I didn't put much thought into what he said because he completely missed the point.
- Hockey66

I agree with a lot of what both of you say, but I agree more with Rinosaur on this. Things could change and Malkin could later decide he wants to leave, but Jagr was disgruntled and wanted out. He wanted out for years and ownership said no. That's the big difference between him and Malkin. Malkin has not expressed any desire to leave, but has only expressed the contrary. Though, like I said, things could change, situations could change, hearts and minds change. It's not impossible that Malkin leaves, but just improbable.

Like yourself, I am excited about the possibilities that await the Penguins in the near future. Maybe a coaching change where we see Gallant come on board.

I wonder if it's possible for Letang to be traded for a bonafide top 6 winger (impact player) and Matheson flipped for an equally bad contract, but capable 3C

Jake Sid Rust
Zucker Geno TRADE
McCann TRADE Kapanen
Tanev Blueger ZAR

Marino Petts
POJ Dumo
Rikki Ruhwedal

Jarry
DeSmith

And I still somehow want to find a way to get Flower back here

I'm gonna call it now

It's gonna be Matheson for Lucic

LOL

Truculence, Belligerence and Testosterone

Burke does have one Stanley Cup, but it was won the season he arrived in Anaheim, while managing a team built by others. The following years in Anaheim along with his failures in Hartford, Vancouver, Toronto and Calgary better reflect Burke as a GM and symbolize what Pens fans should expect.

Burke was hired July 2005 by the ducks. Ducks won Cup in 2007... He also made the trade to bring in Pronger and was the reason why niedermayer signed in cali. So he didn't really inherite the team. He also brought Teemu Selanne back into the fold. Sure he has made mistakes but every gm has.

I agree with a lot of what both of you say, but I agree more with Rinosaur on this. Things could change and Malkin could later decide he wants to leave, but Jagr was disgruntled and wanted out. He wanted out for years and ownership said no. That's the big difference between him and Malkin. Malkin has not expressed any desire to leave, but has only expressed the contrary. Though, like I said, things could change, situations could change, hearts and minds change. It's not impossible that Malkin leaves, but just improbable.

Like yourself, I am excited about the possibilities that await the Penguins in the near future. Maybe a coaching change where we see Gallant come on board.
- MarkPolo

All I said was, "They didn't give Jagr what he wanted so he went elsewhere." That's it.

Why was Jagr disgruntled and why did he want to leave? Who is to say Malkin is not disgruntled and doesn't want to leave? Yes, I know no two situations are exactly alike. Of course they aren't. But I get annoyed with these bombastic, declarative statements like, "Yes. I'm guaranteeing you right now that if Geno wants to continue playing in the NHL that it will be with the Penguins and they will give him what he wants." It is way over the top and nobody knows what Rino claims to know for certain.

As for what Malkin has said and maybe truly felt, that's fine. Like you say, he could easily change. He may be disgruntled like Jagr and has been for years but is coached to say the right things and is more savvy with the media. Nobody knows for sure. Yes, I agree, it is improbable that Malkin goes before his contract is up but not impossible as Rino "knows" it is. Maybe Malkin wants to play with Panarin in New York before that. Maybe the Pens won't want him back when he is 36 years old and don't "give him what he wants." Nothing would be that shocking or even surprising really.

I just read Kevin Allen's piece and didn't know this about Hextall, but he "has roots in Pittsburgh. His father, Bryan Jr, played for the Penguins from 1969-74. From ages five to nine, Ron Hextall lived in the Pittsburgh area, where many Penguins and Pittsburgh Pirates players lived. He recalls playing street hockey with Pirates players Manny Sanguillen and Rennie Stennett." So that's cool.

No, they weren't. My comment is basically more of a nudge saying "hey, you may not want to use that as a point for your argument because it's not factual."

Regarding the Jagr situation, it really didn't matter if the team was financially sound or not; he wanted out. When Lemieux came out of retirement it helped stave off his trade desires for a bit, but it wasn't enough. It's just one of those situations, a bit like we've seen recently with Laine.
- MarkPolo

Yea I get what you are saying haha. All good!

Frustrating part is that same offseason Alexei F'in Yashin was traded for Chara and the #2 overall pick (Spezza), and all Jagr got was Kris Beech and a bunch of scrubs
- TheGame316

Yup, however if that didn't go down that way we may not have either of Sid or Geno.

That won't be Sid. It would probably be Letang.
- 668710

Sid is definitely not going anywhere and I also highly doubt Montreal is interested in Letang. They have Petry and Weber locked up long term.

I'm gonna call it now

It's gonna be Matheson for Lucic

LOL

Truculence, Belligerence and Testosterone
- TheGame316

I'd take it. It adds a net front presence to the PP and gets rid of Matheson on D. A win win

All I said was, "They didn't give Jagr what he wanted so he went elsewhere." That's it.

Why was Jagr disgruntled and why did he want to leave? Who is to say Malkin is not disgruntled and doesn't want to leave? Yes, I know no two situations are exactly alike. Of course they aren't. But I get annoyed with these bombastic, declarative statements like, "Yes. I'm guaranteeing you right now that if Geno wants to continue playing in the NHL that it will be with the Penguins and they will give him what he wants." It is way over the top and nobody knows what Rino claims to know for certain.

As for what Malkin has said and maybe truly felt, that's fine. Like you say, he could easily change. He may be disgruntled like Jagr and has been for years but is coached to say the right things and is more savvy with the media. Nobody knows for sure. Yes, I agree, it is improbable that Malkin goes before his contract is up but not impossible as Rino "knows" it is. Maybe Malkin wants to play with Panarin in New York before that. Maybe the Pens won't want him back when he is 36 years old and don't "give him what he wants." Nothing would be that shocking or even surprising really.
- Hockey66

Yea, Geno could also end up on the Panthers if his family really wants to live down there. I think Geno is torn right now. His wife wants to stay and live down there but Geno wants to stay a Pen..could get interesting.

Sid is definitely not going anywhere and I also highly doubt Montreal is interested in Letang. They have Petry and Weber locked up long term.
- MacPatty

We'd be getting Petry😉

I'm gonna call it now

It's gonna be Matheson for Lucic

LOL

Truculence, Belligerence and Testosterone
- TheGame316

That was actually the first trade that popped up in my head when I heard about Burke, lol. I would be all for it too.

In reality Calgary is deep on the left side so probably not interested.

I'd take it. It adds a net front presence to the PP and gets rid of Matheson on D. A win win
- 123Kid

Haven't looked it up, but is Lucic's contract more or less suck? Lol

We'd be getting Petry😉
- 668710

Letang for Petry+ is one I thought was possible for years but I think Petry has been really good for them so I question why Montreal would take the risk. Not to mention, the way this season is going the Pens might need to add to the deal.

I wonder if it's possible for Letang to be traded for a bonafide top 6 winger (impact player) and Matheson flipped for an equally bad contract, but capable 3C

Jake Sid Rust
Zucker Geno TRADE
McCann TRADE Kapanen
Tanev Blueger ZAR

Marino Petts
POJ Dumo
Rikki Ruhwedal

Jarry
DeSmith

And I still somehow want to find a way to get Flower back here
- TheGame316

Letang for Virtanen and a first.
Matheson and that 1st for Henrique.
Jarry for Fleury straight up.

Virtanen is not a surefire top 6 wing but could do well (-). Henrique is a good 2C, great 3C (+). I'd love Fleury back but he is almost playing too good for Vegas to trade him for cap relief.

I just read Kevin Allen's piece and didn't know this about Hextall, but he "has roots in Pittsburgh. His father, Bryan Jr, played for the Penguins from 1969-74. From ages five to nine, Ron Hextall lived in the Pittsburgh area, where many Penguins and Pittsburgh Pirates players lived. He recalls playing street hockey with Pirates players Manny Sanguillen and Rennie Stennett." So that's cool.
- Hockey66

I thought Bryan was his uncle. All that does is make this signing better.

All in all I don't see a lot of movement on the big club this year. There will be some but I see changes coming on the farm team. WBS will get scrappier and tougher players. Maybe not younger at first but eventually they will get there. I see some defensemen signings quickly and then some bottom six replacements. Mostly guys who will battle along the boards and aren't afraid to get in the opponents face. They may not get to the puck first but they will be a close second.

Letang for Virtanen and a first.
Matheson and that 1st for Henrique.
Jarry for Fleury straight up.

Virtanen is not a surefire top 6 wing but could do well (-). Henrique is a good 2C, great 3C (+). I'd love Fleury back but he is almost playing too good for Vegas to trade him for cap relief.
- MacPatty

Our defense definitely takes a hit there. I would only move Tanger in the off-season IF we could sign Hamilton.

Today would have been positive if Hextall was granted equitable autonomy possessed by most GMs. Unfortunately Burke's hiring as President of Hockey Operations will make Hextall's position untenable. Hextal's vision of a rebuild revolving around acquiring high end talent to eventually replace the aging stars will almost certainly be derailed by Burke's meddling oversight similar to the situation that evolved in Calgary.

Consider Burke's last few 1st round picks:

2008 (Tor) Luke Schenn - 5th overall - Fringe defenseman
2009 (Tor) Nazim Kadri - 7th overall - Third line center
2010 1st round pick (3rd overall) traded away in package for 3rd line winger
2011 1st round pick (9th overall) traded away in package for 3rd line winger
2011 (Tor) Tyler Biggs - 22nd overall - ECHL foreward
2011 (Tor) Stuart Percy - 25th overall - AHL Defenseman
2012 (Tor) Morgan Riley - 5th overall - 1st pair defense
2014 (Cgy) Sam Bennett - 4th overall - 3rd line centre
2015 1st round pick (15th overall) traded for bottom pair defenseman
2016 (Cgy) M. Tkachuck - 6th overall - 1st line foreward
2017 (Cgy) J, Valimaki - 16th overall - 4th line foreward

Despite most of these eleven picks being higher picks (5 in top 7 and only 2 after 16th), only Tkachuk and Riley have developed into elite players while Kadri has developed into an adequate 2nd liner and Bennett has become an occasionally passable 3rd liner.

Despite the remainder being mostly failures, Burke continues to proudly boast the benefits of drafting truculence over talent. I fear Hextall will be compelled to resign within a few years after, while the overseer gleefully resides over his faltering rebuild.
- Jackie Daytona

How did you figure Kessel was a 3rd line winger?

It's too bad, I thought Burke would of inherited Cherry's spot or something on sportsnet, he was quite insightful and interesting in terms of the business of hockey .

As president of the Penguins it makes sense for Brian Burke, as for Hextall, I just wonder how he got the gm job, nothing he did in Philadelphia suggests he's up to the task of milking one last cup out of Gino and Crosby.

It's too bad, I thought Burke would of inherited Cherry's spot or something on sportsnet, he was quite insightful and interesting in terms of the business of hockey .

As president of the Penguins it makes sense for Brian Burke, as for Hextall, I just wonder how he got the gm job, nothing he did in Philadelphia suggests he's up to the task of milking one last cup out of Gino and Crosby.
- Alexzanki

Hextall has been the GM of one team. That team lost patience and what I feel was a mistake, they fired him. Before that, he has an extensive resume including as the assistant GM under Lombardi in LA. That team won 2 Cups. I believe he was following the LA model in Philly before he was derailed.

Honestly I feel the bigger and more important discussion is if it is the right move for the Pens to try and milk another Cup. They are numerous pieces away. What assets do the Pens have to add that? Can they be active enough in free agency? Who should they trade?

Burke should be the president of the Old Boy's Club. The only positive I can potentially see with him is that there are still quite a few Old Boy's Club members running teams around the league and he might have some pull in trades....might...

I'm really glad that Hextall should be there for the years after the next few.

There's some really hot takes in the comments for this blog hahaha

Today would have been positive if Hextall was granted equitable autonomy possessed by most GMs. Unfortunately Burke's hiring as President of Hockey Operations will make Hextall's position untenable. Hextal's vision of a rebuild revolving around acquiring high end talent to eventually replace the aging stars will almost certainly be derailed by Burke's meddling oversight similar to the situation that evolved in Calgary.

Consider Burke's last few 1st round picks:

2008 (Tor) Luke Schenn - 5th overall - Fringe defenseman
2009 (Tor) Nazim Kadri - 7th overall - Third line center
2010 1st round pick (3rd overall) traded away in package for 3rd line winger
2011 1st round pick (9th overall) traded away in package for 3rd line winger
2011 (Tor) Tyler Biggs - 22nd overall - ECHL foreward
2011 (Tor) Stuart Percy - 25th overall - AHL Defenseman
2012 (Tor) Morgan Riley - 5th overall - 1st pair defense
2014 (Cgy) Sam Bennett - 4th overall - 3rd line centre
2015 1st round pick (15th overall) traded for bottom pair defenseman
2016 (Cgy) M. Tkachuck - 6th overall - 1st line foreward
2017 (Cgy) J, Valimaki - 16th overall - 4th line foreward

Despite most of these eleven picks being higher picks (5 in top 7 and only 2 after 16th), only Tkachuk and Riley have developed into elite players while Kadri has developed into an adequate 2nd liner and Bennett has become an occasionally passable 3rd liner.

Despite the remainder being mostly failures, Burke continues to proudly boast the benefits of drafting truculence over talent. I fear Hextall will be compelled to resign within a few years after, while the overseer gleefully resides over his faltering rebuild.
- Jackie Daytona

hahahah

Re: Sam Bennett
No crack. You seem to share a common misconception of how NHL Central Scouting works. NHL central scouting ranks are different than most scouting tabulations. Unlike most team tables, central scouting attempts to calculate where players will be selected, rather than ranking them by talent. This is why we see oddities like Yakupov being ranked 1st by Central Scouting when no team but Edmonton had him slotted that high and Sam Bennett ranked where he was picked. Central scouting placed him correctly sensing Calgary would select him, despite few if any other teams having him slotted top 10. (some not in 1st round - an odd side note - some scouts nited the limits of his offensive set, and most teams were stunned to discover he was incapable of doing even one pull-up at the combine)

Re: Dougie Hamilton
Although I never mentioned Dougie Hamilton by name, I did note that Burkie traded the high picks that became Dougie Hamilton and Tyler Seguin for a third line winger. This is generally considered one of the worst 10-20 trades in NHL history. The Toronto team is literally still paying for this trade ($1.2 million/season)

Regardless, the point I was making was Burke makes foolish decisions and tends to prioritize grit over talent. This will be a stark change to Rutherford who, despite this past off season, excelled at judging talent and composing a team capable of competing for the cup. Burke has been unable to do this.

Burke does have one Stanley Cup, but it was won the season he arrived in Anaheim, while managing a team built by others. The following years in Anaheim along with his failures in Hartford, Vancouver, Toronto and Calgary better reflect Burke as a GM and symbolize what Pens fans should expect.
- Jackie Daytona

hahahah

Burke may love grit but he's also one of the biggest advocates of super stars and talented players out there....also...he's not the GM of the Penguins.

I have no idea how aggressive Hexy (and Burke) are going to be out of the gate. Likely they will tinker and make any major moves in the offseason. But when a new regime comes in, all GMs will makes contacts to see where they are at with all players.

I'd love to see a couple of these happen:

Geno to Vegas. Geno & Desmith for Glass, Fleury, Reaves! and a lottery protected first this year and a conditional 1st in 2022. *Conditional on Malkin playing 2/3s of their games and Vegas winning the cup in either of the first two years.

Matheson and Rust for Ericsson and Virtanen. Or Dumo for Virtanen and Juolevi but I like the first one better.

Letang to ??? I honestly don't know given his NTC. He is the guy out of all of them I would like to move the most but the teams I think he would go with don't need him. Letang to Buffalo for Ristolainen (or Miller) and a first round pick.