You have a great chance of being right, Feds, the Pens won't win another one. I'm certainly not in denial of that. To say Sid and Geno can't produce in playoffs at their age is a stretch though and I gave supporting ideas and stats/facts to back that.
- MattStrat

That's not what I'm saying. I am saying they got shut down at ES again this year. And I am questioning if they are capable of dominating in the playoffs like they used to.

They can still produce but it's happening with far less frequency than it used to. Crosby's line has been shut down 3 straight years. Malkin doesn't have an ES goal in 20 playoff games spanning 4 years. Doesn't happen in their primes.

I’m aware they can’t. It’s hard for any team to find one. I’m just saying that, in any situation, if you can add a 1C you do it.
- 10inchTerror

Fair enough. That and a #1 defenseman seem the hardest things to find.

I hear you. But not being a smart ass. The puck is in the corner. Who on that line goes and wins it? Consistently. Could Crosby? Sure more times than not I’m sure, but is that what you want the 35 year old center doing? It’s tough.
- stayinthefnnet

I agree. I think they need to find that player.

I think Hextalls goal should be to acquire players to take some pressure off the core. I think he did well with adding Carter who is taking time away from Crosby and Malkin to allow them to have 3 lines who can play and split time on the ice. I think they need to do the same with Letang. I know we have Marino and Ceci who did that well this season, but I think it would be wise to try and free up cap space and take a shot at a better D this offseason. This philosophy I believe is why Hextall wants to get bigger with his wingers for Geno and Crosby as well. To allow his wingers to grind and do the board work and go to the tough areas.
- 123Kid

I agree with all this. I'll be interested to see how he can do all this. Marino's year was such a disappointment in that regard. You'd have thought with how well Ceci played, they could have taken some minutes off Letang's plate. Maybe at least cut his PK time since those are the hardest minutes.

That's not what I'm saying. I am saying they got shut down at ES again this year. And I am questioning if they are capable of dominating in the playoffs like they used too.

They can still produce but it's happening with far less frequency than it used too. Crosby's line has been shut down 3 straight years. Malkin doesn't have an ES goal in 20 playoff games spanning 4 years. Doesn't happen in their primes.
- Tojo.

Crosby 5 5v5 points last 14 playoff games

Geno 3 5v5 points last 12 playoff games

They definitely can’t do what they used to

Perhaps Crosby is cooked by playoff time due to carrying the load while Malkin missed 1/3 of the season????

Malkin is still a good player and deadly on the pp, 5v5 not so much. He was a turnover machine and liability at times.

If he will take a deal in the $7 range great! But if he wants his cap or higher? Time to move on. Neither him or Crosby can carry the load and will need support. Malkin s cap is like 12%. Pens are gonna need a stronger cast moving forward.

Perhaps Crosby is cooked by playoff time due to carrying the load while Malkin missed 1/3 of the season????

Malkin is still a good player and deadly on the pp, 5v5 not so much. He was a turnover machine and liability at times.

If he will take a deal in the $7 range great! But if he wants his cap or higher? Time to move on. Neither him or Crosby can carry the load and will need support. Malkin s cap is like 12%. Pens are gonna need a stronger cast moving forward.

Also Malkin should try to max out while he can. He’d be dumb not to.

Not sure how expansion draft works but I bet Seattle would love to have a super star player to sell tiks and merch. Wonder if there’s a deal to be made?

Crosby 5 5v5 points last 14 playoff games

Geno 3 5v5 points last 12 playoff games

They definitely can’t do what they used to
- Feds91Stammer

What are there wingers stats during the same span?
Having Jake go cold the last 2 playoffs definitely hurts Sid’s PPG. If Jake shoots anywhere near his career % you’d think Sid would’ve had a lot more.

A couple Twitter random on a slow day.

From Haase: Legare led the Foreurs in goals in the postseason with 14 in 15 games, and Poulin ranked second with 11 goals. Poulin ranked third in total points with 19, and Legare ranked fourth with 18.

From JFresh: While I don't think the Selke should go to a bottom six forechecking winger, it is worth mentioning that for the second year in a row Zach Aston-Reese put up the best scoring chance prevention numbers in the NHL. (I won't be shocked if Seattle takes him).

A couple Twitter random on a slow day.

From Haase: Legare led the Foreurs in goals in the postseason with 14 in 15 games, and Poulin ranked second with 11 goals. Poulin ranked third in total points with 19, and Legare ranked fourth with 18.

From JFresh: While I don't think the Selke should go to a bottom six forechecking winger, it is worth mentioning that for the second year in a row Zach Aston-Reese put up the best scoring chance prevention numbers in the NHL. (I won't be shocked if Seattle takes him).
- Tojo.

Good info! I have been wondering who Vegas may select. I also wonder who we are going to protect.

Side note I have heard a few interesting trade targets a few Edmonton sites have us linked to Zack Kassian. I also heard an interesting trade proposal. McCann for Wood (NJ). I'm not a fan of the Kassian idea. I am all for the Wood trade though. I feel he would be great with Geno and Kap. That line would be pretty solid.

What are there wingers stats during the same span?
Having Jake go cold the last 2 playoffs definitely hurts Sid’s PPG. If Jake shoots anywhere near his career % you’d think Sid would’ve had a lot more.
- Thorny87

Jake is proving to be a little female dog the last couple playoffs. They need someone to cause havoc so lil Jake can do his thing. Maybe kassian could work Côme playoffs but I don’t like it.

Wood trade though I like. I’d be trying to sign goodrow or Coleman for the 3rd line as well.

A couple Twitter random on a slow day.

From Haase: Legare led the Foreurs in goals in the postseason with 14 in 15 games, and Poulin ranked second with 11 goals. Poulin ranked third in total points with 19, and Legare ranked fourth with 18.

From JFresh: While I don't think the Selke should go to a bottom six forechecking winger, it is worth mentioning that for the second year in a row Zach Aston-Reese put up the best scoring chance prevention numbers in the NHL. (I won't be shocked if Seattle takes him).
- Tojo.

I would, in fact, be shocked if Seattle takes him.

Jake is proving to be a little female dog the last couple playoffs. They need someone to cause havoc so lil Jake can do his thing. Maybe kassian could work Côme playoffs but I don’t like it.

Wood trade though I like. I’d be trying to sign goodrow or Coleman for the 3rd line as well.
- 10inchTerror

Sullivan would play Kassian 4 minutes a night on the fourth line.

Jake is proving to be a little female dog the last couple playoffs. They need someone to cause havoc so lil Jake can do his thing. Maybe kassian could work Côme playoffs but I don’t like it.

Wood trade though I like. I’d be trying to sign goodrow or Coleman for the 3rd line as well.
- 10inchTerror

The story is out on Jake. Take away the high slot from him and he’s not the same player.

Sullivan would play Kassian 4 minutes a night on the fourth line.
- Grinder47

I wouldn't put Kassian in the same class as Reaves... Kass can actually be a really good hockey player. If he gets healthy, that's the guy you put out there with Sid and Jake to be the first guy in on the forecheck and creating havoc in front of the net.

He had a bad year with injuries, it would definitely be a risk going after him but one I'd go for depending on the deal.

Rust for Kassian and a 1st seems like a good deal for both sides but I don't think Holland is in win now mode for some ungodly reason. I'd even do it for less, Rust and a 6th for Kass, a 2nd and a 4th.

Rust is gone after this year, Kass could add something and I'd love to get some more picks in Hextalls hands.

The story is out on Jake. Take away the high slot from him and he’s not the same player.
- Grinder47

Jake is Jake, and you aren't totally wrong here but I think the bigger part of the problem has been how Rust went from a guy who was a hard forechecker, to a guy more focused on playing a scoring role. That is not a criticism of him but it is just a comment on the mix.

You need a guy on that line who will do the dirty work... be the first man on the forecheck and putting a hard hit on the D. Creating a bit of chaos down low and in front of the net. This top line got comfortable dominating soft, regular season hockey where you can get away with playing the softer, perimeter game but come playoff time, that stuff just doesnt work.

A couple Twitter random on a slow day.

From Haase: Legare led the Foreurs in goals in the postseason with 14 in 15 games, and Poulin ranked second with 11 goals. Poulin ranked third in total points with 19, and Legare ranked fourth with 18.

From JFresh: While I don't think the Selke should go to a bottom six forechecking winger, it is worth mentioning that for the second year in a row Zach Aston-Reese put up the best scoring chance prevention numbers in the NHL. (I won't be shocked if Seattle takes him).
- Tojo.

Legare and Poulin as older, physically advanced players SHOULD be putting up huge numbers. That said, 14 goals in 15 playoff games at any level is very impressive. Certainly a good sign they are dominating like that. I really like these two guys and really want to see them successful, just trying to stay tempered in expectations.

As for Seattle, I don't know how you could justify passing on Zucker for ZAR. I even think they would take a look at Petterson before ZAR. Not that he isn't a solid player, but I can't imagine passing on a good top 9 winger or a decent top 4 D to take a defensive 4th liner. Only scenario I could see it in is if they are doing a ton of Cap deals with other teams.

Jake is Jake, and you aren't totally wrong here but I think the bigger part of the problem has been how Rust went from a guy who was a hard forechecker, to a guy more focused on playing a scoring role. That is not a criticism of him but it is just a comment on the mix.

You need a guy on that line who will do the dirty work... be the first man on the forecheck and putting a hard hit on the D. Creating a bit of chaos down low and in front of the net. This top line got comfortable dominating soft, regular season hockey where you can get away with playing the softer, perimeter game but come playoff time, that stuff just doesnt work.
- MacPatty

I do agree with this take. That I think Rust switched his game up for the playoffs. I also agree that we need a guy on the top line to do the dirty work. Even with the powerplay. Having a player who can do the board work, get to the front of the net, and even take some eyes off of Crosby and Malkin on the ice (by being in front of the net, dishing out hits and getting under opponents skin) would help this team quite a bit to both preserve the stars and improve the scoring.
I feel as though Guentzel and Rust will be shopped to see who could net us a top line powerforward. I still have a gut feeling they will be going after a trade for Tkachuk, Bertuzzi, or Kane if any of them become available.

I could see Hextall being shrewd and trying to sign Landeskog for 7-8 million and trading Jake and others for cap space and to help retool the team (even though I feel Landeskog will resign with Colorado or go to a team which well overpays for him). I definitely see him going after Coleman.

Good info! I have been wondering who Vegas may select. I also wonder who we are going to protect.

Side note I have heard a few interesting trade targets a few Edmonton sites have us linked to Zack Kassian. I also heard an interesting trade proposal. McCann for Wood (NJ). I'm not a fan of the Kassian idea. I am all for the Wood trade though. I feel he would be great with Geno and Kap. That line would be pretty solid.
- 123Kid

I agree with both of those. At 30 and coming off a bad year, don't think I'd want Kassian.

Woods being traded would really surprise me.

Jake is Jake, and you aren't totally wrong here but I think the bigger part of the problem has been how Rust went from a guy who was a hard forechecker, to a guy more focused on playing a scoring role. That is not a criticism of him but it is just a comment on the mix.

You need a guy on that line who will do the dirty work... be the first man on the forecheck and putting a hard hit on the D. Creating a bit of chaos down low and in front of the net. This top line got comfortable dominating soft, regular season hockey where you can get away with playing the softer, perimeter game but come playoff time, that stuff just doesnt work.
- MacPatty

Yep, agree with that. People still like to think of Rust as this incredibly fast guy who kills it in the dirty areas, but that part of his game has declined the past 3 years IMO. Better scorer though.

Legare and Poulin as older, physically advanced players SHOULD be putting up huge numbers. That said, 14 goals in 15 playoff games at any level is very impressive. Certainly a good sign they are dominating like that. I really like these two guys and really want to see them successful, just trying to stay tempered in expectations.

As for Seattle, I don't know how you could justify passing on Zucker for ZAR. I even think they would take a look at Petterson before ZAR. Not that he isn't a solid player, but I can't imagine passing on a good top 9 winger or a decent top 4 D to take a defensive 4th liner. Only scenario I could see it in is if they are doing a ton of Cap deals with other teams.
- MacPatty

I'm not assuming Zucker is unprotected. They might want to at least try to get a trade for him. I also don't have a great handle on who else might be available.

Teams like playable size. If they can get him to agree to a contract extension during the UFA talking period and think he has a little more scoring upside I can see it.

I wouldn't put Kassian in the same class as Reaves... Kass can actually be a really good hockey player. If he gets healthy, that's the guy you put out there with Sid and Jake to be the first guy in on the forecheck and creating havoc in front of the net.

He had a bad year with injuries, it would definitely be a risk going after him but one I'd go for depending on the deal.

Rust for Kassian and a 1st seems like a good deal for both sides but I don't think Holland is in win now mode for some ungodly reason. I'd even do it for less, Rust and a 6th for Kass, a 2nd and a 4th.

Rust is gone after this year, Kass could add something and I'd love to get some more picks in Hextalls hands.
- MacPatty

One Pens writer actually was proposing Matheson for Kassian. Since Kassian underperformed and also because Edmonton look for offensive defensemen. Plus they only have a 1.2 million difference in cap hit the next few years

One Pens writer actually was proposing Matheson for Kassian. Since Kassian underperformed and also because Edmonton look for offensive defensemen. Plus they only have a 1.2 million difference in cap hit the next few years
- 123Kid

I'd rather do it Pettersson for Kassian if that's the case. Pettersson is not cutting it and falls too much. PO Joseph can easily replace him.

I'm not assuming Zucker is unprotected. They might want to at least try to get a trade for him. I also don't have a great handle on who else might be available.

Teams like playable size. If they can get him to agree to a contract extension during the UFA talking period and think he has a little more scoring upside I can see it.
- Tojo.

I'd try to trade him or leave unprotected for Seattle. I wonder if Poulin and Légaré could play soon.