The team has a very strong work ethic once again most games this season that was absent most games last season...would they of with Phil?

I dont know the answer to that question for sure but can't help but feel they wouldnt be as hard to play against. I might take heat for saying that but I dont care. Bring it on haha.
- MattStrat

Considering Phil was part of this team that won the cup with this style/system/philosophy I’d say they would have with him here.

The team has a very strong work ethic once again most games this season that was absent most games last season...would they of with Phil?

I dont know the answer to that question for sure but can't help but feel they wouldnt be as hard to play against. I might take heat for saying that but I dont care. Bring it on haha.
- MattStrat

2016 begs to differ. That team was a defensive juggernaut.

I think a lot of our defensive issues came with the transition to a bigger more physical roster. They weren't quick enough to play the suffocating system Sullivan preferred and we were bleeding scoring chances against. We are getting back to that aggressive forecheck, speed in the neutral zone, and better puck support by more mobile D. It is good to see.

Yeah, I’m a bit confused by the strategy here, but also wouldn’t say Geno was an untouchable player this past offseason.
- Rinosaur

I think it is pretty straight forward. The Pens want an to be an organization where everyone earns their keep. These guys are professionals and need to know where they stand.

Actually very similar to how the Pat's operate. Doesn't matter what your name is or how much you make. You have to be committed to playing within the system. No BS.

2016 begs to differ. That team was a defensive juggernaut.
- burgh4life87

In that they always had the puck...

Also should note the Pens played their hand with Murray perfectly. They loaded him up with work to see what he could deliver as a workhorse #1.

As I expected, he hasn't passed the test meaning he is going to command a much more reasonable next contract. Also, now seeing Jarry shine the Pens could be in beautiful shape in net for years to come.
- MacPatty

Under two years now. Seattle gets one.

2016 begs to differ. That team was a defensive juggernaut.

I think a lot of our defensive issues came with the transition to a bigger more physical roster. They weren't quick enough to play the suffocating system Sullivan preferred and we were bleeding scoring chances against. We are getting back to that aggressive forecheck, speed in the neutral zone, and better puck support by more mobile D. It is good to see.
- burgh4life87

Yeah I wasn't talking about 2016. They were a buzz saw in all zones in 2016...well...after Sullivan took over, under Johnston the first half the season they were brutal. 2017 I started seeing it a bit and then 2018 it was full blown. To my eyes Phil was different last year. Only usually got hyped up for the PP and did more coasting/floating than usual 5 on 5.

None of this is to say I didnt want Phil. I would of rather kept him over that trade.

I don’t get why Rutherford would go out of his way to say stuff like that about Galchenyuk. He could have just as easily said “We’ll have a lot of options when we’re all healthy and it’s up to the coaching staff to find the right fit.” Sending a message like this to a player should be done man to man behind closed doors, not via the (frank)ing beat.
- Victoro311

Yeah, it's not like he isn't working hard. GMJR even says in that interview he's been one of their harder workers, so this isn't a case where he needs to be motivated.

I think it is pretty straight forward. The Pens want an to be an organization where everyone earns their keep. These guys are professionals and need to know where they stand.

Actually very similar to how the Pat's operate. Doesn't matter what your name is or how much you make. You have to be committed to playing within the system. No BS.
- MacPatty

There’s a difference between that and a GM calling out a player in the media like he did with Galchenyuk.

Yeah, it's not like he isn't working hard. GMJR even says in that interview he's been one of their harder workers, so this isn't a case where he needs to be motivated.
- Tojo.

He NEEDS to be on another team.

I think taking Galchenyuk was just a gamble for a reclamation project. A guy who was supposed to have a high ceiling and who might just start hitting it if he was given some competent centers. Can't think of a better opportunity than playing with Crosby or Malkin. Didn't pan out though I suppose, at least the pens aren't stuck with his contract so I really don't think it's that big of a deal.
- mgriffen

I think they just got stuck because they had to deal with Arizona and they had to take a salary back and weren't given much to choose from. With Galchenyuk, at least it was an expiring deal. If it works, great, if not, easy to move if you need cap space to make a deal.

If Kessel wanted out (rumored) and there’s a continued rift between player and coach it creates stress on the rest of the team in a trickle down effect. I don’t think we’d be posting these excellent defensive metrics with Phil on the roster. I think the locker room is right, the players have bought in, and whether or not we keep Galchenyuk long term there will be cap space enough to hopefully retain McCann, Kahun, Petts, and Simon

He NEEDS to be on another team.
- Rinosaur

Deep down, in places you don't talked about at parties, you WANT him on another team, you NEED him on another team.

JR kind of called out Geno over the summer and he worked his ass off. The injury set him back, but he's beginning to look elite again. He's definitely a more detailed player this season compared to last. He called out Kahun to some degree too, and he's been fantastic after the healthy scratch.

Maybe the old man knows what he's doing.

If Kessel wanted out (rumored) and there’s a continued rift between player and coach it creates stress on the rest of the team in a trickle down effect. I don’t think we’d be posting these excellent defensive metrics with Phil on the roster. I think the locker room is right, the players have bought in, and whether or not we keep Galchenyuk long term there will be cap space enough to hopefully retain McCann, Kahun, Petts, and Simon
- WSCTeton17

This is basically how I feel about it all too.

Under two years now. Seattle gets one.
- Thunderbolt

Maybe, there will be a lot of other goalies available and with our depth a forward might be better, maybe a defenseman if we sign one better than Pettersson. I don't think we can even begin to figure out who we might lose until after off-season moves are made.

Washington was sure they were losing Grubauer, then got surprised and lost Schmidt.

JR kind of called out Geno over the summer and he worked his ass off. The injury set him back, but he's beginning to look elite again. He's definitely a more detailed player this season compared to last. He called out Kahun to some degree too, and he's been fantastic after the healthy scratch.

Maybe the old man knows what he's doing.
- madmike71

Nah, he just bumbled and stumbled his way into the hockey hall of fame.

I hope Galchenyuk figures it out but hey, if we have enough guys playing great that it forces him out of the lineup that's fantastic.

He might not return a high pick but he still has trade value to some of these teams that are looking for talent next season.

Worst case, that is $5M the Pens have to spend in the offseason.
- MacPatty

Let's be real, theres no way this ends without Hall in Pittsburgh

Schultz was just taken off IR.

The team has a very strong work ethic once again most games this season that was absent most games last season...would they of with Phil?

I dont know the answer to that question for sure but can't help but feel they wouldnt be as hard to play against. I might take heat for saying that but I dont care. Bring it on haha.
- MattStrat

I'd guess it's at least easier to pull off without Phil if even half the stuff rumored was accurate. The team is pulling in one direction, and Phil does his own thing. It worked for a while, especially with Hagelin to pick up the slack around him.

The PP certainly misses Phil. He's still getting points there. But his ES game has deteriorated. He should get a little better, but 3 ES goals in 62 games might actually be behind Dominick Simon, so at what point do you say he's just lost the ability to get his shot?

The team has a very strong work ethic once again most games this season that was absent most games last season...would they of with Phil?

I dont know the answer to that question for sure but can't help but feel they wouldnt be as hard to play against. I might take heat for saying that but I dont care. Bring it on haha.
- MattStrat

I think they've been the better team in the overwhelming majority of games they've played. It's kind of amazing through all these injuries. I was somewhat skeptical when they traded Phil, but I can't deny they've been playing great most nights.

At no time last season did I feel they were a contender. If they get healthy this season, I think they can do some damage. Thankfully, Rutherford has reversed course with the type of players he values.

Let's be real, theres no way this ends without Hall in Pittsburgh
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Yep definitely true

Some of the guy who've covered the team for a long time don't think Shero will want to help the Pens win. I guess a few grudges.

No reasonable person could make any kind of argument that this was an equivalent trade. Kessel is orders of magnitude better than Galchenyuk - in the past, present, and future. The trade always was a salary dump, from the very beginning. Rutherford's argument is likely that Kessel's projected numbers in the 19/20, 20/21 and 21/22 seasons are not commensurate with his contract. True, he knew this when he traded for him years back but he was likely under pressure from management to have a "win now" mentality (and they did win with him ).

As for Galchenyuk, the onus is on him - not on the Pens. This is a contract year for him and he has chronically under-performed his expectations throughout his career. And he has to do what the team wants - not the other way around. So far he has been mediocre (again, not holding him to be a true Kessel replacement). If he were to go on a tear and price himself off of the team then he would be a rental player that would benefit the team this year. If he continues to be mediocre or sub-mediocre then his next NHL contract will be short term and for less money. It is a no lose situation for the Pens.

Yep definitely true

Some of the guy who've covered the team for a long time don't think Shero will want to help the Pens win. I guess a few grudges.
- Tojo.

From Madden's comments yesterday, I got the feeling Ray isn't a fan of Morehouse. Burkle was pretty damn hard on Shero and Bylsma in his comments after their well deserved firings.

I wouldn't be buying that Hall Pens jersey just yet.

Phil was a cap dump. Kessels contract is beyond this year (6.8M X 2 more years) and Chucky is a UFA at years end. Additionally it appears that malkin had enough of being in the middle. The rest of the team did get to see that the conn smythe runner up/92 point player was moved. so everyone was put on notice. then the coach got a 4 year deal. so its sullivans way or the highway.

We can all debate that GMJR got the team into cap hell by making other signings/trades (i.e. jack johnson at 3.25, gudbrandson at 4M) that didnt make the most sense but thats a different topic.

Galchenyuk will not be resigned so thats $5M back next year. I also hope bjugstad is moved. $4M for that production that could be spent elsewhere.

i will wear my #81 jersey tonight. thankful for what he did for the franchised. ok that he is gone to keep other players here.

From Madden's comments yesterday, I got the feeling Ray isn't a fan of Morehouse. Burkle was pretty damn hard on Shero and Bylsma in his comments after their well deserved firings.

I wouldn't be buying that Hall Pens jersey just yet.
- madmike71

There's always Toffoli