Malkin likes Tanev types. Neal comes to mind. Dude draws penalties well as well, according to Rossi. Fast and can possess. Why wouldn't he get a look with Geno?

Regardless of what anyone here thinks or wants, they're all gonna get looks with each other. I'll dig a bit and see where and with whom Tanev slotted with all year in Winnepeg. His underlying stats suggest he's waiting for a breakout opportunity.
- Little Katarina

I don't see the Neal comparison. If Tanev gets time in the top 6, I think he'd be more of a Rust/Dupuis type who has just enough skill to get 20 goals and 40 points next to a center like Crosby or Malkin, but is on that line as the third wheel to do a lot of the dirty work.

Without ZAR, you still have a bottom 6 of Rust, Hornqvist, Bjugstad, Blueger, Tanev, and Simon. Really no need to sign any more 4th line players, especially when you have a few AHL kids who should get some NHL time at some point this season. There’s also a TON of fringe nhl players left in the market that could be signed at 2-way contracts, which I expect JR to sign a couple
- drummer829

If ZAR was just a grit guy who killed penalties and fought a little, I'd consider cutting him loose. But since he also had a pts/60 of 1.82 and he won't make much more than a minimum salary player at 700k, I'd rather keep him unless it's a good trade or they really just need a few 100k.

ZAR seems to only be good with Malkin... so if they want to keep him, they 'need' to give him time with Malkin imo.

But, they aren't doing that so to me he is a sign and trade at this point.
- Guile

If he can be the throw-in for a team to take JJ that would be great, but that's wishful thinking.

Why would anyone want a player who's like James Neal as much as some people on this board? I don't get this infatuation. Because he had one year he hit 40 goals? How many times has he crossed 30 goals? Twice.

He averages around 25 goals which is solid, don't get me wrong, but I've rarely seen a player as consistently inconsistent in every area of the game.

1) He scores either in bunches then goes quiet for long periods of time or scores mainly in one part of the season.

2) He actually has a solid two-way game, but rarely brings it out.

I guess my point is you can find plenty of players who score 25 goals. I just don't get why his name always comes back up. He's a pretty average player with moments of above average.

Why would anyone want a player who's like James Neal as much as some people on this board? I don't get this infatuation. Because he had one year he hit 40 goals? How many times has he crossed 30 goals? Twice.

He averages around 25 goals which is solid, don't get me wrong, but I've rarely seen a player as consistently inconsistent in every area of the game.

1) He scores either in bunches then goes quiet for long periods of time or scores mainly in one part of the season.

2) He actually has a solid two-way game, but rarely brings it out.

I guess my point is you can find plenty of players who score 25 goals. I just don't get why his name always comes back up. He's a pretty average player with moments of above average.
- Rinosaur

When James Neal was brought in Crosby and Malkin were on the shelf and Neal wasn’t shooting well. Over the next 3 seasons on Malkin’s wing he had 88 goals in 179 regular season games. (88/179)*82 which is exactly a 40 goal pace. Those were his 24-26 aged seasons. Alex Galchenyuk is 25

James Neal has his fair share of tap in goals (as did Phil) but he also had a ton of nasty snipes and goals where it looked like nothing was going on. He was an elite goal scorer for those 3 seasons. It’s too bad it was tainted by his cheap shots

James Neal has his fair share of tap in goals (as did Phil) but he also had a ton of nasty snipes and goals where it looked like nothing was going on. He was an elite goal scorer for those 3 seasons. It’s too bad it was tainted by his cheap shots
- WSCTeton17

Woopa forgot the vid haha https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7iTwJ6A95oQ

McCann - Crosby - Guentzel
Kahun - Malkin - Galchenyuk
Simon - Bjugstad - Hörnqvist
Tanev - Blueger - Rust

Aston-Reese (I don’t know how much he expects to get but I wouldn’t go above $1-1.2M)

I like our lines. 3rd and 4th look pretty good defensively.
- Barnaby36

Idk about the lines. I think that is our current depth chart. I think they trade Horny and Rust. Potentially and sign ZAR and potentially Johnson or someone else may make the jump to the 4th line.

Here's how I see Sully. He's a good coach, probably the best the Pens have had the last 25 years (not a high bar), particularly Xs and Os. He's not the best, Trotz certainly seems to have his number, but he'd be hard to upgrade.

He tries to run the team like Belichek as the unquestioned leader (style, not greatness). Even has the best player who just die what the coach asks.

Phil is Randy Moss. You put up with a guy like that and his quirks because he has elite talent that can put you over the edge. But making exceptions for him has a shelf life, and if his play starts to dip, you don't want to deal with him anymore.

I may end up wrong, but I think Kessel showed signs of decline. He's about to turn 32 and not dedicated to fitness. For a younger Phil, maybe I just fire the coach, but not now. Not when the top centers are also aging and need younger legs around them.

Here's how I see Sully. He's a good coach, probably the best the Pens have had the last 25 years (not a high bar), particularly Xs and Os. He's not the best, Trotz certainly seems to have his number, but he'd be hard to upgrade.

He tries to run the team like Belichek as the unquestioned leader (style, not greatness). Even has the best player who just die what the coach asks.

Phil is Randy Moss. You put up with a guy like that and his quirks because he has elite talent that can put you over the edge. But making exceptions for him has a shelf life, and if his play starts to dip, you don't want to deal with him anymore.

I may end up wrong, but I think Kessel showed signs of decline. He's about to turn 32 and not dedicated to fitness. For a younger Phil, maybe I just fire the coach, but not now. Not when the top centers are also aging and need younger legs around them.
- Tojo.

Kessels game will fall off of a cliff, and when it does it won't be a gradual decline

Better to try and move a guy a year early, than a year late

Also a Belichick staple....

Moss is a good example even from a production standpoint. 1 year he was top a 10 WR (1300 yards, 13 TDs), the next year he was done, traded twice and benched in Tennessee by the end of the season

For better or worse, RW is just another douche bag blogger.

For better or worse, RW is just another douche bag blogger.
- Kevin87

Do you think anyone legit wants to work for Eklund?

If he can be the throw-in for a team to take JJ that would be great, but that's wishful thinking.
- Rinosaur

Absolutely. Package Aston-Reese with Jacko to see if we can unload a big contract and we can go after another D-man.

Absolutely. Package Aston-Reese with Jacko to see if we can unload a big contract and we can go after another D-man.
- Barnaby36

https://www.capfriendly.c...ead/248065&post_id=961076

I threw this together the other day. This was more to see the financial implications. Obviously other teams could be targets for the trade.

I left some cap space for any deadline deals.

Do you think anyone legit wants to work for Eklund?
- Rinosaur

It's been a good stepping stone for quite a few guys. The Pens pre and post game radio host used to have this blog. I often wondered if RW didn't take this job hoping for the same. But I agree, I don't think there are a bunch of people blogging here that have better options.

It's been a good stepping stone for quite a few guys. The Pens pre and post game radio host used to have this blog. I often wondered if RW didn't take this job hoping for the same. But I agree, I don't think there are a bunch of people blogging here that have better options.
- Tojo.

Travis Yost used to write for HB and now he writes for TSN. Vegas has had really good bloggers on here. I like Todd Cordell. Aside from that I don’t think there are any notables, not that I can recall anyways

I just realized Chucky is even wearing 18 like Neal did 😂

It's been a good stepping stone for quite a few guys. The Pens pre and post game radio host used to have this blog. I often wondered if RW didn't take this job hoping for the same. But I agree, I don't think there are a bunch of people blogging here that have better options.
- Tojo.

I don’t think RW is getting a job with the team anytime soon, given his open disdain for their management, coaching, gritty depth players with poor advanced stats, and traditional media members who cover them.

Previously we discussed the second buyout windows. I’ve mentioned these guys before and now they’re looking at NYR and their second buyout https://twitter.com/proho.../1147604169362046976?s=21

Dont forget that NYR is also shopping Kreider so that’s another way for them to clear space

I just realized Chucky is even wearing 18 like Neal did 😂
- WSCTeton17

Dude where you been?

I always enjoyed James Neal’s violent outburst. Kneeing Marchand in the head was great. Too bad it didn’t end his career. Dude can throw too.

Dude where you been?
- Victoro311

He has a serious Galchenyuk is Neal 2.0 agenda right now, so he's finding any opportunity to bring them in the conversation.

I always enjoyed James Neal’s violent outburst. Kneeing Marchand in the head was great. Too bad it didn’t end his career. Dude can throw too.
- Grinder47

Neal was notorious for not fighting after throwing a cheap shot. Now you’re just making poop up.

I always enjoyed James Neal’s violent outburst. Kneeing Marchand in the head was great. Too bad it didn’t end his career. Dude can throw too.
- Grinder47

Previously we discussed the second buyout windows. I’ve mentioned these guys before and now they’re looking at NYR and their second buyout https://twitter.com/proho.../1147604169362046976?s=21

Dont forget that NYR is also shopping Kreider so that’s another way for them to clear space
- WSCTeton17

I'd be interested in both guys at the right price.

Shattenkirk had a rough first year, but his relative numbers were Letang level good last year. He just played a lot of minutes on a rebuilding team. He'd be a bargain at either retained salary or a short term deal after a buyout.

Smith also has good underlying relative numbers, but has been sunk by the team around him. He'd make a real nice depth defenseman. I'd prefer him on the left side as a JJ replacement.

Feds, didn't you say Smith can play either side?