How many games did we have this season where one of Guentzel or Rust were missing? I feel like it was at least 20 and that’s a storyline that hasn’t been talked about a whole lot as to why this team discombobulated to the extent that they did.

A lot of things happened at once around the Guentzel trade. 1) we got a healthy player back in the trade that ended up fitting the top 6 really well. Guentzel was still out at the time so from an on ice perspective that was a pretty major net gain. 2) The D kind of rounded into form when Graves was removed from the equation. 3) Sullivan bumped Smith out of the top 6 who instantly formed chemistry with Eller to makeup a solid 3rd line while DOC has been able to be a serviceable third wheel for Sid and Rust who are both on a tear.

I think it was Tojo who said imagine a world where we signed Bunting instead of trading for Smith. That’s a real tragedy of this offseason. Having Bunting from the jump without having to give up Guentzel and were probably in an untouchable playoff spot as 3rd in the Metro.
- Victoro311

Rust has missed 20 games and Jake missed about 13 with us.

Don't forget St.I coming in and killing it as 3RD.

No idea if Bunting would've signed with us directly or not.

Rust has missed 20 games and Jake missed about 13 with us.

Don't forget St.I coming in and killing it as 3RD.

No idea if Bunting would've signed with us directly or not.
- MickV

So more than 20 since their injuries didn’t totally overlap. That’s pretty much half the season up to the point of the deadline.

It honestly feels like they were packing it in hoping Sully would get fired and when it became clear that wasnt going to happen they said (frank) it, lets just get in the playoffs.

Im happy for Bunting, hell of a lot of pressure on him being a key piece in the Jake trade. So far a win-win for both teams, even if I thought they should have received more, I'd definitely still do that deal again with how Bunting has rejuvenated Malkin.

Would be great to see them sneak in.
- MacPatty

Bunting was a type of player we needed. This was kind of like a ‘Neal for horny’ type of trade. I do wish though we got at least 1 grade A prospect out of it though.

Bunting was a type of player we needed. This was kind of like a ‘Neal for horny’ type of trade. I do wish though we got at least 1 grade A prospect out of it though.
- 10inchTerror

Not quite. Neal minus an outlier 40 goal season was a very similarly productive player to Hornqvist. Just polar opposite play styles and the play style difference was needed.

Guentzel has star player production. Bunting was not. We needed Bunting but we’re not a better team because we exchanged those two.

Not quite. Neal minus an outlier 40 goal season was a very similarly productive player to Hornqvist. Just polar opposite play styles and the play style difference was needed.

Guentzel has star player production. Bunting was not. We needed Bunting but we’re not a better team because we exchanged those two.
- Victoro311

Guentzal has one 80 point season so far and that’s it. Bunting has a 60 point season. G is def the better player point wise and it’s not a direct skill level 1 for 1 trade but buntings style could be a bigger benefit. Especially if he can bring that net front presence to boost the power play.

Not sure what the plan will be to replace him in the offseason. LW is weak on the ufa market and would generally be an overpay. But I hope doc isn’t the long term solution.

Guentzal has one 80 point season so far and that’s it. Bunting has a 60 point season. G is def the better player point wise and it’s not a direct skill level 1 for 1 trade but buntings style could be a bigger benefit. Especially if he can bring that net front presence to boost the power play.

Not sure what the plan will be to replace him in the offseason. LW is weak on the ufa market and would generally be an overpay. But I hope doc isn’t the long term solution.
- 10inchTerror

There is a pretty wide gulf in the their 5v5 production rates. Bunting seems to hover around 1.9 (legitimate first line production, mind you). Guentzel consistently puts up 2.7+. That’s star caliber at 5v5.

There is a pretty wide gulf in the their 5v5 production rates. Bunting seems to hover around 1.9 (legitimate first line production, mind you). Guentzel consistently puts up 2.7+. That’s star caliber at 5v5.
- Victoro311

Also being a 40 goal scorer is more impressive than say a 25 goal scorer.

Guentzal has one 80 point season so far and that’s it. Bunting has a 60 point season. G is def the better player point wise and it’s not a direct skill level 1 for 1 trade but buntings style could be a bigger benefit. Especially if he can bring that net front presence to boost the power play.

Not sure what the plan will be to replace him in the offseason. LW is weak on the ufa market and would generally be an overpay. But I hope doc isn’t the long term solution.
- 10inchTerror

I heard a rumor Dubas asked about Johny Hockey from Columbus at one point. Idk how true it was. I assume he would attack via trade. They definitely need to unload Smith and Graves this offseasn. I think DOC will be will Eller on the 3rd line next season.

I was mentioning this a lot but it didnt seem like many around here wanted to to agree that it was a major issue.


The thing about not signing Bunting in offseason is I think Dubas may have valued Graves more than Bunting. Graves took that cap space, to lesser extent Nieto and Atchy too. You could never convince me that Dubas didnt at least kick the tires on Bunting in free agency, though. Thats his boy. Perhaps Bunting turned down an offer.
- MattStrat

I said Smith for Bunting simply because if we hadn't traded for Smith before UFA, we could used that money on a group that included Bunting (who was on mine and several other's short lists). Not sure if he signs here of course, but there is an obvious connection with him and Dubas to the point Dubas took what was considered a lesser return because it included Bunting.

I do agree they sign Graves regardless, but they could have changed which LW they got and even kept a third.

How many games did we have this season where one of Guentzel or Rust were missing? I feel like it was at least 20 and that’s a storyline that hasn’t been talked about a whole lot as to why this team discombobulated to the extent that they did.

A lot of things happened at once around the Guentzel trade. 1) we got a healthy player back in the trade that ended up fitting the top 6 really well. Guentzel was still out at the time so from an on ice perspective that was a pretty major net gain. 2) The D kind of rounded into form when Graves was removed from the equation. 3) Sullivan bumped Smith out of the top 6 who instantly formed chemistry with Eller to makeup a solid 3rd line while DOC has been able to be a serviceable third wheel for Sid and Rust who are both on a tear.

I think it was Tojo who said imagine a world where we signed Bunting instead of trading for Smith. That’s a real tragedy of this offseason. Having Bunting from the jump without having to give up Guentzel and were probably in an untouchable playoff spot as 3rd in the Metro.
- Victoro311

I'm one that doesn't point at health because overall I think we've been on the better end. Sid, Geno, Eller, Letang, Karlsson, Petterson all missed no games.

Everyone has to weather some injuries, but we've had great health at center, defense, and goalie overall. I would point again to wing depth and disappointment though when those injuries did hit.

I heard a rumor Dubas asked about Johny Hockey from Columbus at one point. Idk how true it was. I assume he would attack via trade. They definitely need to unload Smith and Graves this offseasn. I think DOC will be will Eller on the 3rd line next season.
- 123Kid

Johnny's 30 and has 5 more years at close to $10M/year. We need somebody either younger or on a shorter deal, and either cheaper or better ... or they're taking all our bad contracts and eating some still.

Johnny's 30 and has 5 more years at close to $10M/year. We need somebody either younger or on a shorter deal, and either cheaper or better ... or they're taking all our bad contracts and eating some still.
- MickV

Yea, I think CBJ would have to take Graves and eat at least $3 mil in salary to even begin to make it possible. That’s a lot of term left on that deal though

Yea, I think CBJ would have to take Graves and eat at least $3 mil in salary to even begin to make it possible. That’s a lot of term left on that deal though
- drummer829

And include Jenner or werenski.

Some good looks there

Rakell with the turn around J!

Rak with the roof job. Bunting being a menace

Nice.

Death, taxes, the Penguins winning this game.

Cmon Puus

Sid's having a rough go right now.

Htf wasn’t that a penalty

Ridiculous. That’s a high stick

Ridiculous. That’s a high stick
- Thorny87

It’s a high stick and a puck to the face simultaneously lol. Not like they would score but oh well

Ridiculous. That’s a high stick
- Thorny87

Perfect example of how ref’s practice situational calls vs. as it happens. So no blood therefore not a double minor… okay. It’s still a stick to the face & minor penalty 99,999x out of 100,000.

It’s a high stick and a puck to the face simultaneously lol. Not like they would score but oh well
- 10inchTerror

Yup. Pretty dumb.

I actually haven’t been as disgusted as normal with the PP. It’s had a few looks. Still trying to finesse it in though.