I suppose. And the Jet's generally make deadline deals in general.

FWIW - I think Copp is a better player but Lowry would be Hextall/Burke's target. #gritboner

Also, the Kings were one of the teams supposedly interested in Matheson so hopefully they were watching last night


- YouMeAndDupuis9

It’s much more likely WPG trades for a rental with a bottom feeder than subtract a roster player to fill the 3rd pair spot.

Teddy back in practice in a regular jersey. Also good news that Rust is fine. I was concerned that even though he finished the game we'd read he's undergoing eval for a an LBI.

I honestly don't want to sacrifice defensive depth, but we know Hex wants to add picks. If they don't plan on moving Petts or MM, then with POJ standing by they may be able to squeeze a decent pick out of WPG for Riikola if WPG gets desperate.
- Rinosaur

This is my thinking. Absolutely no one Winnipeg gives up Copp or Lowry for Riikola... Pettersson maybe, but not Riikola.

But considering we still have Ruhwedel, POJ and Friedman all sitting beyond the 6 in the line up currently dressing, I'd say our back end depth is good- if you can get a 4th rounder out of Winnipeg for Riikola go for it... remember he makes 1.2M next year as well and we'll need all the money we can save for Marino, Blueger and ZAR pay bumps upcoming this offseason...

This is my thinking. Absolutely no one Winnipeg gives up Copp or Lowry for Riikola... Pettersson maybe, but not Riikola.

But considering we still have Ruhwedel, POJ and Friedman all sitting beyond the 6 in the line up currently dressing, I'd say our back end depth is good- if you can get a 4th rounder out of Winnipeg for Riikola go for it... remember he makes 1.2M next year as well and we'll need all the money we can save for Marino, Blueger and ZAR pay bumps upcoming this offseason...
- Willaged

Preferably the Pens could package Riikola with something to nab a forward, but if not I agree, freeing up that cap space while adding a future asset would be a wise move.

Definitely not a positive possession player lol
- Feds91Stammer

He is right now.

Preferably the Pens could package Riikola with something to nab a forward, but if not I agree, freeing up that cap space while adding a future asset would be a wise move.
- Rinosaur

Perrault is having a nice season after not being so great last year. He is in the last year of his contract. He would be a nice addition to the bottom 6.

In my opinion I dont think Matheson would be that good of a forward.

Yes, he can skate, and at times create some highlight reel goals. But his hands would be really underwhelming as a forward. And he might help with zone entries but he sure as hell won't be forechecking or winning puck battles. Plus if the hockey IQ is in question at defense, I can't imagine what an entirely new position would look like.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Yeah Matheson’s utility as a forward would be totally on weather he would forecheck well or not. He obviously wouldn’t play make (his decision making with passing/not passing is his worst attribute), he’s a great skater and has decent hands but that’s as a defenseman and would look a lot less impressive as a forward, and I doubt his finishing tool box is all that great given that he’s been a blue liner his whole career. He’d have to be a speedy power forward that wins boards and crashes the net to be useful.

Perrault is having a nice season after not being so great last year. He is in the last year of his contract. He would be a nice addition to the bottom 6.
- burgh4life87

Meh. Even if they retained 50% I personally don’t think he’s worth it.

He is right now.
- burgh4life87

48.5 CF%, -1.0 rel CF on the year. So no.

Defense and goaltending is carrying this team and whatever they do in the post season is going to depend on how far their defense and goaltending takes them, specifically Dumoulin.

I'll be surprised if we even make a trade.

Defense and goaltending is carrying this team and whatever they do in the post season is going to depend on how far their defense and goaltending takes them, specifically Dumoulin.

I'll be surprised if we even make a trade.
- Thunderbolt

Hextall: We definitely want to add a forward

Penguins: Tied for first in the division and playing well.

Thunderbolt: Pens shouldn’t and probably won’t make a trade

Your takes are rambunctious today. I dig the crotchety energy.

I’m so glad I can just enjoy a highlight reel goal from a defenseman without forcing myself to find reasons to discredit the player of any merit. You guys are miserable.

He is right now.
- burgh4life87

Nope.

Hextall: We definitely want to add a forward

Penguins: Tied for first in the division and playing well.

Thunderbolt: Pens shouldn’t and probably won’t make a trade

Your takes are rambunctious today. I dig the crotchety energy.
- Victoro311

Pens just destroyed a bunch of poop teams in March while rocking a 104 PDO. In the only division without an elite team imo. Woohoo they are cup contenders now. No need to make a trade.

Pens just destroyed a bunch of poop teams in March while rocking a 104 PDO. In the only division without an elite team imo. Woohoo they are cup contenders now. No need to make a trade.
- Feds91Stammer

Lol I don’t give a (frank). We’re getting another good year out of Sid/Malkin in their mid 30s. I’m just enjoying myself and want to give this team who’s played with heart the best shot they can have. You soulless (frank)er.

Lol I don’t give a (frank). We’re getting another good year out of Sid/Malkin in their mid 30s. I’m just enjoying myself and want to give this team who’s played with heart the best shot they can have. You soulless (frank)er.
- Victoro311

Haha I’m just making fun of the people that suddenly think the team is good enough as is.

Haha I’m just making fun of the people that suddenly think the team is good enough as is.
- Feds91Stammer

To be fair to Thunderbolt I’m pretty sure his take is that the Pens aren’t actually good and a trade would be a waste. At least that’s how I read it.

To be fair to Thunderbolt I’m pretty sure his take is that the Pens aren’t actually good and a trade would be a waste. At least that’s how I read it.
- Victoro311

Oh I get that. I’m just making fun of the overall tone of the board lately. But they are in the easiest division to win imo. So a trade in theory stacks their odds in that favor and then maybe they can PDO their way to a couple series wins to become champs.

Decided to look at Matheci as a pairing at 5v5:

210:19 TOI

CF%: 48.51

xGF%: 56.47

HDCF%: 60.00

Off. Zone Faceoffs%: 47.75

Honestly this is pretty solid. Not a great play driving pairing as one would expect but they’re not a black hole of possession either and they’re absolutely controlling the HDCs. The D zone starts also could factor into the poor possession and it stands to reason that if Sullivan sheltered them more and leaned on Pettrino a bit more they could be even more effective.

The deployment Sullivan has these two on is working pretty well and has room for improvement.

EDIT: actually it looks like Pettrino gets even more defensive zone starts and it’s Dumtang that are getting the majority offensive starts. Sullivan may want to think about having his top pairing shoulder more of the defensive burden.

Dubinsky trying to stay relevant with some tweets today...

Listen. Crosby is better then me I never said he wasn’t. He’s obviously one of the best ever. It was @ovi8 vs Sid. None of you played in the NHL and know how hard it is to score goals in the NHL. 724 is insane. Sid just whined way too much and Ovi just shut up and played hard. https://t.co/rI2aSriYvY

Dubinsky trying to stay relevant with some tweets today...

Listen. Crosby is better then me I never said he wasn’t. He’s obviously one of the best ever. It was @ovi8 vs Sid. None of you played in the NHL and know how hard it is to score goals in the NHL. 724 is insane. Sid just whined way too much and Ovi just shut up and played hard. https://t.co/rI2aSriYvY
- Beatnic57

Was that unprompted? Log off, Dubi, you piece of poop.

Was that unprompted? Log off, Dubi, you piece of poop.
- Victoro311

Dubinsky was a pill popping drug addict and that is why he isnt in the NHL. Who gives a poop what he has to say?

Dubinsky trying to stay relevant with some tweets today...

Listen. Crosby is better then me I never said he wasn’t. He’s obviously one of the best ever. It was @ovi8 vs Sid. None of you played in the NHL and know how hard it is to score goals in the NHL. 724 is insane. Sid just whined way too much and Ovi just shut up and played hard. https://t.co/rI2aSriYvY
- Beatnic57

Ovi better.

Pens just destroyed a bunch of poop teams in March while rocking a 104 PDO. In the only division without an elite team imo. Woohoo they are cup contenders now. No need to make a trade.
- Feds91Stammer

We haven't the assets to make trades that will move the needle. They are a playoff team. Period. I just want them to win one series, I'm tired of one and done. It's just gravy after that.

The Pens are a good home team. Couple that with a bunch of guys playing as well as they can play and voila you have the run we just had. One thing you can't deny is this group plays hard and never quits. In some ways this a refreshing change.

Dubinsky was a pill popping drug addict and that is why he isnt in the NHL. Who gives a poop what he has to say?
- MacPatty

Source? Those are quite the allegations.