I hope this really puts JJ with the Baby Pens, between Rikki and POJ it should.
- 668710

Yeah man, it's very, very interesting. He must have other plans for JJ... Maybe. Perhaps just wants Rikky and Rud to be the 7th and 8th... They should be 5th and 6th. If he really wants them to be 7th and 8th then it makes me more fearful of what's going to happen regarding the RD spot on the 3rd pair... Ugh

I can't believe he wanted to come back here. The coach doesn't seem to like him.
- madmike71

He was a RFA, yes? Hopefully this isn't a precursor to trading him. On the flip side, maybe, just maybe, it is a precursor to somehow getting rid of JJ.

I noticed on Capfriendly that Riikola used to just have a "D" next to his name but now he has a "LD" next to his name. I think maybe the hockey world is trying to send JR a message.

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

I feel the same. It will be hard to get used to the idea of the Pens possibly not having 1 or 2 of the best players in the game to build around. We've been absurdly lucky. But I'm grateful for what we've had and I'll enjoy the rebuild for what it is once the time comes.

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.
- Victoro311

True, you can turn it around much faster in the NFL IF they hit on a QB. Think that offense will take a little longer to rebuild because outside of WR, not a lot of exciting pieces under 30 and the O-line especially will need completely rebuilt.

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.
- Buff36

Gotcha so that 15M is sort of projected on some guys moving on.

Yeah man, it's very, very interesting. He must have other plans for JJ... Maybe. Perhaps just wants Rikky and Rud to be the 7th and 8th... They should be 5th and 6th. If he really wants them to be 7th and 8th then it makes me more fearful of what's going to happen regarding the RD spot on the 3rd pair... Ugh
- MattStrat

I'd feel good if Riikola was 6 and Ruhwedel 7 with POJ pushing Riikola. I like how that looks better depth-wise and to have 1 experienced starter in that group. I like the idea of Riikola-Ruhwedel being the 3rd pair after an injury, rather than one of them moving to the top 4.

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

See, told you there was a chance. Once I heard he didn't want to go back to Europe, I was mich more hopeful, though not completely sold, they could work something out. The 2nd year surprises me since I thought he'd at least want to walk into UFA, but good for us.

That is a lot for a backup so I'm guessing they have bigger plans for him. I'd like to think that means move JJ, and even though they're happy with him the cap forces them to consider it anyways. But more likely JJ and Riikola have both played the right and they'll just ask him or Ruhwedel to replace Schultz while hoping POJ or Maniscalco crashes the party.

I'd feel good if Riikola was 6 and Ruhwedel 7 with POJ pushing Riikola. I like how that looks better depth-wise and to have 1 experienced starter in that group. I like the idea of Riikola-Ruhwedel being the 3rd pair after an injury, rather than one of them moving to the top 4.
- Tojo.

I'd be totally fine with all of that. 100%. It would mean not only that JJ had be flown the fvck somewhere out of there but also POJ is good to go ready for the big show and last and leastly make the Kessel trade more palatable.

See, told you there was a chance. Once I heard he didn't want to go back to Europe, I was mich more hopeful, though not completely sold, they could work something out. The 2nd year surprises me since I thought he'd at least want to walk into UFA, but good for us.
- Tojo.

I'm just very surprised.

True, you can turn it around much faster in the NFL IF they hit on a QB. Think that offense will take a little longer to rebuild because outside of WR, not a lot of exciting pieces under 30 and the O-line especially will need completely rebuilt.
- Tojo.

It’s a LOT easier to rebuild the O line when you don’t need to spend high picks in other areas. Our defense is set, backs are a dime a dozen. I think if we can get lucky and hit on a QB we’ll be more than ok and the hardest part at that point will be wide out.

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

See, told you there was a chance. Once I heard he didn't want to go back to Europe, I was mich more hopeful, though not completely sold, they could work something out. The 2nd year surprises me since I thought he'd at least want to walk into UFA, but good for us.

That is a lot for a backup so I'm guessing they have bigger plans for him. I'd like to think that means move JJ, and even though they're happy with him the cap forces them to consider it anyways. But more likely JJ and Riikola have both played the right and they'll just ask him or Ruhwedel to replace Schultz while hoping POJ or Maniscalco crashes the party.

See, told you there was a chance. Once I heard he didn't want to go back to Europe, I was mich more hopeful, though not completely sold, they could work something out. The 2nd year surprises me since I thought he'd at least want to walk into UFA, but good for us.

That is a lot for a backup so I'm guessing they have bigger plans for him. I'd like to think that means move JJ, and even though they're happy with him the cap forces them to consider it anyways. But more likely JJ and Riikola have both played the right and they'll just ask him or Ruhwedel to replace Schultz while hoping POJ or Maniscalco crashes the party.
- Tojo.

There's also the possibility they may consider moving POJ.

I feel the same. It will be hard to get used to the idea of the Pens possibly not having 1 or 2 of the best players in the game to build around. We've been absurdly lucky. But I'm grateful for what we've had and I'll enjoy the rebuild for what it is once the time comes.
- Tojo.

I feel the same way, but most dynasties (or whatever you want to call them/us) end because their stars have major declines and/or the teams are in cap hell because of having to pay their stars. Neither of these reasons are major factors in the Pens apparent demise the last two years. It has been mostly self-inflicted with bad trades, signings, and player usage. That's what I have a problem with. I don't so much care if we lose (would much rather win, obviously), but I don't want to go down like feeble chumps.

It’s a LOT easier to rebuild the O line when you don’t need to spend high picks in other areas. Our defense is set, backs are a dime a dozen. I think if we can get lucky and hit on a QB we’ll be more than ok and the hardest part at that point will be wide out.
- Victoro311

Might have to turn over some parts if the defense soon too (Heyward, Haden) but I agree it can be done quickly. Maybe not 2 years, but not long after. Of course a couple killer drafts could change my thinking.

Pens will have to restock the farm so that if they do hit on another elite talent they have something to surround him with like they did with Crosby rather than Edmonton who is just now seeing it or Buffalo that's still waiting.

I feel like we can’t discount the possibility that we’re still trading Riikola and this signing was just setting value for him.

There's also the possibility they may consider moving POJ.
- Rinosaur

I hope not. Because he doesn't put up big offensive numbers, I don't think you get a great return for POJ, but I think he can be a big minutes defenseman.

I feel like we can’t discount the possibility that we’re still trading Riikola and this signing was just setting value for him.
- Victoro311

Im with you... They seem to have 5 NHL Potential Left Defensemen with this contract.

Might have to turn over some parts if the defense soon too (Heyward, Haden) but I agree it can be done quickly. Maybe not 2 years, but not long after. Of course a couple killer drafts could change my thinking.

Pens will have to restock the farm so that if they do hit on another elite talent they have something to surround him with like they did with Crosby rather than Edmonton who is just now seeing it or Buffalo that's still waiting.
- Tojo.

I have a feeling we'll have some assets to trade for high draft picks like Guentzel, Kap, Dumo, maybe Rust, maybe Zucker. I'd probably hang on to Marino for the other side of the rebuild. Of course the big three are potentials, too. If we end up keeping Jarry and he turns out to be top 10-15, we could get something for him, too.

I think the time to rebuild will become very apparent and we still have all of our draft picks 2022 and beyond (not that I haven't advocating trading them now), so adding high picks to those will accelerate the rebuild. Which is not to say that all rebuilds proceed smoothly regardless of high picks and talent as you alluded to.

Might have to turn over some parts if the defense soon too (Heyward, Haden) but I agree it can be done quickly. Maybe not 2 years, but not long after. Of course a couple killer drafts could change my thinking.

Pens will have to restock the farm so that if they do hit on another elite talent they have something to surround him with like they did with Crosby rather than Edmonton who is just now seeing it or Buffalo that's still waiting.
- Tojo.

Edmonton is a special case of mismanagement. McDavid came onto a team with Hall, Eberle, Draisaitl RNH, and Kleffbomb/Nurse. Any competent GM would have figured out the 1D and goalie situation by now and not traded Hall for a bottom pairing d man.

I feel like we can’t discount the possibility that we’re still trading Riikola and this signing was just setting value for him.
- Victoro311

This crossed my mind as well.

I feel like we can’t discount the possibility that we’re still trading Riikola and this signing was just setting value for him.
- Victoro311

That was my thought, too. It removes uncertainty for the team obtaining him.

Edmonton is a special case of mismanagement. McDavid came onto a team with Hall, Eberle, Draisaitl RNH, and Kleffbomb/Nurse. Any competent GM would have figured out the 1D and goalie situation by now and not traded Hall for a bottom pairing d man.
- Victoro311

Haha yeah that's true I guess. Their farm team may have been barren, but they had a lot of young talent at the NHL level.

Edmonton is a special case of mismanagement. McDavid came onto a team with Hall, Eberle, Draisaitl RNH, and Kleffbomb/Nurse. Any competent GM would have figured out the 1D and goalie situation by now and not traded Hall for a bottom pairing d man.
- Victoro311

That's true.

I feel like we can’t discount the possibility that we’re still trading Riikola and this signing was just setting value for him.
- Victoro311

A) It is possible they just trade Riikola.

B) It's also possible they feel they can move JJ to save cap space.

C) Or they may feel they have their 7 NHL defensemen heading into camp.

Not really sure as I haven't read anything about them moving or adding a defenseman. Do I lean towards C, but can't rule out A or B.

I have a feeling we'll have some assets to trade for high draft picks like Guentzel, Kap, Dumo, maybe Rust, maybe Zucker. I'd probably hang on to Marino for the other side of the rebuild. Of course the big three are potentials, too. If we end up keeping Jarry and he turns out to be top 10-15, we could get something for him, too.

I think the time to rebuild will become very apparent and we still have all of our draft picks 2022 and beyond (not that I haven't advocating trading them now), so adding high picks to those will accelerate the rebuild. Which is not to say that all rebuilds proceed smoothly regardless of high picks and talent as you alluded to.
- Hockey66

Yeah, depending on when they start rebuilding they can add back some futures.

Yohe was putting it at 2 years. Malkin will be 36, Crosby and Letang 35. Malkin, Letang, Rust, and Jarry would all be UFAs as of now. Zucker, Dumoulin would have one year and Kapanen an RFA with one year so those 3 would be flippable assets. Guentzel would be a big potential piece.

I'd agree Marino is probably the one piece you rebuild with as of now. Guys like Pettersson or McCann if they show growth or Poulin and POJ if they live up to their potential are possibilities as well.