If trades are not the answer...replacing the coach is....ahl players wont make the team better tomorrow.

I think trades are the answer however... if this team cannot outskate most teams...then they need to have players that can take the body at times...this team as constructed does neither.
- taleisyreXIII

Coaching is part of the problem. They need to adjust when they are the slower team. Which is the case more often than not.

This team no longer has the capability to come from behind. Therefore they need to get a lead and play "road" hockey. That will come as the season winds down and heads into the playoffs.

AA isn’t a center at the NHL level
- j.boyd919

no no he is really really good I promise.

Sounds good to me.
- Feds91Stammer

He’s not a Center at this level though right?

@jboyd

My suggestion about being open to exploring options for Jake was not for the purpose of picks/prospects. Let's put it this way, unless he has an abysmal season, I have to think he's going to cost the Pens in the $5M to $6M range.

Again, I'm not saying "Trade Jake!" I'm saying I'm not against looking at teams who also have pending RFAs or even younger UFAs that they may not be able to keep. Let's say there's a player who will cost $7M that is consistent and proven and that puts him out of his respective team's budget.

Maybe the Pens make a swap if he's a good fit and find a way to shed some salary to get said player.

no no he is really really good I promise.
- Feds91Stammer

I'm a big fan of AA, but not as a center. As a 3rd line LW? Alll dayyy loooong.

He’s not a Center at this level though right?
- Thorny87

No he is terrible at center because he is an actual defensive liability that can score sometimes.

I'm pretty sure he has an overall negative impact when on the ice.

If trades are not the answer...replacing the coach is....ahl players wont make the team better tomorrow.

I think trades are the answer however... if this team cannot outskate most teams...then they need to have players that can take the body at times...this team as constructed does neither.
- taleisyreXIII

I don't like some of the Bylsmaesque tendencies of Sullivan, but I place the blame at Rutherford's feet. He's had two awful off-seasons in a row. Sullivan can't coach speed.....and I think that's the biggest need.

Who else would you guys target for 3c that’s actually realistic? For Brass and Sprong going the other way?

I'm a big fan of AA, but not as a center. As a 3rd line LW? Alll dayyy loooong.
- Rinosaur

Please take him.

Who else would you guys target for 3c that’s actually realistic? For Brass and Sprong going the other way?
- Thorny87

You already have a 3c in Sheahan.

If you are moving brass and sprong it should be for a youngish d man

I don't like some of the Bylsmaesque tendencies of Sullivan, but I place the blame at Rutherford's feet. He's had two awful post seasons in a row. Sullivan can't coach speed.....and I think that's the biggest need.
- madmike71

Right there. That's something that's been driving me nuts. This team used to be killer at carrying the puck into the zone, not dump-and-chase. Bylsma was convinced this was a grinding dump-and-chase team and was basically pushing a square peg through a round hole.

I feel that Sullivan is starting to do that and lose his team a little. I'm still confident Sullivan knows what he's doing, but he has to find a way to get them back to playing as a unit that focuses on puck support, quick outlet passes and spreading out the other team in the process.

You already have a 3c in Sheahan.

If you are moving brass and sprong it should be for a youngish d man
- Feds91Stammer

I’m not comfortable with him as a 3c. Barely as a 4c this year.

Please take him.
- Feds91Stammer

I'm not expecting him to be a defensive player, but I also think he's a victim of his team, so I'll take him lol

I’m not comfortable with him as a 3c. Barely as a 4c this year.
- Thorny87

Based on what?

I'm not expecting him to be a defensive player, but I also think he's a victim of his team, so I'll take him lol
- Rinosaur

I trust he’s seen a lot more of him then we have. Still, when I’ve seen him play he’s always driving the D back and has better hands than Hags.

I'm not expecting him to be a defensive player, but I also think he's a victim of his team, so I'll take him lol
- Rinosaur

He got plenty of opportunity with good players. He is a defensive black hole. And really a 35ish point guy.

I trust he’s seen a lot more of him then we have. Still, when I’ve seen him play he’s always driving the D back and has better hands than Hags.
- Thorny87

Hags has hockey IQ infinitely better than AA.

Please take him.
- Feds91Stammer

I'd give up Sprong and high pick for him. He's exactly what's missing here. Sprong is never going to get a look with this team anyway.

I'd give up Sprong and high pick for him. He's exactly what's missing here. Sprong is never going to get a look with this team anyway.
- madmike71

How high we talking?

Based on what?
- Feds91Stammer

I don’t think Sheahan with our options at 3rd line wing is gonna strengthen this team. I don’t think there is a d man they could trade Brass for that’d make that move an improvement.

How high we talking?
- Feds91Stammer

He got plenty of opportunity with good players. He is a defensive black hole. And really a 35ish point guy.
- Feds91Stammer

Fair enough. I'd still trade Sprong for him at this point.

I don’t think Sheahan with our options at 3rd line wing is gonna strengthen this team. I don’t think there is a d man they could trade Brass for that’d make that move an improvement.
- Thorny87

So what would you do?

How high we talking?
- Feds91Stammer

I'd would offer a third that could convert to 2nd if he reached similar production. Maybe 35 points as you say. Should be easy on a better team.

Fair enough. I'd still trade Sprong for him at this point.
- Rinosaur

Well that makes sense since they are killing Sprongs development.

I would do Sprong and a 3rd for AA

Edit PIT doesn't have a 3rd.

Sprong and a 2nd for AA and a 5th