GARTH'S CORNER: Pens Can’t Tap The Kegger

If you think the Pens are trading ZAR you're crazy, that's not how you attract more college free agents. Sprong isn't being moved for a 3C either unless it's part of a pack for someone who's gonna put up 45-55 points
I'd give up Pouliot, McKegg, and a third for Zemgus but I don't know if that's enough for Botterill

I know it's a blog, but Matt Cullen was the 4th line center. Nick Bonino was the 3C and wasn't mentioned in the article.

That's why the Pens are likely looking around. They didn't just lose Cullen. They lost Bonino, too. McKegg can likely fill the No. 4, but yeah, they probably are looking for a No. 3, but not because Cullen's gone, but because Bonino's gone

He's not desperate. He said he's comfortable starting the season with the guys in house and that he won't rush to fill the 3C position. It's October. McKegg won't be their 3C when the playoffs start.

Pens aren't trading Sprong or ZAR. Pouliot could probably be had for a warm 6 pack of Budweiser.

Pens unlikely to trade for a 4th liner centre on a non playoff team and make him their 3rd line centre.

Or maybe Rutherford just checks to see what other teams might have a 4C available as they make their final roster decisions and offer up a 4th round draft pick for him (hint: Eric Fehr in Toronto).

No way Rutherford is dealing prospects for a 3C coming out of training camp.

Proof read your articles before you publish them. Jesus.

This article is do full of misinformation.

-you said that the Pens have 4 centers on their roster....and then mention McKegg
-Pouliot is not primed for anything or else the Pens would be PLAYING HIM!
-ZAR and Sprong aren't getting moved for any center not named Duchene or Staal.
-The centers you mention would be fine....on the 4th line.
-Dipauli isn't even really a prospect, but the sabres could have him for a 4th line center.
-McClement was not brought in with the belief that he was the Pens third line center. If that was the case he would have been signed...not had a professional tryout.

Fehr
Holland
Laich
Winnik

"First ballot Hall of Famers like Cullen aren’t bought in Craigslist nor eBay."

Still trying to wrap my head around this comment. Good job garth.

First ballot Hall of Famers like Cullen aren’t bought in Craigslist nor eBay.
- GARTH

Hall of Fame?? First ballot??????? I'm speechelss.

Garth, when the Pens won the Cup in 2015-16 players like Rust, Sheary, Wilson, Kunhackel, etc. were all AHL players and looked terrible early in the season when first called up. Eventually they stepped up their game and became real NHL players late in the season. The Pens have a bunch of potential third and fourth centers both on the team and in WBS. All we need is for just one of them to step up his game. I have every confidence that this will happen - maybe not now but at some point in the season. Rutherford does not need to even make a trade much less do something drastic.

Also, the third line factors in the most in the playoffs. The Pens can easily put together another winning season without a good third line. It is necessary to win the Cup, though.

The position where they are most vulnerable at is goal. The past two playoffs they had the rare luxury of having essentially two #1 goalies. They no longer have this and if Murray gets injured late in the season again this time they are done.

Thats what juat happened