Special congrats to Matt for a great pace, Aussie for winning incognito, and buckster/Rino/iwork for now rolling the field from behind. We currently hold four playoff spots: RW #2, Matt #48, VMM #109 and Feds #127 (& Vic N/A).

Official standings (Overall: 46-24-0)
---------------------------------------------
Ryan_Wilson.........7-0-0 | 3769.00
MattStrat..............6-1-0 | 3584.00
VeryModernMan....5-2-0 | 3577.00
(Feds91Stammer...5-2-0 | 3533.50)
Victoro311............5-2-0 | 3442.00
AussiePenguin......5-2-0 | 3203.50
Thorny87..............4-3-0 | 3556.00
buckster2342.......4-3-0 | 3545.50
j.boyd919.............4-3-0 | 3418.50
Rinosaur................4-3-0 | 3184.50
iworkatinitech.......2-5-0 | 3102.50
(jmatchett383.......2-5-0 | 2708.00)

Likely cost Guentzel... which leaves a big hole in the forward group for sure.. maybe follow that up with Mattaa for a forward. Its panic time, the window looks to be closing in a hurry. Not sure anything fixes the slide at this point.
- Willaged

Guentzel for Pesce??? Cripes, no way. I know Jake has been a bit disappointing this season but who hasn't? Pesce checks off a lot of boxes (age, salary, handedness) but no way I'd give up Guentzel.

How can anyone say spring has the skill set? He still hasn’t accidentally scored a goal in how many games? Reaves has 4, Martin has 4. Those were all accidents according to you all right? Spring sucks, let’s just face it and move on.
- Grinder47

I'm much more of a winter/autumn guy, myself.

Likely cost Guentzel... which leaves a big hole in the forward group for sure.. maybe follow that up with Mattaa for a forward. Its panic time, the window looks to be closing in a hurry. Not sure anything fixes the slide at this point.
- Willaged

This sounds terrible. Guentzel for Pesce isn’t worth it.

I'm much more of a winter/autumn guy, myself.
- jmatchett383

Winter goes on too many cold streaks.

Guentzel for Pesce??? Cripes, no way. I know Jake has been a bit disappointing this season but who hasn't? Pesce checks off a lot of boxes (age, salary, handedness) but no way I'd give up Guentzel.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Honestly, I don't think that would be enough for the Canes. Young right-handed dmen that are cost-controlled are a major commodity.

TRADE EVERYONE ABANDON SHIP THIS SEASON IS OVER ERMAHGERD

Unless I read of any injuries in time, here's what my roster is looking like:

LW: Domi, Skinner, Forsberg, Tkachuk (all play four)

C: Tavares, Scheifele, Point and Marner (all play four)

RW: Wheeler, Kessel, Meier, Rantanen (Wheeler and Kessel play four)

D: Byfuglien, Rielly, Giordano, Josi, Chabot, Hagg (first four play four)

G: Hutton and Gibson

This is a great week. Lots of quality players playing four games. I tried to squeeze Ovie in there, but couldn't make it happen.

TRADE EVERYONE ABANDON SHIP THIS SEASON IS OVER ERMAHGERD
- RuutuRock’emLikeU2#37

Seriously though, they don't necessarily need to feel like the sky is falling, but there needs to be a sense of urgency to right the ship. Some major trades should be explored.

I honestly don't like the idea of trading Hornqvist or Maatta. I do think Hornqvist brings a lot to the locker room, but he's replaceable on the ice. I also think Maatta is probably the most sound dmen the Pens have, but I think his skating has become an issue.

THIS IS JUST AN EXAMPLE of the type of moves I'm talking about: You find a replacement for Horn, for example Neiderreiter and for Maatta, someone like Manson. I don't claim to know you make that happen, but more just lateral moves for players that either also need a change of scenery or are similar, but fill a different need.

Seriously though, they don't necessarily need to feel like the sky is falling, but there needs to be a sense of urgency to right the ship. Some major trades should be explored.

I honestly don't like the idea of trading Hornqvist or Maatta. I do think Hornqvist brings a lot to the locker room, but he's replaceable on the ice. I also think Maatta is probably the most sound dmen the Pens have, but I think his skating has become an issue.

THIS IS JUST AN EXAMPLE of the type of moves I'm talking about: You find a replacement for Horn, for example Neiderreiter and for Maatta, someone like Manson. I don't claim to know you make that happen, but more just lateral moves for players that either also need a change of scenery or are similar, but fill a different need.
- Rinosaur

I feel like before making any kind of trade proposals, we need to identify what the hell identity this team is going to carry? Are they going to go for a speed game ala the first cup?

I feel like before making any kind of trade proposals, we need to identify what the hell identity this team is going to carry? Are they going to go for a speed game ala the first cup?
- j.boyd919

Fair point. Identity has definitely been lost.

8 points out of a playoff spot...its November....R E L A X, relax

8 points out of a playoff spot...its November....R E L A X, relax
- RuutuRock’emLikeU2#37

I’m relaxed. But they’re still not good. Whether it’s November or not; this team is still poorly constructed.

8 points out of a playoff spot...its November....R E L A X, relax
- RuutuRock’emLikeU2#37

Here's the issue and I agree JR needs to keep a level head about how he proceeds, but while yeah, the Pens are only 8 points out, the issues this team has stem from last season as well.

Something has to change. I think there's a mix of a shakeup as well what Jboyd mentioned, deciding what identity this team will have.

EDIT: You could argue these issues where starting during the Pens last cup run. These are not new problems.

Unless I read of any injuries in time, here's what my roster is looking like:

LW: Ovii, Skinner, Forsberg, M. Tkachuk

C: Malkin, Pettersson, Point and Marner

RW: Wheeler, Kucherov, Meier, Rantanen

D: Byfuglien, Rielly, Giordano, Josi, Chabot, Ekholm

G: Hutton and Gibson


- Rinosaur

Edited with my "Analytics" picks

Here's the issue and I agree JR needs to keep a level head about how we proceeds, but while yeah, the Pens are only 8 points out, the issues this team has stem from last season as well.

Something has to change. I think there's a mix of a shakeup as well what Jboyd mentioned, deciding what identity this team will have.
- Rinosaur

I’m honestly not really sure what to make of GMJR. Last season he recognized his mistakes in Hunwick and Reaves and addressed them both, so he is capable of realizing players aren’t working out.

I’m not sure though if we’ll see him waive Cullen. He (frank)ing needs to though.

He has to see that JJ is not good. If he addressed Hunwick not working out, seeing JJ suck it up has been way easier than seeing Hunwick suck it up. The thing that’s gonna hurt is there would have to be a package to get rid of JJ. You’re lookin a Sprong or a prospect or a 1st just to get him out of here.

While Geno and Kessel have been a consistent threat all season, it may be time to reunite Kessel and Brass and try to let them get something going. Put Sprong with Geno and let Geno set him up ala James Neal. I think Sprong has a similar game to Neal but he just doesn’t play with anyone that can dish him the biscuit.

Gotta put players in roles they can succeed at and Sprong isn’t going to succeed in the bottom 6. That’s really all it comes down to.
Will he succeed in the top 6? Maybe not but you’ll never know unless you give him a shot. And that helps push depth down into the 3rd line.

The D in my opinion is still a problem and I think that’s the biggest hinderince on offense. This team used to be a team that was dangerous on the transition. I don’t see it as much anymore. Other than Letang and Schultz I don’t think any of the D are capable of jumping into the play or providing a quick transition pass. That being said, Oleksiak has been decent this year and has a few points off the rush but I think his offensive value is with that cannon of a shot in zone.

It also doesn’t help that the Pens in zone coverage is so poor that they often have 4ish guys low which really restricts their ability to transition to quick strikes. I think that’s why we see so much dump and chase with them this year: they get stuck chasing in their own zone. when they do get the puck in the D zone they only have the 1 winger for an outlet or they have a high off the glass play. If that winger gets to the red line, all his support is just now getting out of the zone so it’s mkre of a 1 on 2 or 3 and the only option is to dump and chase.

These are just skater issues as well I didn’t even address Murray sucking balls this season. That’s another issue in its own.

To be honest I really know how much can be done.

Cullen needs to eat Nachos or retire
JJ needs unloaded or scratched.
Sprong needs to be put into a position to succeed or traded for a bottom 6 guy who excels in they role
Maatta needs packaged and traded for someone with some speed.
Murray needs to play better or play a DeSmith till the wheels fall off.

There's a phrase that started creeping into my head last season that hadn't been circulating regarding the Pens since the last few years of Disco. I refrained from saying it last year because they were just coming off B2B championships and I figured they were exhausted, and well, deserved the benefit of the doubt.

On top of not playing with urgency many nights we now have this past week where they have ended up last in the conf, their GM who's made a pile of bad moves the past few seasons gets extended 3 more years and the coach says he's basically taking it easy on the players/not getting mad about their play to them.

The phrase: Country Club


I still believe though.

I’m honestly not really sure what to make of GMJR. Last season he recognized his mistakes in Hunwick and Reaves and addressed them both, so he is capable of realizing players aren’t working out.

I’m not sure though if we’ll see him waive Cullen. He (frank)ing needs to though.

He has to see that JJ is not good. If he addressed Hunwick not working out, seeing JJ suck it up has been way easier than seeing Hunwick suck it up. The thing that’s gonna hurt is there would have to be a package to get rid of JJ. You’re lookin a Sprong or a prospect or a 1st just to get him out of here.

While Geno and Kessel have been a consistent threat all season, it may be time to reunite Kessel and Brass and try to let them get something going. Put Sprong with Geno and let Geno set him up ala James Neal. I think Sprong has a similar game to Neal but he just doesn’t play with anyone that can dish him the biscuit.

Gotta put players in roles they can succeed at and Sprong isn’t going to succeed in the bottom 6. That’s really all it comes down to.
Will he succeed in the top 6? Maybe not but you’ll never know unless you give him a shot. And that helps push depth down into the 3rd line.

The D in my opinion is still a problem and I think that’s the biggest hinderince on offense. This team used to be a team that was dangerous on the transition. I don’t see it as much anymore. Other than Letang and Schultz I don’t think any of the D are capable of jumping into the play or providing a quick transition pass. That being said, Oleksiak has been decent this year and has a few points off the rush but I think his offensive value is with that cannon of a shot in zone.

It also doesn’t help that the Pens in zone coverage is so poor that they often have 4ish guys low which really restricts their ability to transition to quick strikes. I think that’s why we see so much dump and chase with them this year: they get stuck chasing in their own zone. when they do get the puck in the D zone they only have the 1 winger for an outlet or they have a high off the glass play. If that winger gets to the red line, all his support is just now getting out of the zone so it’s mkre of a 1 on 2 or 3 and the only option is to dump and chase.

These are just skater issues as well I didn’t even address Murray sucking balls this season. That’s another issue in its own.

To be honest I really know how much can be done.

Cullen needs to eat Nachos or retire
JJ needs unloaded or scratched.
Sprong needs to be put into a position to succeed or traded for a bottom 6 guy who excels in they role
Maatta needs packaged and traded for someone with some speed.
Murray needs to play better or play a DeSmith till the wheels fall off.
- j.boyd919

Yes, yup, yip, mmm hmm and thats right.

The Cullen thing sucks too because it is a 35+ contract so even though its only 650k its on the books no matter what.

Yes, yup, yip, mmm hmm and thats right.
- MattStrat

If everyone was healthy I’d like to see...

Guentzel-Sid-Horny
Pearson-Geno-Sprong
Simon-Brassard-Kessel
Rust-Sheahan-ZAR

Letang-Dumo
Maatta-Schultz
Oleksiak-Ruhwedel

Granted that won’t happen for a while with the Schultz injury but that’s what I’d like to see. Just let it play out.

The Cullen thing sucks too because it is a 35+ contract so even though its only 650k its on the books no matter what.
- Feds91Stammer

Yeah but just getting him off the ice is addition by subtraction in my opinion.

Yeah but just getting him off the ice is addition by subtraction in my opinion.
- j.boyd919

Oh for sure. Cullen and Grant have no business taking away roster spots from meh players like Blueger, Johnson, Militec, etc. at this point.

If everyone was healthy I’d like to see...

Guentzel-Sid-Horny
Pearson-Geno-Sprong
Simon-Brassard-Kessel
Rust-Sheahan-ZAR

Letang-Dumo
Maatta-Schultz
Oleksiak-Ruhwedel

Granted that won’t happen for a while with the Schultz injury but that’s what I’d like to see. Just let it play out.
- j.boyd919

JJ should have donated his leg to Schultz and it would be a win win for everybody

Ruhwedel hasn’t been much better

Edited with my "Analytics" picks
- Feds91Stammer

Is that financially feasible?