Unbelievable. He played his price tag this year. No reason to think he'll regress from now on. He's a lot more determined to get better at the things he wasn't lacking (speed, skating).
Määttä stays and everyone will be happy.

Btw is Julius Honka any good? he could be a new Oleksiak for us.
- Barnaby36

Pens need to keep their top-four defense in-tact. It's the bottom pair that concerns me.

I honestly don't know much about Honka aside from the hype prior to him playing in the NHL. His raw basic stats aren't very impressive, but I also don't know how he's been used in Dallas. From the little I've heard, he seems to be in the mold of Daley.

Some of those fancy stats would probably be a bit useful, like zone exits/entries, etc...

This Maatta thing is weird...

Everyone was screaming to NOT TRADE Maatta because they believe he'll return to form.

Now, after Maatta having a pretty damn good year everyone is ok with trading him?
- Rinosaur

Trading him when his value is high, and you get a proper return, is much better than trading after a horrid year and getting super bad return.


But more focus should be on getting rid of Hunwick without eating his cap... and possibly Sheary/Hags for cap space if we are gonna try and make a splash move on a 1 year deal for a player before Guentz (and Jarry) needs his RFA deal locked down.

Trading him when his value is high, and you get a proper return, is much better than trading after a horrid year and getting super bad return.

- Guile

I'm not sure why you're bringing that up. That's not what I'm discussing at all.

I'm merely pointing out people were giving him all the slack in the world after a few really bad seasons, continuously saying not to trade because he'll come back around and now that he's actually done that... trade him lol.

Why would you trade a player who's doing a good job for a good price? Especially at a position the Pens can ill afford to be any weaker in.

Pens lack of depth is an issue, So trading multiple players for a single return is an issue. The team wasn't far off & by getting knocked out for the first time in 3 years, having a good holiday & getting back into it, it may be the biggest key in more success.

My biggest concern is Sully. Teams shouldn't trade good players if better players aren't coming back (or they're rebuilding). On ice results drive organisations, Not back room character clashes(or at least they shouldn't), so unless a (frank)ing great player is coming back I really hope Phil isn't going anywhere. Similarly can be said for Maatta - please note I said 'similar'. Maybe Hunwick gets another shot & fits in this time. I really believe trading Brassard is a key move as long as a 4th C can be signed - ie: Derek Ryan. He could get a good player coming back & really, having Sheahan playing 3C, it's pretty good. Or trade Sheahan for something good (if possible), & keep Brassard. Hopefully JR signs a bottom 6 winger or 2 from FA that gives a little more depth - & gives throw in options in any trade.

Pens lack of depth is an issue, So trading multiple players for a single return is an issue. The team wasn't far off & by getting knocked out for the first time in 3 years, having a good holiday & getting back into it, it may be the biggest key in more success.

My biggest concern is Sully. Teams shouldn't trade good players if better players aren't coming back (or they're rebuilding). On ice results drive organisations, Not back room character clashes(or at least they shouldn't), so unless a (frank)ing great player is coming back I really hope Phil isn't going anywhere. Similarly can be said for Maatta - please note I said 'similar'. Maybe Hunwick gets another shot & fits in this time. I really believe trading Brassard is a key move as long as a 4th C can be signed - ie: Derek Ryan. He could get a good player coming back & really, having Sheahan playing 3C, it's pretty good. Or trade Sheahan for something good (if possible), & keep Brassard. Hopefully JR signs a bottom 6 winger or 2 from FA that gives a little more depth - & gives throw in options in any trade.
- Aussiepenguin

I kinda agree with trading Brassard (I would trade him over Sheahan because he will be getting a raise after this season and probably won't stay). Maybe take a shot w/ Brassard for Patches. I also agree with not trading Kessel. I have read a few articles about the cup winners of recent and depth is becoming the key. They also talked about how we don't have good depth like we did the previous years. Also I think signing cheap options may help us. Hartnell, Stafford, Vanek, Comeau, or even Plekanec. I wouldn't mind signing Derek Ryan. I think they trade Hagelin and Sheary for some extra cap room and I hope they trade for some of these cheaper options and use ZAR, Rust, and Sprong on the 3rd and 4th lines.

My dream would be:
Guetzel - Crosby - Hornqvist
Van Riemsdyk, Vanek, Patches or trade option - Malkin - Kessel
Rust - Sheahan - Sprong
Hartnell - Ryan - ZAR


Use Brassard for a 2nd line winger or in a package for an upgrade on Defense

I kinda agree with trading Brassard (I would trade him over Sheahan because he will be getting a raise after this season and probably won't stay). Maybe take a shot w/ Brassard for Patches. I also agree with not trading Kessel. I have read a few articles about the cup winners of recent and depth is becoming the key. They also talked about how we don't have good depth like we did the previous years. Also I think signing cheap options may help us. Hartnell, Stafford, Vanek, Comeau, or even Plekanec. I wouldn't mind signing Derek Ryan. I think they trade Hagelin and Sheary for some extra cap room and I hope they trade for some of these cheaper options and use ZAR, Rust, and Sprong on the 3rd and 4th lines.

My dream would be:
Guetzel - Crosby - Hornqvist
Van Riemsdyk, Vanek, Patches or trade option - Malkin - Kessel
Rust - Sheahan - Sprong
Hartnell - Ryan - ZAR


Use Brassard for a 2nd line winger or in a package for an upgrade on Defense
- 123Kid

Yes Vanek could be a real steal depending on what he is chasing. Solid 3rd line winger that can step up if required to do so. Even Stafford could surprise. Even though JR indicated change was coming through trades, I think he may do 1 major move then fill out what's left with fa if need be.