We have 79mil committed and 4 RFA's to sign.....including Bluegs. It's ugly. I don't think those RFA's will be expensive, but still....
- madmike71

Going off history with Cole and Oleksiak I think Pettersson is locked into over 2 mil for three years. That’s not a ton but enough to strain us given the Johnson and Gudbranson contracts. Maatta is likely gone.

Going off history with Cole and Oleksiak I think Pettersson is locked into over 2 mil for three years. That’s not a ton but enough to strain us given the Johnson and Gudbranson contracts. Maatta is likely gone.
- Victoro311

Yeah.... Maatta is a goner.

Yeah.... Maatta is a goner.
- madmike71

I really hope JR and Sully are goners.

Yeah.... Maatta is a goner.
- madmike71

What if we packaged Matta, Johnson/Grudbranson together? Would it be worth it for a pick? That could free up a ton of space for a legit player.

What if we packaged Matta, Johnson/Grudbranson together? Would it be worth it for a pick? That could free up a ton of space for a legit player.
- nateca44

Lol Ruth would probably trade for Lucic right after.

I really hope JR and Sully are goners.
- Rinosaur

Yeah it's funny how Ruth says he's making changes so it doesn't get stale....well...cough...cough...Ruth you are stale

Lol Ruth would probably trade for Lucic right after.
- 668710

Ya, legit winger 😂. But seriously, that's over 8 million. Any chance cap goes up?

Lol Ruth would probably trade for Lucic right after.
- 668710

(frank) man I’m to the point where I think it’s best if we’re just capped out so Rutherford is physically incapable of making dumb moves.

(frank) man I’m to the point where I think it’s best if we’re just capped out so Rutherford is physically incapable of making dumb moves.
- Victoro311

Yeah pretty much.

I really hope JR and Sully are goners.
- Rinosaur

I wasn't really with you on this idea until recently. Both are having terrible seasons. Neither will be gone next year. No chance.

I wasn't really with you on this idea until recently. Both are having terrible seasons. Neither will be gone next year. No chance.
- madmike71

If the Pens lost in the first round or dont make the playoffs Sully is canned. JR will do that to not put blame on himself.

Casey Cizikas just scored his 18th goal. He's the Isles 4th line center.

Great pace to Leafs and Isles if you guys have any way to watch it..
- MattStrat

i don't want murderers on this team.

If the Pens lost in the first round or dont make the playoffs Sully is canned. JR will do that to not put blame on himself.
- sammy87

I don't see it happening. The injury excuse on D will be used to get atleast another half a season out of both of them.

Maybe Gonchar could work his magic. Hey, we can hope right?
- nateca44

Gonchar has no magic. That idea is grossly overestimated.

I can't say I've seen a ton of him either, but I've seen the clips and it's not good. It goes deeper than playing on a bad team. The larger point is he's clearly not a top 4 D and the Pens shouldn't be in the business of taking on bottom pairing D (or worse) with albatross contracts. I honestly don't have a problem with physical players, but they need to be able to play competently. Rutherford is slamming the window shut with these type of players.
- madmike71

The window has been bricked over. Sid n Geno are no spring chickens.

The window has been bricked over. Sid n Geno are no spring chickens.
- Misterbator

I give it 2 more seasons after this where Sid, Letang and Malkin can really drive play vs opponents. After that considering Letangs history and Malkins play of late...They will need to modify the team significantly to be a contender. Playoffs are still always an option but to compete at the top window, will be closing soon.

I still remember when I was dating my wife we went to Crosbys first game....time flies!

I really hope JR and Sully are goners.
- Rinosaur

I’m not there with Sullivan. Sullivan hasn’t done anything this season that I wouldn’t expect pretty much any coach in the league not named Trotz or Babcock to do. Pretty much everyone after those two coaches are interchangeable as far as ability until you get to the real stinkers like the Randy Carlyles of the world.

The onus is on the GM to damage control their coaches by giving them good players up and down the lineup that can produce even when the coach makes faulty personnel decisions. Rutherford has completely failed at that the past two seasons.

I’m not there with Sullivan. Sullivan hasn’t done anything this season that I wouldn’t expect pretty much any coach in the league not named Trotz or Babcock to do. Pretty much everyone after those two coaches are interchangeable as far as ability until you get to the real stinkers like the Randy Carlyles of the world.

The onus is on the GM to damage control their coaches by giving them good players up and down the lineup that can produce even when the coach makes faulty personnel decisions. Rutherford has completely failed at that the past two seasons.
- Victoro311

Babcock is overrated as (frank)

Just cheering for whoever plays for us. Gudbranson or whatever. Let’s smack some teams and win hockey games.

Babcock is overrated as (frank)
- Feds91Stammer

But he led such talent-starved squads to olympic gold (multiple)!

Just cheering for whoever plays for us. Gudbranson or whatever. Let’s smack some teams and win hockey games.
- Barnaby36

That's way too positive for this page. It's over. Just start watching the draft and then pray the buccos actually do something.

That's way too positive for this page. It's over. Just start watching the draft and then pray the buccos actually do something.
- nateca44

Yeah, you know pray or add 40mil to the roster lol.

Yeah, you know pray or add 40mil to the roster lol.
- 668710

Only thing Nutting is spending 40 million on is fake snow and ski lifts for seven springs. Guys a joke.

I’m not there with Sullivan. Sullivan hasn’t done anything this season that I wouldn’t expect pretty much any coach in the league not named Trotz or Babcock to do. Pretty much everyone after those two coaches are interchangeable as far as ability until you get to the real stinkers like the Randy Carlyles of the world.

The onus is on the GM to damage control their coaches by giving them good players up and down the lineup that can produce even when the coach makes faulty personnel decisions. Rutherford has completely failed at that the past two seasons.
- Victoro311

I think Sullivan moves things around far too frequently, gives little slack to players he should give more to and lots of slack to players he shouldn't.

I'm aware all coaches shuffle lines, but he does it far too often and doesn't ride things out. Players can have five good games, have one bad one and then they're demoted. I feel like it messes with chemistry. I see a lot of Bylsma in him with the tactics he employs.

Babcock is overrated as (frank)
- Feds91Stammer

I'd take him over any other coach in the league.