The Pens are playing well right now, but I still think they played their best hockey with Jake at C.

He was starting to get more comfortable and generate more offense before they went back to Sheahan.

from 31 Thoughts:

Also interesting: the Jets. They are a legit contender, fighting through injuries to Mark Scheifele and Jacob Trouba. One thing I think they are considering: Is there a left-shot defenceman out there who can make them better? And by better, that’s someone who deserves to play ahead of Tobias Enstrom, Dmitry Kulikov and/or Josh Morrissey. Is there an option out there?

^^ Answer -> Ian Cole

from 31 Thoughts:

Also interesting: the Jets. They are a legit contender, fighting through injuries to Mark Scheifele and Jacob Trouba. One thing I think they are considering: Is there a left-shot defenceman out there who can make them better? And by better, that’s someone who deserves to play ahead of Tobias Enstrom, Dmitry Kulikov and/or Josh Morrissey. Is there an option out there?

^^ Answer -> Ian Cole
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Pens need to find a way to get Adam Lowry

HooksOrpik at Pensburgh suggested something interesting in the comment section on a blog about Plecanic to the Pens.

Would you be willing to give up some bigger assets to get Plecanic if Habs agreed to take on Hunwick? They'll be rebuilding and can stand to take on two years of Hunwick if we give something enticing enough.

Hooks suggested a first. I'm not sure I'd go that far, but I'd definitely do a 2nd, some other pick(s) and a non-Sprong prospect if we were able to clean up the Hunwick mistake AND get our 3C at the same time.

HooksOrpik at Pensburgh suggested something interesting in the comment section on a blog about Plecanic to the Pens.

Would you be willing to give up some bigger assets to get Plecanic if Habs agreed to take on Hunwick? They'll be rebuilding and can stand to take on two years of Hunwick if we give something enticing enough.

Hooks suggested a first. I'm not sure I'd go that far, but I'd definitely do a 2nd, some other pick(s) and a non-Sprong prospect if we were able to clean up the Hunwick mistake AND get our 3C at the same time.
- Victoro311

I could see The Habs, who are coached by Claude Julien, wanting a Cole type player instead...they'd probably acquire Cole and then extend him...

I could see The Habs, who are coached by Claude Julien, wanting a Cole type player instead...they'd probably acquire Cole and then extend him...
- MattStrat

Well I mean since either Sullivan or JR hate Cole (or both of them) that's fine, but I don't see how getting the expiring contract of a 28 year old is a good idea if you're about to rebuild. Ian Cole is the exact type of player rebuilding teams shouldn't sign.

Still, the whole point of the trade proposal was to clean house of the Hunwick mistake. We'd be adding to the trade to get the Habs to accept the Hunwick contract, not actually centering the trade around Hunwick and assuming the Habs would genuinely want him.

HooksOrpik at Pensburgh suggested something interesting in the comment section on a blog about Plecanic to the Pens.

Would you be willing to give up some bigger assets to get Plecanic if Habs agreed to take on Hunwick? They'll be rebuilding and can stand to take on two years of Hunwick if we give something enticing enough.

Hooks suggested a first. I'm not sure I'd go that far, but I'd definitely do a 2nd, some other pick(s) and a non-Sprong prospect if we were able to clean up the Hunwick mistake AND get our 3C at the same time.
- Victoro311

Hunwick+1st for Plekanec? Yes please.

Hunwick+1st for Plekanec? Yes please.
- j.boyd919

Yeah I mean I would actually be ok with that, but I wouldn't be happy. A 2nd + and Hunwick would make me really happy.

I don't think JR or Sullivan "hate" Cole. I read on the LGP board, that Cole has quietly requested a trade from the organization. Sully has a philosophy that if you don't want to be on the team, ice time should go to those that do. Trouble of it is, that Matt Hunwick sucks out loud and Cole is the much better option. They are not comfortable in the standings to keep playing Hunwick over Cole.

I don't think JR or Sullivan "hate" Cole. I read on the LGP board, that Cole has quietly requested a trade from the organization. Sully has a philosophy that if you don't want to be on the team, ice time should go to those that do. Trouble of it is, that Matt Hunwick sucks out loud and Cole is the much better option. They are not comfortable in the standings to keep playing Hunwick over Cole.
- PittsPens

Cole also, by all accounts from Yohe and Mackey, loves Pittsburgh, so if he did request a trade (which wouldn't surprise me) its because he was scratched for the elongated period of time that he was. His hypothetical trade request was a result of not being played, not the other way around.

Hunwick+1st for Plekanec? Yes please.
- j.boyd919

I would not be a happy camper if Senile Ruthy did that trade...but anything that gets Hunwick off the team is a win

Bob McKenzie
@TSNBobMcKenzie
20m20 minutes ago
More
Big news out of NSH with the Predators set to announce Mike Fisher @mikefisher1212 is coming out of retirement to return as an active player. Not sure anyone saw this coming, perhaps including Fisher himself.


whoa. maybe JR should have called Mike haha.

I think the major issue here with Hunwick is that we are the only ones who seem to think there is a problem.

Managment seems to believe in Hunwick.

At this point I’d venture to say there’s a better chance the Pens acquire Brassard than them moving Hunwick.

Bob McKenzie
@TSNBobMcKenzie
20m20 minutes ago
More
Big news out of NSH with the Predators set to announce Mike Fisher @mikefisher1212 is coming out of retirement to return as an active player. Not sure anyone saw this coming, perhaps including Fisher himself.


whoa. maybe JR should have called Mike haha.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

That's some serious center depth. Already a top contender to come out of the West.

HooksOrpik at Pensburgh suggested something interesting in the comment section on a blog about Plecanic to the Pens.

Would you be willing to give up some bigger assets to get Plecanic if Habs agreed to take on Hunwick? They'll be rebuilding and can stand to take on two years of Hunwick if we give something enticing enough.

Hooks suggested a first. I'm not sure I'd go that far, but I'd definitely do a 2nd, some other pick(s) and a non-Sprong prospect if we were able to clean up the Hunwick mistake AND get our 3C at the same time.
- Victoro311

What do you mean "Hunwick mistake" ? I don't think Sullivan sees him as a mistake or he wouldn't be giving him the ice time he does. This trade proposal suggests Hunwick has no trade value. Do we know that for a fact ?

What do you mean "Hunwick mistake" ? I don't think Sullivan sees him as a mistake or he wouldn't be giving him the ice time he does. This trade proposal suggests Hunwick has no trade value. Do we know that for a fact ?
- willi

I said this a few replies ago. Management seems to believe in Hunwick. It’s us fans who have the issue.

I said this a few replies ago. Management seems to believe in Hunwick. It’s us fans who have the issue.
- Rinosaur

I think I'm the only person not Hatewicking around here. I see potential for him to do well with the Pens, I see the right tools for job...but Im also seeing someone whos overthinking sh!t and not jiving well with team...yet. The tools (great skating, great first pass) cant be taught at this stage usually, but the other mental stuff can be overcome...

EDIT: Also want to say that, to me, Hunwick started looking very good and comfortable right before the brain injury...and hasnt looked as good since...

I said this a few replies ago. Management seems to believe in Hunwick. It’s us fans who have the issue.
- Rinosaur

I agree. I've read articles where is says the reason for Hunwick over Cole is anything from the coaching staff likes Hunwicks skating better , Cole taking to many penalties to Cole asking for a trade. Who knows what is true and what is not but there is obviously some reason. The way I look at it is the coaching staff sees what's going on in the game, at practice, in the locker room and what the game tape looks like. All fans really see is the game.

I think I'm the only person not Hatewicking around here. I see potential for him to do well with the Pens, I see the right tools for job...but Im also seeing someone whos overthinking sh!t and not jiving well with team...yet. The tools (great skating, great first pass) cant be taught at this stage usually, but the other mental stuff can be overcome...

EDIT: Also want to say that, to me, Hunwick started looking very good and comfortable right before the brain injury...and hasnt looked as good since...
- MattStrat

He does have a lot of good attributes and I said a while back that the Pens certainly could have done a lot worse, but he just has too many brain farts per game.

He gets himself caught out of position a little too often for my liking. He commits some gnarly turnovers, but it’s hard to fault him for that when Sid, Geno and Letang are equally, if not worse, in that area.