I don't necessarily understand Phils interest in Zona. Supposedly it's about playing with Tocchet. Maybe Phil doesn't recognize the absurd rate of coaching turnover in the NHL. What are the odds Tocchet lasts longer than Phil's remaining term? One chance in 3?
- madmike71

-modest taxes at the state level
-great weather
-low pressure environment

lots of things about Arizona would appeal to Kessel over a team like Minnesota.

If the Bruins wins the SC they’ll ruin everything. Pretty much everybody wants St.Louis to win.

I don't necessarily understand Phils interest in Zona. Supposedly it's about playing with Tocchet. Maybe Phil doesn't recognize the absurd rate of coaching turnover in the NHL. What are the odds Tocchet lasts longer than Phil's remaining term? One chance in 3?
- madmike71

Most players don’t. You hear interviews all the time of how they loved so and so as a coach, even though they coach was a dumpster fire and the team sucked balls while they were the head.

Philly gets Hayes’ rights. Kinda neat because obviously AV ahead him before but also this was rumored not long ago

I just read another rumor that the Stars are looking into adding Marleau AND Zaitsev. I wonder what else they’re adding there
- WSCTeton17

Can we all take a break from fighting amongst ourselves to laugh at the Flyers for drafting Nolan Patrick?

Most players don’t. You hear interviews all the time of how they loved so and so as a coach, even though they coach was a dumpster fire and the team sucked balls while they were the head.
- j.boyd919

Off topic, but Who among the Pens loved Bylsma? I mean besides Craig Adams and Derek Engelland?

I don't necessarily understand Phils interest in Zona. Supposedly it's about playing with Tocchet. Maybe Phil doesn't recognize the absurd rate of coaching turnover in the NHL. What are the odds Tocchet lasts longer than Phil's remaining term? One chance in 3?
- madmike71

AZ doesn’t have the money to fire Tocchet and his $2.5MM AND hire a new coach for $3MM+ so I would say the odds aren’t actually that bad

Can we all take a break from fighting amongst ourselves to laugh at the Flyers for drafting Nolan Patrick?
- Za Warudo

Just feels too early for that for me. He could turn out to be Cotourierin a couple years. I said it when they hired AV, I think Philly is trying to make a quick run here and trying to bring in Hayes confirms that. There’s a lot of potential with how that roster is forming imo

-modest taxes at the state level
-great weather
-low pressure environment

lots of things about Arizona would appeal to Kessel over a team like Minnesota.
- SuperHenderson13

Several casinos, not that far from Vegas, plenty of golf courses which Phil enjoys, etc

Just feels too early for that for me. He could turn out to be Cotourierin a couple years. I said it when they hired AV, I think Philly is trying to make a quick run here and trying to bring in Hayes confirms that. There’s a lot of potential with how that roster is forming imo
- WSCTeton17

Metro is going to be even more brutal because Philly, NYR, and NJ are all motivated to improve.

Metro is going to be even more brutal because Philly, NYR, and NJ are all motivated to improve.
- Tojo.

Idk, if NJ trades Hall (which I hope they do) I think they might have a drop off. I do agree with Philly and NYR being aggressive this offseason to improve.

I heard the AZ ownership deal is going to take some time to get done and won’t happen until later in the summer. Rumor is they won’t even make a Kessel offer until that gets done. Vegas doesn’t have room for Phil even if they unload their dead weight. There are other teams that make sense (like Dallas) but my guess is Phil for Zucker gets done. Then you can finally celebrate eh Tojo lol
- WSCTeton17

We'll see, nothing is certain. I was hoping to get more just because I think they're selling higher on Phil and buying low on Zucker. But I do like Zucker. I feel pretty confident he'd be back at 25/50 in Minnesota and has a good chance of 30/60 again here. I'm far less confident Phil gets a point a game again.

Also, JJ is no longer in the deal and I don't see how he gets unloaded now.

Idk, if NJ trades Hall (which I hope they do) I think they might have a drop off. I do agree with Philly and NYR being aggressive this offseason to improve.
- 123Kid

Could go either way. If they feel Hall can be convinced to stay they may try hard to improve. Or they could trade him as you say.

I heard the AZ ownership deal is going to take some time to get done and won’t happen until later in the summer. Rumor is they won’t even make a Kessel offer until that gets done. Vegas doesn’t have room for Phil even if they unload their dead weight. There are other teams that make sense (like Dallas) but my guess is Phil for Zucker gets done. Then you can finally celebrate eh Tojo lol
- WSCTeton17

I continue to hope this gets done sooner rather than later. I think JR's off-season plans begin with the Kessel trade.

Idk Tojo, I think the the Min trade would go down as previously proposed with JJ and Kessel or potentially a differently worked deal.

Idk Tojo, I think the the Min trade would go down as previously proposed with JJ and Kessel or potentially a differently worked deal.
- 123Kid

The article I posted earlier is Bob Mackenzie saying it's now a one-on-one. We'll see if it goes down.

I have read the same as your earlier post that the off-season plans are somewhat held up on what happens with Kessel.

I’m glad Petts is getting the love he deserves. I don’t know him personally but I’m glad Sprong turned into Petts
- WSCTeton17

Me too.

Glut at the blue line means one, maybe two Dmen will get moved. Riikola, with low salary, will get a legit shot to make the team as 5-6th man. GMJR will shake things up before they drop the puck in October. Phil is just the first domino.

Glut at the blue line means one, maybe two Dmen will get moved. Riikola, with low salary, will get a legit shot to make the team as 5-6th man. GMJR will shake things up before they drop the puck in October. Phil is just the first domino.
- Dr Blob

Phil is likely the first domino but I'm hoping Maata will be.

I'd love it if they could move him to a team like Montreal for a decent D prospect and a 3rd round pick.

Having the extra cap space right up front would provide huge leverage for any future moves, including a Kessel deal.

Phil is likely the first domino but I'm hoping Maata will be.

I'd love it if they could move him to a team like Montreal for a decent D prospect and a 3rd round pick.

Having the extra cap space right up front would provide huge leverage for any future moves, including a Kessel deal.
- MacPatty

I think they will move Maata if they plan to keep Shultz long term. I think Maata is fine for a mid pairing guy.

Phil is likely the first domino but I'm hoping Maata will be.

I'd love it if they could move him to a team like Montreal for a decent D prospect and a 3rd round pick.

Having the extra cap space right up front would provide huge leverage for any future moves, including a Kessel deal.
- MacPatty

I would much rather them move JJ and/or Guds before attempting to move Maatta.

We'll see, nothing is certain. I was hoping to get more just because I think they're selling higher on Phil and buying low on Zucker. But I do like Zucker. I feel pretty confident he'd be back at 25/50 in Minnesota and has a good chance of 30/60 again here. I'm far less confident Phil gets a point a game again.

Also, JJ is no longer in the deal and I don't see how he gets unloaded now.
- Tojo.

I mentioned this the other day: if Phil for Zucker is now being mentioned as a 1 for 1 and Phil nixed the last deal it tells us Phil doesn’t want JJ coming with him, which is obviously smart on his part. The funny thing is that I could totally see Phil for Zucker on a Friday night followed by Rask for JJ on a Saturday morning lol

Taking a look at the $7.25M they are spending on JJ and Guds. The Pens could actually spend $5M on a 3rd pairind dman(one who is worth his salary), still spend less and have a killer 3rd pair even having Ruhwedel there.

Currently, not including whatever they will spend on Pettersson, the Pens are spending $29.7M on their defense. That's on EIGHT dmen.

Dumo/Letang
Maatta/Schultz
JJ/Gudbranson
Riik/Ruwedel

If you cut out JJ and Gudbranson, that's $7.25M gone. So in essence you have someone at the level of Alec Martinez on your 3rd pair and still spend less money. Yeah, it might mean having Ruwedel as his partner. Ruwhedel may be vanilla as hell and not very dynamic, but he's steady and won't drag anyone down.

This is where I get frustrated with JR.

I would much rather them move JJ and/or Guds before attempting to move Maatta.
- Rinosaur

I'd rather move JJ also but I'm just concerned about the assets it would cost.

I'd love it if you could trade Maata for a 2nd and then flip that pick and mid rounder or someone like Simon with JJ to Ottawa.

Now you've got $8M to play with plus the Kessel trade.

This is where I get frustrated with JR.
- Rinosaur

I wish we could trade Rutherford instead. I'm over him and his nonsense.

I'd rather move JJ also but I'm just concerned about the assets it would cost.

I'd love it if you could trade Maata for a 2nd and then flip that pick and mid rounder or someone like Simon with JJ to Ottawa.

Now you've got $8M to play with plus the Kessel trade.
- MacPatty

No way do I want to move Simon unless there's actually an upgrade at forward coming back. I think you could package ZAR with JJ to a team like OTT.