Hextall was brilliant at dumping cap-sucking contracts with the Flyers. I hated him for that. I've warmed to the idea of bringing him here. Let's see what he can do with Matheson.

Well we got rid of one mm and gained another lol nothing we can do now.

The biggest thing this team needs is a crease clearing dman or 2. I’d even trade for guddy again in that regards. Damnit I want brendon Dillon.

5 on 5 Pitt has seemed alright. Even against the bruins. Special teams should be teachable with a competent coach but someone needs to be guarding the crease instead of skating around like clowns chasing things.

I still have faith in Jarry. I thought he made many impressive saves that kept the Pens in this.

I really only fault him on one goal tonight.
- Rinosaur

Generous. Can't give up 4 goals. Defense put him in some bad spots, but they weren't impossible saves.

If it were legal, retaining Hornqvist at 100% salary for an 8th round pick would have been better than trading him for Matheson.
- Victoro311

That's the frustrating part. Horny didnt have a great contract either, but Rutherford managed to trade him for an even worse contract.

I have to think Florida was laughing their heads off when it happened. If you hold onto Horny, at least you're rid of his contract soon.

So we got the worse contract, Matheson is no better than Horny, and we got nothing of value to take on the contract. Mind blowing move from Rutherford.

I still believe Rutherford knew what was going to happen to this team (miss playoffs, not have a 1st round pick, and have some bad contracts) and decided to bail rather than not be resigned. He can relax the next few months and then decide to join another team ready to make a run.

Hextall was brilliant at dumping cap-sucking contracts with the Flyers. I hated him for that. I've warmed to the idea of bringing him here. Let's see what he can do with Matheson.
- madmike71

If its Hextall, I wouldnt hate it.

The problem the Penguins have is I'm guessing COVID is going to keep the salary cap down. That's less teams that could take on a cap-sucking contract.

If you manage to move Matheson (likely have to be Pettersson) and a guy like Dumo/McCann, etc. That can give you the money to go get a top player in free agency.

Hell, Ill take a GM who is willing to send a young player an offer sheet. Id rather spent our draft capital doing that than wasting them on trade deadline picks.

Generous. Can't give up 4 goals. Defense put him in some bad spots, but they weren't impossible saves.
- Tojo.

Eberle’s first goal and that bank of the back boards were not getting stopped by anyone.

Eberle’s first goal and that bank of the back boards were not getting stopped by anyone.
- Rinosaur

It was a great shot, but I think Jarry gave Eberle too much net.

Well we got rid of one mm and gained another lol nothing we can do now.

The biggest thing this team needs is a crease clearing dman or 2. I’d even trade for guddy again in that regards. Damnit I want brendon Dillon.

5 on 5 Pitt has seemed alright. Even against the bruins. Special teams should be teachable with a competent coach but someone needs to be guarding the crease instead of skating around like clowns chasing things.
- 10inchTerror

I’ve never been a big Zadorov fan but if it’s true the pens were after him this off-season I really think they need to go back after him now. He definitely isn’t the greatest but with how afraid anyone on this team is of any net front contact he would be a huge help there.

Isn’t this Matheson’s like 3rd real game in a year? I’ll give him some time.

This is a one dimensional team and that one dimension isn't defense. Unless Jarry, DeSmith, or whoever plays net stands on their head every game this team is going to struggle.

I get that you want your 'tender to steal you some games. I ask you, when was the last time this team bailed out the goalkeeper?

If its Hextall, I wouldnt hate it.

The problem the Penguins have is I'm guessing COVID is going to keep the salary cap down. That's less teams that could take on a cap-sucking contract.

If you manage to move Matheson (likely have to be Pettersson) and a guy like Dumo/McCann, etc. That can give you the money to go get a top player in free agency.

Hell, Ill take a GM who is willing to send a young player an offer sheet. Id rather spent our draft capital doing that than wasting them on trade deadline picks.
- SuperHenderson13

I wouldn't mind moving out some salary space. There are some solid free agents available this offseason. If the cap stays stagnant it could mean some amazing deals. Maybe with a new GM it could mean Penguins finally being in the mix this free agency period for a top player or two (unlike other years).

I like the idea of saving some draft capital and spending it wisely instead of when the prices are inflated for players at the deadline. The previous few seasons it looks like our team had finally got into their rhythm and win multiple games. The deadline hit and we make a big move which brings in a new player and everyone struggles to find their chemistry again. The energy level falls with the team, and we get knocked out in the first round.

Isn’t this Matheson’s like 3rd real game in a year? I’ll give him some time.
- Grinder47

And he’s been like this in all three games. He was like this in the camp scrimmages, and was like this with the Panthers. So what’s your point?

They don’t have the luxury of waiting to see if the lightbulb goes off. He’s a player they didn’t need in the first place.

The Karamanos twist? He’s apparently in the mix for the GM position according to TIOPS. They are also reporting that the firing was looking like it was 100% Rutherford driven.

They’re stating that the huge blowup they previously reported was actually an out of nowhere argument between the two.

The Karamanos twist? He’s apparently in the mix for the GM position according to TIOPS. They are also reporting that the firing was looking like it was 100% Rutherford driven.

They’re stating that the huge blowup they previously reported was actually an out of nowhere argument between the two.
- Rinosaur

I hope we sign a GM soon, so we can potentially get an idea of what's to come.

Isn’t this Matheson’s like 3rd real game in a year? I’ll give him some time.
- Grinder47

He’s not a rookie. He has plenty of sample in Florida being this exact same player. This isn’t new.

Anyways, it’s good Malkin is starting to get it together on 5v5 but Letang remains on a terrible season trajectory. Matheson sucks and the long term implications of his contract are dire, but from an on ice this season standpoint he’s obviously not as huge a deal as Kris Letang not being able to handle the 1D role.

The Karamanos twist? He’s apparently in the mix for the GM position according to TIOPS. They are also reporting that the firing was looking like it was 100% Rutherford driven.

They’re stating that the huge blowup they previously reported was actually an out of nowhere argument between the two.
- Rinosaur

TIOPS.

If this were somehow true though my opinion on Karmanos is the same as my opinion of Fitzgerald. I don’t have an interest in hiring the top lieutenant of a GM that totally lost it by the end of his tenure. It’s a high floor, low ceiling hire. Give me a young dude from one of the league’s best FOs. That has upside.

He’s not a rookie. He has plenty of sample in Florida being this exact same player. This isn’t new.

Anyways, it’s good Malkin is starting to get it together on 5v5 but Letang remains on a terrible season trajectory. Matheson sucks and the long term implications of his contract are dire, but from an on ice this season standpoint he’s obviously not as huge a deal as Kris Letang not being able to handle the 1D role.
- Victoro311

I tried to go into a "make the best out of a bad situation" headspace and HOPE that MAYBE his style would fit the Pens better and if they played as a unit they could mitigate the turnover issue. Clearly none of this is reality.

TIOPS.

If this were somehow true though my opinion on Karmanos is the same as my opinion of Fitzgerald. I don’t have an interest in hiring the top lieutenant of a GM that totally lost it by the end of his tenure. It’s a high floor, low ceiling hire. Give me a young dude from one of the league’s best FOs. That has upside.
- Victoro311

I feel like any time mentioning TIOPS the "grain of salt" idea should be implied.

And yes, I'm in agreement. I've said before I want a fresh face. Not someone who will just fall in line with the organization because he knows how things work. I want someone who will come in and shake things up. Fresh takes.

I tried to go into a "make the best out of a bad situation" headspace and HOPE that MAYBE his style would fit the Pens better and if they played as a unit they could mitigate the turnover issue. Clearly none of this is reality.
- Rinosaur

Yeah in the off-season I talked myself into Matheson being a useful but absurdly overpaid bottom pairing defenseman for us. He’s currently our 5th best LD and obviously sucks, so yeah. Even that low bar was not met.