Not me man. Some of the most dreadful games I've ever attended were against NJ. I don't mind the occasional strategy shift if necessary, but I'd never regularly pay to watch a team do that on a nightly basis.
- madmike71

Agreed. MB made it even more boring. There was rarely a forecheck created by dump-ins because of his ability to stick handle and keep the puck returned to the nz.

Mathew Barnaby was fun to watch.
- Grinder47

Yet, you can't stand the "rat"? I think his instigating antics are very similar to Barnaby, but at least Marchand has some skill. His dirty stuff is deplorable, though. Not defending a knee to the head but Marchand had it coming when Neal accidentally-on-purpose busted his ass.

Ummm... yes? Is this supposed to be a gotcha?
- Victoro311

Not at all, just making sure that you're saying you like to laugh at the misfortune and invasion of privacy of others that you wouldn't like to have happen to you.

Yet, you can't stand the "rat"? I think his instigating antics are very similar to Barnaby, but at least Marchand has some skill. His dirty stuff is deplorable, though. Not defending a knee to the head but Marchand had it coming when Neal accidentally-on-purpose busted his ass.
- Brayn

At least Barnaby would drop his gloves no matter the size difference. Marchand hides behind Chara. And this is from a guy who absolutely hates Barnaby.

At least Barnaby would drop his gloves no matter the size difference. Marchand hides behind Chara. And this is from a guy who absolutely hates Barnaby.
- jmatchett383

I guess that's kind of what I meant by he had it coming? I like Barnaby. I loved watching him piss off other people. I was simply pointing out that their antics were equivocal but there skill levels were not. And I fully agree with your take. Start shìt, finish shìt.

Not at all, just making sure that you're saying you like to laugh at the misfortune and invasion of privacy of others that you wouldn't like to have happen to you.
- jmatchett383

Yep. Laughing at other people’s misfortune is fun.

Yet, you can't stand the "rat"? I think his instigating antics are very similar to Barnaby, but at least Marchand has some skill. His dirty stuff is deplorable, though. Not defending a knee to the head but Marchand had it coming when Neal accidentally-on-purpose busted his ass.
- Brayn

Barnaby did a lot of talking and a lot of fighting. He was an honorable player and had some good years of hockey. Marchand has a slew foot highlight reel. I would defend anyone who injured Marchand permanently.

Edmundson or whatever should be fined for how he played that 2 on 1. Your team has everything going for ya and you gift them that backdoor beauty. Disgusting

Edmundson or whatever should be fined for how he played that 2 on 1. Your team has everything going for ya and you gift them that backdoor beauty. Disgusting
- WSCTeton17

Wish we got a Maroon Burns scrap. Burns is a fruitcake though.

I wonder if MTL still has any interest in Johnson. They need to fill out their defense. Wishful thinking, I know.

That’ll teach couture to dive.

I wonder if MTL still has any interest in Johnson. They need to fill out their defense. Wishful thinking, I know.
- Rinosaur

I don’t see why they wouldn’t they just re-sign Benn and their RFAs or go after, idk, anyone else including Gardiner, Stralman, Myers, Lovejoy, Nemeth, McQuaid, Engelland, Marincin, etc. They also have Noah Juulsen looking to come up full time. They have a ton of cap space. If they’re smart they’ll sign / trade for some higher end guys while they can and in a couple years trade some of their other guys looking at raises (Domi, Tatar, Gallagher, Danault) for a model of continuous success. Bergeron deserves credit: the Subban trade hasn’t worked out and they could’ve used him to get younger players but other than that he’s made some really crafty moves. Shaw, Domi, Danault, and Tatar are all doing great but his discount extensions to guys like Gallagher are incredibly valuable

Mathew Barnaby was fun to watch.
- Grinder47

Damn right he was. Thanks. So much fun seeing him drop the gloves with guys 40 pounds heavier than him.

At least Barnaby would drop his gloves no matter the size difference. Marchand hides behind Chara. And this is from a guy who absolutely hates Barnaby.
- jmatchett383

Barnaby was a fun guy to watch but he’d do stupid stuff every game. He was a warrior and could play a little bit, just like Downie could.

I don’t see why they wouldn’t they just re-sign Benn and their RFAs or go after, idk, anyone else including Gardiner, Stralman, Myers, Lovejoy, Nemeth, McQuaid, Engelland, Marincin, etc. They also have Noah Juulsen looking to come up full time. They have a ton of cap space. If they’re smart they’ll sign / trade for some higher end guys while they can and in a couple years trade some of their other guys looking at raises (Domi, Tatar, Gallagher, Danault) for a model of continuous success. Bergeron deserves credit: the Subban trade hasn’t worked out and they could’ve used him to get younger players but other than that he’s made some really crafty moves. Shaw, Domi, Danault, and Tatar are all doing great but his discount extensions to guys like Gallagher are incredibly valuable
- WSCTeton17

Dude this is a Wilson thread. No GM in the entire league knows anything about hockey. All you need to do is look at fancy stats and swipe up the Marcel Goc of the world and you’re a winner.

The 21 pick is not great value...damn but that 30 we traded away for reaves still gets talked about as if it was a potential franchise player we were losing.

The 21 pick is not great value...damn but that 30 we traded away for reaves still gets talked about as if it was a potential franchise player we were losing.
- taleisyreXIII

Do you not agree it was a waste? We traded our pick and a potential 4th line center for a player that ultimately didn't finish the season with us? Seems pretty wasteful to me. Regardless of this blog, that was a stupid move. Period. It goes to the narrative that the coach and GM are not on the same page and was the beginning of this quagmire we currently find the team in.

Anyone read the Panther's new blog? It touches on some Malkin trade suggestions which one mentions some players along with "at least a second" lol

This off-season is going to be whacky as (frank) with the rumors.

Anyone read the Panther's new blog? It touches on some Malkin trade suggestions which one mentions some players along with "at least a second" lol

This off-season is going to be whacky as (frank) with the rumors.
- Rinosaur

Lol unbelievable. I’m going over there to check it out

Anyone read the Panther's new blog? It touches on some Malkin trade suggestions which one mentions some players along with "at least a second" lol

This off-season is going to be whacky as (frank) with the rumors.
- Rinosaur

Pittsburgh will obviously want a king's ransom for Malkin and the fear is the Cats would overpay for him. While big and skilled, Makin is going to be 33 and has a huge contract - where he's something like a 9.5 M cap hit until the 21-22 season. He's also dealt with his share of injuries.

Do you not agree it was a waste? We traded our pick and a potential 4th line center for a player that ultimately didn't finish the season with us? Seems pretty wasteful to me. Regardless of this blog, that was a stupid move. Period. It goes to the narrative that the coach and GM are not on the same page and was the beginning of this quagmire we currently find the team in.
- Brayn

I didn't hate Ryan Reaves as much as some people around here, but yes, Rutherford got fleeced. The coach giving him 5 mins a night made it even worse. If Reaves is the worst player on the line, it's fine. Unfortunately he was the best. Rowney, Kuhnhackl and Reaves was one of the worst lines the Pens have iced in the Crosby/Malkin era.

Do you not agree it was a waste? We traded our pick and a potential 4th line center for a player that ultimately didn't finish the season with us? Seems pretty wasteful to me. Regardless of this blog, that was a stupid move. Period. It goes to the narrative that the coach and GM are not on the same page and was the beginning of this quagmire we currently find the team in.
- Brayn

The issue I have with that trade is two things:
1) Change of direction in identity
2) Not utilizing Reaves

Reaves was a complete departure for what made this team successful and didn't make sense for this team's system.

Now, I'm not suggesting that Reaves would definitely have been some major difference-maker, but if you're going to give up what they did and go in a different direction, put him in a position to make an impact which I don't feel they did.

Sundqvist looked great in his first pre-season and then just didn't seem to fall in line. His projection was never that high, so I don't blame the Pens for using him as a trade chip. The fact that he's exceeding expectations is hindsight.

That being said, I think Sundqvist and a mid-level pick would have enough to get Reaves.

Go Canes. I guess.

Anyone read the Panther's new blog? It touches on some Malkin trade suggestions which one mentions some players along with "at least a second" lol

This off-season is going to be whacky as (frank) with the rumors.
- Rinosaur

If you were FLA and thought you going to land Planarian in FA. If you wanted Malkin as a #2 behind Barkov to play with Panarin.....what would you pay for him?

TBH it gives FLA a ice lineup, veteran leadership....its not a bad spot for 71 to land on paper.

I know nothing of those other guys mentioned but they are young played about a season.....If they had a huge upside I would think a deal like that is about what Malkin is worth plus a 1st.

If you were FLA and thought you going to land Planarian in FA. If you wanted Malkin as a #2 behind Barkov to play with Panarin.....what would you pay for him?

TBH it gives FLA a ice lineup, veteran leadership....its not a bad spot for 71 to land on paper.

I know nothing of those other guys mentioned but they are young played about a season.....If they had a huge upside I would think a deal like that is about what Malkin is worth plus a 1st.
- sammy87

Geno BEHIND Barkov? lol ok