Yohe said a couple of weeks ago that Ruth knew Cullen was going to play this season and was counting on Cullen as a temporary 3c. He said the Pens were stunned he opted for the Wild. So Ruth made two mistakes in the center department. He thought Cullen was coming back and he thought it would be easier to make a trade for a legit 3c. Sheahan was probably plan C or D. Maybe even plan F. Sheahan is playing better, but he's not a 3c. I worry about Sheahans price tag as a 4c. Can't be paying him 2 mil for that slot.

Overall, JR had about as bad an off-season as a GM can have.
- madmike71

I think your last statement is a bit much. Look around the league and you can see that GMs can have a much worse off-season.

Did he have a good one? No. Definitely the weakest of his tenure. Made some bad decisions, but they’re far from irreparable.

Washington’s was far worse.

Why's everyone down on Sheahan? Despite a few glaring turnovers, he's been pretty solid. Physical on the boards, battles for loose pucks and has a pretty quick reaction coupled with solid vision when distributing after retrieval. He's been a decent play-maker on the bottom 6. I'm obviously hoping for an upgrade @ 3C, but pretty happy with Sheahan thus far.
- MikeyKay

I haven't had a problem with him.

@Boyd

He's on pace for exactly 30 points since joining the Pens. Plus, he's looked a lot more confident over the last 10 games.

Honestly, this team can win with Sheahan doing what he does. He doesn't do anything poorly and uses his size really well defensively.

Why's everyone down on Sheahan? Despite a few glaring turnovers, he's been pretty solid. Physical on the boards, battles for loose pucks and has a pretty quick reaction coupled with solid vision when distributing after retrieval. He's been a decent play-maker on the bottom 6. I'm obviously hoping for an upgrade @ 3C, but pretty happy with Sheahan thus far.
- MikeyKay

Sheahan isn't far off of what Bonino brought. Plus, he's finally starting to regress to the player that he was for 2+ years on a good Red Wings team. Trending the right way. Stick with him for now unless a trade opportunity blows you away.

Yohe said a couple of weeks ago that Ruth knew Cullen was going to play this season and was counting on Cullen as a temporary 3c. He said the Pens were stunned he opted for the Wild. So Ruth made two mistakes in the center department. He thought Cullen was coming back and he thought it would be easier to make a trade for a legit 3c. Sheahan was probably plan C or D. Maybe even plan F. Sheahan is playing better, but he's not a 3c. I worry about Sheahans price tag as a 4c. Can't be paying him 2 mil for that slot.

Overall, JR had about as bad an off-season as a GM can have.
- madmike71

I don't know, there's 1 or 2 in the Oil thread that will argue that's not true.

This game against the Rags is a big 1 in my opinion. We win we stay on a roll & grab more confidence against the Metro. We lose it will give the Rags the confidence that may make them a stronger force. Plus the standings points!

@Boyd

He's on pace for exactly 30 points since joining the Pens. Plus, he's looked a lot more confident over the last 10 games.

Honestly, this team can win with Sheahan doing what he does. He doesn't do anything poorly and uses his size really well defensively.
- cranktheradio

In Bones first season, he put up 29 points in 63 games, second season he put up 37 points in 80 games. If he's on pace for 30 points, then the Pens are gonna be fine with Sheahan as their 3C if they decide to not look for another upgrade.

Yohe said in his QnA that GMJR wants 3 lines that score and doesn't give a (frank) what the 4th line does (which seems so stupid given that the 2015-16 Pens that steam rolled every team had 4 scoring lines.) as long as Kuhn kills penalties and Reaves causes havoc. It's just such a departure from what made the Pens a threat the last 2 years. Why not have 4 lines that threaten to score at any moment?

Yohe said a couple of weeks ago that Ruth knew Cullen was going to play this season and was counting on Cullen as a temporary 3c. He said the Pens were stunned he opted for the Wild. So Ruth made two mistakes in the center department. He thought Cullen was coming back and he thought it would be easier to make a trade for a legit 3c. Sheahan was probably plan C or D. Maybe even plan F. Sheahan is playing better, but he's not a 3c. I worry about Sheahans price tag as a 4c. Can't be paying him 2 mil for that slot.

Overall, JR had about as bad an off-season as a GM can have.
- madmike71

Depending on how the season moves along in the West, he could end up here after all. Minnesota has had some struggles. If they start falling back the Pens could probably get Cullen cheap. Heck, maybe they could swing a deal for Staal and Cullen. Staal would still be around next season to play 3C.

Depending on how the season moves along in the West, he could end up here after all. Minnesota has had some struggles. If they start falling back the Pens could probably get Cullen cheap. Heck, maybe they could swing a deal for Staal and Cullen. Staal would still be around next season to play 3C.
- MacPatty

They're 6-3-1 in their last ten games, seems as though they've righted the ship a bit.

This game against the Rags is a big 1 in my opinion. We win we stay on a roll & grab more confidence against the Metro. We lose it will give the Rags the confidence that may make them a stronger force. Plus the standings points!
- Aussiepenguin

it is essential in my opinion. the pens are already in a real bind so if they lose they will only dig their grave deeper.