I felt Rutherfords message was more about Rust than sprong. He talked about young guys who win stanley cups, a good new contract and forget about what they did to get there.

I mean of course Sprong is the obvious trade but I wouldnt be shocked to see Rust traded. He has played with everybody and only has 3 points I think?

I think the obvious way to improve the team is keep Sid, Geno and Kessel split. Keep ZAR in and scratch cullen for anything that has legs. And then start thinking about trades.
- Conse

He could easily be talking about Jake as well, or even both. Looking at Jake's numbers you don't see a problem, but he has not played very well this year. He's looked very blah.

He could easily be talking about Jake as well, or even both. Looking at Jake's numbers you don't see a problem, but he has not played very well this year. He's looked very blah.
- Rinosaur

He's not talking about Jake because Jake hasn't gotten the raise yet.

He's not talking about Jake because Jake hasn't gotten the raise yet.
- MattStrat

Fair point, but his raise is coming up after this season. I like Jake and his production is on pace for a $5.5M a year player, but he's just looked so ghostly at times.

If I'm dealing with LA, I'm wanting Pearson and Muzzin. What will it take to get that? I have no idea. I'd throw Sprong, Maatta, Riikola and a pick. I'm sure that's not sufficient though.

Think they'd take Hornqvist?
- Rinosaur

Maatta, rust, sprong for Pearson and muzzin was proposed before.

Pretty fair. I think Pearson is pretty overrated though

The idea is for LA to shed salary. Pearson is the sweetner to take on Phaneuf.
- Ersberg

This trade does shed salary, plus it takes 1 year off of Phaneuf.

Maatta, rust, sprong for Pearson and muzzin was proposed before.

Pretty fair. I think Pearson is pretty overrated though
- YouMeAndDupuis9

I guess that depends on your expectations of Pearson. I'm a fan of his game and think he'd be a great 3rd line winger.

I wouldn't be opposed to poaching some other bottom-six guys. Clifford maybe?

I guess that depends on your expectations of Pearson. I'm a fan of his game and think he'd be a great 3rd line winger.

I wouldn't be opposed to poaching some other bottom-six guys. Clifford maybe?
- Rinosaur

Pearson just needs a change of scenery. Slot him with Geno, and he’s top-6 wing. Keep JJ out of the deal, and you can have him if you take one of our larger contracts.

What about something along the lines of Sprong for Manson or Montour

Fair point, but his raise is coming up after this season. I like Jake and his production is on pace for a $5.5M a year player, but he's just looked so ghostly at times.
- Rinosaur

If he's looking ghostly that means as GM you can hold yourself back from giving him 6x7.

What about something along the lines of Sprong for Manson or Montour
- kfinl170

If ANA's GM did either of those he'd be fired on the spot.

Now, if they'd do Hornqvist for Manson? I'm in, but Hornqvist probably isn't going anywhere.

Rust and Sprong for Montour? That could be interesting.

If he's looking ghostly that means as GM you can hold yourself back from giving him 6x7.
- eNDSo

I'm not saying Jake isn't worth the money, but his production will dictate the salary.

Also, if they did explore any more for him it would need to be for another top-six winger.

Regardless, him getting moved is unlikely. Might point was that JR's words may not have only been directed at Rust and/or Sprong.

Yeah that Johnson signing was brutal. Didn’t get it, but then again I had a team paying Orpik what he was. Classic move by GMBM to trade and resign at 1M. Pens cupboard getting weaker by the year.

Manson would be an awesome get. I just have no clue what Maatta's value is and I think he has to be a piece in any "bigger" deal like that.

This trade does shed salary, plus it takes 1 year off of Phaneuf.
- Glak18

Reuintes him with Kessel to re-live those Glory days again too. His positional play is secondary to his DJ skills.

Manson would be an awesome get. I just have no clue what Maatta's value is and I think he has to be a piece in any "bigger" deal like that.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Yeah, at this point any of the Pens' players going out with the exception of someone like Rust or Hornqvist would need a "sweetener."

Sprong Sucks

There's a REASON he slipped to the end of the 2nd round in his draft year and a REASON he has spent so much time in the AHL

It's not some grande conspiracy. He needs to be spoon fed top linemates and top ice time to produce and on top of that he's an entitled douche

I can't wait till we move on, Hopefully GMJR can fool at least 1 GM

Sheary has 6 goals and 9 points. So the good news is he only needs 14 more goals or 31 more points for that 4th to charge to a 3rd.

Sprong Sucks

There's a REASON he slipped to the end of the 2nd round in his draft year and a REASON he has spent so much time in the AHL

It's not some grande conspiracy. He needs to be spoon fed top linemates and top ice time to produce and on top of that he's an entitled douche

I can't wait till we move on, Hopefully GMJR can fool at least 1 GM
- RoloTahmasee

This is not the Pouliot situation from my perspective. I'm not saying the Pens are 100% to blame, but he's not being set up for success. I do believe he will thrive elsewhere and by thrive I don't mean he's going to turn into a 30 goal scorer, but I think he will be a solid offensive player.

His first stint was honestly a mistake by the Pens. He should have gone directly back instead of starting his rookie contract. There wasn't much room for him in the lineup and pretty much all players under MJ lost all ability to create offense.

Last year he actually played well with Sid. He was skating with confidence, handled the speed well, notched a few goals and even his advanced stats were very good then he goes back. Since then he's been jerked around to a crazy degree because of his "defensive" play. He makes one mistake and gets benched. He's given no slack and I can't imagine what they does to the mind-set of a player.

Regardless, he needs to go and hopefully JR can pull off some sort of miracle.

I would love to have Pearson and Muzzin on our team. I still would also love Grabner as well due to his speed, but I doubt it happens. I could see Pearson jumping right in on the 2nd line and doing well. I think maybe they dress sprong tonight to showcase him especially because coyotes are rumored to he interest in him. I would love to see ZAR and Wilson keep up there energized play though.

I think we could see Maata, Hagelin, Rust, or Sprong moved. I couldn't see them moving Guetzel, Kessel or Letang or any of the Big named players. Doubt he admits JJ was a bad signing this early. Unless he is worried about being on the hotseat

Sheary is getting some PP time, not sure if he did in Pittsburgh. He's also playing with Mittelstadt and Okposo, which, depending on how you view it, is either the 2nd or 3rd line.

I have a feeling Botterill knew Hunwick was done when the Sabres traded for him. There has been absolutely no news about his status since before the preseason. I think it's a "soft retirement"
- jcragcrumple

Sheary got time on the second unit here. Which means thirty to forty seconds when they did get out there.

Sheary is a scrappy player. He is inconsistent scoring but always gives his all. I am surprised that four games is the longest streak he ever had. It seemed like when he had a hot streak it lasted longer than that.

Ok, fantasy question...

McDavid for three games or P. Kane for four games?

Obviously I was extremely happy we moved Sheary right up until JR used the savings on JJ. Wish we had another Sheary to repeat the strategy to dump JJ. If and when the Sabres get to the playoffs, they'll quickly see his limitations.

Whatever the move/s he's contemplating, I hope it involves players that can skate. He should politely ask Cullen to retire too.

Ok, fantasy question...

McDavid for three games or P. Kane for four games?
- Rinosaur

After watching Chicago...McDavid

After watching Chicago...McDavid
- Glak18

Yeah. It's hard to gauge one bad game though.

do you all think the bigger need is at forward or defense?

I struggle with this...with a healthy lineup (Schultz and Brassard) I think our D can manage and would go for a LW. But as it stands now, we could desperately use a D.

I would hesitate trading for "Sid's right winger" because you never know who he will have chemistry with and we have so many RW's already.

What about a Hornqvist /Nylander based deal?