QoC as a sticking point of why he looked bad in Edmonton and then say he looked great with a higher QoC in Pittsburgh? Just say, "He was asked to do too much as a young player on a horrible team." I believe Schultz even admitted when he came over that his confidence was at an all-time low, so I guess he, as a professional hockey player, didn't realize that it wasn't his fault that his QoC was too high.
- jmatchett383

I agree with that. I've actually said that exactly in the past.

Nail Yakupov won't be receiving a qualifying offer from the Blues. Pick him up on a one year deal to see if he can turn it around with a elite center? Pens don't really need another RW but it's an idea.
- Zac_O

Two Blues in one off season? If he's got the offensive skills he'll need to find them again or he'll be playing in WBS and waived before his name is dry on his jersey. Maybe playing with Geno can spark him but even then he's only going to see 3rd, 4th line action. I'd wait until after signing everyone else and maybe give him a camp tryout. Have a feeling he's going to go back to Russia where he can still probably make something of himself and actually get paid.

brady ferguson at development camp! TALK ABOUT IT!!!!
- martox

I think you just did.

Nail Yakupov won't be receiving a qualifying offer from the Blues. Pick him up on a one year deal to see if he can turn it around with a elite center? Pens don't really need another RW but it's an idea.
- Zac_O

Guentzel
Kessel
Horny
Rust
Kuhnackel
Sprong

All on the RW... I wouldn't mind trying Yak.. for cheap, but.. where would he fit??

Guentzel
Kessel
Horny
Rust
Kuhnackel
Sprong

All on the RW... I wouldn't mind trying Yak.. for cheap, but.. where would he fit??
- j.boyd919

He wouldn't, though I would play him over rust or kuhny. Just think he's more talented than them and would be able to utilize our players better

#8 finally getting into the HOF.

Guentzel
Kessel
Horny
Rust
Kuhnackel
Sprong

All on the RW... I wouldn't mind trying Yak.. for cheap, but.. where would he fit??
- j.boyd919

Don't forget Reeves now... pretty sure he will play right wing too.

I agree, worth taking a shot on but only works if the Pens are trading away some wingers. I think his game could mesh well with Geno if they have a guy like Kunitz on the left side to win some puck battles.

Guentzel
Kessel
Horny
Rust
Kuhnackel
Sprong

All on the RW... I wouldn't mind trying Yak.. for cheap, but.. where would he fit??
- j.boyd919

Very true. Unless you make Guentzel the 3C. Which would be stupid as (frank). Him with Sid is so good you'd need to be mental to change it.

Two Blues in one off season? If he's got the offensive skills he'll need to find them again or he'll be playing in WBS and waived before his name is dry on his jersey. Maybe playing with Geno can spark him but even then he's only going to see 3rd, 4th line action. I'd wait until after signing everyone else and maybe give him a camp tryout. Have a feeling he's going to go back to Russia where he can still probably make something of himself and actually get paid.
- NJPensfan

I am pretending that the pens didn't send one of their top prospects and a first for a grinder 4th liner and a second. LET ME HAVE THIS!!

It'd be sad/funny if nail ends up in the KHL for next season. But I thinks it's a good option for him.

I think your offense is just fine. No need to risk chemistry/moral over a bust of a 1st overall.
- mgriffen

Fair point. But Im dont want to rest on past success.

Lots of guys on here talked about getting Evander Kane. I'd prefer between the 2 Nail since he'd be cheaper and IMO is less of a distraction. Not that they need to get either.

Nail Yakupov won't be receiving a qualifying offer from the Blues. Pick him up on a one year deal to see if he can turn it around with a elite center? Pens don't really need another RW but it's an idea.
- Zac_O

Caps should jump on this. they need to find cheap deals.

I am pretending that the pens didn't send one of their top prospects and a first for a grinder 4th liner and a second. LET ME HAVE THIS!!

- Zac_O

Haha. Eh, I don't have a problem with the Reeves trade like a lot of people do. The way things were panning out, OS wasn't going to be a Penguin at any point and the picks they traded were 20 spots in difference, so it was a wash really. At least they get a player who will be able to dress for most games, give them a bigger, physical edge and will at least be able to skate and contribute a bit offensively...more than OS was giving them sitting in WBS and they obviously feel they can do better at center going outside or resigning what they have. For what it was - not a huge deal - the Pens are no worse for wear and if anything, are better for it. If he goes on to crush some Metro antagonist/perpetual punk like Dubinsky, he will be a fan favorite overnight.

Caps should jump on this. they need to find cheap deals.
- Blackstrom2

Another Russian player to build the big red machine with.

Fair point. But Im dont want to rest on past success.

Lots of guys on here talked about getting Evander Kane. I'd prefer between the 2 Nail since he'd be cheaper and IMO is less of a distraction. Not that they need to get either.
- Zac_O

Yeah I just figure it would piss some guys off to be bumped down by Yakupov after helping their team win 2 cups in a row...also Crosby would probably eat him alive.

Nail Yakupov won't be receiving a qualifying offer from the Blues. Pick him up on a one year deal to see if he can turn it around with a elite center? Pens don't really need another RW but it's an idea.
- Zac_O

No thanks. He doesn't have the offense for top 6 and doesn't have the defense for bottom 6. I have no doubt he can score 20+ goals on Crosby's wing, but so what, a lot of players can. Throw in the fact that he seems injury-prone and it's a hard no.

So much focus on big-name players and former high draft picks. The best moves are often the sneaky, under-the-radar moves that no one sees coming and they turn out great. I know the Pens struck gold with Kessel and Schultz, but I think there are some hidden gems out there.

Yeah I just figure it would piss some guys off to be bumped down by Yakupov after helping their team win 2 cups in a row...also Crosby would probably eat him alive.
- mgriffen

I think Sully does a good job creating a meritocracy, Hainsey notwithstanding.

No thanks. He doesn't have the offense for top 6 and doesn't have the defense for bottom 6. I have no doubt he can score 20+ goals on Crosby's wing, but so what, a lot of players can. Throw in the fact that he seems injury-prone and it's a hard no.

So much focus on big-name players and former high draft picks. The best moves are often the sneaky, under-the-radar moves that no one sees coming and they turn out great. I know the Pens struck gold with Kessel and Schultz, but I think there are some hidden gems out there.
- T-Train

Yea I'm sure Rutherford has a few of those sneaky deals in the works. Let's just hope one happens haha

I would pass on yak. He had a shot in St. Louis. He's not a great bottom 6 fit for us. If wing was a weakness for the team I would take a shot but we are pretty deep there.

At most I would go PTO route.

Guentzel
Kessel
Horny
Rust
Kuhnackel
Sprong

All on the RW... I wouldn't mind trying Yak.. for cheap, but.. where would he fit??
- j.boyd919

Guent can play all 3... Kuhn plays either as a 4th liner... and pretty sure Rust has flipped sides as well during games.

I would pass on yak. He had a shot in St. Louis. He's not a great bottom 6 fit for us. If wing was a weakness for the team I would take a shot but we are pretty deep there.

At most I would go PTO route.
- sditulli

We def need to focus on centers and D.