This team is way to flawed to be a win now (as in this year) team. Jim Rutherford has botched this roster in a big way. We can blame this or that, but Rutherford has really made some bad off season decisions. His trades are not all bad, but his off season UFA signings have been brutal.
- PittsPens

I'm gonna SLIGHTLY disagree here. JR's management of the space freed up by moving Hunwick and Sheary was pretty terrible and spending money on Cullen and Grant were definitely not good, but I think the problems of this team lie deeper than that.

Yes, he didn't build the bottom six depth properly and made a long-term lateral move from Hunwick to JJ, but this is a good roster. It's a playoff roster. IMO it's still a Cup-Contending roster... ON PAPER. Sid and Geno are still clearly dominant when they want to be and having someone like Brassard as your 3C should make this team deadly.

More and more I'm believing there are major flaws in Sullivan's use of his players. This team, even on nights where they appear to "bring it" just don't have hunger they had. I've overused this term, but they are flat. Sullivan's player usage is also puzzling.

Rust should not be on the fourth line over ZAR who is barely a 4th line player. They've invested in Rust and it's fine to banish him for a game or two, but he's a top-nine player and should keep being given a chance to redeem himself. If not, just move him.

Kessel is in a rut and is also simply not a good fit with Brass, but he continues with that pair.

Are they failing because of too much success killing the hunger? Is it Sullivan losing the room? I don't know, but I'm sure there's an aspect of all of thing there.

How so?
- Feds91Stammer

He's faster, stronger, better at zone exits/entries and stronger on the puck. It's not that I dislike Sheahan, but Lowry is IMO a level higher than Sheahan.

Career numbers might be similar, but Lowry is a better player in just about ever aspect of the game and brings other intangibles.

Regardless, Lowry is a good young player signed to an affordable contract. They're not moving him for an older UFA like Brassard.
- Rinosaur

Brassard > Lowry

He's faster, stronger, better at zone exits/entries and stronger on the puck. It's not that I dislike Sheahan, but Lowry is IMO a level higher than Sheahan.
- Rinosaur

Fair enough.

I would agree he is a bit better of a player but more than likely he isn't available.

Brassard > Lowry
- MattStrat

Correct.

I'm gonna SLIGHTLY disagree here. JR's management of the space freed up by moving Hunwick and Sheary was pretty terrible and spending money on Cullen and Grant were definitely not good, but I think the problems of this team lie deeper than that.

Yes, he didn't build the bottom six depth properly and made a long-term lateral move from Hunwick to JJ, but this is a good roster. It's a playoff roster. IMO it's still a Cup-Contending roster... ON PAPER. Sid and Geno are still clearly dominant when they want to be and having someone like Brassard as your 3C should make this team deadly.

More and more I'm believing there are major flaws in Sullivan's use of his players. This team, even on nights where they appear to "bring it" just don't have hunger they had. I've overused this term, but they are flat. Sullivan's player usage is also puzzling.

Rust should not be on the fourth line over ZAR who is barely a 4th line player. They've invested in Rust and it's fine to banish him for a game or two, but he's a top-nine player and should keep being given a chance to redeem himself. If not, just move him.

Kessel is in a rut and is also simply not a good fit with Brass, but he continues with that pair.

Are they failing because of too much success killing the hunger? Is it Sullivan losing the room? I don't know, but I'm sure there's an aspect of all of thing there.
- Rinosaur

I'm going to defend Sullivan on the Kessel/Brassard thing. From what the media has been saying, the last few days was all about getting Brassard going. It wasn't to punish Kessel or screw with Malkin. It was to help the struggling 3C and give him some time with our best wing. Apparently Sullivan and Brassard sat down for a 20 minute "discussion" on Saturday and Brassard went out and produced zero shots. At the very least you learned that even with a great wing, Brassard does not seem capable of changing his trajectory. You can't just give players 1 game to determine it won't work. Gotta give it a few games......which they did.

It's interesting, all I heard in the media was "they still believe in Brassard" from the beginning of the season. No reporter or beat writer made the suggestion they were considering trading him......until Saturday night. Then it get's leaked he's "trade material".....by two sources in the organization.

I'm going to defend Sullivan on the Kessel/Brassard thing. From what the media has been saying, the last few days was all about getting Brassard going. It wasn't to punish Kessel or screw with Malkin. It was to help the struggling 3C and give him some time with our best wing. Apparently Sullivan and Brassard sat down for a 20 minute "discussion" on Saturday and Brassard went out and produced zero shots. At the very least you learned that even with a great wing, Brassard does not seem capable of changing his trajectory. You can't just give players 1 game to determine it won't work. Gotta give it a few games......which they did.

It's interesting, all I heard in the media was "they still believe in Brassard" from the beginning of the season. No reporter or beat writer made the suggestion they were considering trading him......until Saturday night. Then it get's leaked he's "trade material".....by two sources in the organization.
- madmike71

Problem is they move Brass and they have no competent 3C or 4C. They could move Brass for a D and Maata for a 3C?

Brassard > Lowry
- MattStrat

True, but that doesn't make a Brassard for Lowry trade make sense. Lowry is still a solid young player under a great contract. Brassard is a better player and a pending UFA that they may not be able to keep.

Fair enough.

I would agree he is a bit better of a player but more than likely he isn't available.
- Feds91Stammer

That was my general point. I didn't agree with the trade idea.

This team is way to flawed to be a win now (as in this year) team. Jim Rutherford has botched this roster in a big way. We can blame this or that, but Rutherford has really made some bad off season decisions. His trades are not all bad, but his off season UFA signings have been brutal.
- PittsPens

Looking back through the history of Pens trades...its beenn a whole lot of blahhh after the schultz trade:

http://www.nhltradetracke...eam/Pittsburgh_Penguins/3

Lost my week by 2.5pts.

True, but that doesn't make a Brassard for Lowry trade make sense. Lowry is still a solid young player under a great contract. Brassard is a better player and a pending UFA that they may not be able to keep.
- Rinosaur

I could definitely see where the motivation may not be there for WPG despite the value being about right.

I put a little weight into WPG wanting Brassard at the last TDL.

Lost my week by 2.5pts.
- Thorny87

Won by 251

Problem is they move Brass and they have no competent 3C or 4C. They could move Brass for a D and Maata for a 3C?
- sammy87

Obviously it's only a guess, but I think there will be several pieces in play with the intention of bringing another one here. Sheahan has finally looked good. Plus he's played some pretty competent hockey for them in the past. I imagine they still think he can handle the 4c slot.

I can't say this for sure, but I'll bet there are still GM's around the league that view Brassard as a possible 2C.....and he only costs 3mil.

No worries. PIT will be fine after the major Howard + Nyquist trade.
- Feds91Stammer

I really do want Nyquist he's one guy on my radar.

I really do want Nyquist he's one guy on my radar.
- 668710

Really you guys should have traded for Tatar last season. Would have made the 3 peat a reality.

Also we gotta keep Brass at 3mil. When he's been healthy he's been good. We really really just need to get him a winger. I'd try and move Maatta/Sprong/pick for a forward and young dman.
Guentzel-Sid-Horny
Pears-Geno-Phil
X-Brass-Rust
Simon-Sheahan-ZAR

Really you guys should have traded for Tatar last season. Would have made the 3 peat a reality.
- Feds91Stammer

I forget that trade but what did you guys acquire in that trade? Was it feasible for the pens to do?

I forget that trade but what did you guys acquire in that trade? Was it feasible for the pens to do?
- 668710

a 1st a 2nd and a 3rd