To me, the Pens biggest problem this year was being way too easy to play against. Crazy to say but I think the Pens REALLY missed Kunitz and Cullen. Not the biggest guys but they brought some tenacity to the lineup and always played hard on the puck.

Thats why I am all for moving on from Sheary, Kessel and maybe even Brassard for the right deals. Just didn't feel like the right mix of players this season and there is nothing wrong with shaking things up. Great time to sell high on Kessel.
- MacPatty

Paul steigerwald was on radio saying he thinks the pens should trade Brassard and sign Jay Beagle. I get this idea of having a little different mix with more grit/two way/tenacious forechecking types of players but that specific suggestion seems insane.

That's why Domi could make sense. Or if trading Kessel, you could target someone like Jordan Greenway.

I'm not blaming those guys. I'm just stating they weren't playing very well. Brassard was clearly still hampered by his injury and Sheahan is decent enough, but he wasn't playing very well.

If I'm the coach, I recognize it and I attempt to change things up by getting my best winger on a line with one of my best two centers. I think Sully got stubborn or maybe he didn't want to capitulate to Kessels demands. Whatever the reason, it was an obvious move to try to get some production out of players that weren't scoring.

Kessel should have been moved to Geno's line and Hornie should have been moved back to Sid's line.
- madmike71

I will agree they should have tried Phil with Malkin when nothing was working in the playoffs. I also have no idea why Hornqvist was moved.

I actually think Sprong could make Kessel expendable in a way. The real loss with moving Kessel is now having a right shot sniper working on the off wing. Sprong is a fantastic shooter and I think it's possible he could replace him there (in due time) without losing much.
- MacPatty

I won't buy the idea that Sprong makes Kessel expendable. But you do raise a good point.... Sprong could really soften the loss of Phil on he first PP. Phil is elite as a shooter and passer...but Sprong is a nice right handed one-timer option.

Your statistical analysis is a fair point, but I will push back saying that Malkin dealt with that for one 24 game playoff. Kessel has now been dealing with sub-optimal line situations on and off for two seasons. There's a difference in the amount of patience that goes into the two scenarios.

I will also say, that now that Sprong is getting rostered, Putting Phil on Geno's wing is a lot more of a no brainer than it used to be if Sprong doesn't come out the gate flying and claim a top 6 spot. Putting Sprong on the with a grinding center like Sheahan is not a good idea, so the only other option if he's not with Sid or Geno is to put him with Brassard.
- Victoro311

I can see what you're saying about it being easier for Malkin. I wonder if this is even an issue if they don't bump heads.

While I think Rust was the best fit last year on Malkin's right (mayne Hornqvist but he also fit great with Sid) I do agree it makes sense with Sprong mixed in to put Kessel there and Sprong with Brassard to start the year.

I will continue to disagree it's a no-brainer, but to start the year I would try Malkin.and Kessel together again. Rust-Brassard-Sprong could still be a nice 3rd line.

I will add though that Brassard and Kessel's WOWY stats looked pretty good so I'd want to see that revisited at some point as well with a healthy, acclimated Brassard.

I won't buy the idea that Sprong makes Kessel expendable. But you do raise a good point.... Sprong could really soften the loss of Phil on he first PP. Phil is elite as a shooter and passer...but Sprong is a nice right handed one-timer option.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

It's messing with the formula which you shouldn't do unnecessarily. Sprong is a one time threat while Phil is more a quarterback who can shoot if that's what you give him.

Maybe it still works with Sprong there. Sprong isn't going to reach his ceiling if he's not getting PP time because that PP one-timer is a big part of his success. It isn't a gamble worth taking IMO, but if Phil is traded it may work out. But aside drom neing righties, Phil and Sprong aren't the same on the PP.

Paul steigerwald was on radio saying he thinks the pens should trade Brassard and sign Jay Beagle. I get this idea of having a little different mix with more grit/two way/tenacious forechecking types of players but that specific suggestion seems insane.

That's why Domi could make sense. Or if trading Kessel, you could target someone like Jordan Greenway.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

So it's not just the fans with bad takes on Brassard based on a short sample with an injured groin rather than looking at his career.

So it's not just the fans with bad takes on Brassard based on a short sample with an injured groin rather than looking at his career.
- Tojo.

Lol Brassard for Beagle is exactly the type of take id expect from Steiggy

So it's not just the fans with bad takes on Brassard based on a short sample with an injured groin rather than looking at his career.
- Tojo.

I would trade Brassard for the right return. Jay Beagle obviously isn't the right return. If you believe that Sheahan can be an effective 3rd line center (like Bones), you might be able to do really well with a return for Brassard at 3mil. It's good asset management and Brassard doesn't sound happy about a 3rd line role. Obviously would be different if we had him locked up for a few years.

I would trade Brassard for the right return. Jay Beagle obviously isn't the right return. If you believe that Sheahan can be an effective 3rd line center (like Bones), you might be able to do really well with a return for Brassard at 3mil. It's good asset management and Brassard doesn't sound happy about a 3rd line role. Obviously would be different if we had him locked up for a few years.
- madmike71

What would you expect to get for him though? It's usually not worth it to trade your rentals when you're a contender.

I won't buy the idea that Sprong makes Kessel expendable. But you do raise a good point.... Sprong could really soften the loss of Phil on he first PP. Phil is elite as a shooter and passer...but Sprong is a nice right handed one-timer option.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

That's where I was going with that. He certainly won't come in and do what Kessel does all around but he could fill one of the holes created on the PP if he was moved.

What would you expect to get for him though? It's usually not worth it to trade your rentals when you're a contender.
- Tojo.

It's a center starved league and the acquiring team would most likely intend to extend him. It's hard to say what he would bring in return, but I think the demand for a 2nd line center at a bargain price would be pretty strong.

I will agree they should have tried Phil with Malkin when nothing was working in the playoffs. I also have no idea why Hornqvist was moved.
- Tojo.

Phil was so injured that he could hardly shoot, how many times did he just lose the epuck during one of his half shots? He should have been benched, that is really the only gripe i have with Sully this year...but then again Phil injured without skates on is probbaly more effective than dominik simon and carter rowney so there wasn't many other options.

It's a center starved league and the acquiring team would most likely intend to extend him. It's hard to say what he would bring in return, but I think the demand for a 2nd line center at a bargain price would be pretty strong.
- madmike71

I could actually see him go to a contender with long term cap issues...

If Chicago wants to go for it this year, I could see them being very interested in Brassard.

I could actually see him go to a contender with long term cap issues...

If Chicago wants to go for it this year, I could see them being very interested in Brassard.
- MacPatty

There's a lot of teams that need help at center. I could see him going to several teams. It's great asset management if they think Sheahan is a suitable 3c (which I pretty much do).

There's a lot of teams that need help at center. I could see him going to several teams. It's great asset management if they think Sheahan is a suitable 3c (which I pretty much do).
- madmike71

Man I would just keep Brassard unless it's a crazy return. If Nashville gave us Ellis or Ekholm then maybe I'd consider it. But keeping Brassard and trading Sheary for a mid pair Dman would be better. I am still open to keeping Brassard long term...but then again I'm bullish on how he's going to play next year.

Man I would just keep Brassard unless it's a crazy return. If Nashville gave us Ellis or Ekholm then maybe I'd consider it. But keeping Brassard and trading Sheary for a mid pair Dman would be better. I am still open to keeping Brassard long term...but then again I'm bullish on how he's going to play next year.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Brass would never sign here long term. He's already made a couple of comments about not really liking the 3c role. I also don't believe Sheary brings a mid-pairing D....JMO.

It will be a really interesting off-season. Most of the Pittsburgh writers think Rutherford is going to make an impact move or two.