It is possible. It's also possible they feel they can move JJ to save cap space. 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.
- Tojo.

I wouldn't be surprised if they feel POJ is another year away, if for no other reason than the weight issue. He would still be a big gamble for a team with Cup aspirations. So really, Riikola is the 4LD and now they just need a 3RD to play in front of Ruh, the 4RD.

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.
- Tojo.

Good points on guys I didn't mention. I guess Kap is a potential to build around as he is only 24 like Petts and McCann. I guess it will come down to cost/benefit of keeping/trading. Teams always overpay at the TDL so that could net some nice returns.

We'd all like to think this means GMJR is making sure he has his 3rd pair LD before trading JJ.

I'm wondering if theres any possibility that Pettersson and Murray are getting packaged together?

Dyno, petts, JJ, Riikola, POJ is a lot of LD's

We'd all like to think this means GMJR is making sure he has his 3rd pair LD before trading JJ.

I'm wondering if theres any possibility that Pettersson and Murray are getting packaged together?

Dyno, petts, JJ, Riikola, POJ is a lot of LD's
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Imagine Rutherford resigning Riikola as the 3LD because he feels Johnson-Marino can make a good second pairing after being super mediocre in a 3rd pairing role, so he trades Petterson. That's the most Rutherford thought process I can think of.

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.
- Tojo.

My money would be on C.

Imagine Rutherford resigning Riikola as the 3LD because he feels Johnson-Marino can make a good second pairing after being super mediocre in a 3rd pairing role, so he trades Petterson. That's the most Rutherford thought process I can think of.
- Victoro311

Imagine Rutherford resigning Riikola as the 3LD because he feels Johnson-Marino can make a good second pairing after being super mediocre in a 3rd pairing role, so he trades Petterson. That's the most Rutherford thought process I can think of.
- Victoro311

Oh man... This is another scenario that just seems so damn realistic...

I will say though that JR ia now qouted as saying what JJ is, is a good 3rd pairing guy. So for him to move him into the 2nd slot like that would be totally against that..

We'd all like to think this means GMJR is making sure he has his 3rd pair LD before trading JJ.

I'm wondering if theres any possibility that Pettersson and Murray are getting packaged together?

Dyno, petts, JJ, Riikola, POJ is a lot of LD's
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Certainly possible regarding Murray + Petts. I have a feeling they don't consider POJ as a 7th this season. But I just checked and POJ is listed at 185 lbs, up from 163 lbs a year ago. Don't know how reliable that is, but that's a big improvement for a guy who is 6'2". He's still a bean pole, but not nearly as bad it would appear. Probably still needs to add about 10-15 pounds of bulk. He just turned 21 so no need to throw him into the fire before he's ready.

Oh man... This is another scenario that just seems so damn realistic...

I will say though that JR ia now qouted as saying what JJ is, is a good 3rd pairing guy. So for him to move him into the 2nd slot like that would be totally against that..
- MattStrat

"I've said it before that Jack is a good third pairing guy. In fact, we think he's good enough to be a second pairing guy and this season we're going to give him that opportunity. You know we like Marucs Petterson. I traded for him! But with the cap crunch we felt like we had the opportunity to add (insert some overrated player) and unfortunately you have to give to get. But (useless player), we feel, really has a chance of taking this team to the next level."

Not a huge leap.

Pretty good on JR to only give Riikola a $300K raise for the next two years.

Only 2 more non-goalie RFAs of consequence to sign, McCann and Simon.

"I've said it before that Jack is a good third pairing guy. In fact, we think he's good enough to be a second pairing guy and this season we're going to give him that opportunity. You know we like Marucs Petterson. I traded for him! But with the cap crunch we felt like we had the opportunity to add (insert some overrated player) and unfortunately you have to give to get. But (useless player), we feel, really has a chance of taking this team to the next level."

Not a huge leap.
- Victoro311

Hahahah this is like an eery level of accuracy for a JR quote.

Certainly possible regarding Murray + Petts. I have a feeling they don't consider POJ as a 7th this season. But I just checked and POJ is listed at 185 lbs, up from 163 lbs a year ago. Don't know how reliable that is, but that's a big improvement for a guy who is 6'2". He's still a bean pole, but not nearly as bad it would appear. Probably still needs to add about 10-15 pounds of bulk. He just turned 21 so no need to throw him into the fire before he's ready.
- Hockey66

I don't think Petts is all that great. Definitely over paid. Rutherford seems to love him. He's not getting traded. As far as the Riki signing goes... I don't think it's anything more than signing a depth dman. I don't think it means anything regarding JJ's status.....I hope I'm wrong.

I've been watching a good bit of the Flyers/Isle. Gotta say... Eberle sure misses on a ton of golden chances. Almost reminds me of Simon.

I don't think Petts is all that great. Definitely over paid. Rutherford seems to love him. He's not getting traded. As far as the Riki signing goes... I don't think it's anything more than signing a depth dman. I don't think it means anything regarding JJ's status.....I hope I'm wrong.
- madmike71

I tend to agree with everything you said.

I don't think Petts is all that great. Definitely over paid. Rutherford seems to love him. He's not getting traded. As far as the Riki signing goes... I don't think it's anything more than signing a depth dman. I don't think it means anything regarding JJ's status.....I hope I'm wrong.
- madmike71

He's fine. I think his value's even. I don't want to hold onto Petterson because I think he's great or anything, it's just tough to get top 4 caliber defensemen for a reasonable price. In free agency they cost about as much as what we already have Petterson at, and on the trade market their values can get pretty inflated. Less so in the offseason than at the deadline, I'll give you that, but there is always a sellers' market for D men.

Hahahah this is like an eery level of accuracy for a JR quote.
- MattStrat

Yeah, it actually fooled me for a second.

Hahahah this is like an eery level of accuracy for a JR quote.
- MattStrat

I've listened to enough of the Old Man's trade/signing pressers to know how these things go.

Certainly possible regarding Murray + Petts. I have a feeling they don't consider POJ as a 7th this season. But I just checked and POJ is listed at 185 lbs, up from 163 lbs a year ago. Don't know how reliable that is, but that's a big improvement for a guy who is 6'2". He's still a bean pole, but not nearly as bad it would appear. Probably still needs to add about 10-15 pounds of bulk. He just turned 21 so no need to throw him into the fire before he's ready.
- Hockey66

Pettersson is listed at 177 on NHL.com

For what it's worth, Vellucci said people need to stop talking about POJ's weight and that he showed the most strength growth of anyone on WBS

I've been watching a good bit of the Flyers/Isle. Gotta say... Eberle sure misses on a ton of golden chances. Almost reminds me of Simon.
- madmike71

Yeah, he tends to have some really long cold / goalless streaks. But why does it seem like he always kills the Pens??

I've been watching a good bit of the Flyers/Isle. Gotta say... Eberle sure misses on a ton of golden chances. Almost reminds me of Simon.
- madmike71

Lol Eberle has scored at a 20+ goal pace pretty much every single season of his career. Dom Simon he is not.

Lol Eberle has scored at a 20+ goal pace pretty much every single season of his career. Dom Simon he is not.
- Victoro311

More of a commentary on this series. He's had numerous grade A chances and has either missed the net or hit Hart square in the chest......those are Simon traits.

Edit... I fully expect him to pot a couple now that I've mentioned this.....which wouldn't make me unhappy.

Pettersson is listed at 177 on NHL.com

For what it's worth, Vellucci said people need to stop talking about POJ's weight and that he showed the most strength growth of anyone on WBS
- Tojo.

I can see that, that was a huge increase over last year. I haven't seen him since then and he definitely didn't have an NHL body last year. So maybe the weight isn't an issue anymore, but he's still just 21 (Petts is 3 years older). Main takeaway is that I don't think the Pens would rely on him to the be the 7th this year. Maybe they do, but I think it would be risky.

I can see that, that was a huge increase over last year. I haven't seen him since then and he definitely didn't have an NHL body last year. So maybe the weight isn't an issue anymore, but he's still just 21 (Petts is 3 years older). Main takeaway is that I don't think the Pens would rely on him to the be the 7th this year. Maybe they do, but I think it would be risky.
- Hockey66

Pettersson who is similarly thin debuted at 21. Maatta, drafted in a similar spot and skinny then, debuted at 19. Marino was 22 and listed at 181 pounds.

His age and weight don't disqualify POJ, it's about his readiness. They shouldn't count on him and aren't, but there's no need to hold them back. Basically everyone feels Riikola can handle that spot, but if POJ beats him out even better. Even if he doesn't make the team out of camp, we'll probably see him at some point.

As some have said here, with Rikkola signing, something has to give on defense.

Dumo
Pettersson
Johnson
Rikkola
POJ

I think this means one of three things.

1) Rutherford is completely bluffing about Johnson and he is trying to move him out or will bury him in the AHL.

2) Rutherford is planning to dump Pettersson (something I am largely okay with)... and the new LHD on the 2nd pairing with be... Jack Johnson.

3) Both Pettersson and Johnson are likely to get moved. I think Rikkola has to find himself in the top 6 this season. Based on Rutherford's comments and the cap hit Rikkola is getting paid, I dont see Rikkola being a healthy man out every night.

Pettersson is listed at 177 on NHL.com

For what it's worth, Vellucci said people need to stop talking about POJ's weight and that he showed the most strength growth of anyone on WBS
- Tojo.

As I understood it, POJ spent much of the offseason last year building his muscle/weight. He then got ill, missed a lot of time and gave back a lot of those muscle gains. He then spent much of the season building that weight back while taking an impressive workload while on the Baby Pens.

I think this guy is going to be rock solid top 4 dman. He wont have the high upside like a Letang would, but he will give you a lot of valuable and solid minutes.