It's so (frank)ing hilarious, I was actually worried when Ruhwedel left the bench and ecstatic when he came back. LOL such sh!tty defense

I agree that Rutherford deserves some blame but I’m not going to think for a second that the coaches aren’t involved in personnel decisions. Remember that video of the Bruins talking about Tyler Seguin? It was a group discussion and they were making group decisions.

For all we know, Sullivan is just as much to blame for bringing in JJ and Cullen. Remember how much Sullivan was hyping up JJ’s game and how good of a fit he was going to be? Hell, maybe he was the driving factor. Who knows. Same with Niemi last year, who’s to say our goalie coach didn’t have a large say in that discussion?

I think one thing we can be certain of though is lineup decisions and deployment and it sounds like most of us agree that Sullivan has been extremely poor in this area. I completely agree that this reminds me of the Bylsma era.

Anyone else agree? Disagree?

Rumors are swirling about Maatta to ANA for Manson or Montour on other sites.

Maybe Maatta, Sprong, Sheahan, and a lower pick for Manson, Cogliano, and Aberg.

Guentzel - Crosby - Simon
Pearson- Malkin - Kessel
Cogliano - Brassard - Rust
ZAR - Grant - Aberg
- 123Kid

Trade proposals I’ve seen on other sites are consistently brutal. Why would Anaheim give up the better D man, better center, and hitter depth scorer? I don’t thibk Anaheim is looking to shakeup their forwards, I think they’re patiently waiting to get healthy. With Fowler out, it sounds like they’re definitely in the market for another defender and MTL could be their trading partner

I agree that Rutherford deserves some blame but I’m not going to think for a second that the coaches aren’t involved in personnel decisions. Remember that video of the Bruins talking about Tyler Seguin? It was a group discussion and they were making group decisions.

For all we know, Sullivan is just as much to blame for bringing in JJ and Cullen. Remember how much Sullivan was hyping up JJ’s game and how good of a fit he was going to be? Hell, maybe he was the driving factor. Who knows. Same with Niemi last year, who’s to say our goalie coach didn’t have a large say in that discussion?

I think one thing we can be certain of though is lineup decisions and deployment and it sounds like most of us agree that Sullivan has been extremely poor in this area. I completely agree that this reminds me of the Bylsma era.

Anyone else agree? Disagree?
- WSCTeton17

Yeah I agree....I can't see JR just grabbing players at random for Sully to figure out once they get on the bench if they will fit or not. I think its a joint effort. I just can't figure out why the prospects get run out of town like DP, Sundquest, and now Sprong. Not saying Sprong is the next Kessel, but Id give him a better look to see if he creates a pulse on the top 6. I dont remember much from Sundquest when he was here, but the Pens are paying like $3.5mil for Sheehan and Cullen for the same position....seems stupid.

Is it time to entertain trading malkin or Crosby?

I agree that Rutherford deserves some blame but I’m not going to think for a second that the coaches aren’t involved in personnel decisions. Remember that video of the Bruins talking about Tyler Seguin? It was a group discussion and they were making group decisions.

For all we know, Sullivan is just as much to blame for bringing in JJ and Cullen. Remember how much Sullivan was hyping up JJ’s game and how good of a fit he was going to be? Hell, maybe he was the driving factor. Who knows. Same with Niemi last year, who’s to say our goalie coach didn’t have a large say in that discussion?

I think one thing we can be certain of though is lineup decisions and deployment and it sounds like most of us agree that Sullivan has been extremely poor in this area. I completely agree that this reminds me of the Bylsma era.

Anyone else agree? Disagree?
- WSCTeton17

I agree that Rutherford deserves some blame but I’m not going to think for a second that the coaches aren’t involved in personnel decisions. Remember that video of the Bruins talking about Tyler Seguin? It was a group discussion and they were making group decisions.

For all we know, Sullivan is just as much to blame for bringing in JJ and Cullen. Remember how much Sullivan was hyping up JJ’s game and how good of a fit he was going to be? Hell, maybe he was the driving factor. Who knows. Same with Niemi last year, who’s to say our goalie coach didn’t have a large say in that discussion?

I think one thing we can be certain of though is lineup decisions and deployment and it sounds like most of us agree that Sullivan has been extremely poor in this area. I completely agree that this reminds me of the Bylsma era.

Anyone else agree? Disagree?
- WSCTeton17

Sullivan isn't going to publicly contradict his GM. What tells me there's a disconnect is how Sullivan uses the personnel he's given. I often wonder if they're on the same page.

Is it time to entertain trading malkin or Crosby?
- pensfan024

No

The flyers will trade you Pickard for one of those sandwiches with fries in them

Is it time to entertain trading malkin or Crosby?
- pensfan024

What about trading Kessel?

To WPG: Olli Maata, Phil Kessel

To PITT: Jacob Trouba, Bryan Little

What about trading Kessel?

To WPG: Olli Maata, Phil Kessel

To PITT: Jacob Trouba, Bryan Little
- TheUltimateJet

The upgrade from Maatta to Trouba isn't worth the downgrade from Kessel to Little, imo.

The upgrade from Maatta to Trouba isn't worth the downgrade from Kessel to Little, imo.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Is Little primarily a center or wing? I never get to see Peg games.

The upgrade from Maatta to Trouba isn't worth the downgrade from Kessel to Little, imo.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

I agree. Not enough of an upgrade. I don’t think Winnipeg wants or needs Kessel long term either

Yeah I agree....I can't see JR just grabbing players at random for Sully to figure out once they get on the bench if they will fit or not. I think its a joint effort. I just can't figure out why the prospects get run out of town like DP, Sundquest, and now Sprong. Not saying Sprong is the next Kessel, but Id give him a better look to see if he creates a pulse on the top 6. I dont remember much from Sundquest when he was here, but the Pens are paying like $3.5mil for Sheehan and Cullen for the same position....seems stupid.
- sammy87

Sundqvist was just kinda slow for our system I think. As for DP and Sprong, both players are high risk high reward. DP is still that way for Vancouver, he’s playing well but he is still making a lot of big mistakes. Difference is, in Vancouver he’s actually being coached and his mistakes are fewer and fewer. Every single time Sprong gets benched it’s because of a turnover. Everyone turns the puck over, but when it happens to Sprong he gets burned at the stake for it. He also doesn’t bring the same intensity that a guy like Hornqvist, Rust, or even Simon brings

Is Little primarily a center or wing? I never get to see Peg games.
- madmike71

He can play both.

He can play both.
- TheUltimateJet

If I thought I could get a decent scoring wing in another deal... say from dealing Brassard or Schultz when he's healthy, I'd probably pull the trigger on that deal.

Rumors are swirling about Maatta to ANA for Manson or Montour on other sites.
- 123Kid

What "other sites" are these "rumors" swirling around? The only place I've read these ideas have been right here.

Trade proposals I’ve seen on other sites are consistently brutal. Why would Anaheim give up the better D man, better center, and hitter depth scorer?
- WSCTeton17

Thank you! They wouldn't. People have used the argument that ANA is looking to do similar what the Pens are doing in terms of "change of scenery," but no way are they going to downgrade in that move.

If I thought I could get a decent scoring wing in another deal... say from dealing Brassard or Schultz when he's healthy, I'd probably pull the trigger on that deal.
- madmike71

Brassard's situation here has been less than ideal due to injuries, but when healthy he's shown to play well.

Moving Brassard now creates the hole at 3C that created the need to trade for him in the first place.

What "other sites" are these "rumors" swirling around? The only place I've read these ideas have been right here.
- Rinosaur

http://www.penguinpoop.co...des-and-rumors-of-trades/ from a quick search

Brassard's situation here has been less than ideal due to injuries, but when healthy he's shown to play well.

Moving Brassard now creates the hole at 3C that created the need to trade for him in the first place.
- Rinosaur

That's why I asked if Little plays C. I can't say I've seen a ton of his career, but he's a pretty good player that can take the 3C for the rest of the Crosby/Malkin era. Brass is gone after this season and can't seem to stay healthy.

Beyond that.... Trouba is a stud. He's a substantial upgrade over anybody not named Letang.

This team is poor.
I cant stand having Cullen and Jack Johnson on the roster.
But is the rest really that bad? They are performing that way... which makes me wonder, is it the coach?
Im not saying Sully is a bad coach, but a team of stars in this town ran out Scotty Bowman and if they can do that, this group of stars could easily run out Sully. I think they have tuned him out, and I also question the insane logic of continuing to use Cullen, Grant, Sheahan, Rust over Sprong. Differing positions aside, the point is that we over value aging veterans instead of trying to let a skilled player give it a shot.
Are we at the point where the window has closed, or is this just a bad season?

That's why I asked if Little plays C. I can't say I've seen a ton of his career, but he's a pretty good player that can take the 3C for the rest of the Crosby/Malkin era. Brass is gone after this season and can't seem to stay healthy.

Beyond that.... Trouba is a stud. He's a substantial upgrade over anybody not named Letang.
- madmike71

A very fair point. I agree that Little would be nice to have at 3C moving forward OTHER than his history of injuries.

I still think that Winnipeg rejects the deal though. I don’t think they’re interested in keeping Kessel long term when they have other players to lock up. Feel free to disagree which I’m sure people will, I’d be fine swapping Maatta for Myers.

Dominos will likely fall after the Nylander saga is done for the year. Teams like Edmonton, NYR, Carolina will be holding teams up until then

http://www.penguinpoop.com/2018/penguins-trades-and-rumors-of-trades/ from a quick search
- 123Kid

Not to be a Richard, but who is this guy? I've never heard of him at all.

While I know it was reported that the Pens and Ducks have been in discussions there have been no mentions of what the player(s) of interest are.