I have a question about Tanev, or more his contract.

Generally, you don't sign a middle-6/bottom-6 player like Tanev to a 6-year deal. Now, he's not a bad player, just not a guy who generally warrants more than a 2-3 year deal. That said, most people on here (RW included) have a "Screw the future and live for the next 2-3 years" mentality given Sid and Malkin's age.

So, if all the Penguins are concerned with is a 2-3 year window, then why was there such a clamor over the length of Tanev's deal? If it's okay to throw away high draft picks 2-3 years down the line, why is it not okay to have a serviceable guy like Tanev signed past 2-3 years down the line?
- jmatchett383

I don't recall there being much clamoring over the term for the reason you stated ..2 or 3 year window. Some people found it weird to sign a guy like that, that long and some were a bit concerned if he sucked the term made him harder to trade away.

I just seem to remember his cap hit/price and the fact we already had a plethora of bottom 6 guys we could use without that price being the main reasons for clamouring.

Im glad he's a Pen.

Sid is making the trip...

The only thing holding this team back are the injuries... and maybe MM's play so far... so imagine where they might be with a healthy squad all year, rather than the only team perched at the pinnacle of the man-games-lost-to-injury charts.

I think both GMJR and HCMS deserve a TON of credit, not to mention the speed and intensity of all those questionable signings everyone was female dogging about prior to the season starting. Maybe they know something you all don't.

As for Letang, he sucked this weekend. And if we have to use stats, I'd say it was maybe 33% JJ's fault. There are times when 58 repeatedly defies the very basic things taught to young Dmen, and if he's THAT tired, maybe he should take a shorter shift now and then. Yeah, there were times when JJ was completely faked out of his jersey, and so that should happen when he's facing the opposition's best, no? Puh-leeze!!

GO PENS !!

The JJ hate continues, bang the drum slowly. You are truly blinded by your hate of this player. Do you even watch him on the ice?

The JJ hate continues, bang the drum slowly. You are truly blinded by your hate of this player. Do you even watch him on the ice?
- Vincepens

Indeed. He made some really good plays this weekend... did some skating, got some solid shots on goal, pounded on a few guys (which nobody except Tanev and ZAR does on this team)... everything and more you can ask of a 3rd pairing Dman.

Indeed. He made some really good plays this weekend... did some skating, got some solid shots on goal, pounded on a few guys (which nobody except Tanev and ZAR does on this team)... everything and more you can ask of a 3rd pairing Dman.
- Cousinskrid

The problem is you have a 3rd pairing dman on the first pair. Not JJ's fault, and aside from helping that tying goal against MTL, he's not doing well there. That aside, Letang's issues have been all on him. He's simply making bad decisions which have nothing to do with JJ.

If I'm the Pens I'd be inquiring about Hamhuis from NSH. They're on a freefall and I think he'd be a passable stop-gap until Dumo get back then good depth for the playoffs.

What phony nightclub atmosphere? Aside from the cheezy Game of Thrones-like opening, it’s like going to a regular hockey game.
- Rinosaur

The speaker volumes are set extremely high, much higher than any other sporting event I’ve been to.

The fanbase is a special blend of entitled and stupid. I call it enKNIGHTled.

Must be nice to have a commissioner willing to change the rules for you because you threw a fit.

The speaker volumes are set extremely high, much higher than any other sporting event I’ve been to.

The fanbase is a special blend of entitled and stupid. I call it enKNIGHTled.

Must be nice to have a commissioner willing to change the rules for you because you threw a fit.
- Za Warudo

The music is fine. There's no club-like atmosphere. They are trying to make this an exciting event. There's a bit off extra drama that's definitely a little too much, but it's a great experience going there for a game.

Also, while I do get annoyed with Vegas fans sometimes, you're being super harsh. Most of them never saw a hockey game before they came here. They're new fans, they're hardcore supporting their team which is helping to support hockey and grow the sport.

I think the rule changes are good. It's going to be more difficult to create revenue for the league when cities don't want to go watch a team full of 4th liners. Seattle will do the same thing and it will be good. It's up to the GM to use the rules as please. Vegas decided to go all-in now rather than later and maybe Seattle will take the slower approach.

I have a question about Tanev, or more his contract.

Generally, you don't sign a middle-6/bottom-6 player like Tanev to a 6-year deal. Now, he's not a bad player, just not a guy who generally warrants more than a 2-3 year deal. That said, most people on here (RW included) have a "Screw the future and live for the next 2-3 years" mentality given Sid and Malkin's age.

So, if all the Penguins are concerned with is a 2-3 year window, then why was there such a clamor over the length of Tanev's deal? If it's okay to throw away high draft picks 2-3 years down the line, why is it not okay to have a serviceable guy like Tanev signed past 2-3 years down the line?
- jmatchett383

My issue with the contract was more the AAV/length balance, I think $3.5 is fair on a 2-3 year deal like you mentioned, at 6 years I would have expected the AAV to drop closer to $2.5-3. Overall not a huge deal, but that was my beef with the contract, it would have made sense to give extra years after the "window" to drive down cost now, but that didn't seem to happen.

The problem is you have a 3rd pairing dman on the first pair. Not JJ's fault, and aside from helping that tying goal against MTL, he's not doing well there. That aside, Letang's issues have been all on him. He's simply making bad decisions which have nothing to do with JJ.

If I'm the Pens I'd be inquiring about Hamhuis from NSH. They're on a freefall and I think he'd be a passable stop-gap until Dumo get back then good depth for the playoffs.
- Rinosaur

Didn’t hamhuis say no to signing in Pitt before going to Vancouver? I can’t remember but I thought he either ixnayed a trade or we had his rights or something and he refused.

Didn’t hamhuis say no to signing in Pitt before going to Vancouver? I can’t remember but I thought he either ixnayed a trade or we had his rights or something and he refused.
- 10inchTerror

That was like ten years ago. Who knows what his reasons were then.

That was like ten years ago. Who knows what his reasons were then.
- Rinosaur

Wasn’t that back when Paul Martin and Michalek signed?

I have a question about Tanev, or more his contract.

Generally, you don't sign a middle-6/bottom-6 player like Tanev to a 6-year deal. Now, he's not a bad player, just not a guy who generally warrants more than a 2-3 year deal. That said, most people on here (RW included) have a "Screw the future and live for the next 2-3 years" mentality given Sid and Malkin's age.

So, if all the Penguins are concerned with is a 2-3 year window, then why was there such a clamor over the length of Tanev's deal? If it's okay to throw away high draft picks 2-3 years down the line, why is it not okay to have a serviceable guy like Tanev signed past 2-3 years down the line?
- jmatchett383

The idea is that giving a bottom 6 player like him term should have driven the overall cap hit down. Instead of 3.5m for 5 years, people (myself included) should have brought that down to 2.5m or 2.75m or something along those lines which would allow more money for other areas of the roster and not a bottom 6 player.

Wasn’t that back when Paul Martin and Michalek signed?
- drummer829

Yes

The speaker volumes are set extremely high, much higher than any other sporting event I’ve been to.

The fanbase is a special blend of entitled and stupid. I call it enKNIGHTled.

Must be nice to have a commissioner willing to change the rules for you because you threw a fit.
- Za Warudo

Seattle will get the same rules. And I’m not gonna lie, making those rules for Vegas helped that franchise a ton and should be the way all sports do an expansion draft. Helping teams get on the right foot to competing and making money is only going to be better for the league.

Yes
- Rinosaur

I don't think he's a good fit... He's Brooks Orpik slow.

My issue with the contract was more the AAV/length balance, I think $3.5 is fair on a 2-3 year deal like you mentioned, at 6 years I would have expected the AAV to drop closer to $2.5-3. Overall not a huge deal, but that was my beef with the contract, it would have made sense to give extra years after the "window" to drive down cost now, but that didn't seem to happen.
- bri29smith

^bingo

So Ruhwedel only playing 12-14 minutes isn't a problem whatsoever. Schultz still doesn't have a time table. So I guess we will have to wait until Dumo comes back to find out how much Ruhwedel really holds them two back. Remember, it wasn't that long ago that Ruhwedel was benched for Zach Trautman. He was also benched in favor of JJ and Riikola playing their off side. I am sorry but I see a bigger problem with Ruhwedel than I do anyone else.
- Thunderbolt

You are more worried about the 3rd pair RD than one of our Top2 LD

The JJ hate continues, bang the drum slowly. You are truly blinded by your hate of this player. Do you even watch him on the ice?
- Vincepens

He can't be on the top pair, prefer on the third pair for sure but he has been solid. Petterson has been our worst this year out of the starting defense, so not including Rikki, Ruh, etc...

I know the Pens prefer the left/ right combinations, but with right handed talent available such as Bogosian and Tanev, wouldn't it be prudent to adjust? Tanev would be a great add IMO since he can play physical and both sides.

I know the Pens prefer the left/ right combinations, but with right handed talent available such as Bogosian and Tanev, wouldn't it be prudent to adjust? Tanev would be a great add IMO since he can play physical and both sides.
- hipcheck_goalie

Talent? (frank) both of them. We can do better.

Slightly off topic, but, it's going to get interesting in Pgh soon. I knew there were a lot of RFAs & UFAs coming up, but not a total of 11 on the active roster and IR. WOW. GMJR is gonna have carpal tunnel from the new contract writing this summer.

Sid is making the trip...
- MattStrat

I got so excited that i made place for him in Yahoo fantasy, hope it was not too early... first games from injuries are often high profitable ones.

Slightly off topic, but, it's going to get interesting in Pgh soon. I knew there were a lot of RFAs & UFAs coming up, but not a total of 11 on the active roster and IR. WOW. GMJR is gonna have carpal tunnel from the new contract writing this summer.
- jmy_1

I was really worried about it before the season. Now, Marino replaces Schultz, Galchenyuk can walk if he makes past the deadline and be no loss, and Jarry is stealing Murray's job. Suddenly that's 14M they can use to take care of raises to McCann, Pettersson, Jarry, and Kahun and still have a little extra.

My issue with the contract was more the AAV/length balance, I think $3.5 is fair on a 2-3 year deal like you mentioned, at 6 years I would have expected the AAV to drop closer to $2.5-3. Overall not a huge deal, but that was my beef with the contract, it would have made sense to give extra years after the "window" to drive down cost now, but that didn't seem to happen.
- bri29smith

It's the classic alight overpay if you sign a guy at the start of free agency. Giving that type of contract to a bottom 6 guy was odd considering the depth they seemed to have and the concerns he just had a big contract year and not a breakout. Can't forget the partial NTC either qhich might matter during expansion.

But for 3.5M, he's elevated a couple of cheap young players into a good shutdown line. That line's success definitely starts with his forecheck. So far he's been well worth it, and has actually improved offensively.

Of course some of the complaints like he needed Lowry were just silly to start with because people wanted to bash the signing.