I must admit, this free agency does have the potential to have some solid names which could add a different dimension to this team. Duchene leading my list of players I would love to add. I think we need to upgrade our defense and get faster up front. I think Hagelin signs with us which will help a little. I think Karlsson would also be at the top of my list of potential players to go after. I think Horny, Kessel, and Maatta get traded. I also could see Gudbranson, Jarry, and even Johnson if the rumors are true if Management and Coaching all sitting down and discussing the direction the team should go in. I could realistically see Penguins signing one top FA and going after someone like Ferland.
- 123Kid

There's this thing called the salary cap. Also, there are these things the Pens have that are sometimes referred to as immovable contracts. When you consider these things the likelihood of Duchane or Karlsson being signed are slim to none.

There's this thing called the salary cap. Also, there are these things the Pens have that are sometimes referred to as immovable contracts. When you consider these things the likelihood of Duchane or Karlsson being signed are slim to none.
- MattStrat

Dutchy is gonna re-up in Columbus I bet.

Oh I'm just tired and definitely not drinking.... copied the wrong name off the roster cause i was being lazy.

Meant to hit Dahlin X_X
- Guile

MORON!

MORON!
- cmimbri

How much do I owe you for rent? Since apparently I live in your pathetic head all day that you scour our comments just to cry.

Now that the Pens are done for the season we can focus what went wrong and how to correct everything. The big question quite a few people were asking was about the front office. I think that is the right approach to take. I also think it is time to get younger, both on the ice and off.

The first question needs to be about Mike Sullivan. I think he stays and I agree with that assessment at the moment.

The second question is about GM Jim Rutherford. He was just extended so he will stay in the organization for the time being. He has duel roles, GM and VP of hockey operations. Therefore I would relieve him of his GM duties.

That leads to who do we replace him with. If you are keeping Sullivan then you promote from within. Bill Guerin is the probable choice. We get younger.

Sergei Gonchar has been behind the bench most of the season, it is time to let him take over for Martin. One again we get younger. Martin is not going to leave the organization but he is getting older and it is time for him to go. He can take an office job.

Dutchy is gonna re-up in Columbus I bet.
- j.boyd919

Yeah I could see it, especially if they go deep. They have to resign Bob and Panarin too but both kind of made it clear they didnt want to extend....before they swept a historic team, that is. Not sure what their cap is like for next year but thats 3 big hefty contracts right there and I assume there's guys they want to keep with expiring contracts due for raises as well.

Not sure if this has been touched on before, but why did the pens ship out Cole?

Not sure if this has been touched on before, but why did the pens ship out Cole?
- eskimomike

Too friendly with the media per Sully.

I'm on capfriendly just messing around. You guys know more about players on their way out with other teams. Any ideas? I dont think Hornquist fetches much but him and Matta should go. Along with Johnson being bought out but we all know that ain't gonna happen.

Now that the Pens are done for the season we can focus what went wrong and how to correct everything. The big question quite a few people were asking was about the front office. I think that is the right approach to take. I also think it is time to get younger, both on the ice and off.

The first question needs to be about Mike Sullivan. I think he stays and I agree with that assessment at the moment.

The second question is about GM Jim Rutherford. He was just extended so he will stay in the organization for the time being. He has duel roles, GM and VP of hockey operations. Therefore I would relieve him of his GM duties.

That leads to who do we replace him with. If you are keeping Sullivan then you promote from within. Bill Guerin is the probable choice. We get younger.

Sergei Gonchar has been behind the bench most of the season, it is time to let him take over for Martin. One again we get younger. Martin is not going to leave the organization but he is getting older and it is time for him to go. He can take an office job.
- Thunderbolt

It would be interesting to know if Sullivan and GMJR are even on the same page, or if they have been quietly butting heads behind the scenes... player usage/non stands out a lot, and not just this series.

I continue to find it comical how little callout Letang gets in this blog. I keep reading how JMFJ continues to drag not only Malkin, but the WHOLE team down, and so what is Sid's excuse? If Letang is so perfect in the same regard, then why did Sid only have one assist the entire series?

When you continually base a team's demise on the lesser players... JJ, Guds, etc, I just don't think you're seeing the whole picture. 6 goals in 4 playoff games is not all their fault.

As much as I can't stand RW's writing style (he comes off as an angry former player who never quite lived up to expectations) I do enjoy reading all the comments.

Kudos BIGTIME to the Isles... they played 4 almost-perfect games against a supposedly MUCH better team, and BEAT THEM quite handily from what I saw... goaltending, passing, skating, team defense (the list is endless). Hope they beat the snot out of WSH.

It would be interesting to know if Sullivan and GMJR are even on the same page, or if they have been quietly butting heads behind the scenes... player usage/non stands out a lot, and not just this series.

I continue to find it comical how little callout Letang gets in this blog. I keep reading how JMFJ continues to drag not only Malkin, but the WHOLE team down, and so what is Sid's excuse? If Letang is so perfect in the same regard, then why did Sid only have one assist the entire series?

When you continually base a team's demise on the lesser players... JJ, Guds, etc, I just don't think you're seeing the whole picture. 6 goals in 4 playoff games is not all their fault.

As much as I can't stand RW's writing style (he comes off as an angry former player who never quite lived up to expectations) I do enjoy reading all the comments.

Kudos BIGTIME to the Isles... they played 4 almost-perfect games against a supposedly MUCH better team, and BEAT THEM quite handily from what I saw... goaltending, passing, skating, team defense (the list is endless). Hope they beat the snot out of WSH.
- Cousinskrid

You’re one of the many that just don’t understand.

It would be interesting to know if Sullivan and GMJR are even on the same page, or if they have been quietly butting heads behind the scenes... player usage/non stands out a lot, and not just this series.

I continue to find it comical how little callout Letang gets in this blog. I keep reading how JMFJ continues to drag not only Malkin, but the WHOLE team down, and so what is Sid's excuse? If Letang is so perfect in the same regard, then why did Sid only have one assist the entire series?

When you continually base a team's demise on the lesser players... JJ, Guds, etc, I just don't think you're seeing the whole picture. 6 goals in 4 playoff games is not all their fault.

As much as I can't stand RW's writing style (he comes off as an angry former player who never quite lived up to expectations) I do enjoy reading all the comments.

Kudos BIGTIME to the Isles... they played 4 almost-perfect games against a supposedly MUCH better team, and BEAT THEM quite handily from what I saw... goaltending, passing, skating, team defense (the list is endless). Hope they beat the snot out of WSH.
- Cousinskrid

you assume the Caps are beating the Canes.

you assume the Caps are beating the Canes.
- Blackstrom2

Unfortunately, yes.

Not sure if this has been touched on before, but why did the pens ship out Cole?
- eskimomike

I do believe the irony is that JJ and Guds are both attempts at replacing what Cole brought to this team.

You’re one of the many that just don’t understand.
- j.boyd919

LOL, after reading RW's blog for so long I figured I'd hear from you... please, educate me.

Am I the only one who thought there was very little hate in this series?

It would be interesting to know if Sullivan and GMJR are even on the same page, or if they have been quietly butting heads behind the scenes... player usage/non stands out a lot, and not just this series.

I continue to find it comical how little callout Letang gets in this blog. I keep reading how JMFJ continues to drag not only Malkin, but the WHOLE team down, and so what is Sid's excuse? If Letang is so perfect in the same regard, then why did Sid only have one assist the entire series?

When you continually base a team's demise on the lesser players... JJ, Guds, etc, I just don't think you're seeing the whole picture. 6 goals in 4 playoff games is not all their fault.

As much as I can't stand RW's writing style (he comes off as an angry former player who never quite lived up to expectations) I do enjoy reading all the comments.

Kudos BIGTIME to the Isles... they played 4 almost-perfect games against a supposedly MUCH better team, and BEAT THEM quite handily from what I saw... goaltending, passing, skating, team defense (the list is endless). Hope they beat the snot out of WSH.
- Cousinskrid

4 games is such a small sample size. Their shooting % was putrid, the offense went cold at the wrong time. Murray's save % was putrid. They had like 5 or 6 very important players just returning from injury right before playoffs started and were out of sync, tape to tapes were non existent for stretches of these games with pucks in feet, out of reach or jumping over sticks. IMO the coach didnt go with optimal lineup or line combos. To me, there was a lot of small to big negative factors that added up to this sweep.

Am I the only one who thought there was very little hate in this series?
- BINGO!

Yeah besides the NY crowd it felt like games in November for the most part.


Routing for ya Bingo. F the Caps.

LOL, after reading RW's blog for so long I figured I'd hear from you... please, educate me.
- Cousinskrid

You can go to page 3 and read my conversation with HiStiicking. We pretty much had the same conversation.

Yeah besides the NY crowd it felt like games in November for the most part.


Routing for ya Bingo. F the Caps.
- MattStrat

I wish the Sharks tendies didn’t blow. I want Jumbo to win a cup.

You can go to page 3 and read my conversation with HiStiicking. We pretty much had the same conversation.
- j.boyd919

Thanks for engaging... I'll see what I can do.

I wish the Sharks tendies didn’t blow. I want Jumbo to win a cup.
- j.boyd919

Yeah I'd like that too.

4 games is such a small sample size. Their shooting % was putrid, the offense went cold at the wrong time. Murray's save % was putrid. They had like 5 or 6 very important players just returning from injury right before playoffs started and were out of sync, tape to tapes were non existent for stretches of these games with pucks in feet, out of reach or jumping over sticks. IMO the coach didnt go with optimal lineup or line combos. To me, there was a lot of small to big negative factors that added up to this sweep.
- MattStrat

Agreed on the sample size, but the playoffs just don't offer any wiggle room. The Pens just seemed so out of sorts, except for parts of game 1 and a couple minutes last night. They also seem snake-bit... a bit... too.

Agreed on the sample size, but the playoffs just don't offer any wiggle room. The Pens just seemed so out of sorts, except for parts of game 1 and a couple minutes last night. They also seem snake-bit... a bit... too.
- Cousinskrid

They sucked all year.

Thanks for engaging... I'll see what I can do.
- Cousinskrid

What’s the point of typing the exact same answer to you if I can direct you to the exact same thing I was going to say? Then you can reply to that and we can continue the conversation. If you want I can copy and paste my reply because it’s legitimately the same argument.