Phil for Faulk and a pick.
- BINGO!

Alternatively: Faulk for Hornqvist and a pick.

The old man is gonna sign the 'missing piece' Ron Hainsey

Hearing JR's comments makes me frightened for the future.

Pens Inside Scoop
✔
@PensInsideScoop

"Dumoulin (PCL), Guentzel (ribs) and McCann (shoulder) all played with significant injuries in playoffs"
- Thorny87

That would explain why Dumo was so bad in the playoffs.

That would explain why Dumo was so bad in the playoffs.
- acdc1206

Wow... PCL... he will miss time to start next year if that takes surgery.

We have our answers. Nuff said at this point.

They will he rolling the same dcore. Bye bye Maatta.
- Rinosaur

If that's the case, who could you package with him? Hornquist? 1st? Matta by himself receives what? Interesting.

Wow... PCL... he will miss time to start next year if that takes surgery.
- Guile

Pcl usually heals on it's on. If theres surgery itd probably be just to clean it up. I doubt he'll miss much time at all if any.

Pcl usually heals on it's on. If theres surgery itd probably be just to clean it up. I doubt he'll miss much time at all if any.
- nateca44

Not sure what you are thinking of, but I've seen many tears in multiple sports. PCL with surgery is a 6 month minimum unless you are a freaky fast healer.

Hearing JR's comments makes me frightened for the future.
- acdc1206

Yep. He believes Johnson and Gudbranson make this the best core we've had in years. I'd be checking him for Alzheimer's disease.

If that's the case, who could you package with him? Hornquist? 1st? Matta by himself receives what? Interesting.
- nateca44

How are the Jets on D? Laine is up for a new mega deal and Kyle Connor had 36 g and is a RFA.....woudl they take Maata?

Then swap Hornquest + for a top 4 dman?

Letang with some pretty incredible responses to some pretty poopty questions.

https://twitter.com/KGorm.../1118907493256769536?s=20

Phil didnt look complacent at all, in fact, he looked to be the hungriest Pen most of the series. Not to mention he's coming off one of the best reg season of his career.

Rutherford has made me a little stomach sick today haha
- MattStrat

I've been trying to remain a fan of JR, but yeah, some of those statements about the D were not rational.

Letang with some pretty incredible responses to some pretty poopty questions.

https://twitter.com/KGorm.../1118907493256769536?s=20
- Victoro311

The media is full of bums. I wish athletes gave more responses like that more often.

If that's the case, who could you package with him? Hornquist? 1st? Matta by himself receives what? Interesting.
- nateca44

They should have no problems moving him. Just not sure of the chain reaction from moving him.

That's reasonable...

If Cullen stays, then at least give Teddy a look at 3C and move Bjugstad to top 9 wing. I like his big frame in the corners.
If Cullen retires, then Teddy should easily get 4C. I'm a fan.
- Cousinskrid

If Cullen stays, Rutherford is more of an idiot than I ever imagined. He was toast 3 years ago.

The media is full of bums. I wish athletes gave more responses like that more often.
- sammy87

Players get these kind of responses bred out of them in PR school because teams think it’s bad publicity, but honestly it just makes me want to go out and buy a Letang sweater.

Letang with some pretty incredible responses to some pretty poopty questions.

https://twitter.com/KGorm.../1118907493256769536?s=20
- Victoro311

Why is Jon Snow so angry? He just found out he was King.

The media is full of bums. I wish athletes gave more responses like that more often.
- sammy87

Could you imagine the awkward locker room interview if RW questioned JJ

The comments/actions today:

-Matt Cullen has 0 business being on this team next year. Absolutely none. He already took a year away from Blueger, shame on Rutherford if he even considers signing him again. He offers nothing for our team.

-Rutherford's comments probably involved some gamemanship today. No doubt GMJR isnt going to walk up there and criticize his defense, especially since he is responsible for a good part of it. No way we start with all of these guys next year so my bet is Gudbranson & Maatta are the guys to go. (unfortunately in Maatta's case). I hope they bring back Riikkola next year. I'll be interested to see how his game has progressed.

-I also think Bjugstad is also likely gone. I think GMJR wants to get faster and Bjugstad does not fit that bill. The good news, is he might be able to fetch us a decent piece/pick.

Letang's comments were right on today. He doesnt need to change his game, he needs to be more aware of whats going on and the forwards need to back him up in those situations.

The comments/actions today:

-Matt Cullen has 0 business being on this team next year. Absolutely none. He already took a year away from Blueger, shame on Rutherford if he even considers signing him again. He offers nothing for our team.

-Rutherford's comments probably involved some gamemanship today. No doubt GMJR isnt going to walk up there and criticize his defense, especially since he is responsible for a good part of it. No way we start with all of these guys next year so my bet is Gudbranson & Maatta are the guys to go. (unfortunately in Maatta's case). I hope they bring back Riikkola next year. I'll be interested to see how his game has progressed.

-I also think Bjugstad is also likely gone. I think GMJR wants to get faster and Bjugstad does not fit that bill. The good news, is he might be able to fetch us a decent piece/pick.

Letang's comments were right on today. He doesnt need to change his game, he needs to be more aware of whats going on and the forwards need to back him up in those situations.
- SuperHenderson13

I think Bjugstad will def be here. Guddy too.

I don't think it was gamesmanship as much as he bristled at the second-guessing of his decisions. Whether JJ's name is mentioned or not, those questions always bring into focus what a sh!t decision it was to bring him here with his boat anchor contract.

Rust, Maatta, Kessel and Hornie are the players he'll take offers on IMO.

The comments/actions today:

-Matt Cullen has 0 business being on this team next year. Absolutely none. He already took a year away from Blueger, shame on Rutherford if he even considers signing him again. He offers nothing for our team.

-Rutherford's comments probably involved some gamemanship today. No doubt GMJR isnt going to walk up there and criticize his defense, especially since he is responsible for a good part of it. No way we start with all of these guys next year so my bet is Gudbranson & Maatta are the guys to go. (unfortunately in Maatta's case). I hope they bring back Riikkola next year. I'll be interested to see how his game has progressed.

-I also think Bjugstad is also likely gone. I think GMJR wants to get faster and Bjugstad does not fit that bill. The good news, is he might be able to fetch us a decent piece/pick.

Letang's comments were right on today. He doesnt need to change his game, he needs to be more aware of whats going on and the forwards need to back him up in those situations.
- SuperHenderson13

I think you are right about Bjugstad, he is a good piece to move. He showed he is willing to do whatever is needed of him and would be missed on this team. The reason I think he is good to move is we have a number of young guys who should get a shot next season. Kasper Bjorkqvist is another who should get a look besides the several that were mentioned earlier.

If Rutherford truly believes this is the best defense he’s had since he’s been here I hope he trades Geno and Kessel so they have a chance to win somewhere else.

One has to wonder if he’s going to be stubborn till the end because of his comments after signing JJ.

I think Bjugstad will def be here. Guddy too.

I don't think it was gamesmanship as much as he bristled at the second-guessing of his decisions. Whether JJ's name is mentioned or not, those questions always bring into focus what a sh!t decision it was to bring him here with his boat anchor contract.

Rust, Maatta, Kessel and Hornie are the players he'll take offers on IMO.
- madmike71

I think Bjugstad is nothing more than a part acquired from Florida. Florida wanted to clear some cap room and we wanted McCann. In my opinion, Bjugstad was nothing more than an extra body with a decent cap hit Florida wanted to get rid of. Pittsburgh saw him as a good piece to use for the season.

I see Gudbranson as the ideal guy to move. GMJR got him for a useless winger and because the Penguins really needed a body back on defense. I think that was the furtherest extent of the relationship, nothing but a body to stop the bleeding this season.

To sum up, I think GMJR got these guys only looking at this season. He doesnt see either of these guys in him longer term plans. The general idea I get from today is that there is a desire by Pens coaching/mgmt to get back to that speed game. Whether you agree with that desire or not, you have to admit that neither of these guys fit into that mold. I think GMJR could get something for both of them. They are two of the easier contracts to move.

I'd keep Rust & Maatta. Rust didnt have a great year, but he is flexible and can move up and down the lineup. Thats a valuable asset.

I see 0% chance of someone taking Hornqvist. The Penguins for the better part of a decade avoided bad contracts. Hornqvist is likely the first real one that will sting. Guy is a disaster already and he has 3-4 years more on his contract. Maybe if his salary drops down in the last year or two, someone will take him. But I see a 0% chance someone takes him now, and I hope I'm wrong.

JRs comments are grounds for termination imo. Hinting at a lack of effort during the season is one thing to get the team going. Saying it after a playoff elimination is an embarrassment to the organization. If I was a player, I couldn’t play for a man who sheds blame and puts himself above the rest of the team. JR said it himself, “The opportunity won’t be there to win with how we’re currently built.” Who is responsible for how they’re currently built? “In 2016-17 we were a very tight-knit team. I didn’t see that this year almost from day 1.” No better way to to encourage team unity than to trash your players in the press. These comments are the antithesis of everything that is teamwork and sportsmanship. It may be a business, but the best way to go about that business is remembering the principals of a team game.

I think Bjugstad is nothing more than a part acquired from Florida. Florida wanted to clear some cap room and we wanted McCann. In my opinion, Bjugstad was nothing more than an extra body with a decent cap hit Florida wanted to get rid of. Pittsburgh saw him as a good piece to use for the season.

I see Gudbranson as the ideal guy to move. GMJR got him for a useless winger and because the Penguins really needed a body back on defense. I think that was the furtherest extent of the relationship, nothing but a body to stop the bleeding this season.

To sum up, I think GMJR got these guys only looking at this season. He doesnt see either of these guys in him longer term plans. The general idea I get from today is that there is a desire by Pens coaching/mgmt to get back to that speed game. Whether you agree with that desire or not, you have to admit that neither of these guys fit into that mold. I think GMJR could get something for both of them. They are two of the easier contracts to move.

I'd keep Rust & Maatta. Rust didnt have a great year, but he is flexible and can move up and down the lineup. Thats a valuable asset.

I see 0% chance of someone taking Hornqvist. The Penguins for the better part of a decade avoided bad contracts. Hornqvist is likely the first real one that will sting. Guy is a disaster already and he has 3-4 years more on his contract. Maybe if his salary drops down in the last year or two, someone will take him. But I see a 0% chance someone takes him now, and I hope I'm wrong.
- SuperHenderson13

I'm not saying that's who I'd like them to trade, but it's who I think they'll listen on.

Everything I've heard is they love Bjugstad. Rutherford even brought up his name today. From my perspective, he's the 3rd line center they've been looking for since Bones left.

Again, Rutherford really liked adding Guddy. He'll be back too.

I think Rust is player another team would want. Somebody will take Kessel too. Some of his comments sound like he realizes his time is over. Maybe even looking to get out.

I think Hornie can rebound. He was having a pretty good season until he got concussed. It was a massive mistake to sign him if you're not going to use him in the top 6 however.