Marino has a high hockey IQ, I could see him being a PP QB full time eventually. I think we'll see him getting some looks this year.
- 668710

It would be great if he can develop into that.

It would be great if he can develop into that.
- Rinosaur

Yup, just gotta see how he develops.

Marino has a high hockey IQ, I could see him being a PP QB full time eventually. I think we'll see him getting some looks this year.
- 668710

Definitely. Defensemen typically develop differently than forwards. It usually takes defensemen a while to do well at the NHL level (sometimes even a while after being traded to a new team) while rookie forwards more often can contribute immediately. What Marino did last season was special. I think he will be a solid defenseman for the team for years to come and may get even better.

Ultimately, I think the team needs to try to balance out the ice time between the defensemen, with the third pairing getting nearly as much as the first pairing. Letang is getting burned out and needs reduced ice time to be effective (trading him is stupid - he just needs less TOI). This will be easier with Marino doing well and JJ gone. I just hope that Matheson earns his money.

Marino has a high hockey IQ, I could see him being a PP QB full time eventually. I think we'll see him getting some looks this year.
- 668710

This is pretty huge, IMO. He reminds me of Maatta in this regard (with obviously much better speed).

As for PP QB, to me, he already looks the part. I think he's also got a good, accurate long-range shot and knows how to serve up a tippable low shot/pass from the point.

I'll go so far as to say he's the best PP QB on the team right now. Letang has elite skills but his shots from the point have never been that great. I think his best attributes are puck handling and passing, both of which are best utilized on the left half wall. He also has a much better close- to mid-range shot.

Definitely. Defensemen typically develop differently than forwards. It usually takes defensemen a while to do well at the NHL level (sometimes even a while after being traded to a new team) while rookie forwards more often can contribute immediately. What Marino did last season was special. I think he will be a solid defenseman for the team for years to come and may get even better.

Ultimately, I think the team needs to try to balance out the ice time between the defensemen, with the third pairing getting nearly as much as the first pairing. Letang is getting burned out and needs reduced ice time to be effective (trading him is stupid - he just needs less TOI). This will be easier with Marino doing well and JJ gone. I just hope that Matheson earns his money.
- PghPens668771

Yea this really comes down to Matheson and Ceci. Will Ceci be a solid third pair dman for us or do we have another JJ? If Matheson can be like when Schultz first got here I will be just fine with that.

This is pretty huge, IMO. He reminds me of Maatta in this regard (with obviously much better speed).

As for PP QB, to me, he already looks the part. I think he's also got a good, accurate long-range shot and knows how to serve up a tippable low shot/pass from the point.

I'll go so far as to say he's the best PP QB on the team right now. Letang has elite skills but his shots from the point have never been that great. I think his best attributes are puck handling and passing, both of which are best utilized on the left half wall. He also has a much better close- to mid-range shot.
- Hockey66

Honestly not against Marino on the point and Letang in the Kessel spot. May as well try it. Especially now that they can't even practice with Kap there(that's annoying)

Yea this really comes down to Matheson and Ceci. Will Ceci be a solid third pair dman for us or do we have another JJ? If Matheson can be like when Schultz first got here I will be just fine with that.
- 668710

I think Ceci will be solid third pair and not another JJ. I doubt Matheson approaches Schultz's production the first year since his career high is a little over half of that. If he can be a significantly better defender, though, I'll happily take 50-75%.

Honestly not against Marino on the point and Letang in the Kessel spot. May as well try it. Especially now that they can't even practice with Kap there(that's annoying)
- 668710

The downside is it means having two defensemen on the PP and Letang is probably a step down from what a forward would provide. If Kap is able to succeed at the left half wall, I could see Letang becoming PP2 QB (which goes against what I just said, I know, but the Pens options for PP QB are limited). This would reduce Letang's workload and might create an advantage for PP2. This is all highly doubtful, though, especially with Sully at the helm. Not sure if Matheson has ever played that role but I think he would be the only other logical option.

The downside is it means having two defensemen on the PP and Letang is probably a step down from what a forward would provide. If Kap is able to succeed at the left half wall, I could see Letang becoming PP2 QB (which goes against what I just said, I know, but the Pens options for PP QB are limited). This would reduce Letang's workload and might create an advantage for PP2. This is all highly doubtful, though, especially with Sully at the helm. Not sure if Matheson has ever played that role but I think he would be the only other logical option.
- Hockey66

Honestly whatever works best I'd go with. Even if it means 2 dmen out there, does it really matter if it's clicking? Obviously if it sucks dump it.

Marino reminds me of Paul Martin. This is a very good contract, but I do not expect him to make the leap to 1D offensive production.

I think it's a matter of time before Pettersson gets traded now. You can't have 5 mid level/high value contracts on the blue line.

Marino reminds me of Paul Martin. This is a very good contract, but I do not expect him to make the leap to 1D offensive production.

I think it's a matter of time before Pettersson gets traded now. You can't have 5 mid level/high value contracts on the blue line.
- Victoro311

I was gonna say that comparison as well, however Marino has a better shot. And I'm with you on the expensive defense. I think Ruth will swap Petts for a third line scorer

Marino reminds me of Paul Martin. This is a very good contract, but I do not expect him to make the leap to 1D offensive production.

I think it's a matter of time before Pettersson gets traded now. You can't have 5 mid level/high value contracts on the blue line.
- Victoro311

There's definitely similarities with Paul Mart. I see more upside with Marino offensively. Not a 50 - 60 point guy, but I could see 40 points with some PP time. Right before he got hurt, Marino was our best D. Not the pure skill of Letang, but not the mistakes either. Great first pass.

I keep hearing Rutherford talk about Petts. He loves him. Personally, I don't see it, but you can always tell when Ruth is smitten with certain players and he seems to love Petts.

From Rossi's piece....

“Getting a structure in place long term — for us, on defense, with younger guys — gives us an opportunity to build around them,” Rutherford said Sunday afternoon. Specifically, he said of Marino and Marcus Pettersson, “Those are two young guys who have shown to be good team players, the kind we want here.”

There's definitely similarities with Paul Mart. I see more upside with Marino offensively. Not a 50 - 60 point guy, but I could see 40 points with some PP time. Right before he got hurt, Marino was our best D. Not the pure skill of Letang, but not the mistakes either. Great first pass.

I keep hearing Rutherford talk about Petts. He loves him. Personally, I don't see it, but you can always tell when Ruth is smitten with certain players and he seems to love Petts.

From Rossi's piece....

“Getting a structure in place long term — for us, on defense, with younger guys — gives us an opportunity to build around them,” Rutherford said Sunday afternoon. Specifically, he said of Marino and Marcus Pettersson, “Those are two young guys who have shown to be good team players, the kind we want here.”
- madmike71

Dumo? I guess it's not the worst thing to have 3 competent defenders on the left side making a combined $13M. That's about what the right side is. Then there's POJ who will save us at least $3M if he can make the team, which it looks like he will at some point soon.

There's definitely similarities with Paul Mart. I see more upside with Marino offensively. Not a 50 - 60 point guy, but I could see 40 points with some PP time. Right before he got hurt, Marino was our best D. Not the pure skill of Letang, but not the mistakes either. Great first pass.

I keep hearing Rutherford talk about Petts. He loves him. Personally, I don't see it, but you can always tell when Ruth is smitten with certain players and he seems to love Petts.

From Rossi's piece....

“Getting a structure in place long term — for us, on defense, with younger guys — gives us an opportunity to build around them,” Rutherford said Sunday afternoon. Specifically, he said of Marino and Marcus Pettersson, “Those are two young guys who have shown to be good team players, the kind we want here.”
- madmike71

Yea idk with Ruth anymore, he talked JJ up and eventually bought him out. Guess we'll see what happens.

There's definitely similarities with Paul Mart. I see more upside with Marino offensively. Not a 50 - 60 point guy, but I could see 40 points with some PP time. Right before he got hurt, Marino was our best D. Not the pure skill of Letang, but not the mistakes either. Great first pass.

I keep hearing Rutherford talk about Petts. He loves him. Personally, I don't see it, but you can always tell when Ruth is smitten with certain players and he seems to love Petts.

From Rossi's piece....

“Getting a structure in place long term — for us, on defense, with younger guys — gives us an opportunity to build around them,” Rutherford said Sunday afternoon. Specifically, he said of Marino and Marcus Pettersson, “Those are two young guys who have shown to be good team players, the kind we want here.”
- madmike71

I don’t doubt that Rutherford would not trade Pettersson if he didn’t have to but, I mean, then he shouldn’t have gone out and acquired Matheson. Rutherford never thinks about cap implications when he makes trades and then acts all shocked a year down the road that the cap is a mess and he has to make a tough decision.

Rutherford isn’t shy about moving on from players on quick turnaround after acquiring them, so it’s possible Matheson is the one dealt, but Pettersson will be way easier to move.

Again...

IF Letang is a goner next season... I believe it's Dumo that follows, not Pettersson. It just makes sense that since Marino is more towards the mold of Dumo than Letang, that you wouldn't keep Dumo and find an offensive-minded to pair with Marino.

I stated before my personal belief is JR has a delusion that Matheson could be that guy because that's what JR does. He fixates, thinks he sees something that other don't and their respective previous team didn't realize what they had etc...

Obviously we will have time to let that play out.

Marino reminds me of Paul Martin. This is a very good contract, but I do not expect him to make the leap to 1D offensive production.

I think it's a matter of time before Pettersson gets traded now. You can't have 5 mid level/high value contracts on the blue line.
- Victoro311

Paul Martin was very good for the pens too.

Who does you guys think will the surprise of camp and win a spot or at the very least a spot on the taxi squad?

My prediction: Drew O'Connor

In a time of financial insecurity and a pile of unknowns going forward, whether it be socially or economically, when players are signing shorter contracts for less and add the fact the kid has played in just 60 (56/4) NHL games...I see absolutely no need of this contract being done right now.

I think he has showed a lot of poise and promise...in 60 games. If his level of play stays the same its an ok deal...if its gets better than it could be a steal...and if his play drops?

I just think they totally could of given this more time, there was no rush.

In a time of financial insecurity and a pile of unknowns going forward, whether it be socially or economically, when players are signing shorter contracts for less and add the fact the kid has played in just 60 (56/4) NHL games...I see absolutely no need of this contract being done right now.

I think he has showed a lot of poise and promise...in 60 games. If his level of play stays the same its an ok deal...if its gets better than it could be a steal...and if his play drops?

I just think they totally could of given this more time, there was no rush.
- MattStrat

There are definitely valid arguments either way, but me personally? I think the window is all but closed after the Hornqvist trade, so it's a gamble that if it fails, will really not affect the future of this team. If he continues to improve then it's only better for him as a trade piece when the Pens go into full rebuild three or four years down the road.

There are definitely valid arguments either way, but me personally? I think the window is all but closed after the Hornqvist trade, so it's a gamble that if it fails, will really not affect the future of this team. If he continues to improve then it's only better for him as a trade piece when the Pens go into full rebuild three or four years down the road.
- Rinosaur

Solid points.

The season is just about 4 months long. If the Pens aren't doing so hot, what are the chances that Letang and Geno get moved during this season? Or do you think both will play out their next 2 years here and leave for nothing?