In fairness, that's what he's good at.....getting young/less talented teams to over-achieve. Once you're ready to win, you dump him for someone more serious.
- madmike71

Well the one time he had a star studded roster he won the cup.

Well the one time he had a star studded roster he won the cup.
- Grinder47

Mike Babcock did as well. Doesn't mean he's a good coach.

To get Marner I'm pretty sure they'd ask for Rust, 1st RPs, prospect. Would this be worth it? I'd go for it if he could re-sign for less than $9M/year.

I used to like Rakell quite a bit. Good hands and passes but he got me mad this year. He took more than half of the season to get in shape. This sucks.
- Barnaby36

I was thinking about this. I think a deal would be centered around Marner and Karlsson to be honest. We would have to add, but Karlsson could be an intriguing piece to Toronto especially if they want to build it up with a top line of Matthews, Nylander, and someone like Karlsson up top. Maybe their is a 3rd team eating some cap. I think Pettersson may be someone that is asked about as well.

Well the one time he had a star studded roster he won the cup.
- Grinder47

20 years ago. Dan Bylsma won a cup too.

Torts had some good Rangers teams.

Rickell: a mix of Brian Bickell and Rickard Rakell

If this is true, nice to hear. He'll be better next season.
- Barnaby36

Rakell, I'll try to do better. Haha

Unfortunately, he's no spring chicken anymore. He's had concussion problems in the past, and he was out this season for ten or twelve games. Having said that, I expect a better season from him.

Well the one time he had a star studded roster he won the cup.
- Grinder47

You can say that about a lot of coaches, even Mike Sullivan.

You can say that about a lot of coaches, even Mike Sullivan.
- Thunderbolt

No poop. That’s my whole point. Look at some of the rosters Torts turned into competitive teams.

No poop. That’s my whole point. Look at some of the rosters Torts turned into competitive teams.
- Grinder47

He's like Mike Keenan. He squeezes every bit out of you until you burst and tune him out.

He's like Mike Keenan. He squeezes every bit out of you until you burst and tune him out.
- jmatchett383

Which is exactly what the Penguins need.

To get Marner I'm pretty sure they'd ask for Rust, 1st RPs, prospect. Would this be worth it? I'd go for it if he could re-sign for less than $9M/year.

I used to like Rakell quite a bit. Good hands and passes but he got me mad this year. He took more than half of the season to get in shape. This sucks.
- Barnaby36

Honestly don't know if I would trade Rust for Marner straight up, let alone giving up picks/prospects. Think about it...

Would you rather have for instance, Sid with Rust and Bertuzzi on his wings and have picks/prospects to further improve the roster or Sid with Marner and DOC and no ammo to improve the roster elsewhere?

If we start talking about a deal with Jarry, Rackell or Graves going the other way I'm all ears.

Honestly don't know if I would trade Rust for Marner straight up, let alone giving up picks/prospects. Think about it...

Would you rather have for instance, Sid with Rust and Bertuzzi on his wings and have picks/prospects to further improve the roster or Sid with Marner and DOC and no ammo to improve the roster elsewhere?

If we start talking about a deal with Jarry, Rackell or Graves going the other way I'm all ears.
- MacPatty

Add in Smith and I am 100% on board with this entirely. If he only wants to play for Pittsburgh, we might get q decent discount, but taking on another 10M contract without ridding ourselves of one of our bad contracts is really going to hold us back.

I don’t think Dubas is terrible at navigating the offseason. It seemed like he tried to address the same holes we all saw last year (bottom 6, def) in his own way. Hopefully he learned a little but I think his mind was in the right place. I think we will absolutely entertain a young winger or center (for 2nd line) as well as letting some youth play the bottom 6.

Honestly don't know if I would trade Rust for Marner straight up, let alone giving up picks/prospects. Think about it...

Would you rather have for instance, Sid with Rust and Bertuzzi on his wings and have picks/prospects to further improve the roster or Sid with Marner and DOC and no ammo to improve the roster elsewhere?

If we start talking about a deal with Jarry, Rackell or Graves going the other way I'm all ears.
- MacPatty

I'm not trading Rust. In a year where you need Sid to extend his contract, you can't trade his other linemate. He had a pretty nice year considering he played hurt most of the season.

Why is Marner even being discussed? He adds nothing to the Penguins.

Why is Marner even being discussed? He adds nothing to the Penguins.
- Grinder47

Because Dubas is the former GM of Toronto and he signed him to his last extension. Pens are also wanting to add some young talent.

I was thinking about this. I think a deal would be centered around Marner and Karlsson to be honest. We would have to add, but Karlsson could be an intriguing piece to Toronto especially if they want to build it up with a top line of Matthews, Nylander, and someone like Karlsson up top. Maybe their is a 3rd team eating some cap. I think Pettersson may be someone that is asked about as well.
- 123Kid

I think Toronto would love a Marner for Karlsson straight up deal. I'm not doing that if I am Dubas though. We don't know what the Letang issue is but I want to have the Karlsson insurance. I'd also like to see what Karlsson can do on the powerplay with a new coach and strategy.

I am far more interested in looking at Dubois than I am Marner, especially if LA is actually looking at buying him out. He seems like a poop but he still has the talent to be a 2C for a long time if someone can keep him focused. No matter what you trade for him, it is a massive risk but the Pens aren't going to get another shot at the cup without a huge win somewhere.

I think if you trade for him, you pencil him in on Sid's left wing for at least the first year. He needs to get some confidence back and maybe a bit more love for the game. Maybe he turns into Ryan Johanssen but maybe he turns into Matt Duchene (who I really want to get) where he puts it all together again.

I think any deal for Dubois starts with Graves, you have to offset some of that long term risk somehow. Rackell would also probably be in the mix as part of the trade.

Deals I would do:

Dubois for Graves & Rackell
Dubois for Graves, Accari & 2nd round pick.
Dubois & 1st rounder for Rackell & Smith.

I think Toronto would love a Marner for Karlsson straight up deal. I'm not doing that if I am Dubas though. We don't know what the Letang issue is but I want to have the Karlsson insurance. I'd also like to see what Karlsson can do on the powerplay with a new coach and strategy.
- MacPatty

No. Even though both are equally over paid Karlson at least battles. Mariners just a little female dog. No more little female doges on the Pens. Have I made myself clear?

I am far more interested in looking at Dubois than I am Marner, especially if LA is actually looking at buying him out. He seems like a poop but he still has the talent to be a 2C for a long time if someone can keep him focused. No matter what you trade for him, it is a massive risk but the Pens aren't going to get another shot at the cup without a huge win somewhere.

I think if you trade for him, you pencil him in on Sid's left wing for at least the first year. He needs to get some confidence back and maybe a bit more love for the game. Maybe he turns into Ryan Johanssen but maybe he turns into Matt Duchene (who I really want to get) where he puts it all together again.

I think any deal for Dubois starts with Graves, you have to offset some of that long term risk somehow. Rackell would also probably be in the mix as part of the trade.

Deals I would do:

Dubois for Graves & Rackell
Dubois for Graves, Accari & 2nd round pick.
Dubois & 1st rounder for Rackell & Smith.
- MacPatty

IF the kings truly want to dump him, then seems like you could do Dubois and rights to Arvidsson for Graves and Smith.

IMO, this gives you a really solid outline for your forwards (if Arvidsson signed):
Crosby-Rust
Malkin-Bunting
Dubois-Arvidsson
Eller-Acciari

Then you just plug in guys like O’Connor, Puustinen, Puljujarvi, and let there be a battle between the prospects.

I am far more interested in looking at Dubois than I am Marner, especially if LA is actually looking at buying him out. He seems like a poop but he still has the talent to be a 2C for a long time if someone can keep him focused. No matter what you trade for him, it is a massive risk but the Pens aren't going to get another shot at the cup without a huge win somewhere.

I think if you trade for him, you pencil him in on Sid's left wing for at least the first year. He needs to get some confidence back and maybe a bit more love for the game. Maybe he turns into Ryan Johanssen but maybe he turns into Matt Duchene (who I really want to get) where he puts it all together again.

I think any deal for Dubois starts with Graves, you have to offset some of that long term risk somehow. Rackell would also probably be in the mix as part of the trade.

Deals I would do:

Dubois for Graves & Rackell
Dubois for Graves, Accari & 2nd round pick.
Dubois & 1st rounder for Rackell & Smith.
- MacPatty

LA was interested in Jarry and Smith. So I would assume they would be potentials if a deal was discussed.

LA was interested in Jarry and Smith. So I would assume they would be potentials if a deal was discussed.
- 123Kid

I could make that deal

Marner fills that right shot PP hole nicely. But I don't think we realistically can make a trade for him.

Elevating Harkins, who got out scored by guys like Nieto, Gruden, Hinostroza, Shea, and oh yeah, Jarry though is the stupidest suggestion ever and disqualifies you from saying what the team needs.

No. Even though both are equally over paid Karlson at least battles. Mariners just a little female dog. No more little female doges on the Pens. Have I made myself clear?
- Grinder47

Which part of "I would not do it" was unclear?

LA was interested in Jarry and Smith. So I would assume they would be potentials if a deal was discussed.
- 123Kid

Yeah, good point.

Marner fills that right shot PP hole nicely. But I don't think we realistically can make a trade for him.

Elevating Harkins, who got out scored by guys like Nieto, Gruden, Hinostroza, Shea, and oh yeah, Jarry though is the stupidest suggestion ever and disqualifies you from saying what the team needs.
- Tojo.

Realistically, you should expect a Kessel-like deal. Marner is a better player than Kessel was in 2015, but Marner has a full NMC and 1 year left. I believe Kessel had just signed a new deal and only had a limited NTC.

So I'd expect a package to look like:

Pickering
2025 Lottery Protected Pick or Carolina's 1st if we get that
One of the NHL ready Carolina prospects we acquired
NHL player

I wouldnt make that trade unless Marner agrees to a new contract, but if he did in the $8.5-$9.5M range, I'd do that deal in a second.

Realistically, you should expect a Kessel-like deal. Marner is a better player than Kessel was in 2015, but Marner has a full NMC and 1 year left. I believe Kessel had just signed a new deal and only had a limited NTC.

So I'd expect a package to look like:

Pickering
2025 Lottery Protected Pick or Carolina's 1st if we get that
One of the NHL ready Carolina prospects we acquired
NHL player

I wouldnt make that trade unless Marner agrees to a new contract, but if he did in the $8.5-$9.5M range, I'd do that deal in a second.
- SuperHenderson13

I feel like it’d be something close to the Timo Meier trade. Conditional 1st, top 9 roster player, a couple prospects.