I don't mind the PTO to Gonch. Probably because I just like seeing him in a Pens sweater and I think having him around camp is good for Pouliot, Maatta, Dumoulin, and Clendening. But I'll be hella pissed if he gets a contract.
- Victoro311

As I wrote before, they should swap Gonch with Tocchet so that he can coach the PP. Let's face it, Tocchet shouldn't be occupying the space behind the bench with his credentials.

They shouldn't have given PTOs to Sesito or Gonchar to begin with.
- jfkst1

That is a 10000% true statement, no matter how much nostalgia you feel for Gonch, really.

Unlucky more than inept in my opinion.

He had a very real chance to break up that play. It happens to the best of them all the time, but unlucky? No.

They shouldn't have given PTOs to Sesito or Gonchar to begin with.
- jfkst1

Whats the harm in a PTO?

Whats the harm in a PTO?
- Guile

To me it's just a waste of time. Sure, Gonch was a fantastic NHL defenseman. The keyword here is WAS. Sestito was NEVER an NHL level player. What did they honestly see in Sestito? Out of all the free agents out there looking for a job, they gave it to him?!?

In the preseason? Worth a couple of goals and more. Very few players I hate worse than that puke Dubinsky. F him.
- madmike71

I meant moving forward. Right now it doesn't matter, but during the season he pulls that poop and costs us a few games and it has home ice advantage implications during the playoffs. Even worse, he pulls that poop during the playoffs and it could get us eliminated.

Whats the harm in a PTO?
- Guile

The thing about a PTO for Gonchar is now they should be releasing him and he's a popular player.....in town and in the locker room. Certainly Geno loves him. It was a bad idea every way you look at it IMO. He's been washed up for a few years now. Made no sense.

To me it's just a waste of time. Sure, Gonch was a fantastic NHL defenseman. The keyword here is WAS. Sestito was NEVER an NHL level player. What did they honestly see in Sestito? Out of all the free agents out there looking for a job, they gave it to him?!?
- chimpira

Upshall, Glencross, and Boyes were all on PTOs. All could have more effectively created an element of competition at camp than Sestito...

I meant moving forward. Right now it doesn't matter, but during the season he pulls that poop and costs us a few games and it has home ice advantage implications during the playoffs. Even worse, he pulls that poop during the playoffs and it could get us eliminated.
- Victoro311

I never once thought Sestito would make this roster. I figured all along he'd go to WB and be a call up if somehow needed. Maybe for a game like the Islanders many years ago. That's really the only way I see him having any value for the Pens.

I never once thought Sestito would make this roster. I figured all along he'd go to WB and be a call up if somehow needed. Maybe for a game like the Islanders many years ago. That's really the only way I see him having any value for the Pens.
- madmike71

The only value he has for the Pens is that if he plays for any team other than Pens. End of story.

The only value he has for the Pens is that if he plays for any team other than Pens. End of story.
- chimpira

Whatever... He's inconsequential and won't be here when the puck drops for real. Somehow, Ruth thought he was worth having here and judging by HCMJ's comments, he didn't totally hate what he did last night.

Whatever... He's inconsequential and won't be here when the puck drops for real. Somehow, Ruth thought he was worth having here and judging by HCMJ's comments, he didn't totally hate what he did last night.
- madmike71

Which might mean that he is going to get a roster spot. Right? If not, he should have been released right after the game.

That might be why Torts has spent the last two seasons on the outside looking in. DP51 will be alright as Ryan pointed out this is the 7th year he has been coached by Johnston. It's just a coach who knows that a player can be better trying to get him to be better.
- Ben37

I'm sure he will, reminds me of when AV said about JT Miller he either gets better or he will be a good AHL player. I don't necessarily think its harsh, more pushing a young kid along.

Which might mean that he is going to get a roster spot. Right? If not, he should have been released right after the game.
- chimpira

You think he earns a roster spot? No chance he'll be with the big club. No chance. I do believe he'll get a spot down in WB if he wants it however. Before you get upset about that, let's take a serious look at that roster and realize he won't be stealing TOI from a promising forward......'cause they don't have many of those.

You think he earns a roster spot? No chance he'll be with the big club. No chance. I do believe he'll get a spot down in WB if he wants it however. Before you get upset about that, let's take a serious look at that roster and realize he won't be stealing TOI from a promising forward......'cause they don't have many of those.
- madmike71

I don't know what to think anymore. If they give him a contract, I will be seriously upset. They should make me an Assistant GM to avoid these kinds of situations.

So far into the preseason, who does everyone think is most likely to play on second pairing with Cole? Is it Lovejoy at this point with Pouliot floundering? Do you think one of Dumoulin or Clendening can be dark horse?

Why do we need Sestito to fight Dubinsky when Crosby kicked his ass last season?

I don't know what to think anymore. If they give him a contract, I will be seriously upset. They should make me an Assistant GM to avoid these kinds of situations.
- chimpira

They should make me an assistant GM as well so I can collet a pay che... er.. make sound decisions

The thing about a PTO for Gonchar is now they should be releasing him and he's a popular player.....in town and in the locker room. Certainly Geno loves him. It was a bad idea every way you look at it IMO. He's been washed up for a few years now. Made no sense.
- madmike71

I'm still believing this is leading up to Gonch becoming a coach for us... But that'd be the best case scenario regarding him at this point.

So far into the preseason, who does everyone think is most likely to play on second pairing with Cole? Is it Lovejoy at this point with Pouliot floundering? Do you think one of Dumoulin or Clendening can be dark horse?
- Victoro311

I said I wouldn't be surprised about Cole and Lovejoy to start the season and that is looking more likely as we progress.

I'm still believing this is leading up to Gonch becoming a coach for us... But that'd be the best case scenario regarding him at this point.
- Guile

He's the player I'm worried will make the roster.....not Sestito.

Gonch seems to be having trouble hanging them up. It's not always easy to transition into coaching when you believe you can still play.

I said I wouldn't be surprised about Cole and Lovejoy to start the season and that is looking more likely as we progress.
- jfkst1

And that leaves a bottom pairing of either Dumoulin-Clendening or Scuderi-Dumoulin/Clendening? Yikes..

And that leaves a bottom pairing of either Dumoulin-Clendening or Scuderi-Dumoulin/Clendening? Yikes..
- Victoro311

Ideally Pouliot/Clendening/Dumoulin. God help us if it's Gonchar and Scuderi.

Ideally Pouliot/Clendening/Dumoulin. God help us if it's Gonchar and Scuderi.
- jfkst1

I think it's Cole and Dumo, Lovejoy and Scuds/Pouliot. No way Gonch and Scuds will ever play in the same pairing.

And that leaves a bottom pairing of either Dumoulin-Clendening or Scuderi-Dumoulin/Clendening? Yikes..
- Victoro311

Pretty much... Lovejoy is far from the worst thing as a 1 year or less plug for the mid pairing. Luckily Clendening is looking good, so next year (and during the season too even), should nothing happen to Pouliot and or Dumo, you have those 3 to battle for the 2nd mid pairing spot with Cole.

Young D who can only get better... Just need to find a way to break Scud's kneecaps... or trade him. Either works.