It's sooooo Penguins.... They haven't played in a couple of months and are still losing guys to serious injuries.

I can see it now... One of these guys will be digging in his pocket looking for his mask and break a finger.

I would bet it will look more like this at first
Guentzel Crozby Sheary
Zucker Malkin Rust
Marleau MaCann Hornqvist
ZAR Blueger Tanev

Agree with all of the above.

What is so criminal about tanking? The NFL allows it and remains the most popular sport by far.
- Za Warudo

I feel like the NFL is the league that least incentivizes it due to to the depth of talent that enters the draft. You can reasonably expect to get a contributor all the way down in the 7th round.

I would bet it will look more like this at first
Guentzel Crozby Sheary
Zucker Malkin Rust
Marleau MaCann Hornqvist
ZAR Blueger Tanev
- dcoms77

I’d flip flop Jake and Zucks, Jake has history with Geno and Zucker doesn’t, I’d think that would make a difference in these circumstances

TIOPS has reported what pretty much everywhere else has reported in regards to JR's thoughts on when Jake could return. They did add however that some players in the past who've had similar surgeries needed nine to twelve months before being 100%.

Obviously "similar" doesn't mean the same and I'm sure the severities varied, but that does make me pause considering the 20/21 season will start almost immediately after this one ends.

Things that I personally don't know is while it could take longer to feel 100%, does that mean playing through it will slow that process down or regardless it could take that long.

I'd pencil Simon in over Sheary and Rod. They like him and he has a cheap qualifier as opposed to Rod at over 2M and Sheary a UFA making 3M. Maybe they come back, but with a stagnant or decreasing cap, probably not at those salaries unless say Sheary has a great playoff.

To your main point though, doesn't seem like a need for Bjugstad. I like him and was hoping he'd prove valuable at some point, but couldn't get on the ice and they need to cut unnecessary salary.
- Tojo.

For next year I 100% agree. I meant the playoffs lol. Simon is out due to surgery, but I could be wrong. I do think Simon stays after this season. I think Rod gets a lower paying contract, one year deal to fight for a spot as a center/winger option which depth would be good following our injuries this past year.

I see them letting Sheary walk, Bjudstad preferably leaving through a buyout, Schultz walking, and them trading a goalie. I honestly feel like we just need one more top 6 winger and/or a solid 2nd/3rd pairing defenseman and we are set.

For next year I 100% agree. I meant the playoffs lol. Simon is out due to surgery, but I could be wrong. I do think Simon stays after this season. I think Rod gets a lower paying contract, one year deal to fight for a spot as a center/winger option which depth would be good following our injuries this past year.

I see them letting Sheary walk, Bjudstad preferably leaving through a buyout, Schultz walking, and them trading a goalie. I honestly feel like we just need one more top 6 winger and/or a solid 2nd/3rd pairing defenseman and we are set.
- 123Kid

My bad, I misunderstood.

I'd like to keep Rod as a depth player on a cheap deal if possible. That gets tricky though when you don't qualify. And I kind of want him as a 13th forward and he asked for a trade from Buffalo when he started getting scratched. So it might not work out.

Agree with everything else. Going to be tough to get that top 6 wing and bottom pair RHD now.

For next year I 100% agree. I meant the playoffs lol. Simon is out due to surgery, but I could be wrong. I do think Simon stays after this season. I think Rod gets a lower paying contract, one year deal to fight for a spot as a center/winger option which depth would be good following our injuries this past year.

I see them letting Sheary walk, Bjudstad preferably leaving through a buyout, Schultz walking, and them trading a goalie. I honestly feel like we just need one more top 6 winger and/or a solid 2nd/3rd pairing defenseman and we are set.
- 123Kid

After the Kahun move I really think it's unpredictable what players they would choose to keep over others. While it wasn't crazy lopsided, Kahun is clearly the better player and also at a cheaper price than Sheary, so would they favor Sheary over Simon or maybe even re-signing McCann?

The could feel that Blueger is ready for 3C duty and elect to keep Sheary instead paying McCann. Keep Rod to be 4C.

I doubt they buy out Bjugstad, but maybe they try to move him which would free up enough money for them to keep both Sheary and McCann.

So many ifs here.

I would bet it will look more like this at first
Guentzel Crozby Sheary
Zucker Malkin Rust
Marleau MaCann Hornqvist
ZAR Blueger Tanev
- dcoms77

I don't think they put Sheary on the top line with Guentzel being back. They will Keep Zucker with Crosby due to their Chemistry on the ice. I see them keeping Marleau with Malkin together for the same reason (unless they put Guentzel with Malkin).

I read an interesting article from Dk sports which put Rodriguez at the center spot and giving us a Right handed center option.

I'm curious if they'll use any Black Ace spots on prospects like POJ or maybe Poulin to give them the experience. They usually would for a guy like POJ who is close as there's value in seeing how the pros handle everything.

Limit of 28 skaters this year. Pens got 13 forwards and defensemen, plus Lafferty, Angelo, and Trotman are probably locks so only 4 spots potentially to be grabbed.

After the Kahun move I really think it's unpredictable what players they would choose to keep over others. While it wasn't crazy lopsided, Kahun is clearly the better player and also at a cheaper price than Sheary, so would they favor Sheary over Simon or maybe even re-signing McCann?

The could feel that Blueger is ready for 3C duty and elect to keep Sheary instead paying McCann. Keep Rod to be 4C.

I doubt they buy out Bjugstad, but maybe they try to move him which would free up enough money for them to keep both Sheary and McCann.

So many ifs here.
- Rinosaur

It will be an interesting offseason. I think this is the first time I have seen a Penguins team with pretty good depth options.

I'm curious if they'll use any Black Ace spots on prospects like POJ or maybe Poulin to give them the experience. They usually would for a guy like POJ who is close as there's value in seeing how the pros handle everything.

Limit of 28 skaters this year. Pens got 13 forwards and defensemen, plus Lafferty, Angelo, and Trotman are probably locks so only 4 spots potentially to be grabbed.
- Tojo.

I have been wondering if JR is going to open up spots for our young guys as well. Even our draft picks from the year prior may be pushing for spots. It should get interesting

After the Kahun move I really think it's unpredictable what players they would choose to keep over others. While it wasn't crazy lopsided, Kahun is clearly the better player and also at a cheaper price than Sheary, so would they favor Sheary over Simon or maybe even re-signing McCann?

The could feel that Blueger is ready for 3C duty and elect to keep Sheary instead paying McCann. Keep Rod to be 4C.

I doubt they buy out Bjugstad, but maybe they try to move him which would free up enough money for them to keep both Sheary and McCann.

So many ifs here.
- Rinosaur

Kahun clashing with Sully seemed to be the driving force there. Too bad we never really saw him with Crosby.

I think Sheary can earn or lose a spot depending on how he does in the playoffs.

I think they'll keep McCann and keep the Blueger line intact for at least one more year before Blueger and ZAR are RFAs. That line could be the 3rd line really though for now building another scoring line with McCann and Hornqvist should be the play.

Lots of other possible ways they can go and I agree quite a few guys can move based on performance in playoffs and cap space. Don't think it will be McCann yet who they really seem to like.

I have been wondering if JR is going to open up spots for our young guys as well. Even our draft picks from the year prior may be pushing for spots. It should get interesting
- 123Kid

I'd be curious to hear who you'd add since you see these guys more.

I figure one of Czurczman or Warsofski as 10th D and I'd give POJ a spot.

Maybe Varone and Barber at forward? Johnson got mentioned by GMJR, DiPauli has gotten a recall, Miletic is close and Poulin might be a nice wildcard to have around, but I think I'd just take those vets.

Kahun clashing with Sully seemed to be the driving force there. Too bad we never really saw him with Crosby.

I think Sheary can earn or lose a spot depending on how he does in the playoffs.

I think they'll keep McCann and keep the Blueger line intact for at least one more year before Blueger and ZAR are RFAs. That line could be the 3rd line really though for now building another scoring line with McCann and Hornqvist should be the play.

Lots of other possible ways they can go and I agree quite a few guys can move based on performance in playoffs and cap space. Don't think it will be McCann yet who they really seem to like.
- Tojo.

I'm a fan of McCann and don't think he should be moved. I agree with much of what you said in terms that I'd like to see that, but my overall point was I think it's unpredictable. We could see plenty of things we aren't expecting based on who they like.