I disagree... I think he, in his mind, was not a troll whatsoever. I truly believe he was a believer in his own BS and crap. A sad sad being...
- Guile

Yes... He's a stone cold believer of his bile. Which makes him a stone cold racist with that comment.

Didn't know why he got banned, but trying to say he didn't know what that term meant is laughable. I always love it when a true racist gets exposed and can no longer hide behind his "virtue". Good for Ek to ditch him so quickly.

I remember Kingerski scooping everybody ONE time. I honestly can't remember the situation, but he was literally the only person reporting it. It wasn't JJ....which everyone was reporting.

I remember Kingerski scooping everybody ONE time. I honestly can't remember the situation, but he was literally the only person reporting it. It wasn't JJ....which everyone was reporting.
- madmike71

He complained about the Guentzel extension lol I remember him being a dummy for that.

Wow, really? What are those four things?
- Hockey66

1. ads
2. ads
3. ads
4. ....ads

There are about 4 things I'm worried about more than that center spot.
- Tojo.

1. ads
2. ads
3. ads
4. ....ads
- DeflatedPucks

Dom took over the Athletic series for NHL power rankings that combines his model with staff picks. Pens got the #7 spot in the “Cup Dark Horse” tier with the biggest discrepancy between staff rating and model rating. Apparently the model likes us because the strength of our core is still Cup caliber. I think that’s whats frustrating about the past two seasons. This core is still good enough to do it, but the bit pieces have been (frank)ing us.

Dom took over the Athletic series for NHL power rankings that combines his model with staff picks. Pens got the #7 spot in the “Cup Dark Horse” tier with the biggest discrepancy between staff rating and model rating. Apparently the model likes us because the strength of our core is still Cup caliber. I think that’s whats frustrating about the past two seasons. This core is still good enough to do it, but the bit pieces have been (frank)ing us.
- Victoro311

Yep, and the coach who keeps playing bad bit players in prominent roles (not just JJ).

Dom took over the Athletic series for NHL power rankings that combines his model with staff picks. Pens got the #7 spot in the “Cup Dark Horse” tier with the biggest discrepancy between staff rating and model rating. Apparently the model likes us because the strength of our core is still Cup caliber. I think that’s whats frustrating about the past two seasons. This core is still good enough to do it, but the bit pieces have been (frank)ing us.
- Victoro311

They need to put the pieces in the right places. Sid wants speed(which I personally disagree that Sid needs speed to play with) so they put Simon there who can’t score a goal if his life depends on it. Meanwhile the fastest guy on the roster puts up 15 on the fourth line with mostly defensive zone starts. Sullivan over thinks himself.

- DeflatedPucks

He writes for the Sharks now I think. Decent writer. Why he's not here anymore.

On the bright side we didn’t sign Joe Thornton to do absolutely nothing on the fourth line then be s healthy scratch halfway through the season.

Rumor out there is that the Pens are putting a 3yr $9m contract out to Haula... would need to move or demote a player or two but this would be fantastic!
- MacPatty

I like the idea of adding a potentially (read injury-free) competent 3C, but it's a lot in a flat cap for a bad defensive center coming off a major injury. How much more will Granlund get? Whatever the difference is, Granlund would be worth it over Haula, IMO, even if Granlund isn't considered a true center.

I like the idea of adding a potentially (read injury-free) competent 3C, but it's a lot in a flat cap for a bad defensive center coming off a major injury. How much more will Granlund get? Whatever the difference is, Granlund would be worth it over Haula, IMO, even if Granlund isn't considered a true center.
- Hockey66

I'd take either, whatever we can (frank)ing get lol. Whoever wants to come here that's good, welcome.

I'd take either, whatever we can (frank)ing get lol. Whoever wants to come here that's good, welcome.
- 668710

Yeah, beggars can't be choosers and Jankowski at 3C sounds pretty sketchy. However, if we are putting out $3M for Haula, dig a little deeper and find another $2M to get Granlund (if that's what it takes and he wants to come here). We are also really thin at RW and Granlund actually defends, too (in addition to not being an injury risk).

Honestly, if it means adding a 2nd or a 3rd to dump Tanev, I do it. What's the difference between Tanev and Rodrigues? Not a lot. What's the difference between Rodrigues and Granlund? A ton. Even if Granlund plays center, the RWs of ERod and Sceviour are a better scenario than Haula with ERod and Tanev, IMO.

Dom took over the Athletic series for NHL power rankings that combines his model with staff picks. Pens got the #7 spot in the “Cup Dark Horse” tier with the biggest discrepancy between staff rating and model rating. Apparently the model likes us because the strength of our core is still Cup caliber. I think that’s whats frustrating about the past two seasons. This core is still good enough to do it, but the bit pieces have been (frank)ing us.
- Victoro311

I think the frustrating part this off-season is they properly identified and removed all the bad players, then just replaced them with other bad players. I think we're a little better, mostly due to the fact that this is the deepest set of top 6 wings I think we've had around Sid and Geno if Kapanen is the 4th guy. But some of those spots would be better with just replacement level players.

Wow, really? What are those four things?
- Hockey66

Feel like we've had this conversation. Goaltending, 3rd pair, PP, and has age caught up too much to the stars for playoff hockey. Coaching too.

It's not that the 3rd line isn't a problem, I just think those others could potentially all be bigger. A strong top 6 and a 4th line that can eat 3rd line minutes minimizes that issue.

Feel like we've had this conversation. Goaltending, 3rd pair, PP, and has age caught up too much to the stars for playoff hockey. Coaching too.

It's not that the 3rd line isn't a problem, I just think those others could potentially all be bigger. A strong top 6 and a 4th line that can eat 3rd line minutes minimizes that issue.
- Tojo.

I disagree with the last statement and think they're all cause and effect. The Pens 4th line can probably eat 3rd line minutes, but that just makes them the new 3rd line and they will be a shut-down line. I don't think they're capable of producing the way the Pens need them as a "third line."

I think the McCann line has the potential to get severely caved in and constantly hemmed in their own zone. Jankowski and Erod are support players and you have two of them on the same line. Neither are good a driving play.

I think a stronger third line that can drive offense and control territorially is more important and funnels everything down.

I'm definitely concerned about the 3rd pair and if they're a disaster along with the McCann line, then Jarry will need to make Vezina performances on a regular basis.

Feel like we've had this conversation. Goaltending, 3rd pair, PP, and has age caught up too much to the stars for playoff hockey. Coaching too.

It's not that the 3rd line isn't a problem, I just think those others could potentially all be bigger. A strong top 6 and a 4th line that can eat 3rd line minutes minimizes that issue.
- Tojo.

Well, that was before FA and a bunch of additions. Our 3rd pair might suck, but it's better than it was and it will probably be average or so (most 3rd pairs suck). PP could be better with Reirden even though Horny is gone and I don't think there is any FA who could help the Pens PP right now. I think our goaltending is good enough and again, I don't think there is any FA out there that would be an improvement. Agree with age but can't do anything about that and agree about coaching, but that is a non-player move.

Feel like we've had this conversation. Goaltending, 3rd pair, PP, and has age caught up too much to the stars for playoff hockey. Coaching too.

It's not that the 3rd line isn't a problem, I just think those others could potentially all be bigger. A strong top 6 and a 4th line that can eat 3rd line minutes minimizes that issue.
- Tojo.

I'm sorry, but the Pens have a great 3rd pair. I think Matheson will surpass Petterson on the depth chart and I'm excited to see if Ceci can excel playing fewer minutes in a less relied on role.

Your goaltending concerns are legitimate as an unproven tandem in a condensed season could be a disaster.

The 3rd line is an absolute disaster though and we heavily overrated the 4th. McCann is the only legit 3rd liner and he is followed by 5 4th liners. Pens are going to need one of the Rookies to come up and shine or Sid and Geno to both go God mode and put away 50 goals apiece.

Haula is just another McCann. Thats not a bad thing but its just more of the same. The Pens have been 1 player away from a true run in the playoffs for 3 years and everyone knows it, yet no one corrects it. 3rd line Centre. Untill they correct it, they can't win a cup. Rutherford is making all these moves but not fixing their most glaring need. They have 3 years left in the Crosby window. They have 3 solid prospect in the farm. Do what you have to do and fix the Bonino problem.
- ubjeepn2

All I have been hearing for the past two years is how Jack Johnson was the reason we couldn't win. Are you saying the reason for the Pens losing is actually deeper than Johnson. Or are you saying lacking a solid third line is a bigger reason than the narrative we have been believing.

I am not just saying here on this board but just about every media outlet here has ripped JJ without even considering or identifying another possible problem/solution.

The drop-off after McCann is steep, so I'll take more of the same if it's players like McCann. My only concern with Haula on a long-term deal is the injury issues. If Poulin proves ready then a McCann-Haula-Poulin line could be quite effective.
- Rinosaur

I hope Poulin gets a shot even if its for just a few games early in the season. I also hope Lafferty gets a fair shake in the bottom six. I'm not ready to write off Jankowski either, he's still young and hopefully can bounce back. If Haula is willing to take a league minimum deal I'm down but otherwise, I'm content with seeing what they have in the current roster.

Haula is just another McCann. Thats not a bad thing but its just more of the same. The Pens have been 1 player away from a true run in the playoffs for 3 years and everyone knows it, yet no one corrects it. 3rd line Centre. Untill they correct it, they can't win a cup. Rutherford is making all these moves but not fixing their most glaring need. They have 3 years left in the Crosby window. They have 3 solid prospect in the farm. Do what you have to do and fix the Bonino problem.
- ubjeepn2

Are we all really just going to ignore 10/27/2020...feds...nice touch on the "centre", trying to throw everybody off

lol jk jeepn, sorry to drag you into the HB drama

So I am a bit behind the news on this... but anyone else reading up on the poopstorm for that Coyotes' draft pick?

The mother of the abused kid wrote a public letter calling out Miller as a liar and still a bully after being sentenced. That poop is gonna get ugly not only for the player, but for the school that let it keep going on.

So I am a bit behind the news on this... but anyone else reading up on the poopstorm for that Coyotes' draft pick?

The mother of the abused kid wrote a public letter calling out Miller as a liar and still a bully after being sentenced. That poop is gonna get ugly not only for the player, but for the school that let it keep going on.
- Guile

I read the story. The draft pick is a little piece of poop and AZ having to surrender draft picks this coming draft can ill afford to have issues with draft picks coming up. AZ is probably the biggest disaster of an organization in the league.

The Coyotes have pretty much been a joke since the day they left Winnipeg.

The Coyotes have pretty much been a joke since the day they left Winnipeg.
- 5on1Powerplay

That's definitely not true. They had a few competitive years.