I would love to see the Pens go after Zucker. He's a solid fit for this team's style. In general I'm curious to see what happens in MIN. I don't remember if it was an article I read or heard it on TSN, but supposedly what gave Guerin the edge was he didn't believe they needed to go through a full rebuild. Not sure how that's all looking now...

I would love to see the Pens go after Zucker. He's a solid fit for this team's style. In general I'm curious to see what happens in MIN. I don't remember if it was an article I read or heard it on TSN, but supposedly what gave Guerin the edge was he didn't believe they needed to go through a full rebuild. Not sure how that's all looking now...
- Rinosaur

They tried but Phil nixed the deal to Minnesota.

Supposedly it was Phil and JJ going to the Wild for Zucker and I don't know what else.

EDIT: https://www.pensburgh.com...rask-pittsburgh-minnesota

I think the biggest thing that some people were concerned about was everyone being on board as the team got healthy, and everyone seems to be.

It's early, so I'm cautiously optimistic. Hopefully this is a sustainable style of play.
- Rinosaur

I think it is if you really consider your first sentence. They had 4 of 5 of their top 9 forwards out and played very solid hockey winning more than they lost. When these guys were out they lost 3 or 4 one goal games that they out played the opposing team. A touch more scoring ability in those games and they probably would of won them...and this is all with a sh!tty PP that has nowhere to go but up. Then you consider that the guys came back into the lineup and the overall play was still extremely solid. So yeah, I think they can keep it up.

They tried but Phil nixed the deal to Minnesota.

Supposedly it was Phil and JJ going to the Wild for Zucker and I don't know what else.

EDIT: https://www.pensburgh.com...rask-pittsburgh-minnesota
- Murphy_Dump

Oh, I'm aware as is the entire hockey world. This has nothing to do with what happens next.

I would love to see the Pens go after Zucker. He's a solid fit for this team's style. In general I'm curious to see what happens in MIN. I don't remember if it was an article I read or heard it on TSN, but supposedly what gave Guerin the edge was he didn't believe they needed to go through a full rebuild. Not sure how that's all looking now...
- Rinosaur

If they had a goalie, they would at least be competitive. They're third in the league in xGA/60, yet are giving up over 3.5 goals a game. Wasting one of the best defense cores in the league.

I think it is if you really consider your first sentence. They had 4 of 5 of their top 9 forwards out and played very solid hockey winning more than they lost. When these guys were out they lost 3 or 4 one goal games that they out played the opposing team. A touch more scoring ability in those games and they probably would of won them...and this is all with a sh!tty PP that has nowhere to go but up. Then you consider that the guys came back into the lineup and the overall play was still extremely solid. So yeah, I think they can keep it up.
- MattStrat

I'm not worried about the Power Play. They will figure it out. These kind of things just happen sometime. Soon enough everyone will be complaining that they only score on the PP and never 5v5 lol

If they had a goalie, they would at least be competitive. They're third in the league in xGA/60, yet are giving up over 3.5 goals a game. Wasting one of the best defense cores in the league.
- Tojo.

I don't think their d-core is as good as it was.

Oh, I'm aware as is the entire hockey world. This has nothing to do with what happens next.
- Rinosaur

What would you give the Wild for Zucker now? Now that Guds is gone and Letang is injured I don't think GMJR would be willing to part with JJ.

What would you give the Wild for Zucker now? Now that Guds is gone and Letang is injured I don't think GMJR would be willing to part with JJ.
- Murphy_Dump

JJ is negative value so it’s not about “parting” with him. And if for some reason Guerin thinks JJ is a valuable part in a package for Zucker and JR doesn’t do it because he’s worried about our depth, Mario should over ride him, make the trade, and fire him on the spot.

What would you give the Wild for Zucker now? Now that Guds is gone and Letang is injured I don't think GMJR would be willing to part with JJ.
- Murphy_Dump

I honestly don’t know and I don’t know the Pens have what it would take. All I said was that I liked him and would love to see the pens go after him. Is it OK for me to like a player and want him on the pens?

JJ is negative value so it’s not about “parting” with him. And if for some reason Guerin thinks JJ is a valuable part in a package for Zucker and JR doesn’t do it because he’s worried about our depth, Mario should over ride him, make the trade, and fire him on the spot.
- Victoro311

Probably a deal based around Galchenyuk.
Conditional picks and a prospect.

I don't think their d-core is as good as it was.
- Rinosaur

I think their top 3 are all studs and Brodin is a solid 4th.

I was captain of the trade for Zucker team, but I'd be curious to see how McCann does first since right now he's doing most everything Zucker does.

EDIT- I probably still wouldn't say no to Zucker, but a stud defenseman is more my priority. The forwards are masking some weaknesses there.

I think their top 3 are all studs and Brodin is a solid 4th.
- Tojo.

I think Brodin is overrated.

Probably a deal based around Galchenyuk.
Conditional picks and a prospect.
- j.boyd919

This. If that makes it happen I’d pull the trigger.

I was captain of the trade for Zucker team, but I'd be curious to see how McCann does first since right now he's doing most everything Zucker does.

EDIT- I probably still wouldn't say no to Zucker, but a stud defenseman is more my priority. The forwards are masking some weaknesses there.
- Tojo.

I'm not really sure I would go after a defenseman quite yet. I'd really like to see Riikola get an extended look at that 3rd pairing LD. He was kicking ass again last night. A left side of Dumo, Petts and Riikola would be more than good enough if we could use the cap space to bring in another high end talent.

Rikki seemed to have a decent night on his off side. He started really well. Had a few blunders as the game went on though. I thought Dumo and Marino struggled a bit.

That Isles fore check is the real deal. I'd like to see Jarry in net against them next time to see if he can buy some more time for the D with his superior puck handling.

We're actually leading the league in xGA/60 according to charting hockey. Someone pointed out yesterday our goalies have actually slightly under-performed.

So the Penguins are currently one of the best defensive teams in hockey!
- Tojo.

Yah, both Murray and Jarry have been allowing more goals than their respective xGA. Not surpising. Just watching the last few weeks you can see some softer goals going in. Chalk it up to puck luck or whatever. They are still good goalies and you can bet that they will carry this team through some tough stretches as the season goes on.

I know Galch is a pretty skilled player. I'm willing to be pretty patient with him in his new setting with him missing most of training camp and most of the games this seasons so far.

He definitely seems more interested in helping Geno (or Sid) than himself right now.

I also think the PP, which is what (and goalies) mainly won them games the past two season, will take better shape as the season goes along. I mean, if their PP was around 20% this season they might be 1st in the division.

Also, Murray has had two lackluster showings in a row. Not worried about him yet.
- MattStrat

Yeah... They need to be patient with Galch. Injuries have really f'd things up in the chemistry department. I don't like Galch on the top line and bumping Guentz over to RW. I thought it looked awkward in the 3rd.

I honestly don’t know and I don’t know the Pens have what it would take. All I said was that I liked him and would love to see the pens go after him. Is it OK for me to like a player and want him on the pens?
- Rinosaur

You said you wanted the Pens to go after him, I asked what you thought it would take for the Pens to get him. Didn't seem like an unreasonable question at the time. However, I apologize if you were offended in any way.

Sincerely,
murphy_dump

Rikki seemed to have a decent night on his off side. He started really well. Had a few blunders as the game went on though. I thought Dumo and Marino struggled a bit.

That Isles fore check is the real deal. I'd like to see Jarry in net against them next time to see if he can buy some more time for the D with his superior puck handling.
- Thorny87

As a pair, at 5v5, Marino and Dumo only played 8 minutes together all season. Played over 18 at 5v5 last night. Definitely some bumps, but still finished positive in possession and goals for. Pretty good stuff from the rookie too. Sometimes I think he gets a bit too comfortable holding onto the puck in the corners though.

Yah, both Murray and Jarry have been allowing more goals than their respective xGA. Not surpising. Just watching the last few weeks you can see some softer goals going in. Chalk it up to puck luck or whatever. They are still good goalies and you can bet that they will carry this team through some tough stretches as the season goes on.
- burgh4life87

Wasn't it just the Boston game that skewed Jarry's numbers? I thought he had been pretty great up until that game coming in cold

Wasn't it just the Boston game that skewed Jarry's numbers? I thought he had been pretty great up until that game coming in cold
- Thorny87

One of those goals was an absolute snipe. I can't even blame him for that. The second goal was bad luck.....post then off his back. I didn't think Jarry looked bad in that game coming in cold. Murray on the other hand has been rough the last two.....although he's been pretty great all things considered.

Wasn't it just the Boston game that skewed Jarry's numbers? I thought he had been pretty great up until that game coming in cold
- Thorny87

I'm not quite sure. Tierney posted something on twitter about it. Murray has decent overall numbers, but has been poor considering quality of shots against. Looking up Jarry he is performing quite well. I was wrong, he has a positive GSAA on natural stat trick. I think murray's sloppy play is dragging the team GSAA down as a whole.

Yeah... They need to be patient with Galch. Injuries have really f'd things up in the chemistry department. I don't like Galch on the top line and bumping Guentz over to RW. I thought it looked awkward in the 3rd.
- madmike71

I'm hoping that was just a last minute spark thing. They should have done that against Boston. Simon was completely invisible in the Boston game, but was having a good game last night.