I'll be curious how they can turn over the roster. So many vets with seemingly untradable contracts. A bunch of cheap young talent that might not be locks.

F
Locks- Crosby, Malkin, Rust, Bunting, DOC (DOC is cheap and the coach likes him regardless of some posters don't)
Hard to trade locks- Rackell, Acciari
Likely- Eller, Puustinen
Cheap bubble- Nieto, Puljujarvi, Gruden, Poulin, Ponomarev
Likely trade- Smith
Potential FAs- Carter, Bennstrom, Harkins
Wild card- Yager

Analysis- Crosby, Malkin, Rust, Bunting, DOC, Rackell, Eller, and Puustinen could fill 8 of 9 top 3 line spots. Doesn't leave much room for needed improvement unless you spend big on one player. Plenty of options for a fourth line. Can hope someone like Yager or Poulin forces a spot in the top nine.
- Tojo.

Noel Accairi is one of the most tradable guys on the team.

Noel Accairi is one of the most tradable guys on the team.
- Grinder47

I actually agree here. He has an overvalued skill set. His 2x2 contract this offseason probably wouldn’t be too hard to move at all.

I’d start with a more offensive 2c and top six wingers. Then work down from there. This teams in the playoffs easily with a solid d core and real top six. Bottom six has not been a problem.
- Grinder47

Malkin will finish around 60pts. You think you'll get better than that as a 2C? Go check other teams 2C's. Not to mention his wingers this year were trash.

The pens aren't in the playoffs because their PP couldn't score goals. No other reason. Blame whoever you want, but that's why they're going home in a couple of weeks. The team was actually pretty solid for most of the season defensively. Fell off a cliff when they realized the were going to be sellers.

Today @ 4:45 PM ET
-Sign Collin Graf, Jacob Quillan and TJ Hughes.
-Hire GM, replace all coaches.
-Trade Karlsson, Jarry, Pickering for Pinto, Chychrun and korpisalo.
-Trade Graves, Eller, Smith, Acciari
-Sign a goalie (Ned, flower, samsonov)
-Sign Zadorov, Domi.
-Sign 1 of Bertuzzi, Debrusk, Mantha or Duclair whoever is cheapest.
-Win Stanley cup

Seems easy… - Pens4life-66

Add both xekaj brothers and you got my vote. They love frenchies. Poj and poulin should be a done deal.

Malkin will finish around 60pts. You think you'll get better than that as a 2C? Go check other teams 2C's. Not to mention his wingers this year were trash.

The pens aren't in the playoffs because their PP couldn't score goals. No other reason. Blame whoever you want, but that's why they're going home in a couple of weeks. The team was actually pretty solid for most of the season defensively. Fell off a cliff when they realized the were going to be sellers.
- madmike71

Yep. People have no clue what 2C's produce in today's NHL. They were so used to having two 1Cs and now they expect 100+ points from a 2C.

This is an accurate analysis. I do think Acciari and Rakell can be traded. I doubt it will be over the summer though. The best time to trade them would be October or November, when injuries hit some teams.

I start with your locks and I agree none of them are getting replaced. O'Connor should be in the bottom six, but that isn't up to me. Rust and Crosby should be set in stone along with Malkin and Bunting. Eller is your 3C to start the season. All other positions are open competition. You can trade Eller to a contender when the time comes next year.

As much as I like Puustinen he hasn't shown a scoring touch. Neither has Puljujarvi but I really like how he scored our first goal yesterday.

Ponomarev, Poulin, and Yager all need serious looks at center next training camp. Acciari can move to a wing to accommodate this.

As far as Carter, Harkins, and Bemstrom, I don't see why any of them would want t0 sign here next year. Nieto and Gruden are tweeners, they aren't in my top twelve.
- Thunderbolt

Maybe Acciari with the cap bump. Rackell I think is tougher without trading a futures sweetener, something I'm hesitant to do with where we are. Certainly can't see moving him early season.

I've been saying for years I think Puustinen is a guy if he's on your NHL lineup he's one you're looking to upgrade, so I don't mind if they bump him out.

I bet Ponomarev gets squeezed out because he doesn't need waivers and isn't a high end prospect. Poulin should get a strong look as he loses waiver eligibility. Yager has cooled a bit I think so not sure if he forces his way on but I'd give him a fair opportunity to.

Bennstrom is technically a RFA, but if he's not a top 9 I don't see a reason to tender him. Gruden and Nieto can fill out a fourth line and a roster as 12-13 types of nobody takes their spots, and I'm not interested in finding more fourth liners.

I really like Ludvig and St Ivany. They're my bottom pair. The Graves situation needs resolved first. I think, just like with Rakell and Acciari, we're stuck with him until October. But hey, Dubas rid us a couple guys last summer I didn't think were tradable, so who knows.

My biggest worry is how Letang has slowed down this past year. He just doesn't look good to me anymore.
- Thunderbolt

Graves like Rackell I just don't see without a high pick or something similar attached. Karlsson situation was a lucky stroke of circumstances.

I think Ludvig and St Ivany are maybe 6-7 if they don't want to bring in a vet as they can battle for 3RD. St. Ivany can still I think go to minors.

Good chat!

I'd love for them to get a more offensive 3C. I heard Ponomarev got hurt already, but I don't know how serious it is.
- madmike71

I probably read same as you that said week to week.

I don't mind if they upgraded Eller to elevate the line. Maybe get a vet scorer to work with the likely young guys there like DOC and Puustinen.

Malkin will finish around 60pts. You think you'll get better than that as a 2C? Go check other teams 2C's. Not to mention his wingers this year were trash.

The pens aren't in the playoffs because their PP couldn't score goals. No other reason. Blame whoever you want, but that's why they're going home in a couple of weeks. The team was actually pretty solid for most of the season defensively. Fell off a cliff when they realized the were going to be sellers.
- madmike71

I’ll take a 45 pt 2c that ply’s in all three zones and can play with anyone. Next.

Yep. People have no clue what 2C's produce in today's NHL. They were so used to having two 1Cs and now they expect 100+ points from a 2C.
- j.boyd919

Malkins cooked dude. Just accept it.

I probably read same as you that said week to week.

I don't mind if they upgraded Eller to elevate the line. Maybe get a vet scorer to work with the likely young guys there like DOC and Puustinen.
- Tojo.

Eller been great dude. No reason to even look there. Maybe he and Malkin could work out together this summer.

Also you gotta look at the teams Malkin compiles points against. He’s just not there when you need him. As one of his biggest fans it’s tough but I can accept reality. He was right there in his sweet spot yesterday with a 4-0 lead and couldn’t even pop on the 5th for the eventual game winner.

I don't know if Patrick Roy would have been able to backstop those Bylsma teams. I don't have an obsession with MAF, but the 5 skaters in front of him gave him no support. The biggest culprit of those losing teams was behind the bench. MAF would have won those cups in 16/17. He won 2 series of the 17 cup.

I think Pittsburgh loves him so much is because he handled everything with class. I saw him at the mall one time with his wife and he was swarmed. Couldn't have been nicer to those fans. Just a good person and it's easy to root for a guy like that.
- madmike71

Handles everything with class except the PUCK He could have had multiple Cups on his own if you was not such a head case No call ever from Team Canada I wonder why? I will tell you why They did not TRUST him either Too many brain farts in critical situation starting in Juniors Even in Vegas he cost them big time With the teams he had in front of him he should have won multiples on his own Afer all he was the Number One overall pick just like Mario and Sid Longevity yes but all that matters is winning the Cup He won only one on his own

-Sign Collin Graf, Jacob Quillan and TJ Hughes.
-Hire GM, replace all coaches.
-Trade Karlsson, Jarry, Pickering for Pinto, Chychrun and korpisalo.
-Trade Graves, Eller, Smith, Acciari
-Sign a goalie (Ned, flower, samsonov)
-Sign Zadorov, Domi.
-Sign 1 of Bertuzzi, Debrusk, Mantha or Duclair whoever is cheapest.
-Win Stanley cup

Seems easy…
- pens4life-66

I vote you as the GM with that checklist. Who seconds this notion?

I vote you as the GM with that checklist. Who seconds this notion?
- 123Kid

👍🏻

Notion seconded. Notion passed.

Second post for D
Locks- Letang
Hard to trade locks- Karlsson, Graves
Likely- Pettersson
Cheap bubble- POJ, Ludvig, St. Ivany
Wild card- Pickering

Unless Pettersson goes in an unlikely shake up trade, a lot of money in 4 D already. POJ has passed Graves lately, but is an RFA that could lose his spot if they go for a LHD upgrade and get stuck with Graves as an expensive 3rd pair. Are they willing to let Ludvig and St. Ivany battle for the 3RD or battle for the seventh D and add another vet. Easier to see change here.
- Tojo.

I guess we can always hope that Graves will improve. Dubas probably thought he was smart, getting him at a lower dollar amount for a longer term. That is almost never a good idea, unless you have a very proven player which Graves was not.

EK has been pretty good this season - not $10M good but still decent. Getting him for the mess that Hextall left behind was Dubas' best move.

Letang is to me the most maddening player on the team. At times he still looks amazing. At other times he has looked horrible, and has single-handedly cost them several games this season.

Malkin has looked flat out slow or just uninterested this year. Getting a 2C that adds a bit more energy or speed would be a huge boost. a 3rd line with Puustinen-Malkin-O’Connor would be nice to have if the top 6 was built right.

Smith, Eller, and Acciari I think could be moved. If those 3 are traded and the cap is at 87.7 mil, they’d have $20+ mil in cap space to get a 2C and another top 6 winger. After that, it’s just filling out the 4th line and resigning POJ. IMO, let the kids from WBS fight for the 4th line on cheap contracts.

Dubas is in a better position this year than last year because Carter is coming off the books and the cap should be going up by 4 mil

Eller's on pace for 16 goals, which is plenty for a 3C. Plus he defends -- and he seems to be the only player that actually cares about winning games. I'd definitely keep him for next year.

Eller's on pace for 16 goals, which is plenty for a 3C. Plus he defends -- and he seems to be the only player that actually cares about winning games. I'd definitely keep him for next year.
- MickV

Eller has been a stud in his role. I would love a 4th line of doc - eller - pulj if there was enough depth. And that’s only factoring in pens players not outsiders.

Although if gm p4l-66 signs Graf, quill an, Hughes that could be the tenacious new 3rd line.

Eller has been a stud in his role. I would love a 4th line of doc - eller - pulj if there was enough depth. And that’s only factoring in pens players not outsiders.

Although if gm p4l-66 signs Graf, quill an, Hughes that could be the tenacious new 3rd line.
- 10inchTerror

Ellers been better then I expected for sure! I just worry him turning 35 next month he could fall off quickly. I also have not scouted any college players so I don’t know about them but from our scouts those 3 are all NHL ready and all can be signed for 3 year contracts. Graf was said to have low end - top 6 potential.

***And GM P4L-66 will work for free***

Domi - Crosby - Rust ($18m)
Bunting - Malkin - Rak ($15.6m)
Graf - Pinto - Mantha ($10m)
DOC - Quillan - Pulju ($3m)
Hughes ($925k)

Petts - Letang ($10.1m)
Chychrun - Zadorov ($8.5m)
Ludvig - POJ ($2m)
(Montour $7m)

Korpi - Ned/Flower/Samsonov ($6m)
Blomqvist the 3rd

Thats in the $83 ish mill cap range with montour.
(Brandon Montour would be a dream with these 6 bumping zad to bottom pair)

I guess we can always hope that Graves will improve. Dubas probably thought he was smart, getting him at a lower dollar amount for a longer term. That is almost never a good idea, unless you have a very proven player which Graves was not.

EK has been pretty good this season - not $10M good but still decent. Getting him for the mess that Hextall left behind was Dubas' best move.

Letang is to me the most maddening player on the team. At times he still looks amazing. At other times he has looked horrible, and has single-handedly cost them several games this season.
- PghPens668771

Isn't Dubas an analytics guy? Well Graves has had good analytics his entire career. He had great numbers with Macar in Colorado. There would be no reason to assume he couldn't do the same with Karlsson or Letang.

I bet he quit on Sullivan and Reardon long ago. He probably wants out of here as bad as we want rid of him. I don't have anything to base that on other than when I see his face or his body language it signals to me, he doesn't care.

Maybe Acciari with the cap bump. Rackell I think is tougher without trading a futures sweetener, something I'm hesitant to do with where we are. Certainly can't see moving him early season.

I've been saying for years I think Puustinen is a guy if he's on your NHL lineup he's one you're looking to upgrade, so I don't mind if they bump him out.

I bet Ponomarev gets squeezed out because he doesn't need waivers and isn't a high end prospect. Poulin should get a strong look as he loses waiver eligibility. Yager has cooled a bit I think so not sure if he forces his way on but I'd give him a fair opportunity to.

Bennstrom is technically a RFA, but if he's not a top 9 I don't see a reason to tender him. Gruden and Nieto can fill out a fourth line and a roster as 12-13 types of nobody takes their spots, and I'm not interested in finding more fourth liners.
- Tojo.

Two things, one, Rakell had a bad year by his standards. I can see him having a bounce back year. Put him on his preferred side and leave him there. Sullivan does more harm than good by flipping guys to their off wing.

Two, Bemstrom has a hard shot; he can be traded. Maybe we can upgrade from the sixth rounder we got for him. A fourth if he signs, seventh he doesn't. Or add him in on a Smith trade, or whoever. Sullivan has his mind made up on the guy, he's just not going to play him.

In my mind, the Cup is going to be left at the bottom of Mario's pool until we're ready to reclaim it.
- MickV

Was it one of the Penguins players who took the bottom off of the cup and carved his initials on the inside?

Was it one of the Penguins players who took the bottom off of the cup and carved his initials on the inside?
- jmatchett383

Phil Bourque ...I believe the story goes he threw it into the pool, or off a waterfall attached to the pool, and it it made the bottom loose. He then took off bottom and engraved his name and Pittsburgh Penguins 91 champs or something like that into it.

Phil Bourque ...I believe the story goes he threw it into the pool, or off a waterfall attached to the pool, and it it made the bottom loose. He then took off bottom and engraved his name and Pittsburgh Penguins 91 champs or something like that into it.
- MattStrat

I envy the level of partying that goes on after a cup win for those guys. All time bender.