last year 5v5

Crosby w/o simon - CF% = 52.99
Simon w/o Crosby...53.49
together....60.42

also keep in mind that when Simon wasn't playing with crosby( and also not letang), he was either 1 playing with malkin, phil and jacko which is a possesion gold mine or 2 playing 3rd line still with jacko.

both make his solo possesion stats even more impressive.

so yea, you're wrong, simon is definitely a good possession player
- joecool2931

My only problem with him is that he has no scoring touch. Sure he put one in last night. You put any nhl caliber player with Sid for that many games and they have more.

And this would also require giving GMJR credit for getting Marino for basically nothing, and that just won’t fly here.
- mdub71

Supposedly it was the scouts who were "pounding the table" for JR to acquire Marino, so we're safe, we don't need to give JR credit for Marino. He didn't even know who Marino was.

I don’t care if he looks good for another ten games. I can guarantee you he will go back to his old ways. His 13 year career shows this. He’s not all of a sudden going to learn hockey.
- Rinosaur

The same can be said for Guds and so far this year, he looks like crap.

In other news I’m currently in first place in my fantasy league. I said I’d only play if there were as many non point stats as point stats. Kris Russell killing it on blocked shots, Tanev and Reaves on hits. I traded McKinnon and Wheeler for sid. That’s paying off. I need a good penalty minutes guy though. Reaves doesn’t get near as many as you think. Also sids 5 for fighting not only sparked a turn around for the pens season maybe,it really helped this week. B

My only problem with him is that he has no scoring touch. Sure he put one in last night. You put any nhl caliber player with Sid for that many games and they have more.
- Grinder47

Yeah, at some point you have to add up the missed opportunities because of no hands. Possession is great, but you need goalz to win games.

I'm not one of the Simon haters, I've actually really enjoyed the chemistry Simon is gaining with Sid and Jake. That being said I think Simon should make it a thing to practice one timers/deflecting pucks towards the net.
- 668710

Unfortunately some players have a scoring touch and some don’t. There’s plenty of players who have loads of tools and abilities that way above average, but just can’t light the lamp.

It's actually nothing against Simon. I just feel they should use his abilities to drive a line to help prop up another line, not create a super possession line with Crosby and Letang, who are going to tilt the ice no matter who the RW is. I feel Malkin could use a guy like him.
- Tojo.

I agree with this. Pairing Crosby with a no-hands winger is a waste of a generational talent. I think Crosby and Malkin's style of play is different enough that Malkin would benefit more with Simon than would Crosby.

Unfortunately some players have a scoring touch and some don’t. There’s plenty of players who have loads of tools and abilities that way above average, but just can’t light the lamp.
- Rinosaur

I'm not expecting him to be some 30 goal scorer but 15-20 should definitely happen if he sticks in the top 6.

Meh, I know it is an unpopular opinion, but if it isn’t Kahun that gets moved in a deal, I wouldn’t lose it if it were Simon.

Meh, I know it is an unpopular opinion, but if it isn’t Kahun that gets moved in a deal, I wouldn’t lose it if it were Simon.
- Doogs

All depends on who we obtained in the deal.

I'm not expecting him to be some 30 goal scorer but 15-20 should definitely happen if he sticks in the top 6.
- 668710

14 is the benchmark. Simon is going to want Tanev money and we have already established Tanev's contract is among the worst in the league.

A good comparison would be how Kunitz and Dupuis played when they were Crosby's line mates. Seventeen was the lowest each scored when healthy.

All depends on who we obtained in the deal.
- 123Kid

Do we realize how good of a GM we really have in the grand scheme of things? He at least is willing to roll the dice and is willing to admit if something didn't work... I'd rather have that than a GM who rarely deals, no matter how bad they need to.
On a separate note I looked at the GMs in the league and JR is a top 6 in my opinion.

Meh, I know it is an unpopular opinion, but if it isn’t Kahun that gets moved in a deal, I wouldn’t lose it if it were Simon.
- Doogs

It would suck if they packaged Simon with JJ or Guds and we basically get nothing in return.

It would suck if they packaged Simon with JJ or Guds and we basically get nothing in return.
- 668710

I honestly don't think it will take a lot of "sweetener" to move Gudbranson. Now, I don't think they'll get away with a straight cap-dump, but I think it will be less of a concession than it will be for JJ.

I honestly don't think it will take a lot of "sweetener" to move Gudbranson. Now, I don't think they'll get away with a straight cap-dump, but I think it will be less of a concession than it will be for JJ.
- Rinosaur

I think the "sweetener" will be taking back a less-than-desirable contract in return in a 1-for-1 deal, maybe with salary retention on one side or the other. So many teams are close to the cap and roster limit that if we start adding contracts on top of Guds, the options become significantly fewer.

Meh, I know it is an unpopular opinion, but if it isn’t Kahun that gets moved in a deal, I wouldn’t lose it if it were Simon.
- Doogs

I think JJ or Gubs gets moved and Rust. I think Rust is the odd ma out. If Simon is ad advertised, Rust is expendable.

I honestly don't think it will take a lot of "sweetener" to move Gudbranson. Now, I don't think they'll get away with a straight cap-dump, but I think it will be less of a concession than it will be for JJ.
- Rinosaur

Hopefully not, but it's what comes back that worries me haha

I think the "sweetener" will be taking back a less-than-desirable contract in return in a 1-for-1 deal, maybe with salary retention on one side or the other. So many teams are close to the cap and roster limit that if we start adding contracts on top of Guds, the options become significantly fewer.
- Hockey66

Yea that worries me haha I dont want a worse contract.

I honestly don't think it will take a lot of "sweetener" to move Gudbranson. Now, I don't think they'll get away with a straight cap-dump, but I think it will be less of a concession than it will be for JJ.
- Rinosaur

They keep using him at LD it will.

They keep using him at LD it will.
- madmike71

True story

Whats the story on the Honka dude holding out for the Stars?

Whats the story on the Honka dude holding out for the Stars?
- sammy87

Apparently he's playing in Europe but the Stars still control his rights.

Apparently he's playing in Europe but the Stars still control his rights.
- Hockey66

Yeah knew that, just read it was similar to Puljaarvi. Wasn't sure if he was a legit NHL player or not. If so maybe a place to send Gubs or JJ?

I think JJ or Gubs gets moved and Rust. I think Rust is the odd ma out. If Simon is ad advertised, Rust is expendable.
- sammy87

I don't know if anyone has mentioned it but now seeing that Johnson and Lafferty can play, maybe they should deal Bjugstad? He hasn't lived up to $4.1 million' cap hit. Plus, I think you could actually make a trade that doesn't needed any "sweetner" added.

I don't know if anyone has mentioned it but now seeing that Johnson and Lafferty can play, maybe they should deal Bjugstad? He hasn't lived up to $4.1 million' cap hit. Plus, I think you could actually make a trade that doesn't needed any "sweetner" added.
- stevens87

I think I’d wait more than a few games to see if they can play before trading legit nhl forwards away. Especially centers.