The pirates are Pittsburgh’s curse for how successful the Pena and Steelers are.
- 10inchTerror

The whole Pittsburgh sports scene could be pretty awful in a couple years. Pens in decline, Ben retires, and Pirates may still not even look like hope is coming.

Tell me how the Sabres don't have Cap room, Rhino is gonna be the most expensive, even if they resigned all of there RFA's they should still have about 15mill, and that could be a push cause either Montour or Risto will probably be moved.
- Buff36

I looked at your team at capfriendly, and you only have 10 players signed and are approaching 50M depending on performance bonuses! How do you even know with confidence how much cap space you have? That's a lot of variables.

Again, a Flyers' fan make the most sense when it comes to telling Pens' fans how lucky we have been for that past 29 years.
- stevens87

5 cups in my life time is pretty (frank)ing lucky to see especially since they’ve had 2-4 of the best players in NHL history.

The pirates are Pittsburgh’s curse for how successful the Pena and Steelers are.
- 10inchTerror

I wouldn’t call them a curse when you have an owner who willingly makes them bad.

If Rutherford was thinking clearly he'd retain max salary in a trade. Or, just demote and save 1mil. No reason to make a bad deal for another crappy player on a bad contract. IMO, the biggest hurdle is the coach who inexplicably gives him a jersey every night.

The whole Pittsburgh sports scene could be pretty awful in a couple years. Pens in decline, Ben retires, and Pirates may still not even look like hope is coming.
- Tojo.

Gonna be some lean years in the near future for sure. I don't even consider the Pirates a pro team because winning is never the priority. PNC Park is the product. Beautiful park with an unreal view of the city. Baseball will always be secondary.

If Rutherford was thinking clearly he'd retain max salary in a trade. Or, just demote and save 1mil. No reason to make a bad deal for another crappy player on a bad contract. IMO, the biggest hurdle is the coach who inexplicably gives him a jersey every night.
- madmike71

Rutherford has to want to move JJ. He doesn't. Dream over.

The whole Pittsburgh sports scene could be pretty awful in a couple years. Pens in decline, Ben retires, and Pirates may still not even look like hope is coming.
- Tojo.

I don’t know about the Steelers. Our defense looks set to be dominant going forward. Thing is QB is the toughest position to address. We could luck into a QB or we could turn into the Chicago Bears, but at least there’s some hope there. The Penguins’ decade long rebuild is inevitable.

Curious, Chris Tanev is a UFA. Would he be worth the look? Could be aided by Brandon to keep the number reasonable. The Pens have a need for a Right handed D-man.

Curious, Chris Tanev is a UFA. Would he be worth the look? Could be aided by Brandon to keep the number reasonable. The Pens have a need for a Right handed D-man.
- Doogs

Cost and term dependent he could be good. I just get leary of getting suckered into a heavier contract than its worth to playbthe family card.

I looked at your team at capfriendly, and you only have 10 players signed and are approaching 50M depending on performance bonuses! How do you even know with confidence how much cap space you have? That's a lot of variables.
- Tojo.

Yes it is, but we have 7 players that are RFA's, probably bring back 5 or 6 with Montour or Risto being traded, maybe both. And depending on what happens with Rhino, I think we will have about 15mill in space. Of course that can change depending on what trades are made.

Curious, Chris Tanev is a UFA. Would he be worth the look? Could be aided by Brandon to keep the number reasonable. The Pens have a need for a Right handed D-man.
- Doogs

He's another injury-ridden player. Tanev that is.

5 cups in my life time is pretty (frank)ing lucky to see especially since they’ve had 2-4 of the best players in NHL history.
- j.boyd919

Indeed, indeed.

Cost and term dependent he could be good. I just get leary of getting suckered into a heavier contract than its worth to playbthe family card.
- MacPatty

Absolutely. And I wasn’t saying sign him to the same deal Brandon got. I was hoping the chance to play on the same team may have him come reasonablly.

He's another injury-ridden player. Tanev that is.
- Rinosaur

I have no real book on him other than he is Right handed, Brandons brother and has sick flow!!! HAHAHA

Well, I was 100% wrong on Riikola. They just re-signed him to a two-year contract at $1.15M/year. I'm shocked.

I have no real book on him other than he is Right handed, Brandons brother and has sick flow!!! HAHAHA
- Doogs

LOL

Well, I was 100% wrong on Riikola. They just re-signed him to a two-year contract at $1.15M/year. I'm shocked.
- Rinosaur

Good. They him and Ruhwedel are good together. They should get serious about playing him.

Good. They him and Ruhwedel are good together. They should get serious about playing him.
- Victoro311

I'm a fan of Riikola. I think he's the perfect fit for their 3rd pairing LD, but they don't treat me like they have any real faith in him. This also makes me wonder if they don't think POJ is ready.

GMJR statement: “When he is on his game, Juuso has shown the ability to be a solid contributor for our team. We feel he is going to take the next step forward in his development.”

Well, I was 100% wrong on Riikola. They just re-signed him to a two-year contract at $1.15M/year. I'm shocked.
- Rinosaur

Maybe...just maybe.... JR is understanding he can have a serviceable 3rd pairing at a cheap price.

I'm a fan of Riikola. I think he's the perfect fit for their 3rd pairing LD, but they don't treat me like they have any real faith in him. This also makes me wonder if they don't think POJ is ready.
- Rinosaur

I can't believe he wanted to come back here. The coach doesn't seem to like him.

Rutherford has to want to move JJ. He doesn't. Dream over.
- Rinosaur

Like I said, If JR was thinking clearly... He's not. JJ sticking around is about emotion for Rutherford.

I came here to discuss Rikky resigned. I haven't looked at comments yet. I can't believe it.

I came here to discuss Rikky resigned. I haven't looked at comments yet. I can't belive it.
- MattStrat

I hope this really puts JJ with the Baby Pens, between Rikki and POJ it should.