My new favorite line from a Pittsburgh article is now:

"Jim Rutherford took it upon himself to headbutt the Twitter beehive"

This perfectly explains why the Penguins are currently lodging in the cap-hell-hotel.

Mario has to tell JR that JR needs to move JJ at all costs, then he has to make sure JR and MS get on the same page and if there are any bumps in that plan then Mario needs to cut bait on one or both of them.
- iworkatinitech

That article is just great all around. My favorite line is the one about "I think Pair of 7's has finally turned the corner as a good poker hand."

Excellent article. Another thing to consider, besides the natural slow decline of star players, is that players often have a "bounce-back" season following what they consider a sub-optimal one - even early in their careers and in their primes. For example, Ovechkin had a few bad seasons in his prime (too much partying in the offseason ) but has had better ones since. The career "curve" is not completely smooth.

As far as I am concerned, Malkin and Letang (as frustrating as Letang can be) should both be off the table. I would entertain Kessel trades but I doubt the Pens could get a fair return and he should not be traded unless there is a very good return. Any Kessel trade should also include JJ, with no salary retention. Also, the Pens should not actively shop Hornqvist but at the same time, he should not be off the table. The Pens currently do not have anyone who can fill his role. They need more players like him - not less.

Excellent article. Another thing to consider, besides the natural slow decline of star players, is that players often have a "bounce-back" season following what they consider a sub-optimal one - even early in their careers and in their primes. For example, Ovechkin had a few bad seasons in his prime (too much partying in the offseason ) but has had better ones since. The career "curve" is not completely smooth.

As far as I am concerned, Malkin and Letang (as frustrating as Letang can be) should both be off the table. I would entertain Kessel trades but I doubt the Pens could get a fair return and he should not be traded unless there is a very good return. Any Kessel trade should also include JJ, with no salary retention. Also, the Pens should not actively shop Hornqvist but at the same time, he should not be off the table. The Pens currently do not have anyone who can fill his role. They need more players like him - not less.
- PghPens668771

Why shouldn't we actively shop him? He's making a considerable chunk of change, is over 30, and fell off a cliff after his latest head injury in the middle of the season. I'm extremely concerned about him and think he's ran out of lives to bounce back from. I'd be happy to cap dump him at this point. He's probably our Bickle.

So no one is allowed to criticize Malkin for a poor season? He simply wasn't good enough but it doesn't mean I want him traded.

So no one is allowed to criticize Malkin for a poor season? He simply wasn't good enough but it doesn't mean I want him traded.
- acdc1206

It's not that you're not allowed to criticize Malkin. He did have a weaker season by his standards. It's that the criticism towards him, Phil, and Letang are completely disproportional to what's actually merited. Geno and Phil had subpar goal scoring seasons at even strength. That's not up for debate, and we would have had a much better season if they weren't in funks. But people are acting like they're not point per game players and we'd be in a better spot if we traded them to get younger. Who is this young player that we're getting back that's gonna make this team better than Evgeni (frank)ing Malkin? It ain't Vinny Trochek.

These guys aren't part of the problem. Removing them from the equation actively makes us worse.

So no one is allowed to criticize Malkin for a poor season? He simply wasn't good enough but it doesn't mean I want him traded.
- acdc1206

You can thank JJ for that.

There is no win/win in ANY Malkin trade. The only team that wins is the team receiving the generational talent.

There is no win/win in ANY Malkin trade. The only team that wins is the team receiving the generational talent.
- Rinosaur

Well that's not quite true. If Buffalo wants to send over Eichel, WIP Schiefel or the Avs MacKinnen, those would be wins. Auston Matthews and McDavid I'd be fine with too.

Point being, that the scenarios where we actually make out well in a Malkin trade are totally bonkers and won't ever happen.

It's not that you're not allowed to criticize Malkin. He did have a weaker season by his standards. It's that the criticism towards him, Phil, and Letang are completely disproportional to what's actually merited. Geno and Phil had subpar goal scoring seasons at even strength. That's not up for debate, and we would have had a much better season if they weren't in funks. But people are acting like they're not point per game players and we'd be in a better spot if we traded them to get younger. Who is this young player that we're getting back that's gonna make this team better than Evgeni (frank)ing Malkin? It ain't Vinny Trochek.

These guys aren't part of the problem. Removing them from the equation actively makes us worse.
- Victoro311

Yes...all things considered they still put up a good amount of pts. However, the question is are they good team players? Do they have a team first attitude or do they bring everyone else down? This can happen and none of us know them personally and this is all hypothetical. A player can be the best producer in the league and still be a d bag and the team is better off without them.

Malkin sucked this year. He took terrible penalties and if not for his tear early in the year his its would be way off.

There is no way Lemieux lets Malkin go. If Rutherford thinks he will be able to trade him without ownership interfering, he is worse than I already thought. The only way Lemieux says yes is if Malkin tells him he wants out.

I agree that RW bashes JJ every other blog. But at least he has facts backing him out. Just look at them and you'll see.

On the other hand theres now a group of people that runs to every RW blog to see if the words Jack or Johnson are there and if they are, oh boy here comes the textwall telling everyone how RW is blind by hate, letting his personal feelings get in the way of the truth and the only way we can be contenders again is by trading Malkin. Jesus just stop.
- Conse

+1

Well that's not quite true. If Buffalo wants to send over Eichel, WIP Schiefel or the Avs MacKinnen, those would be wins. Auston Matthews and McDavid I'd be fine with too.

Point being, that the scenarios where we actually make out well in a Malkin trade are totally bonkers and won't ever happen.
- Victoro311

If the move brought back a very much needed asset+multiple picks etc...but then allowed the cap space to get a replacement in FA you can win the trade when you look at the total haul.

I dont think an on paper trade Malkin for whatever looks like a win for the pens by itself. Factor everything else in then maybe.

There is no way Lemieux lets Malkin go. If Rutherford thinks he will be able to trade him without ownership interfering, he is worse than I already thought. The only way Lemieux says yes is if Malkin tells him he wants out.
- Zig44

considering Malkin needs to waive his full NMC....I would think that Marion and Burkle would also approve before it even gets to 71. Its not like JR can just trade Malkin for a bag of pucks to any team.

Well that's not quite true. If Buffalo wants to send over Eichel, WIP Schiefel or the Avs MacKinnen, those would be wins. Auston Matthews and McDavid I'd be fine with too.

Point being, that the scenarios where we actually make out well in a Malkin trade are totally bonkers and won't ever happen.
- Victoro311

Precisely, so I stand by my original statement lol

Before I read any of the comments (busy day at work and I met Darcy Hordichuk! Really cool guy) I just wanted to say that seems like a bunch of bull. I feel like we can all agree that Malkin’s 5v5 goals were frigid for a guy making 9.5MM, right? I’m not going to look back at it but I feel like I read a number of articles of RW saying we needed more from Malkin at 5v5. Overall was his season a success? I would say yes. I do feel the quality of his penalties is getting worse.. does anyone else think that?

I also didn’t think he was bad in the playoffs. I thought he was fine but could’ve been better which is how I feel about Phil. Sid needed to be better. The refs needed to be better

I do think there are Malkin trade ideas that make us better but they’re far fetched and basically unrealistic. I’ll echo it again, I think a new voice behind the bench would be important for a guy like Malkin. I feel like his disconnect with HCMS is as big or bigger than HCMS with GMJR

Just post this article any time someone female doges about Johnson being called out:

https://danhopper.substac...p/on-jack-johnson-fatigue
- Victoro311

While we are at it would you consider trading Jack Johnson and Patrick Hörnqvist for Bobby Ryan and a decent Draft Pick? Do you believe B.Ryan could be better with the Penguins playing on one of our top two lines?

While we are at it would you consider trading Jack Johnson and Patrick Hörnqvist for Bobby Ryan and a decent Draft Pick? Do you believe B.Ryan could be better with the Penguins playing on one of our top two lines?
- Barnaby36

Cap basically equals out (we shed some), Ryan is about as useful as Johnson, but it takes away the option of playing Johnson in any significant role, so yeah, I'd do it. Like I've said before, I've basically taken the position of getting rid of Johnson at all costs just so he can't neuter the second pairing.

Bobby Ryan. Wow.

Cap basically equals out (we shed some), Ryan is about as useful as Johnson, but it takes away the option of playing Johnson in any significant role, so yeah, I'd do it. Like I've said before, I've basically taken the position of getting rid of Johnson at all costs just so he can't neuter the second pairing.

Bobby Ryan. Wow.
- Victoro311

Bobby Ryan used to be a hot comodity but now he's just sulking in Ottawa. In order to get him we'd need to trade Hörnqvist's contract alongside Jacko's. I don't think this would be a terrible idea. Not ideal though lol

While we are at it would you consider trading Jack Johnson and Patrick Hörnqvist for Bobby Ryan and a decent Draft Pick? Do you believe B.Ryan could be better with the Penguins playing on one of our top two lines?
- Barnaby36

Why the (frank) would OTT do that? It is horrible for them.

i used to think Sullivan and JR had a shared vision of what the team should look like. i get it, its a business and you cant be in love with all of the players. but trading faster guys away like hunwick, sheary, hags to pick up gubrandson and signing johnson lead me to believe they have different visions. Trading a 1st round pick for reaves only to not play him and then make him a throw in to get the salaries right also is a head scratcher. Paying Schultz $5+M/yr and then pair him with JJ? why?

I hear Ronnie Francis is available if there happens to be a GM vacancy.
- i'mjustafan

I believe Billy Guerin is being prepared to take over it eventually. Ron Francis would be an awesome addition though.

Why the (frank) would OTT do that? It is horrible for them.
- Feds91Stammer

How?

Bobby Ryan used to be a hot comodity but now he's just sulking in Ottawa. In order to get him we'd need to trade Hörnqvist's contract alongside Jacko's. I don't think this would be a terrible idea. Not ideal though lol
- Barnaby36

Hornqvist needs to go too, so we're basically just consolidating bad contracts into one bad player that won't (frank) up our defense. I'd do it without the pick. Ottawa only does this if they really value Hornqvist.

From the sounds of Yohe and Dejan it’s most definitely not Malkin the Pens management are frustrated with.

How?
- Barnaby36

Last 3 seasons (most relevant sample)

5v5 P60

Ryan: 1.62

Hornqvist: 1.60

So while Ryan has a larger cap hit it is for 1 less year. Throw in JJ and OTT sending a pick and it makes zero sense.

You have to start looking at Hornqvist as a minimal to negative value piece.

If you are saying Ryan for Horny, JJ, and a 1st it makes sense.

From the sounds of Yohe and Dejan it’s most definitely not Malkin the Pens management are frustrated with.
- Grinder47

Yohe is literally Randy from Trailer Park Boys, and JR is his Mr. Lahey