Rik-Rude played 25 games together this past season which included just shy of 250 mins at 5 on 5. From those 25 games they were the Pens best pairing in xGF% and HDSC% at 5 on 5. Being the 3rd pair they had more favorable mathcups but most 3rd pairings do, thats not the point. The point is all signs point to them being a very efficient 3rd pairing.

Saying these guys make league minimum for a reason (Rikky actually makes 1.15 mill now) is a bit lazy in my opinion. Their coach was rolling out much, much worse 3rd pairings in the playoffs and regular season this past year. Making that statement is also an indirect way of saying Rutherford and Sullivan, or any GM or coach really, can do no wrong.
- MattStrat

Ravishing Rick Rude??? The Wrestler?

I always love how bottom 1st picks are considered 2nd rounders and high second rounders are treated like first rounders. Lol. Really the value depends on the draft.

My frustration with trading this years first is that there are probably 15 players this year with top 10 talent, meaning the Pens are missing out on a really good prospect.
- MacPatty

Meh, I'm ok with it. A bird in hand is worth two in the bush. About a third of those 15 will be busts.

Ravishing Rick Rude??? The Wrestler?
- Rinosaur

Hahaha Youve missed me calling them the Ravishing Rick Rude pairing this past month? I have a few times.

I always love how bottom 1st picks are considered 2nd rounders and high second rounders are treated like first rounders. Lol. Really the value depends on the draft.

My frustration with trading this years first is that there are probably 15 players this year with top 10 talent, meaning the Pens are missing out on a really good prospect.
- MacPatty

15 players with top 10 talent? I don’t know about that.

LeBrun just stated Tampa is talking to Tyler Johnson about working together on a possible move, so to whomever said this doesn't happen when I said it does, well... you were wrong.

Also, imagine if the Pens had the cap space to get him? They'd be set down the middle. Dumping JJ and Scevior would make that room.

Hahaha Youve missed me calling them the Ravishing Rick Rude pairing this past month? I have a few times.
- MattStrat

I did miss that, but I love the reference.

Rik-Rude played 25 games together this past season which included just shy of 250 mins at 5 on 5. From those 25 games they were the Pens best pairing in xGF% and HDSC% at 5 on 5. Being the 3rd pair they had more favorable mathcups but most 3rd pairings do, thats not the point. The point is all signs point to them being a very efficient 3rd pairing.

Saying these guys make league minimum for a reason (Rikky actually makes 1.15 mill now) is a bit lazy in my opinion. Their coach was rolling out much, much worse 3rd pairings in the playoffs and regular season this past year. Making that statement is also an indirect way of saying Rutherford and Sullivan, or any GM or coach really, can do no wrong.
- MattStrat

If we could get something good for Petts I'd totally roll the dice with Matheson at 2LD. Also a chance POJ hits the scene and either he or Riikola can hold down 2LD and Matheson goes to 3RD.

LeBrun just stated Tampa is talking to Tyler Johnson about working together on a possible move, so to whomever said this doesn't happen when I said it does, well... you were wrong.

Also, imagine if the Pens had the cap space to get him? They'd be set down the middle. Dumping JJ and Scevior would make that room.
- Rinosaur

Fun fact: you can put a player with a NTC on waivers so then they have no control where they go.

If we could get something good for Petts I'd totally roll the dice with Matheson at 2LD. Also a chance POJ hits the scene and either he or Riikola can hold down 2LD and Matheson goes to 3RD.
- Hockey66

Maatta just got an ECHLer. Is Pettersson really much better than him?

LeBrun just stated Tampa is talking to Tyler Johnson about working together on a possible move, so to whomever said this doesn't happen when I said it does, well... you were wrong.

Also, imagine if the Pens had the cap space to get him? They'd be set down the middle. Dumping JJ and Scevior would make that room.
- Rinosaur

That would be fantastic but I just dont see how it happens. Would likely need a 3rd team involved. And frankly, a team like Detroit or Ottawa would probably love to have him.

Would anyone do this:

Ottawa: Pens 2022 1st (lottery protected), JJ
Tampa: O'Connor, Ottawa 3rd rounder.
Penguins: T Johnson

That would be fantastic but I just dont see how it happens. Would likely need a 3rd team involved. And frankly, a team like Detroit or Ottawa would probably love to have him.

Would anyone do this:

Ottawa: Pens 2022 1st (lottery protected), JJ
Tampa: O'Connor, Ottawa 3rd rounder.
Penguins: T Johnson
- MacPatty

It's completely possible to make it happen, but it will likely deplete the Pens assets. First to move JJ they will have add and then I'm sure Tampa would want someone like Legare and a 1st.

Maatta just got an ECHLer. Is Pettersson really much better than him?
- Feds91Stammer

Yes.

It's completely possible to make it happen, but it will likely deplete the Pens assets. First to move JJ they will have add and then I'm sure Tampa would want someone like Legare and a 1st.
- Rinosaur

If Tampa isn't taking salary back, they aren't getting much of a return. Maybe I'm confused by your assessment. JJ, Legare and a 1st might be a bit of an overpay but ok. But just the 1st and Legare for Johnson is a big overpay.

Yes.
- Rinosaur

So Pettersson could return an AHLer.

It's completely possible to make it happen, but it will likely deplete the Pens assets. First to move JJ they will have add and then I'm sure Tampa would want someone like Legare and a 1st.
- Rinosaur

Did you even read his post?

I really don't see JR making any big moves. He made his big move for Kap. He won't move Poulin, Legare, POJ, or O'Connor in a deal. I don't see him trading any of our top 6 players or our top 4 defenders.

He will probably make a move for a bottom 6 guy and/or a bottom pairing defender. He also will probably move JJ and Murray. Potentially not in the same deal and JJ potentially not even this offseason. I don't see us depleting any more assets especially when we are trying to get younger and build for the future. Plus they also have to think a step ahead for when the expansion draft happens, which is a reason I don't see us moving our 2022 1st round pick this early.

If Tampa isn't taking salary back, they aren't getting much of a return. Maybe I'm confused by your assessment. JJ, Legare and a 1st might be a bit of an overpay but ok. But just the 1st and Legare for Johnson is a big overpay.
- MacPatty

No no... Separate moves.

To move out JJ will cost them futures.

To acquire TJ would likely cost them a 1st and someone like Legare. I highly doubt they retain on TJ, nor do they need to. He has a reasonable cap hit. There are plenty of teams who would take on his salary.

No no... Separate moves.

To move out JJ will cost them futures.

To acquire TJ would likely cost them a 1st and someone like Legare. I highly doubt they retain on TJ, nor do they need to. He has a reasonable cap hit. There are plenty of teams who would take on his salary.
- Rinosaur

Nobody is giving up a 1st and a prospect for Johnson.

I really don't see JR making any big moves. He made his big move for Kap. He won't move Poulin, Legare, POJ, or O'Connor in a deal. I don't see him trading any of our top 6 players or our top 4 defenders.

He will probably make a move for a bottom 6 guy and/or a bottom pairing defender. He also will probably move JJ and Murray. Potentially not in the same deal and JJ potentially not even this offseason. I don't see us depleting any more assets especially when we are trying to get younger and build for the future. Plus they also have to think a step ahead for when the expansion draft happens, which is a reason I don't see us moving our 2022 1st round pick this early.
- 123Kid

Expansion draft is irrelevant. At most you have 6f 3D and 1g worth protecting.

Nobody is giving up a 1st and a prospect for Johnson.
- Feds91Stammer

I think they will.

I really don't see JR making any big moves. He made his big move for Kap. He won't move Poulin, Legare, POJ, or O'Connor in a deal. I don't see him trading any of our top 6 players or our top 4 defenders.

He will probably make a move for a bottom 6 guy and/or a bottom pairing defender. He also will probably move JJ and Murray. Potentially not in the same deal and JJ potentially not even this offseason. I don't see us depleting any more assets especially when we are trying to get younger and build for the future. Plus they also have to think a step ahead for when the expansion draft happens, which is a reason I don't see us moving our 2022 1st round pick this early.
- 123Kid

I agree with all of this, except I don't know what the draft pick has to do with the expansion draft.

Nobody is giving up a 1st and a prospect for Johnson.
- Feds91Stammer

After reading this I find myself pondering whether I'd of rather had Kap for a 1st and prospect, I know there was more to the trade but it was all crap spare parts, or Johnson for same price...

JR would pay that price for Johnson and perhaps, for the Pens needs, would of been better off doing that....perhaps....I cant make up my mind on it.

After reading this I find myself pondering whether I'd of rather had Kap for a 1st and prospect, I know there was more to the trade but it was all crap spare parts, or Johnson for same price...

JR would pay that price for Johnson and perhaps, for the Pens needs, would of been better off doing that....perhaps....I cant make up my mind on it.
- MattStrat

I think it will all depend on how Kaps chemistry is with the team. I think his bet fit would be with Zucker on the 1st line with Crosby. I think a 2nd line of Guentzel - Malkin - Rust works the best. I think Sullivan will force the lines of Zucker w/ Malkin even though he didn't have the same chemistry as he developed with Crosby.

After reading this I find myself pondering whether I'd of rather had Kap for a 1st and prospect, I know there was more to the trade but it was all crap spare parts, or Johnson for same price...

JR would pay that price for Johnson and perhaps, for the Pens needs, would of been better off doing that....perhaps....I cant make up my mind on it.
- MattStrat

I would not have done the Kapanen deal. I like him and wanted to get him but the price was too high in this deal.

That said, Kapanen is worth more than Johnson. Better contract and he is a better player right now. I'm still hoping we see a Murray for Kerfoot or Bennett deal to solidify the center position as unfortunately I dont see a Johnson trade happening.

After reading this I find myself pondering whether I'd of rather had Kap for a 1st and prospect, I know there was more to the trade but it was all crap spare parts, or Johnson for same price...

JR would pay that price for Johnson and perhaps, for the Pens needs, would of been better off doing that....perhaps....I cant make up my mind on it.
- MattStrat

I would rather have Fast over spending the assets and money for Johnson (he really doesn't exclusively play Center for them).