Could trade him to Calgary for James Neal.
- Feds91Stammer

Man I'm so glad I don't have to root for that guy anymore.

Man I'm so glad I don't have to root for that guy anymore.
- Victoro311

So the Pens are now in the 1st WC spot, tied for 3rd in Division (CBJ has 2 games in hand but 3 games left vs the Pens!) and 2 points out of 2nd in division....they now have forward depth issues in a good way and their #2 d-man is back and to my surprise looking fairly effective/impactful sooner than I thought he would.

It's not all bad.

Its funny to me how I'm reading and seeing so much from hockey media and fans about the Penguins lackluster season and perhaps missing the playoffs...but what about the Caps? they're only in the playoffs by 3 points.

My idea of best pens line up:

Guentzel Crosby Rust
ZAR Malkin Kessel
Pearson Bjugstad Hornqvist
Cullen McCann Blueger

First line has the speed and finish with players Crosby can feed off of. Second line has a duo with success and a guy who can simplify play. Third will be tough to play against and add scoring. Fourth, Cullen will always be dressed, and McCann and Blueger have the 200ft game and speed to make a difference

My idea of best pens line up:

Guentzel Crosby Rust
ZAR Malkin Kessel
Pearson Bjugstad Hornqvist
Cullen McCann Blueger

First line has the speed and finish with players Crosby can feed off of. Second line has a duo with success and a guy who can simplify play. Third will be tough to play against and add scoring. Fourth, Cullen will always be dressed, and McCann and Blueger have the 200ft game and speed to make a difference
- jchst22

You forgot Simon...

You forgot Simon...
- Feds91Stammer

No. No I didnt

No. No I didnt
- jchst22

oh

I'd swap Wilson for Simon (more skill) for starters.

Then I'd go with...

Crosby
Malkin
McCann
Cullen

Down the middle. The only winger I wouldn't mess with is Guenztel next to Crosby. Everything else should be tried.

Might not even trade JJ straight up for Neal at this point....didn’t see that crash coming so fast
- jchst22

That’s ridiculous. I’d rather have Nealer than JJ all day.

My idea of best pens line up:

Guentzel Crosby Rust
ZAR Malkin Kessel
Pearson Bjugstad Hornqvist
Cullen McCann Blueger

First line has the speed and finish with players Crosby can feed off of. Second line has a duo with success and a guy who can simplify play. Third will be tough to play against and add scoring. Fourth, Cullen will always be dressed, and McCann and Blueger have the 200ft game and speed to make a difference
- jchst22

Simon is better than ZAR, Pearson, Cullen, and Blueger not sure why you’d leave him out at all. Seems dumb.

That’s ridiculous. I’d rather have Nealer than JJ all day.
- j.boyd919

You must think Neal is the same player from 5yrs ago

You must think Neal is the same player from 5yrs ago
- jchst22

No. Actually I don’t. I’m well aware of his struggles. But I do know that JJ is the same player as he has been the last 10 seasons. Whereas this is Neal’s first poopty season. I would rather risk a roster spot on Neal finding his scoring touch that he’s known for than waste a roster spot on JJ providing absolutely nothing to the Penguins.

No. Actually I don’t. I’m well aware of his struggles. But I do know that JJ is the same player as he has been the last 10 seasons. Whereas this is Neal’s first poopty season. I would rather risk a roster spot on Neal finding his scoring touch that he’s known for than waste a roster spot on JJ providing absolutely nothing to the Penguins.
- j.boyd919

I see your logic, but I actually think Neal’s contract is worse. If he’s struggling on a team that isn’t struggling to score and has five years at $5.75M on the wrong side of 30? That’s worse IMO and know how much a detest JJ.

I see your logic, but I actually think Neal’s contract is worse. If he’s struggling on a team that isn’t struggling to score and has five years at $5.75M on the wrong side of 30? That’s worse IMO and know how much a detest JJ.
- Rinosaur

I wasn’t factoring in contract at all. Just player vs player at this point.

I wasn’t factoring in contract at all. Just player vs player at this point.
- j.boyd919

Why would you not factor in contract? Unless you didn’t know what it was

Why would you not factor in contract? Unless you didn’t know what it was
- jchst22

Who is this clown?

Why would you not factor in contract? Unless you didn’t know what it was
- jchst22

Because I didn’t feel like it.

I wasn’t factoring in contract at all. Just player vs player at this point.
- j.boyd919

Gotcha. Then yes, I agree completely. Anyone who would want JJ over Neal in this lineup is smoking some serious stuff.

People need to stop thinking about the 3rd line as bottom 6 depth pieces in today’s NHl. There needs to be legitimate high end players on your third line to succeed today.
- Victoro311

Like Washington’s third line last year?

Like Washington’s third line last year?
- Grinder47

Burakovsky-Eller-Connolly

Yeah that is a pretty solid line...

Like Washington’s third line last year?
- Grinder47

I mean, Lars Eller produced at a top 6 rate per 60 minutes of ice time at even strength, as did Burakovsky, so yeah.

Burakovsky-Eller-Connolly

Yeah that is a pretty solid line...
- Feds91Stammer

Yeah I don’t know if that was supposed to be a gotcha or if Grinder was agreeing with me for once.

Who is this clown?
- Feds91Stammer

That's a clown question, bro.

I think Rusty uses his speed well enough that he and McCann could be effective together, allowing Horny to jump up to the top line with Sid. I dont know if all the talk is true about Sid not wanting to play with him, frankly I think Sid and Guentzel can play with anyone on the right side now.
Maybe a McCann Bjugstad Rust 3rd line could get going. At least be a difficult possession line to generating anything against.

Yeah I don’t know if that was supposed to be a gotcha or if Grinder was agreeing with me for once.
- Victoro311

I wouldn’t call any of that “high end talent”. Solid players no doubt.