Since the pens have a solid defensive center in Jankowski, what about trying to get Athanasiou to add some offense on the 3rd line? McCann-Jankowski-Athanasiou
- drummer829

I actually like AA. He can move up and down the line. Still would have liked stetcher and the deal he got is a team friendly deal too.
We have too much dead wood now; Tanev, Zar, Sceviour erod, Lafferty Jankowski McCann will produce little scoring. Have you seen the bruins lineup? Way too much heavy lifting on the top two lines.

If the Pens got him for nothing, they’d still have to move about $2.5M out, so who cares how Scevior and ZAR are shipped out?

Maybe you’d get them to retain a little.

Regardless, moving Riikola is a very bad idea until we at least know if POJ is ready.
- Rinosaur

Yeah, you're just missing the whole point honestly. If you're targeting Johnson, you should make a better deal.

I mean moving a starting forward to save 300k but refusing to move your 7th defenseman I don't agree with either, but that's besides the point. (For the record, I didn't say I wanted to move Riikola, just that I would before ZAR). But I realize that's driven by you wanting to just get rid of ZAR.

Yeah, you're just missing the whole point honestly. If you're targeting Johnson, you should make a better deal.

I mean moving a starting forward to save 300k but refusing to move your 7th defenseman I don't agree with either, but that's besides the point. (For the record, I didn't say I wanted to move Riikola, just that I would before ZAR). But I realize that's driven by you wanting to just get rid of ZAR.
- Tojo.

Yes, definitely try and make Tampa retain as much cap as possible, but if they won't I wouldn't even have one ounce of doubt in my mind at moving both ZAR and Rikki for TJ.

Yes, definitely try and make Tampa retain as much cap as possible, but if they won't I wouldn't even have one ounce of doubt in my mind at moving both ZAR and Rikki for TJ.
- 668710

I would mind. A 4-5 million 3rd line player on the decline for a good defensive 3rd/4th line shut down player in ZAR. Also Riikola I feel is a great option if they feel POJ isn't ready to move up to the big club in a year or 2. I would rather younger talent for this club. I do like the thought of getting AA. With Angello being resigned, and JRs comments I don't believe we are adding any addition forwards.

TVR > Schultz

TVR > Schultz
- Blackstrom2

Nah.

I would mind. A 4-5 million 3rd line player on the decline for a good defensive 3rd/4th line shut down player in ZAR. Also Riikola I feel is a great option if they feel POJ isn't ready to move up to the big club in a year or 2. I would rather younger talent for this club. I do like the thought of getting AA. With Angello being resigned, and JRs comments I don't believe we are adding any addition forwards.
- 123Kid

ZAR usually misses large chunks of the season and is easily replacable and Rikki barely ever plays and is also easily replacable. When McCann struggles to begin the season and people are like "what's going on?" Well, Joe Blow is his center so... Our best case scenario(if forwards stay as is) will be that Poulin makes the jump and they put Tanev up on the third line with McCann centering it.

I actually dreamt about the Pens lack of picking up anyone who can score last night. Honestly haha. Just woke up.

Fast for only 2 mill to the Canes irratates me a bit.

I actually dreamt about the Pens lack of picking up anyone who can score last night. Honestly haha. Just woke up.

Fast for only 2 mill to the Canes irratates me a bit.
- MattStrat

There's a lot of guys out there that I would take to help with scoring: Toffoli, Hoffman, Dadanov, Namestnikov, Duclair, AA, maybe Vesey

There's a lot of guys out there that I would take to help with scoring: Toffoli, Hoffman, Dadanov, Namestnikov, Duclair, AA, maybe Vesey
- 668710

Dadonov, Hoffman Will be too expensive I think

Dadonov, Hoffman Will be too expensive I think
- Barnaby36

Idk, if they haven't signed by now, will they get a big contract? Although I could see Daddy heading back to Russia if not.

ZAR usually misses large chunks of the season and is easily replacable and Rikki barely ever plays and is also easily replacable. When McCann struggles to begin the season and people are like "what's going on?" Well, Joe Blow is his center so... Our best case scenario(if forwards stay as is) will be that Poulin makes the jump and they put Tanev up on the third line with McCann centering it.
- 668710

That's a part where I disagree. That line really struggled without him. I don't get why we'd throw ZAR into a trade where the other team needs to add.

This isn't an issue of the trade needing ZAR to be completed. Tampa is desperate to move TJ, they're not going to demand specific players. Zero reason for us to add positive assets.

TVR > Schultz
- Blackstrom2

Smart add for you for only 800k. And I agree. Schultz is good once in the offensive zone, but a liability in the other two.

That's a part where I disagree. That line really struggled without him. I don't get why we'd throw ZAR into a trade where the other team needs to add.

This isn't an issue of the trade needing ZAR to be completed. Tampa is desperate to move TJ, they're not going to demand specific players. Zero reason for us to add positive assets.
- Tojo.

I dont get why everyone wants to chase Johnson. I'm interested in seeing how long things play out with Hoffman. He is a guy who could be a real game changer, kind of like Kessel his first 2 years.

Pens are missing that guy who can just go out and snipe. I dont see Johnson carrying a line for the next 4 years.

That's a part where I disagree. That line really struggled without him. I don't get why we'd throw ZAR into a trade where the other team needs to add.

This isn't an issue of the trade needing ZAR to be completed. Tampa is desperate to move TJ, they're not going to demand specific players. Zero reason for us to add positive assets.
- Tojo.

Yea I get that, Id rather make Tampa retain 2 mil of his contract, but if they rather take 2 mil in players I wouldn't bat an eye at those two leaving. I don't think ZAR or Rikki are that special at all, it's a different year and Blue might not even have any of his wingers from last season. And of course ZAR would get hurt again anyways haha.

I dont get why everyone wants to chase Johnson. I'm interested in seeing how long things play out with Hoffman. He is a guy who could be a real game changer, kind of like Kessel his first 2 years.

Pens are missing that guy who can just go out and snipe. I dont see Johnson carrying a line for the next 4 years.
- MacPatty

I'm not chasing TJ, it's more that I wouldn't care if ZAR and Rikki went for him. But as I stated above as well there are plenty of options available that I would take and I had Hoffman on that list.

I'm with Tojo. ZAR brings a different element to the Bluegar line. The visual eye test and the numbers have shown they struggle when he isn't on that line.

I think everyone is pushing for TJ because they think he exclusively plays center, but he doesn't. He plays mostly wing for TB, and we just got rid of a expensive 3rd line declining winger in Hornqvist.

We have a cheaper, younger option in Kapanen who we acquired who continues to improve. Now we have a tough working high effort 3rd and 4th line. Which should work well for us come playoff time.

I'm not chasing TJ, it's more that I wouldn't care if ZAR and Rikki went for him. But as I stated above as well there are plenty of options available that I would take and I had Hoffman on that list.
- 668710

There are good options out there, but everyone is waiting on Hall and Pietrangelo before they sign. They are still going to sign bigger contracts.

There are good options out there, but everyone is waiting on Hall and Pietrangelo before they sign. They are still going to sign bigger contracts.
- 123Kid

Thanks, EK

I'm with Tojo. ZAR brings a different element to the Bluegar line. The visual eye test and the numbers have shown they struggle when he isn't on that line.

I think everyone is pushing for TJ because they think he exclusively plays center, but he doesn't. He plays mostly wing for TB, and we just got rid of a expensive 3rd line declining winger in Hornqvist.

We have a cheaper, younger option in Kapanen who we acquired who continues to improve. Now we have a tough working high effort 3rd and 4th line. Which should work well for us come playoff time.
- 123Kid

I don't even care if McCann centered the line.
Tanev-McCann-Johnson
Or
Poulin-McCann-Johnson
Are both better third lines than what we currently have.

Yea I get that, Id rather make Tampa retain 2 mil of his contract, but if they rather take 2 mil in players I wouldn't bat an eye at those two leaving. I don't think ZAR or Rikki are that special at all, it's a different year and Blue might not even have any of his wingers from last season. And of course ZAR would get hurt again anyways haha.
- 668710

Tampa needs to add, TJ just cleared waivers. To me, us making them take ZAR and Riikola isn't adding. Make them retain 1M or add a pick.

ZAR's inclusion is only because people don't like ZAR. But ZAR is better than Sceviour or Lafferty and only 300k above minimum. He doesn't make sense as a cap dump. Sceviour definitely, Riikola I could see.

Sidenote, y'all are way to fixated on him. Could have had him for free and then dumped the players you're suggesting, but you're acting like he's a positive asset with that age and contract. There are ither ways to improve the 3rd line.

I actually dreamt about the Pens lack of picking up anyone who can score last night. Honestly haha. Just woke up.

Fast for only 2 mill to the Canes irratates me a bit.
- MattStrat

This. I really have to wonder if he was just hasty with his moves and felt he needed to grab what he could or this is his plan.

Tampa needs to add, TJ just cleared waivers. To me, us making them take ZAR and Riikola isn't adding. Make them retain 1M or add a pick.

ZAR's inclusion is only because people don't like ZAR. But ZAR is better than Sceviour or Lafferty and only 300k above minimum. He doesn't make sense as a cap dump. Sceviour definitely, Riikola I could see.

Sidenote, y'all are way to fixated on him. Could have had him for free and then dumped the players you're suggesting, but you're acting like he's a positive asset with that age and contract. There are ither ways to improve the 3rd line.
- Tojo.

No, it's not, so stop saying that. It's out of the players they'd likely move, he would make sense since he as some value and makes room for his cap.

Moving Riikola before knowing if POJ is ready makes NO sense at puts this team at Risk in case of injury. Moving him out to just replace him with a player who makes $300K less is a silly idea.

ZAR + Sceviour make the most sense. The Pens can more easily replace either one of Those guys than have the opportunity to get someone of TJ’s caliber. You’re so ridiculously fixated on that fourth line. Yeah, it’s great, but a third line that can score is important.

This. I really have to wonder if he was just hasty with his moves and felt he needed to grab what he could or this is his plan.
- Rinosaur

JR never has a plan. Throws sh!t at walls and hopes it sticks. I think he even said something along the lines of he wouldn't be busy first day of free agency and wait for bargains hahaha

As for the D chats going on here today, I could totally see a Rik-Matheson pairing... And if Matheson is comfy in RD as he's stated he is, it could work. Especially with 3rd pair matchups and deployments.

F'n Sceviour Hahah Never should of been had and needs to go.