Ahh gotchya, sorry.

I dont like him in the lineup anywhere. On the 3rd pair, with much more favorable matchups and deployments, him being dressed was much more digestible...but again, I think they have a better option for there as well.
- MattStrat

On the 3rd pair with more favorable deployment, JJ's partner was also Marino, so it may not go as well if it's not anymore.

On the 3rd pair with more favorable deployment, JJ's partner was also Marino, so it may not go as well if it's not anymore.
- Tojo.

I firmly believe this is JJ's last season as a Penguin and I don't mean that as wishful thinking. From a purely financial perspective they will not have much of a choice but to try and move him. Hopefully the perception on him has changed a little to some teams.

More interested in the Marino status.

The Petterson deal is fine if it doesn't force him to be protected in the upcoming expansion draft. If he's forced to be protected, that's El Stinko.

If he's getting $4, what is Marino going to get? I'm assuming more. $6?
- coohill

Even if Pettersson has to be protected, Marino is exempt so it's not leaving anyone vulnerable currently in the organization.

I'd offer Marino 5M this off-season and hope he bites. Probably in that 5-6M neighborhood. I was a big fan of Pettersson's rookie season, but Marino is another level.

Even if Pettersson has to be protected, Marino is exempt so it's not leaving anyone vulnerable currently in the organization.

I'd offer Marino 5M this off-season and hope he bites. Probably in that 5-6M neighborhood. I was a big fan of Pettersson's rookie season, but Marino is another level.
- Tojo.

Personally, I'd like to see on more season of Marino. I'm pretty conservative when it comes to younger players though.

I firmly believe this is JJ's last season as a Penguin and I don't mean that as wishful thinking. From a purely financial perspective they will not have much of a choice but to try and move him. Hopefully the perception on him has changed a little to some teams.
- Rinosaur

I hope you're right, I'm not sure they see an issue.

IMO, they have multiple fringe roster players and prospects to cheaply replace JJ (Riikola and POJ) and Hornqvist (Lafferty, Angelo, maybe Legare, might be Simon's spot) if they wanted to open up some more cap space.

On the 3rd pair with more favorable deployment, JJ's partner was also Marino, so it may not go as well if it's not anymore.
- Tojo.

Oh yeah!...thats a small (BIG) detail I overlooked haha.

I hope you're right, I'm not sure they see an issue.

IMO, they have multiple fringe roster players and prospects to cheaply replace JJ (Riikola and POJ) and Hornqvist (Lafferty, Angelo, maybe Legare, might be Simon's spot) if they wanted to open up some more cap space.
- Tojo.

This is obviously just a feeling, but I think Hornqvist will be the "Fleury" in the Seattle draft.

I know you check too, so I'm guessing you've noticed Riikola has some of the better play driving stats on the defense and Ruhwedel among the worst. Imagine Riikola with a more solid partner.
- Tojo.

That's exactly what I want to see! His game this year is just so much better. His gap control is night and day, he is quicker to move the puck out of the zone, and his jump in the offensive zone has resulted in some seriously good chances.

Even if Pettersson has to be protected, Marino is exempt so it's not leaving anyone vulnerable currently in the organization.

I'd offer Marino 5M this off-season and hope he bites. Probably in that 5-6M neighborhood. I was a big fan of Pettersson's rookie season, but Marino is another level.
- Tojo.

Not with his RFA status. I don't talk contract until next January at the earliest.

Personally, I'd like to see on more season of Marino. I'm pretty conservative when it comes to younger players though.
- Rinosaur

Not with his RFA status. I don't talk contract until next January at the earliest.
- burgh4life87

In Marino's case, I'm willing to bet on the player and try to get a bargain contract by locking him in early. Always a gamble, but I would for him.

Not with his RFA status. I don't talk contract until next January at the earliest.
- burgh4life87

Agreed. Pens hold all of the leverage with him.

Did anyone read the trade proposal article Custance put up on the Athletic today? It was great. A bjugs, DeSmith, and 1st for Zucker was proposed and the executive said that Minnesota would turn that down becuase "they don't need to eat cap just to get a 1st for Zucker."

Agreed. Pens hold all of the leverage with him.
- jmatchett383

Yup, because next season what you can do is monitor his point production for a second full season and estimate where arbitration would land and whether or not you should just give him a real contract or another bridge.

Did anyone read the trade proposal article Custance put up on the Athletic today? It was great. A bjugs, DeSmith, and 1st for Zucker was proposed and the executive said that Minnesota would turn that down becuase "they don't need to eat cap just to get a 1st for Zucker."
- burgh4life87

Who's "the executive"?

Ive always seen Bjugs being part of a trade to the Wild because its his home town hahah

Who's "the executive"?

Ive always seen Bjugs being part of a trade to the Wild because its his home town hahah
- MattStrat

He's always wanted to play for the Wild.

Picture of his childhood bedroom:

With Marino and Pettersson being established as your 2nd pairing, is Addison most likely to be moved? He was lights out with Canada at the worlds. Their defensive core is still relatively young. Letang 32, dumo 28, Pettersson 23, and Marino 22. If these players stay consistent, that’s a solid core for the next 5 years.
- drummer829

Defensemen take a while to come around so I really don’t think not having a spot for Addison is an issue since we’ll have a 3RD vacancy next season. If we needed him to come in and be a top 4 guy next year we probably would be pretty (frank)ed.

That being said, seems like he’s our best prospect so id assume he’s gone in whatever trade we make since he’s our best chip.

I really hope that every time Rutherford agrees to let one of his assistants interview/take a new position....he tells them that they owe him one favor. Obviously something within reason. For instance, say Guerin has two similiar offers for Zucker between the Pens and some random team... he'd pick the pens.

And on that note... time to see what favor ol' Tommy Fitzgerald can help out JR with...cough... Blake Coleman... cough
- YouMeAndDupuis9

I do not think he parted on great terms with the old man.

He's always wanted to play for the Wild.

Picture of his childhood bedroom:


- jmatchett383

hahaha

I dont know man. There have been some wins but they werent really convincing to my eyes like before he went to 1st pair, usually winning on the back of one good period played. How many games with 3+ or more goals against since he went there? Their overall team D stats have somewhat plummeted since ...Letang's stats have dropped a fair bit but JJ's have risen a bit. So some good of Letang (and the forwards the 1st pair usually get) is rubbing off on him and he's bringing down Letang.
- MattStrat

Yeah the proof is in the pudding, or in this case, Letang’s stats. Letang was playing at a fringe Norris nom level before getting saddled with Johnson and now he’s treading water. I think the fact that Johnson doesn’t look like a total disaster is just further proof that Letang is great and does a lot to cover for his partner’s short fallings and Letang’s perceived struggles is further proof that Johnson is still really bad and that Sullivan is just doing a better job hiding him this year.

He's always wanted to play for the Wild.

Picture of his childhood bedroom:


- jmatchett383

John Tavares 2.0

Who's "the executive"?

Ive always seen Bjugs being part of a trade to the Wild because its his home town hahah
- MattStrat

He actually asked a few different unnamed exec's. He said some were gm's, some were assistants.

On the 3rd pair with more favorable deployment, JJ's partner was also Marino, so it may not go as well if it's not anymore.
- Tojo.

By the eye test, the Johltz pairing was one of the single biggest disasters I’ve ever seen when they got significant ice time last year. By the stats they were putting up league-worst worthy numbers. I am certain that they will be reunited when we have a healthy team since Marino has jumped Schultz and it will not go well. Everyone but Barnaby will be back to crucifying Johnson.

Did anyone read the trade proposal article Custance put up on the Athletic today? It was great. A bjugs, DeSmith, and 1st for Zucker was proposed and the executive said that Minnesota would turn that down becuase "they don't need to eat cap just to get a 1st for Zucker."
- burgh4life87

Ok cool. With the Guentzel cap savings we’ll take the Zucker for just a first deal and just scratch Bjugstad until someone trades us a 8th round pick for him. Then we have a full arsenal to go after Tatar too!

Ok cool. With the Guentzel cap savings we’ll take the Zucker for just a first deal and just scratch Bjugstad until someone trades us a 8th round pick for him. Then we have a full arsenal to go after Tatar too!
- Victoro311

They will find a way to dump Galchenyuk first. His name has been out there for a month now.
And I'm actually convinced that Bjugstad remains and plays center.

More interested in the Marino status.

The Petterson deal is fine if it doesn't force him to be protected in the upcoming expansion draft. If he's forced to be protected, that's El Stinko.

If he's getting $4, what is Marino going to get? I'm assuming more. $6?
- coohill

The Pens can protect three defensemen. Letang and Dumoulin are no brainers. As it sits now, Petterson is your third choice. Johnson is the one to get exposed. How is this a bad thing?

Again, as it currently sits, the exposed players are going to be: Murray, Kahun, Blueger, Simon and Johnson. You can scratch Simon and Johnson off that list, they are going nowhere.