I'm not sure why everyone keeps looking at tlusty if he's similar to jokinen shouldn't we be looking for a different type of player? Tlusty is just more of the same. Go get a player and tlusty can be another mid tier trade.
- dbell646

What's the problem with getting another Juicy? He was great with Malkin, and he was highly productive in the playoffs.

Teams have figured out the system at this point, which is a part of the problem. That's what happens after a while, teams figure out where to be and when. But that first week of the season, the system looked great because teams didn't know how it would look with 87 and 71 running in it.

Kind of like how Todd Haley looked like a competent offensive coordinator during the first couple of weeks of the 2012 season with new personnel running his existing system. Then teams figured it out.
- hardnosed

They might have figured it out, but even missing 3 top four forwards and two top D, teams are struggling to stop it. That's the beauty of the new system.
Yes, the power play has cooled down, we all knew it would, but five on five is heating up, even without our best wingers.

What's the problem with getting another Juicy? He was great with Malkin, and he was highly productive in the playoffs.
- hardnosed

If we are making trades I'd just prefer a bigger fish to be the main piece tlusty as a secondary trade is fine. Juicy was meh to me.

I'm not sure why everyone keeps looking at tlusty if he's similar to jokinen shouldn't we be looking for a different type of player? Tlusty is just more of the same. Go get a player and tlusty can be another mid tier trade.
- dbell646

Personally, the reason i want them to go after Tlusty is for multiple reasons. He is a good 2 way forward with some offensive upside, which could flourish playing along side one of our 2 all world centers, preferably Malkin. He would be cheaper to acquire then some of the other options, plus he's young, and although a rental, could be a long term solution if he works out. Adding him to the top 6 would make this team tougher to play against, which is something the Penguins need to succeed in the playoffs.

They might have figured it out, but even missing 3 top four forwards and two top D, teams are struggling to stop it. That's the beauty of the new system.
Yes, the power play has cooled down, we all knew it would, but five on five is heating up, even without our best wingers.
- usethe1-2-2

I don't agree that teams are struggling to stop it. The neutral zone has been a mine field that the Penguins have had difficulty navigating for the past 3 weeks. Teams are anticipating the short pass to the closest forward with speed and jumping on it. It's okay, it happens. It just looked really easy the first couple of weeks, and now it's not.

The Penguins are winning right now by being plucky and opportunistic, which is fine considering all the injuries (and I admit those injuries play a role in the current issues, but it started before that).

There's no right formula to winning. bring capable players, big or small with a winning/hustling mentality and throw them on the ice.

Personally, the reason i want them to go after Tlusty is for multiple reasons. He is a good 2 way forward with some offensive upside, which could flourish playing along side one of our 2 all world centers, preferably Malkin. He would be cheaper to acquire then some of the other options, plus he's young, and although a rental, could be a long term solution if he works out. Adding him to the top 6 would make this team tougher to play against, which is something the Penguins need to succeed in the playoffs.
- cap1681

I did not have the perception of Tlusty that you do. I did not think man he's tough to play against when I saw him play. And to be clear a guy like Horny is someone I would say that about doesn't necessarily need to be a guy like Lucic. Also I think Tlusty is just putting a band aid over a gaping wound. We need a long term solution year after year the same position costs us assetts. I realize we have Kap in the system now but outside of that we got nothing. Kuni and Duper are getting older so if we are going to spend assets please do it for someone who will be here for years to come. Just my thoughts

Personally, the reason i want them to go after Tlusty is for multiple reasons. He is a good 2 way forward with some offensive upside, which could flourish playing along side one of our 2 all world centers, preferably Malkin. He would be cheaper to acquire then some of the other options, plus he's young, and although a rental, could be a long term solution if he works out. Adding him to the top 6 would make this team tougher to play against, which is something the Penguins need to succeed in the playoffs.
- cap1681

Looking at pending LW and RW UFA's, there are only a few that I see who could reasonably be considered short- & long-term solutions.

Fologino (CBJ), LW, 27yrs old
Tlusty (CAR), LW, 26yrs old
Frolik (WPG), RW 26yrs old

Of the three, I think Tlusty would be the cheapest to acquire, but would fit just as well as the others. It's why I hope the Pens take a good, long look at him.

If those injuries occur I'm holding you personally responsible
- dbell646

Crap!

If we are making trades I'd just prefer a bigger fish to be the main piece tlusty as a secondary trade is fine. Juicy was meh to me.
- dbell646

Pens already have the 2 biggest fish in the pond, kinda hard to add to that.

Getting Tlusty and then an even bigger fish would cost a TON. Like, empty the cupboard.

Looking at pending LW and RW UFA's, there are only a few that I see who could reasonably be considered short- & long-term solutions.

Fologino (CBJ), LW, 27yrs old
Tlusty (CAR), LW, 26yrs old
Frolik (WPG), RW 26yrs old

Of the three, I think Tlusty would be the cheapest to acquire, but would fit just as well as the others. It's why I hope the Pens take a good, long look at him.
- s0rcerer1984

Id be cool with Fologino, doubt hes available though.

Bob McKenzie on the Ducks:

“I think Anaheim’s got a bucketful of young prospects and they’re probably not finished dealing yet. I wouldn’t be surprised if they continue to go down the road where maybe they give up some younger assets for more experienced players between now and the deadline and really take a run at the Cup this year.”

I think the Ducks are a perfect landing spot for Martin, where the Penguins could pry one of their young forwards away.

I don't agree that teams are struggling to stop it. The neutral zone has been a mine field that the Penguins have had difficulty navigating for the past 3 weeks. Teams are anticipating the short pass to the closest forward with speed and jumping on it. It's okay, it happens. It just looked really easy the first couple of weeks, and now it's not.

The Penguins are winning right now by being plucky and opportunistic, which is fine considering all the injuries (and I admit those injuries play a role in the current issues, but it started before that).
- hardnosed

When you have to use neutral zone trapping tactics it usually means you can't force the play, you ate only trying to stop it. Add in the lack of top end talent right now and you have a difficult time generating offense. They went dry for a bit, but all teams do.
The key is building on what you have. Right now you have a team that is decimated and still able to compete, and not just one that is taking advantage of very favorable situations. I think we are starting to see a more balanced team that can fight adversity.

With that said they are still far from a finished product.

Id be cool with Fologino, doubt hes available though.
- sammy87

He hasn't signed an extension yet, and they are pretty much out of it this year. A team like Columbus can't lose a guy like that for nothing. If no extension is done by January, he will be shopped.

So last year we couldn't score because we didn't have a Neil type player? Huh.

This team needs its star players to play well in big games. Yes we didn't have depth last year and relied on our top two lines....which, ummm we are suppose to be able to do and every team in the NHL does at some point. That why they get the $$. No one wants to hear it but our star players have disappeared in big games. I can care less if Dubinsky was shutting Crosby down, if thats the case which it shouldn't be Malkin should be able to open it up.

Yes depth is needed in the playoffs and hopefully we have it this year but that isn't the whole story.

Right now I am just enjoying the success we are having currently and hope we can get healthy and see the full potential of this team.
- kgrpitt

Good post. And I am enjoying the success too. Its been a fun season so far.

Mentioning the Pens lack of scoring in the playoffs is only enhancing my argument that the Pens need more grit. Look at what Horny has done so far this year. Dirty goals. Going to the net. That's how you score in the playoffs. Not the James Neal wrist shots from the high slot. Not the tic-tac-toe passing sequences. They haven't scored in the playoffs the past few seasons because they haven't had any space to operate and have been too perimeter oriented. Paring them with guys that dish and drive will help immensely.

Yes 87 and 71 need to produce more in April and May. But, put another Horny or 2 with them..guys that drive the net and clear space, watch 87 and 71 get the playoff magic back.

Bringing in Tlusty/Yakupov types isn't going to help them come Spring. Not what they need at all.

Id be cool with Fologino, doubt hes available though.
- sammy87

Prior to the start of the year, I would agree. But CBJ is not making the Playoffs and he is a pending UFA. If he isn't re-signing, I'd wager he gets moved. Just good asset managment.

Good post. And I am enjoying the success too. Its been a fun season so far.

Mentioning the Pens lack of scoring in the playoffs is only enhancing my argument that the Pens need more grit. Look at what Horny has done so far this year. Dirty goals. Going to the net. That's how you score in the playoffs. Not the James Neal wrist shots from the high slot. Not the tic-tac-toe passing sequences. They haven't scored in the playoffs the past few seasons because they haven't had any space to operate and have been too perimeter oriented. Paring them with guys that dish and drive will help immensely.

Yes 87 and 71 need to produce more in April and May. But, put another Horny or 2 with them..guys that drive the net and clear space, watch 87 and 71 get the playoff magic back.

Bringing in Tlusty/Yakupov types isn't going to help them come Spring. Not what they need at all.
- 87_71_11_29

Good post! I know nothing of Tlusty, but I agree on Yak. Not sure why everyone wants Yak/Eberle types.

Prior to the start of the year, I would agree. But CBJ is not making the Playoffs and he is a pending UFA. If he isn't re-signing, I'd wager he gets moved. Just good asset managment.
- s0rcerer1984

What I meant was not sure he would be available to the Pens. Division trades are tricky sometimes.

Good post! I know nothing of Tlusty, but I agree on Yak. Not sure why everyone wants Yak/Eberle types.
- sammy87

One final thing on the more grit will help 87 and 71 argument...

Think back to 09. Sid played with Guerin and Kunitz. Back then, Kunitz was a power player, go to the net type. Guerin was as well. Sid lit it up.

Malkin played with Feds and Talbot. Not flashy guys but straightline players who drove the net. The year before Malkin played with Malone. Same thing.

I think if Sid plays this playoff season with Horny on his wing, he'll be fantastic. Even with Kunitz who is now mostly a perimeter guy. He'll get dirty from time to time but not as much as he used to.

We need to get Malkin his Horny type winger.