Wondering if they go after Bennett now that he is potentially on the block. Or Virtanen. Players who can bring something different to the team. Idk if they get rid of Sully
- 123Kid

I think Bennet or virtanen would be both good buy low candidates for each wing. Add some depth. I’d be happy to give both a shot if it were possible.

It's really one or the other. If Matheson is moved and depending on what they have to give up to move him, I'm targeting Palmieri. I've been against any significant moves this year based on everything, but if the direction changes for the better now I'm all in.
- Rinosaur

I'm good with Palmeri. Top 6 and LW wall on the PP.

Honestly you can retool with trading both Geno and Tanger in the off-season. Doesn't have to be a full rebuild. It is possible. Trade Letang for good picks and sign Hamilton. And If Geno wants to go to..say Florida. Maybe you send Geno to Florida with something and snag Barkov. Idk just spitballing haha
- 668710

I’d it were that easy I’d be all in hahaha

I’d it were that easy I’d be all in hahaha
- 10inchTerror

Yea I mean the Barkov trade is ridiculous but honestly moving Letang for picks/prospects and signing Hamilton isn't that crazy at all.

Meanwhile Hornqvist with a PP goal, his 6th. He's even wearing an A tonight. Glad we got rid of that toxic contract for Matheson.
- Tojo.

I'd love to know what happened behind the scenes prior to that trade. When was Karmanos fired in relation to that trade? Something tells me JR was the one pushing that trade (because he knows why Matheson wasn't good in Florida and it's not because he's not a good player) and he got some pushback. Then he got some major egg on his face and couldn't handle it.

Yea I mean the Barkov trade is ridiculous but honestly moving Letang for picks/prospects and signing Hamilton isn't that crazy at all.
- 668710

Just like we should have traded Letang in the offseason for ANYTHING and then throw a bunch of money at Pietrangelo. That is, if the Pens are serious about contending in the next couple of years. $1.55M more than Letang makes. Maybe he didn't want to come here, who knows.

You just can't compare the two. It makes zero sense.
- Rinosaur

Yep, the team was bankrupt and couldn't afford him let alone keep the team competitive lol. Could you imagine how drastically different it would be if the team wasn't bankrupt, kept Jagr and added good players? We may very well have no Sid/Geno era haha.

I think Bennet or virtanen would be both good buy low candidates for each wing. Add some depth. I’d be happy to give both a shot if it were possible.
- 10inchTerror

We'll Bennett is a center but I agree on both.

Honestly you can retool with trading both Geno and Tanger in the off-season. Doesn't have to be a full rebuild. It is possible. Trade Letang for good picks and sign Hamilton. And If Geno wants to go to..say Florida. Maybe you send Geno to Florida with something and snag Barkov. Idk just spitballing haha
- 668710

I agree. This is not an old roster. I like most of the players.

I'd love to know what happened behind the scenes prior to that trade. When was Karmanos fired in relation to that trade? Something tells me JR was the one pushing that trade (because he knows why Matheson wasn't good in Florida and it's not because he's not a good player) and he got some pushback. Then he got some major egg on his face and couldn't handle it.
- Hockey66

Very well could be. I think that was the last straw.

Speaking of FAs, what is the list again for the last 20 years?

Does anyone have hope that Burke and Hextall will improve this list? I do.

I know good teams build through the draft, but that paltry list is seriously f'ed up.

We'll Bennett is a center but I agree on both.
- 668710

Hasn’t played much centre though lately.

Just like we should have traded Letang in the offseason for ANYTHING and then throw a bunch of money at Pietrangelo. That is, if the Pens are serious about contending in the next couple of years. $1.55M more than Letang makes. Maybe he didn't want to come here, who knows.
- Hockey66

Yea I don't think we were even an option. I'm sure Ruth explored it lol

We'll Bennett is a center but I agree on both.
- 668710

Sully would turn Bennett and Virtanen into soft perimeter players. Need to get rid of Sully first.

Speaking of FAs, what is the list again for the last 20 years?

Does anyone have hope that Burke and Hextall will improve this list? I do.

I know good teams build through the draft, but that paltry list is seriously f'ed up.
- Hockey66

I find it odd that both Burke and hextall speak so highly of this organization (and obvi they aren’t gonna trash their new company) yet no one will sign here. Maybe it’s just the gm’s at the time or something we’re missing? Hopefully we can sign some people. Maybe the money it’s the best since we are always at the cap

I find it odd that both Burke and hextall speak so highly of this organization (and obvi they aren’t gonna trash their new company) yet no one will sign here. Maybe it’s just the gm’s at the time or something we’re missing? Hopefully we can sign some people. Maybe the money it’s the best since we are always at the cap
- 10inchTerror

Part of it might come down to not a big enough city for some (like New York or Toronto) and not a good weather city like those in the South and West. Who knows, but it's ridiculous.

Speaking of FAs, what is the list again for the last 20 years?

Does anyone have hope that Burke and Hextall will improve this list? I do.

I know good teams build through the draft, but that paltry list is seriously f'ed up.
- Hockey66

Hell the last big free agent signings we had was the Gonchar, Palffy, Leclair year which was what, 2005?! We're due lol

I agree. This is not an old roster. I like most of the players.
- madmike71

I really think the major problem of the last 3 years and counting is Sully.

Some of his decisions are beyond stupid and ones that no other coach would make. That has to have a negative affect on the players, not to mention making winning much more difficult.

Hell the last big free agent signings we had was the Gonchar, Palffy, Leclair year which was what, 2005?! We're due lol
- 668710

That is remarkably sad. I know there are a couple of others sprinkled in there, but not much!

While true, if Crosby and Malkin are struggling with guys like Zucker, Kap, Guentzel and Rust (which is a pretty strong top 6 winger group), I can't imagine how they would look with low-cost chumps on both wings.
- Hockey66

Zucker, Kap, and Rust aren't really THAT good... They're like mid-low tier top 6 forwards.

Zucker, Kap, and Rust aren't really THAT good... They're like mid-low tier top 6 forwards.
- j.boyd919

I think in total the 4 are definitely above average and probably top 10. Still, Crosby and Malkin should not be struggling with them as wingers. Lowering the quality of wingers could get really ugly for them.

I think you can retool with moving, say Letang this off-season and signing Hamilton.
- 668710

I think signing Hamilton is a long-shot. It would help a ton. But is Sid and Geno are declining and we have no goalie it won't be enough.

Not committed to a rebuild yet, they have the rest of season, but leaning that way at present.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dn1SUo27J0

Great Hextall Story

While true, if Crosby and Malkin are struggling with guys like Zucker, Kap, Guentzel and Rust (which is a pretty strong top 6 winger group), I can't imagine how they would look with low-cost chumps on both wings.
- Hockey66

This is more about the fan base. For instance a lot of Pirates fans are saying as long as the team is going to stink, they should bring back McCutcheon so he can finish his career here. Even if the Pens stink, I believe a lot of fans will still come to watch Sid and Geno while they can.

And at least I haven't traded Kapanen yet, McCann moves up, and Poulin and Legare will at least turn pro. Ok that's not star studded, but at least there are some interesting guys mixed in.

I find it odd that both Burke and hextall speak so highly of this organization (and obvi they aren’t gonna trash their new company) yet no one will sign here. Maybe it’s just the gm’s at the time or something we’re missing? Hopefully we can sign some people. Maybe the money it’s the best since we are always at the cap
- 10inchTerror

I don't think Pittsburgh is a major destination that is appealing but I also think the Pens have ever really tried very hard.

Part of it is the Pens always sign their hometown guys to slightly above market deals leaving them with little cap space and open positions.