Guentzel at 3C gets intriguing although Sheahan is starting to pick up the points so maybe he can do the job. 3 goals and 8 points in his last 12, I'll take that pace if he keeps it up.

Agree on your game assessment, they lost this one early. Can't come out flat against such a dangerous team.
- Tojo.

I still maintain that this is an emotionally gassed team and they really may need a short season to collect themselves.

I still maintain that this is an emotionally gassed team and they really may need a short season to collect themselves.
- Rinosaur

They're hanging in after a very tough if not the toughest schedule of all the other Metro teams. I think this will be the norm (unless there are some extraordinary events either way), until late in the season where the team starts firing on all cylinders. I just hope they don't have to get the gears going too early to qualify. Once the motor is running then everything will start firing & the Pens will be on track big time. As is, if the team plays to its potential, I think they can get real close without any trades. But that would require all players at the top of their game. I'm liking the output She-man is starting to give, just like Boner did.

I know it's only one game but Simon looks like a more viable player than Kuhnhackl, Rowney and Reaves. Give me Cullen, Archie and Simon on the 4th and I guarantee you the Pens will be a better team.

They're hanging in after a very tough if not the toughest schedule of all the other Metro teams. I think this will be the norm (unless there are some extraordinary events either way), until late in the season where the team starts firing on all cylinders. I just hope they don't have to get the gears going too early to qualify. Once the motor is running then everything will start firing & the Pens will be on track big time. As is, if the team plays to its potential, I think they can get real close without any trades. But that would require all players at the top of their game. I'm liking the output She-man is starting to give, just like Boner did.
- Aussiepenguin

Definitely agree with this post. I also don't see the Pens biggest need as a 3C any more. Over the last 12 games Sheahan is producing at a 55pt pace. And, before those 12 games he was still opening up a lot of scoring chances. Really liking him and Hagelin together.

If the Pens make a move for a C it should be for someone like Cullen. If anything they need to sure up the D core with a left handed puck mover who can skate.

It seems like minor moves are really all that's needed. And, yeah, letting Kunitz walk may have been the biggest mistake.

I know it's only one game but Simon looks like a more viable player than Kuhnhackl, Rowney and Reaves. Give me Cullen, Archie and Simon on the 4th and I guarantee you the Pens will be a better team.
- madmike71

Simon got some playing time with Sid after Hornqvist went down. He does look like some one who can play at this level. I noticed quite a few times he was not expecting the puck when it was passed to him. That will be something to watch for next game.

Hard to win when you spot them 3 goals in the first period. Geez....

I know it's only one game but Simon looks like a more viable player than Kuhnhackl, Rowney and Reaves. Give me Cullen, Archie and Simon on the 4th and I guarantee you the Pens will be a better team.
- madmike71

I liked guentz sid simon line

What’s the Pitts fan base perspective on the young Leafs ? For years I’ve envied many a good young teams (including Pitts) and was rather jealous of their success.

Do you see the Leafs as a contender ? Or just a young solid up in coming squad ?
- Mount Albert

I think the the two most important factors in winning a Cup are resiliency and how a team plays in March and April. These are both things that cannot really be determined at the moment for any team, especially a young one like the Leafs. The Pens faced a great deal of adversity for both Cup runs, especially the 2017 one. Every sports media person in the city thought they were done when Letang was out for the playoffs (and I did too). The team rallied and won in spite of it. Eventually the Leafs will face adversity. For example, what if they lose Matthews, Bozak, and Zaitsev for a month? Can the rest of the team rally and still win games?

As for how the team plays in March and April, we won't know that until next year .

The Pens are emotionally gassed. IMO they need to add one or two hungry players to inject some life into the lineup.

One of the biggest things the moves JR made a few years back was no only adding speed, they added players with LIFE into the lineup.

They attempted to bring in players that had a certain identity, but they've strayed from that identity with certain roster choice.

Ok, I'm bored and they're talking about moving Karlsson on HNIC...

TO OTT: Kris Letang + Tristan Jarry
TO PIT: Erik Karlsson
- Rinosaur

Here i fixed it

TO OTT: Kris Letang + Conor Sheary + Olli Maatta + Josh Archibald +1st round pick + Conditional 2019 pick
TO PIT: Erik Karlsson + Bobby Ryan (50% retained)+Zack Smith.


I wouldn't mind having Karlsson instead of Letang, but I don't see it happening. I would like us to trade for Bobby Ryan or Alex Galchenyuk. I feel like we need one more impact winger and Defenseman.

3rd line center I feel Sheahan has been solid and does provide a little bit of score (similar to Sutter during the season for the pens). I also feel like we can take Back up goalie off our needs since both Jarry and DeSmith are keeping us in games. I like Simon and if he could be this years Guentzel and keep helping us score then I feel like we could make a run. Think about if Simon and Sheahan can help our 3rd line to be effective. When healthy if we made a trade for a winger we could end up looking solid.


Ryan/Galchenyuk - Crosby - Hornqvist
Guentzel - Malkin - Kessel
Simon - Sheahan - Rust
Kuhnhackl - Rowney - Reaves

Here i fixed it

TO OTT: Kris Letang + Conor Sheary + Olli Maatta + Josh Archibald +1st round pick + Conditional 2019 pick
TO PIT: Erik Karlsson + Bobby Ryan (50% retained)+Zack Smith.


I wouldn't mind having Karlsson instead of Letang, but I don't see it happening. I would like us to trade for Bobby Ryan or Alex Galchenyuk. I feel like we need one more impact winger and Defenseman.

3rd line center I feel Sheahan has been solid and does provide a little bit of score (similar to Sutter during the season for the pens). I also feel like we can take Back up goalie off our needs since both Jarry and DeSmith are keeping us in games. I like Simon and if he could be this years Guentzel and keep helping us score then I feel like we could make a run. Think about if Simon and Sheahan can help our 3rd line to be effective. When healthy if we made a trade for a winger we could end up looking solid.


Ryan/Galchenyuk - Crosby - Hornqvist
Guentzel - Malkin - Kessel
Simon - Sheahan - Rust
Kuhnhackl - Rowney - Reaves
- 123Kid

OTT is as cheap as they come. There's no way, at least IMO, they'd ever make that move. Turris will cost them roughly the same as Duchene, but they traded Turris just two buy themselves a season and a half to go back to negotiation.

Karlsson will be a $12M man, which the Pens can afford if the cap goes up to $82M. No way OTT takes back all that salary and then retains part of Ryan.

I still think OTT will wind up moving him Karlsson though, but I just don't know if they'll make a lateral trade for a dman under an affordable contract or go for a 1st line center.

OTT is as cheap as they come. There's no way, at least IMO, they'd ever make that move. Turris will cost them roughly the same as Duchene, but they traded Turris just two buy themselves a season and a half to go back to negotiation.

Karlsson will be a $12M man, which the Pens can afford if the cap goes up to $82M. No way OTT takes back all that salary and then retains part of Ryan.

I still think OTT will wind up moving him Karlsson though, but I just don't know if they'll make a lateral trade for a dman under an affordable contract or go for a 1st line center.
- Rinosaur

Shultz, Sprong and a 1st

Here i fixed it

TO OTT: Kris Letang + Conor Sheary + Olli Maatta + Josh Archibald +1st round pick + Conditional 2019 pick
TO PIT: Erik Karlsson + Bobby Ryan (50% retained)+Zack Smith.


I wouldn't mind having Karlsson instead of Letang, but I don't see it happening. I would like us to trade for Bobby Ryan or Alex Galchenyuk. I feel like we need one more impact winger and Defenseman.

3rd line center I feel Sheahan has been solid and does provide a little bit of score (similar to Sutter during the season for the pens). I also feel like we can take Back up goalie off our needs since both Jarry and DeSmith are keeping us in games. I like Simon and if he could be this years Guentzel and keep helping us score then I feel like we could make a run. Think about if Simon and Sheahan can help our 3rd line to be effective. When healthy if we made a trade for a winger we could end up looking solid.


Ryan/Galchenyuk - Crosby - Hornqvist
Guentzel - Malkin - Kessel
Simon - Sheahan - Rust
Kuhnhackl - Rowney - Reaves
- 123Kid

Palmer?

Palmer?
- Victoro311

Deja Vu

What’s the Pitts fan base perspective on the young Leafs ? For years I’ve envied many a good young teams (including Pitts) and was rather jealous of their success.

Do you see the Leafs as a contender ? Or just a young solid up in coming squad ?
- Mount Albert

Leafs are absolutely contenders. They have one of the top C's in the game, great forward depth, one of the top 2 coaches in the league and solid goaltending (with depth). If they can find a way to add a top 4 D without trading away a key forward it will be a toss up between them and Tampa for top spot in the East.

The Pens are about 2-3 pieces away from having a legit shot at a 3peat.