I'd try to trade him or leave unprotected for Seattle. I wonder if Poulin and Légaré could play soon.
- Barnaby36

I agree with both of you. See what you can get for him. He still has a lot of value around the league. Plus with the expansion draft around the corner. Maybe GMs won't place as big of value on players they aren't protecting during the expansion draft and we can land a solid player

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.
- Barnaby36

I would do either and I would prefer trading one of the two over Rust. Personally, Pettersson doesn't do much for me and is also on a long contract, so I might be inclined to agree with you here. But by that same token, from Edmonton's standpoint, the upside on Matheson is just so much higher.

Do any of you guys actually see a realistic off-season that turns this team into a cup contender?

I would do either and I would prefer trading one of the two over Rust. Personally, Pettersson doesn't do much for me and is also on a long contract, so I might be inclined to agree with you here. But by that same token, from Edmonton's standpoint, the upside on Matheson is just so much higher.
- MacPatty

As much as we don't want to say it Matheson is a good player and has done a good job for us as a 2nd pairing LD. (Again, him and Ceci were our 2nd pairing this year deservedly so). Pettersson is not a bad player I just think we need Matheson or even Ceci more.

Do any of you guys actually see a realistic off-season that turns this team into a cup contender?
- Feds91Stammer

We really don't know how aggressive Hex and Burke will be in changing things around. I remain VERY cautiously optimistic, but I'm not diluting myself on the possibilities.

Do any of you guys actually see a realistic off-season that turns this team into a cup contender?
- Feds91Stammer

Our team could've made a nice cup run if it wasn't for our goalie situation. I'd bet we'll add a couple new faces.

Do any of you guys actually see a realistic off-season that turns this team into a cup contender?
- Feds91Stammer

Maybe if they brought Phil the Thrill back.

Our team could've made a nice cup run if it wasn't for our goalie situation. I'd bet we'll add a couple new faces.
- Barnaby36

Pens woulda got stomped by TBL, CAR, VEG, or COL if they even got that far.

Do any of you guys actually see a realistic off-season that turns this team into a cup contender?
- Feds91Stammer

Anything can happen in sports. If not for the goalie Pens could of ended up in final 4 and perhaps beyond this season...

In other news I cant believe how pedestrian the Knights are making the Avs look the past few games, especially last night. Just dominant.

Pens woulda got stomped by TBL, CAR, VEG, or COL if they even got that far.
- j.boyd919

Not so sure about that tbh. Assumptions. Montreal will take the North and nobody thought they would (and they are a fast team, like ours). Not one soul.

Pens woulda got stomped by TBL, CAR, VEG, or COL if they even got that far.
- j.boyd919

Kinda like vs Caps/Preds and to somewhat lesser extent Blue Jackets in 2017. They were absolutely stomped by those teams...but still won the series and the cup.

Not so sure about that tbh. Assumptions. Montreal will take the North and nobody thought they would. Not one soul.
- Barnaby36

Exactly. Assumptions. Good assumptions though, I wont deny that. Those teams on paper are superior. Look at those Caps teams that were superior on paper and lost to the Pens in 2nd round of 2016 and 2017...or the other years the Caps won the president trophy to fizzle out quick. On paper isnt everything.

Not so sure about that tbh. Assumptions. Montreal will take the North and nobody thought they would (and they are a fast team, like ours). Not one soul.
- Barnaby36

The north division sucks.

Anything can happen in sports. If not for the goalie Pens could of ended up in final 4 and perhaps beyond this season...

In other news I cant believe how pedestrian the Knights are making the Avs look the past few games, especially last night. Just dominant.
- MattStrat

“Anything can happen” is definitely not what a contender would say.

“Anything can happen” is definitely not what a contender would say.
- Feds91Stammer

Its a cliché for playoff hockey that's been said for decades by pretty much everyone...and its true

Haven't been on the blog in a while... have we actually identified any potential realistic "bigger buy can play" trade targets?

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

Kassian is a bum who put up 30 points on a line with mcdavid and drai. But he’s tough and beats up ppl who don’t fight back. Not that I’d mind that part hahaha

Not so sure about that tbh. Assumptions. Montreal will take the North and nobody thought they would (and they are a fast team, like ours). Not one soul.
- Barnaby36

Montreal also has some pretty big physical, good, dmen. And a goalie. But I do imagine they get stomped next round. Hopefully anyways. Damn French.

Haven't been on the blog in a while... have we actually identified any potential realistic "bigger buy can play" trade targets?
- YouMeAndDupuis9

The only potentially realistic powerforward type trade target who could actually make a difference to this team would be Kane (I know he has mentioned he doesn't want to go through a rebuild and wants to play for a contender). Other then him there hasn't really been any talk on who may be available. Idk if Hextall would believe his attitude would work with the team or not. He would be a solid player who would check off the boxes of bringing a net front, bigger, tougher player who will work in the dirty areas and take some pressure off of the stars.

Kassian is a bum who put up 30 points on a line with mcdavid and drai. But he’s tough and beats up ppl who don’t fight back. Not that I’d mind that part hahaha
- 10inchTerror

He could be a good 3rd line/1st PP Hornqvist type of role player. I think all of us want a top 6 player at the end of the day.

He could be a good 3rd line/1st PP Hornqvist type of role player. I think all of us want a top 6 player at the end of the day.
- 123Kid

Yeah which will be hard to come by. Oh well I think we will see, much like last year, hextall’s patience.

This game looks like Pens isles. Bruins are taking it to them all period but just a 1-0 lead.

Isles one chance, goal