The full Rumor Chart.

Shy of that, nothing. Well...other than grief from my wife, who constanty asks me the exact same question.
- Doogs

LOL, and this!

Well said (the second part).

I'm not so sure Phil is the kind of guy who would get himself worked up over something like this. He basically doesn't give a ship, and the guy just wants to play hockey. I hope like hell he stays.
- Cousinskrid

I think Phil cares a lot about his relationship with his team. Maybe he doesn’t care what old man GMJR thinks or says but it would probably bother him if Sully was always harping on him or if guys with letters on their jerseys got after him for shooting pucks when the coach is talking, or if he’s simply lost the respect of his teammates for X, Y, Z reason and they don’t talk. I’m not saying those things are happening but if they are I would think they would bother Phil. My guess is he doesnt want to stay. He’ll have to submit a new no-trade list on 7/1

Welp, I just read Josh’s quote of “Phil Kessel wants to stay in Pittsburgh.” Still, let’s say McCann plays with Crosby and Jake and then Rust plays on the left side with Geno and Hornqvist. If that top 6 is scoring at even strength, is Phil going to be happy playing 16 minutes a game playing with Bjugstad and Simon/ZAR? Maybe this just means he moves on into the season. Time will tell

Welp, I just read Josh’s quote of “Phil Kessel wants to stay in Pittsburgh.” Still, let’s say McCann plays with Crosby and Jake and then Rust plays on the left side with Geno and Hornqvist. If that top 6 is scoring at even strength, is Phil going to be happy playing 16 minutes a game playing with Bjugstad and Simon/ZAR? Maybe this just means he moves on into the season. Time will tell
- WSCTeton17

Simon, Maatta and a first for...can that get into talks for Trouba?

I’ve been a advocate of not trading Phil, but after all this drama I have to wonder what impact that is has in the locker room and with the coaching staff.

Simon, Maatta and a first for...can that get into talks for Trouba?
- Doogs

I think it comes down to leverage. No chance extending Trouba? Then obviously offer less.

That being said it would have to be either Schultz or Gudbranson and I think we all know which one. On top of that? I think it depends on what the cap hit will be. If Trouba only gets a slight raise then I’d offer Schultz, ZAR and a 1st. If he’s more money? Then we’re talking Rust, but then maybe no 1st.

It all comes down to leverage and cap.

Simon, Maatta and a first for...can that get into talks for Trouba?
- Doogs

I highly doubt it. They would probably ask for Blueger as he’s cheaper and should have more cost control. ZAR fits their style a lot more as well. I don’t think Maatta and a first would be enough. Probably have to add a prospect or another pick

ZAR, Maatta, 1st, next years 2nd? I just don’t see it as a fit and even if it is wouldn’t make sense unless we know he’ll extend

I think it comes down to leverage. No chance extending Trouba? Then obviously offer less.

That being said it would have to be either Schultz or Gudbranson and I think we all know which one. On top of that? I think it depends on what the cap hit will be. If Trouba only gets a slight raise then I’d offer Schultz, ZAR and a 1st. If he’s more money? Then we’re talking Rust, but then maybe no 1st.

It all comes down to leverage and cap.
- Rinosaur

I believe he was asking for $8MM and that was before he put up 50 points. I agree with you that Schultz would likely head their way in the deal and then they would walk away from Myers

I believe he was asking for $8MM and that was before he put up 50 points. I agree with you that Schultz would likely head their way in the deal and then they would walk away from Myers
- WSCTeton17

Meyers is still on their radar? Well then.

And I didn’t even think of ZAR. I don’t want to see Rust added. I feel in many ways the same desure to lose Simon like many want JJ gone. Just not a fan. They are...I’m not.

Meyers is still on their radar? Well then.

And I didn’t even think of ZAR. I don’t want to see Rust added. I feel in many ways the same desure to lose Simon like many want JJ gone. Just not a fan. They are...I’m not.
- Doogs

Rust is likely too expensive for them. Rust would only make sense if they moved Laine somewhere and decided they wanted to shore up their depth scoring

They have opened up talks with Myers to see what a new contract would look like and this has been ongoing for a little while now

Adam wrote about Maatta’s season, I haven’t read it yet but wanted to share: https://twitter.com/agret.../1138495231454830593?s=21

Is anyone else sick and tired of Jim Rutherford?

Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled that he helped guide Pittsburgh into back-to-back Cups, but his recent signings, trades, and off the cuff remarks have left me wishing the Penguins would have kept Botterill and let old Jim walk off into the sunset. Calling the current defense corps "the best" he's ever seen under his watch, poopting on Kessel openly to the press, and even fanning the rumor fires on Malkin. I'm sorry, but what the hell is he doing? He's not giving me any confidence that this team is going to be any different in 2019. I'm actually fearful it's going to be worse, and he's primarily to blame.

I highly doubt it. They would probably ask for Blueger as he’s cheaper and should have more cost control. ZAR fits their style a lot more as well. I don’t think Maatta and a first would be enough. Probably have to add a prospect or another pick

ZAR, Maatta, 1st, next years 2nd? I just don’t see it as a fit and even if it is wouldn’t make sense unless we know he’ll extend
- WSCTeton17

Sadly, we already traded our 2nd next year in the Fleury deal.

Rutherford to Yohe....

“I think that’s the way things are headed at this point in time,” Rutherford told The Athletic. “I expect Kessel will probably play for Pittsburgh next season.” “You have to understand that he has a no-trade clause and a lot of leverage,” Rutherford said. “In situations like this, it usually doesn’t work out so well for the team. That’s just the way it is. So, at this point, it looks to me that he will return at this season. That’s how I’m proceeding moving forward.”
- madmike71

What did Rutherford say in the article about Genos future?

Simon, Maatta and a first for...can that get into talks for Trouba?
- Doogs

Simon is good. I’d rather keep the forward depth. Scoring chances follow wherever that dude lines up.

What did Rutherford say in the article about Genos future?
- j.boyd919

Basically that while he was a little hesitant to say anything, he knew deep down that Geno isn’t going anywhere.

Basically that while he was a little hesitant to say anything, he knew deep down that Geno isn’t going anywhere.
- Rinosaur

What a Richard. Why say anything?

What a Richard. Why say anything?
- simethos

Back pedaling

My guess is JR was super frustrated with the team and was maybe a bit unprofessional for a moment. Got too emotional.

What a Richard. Why say anything?
- simethos

At least one of the national guys said it was to rattle Geno's cage and he got the message. Can't remember who.

Simon is good. I’d rather keep the forward depth. Scoring chances follow wherever that dude lines up.
- j.boyd919

If they end up keeping Phil and putting him on the third line, Simon would be a good fit on the opposite wing.

Does anybody know what the rumored beef between Phil and Malkin was? I've seen it in a few articles but it's never explained. Did Malkin no longer want him on his wing?

At least one of the national guys said it was to rattle Geno's cage and he got the message. Can't remember who.
- Tojo.

That is incredibly stupid. There are better ways to speak to one of your alternate captains and one of the top 4 players that the organization has ever had. Maybe, call a meeting with Sully, Sid, Geno and Mario, to discuss the future direction of the team? Wouldn't that make a hell of a lot more sense. No, Jim would rather raise speculation and false rumors by telling people that Malkin is on the block. How stupid can he be? No wonder he got drummed out of Carolina. I'm starting to see why.

If they end up keeping Phil and putting him on the third line, Simon would be a good fit on the opposite wing.

Does anybody know what the rumored beef between Phil and Malkin was? I've seen it in a few articles but it's never explained. Did Malkin no longer want him on his wing?
- Tojo.

Weren’t they in a heated argument on the bench and Tocchet had to get between them? Phil is always so animated on the bench. Some people don’t do well in those high stress environments.

I think Phil ran into Geno on the ice and Geno got hurt, was that not Phil?

It’s probably not any one thing. Sometimes guys just don’t mesh well. Obviously they don’t mesh all that well at 5v5 and it seems like the only time they do on the PP is when Geno or Sid is laying it on a T for Phil

So what’s the deal with trading a guy who has a NTC/NMC - doesn’t the acquiring team and the player get to work out whether the clause sticks or not prior to acceptance of transfer? So for expansion purposes, couldn’t a guy like Hornqvist or Eriksson (Vancouver) have it removed via trade? Or is that not a thing

Weren’t they in a heated argument on the bench and Tocchet had to get between them? Phil is always so animated on the bench. Some people don’t do well in those high stress environments.

I think Phil ran into Geno on the ice and Geno got hurt, was that not Phil?

It’s probably not any one thing. Sometimes guys just don’t mesh well. Obviously they don’t mesh all that well at 5v5 and it seems like the only time they do on the PP is when Geno or Sid is laying it on a T for Phil
- WSCTeton17

The thing with Phil is he's not going to drive play for his line because he floats, but he's an elite scorer so he makes up for that. You just have to build the rest of the group around him with guys like Hagelin who drive play.

Geno a few years ago might have been fantastic with Phil, but he just doesn't drive play like he used to. He's barely a positive relative possession player now. He's done his best work lately with play driving demons like Hagelin and Hornqvist.

Putting Malkin and Phil together is a net negative possession wise though they'll finish more than their fair share of chances. But it puts the burden on the other 3 guys and JJ, Schultz, and Maatta all don't really do it (other than that one year Schultz is a bad relative possession player on the Pens as well). Defense was the bigger culprit, but the lazy play of Malkin and especially Kessel compounded the problem.