100th!

The compensation doesn't have to be in this years draft. The team hiring the coach/GM can choose which year they want to compensate within the next three. So two 3rd round picks in 2017 aren't going to help with Malkin and Crosby winning a Cup until maybe 2020.
If Rutherford got a 2015 1st round pick for Sutter, I'd almost be willing to overlook his stupidity on the Lovejoy/Despres trade.
- jfkst1

If he got a 1st for Sutter I'd start going to Church.

Our GM is an idiot. How is that for an answer?
- Oneonta Penguin

This extends to the 9 other assistant GM's, current & former coaches, scouts/player development personnel, and probably 1 of 2 meddling owners.

If Rutherford got a 2015 1st round pick for Sutter it would be a steal. I wouldn't package Harrington/Dumoulin and Sutter for a 1st, but Sutter alone for a 1st in this year's draft is an excellent return for him.
- jfkst1

You have limited trade assets on this roster. You are in desperate need of a top six forward. People who suggest otherwise are as deluded as those who think Bennett is a top six forward. The way people talk on this board, Sutter is worth a sixth round pick. Fact is this, you package him and a Harrington for a top six forward, not picks. It's POOR asset management to trade Sutter for a first round pick that you might never see do anything significant, let alone play here.

You have limited trade assets on this roster. You are in desperate need of a top six forward. People who suggest otherwise are as deluded as those who think Bennett is a top six forward. The way people talk on this board, Sutter is worth a sixth round pick. Fact is this, you package him and a Harrington for a top six forward, not picks. It's POOR asset management to trade Sutter for a first round pick that you might never see do anything significant, let alone play here.
- Oneonta Penguin

No it isn't. Pens are every bit as desperate for high quality prospects. Trading a 3C that is almost assuredly leaving after next season for a 1st round pick in a deep draft is a good trade. If it is anything like the 2003 draft that it is being compared to, over half the picks will be "hits." Pens can't sign 1st round draft picks for this year, however they might be able to sign a UFA forward.

No it isn't. Pens are every bit as desperate for high quality prospects. Trading a 3C that is almost assuredly leaving after next season for a 1st round pick in a deep draft is a good trade. If it is anything like the 2003 draft that it is being compared to, over half the picks will be "hits." Pens can't sign 1st round draft picks for this year, however they might be able to sign a UFA forward.
- jfkst1

You have way too much faith in the gm, he's a dumbass and will (frank) us sideways the longer he has control.

What I find funny is every other NHL team is laughing at the Penguins...and we embrace the excuses year after year. Gmjr is a joke. The only ones who don't see it are 66 and Burkle.

No it isn't. Pens are every bit as desperate for high quality prospects. Trading a 3C that is almost assuredly leaving after next season for a 1st round pick in a deep draft is a good trade. If it is anything like the 2003 draft that it is being compared to, over half the picks will be "hits." Pens can't sign 1st round draft picks for this year, however they might be able to sign a UFA forward.
- jfkst1

You have way too much faith in the gm, he's a dumbass and will (frank) us sideways the longer he has control.

What I find funny is every other NHL team is laughing at the Penguins...and we embrace the excuses year after year. Gmjr is a joke. The only ones who don't see it are 66 and Burkle.

dubs

You have way too much faith in the gm, he's a dumbass and will (frank) us sideways the longer he has control.

What I find funny is every other NHL team is laughing at the Penguins...and we embrace the excuses year after year. Gmjr is a joke. The only ones who don't see it are 66 and Burkle.
- Sell My Monkey

What I dont get is how all the assistant GM's and Lemieux were on board with the Despress trade and the Winnik deal. Both seemed completely unnecessary and very costly.

I thought PH, Cole, Lap, Perron, were all wins for the Pens. But the rest not so much.

You have way too much faith in the gm, he's a dumbass and will (frank) us sideways the longer he has control.

What I find funny is every other NHL team is laughing at the Penguins...and we embrace the excuses year after year. Gmjr is a joke. The only ones who don't see it are 66 and Burkle.
- Sell My Monkey

I have little confidence in Rutherford. I just think a good percentage of NHL GMs are nearly equally incompetent. Many of them overvalue intangibles. To me, that isn't acceptable but in an insular community like the NHL, it's encouraged.

Anyone buy any good socks lately?

What I dont get is how all the assistant GM's and Lemieux were on board with the Despress trade and the Winnik deal. Both seemed completely unnecessary and very costly.

I thought PH, Cole, Lap, Perron, were all wins for the Pens. But the rest not so much.
- sammy87

the Winnik deal is apparently what got Rutherford in trouble with Burkle. Apparently Burkle wanted him to target a top 6 forward, specifically Jagr.

The Despres deal was just a poor thought process that led to a poor decision. It was a complete lack of awareness and player evaluation.

the Winnik deal is apparently what got Rutherford in trouble with Burkle. Apparently Burkle wanted him to target a top 6 forward, specifically Jagr.

The Despres deal was just a poor thought process that led to a poor decision. It was a complete lack of awareness and player evaluation.
- SuperHenderson13

I heard that too. However we have no idea that Ruthy didn't pursue Jagr. Don't forget Toronto had to eat a bunch of money for the Winnik trade to work. The same would have been required for Jagr. It's highly unlikely NJ would have been willing to eat some of Jagr's contract.

The Despres deal is mind boggling. To be honest, ownership should be asking some really uncomfortable questions after yet another DUMBASS mistake. Lovejoy comes on board and he's on the ice for 10 of 11GA. That's an amazing stat.

I heard that too. However we have no idea that Ruthy didn't pursue Jagr. Don't forget Toronto had to eat a bunch of money for the Winnik trade to work. The same would have been required for Jagr. It's highly unlikely NJ would have been willing to eat some of Jagr's contract.

The Despres deal is mind boggling. To be honest, ownership should be asking some really uncomfortable questions after yet another DUMBASS mistake. Lovejoy comes on board and he's on the ice for 10 of 11GA. That's an amazing stat.
- madmike71

Winnik was on for every ranger even strength goal I believe. If it wasn't every, it was all but one or two

I heard that too. However we have no idea that Ruthy didn't pursue Jagr. Don't forget Toronto had to eat a bunch of money for the Winnik trade to work. The same would have been required for Jagr. It's highly unlikely NJ would have been willing to eat some of Jagr's contract.

The Despres deal is mind boggling. To be honest, ownership should be asking some really uncomfortable questions after yet another DUMBASS mistake. Lovejoy comes on board and he's on the ice for 10 of 11GA. That's an amazing stat.
- madmike71

yea it's not like Jagr went for some ridiculous price. I dont know if NJ was originally looking for a 1st and that scared PIT away or what happened. Absolutely no excuse for us to get Winnik and not a real top 6 option.

There was just little reason for the Despres trade. it made no sense from a personal or talent standpoint. it will probably go down as one of the more mind boggling trades in the recent decades of the team.

it's funny, I thought Rutherford did a pretty good job last season. it's amazing how one move can change a fan base's perspective of a guy.

This extends to the 9 other assistant GM's, current & former coaches, scouts/player development personnel, and probably 1 of 2 meddling owners.
- out_of_market

I'm not sure where they got this from, I want to say someone from the Trib, but the day after the trade deadline Starkey and Mueller were saying they heard Johnston wasn't on board with trading Despres either. It was done last minute without his knowledge or input.

Rutherford just scares me in trades. Just doesn't seem to maximize assets and is willing to overpay for the guy he wants.

I'm not sure where they got this from, I want to say someone from the Trib, but the day after the trade deadline Starkey and Mueller were saying they heard Johnston wasn't on board with trading Despres either. It was done last minute without his knowledge or input.

Rutherford just scares me in trades. Just doesn't seem to maximize assets and is willing to overpay for the guy he wants.
- Tojo.

I think it's just simply that he realizes he only has 1 or 2 more shots at winning a Cup so he will do whatever he thinks he has to. I wouldnt be shocked about that thing with Johnston and Despres, I always got the feeling that Johnston liked what Despres brought.

it's funny, I thought Rutherford did a pretty good job last season. it's amazing how one move can change a fan base's perspective of a guy.
- SuperHenderson13

Other than taking Spaling as the throw in on the Neal trade, I thought his work was outstanding. I even liked the Ehrhoff deal. But at the deadline the Winnik and Despres trades and leaving them too tight to the cap really hurt downgraded the year.

Too be somewhat fair, this team grew holes faster than he could fill them. Perron started off great, then his game disappeared. Kunitz-Malkin-Comeau looked like a great line. Then Kunitz, one of our few consistent wings the past several years, finally aged and the other two got hurt and never recovered. And that's not even mentioning losing 4 defensemen.

Nobody could overcome all that, it just stings that we traded away the assets for a deep cup run and went out early. A 1st, 2nd, 4th, and improving young defenseman is alot for a team that had no chance come playoff time.

I think it's just simply that he realizes he only has 1 or 2 more shots at winning a Cup so he will do whatever he thinks he has to. I wouldnt be shocked about that thing with Johnston and Despres, I always got the feeling that Johnston liked what Despres brought.
- SuperHenderson13

1 or 2 shots? With Crosby and Malkin? I think you have more time than that...how many pieces do you really need?

I'm not sure where they got this from, I want to say someone from the Trib, but the day after the trade deadline Starkey and Mueller were saying they heard Johnston wasn't on board with trading Despres either. It was done last minute without his knowledge or input.

Rutherford just scares me in trades. Just doesn't seem to maximize assets and is willing to overpay for the guy he wants.
- Tojo.

I read somewhere that GMJR likes for both teams to feel like they got a good deal. I think to myself F*CK THAT! If you can get a steal, you do it.

Judging by the way he deals with the media, the guy talks too much. I could definitely see him tipping his hand during a negotiation. The process of hiring a coach was a f'n trainwreck. Really embarrassing.

1 or 2 shots? With Crosby and Malkin? I think you have more time than that...how many pieces do you really need?
- Jeropotato

When Rutherford came here, he said he'll only be here 2 maybe 3 years. He's not here for the long haul and it worries some of us that he'll go for broke and not worry about when he's gone.

When Rutherford came here, he said he'll only be here 2 maybe 3 years. He's not here for the long haul and it worries some of us that he'll go for broke and not worry about when he's gone.
- madmike71

It seems like the Pens have struggled to be a sure fire contender the last few years....what needs to happen, and realistically, how long should it take ?

It seems like the Pens have struggled to be a sure fire contender the last few years....what needs to happen, and realistically, how long should it take ?
- Jeropotato

It's been a rough couple of years. I'd say the biggest thing they need to do is stay healthy. Injuries have absolutely wrecked this team.

As far as what they can control.... Obviously the biggest need is top 6 wingers. Too many years have gone by with Sid and Geno making due with less than perfect wings. Whether they can acquire that help in the off season remains to be seen. Perron regaining his form would be nice.

It's been a rough couple of years. I'd say the biggest thing they need to do is stay healthy. Injuries have absolutely wrecked this team.

As far as what they can control.... Obviously the biggest need is top 6 wingers. Too many years have gone by with Sid and Geno making due with less than perfect wings. Whether they can acquire that help in the off season remains to be seen. Perron regaining his form would be nice.
- madmike71

Yeah, Health is a female dog....any contracts you think the Pens should ditch in order to explore free agents ? Aside from Scuderi, of course.

It seems like the Pens have struggled to be a sure fire contender the last few years....what needs to happen, and realistically, how long should it take ?
- Jeropotato

in response to your other comment, i was referring to the fact that Rutherford only committed to be here 2 years or so and this will probably be his last job in the NHL in upper management.

as for what the penguins need to do... it's simple: get back to the fundamental basics.

they handcuffed themselves but being committed to defensemen in the draft. just think how different this team could look if they drafted Saad instead of Morrow and Forsberg instead of Pouliot (not saying Pouliot was a bad pick, just saying they could have gone forward). you'd have 2 legitimate top 6 guys. combine that with Perron and Hornqvist and you have 4 pretty good top 6 wingers.

for the bottom 6, they need to get younger and faster. signing 30+ UFAs on one year deals gets old after a while. they need to trust the kids.

beyond all those problems... they need to get and stay healthy. losing 3 out of your 4 best dmen is just impossible to compete. no team in the NHL could withstand that. getting full seasons out of everyone next year will hopefully go a long way.