So, Was Hornqvist not aware at the year end presser when GMJR said we wanted to get younger and faster? Did he not notice himself onto the 3rd line and not on the top 6/PP?

Which box of younger and faster did Hornqvist think he checked?

If Hornqvist was "blindsided" by this, he obviously wasn't paying attention

Even if he is still on the books, it's really not that bad of a situation for the next two years, then some tough decisions have to be made. I think at the very least he is gone in the 2022 offseason when there is only one year left on the deal.

Having a $3.25 million cap hit is not that debilitating, its the fact that he is on the ice every single night.
- abasin

After Jarry’s extension the Pens may only have around $2.5M to fill out the third line. That extra 3.25 would be hugely impactful to ensuring they get quality players.

Thoughts on if the NHL will play if no fans are allowed to attend? I think there is a not-insignificant chance the next season isn't played at all.
- abasin

They should just ban old people and fat (frank)s and then everyone else can go enjoy live hockey.

After Jarry’s extension the Pens may only have around $2.5M to fill out the third line. That extra 3.25 would be hugely impactful to ensuring they get quality players.
- Rinosaur

Imagine if you also had Tanevs 3.5m and JJs 3.25.

That would be what 9.25m for an impact player and a depth player or two?

They should just ban old people and fat (frank)s and then everyone else can go enjoy live hockey.
- Feds91Stammer

Thoughts on if the NHL will play if no fans are allowed to attend? I think there is a not-insignificant chance the next season isn't played at all.
- abasin

Also nbc has an obligation to air the Olympics come summer time so that would affect tv ratings as well once July rolls around.

Maybe we finally see euro style ad jerseys unfortunately.

They should just ban old people and fat (frank)s and then everyone else can go enjoy live hockey.
- Feds91Stammer

Love to see constitutional rights thrown away for a "public health crisis"

Incredibly dangerous precedent to set...

Also nbc has an obligation to air the Olympics come summer time so that would affect tv ratings as well once July rolls around.

Maybe we finally see euro style ad jerseys unfortunately.
- 10inchTerror

Anyone with even the slightest moral compass should boycott the olympics.

Ryan Wilson: Rutherford gave Hornqvist a full NTC but didn't respect it
Rutherford gave Hornqvist a full NTC but didn't respect it
- Ryan_Wilson

he signed Jack Johnson ...that says it all

There was no reason to do what he did. Too many "leaked" rumors occurring. Def passive aggressive. He didnt ask Kessel to waive the NTC and then let the media pan #81 for exercising what he negotiated in good faith. So obviously a NTC or NMC means nothing to Rutherford as he is now 2 for 2.

What he said about schultz was totally unnecessary. When questioned about personnel moves, he gets spiteful and doubles down. He wants to be known as a deal maker or a horse trader when in reality, its a crap shoot. His Canes teams didnt make the playoffs in 9 of 15 years. Letting cole walk (signed for $3M/yr), trading oleksiak ($2M+/yr) and then the 1st round pick for reaves only to make him the throw in to make the #s work for the brassard trade are just examples of bad decisions. Tom wilson takes up too much space in his head.

I think he is arrogant and naturally mean spirited. Is that how GMs are? Or just one who agreed to sign one 2 year deal and is now on contract #3? So much for grooming his replacement as he promised in his 1st presser.

Hey stackthepads:
Typical homer/yinzer response. GMJR won us Cups so we can never criticize him.
Thank you GMJR for getting us 2 additional Cups. However, what he has done since those Cups is tear this franchise apart. Just ask the Carolina followers... He cant seem to get out of his way.
And remember before we won those two cups...the sharks were circling after he mismanaged the Cap so bad that we had to play a player short in 2015. THAT is unacceptable for any GM. Not to mention the laundry list of just plain AWFUL moves GMJR has made since we won in 2017.
Winning the 2 Cups gets you Thanks and appreciation from fans, but it should NOT be a complete get out of jail free card for the rest of your career. And being unhappy with the ridiculously poor moves he has made the last 3 years does NOT make you a whiny ________ either.
- Amanion

Yawn. Typical arm chair GM who thinks there are moves out there to make Crosby and Malkin younger again.
I don’t have a problem with any move and has made except signing JJ but I have a suspicion that was a request from Crosby.

We are a team in a downward transition and there are no moves that can halt that, and none that make us contenders again. Maybe we can squeak into the playoffs and get lucky but it’s gonna take a lot of luck.

I hope JR makes a thousand more moves.

Imagine if you also had Tanevs 3.5m and JJs 3.25.

That would be what 9.25m for an impact player and a depth player or two?
- Feds91Stammer

Every team has an overpayment or two. It's just the degree of overpayment vs. what said player brings to the team. I guess I don't have as much issue with Tanev's contract since he's been a useful player.

While they have roughly the same cap-hit, JJ is a double-whammy. Not only does his cap-hit hinder the Pens from shoring up some needs, he makes this team worse when he's on the ice. I will say I'd feel better about Tanev's contract if he was playing the third line which I think he's completely capable of. If you're going to pay him third-line-money, play him on the third line.

If the Pens rolled out with:

Tanev/???-McCann-Tanev/???
ZAR-Blueger-Lafferty/Scevior

That $2/$2.5M may not get you a rock star, but you may be able to get a bargain solid player like Ennis or take a gamble on someone like Kovalchuk or Ryan.

Thoughts on if the NHL will play if no fans are allowed to attend? I think there is a not-insignificant chance the next season isn't played at all.
- abasin

I can’t see the NHL being the only league to not attempt a comeback.

Well the good news is we don't have any cap space to overpay somebody this year. The first wave of free agency is usually bad deals anyways.

Honestly, I know you're into go big or don't bother moves, but thia is a good year to bargain shop. The stagnant cap means some good players will be forced to sign for less because there won't be enough money to go around. Whether GMJR properly identifies guys is the question, but we could really use a 3rd line wing or 2 and maube a RHD.
- Tojo.

Good points, but right now we have $6M+ cap space and I think teams can go over the cap by 10% until the season starts. If he waits to re-sign Jarry, that's a lot of money to do something stupid. I think all of my information is correct.

But I agree, there will be some good deals to be had. However, it seems to me that most of the really good players go fast, and then the few good players that are left are the ones that are asking for too much money.

I just get nervous. 2 years in a row the laughingstock of the league with the contracts to JJ and Tanev, and those were pretty much our only FA moves IIRC.

If the Pens rolled out with:

Tanev/???-McCann-Tanev/???
ZAR-Blueger-Lafferty/Scevior

That $2/$2.5M may not get you a rock star, but you may be able to get a bargain solid player like Ennis or take a gamble on someone like Kovalchuk or Ryan.
- Rinosaur

I'm hoping for a solid bargain player like Ennis and a prospect like Poulin or O'Connor makes the team.

Good points, but right now we have $6M+ cap space and I think teams can go over the cap by 10% until the season starts. If he waits to re-sign Jarry, that's a lot of money to do something stupid. I think all of my information is correct.

But I agree, there will be some good deals to be had. However, it seems to me that most of the really good players go fast, and then the few good players that are left are the ones that are asking for too much money.

I just get nervous. 2 years in a row the laughingstock of the league with the contracts to JJ and Tanev, and those were pretty much our only FA moves IIRC.
- Hockey66

They can use the 10% rule, but only if they are dropping a player. Sure JJ, but that will be difficult. I don't see who else they'd move for cap space without creating another hole.

Waiting will take them out of the best players, but they can't afford them. I just think the pool of guys left needing a cheaper deal will be better than past years because of the cap.

I can’t see the NHL being the only league to not attempt a comeback.
- Victoro311

If the money doesn't make sense it's very plausible.

I'm hoping for a solid bargain player like Ennis and a prospect like Poulin or O'Connor makes the team.
- Tojo.

Obviously if Poulin or O'Connor show they're ready that would be ideal, but the Pens can ill-afford to risk missing out on bargain free agents and using a bunch of AHL plugs if neither are ready. Waiting to see how things pan out then trying to make trades once the season begins could prove very difficult.

I’d rather have blueger at third line center than McCann. McCann has a decent window to show how he fit/didn’t in that spot

Also turris could be a decent cheap option if bought out

Anyone with even the slightest moral compass should boycott the olympics.
- Feds91Stammer

I have zero Interest in it unless someone fails as an athlete and starts doing porn

Obviously if Poulin or O'Connor show they're ready that would be ideal, but the Pens can ill-afford to risk missing out on bargain free agents and using a bunch of AHL plugs if neither are ready. Waiting to see how things pan out then trying to make trades once the season begins could prove very difficult.
- Rinosaur

Sure I'll agree I'd like to get 2, but barring signing guys at league minimum I don't see how.

If we sign 2 forwards, we also have to waive somebody now after that Florida trade gave us Sceviour and 8 defensemen, not that there aren't a couple guys I would consider. No room even for Lafferty although he might lose waiver exempt eligibility by the time everyone is healthy.

They can use the 10% rule, but only if they are dropping a player. Sure JJ, but that will be difficult. I don't see who else they'd move for cap space without creating another hole.

Waiting will take them out of the best players, but they can't afford them. I just think the pool of guys left needing a cheaper deal will be better than past years because of the cap.
- Tojo.

Matheson? Can they waive him? No hole with moving him.

Seriously, though, like you mentioned previously, they needed to improve bottom six scoring and so far they've gotten worse. I think it will take a significant player just to get to a net improvement. I still think we need a big splash to be truly competitive, but we'll see.

They should just ban old people and fat (frank)s and then everyone else can go enjoy live hockey.
- Feds91Stammer

I second this.

Imagine if you also had Tanevs 3.5m and JJs 3.25.

That would be what 9.25m for an impact player and a depth player or two?
- Feds91Stammer

I like Tanev, well worth 3.5m for what he brings to the team and the enjoyment I get watching him.