CAR is a young team though, Letang is too old and why bother paying 7.25 for 4 more years when you have a much younger, healthier, better D in Hamilton at under 5.75 for 3 more years?
- mventres

Maatta is also younger and more cost controlled than Faulk/TVR and rumors are out there that they’re interested in Jarry, so I’ll toss in a pick but you need to give to get. I’m not saying they would do it at all, but you never know

Side note, I don’t think EDM goes after a guy like Jarry this year when so many good options are out there next year and they want to see if Talbot can rebound

Maatta is also younger and more cost controlled than Faulk/TVR and rumors are out there that they’re interested in Jarry, so I’ll toss in a pick but you need to give to get. I’m not saying they would do it at all, but you never know

Side note, I don’t think EDM goes after a guy like Jarry this year when so many good options are out there next year and they want to see if Talbot can rebound
- WSCTeton17

I could see Jarry for Faulk, and then turn around to deal Maatta or Shultz elsewhere for a LW...presuming MTL will need more than just one of those guys for Pacs, but him or Lucic would be my targets...one reason why I like Lucic is that he has term on contract and IF edm will eat up 40-50% of it, that is a solid get. Pacs/Skinner/etc are more expensive now, and also to retain...

I think we don't have to really do much. Our team was just a bit fatigued and could have potentially and a 3peat if they weren't so fatigued during the playoffs. I don't think we need to blow up the whole team with a crazy Letang trade or trade for Skinner. I think JR should only make a trade if someone is over paying us in a trade for a player. Why trade the farm now? Play out the season a bit then have some assets for the trade deadline this year so we could be players. That being said if I were to make a trade. I wouldn't mind the talk of Lucic idea with some cap retained. Or someone who could be a solid LW for our team, but I think there are some solid Free agents we could land for cheap and maybe even give Nail Yakupov a one year little deal and see if he can finally put it together.

This thread has gone full mongo.

Dude you are WAAAAAY too upset about this JJ signing. Honestly this isn't a bad signing. It isn't great... but not as bad as you are making it out to be. $3-$3.25 a year is about what Johnson is worth. The term is what is a little upsetting. 5 years is a long time for a player who has struggled the past couple seasons.

Now with that Gonchar and Jacques Martin could help improve his game. New coach, new teammates, you know all the fixings of new scenery could do A LOT in getting him on track. Will he be a Top 2 defender ever again? Probably not, but he is someone who can fill a slot on the second and third pairings without any issue.

There is no reason to not trust GMJR at this point and honestly there is no reason to think this signing doesn't have any kind of potential for upside. The Pens need defense and there aren't exactly a plethora of defenders out there that fit the mold of a second or third pairing guy that would be an upgrade from Hunwick. JJ is and upgrade from Hunwick and moving Sheary to clear cap to sign him was a smart move because Sheary had no place on the roster.

So besides your OVER use of advance stats that could easily be skewed due to the team he played on..... explain to us why this signing is so bad.

Dude you are WAAAAAY too upset about this JJ signing. Honestly this isn't a bad signing. It isn't great... but not as bad as you are making it out to be. $3-$3.25 a year is about what Johnson is worth. The term is what is a little upsetting. 5 years is a long time for a player who has struggled the past couple seasons.

Now with that Gonchar and Jacques Martin could help improve his game. New coach, new teammates, you know all the fixings of new scenery could do A LOT in getting him on track. Will he be a Top 2 defender ever again? Probably not, but he is someone who can fill a slot on the second and third pairings without any issue.

There is no reason to not trust GMJR at this point and honestly there is no reason to think this signing doesn't have any kind of potential for upside. The Pens need defense and there aren't exactly a plethora of defenders out there that fit the mold of a second or third pairing guy that would be an upgrade from Hunwick. JJ is and upgrade from Hunwick and moving Sheary to clear cap to sign him was a smart move because Sheary had no place on the roster.

So besides your OVER use of advance stats that could easily be skewed due to the team he played on..... explain to us why this signing is so bad.
- Slav

Dude, I was referring to the batpoop ideas people are throwing around.

There is no reason to not trust GMJR at this point and honestly there is no reason to think this signing doesn't have any kind of potential for upside.
- Slav

Except for the fact GMJR has made bad free agent decisions before and JJ has a history of sucking.

Good, even great GM's can make bad decisions. I'm going to go out on a limb and call JR a great GM, but beginning last season I'd say he's gone 50/50 in his decisions.

Acquisitions: Sheahan, Brassard, Hunwick and Reaves. That's 50/50. Sheahan and Brassard good, Hunwick and Reaves bad.

So, this logic of "they know what they're doing" or "they must see something" doesn't always work.

If JJ is to become Schultz' partner on the 2nd pair and you don't think that has a profoundly negative effect then I don't know what to say. I don't care if Maatta is moved to make room for JVR, acquire Skinner, etc... JJ in the top-four hurts this team big time.

Dude, I was referring to the batpoop ideas people are throwing around.
- Rinosaur

I think he was talking about RW, not you.

If JJ is to become Schultz' partner on the 2nd pair and you don't think that has a profoundly negative effect then I don't know what to say. I don't care if Maatta is moved to make room for JVR, acquire Skinner, etc... JJ in the top-four hurts this team big time.
- Rinosaur

They're not planning on having a top 4. From what they've said, they're out to balance their defensive pairings and roll them. If that means Johnson with Schultz and Maatta with Oleksiak that's fine. Those are three really solid pairs balanced with size and skill.

Rutherford shat the bed last offseasons with some questionable moves. He is doubling down and dropping a double deuce between the sheets this year.

Good, even great GM's can make bad decisions. I'm going to go out on a limb and call JR a great GM, but beginning last season I'd say he's gone 50/50 in his decisions.

Acquisitions: Sheahan, Brassard, Hunwick and Reaves. That's 50/50. Sheahan and Brassard good, Hunwick and Reaves bad.

So, this logic of "they know what they're doing" or "they must see something" doesn't always work.

If JJ is to become Schultz' partner on the 2nd pair and you don't think that has a profoundly negative effect then I don't know what to say. I don't care if Maatta is moved to make room for JVR, acquire Skinner, etc... JJ in the top-four hurts this team big time.
- Rinosaur

Niemi as well. Brassard and Sheahan were good deals (even though I personally felt Sheahan was doing well and we should’ve just held onto Cole). The opportunity cost of getting Reaves, Niemi, and Hunwick was letting go of Kunitz, and maybe letting Jarry try to backup and grabbing a depth defender. Btw throw Oleksiak into the mix, that was a good pickup
I still think if we keep Cole we would’ve had a better chance at a cup but here we are

Dude you are WAAAAAY too upset about this JJ signing. Honestly this isn't a bad signing. It isn't great... but not as bad as you are making it out to be. $3-$3.25 a year is about what Johnson is worth. The term is what is a little upsetting. 5 years is a long time for a player who has struggled the past couple seasons.

Now with that Gonchar and Jacques Martin could help improve his game. New coach, new teammates, you know all the fixings of new scenery could do A LOT in getting him on track. Will he be a Top 2 defender ever again? Probably not, but he is someone who can fill a slot on the second and third pairings without any issue.

There is no reason to not trust GMJR at this point and honestly there is no reason to think this signing doesn't have any kind of potential for upside. The Pens need defense and there aren't exactly a plethora of defenders out there that fit the mold of a second or third pairing guy that would be an upgrade from Hunwick. JJ is and upgrade from Hunwick and moving Sheary to clear cap to sign him was a smart move because Sheary had no place on the roster.

So besides your OVER use of advance stats that could easily be skewed due to the team he played on..... explain to us why this signing is so bad.
- Slav

What happened to your other account?

Niemi as well. Brassard and Sheahan were good deals (even though I personally felt Sheahan was doing well and we should’ve just held onto Cole). The opportunity cost of getting Reaves, Niemi, and Hunwick was letting go of Kunitz, and maybe letting Jarry try to backup and grabbing a depth defender. Btw throw Oleksiak into the mix, that was a good pickup
I still think if we keep Cole we would’ve had a better chance at a cup but here we are
- WSCTeton17

I honestly don't think Niemi was a bad get. IMO it was a cheap low-risk gamble that didn't pan out, but I'd still make that signing 10/10 times.

I felt the Reaves and Hunwick moves were bad because they changed the dynamic of what this team's identity was.

I already know what people are going to say before I write this, but anyway...

This is all depending on what actually happens with the JJ situation and remaining cap space, but Tyler Ennis got bought out. He's had kind of a rough road with injuries, but I think there's something still there.

Again, if the Pens need to find that cheap low-risk depth bottom six signing, he could be a good gamble at a $1M contract. He's good in his own end, plays hard, skates well and the potential is there for scoring.

He could be the winger version of Matt Cullen.

I already know what people are going to say before I write this, but anyway...

This is all depending on what actually happens with the JJ situation and remaining cap space, but Tyler Ennis got bought out. He's had kind of a rough road with injuries, but I think there's something still there.

Again, if the Pens need to find that cheap low-risk depth bottom six signing, he could be a good gamble at a $1M contract. He's good in his own end, plays hard, skates well and the potential is there for scoring.

He could be the winger version of Matt Cullen.
- Rinosaur

What’s the upside of playing Ennis over Simon? I would argue there isn’t any. Simon still has room to grow. If we’re going to sign a 4LW I’d rather go with Kunitz, Duclair, Pouliot was thrown around - I think that’s a good idea. If Sprong plays, our forwards should be pretty good. Our D is the concern

What’s the upside of playing Ennis over Simon? I would argue there isn’t any. Simon still has room to grow. If we’re going to sign a 4LW I’d rather go with Kunitz, Duclair, Pouliot was thrown around - I think that’s a good idea. If Sprong plays, our forwards should be pretty good. Our D is the concern
- WSCTeton17

I'm talking about a depth signing if the Pens can't afford to go the route you're suggesting. Ennis is a better all around player than Simon even with how his production has dropped.

Any word on why Oleksiak hasn't been signed yet?

I'm talking about a depth signing if the Pens can't afford to go the route you're suggesting. Ennis is a better all around player than Simon even with how his production has dropped.
- Rinosaur

We haven’t even seen that much of Simon yet. Do we just condemn all of our prospects based on their first years work? If that’s the case then William Karlsson wouldn’t have been worth it because he didn’t break out until his third season.
I didn’t say Ennis was a bad signing, I said what’s the amount of upside of playing him over Simon or even Dea for that matter

We haven’t even seen that much of Simon yet. Do we just condemn all of our prospects based on their first years work? If that’s the case then William Karlsson wouldn’t have been worth it because he didn’t break out until his third season.
I didn’t say Ennis was a bad signing, I said what’s the amount of upside of playing him over Simon or even Dea for that matter
- WSCTeton17

I'm talking about a depth signing. Not sure why that isn't clear. Do you know what a depth signing is?

Injuries will happen and while you want to see some other younger guys get their shot, it's always good to have a veteran depth guy around.

EDIT:
Jake-Sid-Horn
Hags-Geno-Kessel
Rust-Brass-Sprong
ZAR-Sheahan-Simon

The Pens are putting their eggs in the Sprong basket and if either Horn or Kessel go down, the Pens aren't rich in scoring depth. Yes, there are guys like Dea and Blueger hanging around, but those are also unproven commodities.

Having a veteran depth guy is important.

If Maatta is traded because Rutherford thinks Johnson is a suitable middle pairing replacement, the Johnson signing goes from pretty bad to disaster and our team will have gotten significantly worse. I don’t think that will happen though. Rutherford wants three deployable pairings. Even if he thinks that Johnson is a top 4 caliber defenseman (which he shouldn’t) our bottom pairing of Oleksiak-Ruhwhedel does not fit the mold of what he’s trying to do.

If Maatta is traded because Rutherford thinks Johnson is a suitable middle pairing replacement, the Johnson signing goes from pretty bad to disaster and our team will have gotten significantly worse. I don’t think that will happen though. Rutherford wants three deployable pairings. Even if he thinks that Johnson is a top 4 caliber defenseman (which he shouldn’t) our bottom pairing of Oleksiak-Ruhwhedel does not fit the mold of what he’s trying to do.
- Victoro311

Yup. Have you heard anything as to why Oleksiak hasn't been re-signed yet? It seems odd to me that they've taken care of everyone else and there's been no word at all on him.

I'm talking about a depth signing. Not sure why that isn't clear. Do you know what a depth signing is?

Injuries will happen and while you want to see some other younger guys get their shot, it's always good to have a veteran depth guy around.

EDIT:
Jake-Sid-Horn
Hags-Geno-Kessel
Rust-Brass-Sprong
ZAR-Sheahan-Simon

The Pens are putting their eggs in the Sprong basket and if either Horn or Kessel go down, the Pens aren't rich in scoring depth. Yes, there are guys like Dea and Blueger hanging around, but those are also unproven commodities.

Having a veteran depth guy is important.
- Rinosaur

That depth signing of Cullen worked out real well for Minnesota and keeping replacement level guys like Adams, Rowney, Kuhnackle hasn’t done us any favors in the past either. If you’re using a younger guy for depth then it’s for potential, if you’re using a vet it might as well be for utility. There are plenty of other vets out there with more utility than Ennis ie Letestu, Duclair, Jokinen, Jooris, Hayes, or heck I’d even rather try Yakupov over Ennis

That depth signing of Cullen worked out real well for Minnesota and keeping replacement level guys like Adams, Rowney, Kuhnackle hasn’t done us any favors in the past either. If you’re using a younger guy for depth then it’s for potential, if you’re using a vet it might as well be for utility. There are plenty of other vets out there with more utility than Ennis ie Letestu, Duclair, Jokinen, Jooris, Hayes, or heck I’d even rather try Yakupov over Ennis
- WSCTeton17

Yakupov? Ok. We're going to have agree to disagree on all of this. lol

That depth signing of Cullen worked out real well for Minnesota and keeping replacement level guys like Adams, Rowney, Kuhnackle hasn’t done us any favors in the past either. If you’re using a younger guy for depth then it’s for potential, if you’re using a vet it might as well be for utility. There are plenty of other vets out there with more utility than Ennis ie Letestu, Duclair, Jokinen, Jooris, Hayes, or heck I’d even rather try Yakupov over Ennis
- WSCTeton17

I think you underrate Ennis, but I think Ennis would be a whipping boy on this bird given how everyone felt about Sheary. Ennis is definitely better than Letestu, Jokinen, Hayes, and Jooris, and I’m honestly unsure how much potential Duclair has anymore.