25 goals is 25 goals. Im guessing he gets what ever Rust gets. Not a salary your willing to pay a strictly 4 liner/13th forward.
- joecool2931

Pretty sure a healthy amount were empty net goals. That inflates his goal totals and is absolutely something that will be brought up in the conversation of contract demands. Not to mention he is 30 years old and Bryan Rust is a 26 year old RFA, so there are major differences in both of these players, I don't really see a comparison.

Pretty sure a healthy amount were empty net goals. That inflates his goal totals and is absolutely something that will be brought up in the conversation of contract demands. Not to mention he is 30 years old and Bryan Rust is a 26 year old RFA, so there are major differences in both of these players, I don't really see a comparison.
- j.boyd919

You completely ignored the pt. He is not gonna get 640K as Kuhn will. He will get well north of that. Speed is almsot always something I'd be willing to pay for but even if he gets 2.5M...I don't want a 2.5M winger on my 4th Line. Hes scored 27 the last two years. He is gonna get paid. I'd rather use that salary elsewhere, maybe serviceable d-men.

If you wanna argue that Grabner is better than Kuhn, no one will argue that becasue its a (frank)ing stupid argument. But Granber will not be getting paid what a 13th forward will get paid.

Can Grabner play PK minutes and is fast on pucks like Hagelin and Rust? If so he'd be a nice addition. Can't have enough of these kind of players.

You completely ignored the pt. He is not gonna get 640K as Kuhn will. He will get well north of that. Speed is almsot always something I'd be willing to pay for but even if he gets 2.5M...I don't want a 2.5M winger on my 4th Line. Hes scored 27 the last two years. He is gonna get paid. I'd rather use that salary elsewhere, maybe serviceable d-men.

If you wanna argue that Grabner is better than Kuhn, no one will argue that becasue its a (frank)ing stupid argument. But Granber will not be getting paid what a 13th forward will get paid.
- joecool2931

He was paid 1.5m last season, I would be okay paying a 4th liner that and making Simon the 13th winger.

Can Grabner play PK minutes and is fast on pucks like Hagelin and Rust? If so he'd be a nice addition. Can't have enough of these kind of players.
- Barnaby36

25th among forwards in the NHL in total TOI shorthanded.

Jay Beagle anyone?

If it is a short term deal and it fits under the cap why not?
- Feds91Stammer

Because they have more glaring issues to address, namely the entire defense.

God, this spoiled (frank)ing fan base infuriates me sometimes. Not every player on the roster is going to be a superstar, or even an above-average NHL forward. Every team, even the Cup winner every year, has below-average players.

God (frank)ing dammit.

Because they have more glaring issues to address, namely the entire defense.

God, this spoiled (frank)ing fan base infuriates me sometimes. Not every player on the roster is going to be a superstar, or even an above-average NHL forward. Every team, even the Cup winner every year, has below-average players.

God (frank)ing dammit.
- jmatchett383

The defensive issues had more to do with system and decision making. At the top of my list was poor backchecking from the forwards. Whether it was mental fatigue or physical fatigue, the forwards were clearly not as invested in defense as they were the previous two seasons. I don't think talent is the problem and I don't think they need to overhaul the D core. I'd try to bring in a steady 5th or 6th D to play with Oleksiak.

Not every player is going to be a superstar, but I guarantee there's better players than Tom Kuhnhackl for the same amount of money. I'll say this... No NHL wing should ever have to play with a center as terrible as Carter Rowney, so I feel bad for Kuhny in that regard.

Because they have more glaring issues to address, namely the entire defense.

God, this spoiled (frank)ing fan base infuriates me sometimes. Not every player on the roster is going to be a superstar, or even an above-average NHL forward. Every team, even the Cup winner every year, has below-average players.

God (frank)ing dammit.
- jmatchett383

Some people love hassling the poop of a pro over the Internet - it's as If the player doesn't deserve to be playing in the NHL.

No one knows what the coaches instructions are, nor why the coach has this very 'poor' player playing any minutes.

Showing 1 statistic to justify an opinion I thought was wrong (or so I'm told by analytics people saying you can't just use 1 stat to judge, you need multiple forms of data), but it appears Corsi was used in this particular blog - Corsi, what a reliable statistic that is. If Corsi actually decided games then it may be very important, but doesn't goals for & goals against provide a little more importance to an outcome? In saying that I'm not saying Knuckles is a great goal scorer!

Rust played very well on the 4th line when he came back from injury. Does anyone have any objections about putting Rust on the 4th line? Roll 4 scoring lines.

Thank you very much for showing the video of Darcy Tucker doing his best "i am a punching bag" imitation. Priceless we owe you one.

As far as replacing Kuhnhackl. Why not see if Kunitz would take 1mil to return?

Nah, it's just content. I get that Kuhn isn't THAT important... but when most of your top 9/top 6 is already under contract, open roster spots is easily the best way to start conversations on improving the team. Like... Grabner.

Would you rather have Grabner or Kuhnackl? And why? Personally, without looking into it much yet, I THINK I'd rather pay Grabner 1m than Kuhn whatever. Grabner at least MIGHT score, even if it's based off high shooting percentages and empty nets.
- j.boyd919

That's not going to happen, & is 1 of the silliest things you've said - & you've said some pretty ordinary stuff.

Kuhn is Craig Adams 2.0.

Sully loves him.

Kuhn is Craig Adams 2.0.

Sully loves him.
- Rinosaur

I thought Adams had a few serviceable seasons for us. You're right however, Bylsma loved his "binky" and Adams got to stick around.

I agree with RW, Rutherford needs to remove the option. Can't play him if he's not on the roster.

I thought Adams had a few serviceable seasons for us. You're right however, Bylsma loved his "binky" and Adams got to stick around.

I agree with RW, Rutherford needs to remove the option. Can't play him if he's not on the roster.
- madmike71

I wasn't comparing them exactly, just the situation. I thought Kuhnhackl was very serviceable two years ago.

Go Tampa. I love it when that arena goes silent.

Because they have more glaring issues to address, namely the entire defense.

God, this spoiled (frank)ing fan base infuriates me sometimes. Not every player on the roster is going to be a superstar, or even an above-average NHL forward. Every team, even the Cup winner every year, has below-average players.

God (frank)ing dammit.
- jmatchett383

By resigning all of our RFAs we’d have 14 forwards. This isn’t a spoiled fan thing. Given the choice I’d let Kuhn go out of all the guys we have.

I think we’ll trade either Sheary or Hagelin so that the point is probably moot anyways.

https://www.pensburgh.com/2018/5/12/17346496/nhl-free-agency-pittsburgh-penguins-sign-john-tavares-islanders-contracts-rumors

Anyone see this? hahahaaha
- j.boyd919

I don't see whats funny about that article... its legit trying to reason on HOW it could be done in theory. He would have to sign for less (barring a Kessel, Horny, or Letang cap dump), and then we just hope for no major injuries and have a ton of youth/vet minimums.

By resigning all of our RFAs we’d have 14 forwards. This isn’t a spoiled fan thing. Given the choice I’d let Kuhn go out of all the guys we have.

I think we’ll trade either Sheary or Hagelin so that the point is probably moot anyways.
- Victoro311

I'm not sure I understand the complaint. Wanting your team to improve on a player that isn't very good is fandom 101. A spoiled fan thing would be wanting to trade Phil Kessel because he wasn't very good in the playoffs this year.

Putting aside the silly Tavares talk, do we all remember that the cap is going up significantly?

Even if you do the following(obviously some are guesstimates):

Sign Rust @ $3M = $2.36M raise
Sign Sheahan @ $2.75M = $675K Raise
Sign Oleksiak @ $1.2M = a little less than a $300K raise
Let Rowney walk = -$600K

You're looking at a little over a $3M bump to the cap and that's without the Pens attempting to move out Hunwick and possibly either Sheary or Hagelin.

The Pens have the freedom to explore many ways to upgrade anywhere in the lineup they choose to. Why would they hold on to Kuhn?

I'm not sure I understand the complaint. Wanting your team to improve on a player that isn't very good is fandom 101. A spoiled fan thing would be wanting to trade Phil Kessel because he wasn't very good in the playoffs this year.
- madmike71

Because every team, be it the Pens the last 2 years or any of the 4 teams left this year, have players that are below average "possession" players. With the salary cap, you can't pay all of your 3rd and 4th liners 3 million.

If you think there are upgrades for the same or close to the same salary, then fine. But those players will also have, at best, a limited skillset...otherwise they'd be making more. So whether it's Kuhnahckl or some other random 4th line vet making close to the league minimum, his "possession" numbers will look less than optimal and I'm sure RW will make mountains out of a mole hill on the subject.

Also, somehow, a very good coach in Mike Sullivan thought it wise to play him regularly despite Kuhnahckl being the worst player in NHL history. Maybe there's more to a player's game than attempted shots when he's on the ice.

Edit: I say spoiled because you guys seem to expect all 18 skaters to be great players, or to at least all be above average "possrdsion" players, and that just will not be the case.

Here's my video game transaction idea...

Leave the forward core alone for now; no additions that is.

1) Dump Hunwick's contract -$2.5M

2) Dump Sheary's contract -$3M

3) Move Oleksiak's rights -$965K

4) Keep Ruhwedel as your 7th.

5) Sign Calvin De Haan 3yrs/$3M

6) Sign Mike Green 3yrs/$5M

7) Re-Sign Rust $3M

8) Let Rowney Walk (-$612)

Stack the Defense

Jake-Sid-Horn
Rust-Geno-Kessel
Hagelin-Brass-Sprong
ZAR-Sheahan-Simon

Dumo/Letang
Maatta/Green
De Haan/Schultz

Net addition to the cap: $3.923

You have room to do some more damage if you want.

Because every team, be it the Pens the last 2 years or any of the 4 teams left this year, have players that are below average "possession" players. With the salary cap, you can't pay all of your 3rd and 4th liners 3 million.

If you think there are upgrades for the same or close to the same salary, then fine. But those players will also have, at best, a limited skillset...otherwise they'd be making more. So whether it's Kuhnahckl or some other random 4th line vet making close to the league minimum, his "possession" numbers will look less than optimal and I'm sure RW will make mountains out of a mole hill on the subject.

Also, somehow, a very good coach in Mike Sullivan thought it wise to play him regularly despite Kuhnahckl being the worst player in NHL history. Maybe there's more to a player's game than attempted shots when he's on the ice.

Edit: I say spoiled because you guys seem to expect all 18 skaters to be great players, or to at least all be above average "possrdsion" players, and that just will not be the case.
- jmatchett383

Apparently Grabner is coming to the Pens with a 1m salary.

Id like someone that actually knows to let us all know what Sully expects from his 4th line. Gunner hasn't hinted on anything other than complain about Knuckles analytics.

By resigning all of our RFAs we’d have 14 forwards. This isn’t a spoiled fan thing. Given the choice I’d let Kuhn go out of all the guys we have.

I think we’ll trade either Sheary or Hagelin so that the point is probably moot anyways.
- Victoro311

Would you play Rust on the 4th line given he would get around 8-10 minutes a game? Possibly more if he jumps around a little.

Wow looks like Trotz was trying to get Ovi to win the game on his own. Over 25 minutes toi.