Without having to mortgage the complete future (2022 1st and 2nd rnd pick, poulin, legare, POJ, 2021 2nd rd pick) I think that’s exactly our biggest need is really good middle 6 players yes.

I very highly doubt you are getting a top 3 forward or high end top 6 scoring forward without mortgaging what’s left which I think would be horrendously stupid to do at this point.
- pens4life-66

If you need middle 6 why go after bottom 6 talent that’s overpaid?

You mean other than Glendening of course lol
- awtr

Glendening isn’t needed but there’s at least some logic to adding him to the lineup.

I’m trying my best to get a 2nd for Glendening but a 3rd is fair.

The better question for Foligno is probably the 3.1m cap hit for a 25 point player. Do you need 2 Tanevs?

As for Puustinen he’s a dime a dozen prospect. This is DY+4. He should be doing much more in a lower tier league if he’s an NHL talent.
- Feds91Stammer

We need 10 Tanevs.

If you need middle 6 why go after bottom 6 talent that’s overpaid?
- Feds91Stammer

Because it’s my opinion he’s perfect for the pens and a good middle 6 just like it’s yours you think he’s a 4th liner that should be paid 1.5 mill.

We need 10 Tanevs.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Trying to compete with Detroit and Ottawa?

Because it’s my opinion he’s perfect for the pens and a good middle 6 just like it’s yours you think he’s a 4th liner that should be paid 1.5 mill.
- pens4life-66

Well 25 points doesn’t make you a middle 6 but okay lol

Well 25 points doesn’t make you a middle 6 but okay lol
- Feds91Stammer

ok lol hahaha lol

Yup! I don’t think it’s that far off (about 3 points) that the pens could be in 1st if even 1 of these 4 things were different,
option 1- Malkin and Letang were playing above average
Option 2- Jarry didn’t have league worst stats for 9 games
Option 3- injuries all at once 5 dmen together
Option 4- that pp and pk were both just league average or better

But here we are... bring on the sabres and devils for 14 games!
- pens4life-66

1. They are getting better, especially Letang. I think it was no coincidence malkin had his best game with the best QoT

2 i think went hand in hand with 3, and 1 doesn’t help either, but jarry has steadily increased his play the last couple weeks.

4 needs serious work, and I think is the biggest issue. I think both should be able to get to lg average but especially the pk.

That and the fact you look at all the teams schedules so far and I think Pitt is doing a decent job so far.

This team is lacking high end talent in the forward department. We already have the middle six and bottom six players. (frank) the future, maximize Sid/Geno's time here and deal with the rest later. Adding a bunch of middle six players to the already middle six roster isn't going to do a damn thing.
- j.boyd919

I think we have 2 mid 6 players in Kap and McCann... sans zucker due to injury this year. We have 3 good 4th liners in blue tanev and zar but they are like a megazord and only really work when they are combined. Then we have 5-6 fringe big leaguers that should only see nhl ice only upon total forward decimation.

I think a competent trio to play 10 minutes a game would be really beneficial. Glendenning and especially foligno would be good additions.

I think we have 2 mid 6 players in Kap and McCann... sans zucker due to injury this year. We have 3 good 4th liners in blue tanev and zar but they are like a megazord and only really work when they are combined. Then we have 5-6 fringe big leaguers that should only see nhl ice only upon total forward decimation.

I think a competent trio to play 10 minutes a game would be really beneficial. Glendenning and especially foligno would be good additions.
- 10inchTerror

Yup! Lots of people like to forget they would say how crazy deep Tampa bay is/was this year and last year etc etc but then forget they went out and specifically got guys like Blake Coleman 30 points, Barclay goodrow 25 points, and regularly were or are playing guys like Maroon who topped out at 42 points 5 years ago and now trends around 25 and paquette career high of 19 points and verhaeghe. Along with Luke schenn, bogosian on D. Also keep in mind guys like Coleman and goodrow they wanted them so badly they paid over a 1st round pick cost to secure them!
Yes I think Tampa has top 3 depth in the entire league and I definitely was the first one to say I really wanted the pens to get Coleman for the 3rd line.
Now you see the analytics darling Dubas bringing in and keeping guys like Thornton for the top line, Wayne simmonds, mikheyev, boyd, vesey and to a lesser extent on D bogosian and holl.

Before someone goes and shiits all over themselves and says “they had to get cheap players because of cap reasons” well... remember all the amazing cheap players like Simon that were available this offseason but they still chose the names above!?