They don't get paid extra for the playoffs, Carter isn't waiving even if somebody wants him.
- MickV

Why do you say that? He's a hockey player, a competitor. If a contender wants him, I am positive he would contemplate waiving for one more chance to drink from Lord Stanley's chalice.

Why do you say that? He's a hockey player, a competitor. If a contender wants him, I am positive he would contemplate waiving for one more chance to drink from Lord Stanley's chalice.
- j.boyd919

He looks to me like a guy who knows he's retiring, has already won 2 Cups, has a family, and is just trying to get to the end without a major injury. He's like the cop on his last day before retirement in every bad action movie, and he knows it.

I can almost guarantee that, short of getting Connor McDavid back in return, a large portion of the fanbase will be upset with the return.
- jmatchett383

It’s come to the point where you just stock up on draft picks/prospects and hope some of them turn into quality players sooner rather than later I think Guentzel, Rust, and Pettersson should get the most out of anyone. At least a 1st round pick plus a little extra

Getting anything for Smith, Rakell, and Eler would be a win. Jarry needs to be moved while the team still has a somewhat decent team in front of him. If they decide to tank next year, he’ll look like an overpaid backup

I've never understood why people think we can't criticize our top players when they play bad.

I think it's valid cause we know they can do better and when they're not giving 100%. ie Sid's corpse play last night.

They're held to a higher standard cause they're better players, get most of the ice time and get paid more. I'm glad Geno had a good game last night, doesn't erase the fact he's was pretty off in Feb.

Celebrate them when they play well and call em out when they don't. The fake outrage on Twitter is annoying.
- Thorny87

The problem is how disproportionate the criticism almost always has been. Throughout their careers portions of the fan base have used Malkin and Letang as stand ins to pile on when 9/10 times they’re in the middle of good to great seasons and the real problem is roster construction. The criticisms would be taken more seriously if they weren’t coming in the game threads of games where the player in question was in the middle of a three point game and we didn’t have baboons like Sammy coming in trying to do victory laps over one of the five best players in franchise history finally aging out when he’s been claiming he’s been washed since 2013.

In the case of Crosby? Again. How many games like last night has he had over a decade and a half? What’s the point of getting worked up about it given the context of the frustrating season and how he larger failures of the FO?

He looks to me like a guy who knows he's retiring, has already won 2 Cups, has a family, and is just trying to get to the end without a major injury. He's like the cop on his last day before retirement in every bad action movie, and he knows it.
- MickV

I don’t even think he’s planning on retiring.

He looks to me like a guy who knows he's retiring, has already won 2 Cups, has a family, and is just trying to get to the end without a major injury. He's like the cop on his last day before retirement in every bad action movie, and he knows it.
- MickV

Meh... I think he'd jump at the chance to have one last shot. I don't think injury is even a consideration. Somebody with his bank account didn't need to play this season. I have no doubt he's still playing because he loves the game.

I don’t even think he’s planning on retiring.
- Grinder47

If not, then I hope he's a fan of bus rides.

Meh... I think he'd jump at the chance to have one last shot. I don't think injury is even a consideration. Somebody with his bank account didn't need to play this season. I have no doubt he's still playing because he loves the game.
- madmike71

Any player in the show who's won a cup, knows what it feels like, would jump at one last chance.

If I were 39 with a 19 year career I’d definitely go for playing at 40 with a 20 year career. I hate odd numbers.

He looks to me like a guy who knows he's retiring, has already won 2 Cups, has a family, and is just trying to get to the end without a major injury. He's like the cop on his last day before retirement in every bad action movie, and he knows it.
- MickV

I don't know, that burst down the left side was quite impressive, he was flying.

It wouldn't surprise me in the least if the Pens get a mid-round pick for him.

BTW NHL Edge has his top speed at 22.83 MPH. Tops on the team is 22.94 MPH.

Any player in the show who's won a cup, knows what it feels like, would jump at one last chance.
- j.boyd919

MAF just said he doesn't want a trade from the Wild, who are in worse shape than us.

I don't know, that burst down the left side was quite impressive, he was flying.

It wouldn't surprise me in the least if the Pens get a mid-round pick for him.

BTW NHL Edge has his top speed at 22.83 MPH. Tops on the team is 22.94 MPH.
- Thunderbolt

Skating fast on open ice is not an indicator of playing it safe and not trying to get injured. Avoiding taking it to the middle of the ice, avoiding contact, etc. That's what I see with him. He looks to me like he's trying to put in a good effort, but not risk an injury.

MAF just said he doesn't want a trade from the Wild, who are in worse shape than us.
- MickV

Alright, most players I'd think.

Skating fast on open ice is not an indicator of playing it safe and not trying to get injured. Avoiding taking it to the middle of the ice, avoiding contact, etc. That's what I see with him. He looks to me like he's trying to put in a good effort, but not risk an injury.
- MickV

There's definitely truth to that. He's been dodging shots all season. I couldn't believe it when he dodged a shot in one of those critical games a couple of weeks ago. He wouldn't be the first guy to walk the fine line of trying to stay in the game AND avoid the work and pain that goes with it. That's where I think he is.

MAF just said he doesn't want a trade from the Wild, who are in worse shape than us.
- MickV

Yeah he's said that as long as they're still in the race he doesn't want to move. If he had to, he'd accept trades to Colorado, Carolina or Toronto.

That's the whole list.

Looks like Terasenko is headed to Florida.

There's definitely truth to that. He's been dodging shots all season. I couldn't believe it when he dodged a shot in one of those critical games a couple of weeks ago. He wouldn't be the first guy to walk the fine line of trying to stay in the game AND avoid the work that goes with it. That's where I think he is.
- madmike71

He hit Olivier in open ice in the first period last night. Olivier is like 240 6’3”. Good way to avoid injury. I think he’s playing 4th line and knows he’s not to have turnovers.

He hit Olivier in open ice in the first period last night. Olivier is like 240 6’3”. Good way to avoid injury. I think he’s playing 4th line and knows he’s not to have turnovers.
- Grinder47

Thats why of all Pens fowards who have played at least 50 games he's 5th in giveaways per 60 mins at 5 on 5....averaging 9 mins a game at 5 on 5

Skating fast on open ice is not an indicator of playing it safe and not trying to get injured. Avoiding taking it to the middle of the ice, avoiding contact, etc. That's what I see with him. He looks to me like he's trying to put in a good effort, but not risk an injury.
- MickV

You're right, no chance he hits a rut in the ice or gets tripped and crashes into the boards.

There's definitely truth to that. He's been dodging shots all season. I couldn't believe it when he dodged a shot in one of those critical games a couple of weeks ago. He wouldn't be the first guy to walk the fine line of trying to stay in the game AND avoid the work and pain that goes with it. That's where I think he is.
- madmike71

He quit on Sullivan a long time ago, not hockey.

You're right, no chance he hits a rut in the ice or gets tripped and crashes into the boards.
- Thunderbolt

I can't tell if you're trying to troll me or if you just don't know anything about hockey.

Alright, most players I'd think.
- j.boyd919

Yeah, obviously most would, but once you have kids who are old enough to have lives that you're involved in, and you've won the Cup multiple times, it's not necessarily your priority to not see your family for 2 or 3 months for maybe a 10-20% chance to win the Cup again as a rental player on a new team you have no ties to.

I can't tell if you're trying to troll me or if you just don't know anything about hockey.
- MickV

Didn't one of our posters with inside information tell us who some of the malcontents were a week or so ago? He gave specific examples of two players who said the quiet part out loud, Karlsson and Smith.

He added another specific example that the second power play unit was upset and vocal about getting short changed. Carter has been part of that second unit all season. He's one of the few who has enough stature to be vocal about this in the locker room.

As these trades start to happen, I question if we might be stuck with Smith. Vegas and Florida were two teams rumored to be interested.

Wouldn't the better thing to do be finish outside a top 10 pick this season in a weaker draft and give pick to the Sharks?
- MattStrat

It is a weaker draft in the sense that Celebrini is no Bedard, but there are plenty of good prospects in the top 10. Also, I want us to compete next year. If we are giving up a top 10 this year my hope is that our pick next year will be in the 20's because we made the playoffs.

Not to mention, if we are wanting to re-tool quickly that top 10 pick would be a great trade asset to have heading into the draft.