I would be shocked if he fell off a cliff - he shows no signs of slowing down, at least that I have noticed.

Good question about 1C in MIN. It could be argued they have no 1C or 2C but rather 5 3/4 Cs. What garbage. They should definitely start the rebuild now. Here are their centers:

Johansson
Rask
Bjug
Eriksson Ek
Sturm

That is by far the worst center group in the league. They should use every one of their draft picks on centers for the next 3 years.
- Hockey66

His last 4 year point totals are 67, 76, 52, 47 on the top 2 lines and playing on the PP all 4 years... clearly slowing down as expected coming on 36 next month. Dropping down to 3rd line with next to no PP time it wouldn’t be a stretch to think he might only put up 35 points if he was a penguin next season. (Age regression and limited quality ice time)

His last 4 year point totals are 67, 76, 52, 47 on the top 2 lines and playing on the PP all 4 years... clearly slowing down as expected coming on 36 next month. Dropping down to 3rd line with next to no PP time it wouldn’t be a stretch to think he might only put up 35 points if he was a penguin next season. (Age regression and limited quality ice time)
- pens4life-66

Shortened season this year. He was on a 58+ point pace, so that's pretty good. Also had 5 points in 4 playoff games. Also pretty good.

Again, fewer minutes on the third line here means he's fresher, especially at the end of the season. But more importantly, he would have significantly less defensive attention from the opposition playing on the third line. He would also get PP2 time. Finally, let's not gloss over the fact that he only makes $3.25M (!) (ironically, the same as you know who). That's especially important in a year like this. Oh, and it's expiring. Honestly, I think it strains credulity to think that Staal would not be a great option for 3C.

If you have any better ideas for 3C, let's hear them. If you say McCann, then we need to find a 3LW.

I’m with some of those who said maybe JR has something up his sleeve. Yohe floated in the athletic today that Petterson is someone who could be dealt for a 3C.
- kfinl170

You realize this would mean JJ probably as our second pairing defenseman this season...🤮

[quote=hipcheck_goalie]
Jarry > Murray

How does one access the player WAR/advanced stats thingy graphics for each player like the ones used for Staal and Johansson in this blog?

So when the Wild move Bjugstad at the deadline, assuming he's had a healthy-ish season, I bet he goes for a 4th round pick.

You realize this would mean JJ probably as our second pairing defenseman this season...🤮
- 123Kid

Yeah that suggestion from Yohe didn't make sense. I understand the people wanting to upgrade Pettersson, but just dumping him for cap space creates a bigger problem than it solves.

Brassard had 32 points this year. Isles turned him into a 2nd line wing and it rejuvenated his career.
- Tojo.

Bud, we tried him at 1st line winger with Sidney (frank)ing Crosby! he still blew!

Bud, we tried him at 1st line winger with Sidney (frank)ing Crosby! he still blew!
- joecool2931

See, I remember Brassard looking pretty damn good there then he had a groin injury about 9 or 10 (I think) games in with the Pens and never looked as good again.

I remember people were arguing McCann wasn't a wing and needed to go back to center at that point because that's when his struggles started. Move back didn't help but as you pointed out he also lost his main wing. Doesn't excuse everything, but a bit of a scoring downgrade from Kahun to Simon or Marleau.

Yeah we could really have used Kahun. He and McCann did have good chemistry and I was expecting them to form one of those pairs Sully always talked about.
- Tojo.

I still think McCann is the best option of the reported options, but then it comes down to who flanks him on the left. I think we can agree Hornqvist isn't going anywhere THIS season.

I'm a big fan of Simon, but does he add the same oomf that he does as a complimentary player in the top six? Do they circle around to Sheary which obviously would not go over well on this board.

LW UFA affordable options: Vesey and Kovalchuk

IMO the Pens are better served by moving Tanev to his natural side and put him on the 3rd line with McCann and Hornqvist then spending a little to upgrade the 4th line.

My suggestion: Tyler Pitlick who I actually wanted before Philly nabbed him. He's a decent player on both ends, decent offense and brings a physical element. I would even go so far as to add another player: Ennis.

Tanev-McCann-Hornqvist
ZAR/Ennis-Blueger-Pitlick

It's not sexy, but I think Tanev on the third gives them everything they're looking for there.

How does one access the player WAR/advanced stats thingy graphics for each player like the ones used for Staal and Johansson in this blog?
- MattStrat

Pretty sure all the stats nerds moved their stuff behind a patreon paywall. Unless there’s a tableau link somewhere.

Pretty sure all the stats nerds moved their stuff behind a patreon paywall. Unless there’s a tableau link somewhere.
- Feds91Stammer

You can sign up for the Jack Johnson tier lol

https://www.patreon.com/jfreshhockey

At a certain age, the physical deterioration of an athlete happens quite quickly and also quite unexpectedly. Every year Staal continues, that risk goes up. I agree that this is a VERY one-sided exchange, but I'm sure Staal's age came up. When you're over 6' that physical deterioration is amplified.

That's the only way I can make sense of this. I think the Sabres robbed the Wild here.

You can sign up for the Jack Johnson tier lol

https://www.patreon.com/jfreshhockey
- Feds91Stammer

I will never pay for that, but that is incredible haha.

At a certain age, the physical deterioration of an athlete happens quite quickly and also quite unexpectedly. Every year Staal continues, that risk goes up. I agree that this is a VERY one-sided exchange, but I'm sure Staal's age came up. When you're over 6' that physical deterioration is amplified.

That's the only way I can make sense of this. I think the Sabres robbed the Wild here.
- JLO961

Personally, at the age of 35 you start to feel your conditioning and skills take a pretty good decrease..
This Staal for Johanson trade might work just fine for Minnesotta and Buffalo.

I still think McCann is the best option of the reported options, but then it comes down to who flanks him on the left. I think we can agree Hornqvist isn't going anywhere THIS season.

I'm a big fan of Simon, but does he add the same oomf that he does as a complimentary player in the top six? Do they circle around to Sheary which obviously would not go over well on this board.

LW UFA affordable options: Vesey and Kovalchuk

IMO the Pens are better served by moving Tanev to his natural side and put him on the 3rd line with McCann and Hornqvist then spending a little to upgrade the 4th line.

My suggestion: Tyler Pitlick who I actually wanted before Philly nabbed him. He's a decent player on both ends, decent offense and brings a physical element. I would even go so far as to add another player: Ennis.

Tanev-McCann-Hornqvist
ZAR/Ennis-Blueger-Pitlick

It's not sexy, but I think Tanev on the third gives them everything they're looking for there.
- Rinosaur

Not sure if I want McCann at 3C and definitely don’t want to think about resigning Sheary. I’m not sure how effective Simon is on the LW so I’m kind inclined to use him on Sids wing with Guentzel. I think?

Guentzel-Sid-Simon
Zucker-Geno-Rust
xxxx-xxxx-Hornqvist
ZAR-Bleug-Tanev

Not sure if I want McCann at 3C and definitely don’t want to think about resigning Sheary. I’m not sure how effective Simon is on the LW so I’m kind inclined to use him on Sids wing with Guentzel. I think?

Guentzel-Sid-Simon
Zucker-Geno-Rust
xxxx-xxxx-Hornqvist
ZAR-Bleug-Tanev
- j.boyd919

Isn't Simon a natural LW? Also I see you undid the Kapanen trade. Nice.

Anyways, a silver lining of the ZAR injury I think will be seeing Simon on the 4th line. Simon is solid defensively and has a much better overall game than ZAR. If that 4th line can be equally as effective in its shut down role with Simon as it is with ZAR, its a good thing and we could maybe see Bleuger and Tanev score a bit more with Simon being very capable of a support role in the O zone.

You can sign up for the Jack Johnson tier lol

https://www.patreon.com/jfreshhockey
- Feds91Stammer

why is the JJ tier the best one?

Not sure if I want McCann at 3C and definitely don’t want to think about resigning Sheary. I’m not sure how effective Simon is on the LW so I’m kind inclined to use him on Sids wing with Guentzel. I think?

Guentzel-Sid-Simon
Zucker-Geno-Rust
xxxx-xxxx-Hornqvist
ZAR-Bleug-Tanev
- j.boyd919

Wheres Kap going?

You can sign up for the Jack Johnson tier lol

https://www.patreon.com/jfreshhockey
- Feds91Stammer

hahaha

See, I remember Brassard looking pretty damn good there then he had a groin injury about 9 or 10 (I think) games in with the Pens and never looked as good again.
- MattStrat

Yeah that's how I remember it. Part of that was Brassard actually played like he cared so long as he was in the top 6.

Isn't Simon a natural LW? Also I see you undid the Kapanen trade. Nice.

Anyways, a silver lining of the ZAR injury I think will be seeing Simon on the 4th line. Simon is solid defensively and has a much better overall game than ZAR. If that 4th line can be equally as effective in its shut down role with Simon as it is with ZAR, its a good thing and we could maybe see Bleuger and Tanev score a bit more with Simon being very capable of a support role in the O zone.
- Victoro311

Zucker-Sid-Kap
Guentz-Geno-Rust
?-McCann-Horn
Simon-Blue-Tanev


I think JR is gonna go for the Tanev bro...right handy bottom pair guy...which would be better than Ceci who i have major concerns for hahah

Not sure if I want McCann at 3C and definitely don’t want to think about resigning Sheary. I’m not sure how effective Simon is on the LW so I’m kind inclined to use him on Sids wing with Guentzel. I think?

Guentzel-Sid-Simon
Zucker-Geno-Rust
xxxx-xxxx-Hornqvist
ZAR-Bleug-Tanev
- j.boyd919

Tanev, for all intents and purposes, would be the "Hagelin" of the third line if you moved him up there and allowed McCann and Hornqvist more room to operate offensively.

Simon is a lefty, so I'd trust him to play on the left side. Adding Pitlick replaces Tanev's role on the 4th RW and I don't think you miss a beat aside from the speed factor.

Wheres Kap going?
- MattStrat

To Detroit with JJ, McCann, and Murray.

Guentzel-Sid-Simon
Zucker-Geno-Rust
Fabbri-Blueger-Horny
ZAR-Glendening-Tanev

Not sure if I want McCann at 3C and definitely don’t want to think about resigning Sheary. I’m not sure how effective Simon is on the LW so I’m kind inclined to use him on Sids wing with Guentzel. I think?

Guentzel-Sid-Simon
Zucker-Geno-Rust
xxxx-xxxx-Hornqvist
ZAR-Bleug-Tanev
- j.boyd919

Simon was having a similar play driving effect playing LW with Bjugstad and Hornqvist, so he's one guy I feel is about the same on either wing. The other is Tanev who was actually mostly a LW in Winnepeg

And like Vic pointed out, you left out Kapanen, which pretty much blocks the top 3 RW spots. I'm not sure where Simon is if he's not the 3rd LW. Maybe filling in for ZAR though his defensive metrics took a huge step backwards. Maybe just waiting for an injury as he's a nice option to throw in whatever hole develops.