Not really a prediction but this much I know for sure... some of the pens core have made it known they think they are “to easy to play against”. This was also brought up by a pens new assistant coach that other teams think this as well. This is recent and also goes back to the playoff series against Montreal.
2 names that have come up with interest from the pens are Dermott and Zadorov. Yes 2 different types of players but both were targets in the offseason.
- pens4life-66

I hope you are right. I have wanted Zadorov on the Pens for a long time. I feel he can bring something different to this defense.

Not really a prediction but this much I know for sure... some of the pens core have made it known they think they are “to easy to play against”. This was also brought up by a pens new assistant coach that other teams think this as well. This is recent and also goes back to the playoff series against Montreal.
2 names that have come up with interest from the pens are Dermott and Zadorov. Yes 2 different types of players but both were targets in the offseason.
- pens4life-66

Dammit. Zadorov sucks.

Not really a prediction but this much I know for sure... some of the pens core have made it known they think they are “to easy to play against”. This was also brought up by a pens new assistant coach that other teams think this as well. This is recent and also goes back to the playoff series against Montreal.
2 names that have come up with interest from the pens are Dermott and Zadorov. Yes 2 different types of players but both were targets in the offseason.
- pens4life-66

First, we appreciate your inside information.

Second, 'new assistant coach thinks Pens are easy to play against, other teams think this as well'. I wonder who that is? Could it be Vellucci? Nah, he was in the AHL last year. Someone help me, please.

First, we appreciate your inside information.

Second, 'new assistant coach thinks Pens are easy to play against, other teams think this as well'. I wonder who that is? Could it be Vellucci? Nah, he was in the AHL last year. Someone help me, please.
- Thunderbolt

I think you are being snarky, but it has to be Reirden and it makes total sense based on how the Caps play and Reirden's experience against the Pens in which that style was successful.

A young, large bodied top 6 center is so hard to find that you knew they would get a big return though. Agree they didn't need him right now, but that's a guy you can build around.

I'm not as high on Laine as some. Just not sure he gets back to being a 40 goal guy. Nice piece still, but I think the Jets got the best player.
- Tojo.

Agree with this.

I did say that Roslovic is from Columbus so that seems like a destination for him, even though he didn't have any leverage or say in where he went.

I'm not ready to demote Jankowski just yet. Too many reactions good and bad to him over 2 game samples. But if we did, sign me up on team give Blueger a shot before we make a trade. And then Jankowski is probably fine at 4C.
- Tojo.

Agree with this, too. Jank's style seems like a need and I think he has played well enough. Centers are valuable, especially if we get an injury. We are probably not going to find a center in a trade.

Wow, Rust with 11 shots. The rest of the forwards: 9. The defensemen: 8.

I think you are being snarky, but it has to be Reirden and it makes total sense based on how the Caps play and Reirden's experience against the Pens in which that style was successful.
- Hockey66

You are correct, it was snarky. I said it because when I said a month or so ago that this is Sullivan's team that's one thing I was alluding to. Sullivan wants an all speed team. Well that's what he has, the thing is they aren't the fastest team any more. Obviously teams aren't afraid of their speed and that is bad.

So what do we have here? Fast teams are too fast for us, slow physical teams aren't intimidated by our speed. We have played five games against three different teams and have yet to win in regulation, not to mention we've trailed in every game. Seems to explain a lot to me.

Wow, Rust with 11 shots. The rest of the forwards: 9. The defensemen: 8.
- Hockey66

Yeah it was by far Rust's best gane and I think Geno's as well. Lots of complaints on Zucker, but he's the work horse and puck retriever on that line and his history says he has the hands. I think if Geno and Rust continue to come around he'll get his points as well.

Actually now that you mention it I did remember reading jr had interest in zadarov in the offseason.

And to Rino’s point, I agree for Sid, geno, and Letang to get another cup a 3rd or 4th line tweak won’t cut it. I think the depth on this team was actually improved this offseason as they have generally been carrying the team so far so kudos to them. But yeah some top 6 skill is needed and a big tough left D or 2 to replace Dumo/petterson/MM so they can clear the crease. Letang and Marino can do their thing.

Let O’Connor try out for the 4th line at some point. Hopefully players with skill and some grit. Not just grit.
- 10inchTerror

This team has such a log jam on LD it's hard to consider adding without moving another, although I think Zadarov plays RD as well but not certain.

As for fit, Zadarov is a slight negative from a possession standpoint, but not a boat anchor. It's an acceptable trade off for me because life is way too easy in front of the Pens net right now. Acquisition cost matters though.

I'm ready to move on from McCann at this point though. I'm fine with swapping the Cs around, but I'd rather try and move McCann for help at C.
- Rinosaur

I'm not with you there. He's chipping in offensively how ever ugly the goal was. And while RW buried them, a quick look says McCann is sitting about 54% in Corsi and Fenwick with just 32.4% OZ starts. That's solid for a still relatively cheap player who does fit the speed game.

You are correct, it was snarky. I said it because when I said a month or so ago that this is Sullivan's team that's one thing I was alluding to. Sullivan wants an all speed team. Well that's what he has, the thing is they aren't the fastest team any more. Obviously teams aren't afraid of their speed and that is bad.

So what do we have here? Fast teams are too fast for us, slow physical teams aren't intimidated by our speed. We have played five games against three different teams and have yet to win in regulation, not to mention we've trailed in every game. Seems to explain a lot to me.
- Thunderbolt

This is a very good post. We aren't going to skate everyone out of the building again because Crosby, Malkin, Letang, Dumoulin, and others have lost a step. And even when they were that team they had grit guys like Hornqvist, Bonino, and Cole who weren't plugs, but weren't burners either.

This is a very good post. We aren't going to skate everyone out of the building again because Crosby, Malkin, Letang, Dumoulin, and others have lost a step. And even when they were that team they had grit guys like Hornqvist, Bonino, and Cole who weren't plugs, but weren't burners either.
- Tojo.

Kunitz, Cullen and Fehr as well

This is a very good post. We aren't going to skate everyone out of the building again because Crosby, Malkin, Letang, Dumoulin, and others have lost a step. And even when they were that team they had grit guys like Hornqvist, Bonino, and Cole who weren't plugs, but weren't burners either.
- Tojo.

Yes, the winning formula is BALANCE. Any swing too far in one direction, either toward speed / finesse or grinding / grit, makes it really easy to coach and defend against. This seems like a simple concept. The new NHL rules and enforcement make speed / finesse more of a priority, but you still need a healthy dose of grinding and grit to win the Cup.

I'm not with you there. He's chipping in offensively how ever ugly the goal was. And while RW buried them, a quick look says McCann is sitting about 54% in Corsi and Fenwick with just 32.4% OZ starts. That's solid for a still relatively cheap player who does fit the speed game.
- Tojo.

He's performing well for his price, but I just think the Pens need more.

I haven't really been on Hockeybuzz in a couple years. Is that AUSSIE dude still around?
- pensfan024

He went off the rails with an insane emojis ruining the message board and got banned.

He went off the rails with an insane emojis ruining the message board and got banned.
- 668710

His alt from Austria still hangs around sometimes though.

Low effort as it comes.

This is a very good post. We aren't going to skate everyone out of the building again because Crosby, Malkin, Letang, Dumoulin, and others have lost a step. And even when they were that team they had grit guys like Hornqvist, Bonino, and Cole who weren't plugs, but weren't burners either.
- Tojo.

Thank you. I an not advocating changing the make up of the team, nor am I calling for HCMS to be replaced. Not yet anyway. What I am saying is as this team so goes Sulli. Sullivan wants a speed team and he has one. If this team disappoints then Sullivan needs to be held responsible.

His alt from Austria still hangs around sometimes though.

Low effort as it comes.
- Victoro311

Yea VeryModernMan haha

Kunitz, Cullen and Fehr as well
- pens4life-66

Thanks for sharing your info with us! Appreciate it!

He's performing well for his price, but I just think the Pens need more.
- Rinosaur

They may well need more, but I think trading McCann for another bottom 6 is just swapping deck chairs and hoping for a better result. Bottom 6 has been far from this team's biggest problem so far.

They may well need more, but I think trading McCann for another bottom 6 is just swapping deck chairs and hoping for a better result. Bottom 6 has been far from this team's biggest problem so far.
- Tojo.

Agree with this. Trading Rust for Roslovic would have been an even bigger mistake, IMO.

Agree with this. Trading Rust for Roslovic would have been an even bigger mistake, IMO.
- Hockey66

Yea I agree as well. I was willing to give up Legare for him as he will probably not impact the Sid/Geno era.

Agree with this. Trading Rust for Roslovic would have been an even bigger mistake, IMO.
- Hockey66

We’re in a position where we need to add a forward without giving up anyone McCann or better. A hockey trade where we just exchange middle six forwards won’t move the needle.

We’re in a position where we need to add a forward without giving up anyone McCann or better. A hockey trade where we just exchange middle six forwards won’t move the needle.
- Victoro311

Agree. We've got a 2nd this year and ALL of our draft picks the next year. I would trade any prospect not named POJ. I think this is the last good year to make a run.