http://www.post-gazette.c...gent/stories/201707270152

Mackey just posted this. Butcher said he's interested in the Pens and they had a strong scouting presence at his games. That's probably as much as we'll get right now.

http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/penguins/2017/07/27/Will-Butcher-Hobey-Baker-Penguins-NCAA-free-agent/stories/201707270152

Mackey just posted this. Butcher said he's interested in the Pens and they had a strong scouting presence at his games. That's probably as much as we'll get right now.
- Tojo.

thank you for that. seems good

http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/penguins/2017/07/27/Will-Butcher-Hobey-Baker-Penguins-NCAA-free-agent/stories/201707270152

Mackey just posted this. Butcher said he's interested in the Pens and they had a strong scouting presence at his games. That's probably as much as we'll get right now.
- Tojo.

It's as good as done then

In all seriousness though, if he's really interested in the Pens and the Pens are interested in him, very good chance it happens.

http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/penguins/2017/07/27/Will-Butcher-Hobey-Baker-Penguins-NCAA-free-agent/stories/201707270152

Mackey just posted this. Butcher said he's interested in the Pens and they had a strong scouting presence at his games. That's probably as much as we'll get right now.
- Tojo.

The best way to rebuild the prospect pool when you're trading away high picks, is to no doubt target the college ranks

The NHL is the worlds premier hockey league. They draft, develop, and play the best players in the world. I dont think they should have to give up all their top talent to another league "just so players can play for their countries". The olympics just shows up once every 4 years and collects all the gate proceeds and television revenue with players that they borrow for free.

2-3 weeks to play in the olympics is not a lot of time, but im guessing the NHL as a whole losses $100M easy during that period. I agree that the World Cup of hockey is poorly run. Im saying do something on the same scale of the Olympics and make it awesome, and perhaps only do it when the Olympics is on, rather than every year.
- Holy_Makinaw99

Crosby and Kunitz returned from Sochi and basically played like sh*t the rest of the year.....right on into the playoffs. Both of them played great before the Olympics and they obviously returned exhausted. With the compressed schedule and injury risk, I'm glad the NHL isn't going.

I can understand a little more if the games were being played in a "hockey country".

http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/penguins/2017/07/27/Will-Butcher-Hobey-Baker-Penguins-NCAA-free-agent/stories/201707270152

Mackey just posted this. Butcher said he's interested in the Pens and they had a strong scouting presence at his games. That's probably as much as we'll get right now.
- Tojo.

Does he have a dog?

Crosby and Kunitz returned from Sochi and basically played like sh*t the rest of the year.....right on into the playoffs. Both of them played great before the Olympics and they obviously returned exhausted. With the compressed schedule and injury risk, I'm glad the NHL isn't going.

I can understand a little more if the games were being played in a "hockey country".
- madmike71

I think they would have had a mental rush with winning gold as well then returning to the 82 game grind.

There's things to be said for both sides, but the biggest whingers will be us fans as the Olympics are a great tournament when all the stars are playing.

I think guys like McD have watched the other stars like Sid win gold & think that's his natural evolution as a player - to play in the Olympics.

It's definitely not an easy situation to find the 'right' answer.

I think they would have had a mental rush with winning gold as well then returning to the 82 game grind.

There's things to be said for both sides, but the biggest whingers will be us fans as the Olympics are a great tournament when all the stars are playing.

I think guys like McD have watched the other stars like Sid win gold & think that's his natural evolution as a player - to play in the Olympics.

It's definitely not an easy situation to find the 'right' answer.
- Aussiepenguin

The NHL can always implement a league wide rule, players are more than welcome to go but upon return will be suspended for 2 weeks without pay. You think those players would go knowing they put the team at risk of missing playoffs, angering teammates, fan base etc... if so, they never cared for their contracted team and F-em. In what job does the employee tell the owners how the poop is? Blows my mind.

The NHL can always implement a league wide rule, players are more than welcome to go but upon return will be suspended for 2 weeks without pay. You think those players would go knowing they put the team at risk of missing playoffs, angering teammates, fan base etc... if so, they never cared for their contracted team and F-em. In what job does the employee tell the owners how the poop is? Blows my mind.
- Leniwm1

I see your point, & it definitely has merit that as an employer you decide what your employee should do or they go find another job.

Not sure Mario wants Geno going to the Hawks to be the man, & if Geno feels that strongly about playing for his country (as it appears McD does), then it may be better to allow them to go. Injuries are going to happen, & if it did happen at the Olympics then you would be filthy. If a player gets injured in the NHL during the Olympics is that the same? If he had of gone to the Olympics he may not have been injured?

Answers a pineapple!

http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/penguins/2017/07/27/Will-Butcher-Hobey-Baker-Penguins-NCAA-free-agent/stories/201707270152

Mackey just posted this. Butcher said he's interested in the Pens and they had a strong scouting presence at his games. That's probably as much as we'll get right now.
- Tojo.

Thanks for the article, good read and good scouting by the Pens. Hope it happens.

Crosby and Kunitz returned from Sochi and basically played like sh*t the rest of the year.....right on into the playoffs. Both of them played great before the Olympics and they obviously returned exhausted. With the compressed schedule and injury risk, I'm glad the NHL isn't going.

I can understand a little more if the games were being played in a "hockey country".
- madmike71

You mean the only year Sid topped 100 with 104 points (26 points in 22 games after Sochi and 9 points in 13 games in the playoffs), and Kunitz put up a career high 68 points (13 points in 19 games and 8 points in 13 games in the playoffs?)

Sounds like they were awful after Sochi...

I know it would never happen. But they should play in the summer olympics.
No other major sport shuts down for anything ever, it seems weird but indoor volleyball n bball are winter sports.

I know hockey is just winter but maybe have an outdoor 4 on 4 tourney in the winter games, something different, other than stopping the season and probably better than the world cup

I know it would never happen. But they should play in the summer olympics.
No other major sport shuts down for anything ever, it seems weird but indoor volleyball n bball are winter sports.

I know hockey is just winter but maybe have an outdoor 4 on 4 tourney in the winter games, something different, other than stopping the season and probably better than the world cup
- Jordy8

I completely agree. It would be so much smarter.

I completely agree. It would be so much smarter.
- j.boyd919

The USA-Russia game at the Sochi Olympics was one of my favorite experiences as a hockey fan. We all woke up hungover as (frank) at like five in the morning or whenever that game was and and boozed the morning away with natty light and dipping tobacco. The dip and the hangovers combined for several pukes that we dubbed Freedom Pukes which we swore gave the boys in blue an edge and thought was good luck. And whenever they needed that extra edge, we'd throw in a new hoss and call it a Rally Dip. By the time the Oshie-Kovalchuk shootout happened we were all hammered and probably woke up the entire dorm when Oshie came out on top. It also happened to be Junior Parents Weekend, so all of our parents were in town and had to deal with our drunk asses when we all went to the JPW breakfast after the game. Man it feels like forever ago even though it was only four years ago. I'll never forget that morning as long as I live.

It's a bummer that there's no hockey in the Olympics this year. Yeah I know there technically is, but if NHLers aren't playing who gives a (frank). I know I'm not the only person with great memories from Olympic hockey, and it's a shame new ones can't be made anymore. Hopefully this is only temporary and the NHL will return to the Olympics soon.

You mean the only year Sid topped 100 with 104 points (26 points in 22 games after Sochi and 9 points in 13 games in the playoffs), and Kunitz put up a career high 68 points (13 points in 19 games and 8 points in 13 games in the playoffs?)

Sounds like they were awful after Sochi...
- j.boyd919

You forgot to mention Sid scored one goal and 4 primary assists in those 13 games. Points Per Game% was the lowest of his career. 2.6 shot%. Obviously "sucked" is relative when you're talking about the best player in the world, but he was far from his usual self.

Russians are pathetic

Trying to go and win a cheap Gold Medal when other countries are at their weakest without their best players

Kinda like the KHL making the Gagarin Cup larger than the Stanley Cup. It doesn't make it better...

http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/penguins/2017/07/27/Will-Butcher-Hobey-Baker-Penguins-NCAA-free-agent/stories/201707270152

Mackey just posted this. Butcher said he's interested in the Pens and they had a strong scouting presence at his games. That's probably as much as we'll get right now.
- Tojo.

Mackey also indicated that he thinks Hagelin is the most likely moved to free up space for a 3C, of course the other team will have something to say about which Pen they want. I think Sheary or Maatta has the most value to get a good 3C. I also believe Hagelin had an injury throughout the season and in the playoffs that slowed him down which really hurts his game.

Mackey Q&A - some interesting opinions from Mackey:
http://www.post-gazette.c...2017/stories/201707270116

The USA-Russia game at the Sochi Olympics was one of my favorite experiences as a hockey fan. We all woke up hungover as (frank) at like five in the morning or whenever that game was and and boozed the morning away with natty light and dipping tobacco. The dip and the hangovers combined for several pukes that we dubbed Freedom Pukes which we swore gave the boys in blue an edge and thought was good luck. And whenever they needed that extra edge, we'd throw in a new hoss and call it a Rally Dip. By the time the Oshie-Kovalchuk shootout happened we were all hammered and probably woke up the entire dorm when Oshie came out on top. It also happened to be Junior Parents Weekend, so all of our parents were in town and had to deal with our drunk asses when we all went to the JPW breakfast after the game. Man it feels like forever ago even though it was only four years ago. I'll never forget that morning as long as I live.

It's a bummer that there's no hockey in the Olympics this year. Yeah I know there technically is, but if NHLers aren't playing who gives a (frank). I know I'm not the only person with great memories from Olympic hockey, and it's a shame new ones can't be made anymore. Hopefully this is only temporary and the NHL will return to the Olympics soon.
- Victoro311

So many experiences I love but that year and those Olympics had one of my favourites as well. Canada vs Sweden for the gold. It came on 9am where I am and about 40 of us started drinking and had brunch for it. Good times.

And yeah that USA vs Russia game that year was insane....I actually got a round of you head while watching the second period of that game haha good times.

I have this gut feeling that one of the D prospects will surprise us this year....Prow or Bengsteen perhaps...

I have this gut feeling that one of the D prospects will surprise us this year....Prow or Bengsteen perhaps...
- MattStrat

Mackey was optimistic about Prow! I'm optimistic about Ruhwedel!

Mackey was optimistic about Prow! I'm optimistic about Ruhwedel!
- so_buzz11

Even though he's 27 and definitely not considered a prospect at this stage of the game I really liked what I saw from Ruhwedel last season. At times I thought he'd be a permanent 6th d-man. In the playoffs, at times, he was looking like one of the only guys on the back end doing decent transitions and with good speed too...then he had his bell rung vs Sens...didn't play again.

I have this gut feeling that one of the D prospects will surprise us this year....Prow or Bengsteen perhaps...
- MattStrat

I'll throw Taylor into that group.

Ron hainsey: "How come there was very little fuss about my departure? (or discussion for that matter) I was an adequate contributor to winning the Cup. Maybe not a headliner, but I got the job done. Also, everyone knows I have a big personality and I'm vocal in the locker room. How will those shoes be filled?"

Mackey was optimistic about Prow! I'm optimistic about Ruhwedel!
- so_buzz11

I'm optimistic about Pouliot and I have no idea why!