I will say that sometimes a chip off the glass is the best play (and often the only play) in order to get a critical clear and hopefully a line change. How often do you see a team hemmed in for a stretch, with gassed players, and there is an opportunity to clear and they try to get cute and/or take too long and the puck ends up staying in the zone even longer? That sucks.

But, for guys like Hainsey and Scuderi, the chip off the glass is their go-to move in just about every situation. That's a problem. Canes fans warned us and he didn't fail to live up to the hype. Same thing when Flyers fans told us that Streit sucked. Sure enough.

It was a truly bizarre playoff run. I still don't know how they managed to get through it.
- T-Train

I thought the same thing watching it. I really think the Crosby/Malkin factor dominating the middle of the ice, and making teams pay for mistakes, was the key. Your goaltending was good as well, but it was truly a bizarre Cup win...like you said.

I thought the same thing watching it. I really think the Crosby/Malkin factor dominating the middle of the ice, and making teams pay for mistakes, was the key. Your goaltending was good as well, but it was truly a bizarre Cup win...like you said.
- W_1

Yeah, they take up a lot of attention and energy from the opposition. It's one of those things that even if they get held off the scoresheet, they can have great games. There are very few players about whom that can be said.

The goaltending was sometimes amazing and other times just good enough. A couple of clunkers in there but that's to be expected. I don't think we win without Fleury and I'm not sure Fleury would have finished off the playoffs by himself to win a Cup.

Gritty, gutty, and a total team effort with some luck thrown in. But that's pretty much the recipe every year.

First of all, Pens fans, Maatta is not getting you Bozak straight up. Bozak is a pretty reliable C who can win faceoffs, chip in points, play PK and PP, and doesn't get enough credit for his defensive play. You don't get this player for Maatta. The Leafs play fast, and they play with pace, Maatta does not profile as a top 4 in our system.

With regards to Hainsey, He's still a good skater for an older player, and Babcock needs a veteran replacement for Hunwick. Basically, Hunwick got 3 years from you, and we gave 2 years to Hainsey. Simple math. I don't necessarily think one is greater than the other, just that we only wanted a 2 year term.

Congrats on the Cup, and good luck with Kessel.

Cheers.
- W_1

I'm pretty sure it was a Leafs fan who proposed that trade. From a Pens perspective, I wouldn't do it. I'll keep the younger guy signed for 5 years over the guy on the other side of 30 signed for 1.

Hainsey will be fine as a 3rd pair guy and PK specialist. He got overused and played his offside against tough competition here so he looked worse then he is.

Maybe, Pouliot will be a sign and trade. Might as well get something for him in a package deal than to lose him early in the season on waivers.

Archibald played PK in the playoffs, so I'm sure the Pens would use him in that role in the regular season if needed.
- so_buzz11

Would make sense. The only way I see Pouliot on the team is if another defenseman is traded or he has an outstanding camp.

If Archibald only plays RW and Reaves is the 4th line RW I don't see a good lineup fit evwn with injuries. If he can play LW, he can probably take Kuhnhackl's spot. Even with Rowney at centwr we have 10 wings that need waivers who we probably want to keep so a trade seems likely here too. If Cullen comes back, even more likely.

I will say that sometimes a chip off the glass is the best play (and often the only play) in order to get a critical clear and hopefully a line change. How often do you see a team hemmed in for a stretch, with gassed players, and there is an opportunity to clear and they try to get cute and/or take too long and the puck ends up staying in the zone even longer? That sucks.

But, for guys like Hainsey and Scuderi, the chip off the glass is their go-to move in just about every situation. That's a problem. Canes fans warned us and he didn't fail to live up to the hype. Same thing when Flyers fans told us that Streit sucks. Sure enough.

It was a truly bizarre playoff run. I still don't know how they managed to get through it.
- T-Train

Great goal tending, great forwards, clutch scoring and adequate D play. Wasn't always pretty, but they went through a meat grinder and deserved the cup.

Not sure either makes the team, but they both need waivers. Think Pouliot needed to be qualified at that higher number.

Maybe Archibald can pass Kuhnhackl for 13th forward if Cullen doesn't sign, but he'd need to play LW and don't know that he kills penalties as well.
- Tojo.

Archi kills penalties just fine is a superior player to Khunhackl.

Archi kills penalties just fine is a superior player to Khunhackl.
- MattStrat

Does anyone know if he plays LW though? Reaves is the 4th line RW so if Archibald is thw 13th forward either he or Reaves as RWs would play on the 3rd line. Pens are also more stacked on that side.

Admittedly, a minor point, but I can't recall him on LW.

Archi kills penalties just fine is a superior player to Khunhackl.
- MattStrat

But does he still sport the Bieber 'do?

Right so all the NHL coaches are wrong. Got it.
- Blazed

Now you're evolving.

First of all, Pens fans, Maatta is not getting you Bozak straight up. Bozak is a pretty reliable C who can win faceoffs, chip in points, play PK and PP, and doesn't get enough credit for his defensive play. You don't get this player for Maatta. The Leafs play fast, and they play with pace, Maatta does not profile as a top 4 in our system.

With regards to Hainsey, He's still a good skater for an older player, and Babcock needs a veteran replacement for Hunwick. Basically, Hunwick got 3 years from you, and we gave 2 years to Hainsey. Simple math. I don't necessarily think one is greater than the other, just that we only wanted a 2 year term.

Congrats on the Cup, and good luck with Kessel.

Cheers.
- W_1

I don't think Bozak is worth Maatta anyways. Sure Bozak is solid, puts up points, but he's an UFA and will likely walk at the end of the season, I wouldn't trade Maatta for that unless we send Sprong and get Connor Brown with it. But I don't think that happens either.

Does anyone know if he plays LW though? Reaves is the 4th line RW so if Archibald is thw 13th forward either he or Reaves as RWs would play on the 3rd line. Pens are also more stacked on that side.

Admittedly, a minor point, but I can't recall him on LW.
- Tojo.

I thought to myself that Reaves probably wouldnt play every game and that we'd probably see him and Archi being switched in and out depending on opponent. I feel like Archi has room to grow though. Wouldnt be surprised to see him move up to 3rd or top lines sometimes...we shall see..

We must also consider injuries....how could we, as Pens fans, not?

But does he still sport the Bieber 'do?
- T-Train

Haha I dont think I've ever seen him with helmet off...

I don't think Bozak is worth Maatta anyways. Sure Bozak is solid, puts up points, but he's an UFA and will likely walk at the end of the season, I wouldn't trade Maatta for that unless we send Sprong and get Connor Brown with it. But I don't think that happens either.
- j.boyd919

I have this gut feeling Maatta is going to end making some people glad we kept* him. I for one think he was very solid in the playoffs and was very important for them..and remember that he went straight into playoffs after being laid up a few months...

*If they keep him...

I thought to myself that Reaves probably wouldnt play every game and that we'd probably see him and Archi being switched in and out depending on opponent. I feel like Archi has room to grow though. Wouldnt be surprised to see him move up to 3rd or top lines sometimes...we shall see..

We must also consider injuries....how could we, as Pens fans, not?
- MattStrat

I don't think they paid what they did to get Reaves to have him sit.

I was real high on Archibald when he went to WBS, but the offense hasn't developed enough to see him as more then a 4th line energy guy. Hopefully, he or Reaves is fine on the left because if they are both on the team they are likely the last 2 forwards on the depth chart. That will probably work itself out though.

I don't think they paid what they did to get Reaves to have him sit.

I was real high on Archibald when he went to WBS, but the offense hasn't developed enough to see him as more then a 4th line energy guy. Hopefully, he or Reaves is fine on the left because if they are both on the team they are likely the last 2 forwards on the depth chart. That will probably work itself out though.
- Tojo.

I dont even think they paid that much for Reaves. 20 draft positions and a prospect that wasn't going to make it with them. I wasnt one of the ones losing sleep over the trade.

I have this gut feeling Maatta is going to end making some people glad we kept* him. I for one think he was very solid in the playoffs and was very important for them..and remember that he went straight into playoffs after being laid up a few months...

*If they keep him...
- MattStrat

I was encouraged by his playoffs and think he's set up to improve this year.

Kingerski pointed out they only have 10-11M for Sheary, Dumoulin, and a 3rd line center so something may have to give as far as a salary going in a trade. Pens have 10 wings and 8 defensemen so you'd figure one of each is not going to be on the roster.

I dont even think they paid that much for Reaves. 20 draft positions and a prospect that wasn't going to make it with them. I wasnt one of the ones losing sleep over the trade.
- MattStrat

I had Sundqvist ahead of a few guys though of Cullen comes back it's probably moot. Draft looks bad because early on it seems like Blues got a steal while Pens reached at 51. We'll see how they develop though.

Feel they overpaid to get the exact guy they wanted which is what you do when the guy you targeted wasn't on the market.

I was encouraged by his playoffs and think he's set up to improve this year.

Kingerski pointed out they only have 10-11M for Sheary, Dumoulin, and a 3rd line center so something may have to give as far as a salary going in a trade. Pens have 10 wings and 8 defensemen so you'd figure one of each is not going to be on the roster.
- Tojo.

I said it shortly after the Finals, and all of the recent reports are solidifying the point, Sheary will not be worth his next contract. He's the easy one to move on from. Guentzel-Sid-Hornqvist is just fine for a top line. Can Sheary get us a 3C? Or do we just deny his arbitration number if it's ridiculous?

I said it shortly after the Finals, and all of the recent reports are solidifying the point, Sheary will not be worth his next contract. He's the easy one to move on from. Guentzel-Sid-Hornqvist is just fine for a top line. Can Sheary get us a 3C? Or do we just deny his arbitration number if it's ridiculous?
- buckster2342

If we decline his arbitration, he becomes an UFA. Don't see that happening.

We pay Hagelin 4M and Sheary had more goals then he had points. He had as many goals as Kessel without the PP time. He won't be the bargain he was last year, but I'm not too worried about him being worth the contract.

He's tradable, and I'd be fine moving him for a 3C with term. But I wouldn't straight salary dump him. Those point totals were good for a top 6 winh over a full season, let alone a guy who only played 61 games. And he did it without much PP production which is what we need because the top guys never get off the ice.

If we decline his arbitration, he becomes an UFA. Don't see that happening.

We pay Hagelin 4M and Sheary had more goals then he had points. He had as many goals as Kessel without the PP time. He won't be the bargain he was last year, but I'm not too worried about him being worth the contract.

He's tradable, and I'd be fine moving him for a 3C with term. But I wouldn't straight salary dump him. Those point totals were good for a top 6 winh over a full season, let alone a guy who only played 61 games. And he did it without much PP production which is what we need because the top guys never get off the ice.
- Tojo.

Didnt Sheary have one of the highest P/60 in the entire league this year?

I had Sundqvist ahead of a few guys though of Cullen comes back it's probably moot. Draft looks bad because early on it seems like Blues got a steal while Pens reached at 51. We'll see how they develop though.

Feel they overpaid to get the exact guy they wanted which is what you do when the guy you targeted wasn't on the market.
- Tojo.

Yeah , I mean, its one of those things you may not know for years yet. Any other year (there was only 30 teams) that would of been a 2nd round pick swap...

I had Sundqvist ahead of a few guys though of Cullen comes back it's probably moot. Draft looks bad because early on it seems like Blues got a steal while Pens reached at 51. We'll see how they develop though.

Feel they overpaid to get the exact guy they wanted which is what you do when the guy you targeted wasn't on the market.
- Tojo.

I agree with that. In theory falling 20 spots wasn't a high price to pay. Honestly feel like on our pick we reached by more spots than 20...so the problem was the pick we made not giving up 20 spots.

I was encouraged by his playoffs and think he's set up to improve this year.

Kingerski pointed out they only have 10-11M for Sheary, Dumoulin, and a 3rd line center so something may have to give as far as a salary going in a trade. Pens have 10 wings and 8 defensemen so you'd figure one of each is not going to be on the roster.
- Tojo.

Oh yeah, something has to give there. Though I'm pretty sure GMJR likes have 8 defensemen kicking around...I know Shero would publicly say he does but it seems most teams want that.

Didnt Sheary have one of the highest P/60 in the entire league this year?
- MattStrat

What were his possession numbers with vs without sid? I don't know all those sites you guys use for those, but that'd be an interesting one to look at.

I have this gut feeling Maatta is going to end making some people glad we kept* him. I for one think he was very solid in the playoffs and was very important for them..and remember that he went straight into playoffs after being laid up a few months...

*If they keep him...
- MattStrat

I actually have no idea. I think if Maatta plays 70 + games the next 3 years...which means he's roughly injury free then his game will start to return to what he was when he was 20. If he continues to have injury problems then its hampering his training and we get exactly what we get from him right now.