I doubt we have the pieces, but If I were Rutherford I'd empty what remaining assets we have left for an extended Mark Stone.

Judging by his twitter, he seems mostly concerned with the WWE these days.
- Victoro311

He is. Every once in a while he tweets me to remind me I'm soft then moves on lol

I doubt we have the pieces, but If I were Rutherford I'd empty what remaining assets we have left for an extended Mark Stone.
- madmike71

We have the first, and a roster player they might like, but our prospect depth is so poor they have to have better options elsewhere. Plus, I dont see us being able to afford his 8+ mill deal.

Isn't their save %'s and shooting %'s ridiculously high?

I still think Pens have legit shot at 1st in Metro.
- MattStrat

As Feds said, and as I brought this up last week or so ago. They don't really control play, and are overachieving due to PDO, but they're a top 10 team in controlling high danger scoring chances. They're not necessarily playing a sustainable brand of hockey, but Trotz is really maximizing that roster and has them playing efficiently. The Islanders are formidable, if not an elite team.

NYI is good at preventing high danger chances.
- Feds91Stammer

I haven't watched any other Isles games but the ones vs the Pens but I would imagine its because they're collapsing a lot and clogging up the danger area. To my eyes, Trotz's Caps started doing that a lot more in the final 2 games of the series vs Pens last year. Trotz has always been a defense first kinda coach.

We have the first, and a roster player they might like, but our prospect depth is so poor they have to have better options elsewhere. Plus, I dont see us being able to afford his 8+ mill deal.
- burgh4life87

It would be complicated making it work this season. they'd have to take a roster player like Maatta or Pearson I imagine. But next year would be easy if we could trade Phil. I love Phil, but I'll take Stone all day over him at this point in their careers.

As Feds said, I brought this up last week or so ago. They don't really control play, and are overachieving due to PDO, but they're a top 10 team in controlling high danger scoring chances. They're not necessarily playing a sustainable brand of hockey, but Trotz is really maximizing that roster and has them playing efficiently. The Islanders are formidable, if not an elite team.
- Victoro311

They are certainly a surprise this year and Trotz should probably get the Jack Adams.

As Feds said, and as I brought this up last week or so ago. They don't really control play, and are overachieving due to PDO, but they're a top 10 team in controlling high danger scoring chances. They're not necessarily playing a sustainable brand of hockey, but Trotz is really maximizing that roster and has them playing efficiently. The Islanders are formidable, if not an elite team.
- Victoro311

They definitely aren't controlling play as you mentioned. The Flames took it to them for long periods of time last night. They box out well and block shots well and when it gets through their goalies have been solid.

They're kind of a nightmare for the Pens because they let teams own the perimeter but really limit seam passes and 2nd opportunities in the slot. I could see the Pens passing themselves into the ground in a 7 game series.

They are certainly a surprise this year and Trotz should probably get the Jack Adams.
- MattStrat

Cooper will get it for no reason.

You know, I fully expected Rutherford to come out and say:

"Yeah, we really screwed up, Jack Johnson is a terrible player and we should do everything in our power to remove him from our system as soon as possible without ruining our salary cap situation. I mean, we knew he was bad, we just didn't expect him to be this terrible. He's a useless waste of a player."

That sure would made for a good locker room for the next 4+ years, as well as give potential free agents incentive to sign in Pittsburgh.
- jmatchett383

He could have spun it in typical GM fashion. I'm not saying that he should have taken a poop all over JJ or the team, but he could do the usual "we need everyone to play at a higher level" or "we need to see more consistency from Jack" routine. He had no problem with jabbing Brassard every chance he got. He was highly critical of Sprong. He's even said the goaltending was inconsistent. But Johnson's being treated "unfairly"? Come on now. Ridiculous.

Cooper will get it for no reason.
- Feds91Stammer

Like Bylsma is 2011?

They definitely aren't controlling play as you mentioned. The Flames took it to them for long periods of time last night. They box out well and block shots well and when it gets through their goalies have been solid.

They're kind of a nightmare for the Pens because they let teams own the perimeter but really limit seam passes and 2nd opportunities in the slot. I could see the Pens passing themselves into the ground in a 7 game series.
- Thorny87

IDK I kind of see the Islanders matching up poorly against teams that have multiple high end finishers, as that would mitigate their high save percentage advantage. If we're clicking, its tough to limit us from getting high quality chances due to our skill up and down the lineup. I mean, we currently have our 6th most productive forward playing on the fourth line, and its not necessarily a bad call (although I think Simon should be higher than McCann on the pecking order). That's gonna be tough for a team that relies heavily on damage control in their own zone to keep up with.

They definitely aren't controlling play as you mentioned. The Flames took it to them for long periods of time last night. They box out well and block shots well and when it gets through their goalies have been solid.

They're kind of a nightmare for the Pens because they let teams own the perimeter but really limit seam passes and 2nd opportunities in the slot. I could see the Pens passing themselves into the ground in a 7 game series.
- Thorny87

A road game against a west coast (less familiar) opponent makes it difficult for them to matchup the way Trotz probably wants to.

He could have spun it in typical GM fashion. I'm not saying that he should have taken a poop all over JJ or the team, but he could do the usual "we need everyone to play at a higher level" or "we need to see more consistence from Jack" routine. He had no problem with jabbing Brassard every chance he got. He was highly critical of Sprong. He's even said the goaltending was inconsistent. But Johnson's being treated "unfairly"? Come on now. Ridiculous.
- simethos

I agree he could have spun it, but RW seems to be bashing him for not taking a poop all over the dude.

Like Bylsma is 2011?
- jmatchett383

Yep.

IDK I kind of see the Islanders matching up poorly against teams that have multiple high end finishers, as that would mitigate their high save percentage advantage. If we're clicking, its tough to limit us from getting high quality chances due to our skill up and down the lineup. I mean, we currently have our 6th most productive forward playing on the fourth line, and its not necessarily a bad call (although I think Simon should be higher than McCann on the pecking order). That's gonna be tough for a team that relies heavily on damage control in their own zone to keep up with.
- Victoro311

It is the MIN style of play which works fairly well in the regular season but playoff wise its not a strong recipe for success.

Oh Jesus. I just read that Hagelin might be going to Washington.

It is 3.75m and for 2 more years. Gonna be a tough sell for most teams.
- Feds91Stammer

I think you missed the part where I wrote the Pens would retain $1M

I think you missed the part where I wrote the Pens would retain $1M
- Rinosaur

Probably. Still I wouldn't want him.

Oh Jesus. I just read that Hagelin might be going to Washington.
- simethos

With the season he is having? They can have him.

Oh Jesus. I just read that Hagelin might be going to Washington.
- simethos

He is having a huge year too.

With the season he is having? They can have him.
- Guile

Numbers aside. It's just seeing another former Pen in that uniform. It's disturbing.

Numbers aside. It's just seeing another former Pen in that uniform. It's disturbing.
- simethos

The former Pen, Duck, King, Rag, Wolverine?

With the season he is having? They can have him.
- Guile

Hagelin is this year's Daniel Winick rental. In theory, he's been an elite play driver, two way presence, and has scored modestly throughout his career to make him seem valuable to the point that its tempting to ignore that he just doesn't produce anymore.

Probably. Still I wouldn't want him.
- Feds91Stammer

Ottawa might. They are going to be losing a lot of bodies.

I’d offer ZAR and Pearson ($1M retained) for Dzingel and see what they’d say.