When did the Penguins actually dominate a game this season? Honestly, I can’t remember. Even the 6-3 win over the Caps was not a runaway until the EN. Most of their wins seems to be 1-goal ones done on will power or what have you.

Just like with Arsenal in EPL, the Penguins are a mediocre middle-of-the-table team. I’m going to lower my expectations and just enjoy watching hockey. There is no way the Pens are winning any Cups anytime soon. Not with this roster/coaching. I’m mentally prepared for another mid-90’s type of an era. This one might last longer.

I personally dont think Malkin wants to leave and I dont think he will get traded either but that situation with his wife not living with him all year always made me think it could happen sometime. A huge IF it was Malkin with salary retained for Barkov would be a huge win for the penguins at this point in there careers. Lots of people think Barkov is the better player straight up currently over Malkin and hes 25 compared to Malkin at 34.
In saying all this, it isnt gonna happen and I do hope Malkin retires as a penguin. (unless someone completely overpays in a big way.....)
- pens4life-66

I don't want him to leave, just saying if that's what he wanted to do I respect his decision and if getting Barkov is in the cards that helps the sting. We all missed Jagr and we all probably kept an eye on him after he left, but we got a pile-o-trash for him which made it worse.(I know I know, Jagr was a completely different situation lol)

When did the Penguins actually dominate a game this season? Honestly, I can’t remember. Even the 6-3 win over the Caps was not a runaway. Most of their wins seems to be 1-goal ones done on will power or what have you.

Just like with Arsenal in EPL, the Penguins are a mediocre middle-of-the-table team. I’m going to lower my expectations and just enjoy watching hockey. There is no way the Pens are winning any Cups anytime soon. Not with this roster/coaching. I’m mentally prepared for another mid-90’s type of an era. This one might last longer.
- chimpira

Mid 90's we were still good, it was the early 2000's we sucked. It's crazy we traded Jagr in 2001 and by 2004 we had already drafted another Generational talent and a year later got another one. And during that time Mario was back and still playing but we still sucked, however we've had one of Lemieux, Jagr, Sid and Geno playing on this team since Lemieux was drafted, and that's crazy!

How long does it take for the owners to watch both players sink this team before they change their mind on each retiring a Penguin?
- 123Kid

They will change their mind when negotiations get started in the offseason and neither player is willing to take a significant hometown discount to stay.

I personally don't see the attraction everyone has with having all 3 play for no other team than the Pens. For instance, I'd rather see Crosby win a cup with Montreal go down with a sinking ship. No matter where they finish their careers, 87, 71, 29 and 58 will end up hanging in the rafters.

From now to the trade deadline is peak value for Malkin and Letang. If you can swap Malkin for Barkov it's a no brainer. Just stockpile assets and clear cap space. I could see this team trading both guys and rallying to make a playoff run.

Mid 90's we were still good, it was the early 2000's we sucked. It's crazy we traded Jagr in 2001 and by 2004 we had already drafted another Generational talent and a year later got another one. And during that time Mario was back and still playing but we still sucked, however we've had one of Lemieux, Jagr, Sid and Geno playing on this team since Lemieux was drafted, and that's crazy!
- 668710

You’re right, Late 90s were ok. Early 2000’s were the dark ages. I clearly remember those - I moved to DC in 2000. The Penguins were awful in 2002 and on but they still dominated the Caps. That brought me a great deal of joy.

Mid 90's we were still good, it was the early 2000's we sucked. It's crazy we traded Jagr in 2001 and by 2004 we had already drafted another Generational talent and a year later got another one. And during that time Mario was back and still playing but we still sucked, however we've had one of Lemieux, Jagr, Sid and Geno playing on this team since Lemieux was drafted, and that's crazy!
- 668710

Those damn rigged draft lottos.

Those damn rigged draft lottos.
- Feds91Stammer

Oh yea haha 😉

They will change their mind when negotiations get started in the offseason and neither player is willing to take a significant hometown discount to stay.

I personally don't see the attraction everyone has with having all 3 play for no other team than the Pens. For instance, I'd rather see Crosby win a cup with Montreal go down with a sinking ship. No matter where they finish their careers, 87, 71, 29 and 58 will end up hanging in the rafters.

From now to the trade deadline is peak value for Malkin and Letang. If you can swap Malkin for Barkov it's a no brainer. Just stockpile assets and clear cap space. I could see this team trading both guys and rallying to make a playoff run.
- MacPatty

Letang trade in the off-season would have to be for future assets AND signing Dougie Hamilton otherwise I wouldn't do it. And a Geno trade to Florida would have to be for Barkov otherwise I wouldn't do it. I'd rather Geno stay though. However my ideal off-season for Letang would be the above.

Letang trade in the off-season would have to be for future assets AND signing Dougie Hamilton otherwise I wouldn't do it. And a Geno trade to Florida would have to be for Barkov otherwise I wouldn't do it. I'd rather Geno stay though. However my ideal off-season for Letang would be the above.
- 668710

It’s going to be damn near impossible to get a worthwhile return for Letang.

When did the Penguins actually dominate a game this season? Honestly, I can’t remember. Even the 6-3 win over the Caps was not a runaway until the EN. Most of their wins seems to be 1-goal ones done on will power or what have you.

Just like with Arsenal in EPL, the Penguins are a mediocre middle-of-the-table team. I’m going to lower my expectations and just enjoy watching hockey. There is no way the Pens are winning any Cups anytime soon. Not with this roster/coaching. I’m mentally prepared for another mid-90’s type of an era. This one might last longer.
- chimpira

Pens have had 2 games where they were above a 60% xGF at 5v5 score and venue adjusted.

For reference Detroit has had 4 games fitting the same criteria.

Pens have had 2 games where they were above a 60% xGF at 5v5 score and venue adjusted.

For reference Detroit has had 4 games fitting the same criteria.
- Feds91Stammer

Pen have also used 11 or 12 different D men with players like Ceci playing their off side in only 14 games.

Not saying if healthy they're world beaters right now but in an only 14 game sample size with the absolute decimation of the blue line it has me not putting much stock in those stats yet.

Night and day the Pens the last two games. Two completely different looking teams haha.

It’s going to be damn near impossible to get a worthwhile return for Letang.
- Feds91Stammer

Might be, maybe get a better return this trade deadline? That is if the pens are out of it.

Pen have also used 11 or 12 different D men with players like Ceci playing their off side in only 14 games.

Not saying if healthy they're world beaters right now but in an only 14 game sample size with the absolute decimation of the blue line it has me not putting much stock in those stats yet.

Night and day the Pens the last two games. Two completely different looking teams haha.
- MattStrat

This is an unfortunate type of season where a 14 game sample size can sink a team too, fortunately for the Pens they banked some early season points while still looking like molten garbage so they are still within striking distance.

This is an unfortunate type of season where a 14 game sample size can sink a team too, fortunately for the Pens they banked some early season points while still looking like molten garbage so they are still within striking distance.
- j.boyd919

Yeah, totally agree. Even after all the sh!t so far, through only a 1/4 of the season, they find themselves just 4 points out of 2nd with a game in hand.

This is an unfortunate type of season where a 14 game sample size can sink a team too, fortunately for the Pens they banked some early season points while still looking like molten garbage so they are still within striking distance.
- j.boyd919

While I agree that they might be within striking distance, I think we might not be for long. They've got 8 games vs Isles, Caps, and Flyers coming up. Not an easy stretch (although I am hoping that Flyers' layoff did them a disservice). Also, the Devils have a few games at hand and might be surging (they beat the Rags last night). I do feel like the Bruins are uncatchable. Just a tough spot to be in - the hardest division and short season.

While I agree that they might be within striking distance, I think we might not be for long. They've got 8 games vs Isles, Caps, and Flyers coming up. Not an easy stretch (although I am hoping that Flyers' layoff did them a disservice). Also, the Devils have a few games at hand and might be surging (they beat the Rags last night). I do feel like the Bruins are uncatchable. Just a tough spot to be in - the hardest division and short season.
- chimpira

Lmao I have to say I love how everyone calls their division the hardest division.

Lmao I have to say I love how everyone calls their division the hardest division.
- Feds91Stammer

Thanks! I love it as well!

This is an unfortunate type of season where a 14 game sample size can sink a team too, fortunately for the Pens they banked some early season points while still looking like molten garbage so they are still within striking distance.
- j.boyd919

The next eight games are the toughest stretch of hockey for the Pens for the first half of the season: Isles 4, Caps 2 and Philly 2. It's only eight games, but this will bring them to about the half-way mark and is the type of stretch that could sink them for the rest of the year. You get to that point where you need too many other things to happen besides winning to help you.

The next eight games are the toughest stretch of hockey for the Pens for the first half of the season: Isles 4, Caps 2 and Philly 2. It's only eight games, but this will bring them to about the half-way mark and is the type of stretch that could sink them for the rest of the year. You get to that point where you need too many other things to happen besides winning to help you.
- Rinosaur

14 more games would bring them to the half mark....but other than that, I totally agree with what you're saying.

14 more games would bring them to the half mark....but other than that, I totally agree with what you're saying.
- MattStrat

Which is why I said about half-way, but yeah, this is the type of stretch that can hurt them. They don't have the luxury of settling in. It's basically poop or get of the pot time.

If a trade’s gonna happen it needs to be like this week or else there’s no point.

If a trade’s gonna happen it needs to be like this week or else there’s no point.
- Victoro311

For rentals maybe, but I also don't think they should go for any rentals. I think it would be a waste of assets.

If they can make a hockey trade then I think it's good at any point to at least allow the team to settle in with their new player(s).

How long does it take for the owners to watch both players sink this team before they change their mind on each retiring a Penguin?
- 123Kid

Same could be asked about sully and his lack of changing anything up or trying to coach at all

Same could be asked about sully and his lack of changing anything up or trying to coach at all
- 10inchTerror

He's gonna be axed, book it.

If a trade’s gonna happen it needs to be like this week or else there’s no point.
- Victoro311

Tatar practicing on the 3rd line and no PP time. Just make it happen already.