Nobody really has complained about Poulin's skating for years. He's gotten better, it's average, not a liability. Legare on the other hand...

The only real question on Poulin is how much of his offensive potential will he reach. Everything else is fine to the point he should still make it as a fourth line PK specialist with grit even if he can't put the offense together to be a third liner or middle six. (Top power forward seems off the board).
- Tojo.

That's not what Jesse Marshall said the other day, he said his skating is what's holding himback

Putting up a bunch of stats only to get scored against due to lazy disinterested play isn't of any real benefit

Would you take a 50 point producer who shuts down his opposing line and is hard to play against or a 70 point producer that trades chances and breaks even?

Kadri at 7 million or Malkin at 6.1

This year and for the next 3

Which one you taking?

Lets ignore that Kadri is actually outproducing Malkin this year
- RoloTahmasee

Geno.

And the players who come off injury in the middle of the playoffs are what… sol? Or do teams not get to try to find help at the deadline for injuries as they go for the playoff push? Your solution doesn’t work.

Now an independent auditor of the players to prevent deliberate cheating somehow might work but that’s tough too as it would be one md calling another a liar. Sounds like a law suit. But the current cap system is fine.
- ChrisMS

If they are going to be back for playoffs, then you don't acquire guys at the deadline. If they're out for the year, you acquire guys for the rest of the year. Simple as that.

Then players who get concussed or other injuries should also be subject to contract voiding? Players are required to enter a program and follow the sometimes draconian rules. If the don’t follow the player assistance program then they can be termed. If a player refused treatment for an injury of another type and just hung out in ltir without participating in their physical recovery then they too can be termed.
- ChrisMS

Players with Depression should just use drugs and alcohol to deal with it like men. Keep playing.

And the players who come off injury in the middle of the playoffs are what… sol? Or do teams not get to try to find help at the deadline for injuries as they go for the playoff push? Your solution doesn’t work.

Now an independent auditor of the players to prevent deliberate cheating somehow might work but that’s tough too as it would be one md calling another a liar. Sounds like a law suit. But the current cap system is fine.
- ChrisMS

How hard is it to understand that for a game, you can ice 20 players that total a maximum of 84 million?

It doesn't matter who's injured and who isn't - If your roster has 96 million worth of players (which is what Vegas has) then 12 million of that has to be scratched per game

Maybe Stone/Martinez for a game, Eichel/Stevenson, Hertl/Hanafin - Vegas' choice

You simply won't be allowed to ice them all at the same time because you used some LTIR loophole when you acquired them

That's not what Jesse Marshall said the other day, he said his skating is what's holding himback
- j.boyd919

FWIW....I thought he looked pretty good in camp. He definitely improved his skating. If he's not in the NHL, I don't believe it's because he can't keep up. I think he's having trouble staying healthy. They should give him a long look. Why wouldn't you give one of your best prospects a look now that you've thrown in the towel?

If they are going to be back for playoffs, then you don't acquire guys at the deadline. If they're out for the year, you acquire guys for the rest of the year. Simple as that.
- j.boyd919

So teams can’t try to find help for the playoff chase. So one team loses a stone. Another loses a 4th line scrub. The team with the injured star is sol? Trying to make the already boring deadline almost non existent?

If they are going to be back for playoffs, then you don't acquire guys at the deadline. If they're out for the year, you acquire guys for the rest of the year. Simple as that.
- j.boyd919

I don't like it. I like the way it is now. It doesn't bother me at all. Kuch wearing the 21mil over the cap shirt was awesome hahaha.

How hard is it to understand that for a game, you can ice 20 players that total a maximum of 84 million?

It doesn't matter who's injured and who isn't - If your roster has 96 million worth of players (which is what Vegas has) then 12 million of that has to be scratched per game

Maybe Stone/Martinez for a game, Eichel/Stevenson, Hertl/Hanafin - Vegas' choice

You simply won't be allowed to ice them all at the same time because you used some LTIR loophole when you acquired them
- RoloTahmasee

That would go over real good with the players union. So even though your contract only covers the regular season you are benched in the playoffs. You are over simplifying are complicated challenge.

That would go over real good with the players union. So even though your contract only covers the regular season you are benched in the playoffs. You are over simplifying are complicated challenge.
- ChrisMS

Organizations already determine who plays and who doesn't, for a myriad of reasons and factors

No contract guarantees a player a spot in the lineup and it never will

Phil Kessel sat for 3 rounds because Vegas determined despite him being under contract, they had a better mix of players that they felt would help them win

This is no different

Regarding Malkin, I think he is either a 3C or a wing at this point. He is still a good NHL player, just not a 2C anymore. The problem is that the team does not have anyone ready to step in at 2C.

Also, I have to wonder if Jake's injury factored in to the lower return. I would have less of a problem with it if it were to a non-divisional team, though. I wouldn't even listen to offers on Jake from the divisional teams. Even for Ruhwedel I would have been fine with that deal if it were to a non-divisional team but from the Rags I would have wanted a lot more, so much so that a competent GM would not take it. It is just bad on principle to deal with teams in your division.

I do like how Dubas cleaned up the mess that Hextall left. I don't like what he did today, though.

Organizations already determine who plays and who doesn't, for a myriad of reasons and factors

No contract guarantees a player a spot in the lineup and it never will

Phil Kessel sat for 3 rounds because Vegas determined despite him being under contract, they had a better mix of players that they felt would help them win

This is no different
- RoloTahmasee

Sitting players to ice your best team is very different than sitting your stars cause you tried to improve your chances at making the playoffs and or better seeding. The reason those players have bigger caps is their skill.

Business wise it’s also a terrible plan you have. Team’s acquiring players at the deadline ensures the most talent is available for the playoffs which is the nhls time to shine. Are you seriously suggesting the league should bench their stars during the big show? A league battling the nba and hell… anything football for ratings?

Regarding Malkin, I think he is either a 3C or a wing at this point. He is still a good NHL player, just not a 2C anymore. The problem is that the team does not have anyone ready to step in at 2C.

Also, I have to wonder if Jake's injury factored in to the lower return. I would have less of a problem with it if it were to a non-divisional team, though. I wouldn't even listen to offers on Jake from the divisional teams. Even for Ruhwedel I would have been fine with that deal if it were to a non-divisional team but from the Rags I would have wanted a lot more, so much so that a competent GM would not take it. It is just bad on principle to deal with teams in your division.

I do like how Dubas cleaned up the mess that Hextall left. I don't like what he did today, though.
- PghPens668771

He's not a 3C - No way Malkin can be grinding out tough minutes against the other teams top lines, blocking shots with a couple of mid tier linemates and killing penalties

He should probably move to Sid's wing and we should look for a 2 way center to head the 2nd line

Regarding Malkin, I think he is either a 3C or a wing at this point. He is still a good NHL player, just not a 2C anymore. The problem is that the team does not have anyone ready to step in at 2C.

Also, I have to wonder if Jake's injury factored in to the lower return. I would have less of a problem with it if it were to a non-divisional team, though. I wouldn't even listen to offers on Jake from the divisional teams. Even for Ruhwedel I would have been fine with that deal if it were to a non-divisional team but from the Rags I would have wanted a lot more, so much so that a competent GM would not take it. It is just bad on principle to deal with teams in your division.

I do like how Dubas cleaned up the mess that Hextall left. I don't like what he did today, though.
- PghPens668771

Jake isn’t special outside of Pens fans heads. He got what he got.

Sitting players to ice your best team is very different than sitting your stars cause you tried to improve your chances at making the playoffs and or better seeding. The reason those players have bigger caps is their skill.

Business wise it’s also a terrible plan you have. Team’s acquiring players at the deadline ensures the most talent is available for the playoffs which is the nhls time to shine. Are you seriously suggesting the league should bench their stars during the big show? A league battling the nba and hell… anything football for ratings?
- ChrisMS

If this was the rule teams like Vegas would stop trading for these players

Why give up assets for players you won't be allowed to use?

This leaves these players to go to other teams to make a more balanced playoffs

Not one team with a 100 million dollar payroll vs a team that didn't "Luck" into a perfectly timed injury and has 80 million worth of players

If this was the rule teams like Vegas would stop trading for these players

Why give up assets for players you won't be allowed to use?

This leaves these players to go to other teams to make a more balanced playoffs

Not one team with a 100 million dollar payroll vs a team that didn't "Luck" into a perfectly timed injury and has 80 million worth of players
- RoloTahmasee

So you believe that in this cut throat league… only Vegas and Tampa have sunk low enough to use this on purpose? Pretty naive. If it was that simple every playoff contender would be doing it. Are they just morally superior ? Please. This is becoming some serious conspiracy theory stuff. Are they poisoning their players in those cities? It wouldn’t leave those players to go to other teams cause they are all also against the cap. Unless they also started Tonya Harding their own guys.

So teams can’t try to find help for the playoff chase. So one team loses a stone. Another loses a 4th line scrub. The team with the injured star is sol? Trying to make the already boring deadline almost non existent?
- ChrisMS

Yes. Them's the breaks.

Regarding Malkin, I think he is either a 3C or a wing at this point. He is still a good NHL player, just not a 2C anymore. The problem is that the team does not have anyone ready to step in at 2C.

Also, I have to wonder if Jake's injury factored in to the lower return. I would have less of a problem with it if it were to a non-divisional team, though. I wouldn't even listen to offers on Jake from the divisional teams. Even for Ruhwedel I would have been fine with that deal if it were to a non-divisional team but from the Rags I would have wanted a lot more, so much so that a competent GM would not take it. It is just bad on principle to deal with teams in your division.

I do like how Dubas cleaned up the mess that Hextall left. I don't like what he did today, though.
- PghPens668771

you also have no idea how a 2C produces in the NHL.

So you believe that in this cut throat league… only Vegas and Tampa have sunk low enough to use this on purpose? Pretty naive. If it was that simple every playoff contender would be doing it. Are they just morally superior ? Please. This is becoming some serious conspiracy theory stuff. Are they poisoning their players in those cities? It wouldn’t leave those players to go to other teams cause they are all also against the cap. Unless they also started Tonya Harding their own guys.
- ChrisMS

If it isn't happening on purpose then closing the loophole shouldn't be a problem

3 years in a row with Stone. Maybe Vegas is just bold about it and they got a player who's willing to "play ball" - Everything left unsaid, just winks and nods

Why not just close the loophole before it becomes mainstream?

I'd like nothing more than the Pens when they were comfortably in a playoff position and Sid to get an infected hangnail and rest up for a month before the playoffs. All along the team goes out and gets 9 million dollars worth of "replacement players" for when the playoffs start - I guess They just never thought of it or maybe Sid has integrity

If you don't see a problem with this in a league that has a Salary cap to promote parity you can't be helped

Yes. Them's the breaks.
- j.boyd919

Was that a bad dad joke? Cause if so…. I liked it!

If it isn't happening on purpose then closing the loophole shouldn't be a problem

3 years in a row with Stone. Maybe Vegas is just bold about it and they got a player who's willing to "play ball" - Everything left unsaid, just winks and nods

Why not just close the loophole before it becomes mainstream?

I'd like nothing more than the Pens when they were comfortably in a playoff position and Sid to get an infected hangnail and rest up for a month before the playoffs. All along the team goes out and gets 9 million dollars worth of "replacement players" for when the playoffs start - I guess They just never thought of it or maybe Sid has integrity

If you don't see a problem with this in a league that has a Salary cap to promote parity you can't be helped
- RoloTahmasee

The cap allows parity to create playoff contention. You keep calling it a loophole. It’s not a loophole. It’s just the rules. There have been two cbas that could have “fixed” this. The owners and players had no issue with it. The reason is it works. It’s not ideal. But it works. Your “fix” makes more problems than solutions.

Was that a bad dad joke? Cause if so…. I liked it!
- ChrisMS

I'm a new dad, so sure I'll take that one lol

That's not what Jesse Marshall said the other day, he said his skating is what's holding himback
- j.boyd919

Fair then, definitely not what I've read elsewhere. I don't use Twitter or the Athletic anymore.

Have heard his problems earlier were correctable with technique and Poulin put in that work.

You look back now, and GMJR actually was starting to retool with younger players who would be in their prime now. Kapanen was a big miss, but McCann, ERod, Petterson, Marino, Matheson, maybe Tanev could have filled out the line-up. Hextall lost most of those guys for nothing, and we instead got older, more expensive guys for those spots.
- Tojo.

Yeah all those guys fill in gaps where the pens are hurting.

He’s not in the HOF for nothing. How quickly did VAN turn around?

I'm a new dad, so sure I'll take that one lol
- j.boyd919

Congrats. It’s the best! Mine are still littles.