O'Connor is another who I thought looked decent and not out of place. Maybe I'm just viewing all of the new players through rose colored glasses during a bleak time.
- Hockey66

I didnt mind O'Connor. Not sure who I'd prefer at this point, him or Laff. It's weird, in his first game I liked how much he was around the net.... Not sure I saw him around there again after that hahah

I give him all the credit in the world. Just sad that he’s the guy that ends up in that situation. I think a sure fire sign that Geno isn’t himself is he was a passenger out there in that situation.
- Grinder47

Well, one of the problems with the Pens is that their two toughest guys are their two stars / elite talent (Geno and Crosby). This shouldn't be. I know the game is changing, but if I'm playing the Pens in the playoffs, I'm going to try to beat up (not fight per se) the Pens every chance. Over a series it will take a toll and it's easy to do with virtually no repercussions. Add the pitiful Pens PP and you'd be dumb not to.

I personally would like to keep the 3rd line in-tact, put ZAR with Jank and just let them be a total shut-down line. They won't produce any offense, but they can at least just shut teams down.
- Rinosaur

Yeah I can get down with that.

I feel like ZAR has the tools to be very effective in front of the net on PP... But don't recall him ever being tried like that.

I didnt mind O'Connor. Not sure who I'd prefer at this point, him or Laff. It's weird, in his first game I liked how much he was around the net.... Not sure I saw him around there again after that hahah
- MattStrat

Oh I'd take O'Connor. Not even close. Laff has pretty much proven himself to be nothing more than a 13th forward. Now there's someone who could have made himself useful and made a few big hits or get into a fight and take a better player with him. But then Sully would bench him for it, so I don't blame him.

I'm not sure if anyone else mentioned but I just noticed that O'Connor and Czu were both sent back to Taxi....so I think that definitely means we see Matheson and ZAR.
- MattStrat

I'm not sure what the waiver rules are, so it's possible they are just saving a little cap space since they're off until Saturday. You're likely right, just throwing out another possibility.

I would rather see:

McCann - Blue - Tanev
ZAR - Jank - Sceviour
- Hockey66

Sceviour seemed to be one of the better bottom 6 guys most games... Which isn't saying a hell of alot but none the less I was suprised they scratched him last game.

I'm not sure what the waiver rules are, so it's possible they are just saving a little cap space since they're off until Saturday. You're likely right, just throwing out another possibility.
- Tojo.

That's true too. It's alway you thinking of the paper moves haha.

Sceviour seemed to be one of the better bottom 6 guys most games... Which isn't saying a hell of alot but none the less I was suprised they scratched him last game.
- MattStrat

Yeah, I was surprised, too, especially considering Laff got the nod (and I think on his off-wing, no less). Great trade, JR, and nice going Sully.

I personally would like to keep the 3rd line in-tact, put ZAR with Jank and just let them be a total shut-down line. They won't produce any offense, but they can at least just shut teams down.
- Rinosaur

That may be the route they take, but I don't think Jankowski and shut down line go together. Or Lafferty really. They'll still have a trash 4th line, they'll just have a little better possession metrics.

Yeah, I was surprised, too, especially considering Laff got the nod (and I think on his off-wing, no less). Great trade, JR, and nice going Sully.
- Hockey66

Lafferty and Sceviour are both RWs.

O'Connor and ZAR are LWs.

So those are the competitions. Not really one between O'Connor and ZAR at this point.

Im with ya in all regards here. The Pens biggest need right now, like today/this week, is LD. When (or if) the D is healthy the biggest need is one more producing forward for bottom 6.

No high hopes just hope he's an upgrade right now and I think he will be.
- MattStrat

Matheson is a big upgrade over Cuz haha. Like to actually see him play a little.

Matheson is a big upgrade over Cuz haha. Like to actually see him play a little.
- 668710

Hopefully the surgery doesn’t affect zar too much. And idk how mm was on the pp in fla but it has to be an upgrade to have him qb ours.

Hopefully the surgery doesn’t affect zar too much. And idk how mm was on the pp in fla but it has to be an upgrade to have him qb ours.
- 10inchTerror

Yea I'd like to see the pens use him there. If he can at least help on the pp that would be nice.

Lafferty and Sceviour are both RWs.

O'Connor and ZAR are LWs.

So those are the competitions. Not really one between O'Connor and ZAR at this point.
- Tojo.

Ok, I just saw Laff listed as a C,LW on capfriendly. He is a righty, though, so that makes sense. Still, if Sceviour isn't injured, that's a dumb call by Sully.

Ok, I just saw Laff listed as a C,LW on capfriendly. He is a righty, though, so that makes sense.
- Hockey66

He played a few games at LW last year, but it was awkward. The Pens really don't have a lot of position flexibility these days.

That may be the route they take, but I don't think Jankowski and shut down line go together. Or Lafferty really. They'll still have a trash 4th line, they'll just have a little better possession metrics.
- Tojo.

If they can find it on the cheap I'd love for them to find this year's Cullen.

On a random note, if Sid, Geno and Jake don't really start waking up I'd prefer the Pens to not go big on any rentals. I only throw Sid in there because, and I'm parroting some comments from Yohe, but he hasn't been that productive at ES.

IMO it would be a waste of assets this year to go big on a rental like Palmieri unless come the deadline they start looking like themselves again. Other than that I'd be fine with some minor depth tweaks if it helps.

He played a few games at LW last year, but it was awkward. The Pens really don't have a lot of position flexibility these days.
- Tojo.

I'd say he looks awkward at RW, too.

If they can find it on the cheap I'd love for them to find this year's Cullen.
- Rinosaur

They, as in Sid and Geno, should be this year's Cullen. They are the veteran leadership.

Entertaining the thought though, from this list sorted by age and totally ignoring the cap at the moment plus the fact their current teams may never trade them, my candidates would be Parise, Pavelski, E. Staal, Spezza and Carter.

https://www.quanthockey.c...21-nhl-players-stats.html

They, as in Sid and Geno, should be this year's Cullen. They are the veteran leadership.

Entertaining the thought though, from this list sorted by age and totally ignoring the cap at the moment plus the fact their current teams may never trade them, my candidates would be Parise, Pavelski, E. Staal, Spezza and Carter.

https://www.quanthockey.c...21-nhl-players-stats.html
- MattStrat

Staal would be great, but I keep getting confused by the previous reports. Wouldn't he not accept a move to the Pen?

I don't see BUF being sellers though unless they drop super far down. I think they will be in the mix for 4th place.

Staal would be great, but I keep getting confused by the previous reports. Wouldn't he not accept a move to the Pen?

I don't see BUF being sellers though unless they drop super far down. I think they will be in the mix for 4th place.
- Rinosaur

I think what went down is basically he put all non playoff teams on his list thinking he wouldnt get traded there because he wanted to stay in Minny. The Sabres ended up wanting him and trading for him. I could be wrong. It could also be the other way around with the lists, like Im not totally sure if you submit the teams you would allow a trade to or vice versa.

I think what went down is basically he put all non playoff teams on his list thinking he wouldnt get traded there because he wanted to stay in Minny. The Sabres ended up wanting him and trading for him. I could be wrong. It could also be the other way around with the lists, like Im not totally sure if you submit the teams you would allow a trade to or vice versa.
- MattStrat

He and the BUF GM, Kevyn Adams, are former teammates and buddies, so I'm sure that was a factor.

They, as in Sid and Geno, should be this year's Cullen. They are the veteran leadership.

Entertaining the thought though, from this list sorted by age and totally ignoring the cap at the moment plus the fact their current teams may never trade them, my candidates would be Parise, Pavelski, E. Staal, Spezza and Carter.

https://www.quanthockey.c...21-nhl-players-stats.html
- MattStrat

I dont think he wants to be traded but Jeff Carter is the guy. Right shot for the PP, can play 3C or move up in the top 6 and play wing. 2 years left under contract.

I dont think he wants to be traded but Jeff Carter is the guy. Right shot for the PP, can play 3C or move up in the top 6 and play wing. 2 years left under contract.
- MacPatty

2 years left at $5.3M per. But, he's a big body that can be good net-front.

I think we're at a tipping point. Either go big or start the rebuild. This is the last year of the window.

On a random note, if Sid, Geno and Jake don't really start waking up I'd prefer the Pens to not go big on any rentals. I only throw Sid in there because, and I'm parroting some comments from Yohe, but he hasn't been that productive at ES.

IMO it would be a waste of assets this year to go big on a rental like Palmieri unless come the deadline they start looking like themselves again. Other than that I'd be fine with some minor depth tweaks if it helps.
- Rinosaur

At least for Sid I think it’s that the puck hasn’t gone it so much as he doesn’t look good. Wings and D could be hampering him as well.