This is a good point. There is no question the #15 pick could be a total bust and even if they make the NHL, they could be a useless NHL player. On the flip side, a number of good players have come out of that range.

To me, I like the strategy of moving a 1st round pick for a young NHL ready talent. GMs overvalue 1st round picks. Find someone who wants the pick and is willing to part with a solid NHL-ready piece that is 22 years or younger.
- SuperHenderson13

This^


GM's always overvalue 1st rd picks(most picks really). The perceived value of the pick, is worth much more than the specific player chosen.

Something that caught my eye in that short scouting report was mentioning how he's good but he's no Cam Lee. I had totally forgot we signed Cam Lee too.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

One thing with Pronman and defensemen is he puts a high premium on elite offensive and PP skills. So a guy like POJ won't rank as high, but it's basically the same type of things you'd have said about Marino or Dumoulin and I'm hoping that's the type of player he is.

Trade them both for young roster ready players, sign one of the many FA goalies for 4 or 5 mill and use DeSmith as back up. Pens get younger, fresher and hungrier.

Or

Trade Murray and hopefully get a young roster ready player back or attach JJ to Murray and get next to nothing back. Sign Jarry for 3 millish and and have a 4 miliish duo with him and DeSmith.

Im fine with either of those scenarios...the latter being the most likely.
- MattStrat

Let me just say I like Jarry a lot and don’t want to trade him, but if there’s an offer on the table that fixes a major problem of ours, I have to consider it given the amount of goalies hitting the free agent and trade market this offseason. Conversely, that’s also why I don’t think anyone’s going to overpay for Jarry.

Let me just say I like Jarry a lot and don’t want to trade him, but if there’s an offer on the table that fixes a major problem of ours, I have to consider it given the amount of goalies hitting the free agent and trade market this offseason. Conversely, that’s also why I don’t think anyone’s going to overpay for Jarry.
- Victoro311

But really the only three goalies I would want form free agency to be a starter would be Holtby, Lehner and Markstrom. Holtby will probably get around 7 mil, Markstrom will probably get 4-5 and Lehner is hard to gauge with how he's bounced around but he'll probably get 5-6 depending on how he keeps going in the playoffs. I'd rather have Jarry, who I believe in being a starter, around the 3 mil mark.

This^


GM's always overvalue 1st rd picks(most picks really). The perceived value of the pick, is worth much more than the specific player chosen.
- joecool2931

Generally agree with you.

However, 15 is pretty high for the Pens and if they can grab a high-end prospect that could make it to the pros after 1 year of development (similar to Poulin)... I think its worth taking a gamble on just because of the cap ramifications.

Plus whatever a team is willing to give us for 15th overall is unlikely to be a big impact player...

Generally agree with you.

However, 15 is pretty high for the Pens and if they can grab a high-end prospect that could make it to the pros after 1 year of development (similar to Poulin)... I think its worth taking a gamble on just because of the cap ramifications.

Plus whatever a team is willing to give us for 15th overall is unlikely to be a big impact player...
- YouMeAndDupuis9

I think there could be Lots of good players, rfa’s, prospects, getting moved because of the flat cap. A couple big raises could completely throw off the teams salary plan now. Ie: Vancouver with markstrom, Hughes, Pettersson coming up. Colorado has a lot of cap space Today but that won’t last past a year or two. Maybe they value the 15th for someone like zadorov who will get a decent raise and they have byram coming up.

I think Seattle will be a godsend for most teams to rid a player/contract and might keep some teams together and help navigate the flat cap.

Oliver Ekman-Larsson may potentially be available for trade this off-season. Quite a head scratcher there, but man would he be an amazing pick up (even though I know there is an extremely slim/no chance we would trade for him).

Side note I wouldn't mind E-Rod and Poulin being our RWs this year, even though Poulin is left handed. I also wonder if our young guys are at all in the plans for the next season. I would love to move JJ and give Riikola a shot at the bottom pairing. I also wouldn't mind a simple line of a LW free agent or RW free agent, McCann and E-Rod as our 3rd line.

Oliver Ekman-Larsson may potentially be available for trade this off-season. Quite a head scratcher there, but man would he be an amazing pick up (even though I know there is an extremely slim/no chance we would trade for him).

Side note I wouldn't mind E-Rod and Poulin being our RWs this year, even though Poulin is left handed. I also wonder if our young guys are at all in the plans for the next season. I would love to move JJ and give Riikola a shot at the bottom pairing. I also wouldn't mind a simple line of a LW free agent or RW free agent, McCann and E-Rod as our 3rd line.
- 123Kid

I hope poj, riiko, or even lee can really put some pressure on jj and Ruth holds true to his words about sitting a vet. The only other option would be to play the ‘3rd line,’ whoever that may be, with jj and let them all tank together since the 3rd line was terrible anyways.

Oliver Ekman-Larsson may potentially be available for trade this off-season. Quite a head scratcher there, but man would he be an amazing pick up (even though I know there is an extremely slim/no chance we would trade for him).

Side note I wouldn't mind E-Rod and Poulin being our RWs this year, even though Poulin is left handed. I also wonder if our young guys are at all in the plans for the next season. I would love to move JJ and give Riikola a shot at the bottom pairing. I also wouldn't mind a simple line of a LW free agent or RW free agent, McCann and E-Rod as our 3rd line.
- 123Kid

I imagine there's going to be quite a shakeup in AZ.

I'm not sure what's about to go down in ANA, but what do you guys think of trying to nab Getzlaf for the Pens' 3C if they can get ANA to retain half? What would it take?

EDIT: Yes, he's old as dirt and not fast, but he still plays like a beast. He plays with the kind of intensity the Pens need.

I'm not sure what's about to go down in ANA, but what do you guys think of trying to nab Getzlaf for the Pens' 3C if they can get ANA to retain half? What would it take?

EDIT: Yes, he's old as dirt and not fast, but he still plays like a beast. He plays with the kind of intensity the Pens need.
- Rinosaur

Would prob fit well with some of the up and coming power forwards if they crack the lineup.

I hope poj, riiko, or even lee can really put some pressure on jj and Ruth holds true to his words about sitting a vet. The only other option would be to play the ‘3rd line,’ whoever that may be, with jj and let them all tank together since the 3rd line was terrible anyways.
- 10inchTerror

JJ just needs to be gone one way or another. Any team who relies on JJ in any way has not shot at a Cup. He is that bad and will be exploited again and again, not to mention dragging down entire lines.

But really the only three goalies I would want form free agency to be a starter would be Holtby, Lehner and Markstrom. Holtby will probably get around 7 mil, Markstrom will probably get 4-5 and Lehner is hard to gauge with how he's bounced around but he'll probably get 5-6 depending on how he keeps going in the playoffs. I'd rather have Jarry, who I believe in being a starter, around the 3 mil mark.
- 668710

I'd also rather have Jarry based on potential and salary. I think Holtby might be in decline and I've heard VAN will try to get Markstrom back. Lehner will be a hot commodity. I bet he gets $6-7M.

One thing with Pronman and defensemen is he puts a high premium on elite offensive and PP skills. So a guy like POJ won't rank as high, but it's basically the same type of things you'd have said about Marino or Dumoulin and I'm hoping that's the type of player he is.
- Tojo.

I think the Pens should start putting a high premium on elite offensive and PP skills. It's always such a mismatch when the opposition has at least one offensively gifted defenseman on just about every pairing and the Pens don't. Really we just have Letang and his offense is in decline.

We always talk about other lines chipping in on offense but how about the defense for a change? This is why I consider Petts fringe 2nd pairing and Dumo fringe 1st pairing. Does their defense really make up for their lack of offense? Pens had one defenseman in the top 62 in scoring. Marino was 63rd. I like Marino's potential to score more, but I think we should always be looking to add more defensive scoring.

I think the Pens should start putting a high premium on elite offensive and PP skills. It's always such a mismatch when the opposition has at least one offensively gifted defenseman on just about every pairing and the Pens don't. Really we just have Letang and his offense is in decline.

We always talk about other lines chipping in on offense but how about the defense for a change? This is why I consider Petts fringe 2nd pairing and Dumo fringe 1st pairing. Does their defense really make up for their lack of offense? Pens had one defenseman in the top 62 in scoring. Marino was 63rd. I like Marino's potential to score more, but I think we should always be looking to add more defensive scoring.
- Hockey66

I think an elite scoring Defenseman is something we are lacking. I agree with you and most that Letang is in the decline. He is still good, but not quite the player he once was. I think an elite D gets respect once he touches the puck and teams start to back up a bit because they know he can skate well, shoot, pass and score. Marino will probably develop into a solid defender. I think we need another player like the old Letang. Someone who can really take over a game.

I'd also rather have Jarry based on potential and salary. I think Holtby might be in decline and I've heard VAN will try to get Markstrom back. Lehner will be a hot commodity. I bet he gets $6-7M.
- Hockey66

Yeah I read markstrom and toffoli are priority 1 and 2 this offseason for van. Holtby def in décline but I hope caps resign him. Lehner gonna get paid though!

I’d rather keep jarry just because he gonna be cheaper for a couple more years. Even if they were identical in stats. Unless he can get an absolute haul, which he won’t, is the only way I’d keep mm over jarry.

I hope something happens as soon as these playoffs end. I’m already bored as hell. When does next years prospect camp start?

Yeah I read markstrom and toffoli are priority 1 and 2 this offseason for van. Holtby def in décline but I hope caps resign him. Lehner gonna get paid though!

I’d rather keep jarry just because he gonna be cheaper for a couple more years. Even if they were identical in stats. Unless he can get an absolute haul, which he won’t, is the only way I’d keep mm over jarry.

I hope something happens as soon as these playoffs end. I’m already bored as hell. When does next years prospect camp start?
- 10inchTerror

I was going to say the same. I want all remaining series to end in sweeps so we can get to the offseason sooner.

How good is Barry Trotz? Is there a coach in the league who gets more out of his players? I would have loved to have seen the Pens with Trotz instead of Sully.

Someone in the NHL, cannot remember who, said that the NHL and NHLPA have talked about plans for next season. One idea was to have 4 rotating bubbles where teams would come and play 8 games. I'm guessing they would play 8 games and go home to be with their families for a little while. I guess that has been what is so hard about the bubble for the players and why another one like the ones in Toronto/Edmonton isnt going to happen. If you space the games out all day, you could have the teams play all 8 games in 2 weeks. Teams could be in the bubble for 2 weeks, then 2 weeks at home, etc. The last bits of this was my own speculation, the only thing that has been talked about is 4 cities as bubbles as a rotating basis with 8 games.

I personally think that wont happen. That will involve a lot more logistics than the current set up including traveling. Testing doesnt seem to be an issue so far and if the cities are all in Canada and the virus remains dormant up there, I guess it is possible. I dont thihnk we see NHL hockey until they can at least get arenas to 50% capacity. Madden said NHL teams typically get 37% of their revenue from ticket sales so the need for fans is needed more for the NHL than the NFL or MLB. A new and better TV deal with NBC and other partners could help offset tickets lost.

How good is Barry Trotz? Is there a coach in the league who gets more out of his players? I would have loved to have seen the Pens with Trotz instead of Sully.
- Hockey66

Isles are a handful. I think they'll send the Flyers packing.

How good is Barry Trotz? Is there a coach in the league who gets more out of his players? I would have loved to have seen the Pens with Trotz instead of Sully.
- Hockey66

It's pretty incredible he only has one Cup. He is definitely the best coach in the league.

Isles are a handful. I think they'll send the Flyers packing.
- madmike71

Good. All I have left this post season is to cheer against philly, then cheer against islanders.. hopefully in that order.

Good. All I have left this post season is to cheer against philly, then cheer against islanders.. hopefully in that order.
- 10inchTerror

Yes... Philly, Isle and B's. F them all. I want to see Bolts/Vegas. That would be a great SCF.

Yes... Philly, Isle and B's. F them all. I want to see Bolts/Vegas. That would be a great SCF.
- madmike71

I want the Islanders. After watching a team of short cutters and quitters it’s refreshing to see a team play the right way.

Leo Komorov- Pague- Ross Johnston. Better than 3 of the pens 4 lines this post season. Sullivan needs to quit. (frank)ing embarrassing.