People are upset about Math being traded. Funny how when he was aquired people were just as upset because he never lived up to his Fla contract, and for the same reason as Petry - what they gave up, not so much what they got in return. Upset about him and Ceci about as much as Rutta now. That's what's great about the internet, it never forgets. Lol

Plain and simple, they moved Math because they needed/desired a top D R shot in Petry, and that's what it was going to take. They weren't going to get a deal like that done with Dumo or Pettersson. They were looking at this for a while obviously, so it's not like a knee-jerk trade, they have a plan and reason that everyone else who obviously isn't an NHL GM, shouldn't be so critical of until it plays out and we see the results.

They also got a bottom 6 capable player who's not neccesariily as useless as people think (not saying he's Dupuis, but remember that nobody throw in?), and still have a surplus of defenseman to move for more bottom 6 support, and the space to make some more decent acquisitions if needed becuase of the Marino trade.
- NJPensfan

There’s no space for more acquisitions

Much as people want to see more change up front, I think it's Zucker again to start the year on second line. I think Kapanen and Carter form most of your 3rd line. McGinn and Blueger on 4th line. DOC, Poehling, Archibald to round out the roster?

Just nowhere to pull cap space unless you unexpectedly get someone to take Zucker. Have to hope you have or can find your next ERod or Heinen breakout on the cheap for that last top 9 spot, and that Zucker, Carter, and Kapanen are better than expected. Could have been different but kind of stuck now. I did want to see DOC get his chance.
- Tojo.

I'd like to see Pustinen get a look in the bottom 6 too.

Pens have 1.9 in cap now.

M fine w Marino….it’s basically = production at 1/4 costs.

Not sure the point of the petty trade though. Add that w ruuta and there’s not much room for another top 6.

The dude from mtl just seems like another 4 line plug
- sammy87

Hopefully by the TDL mcginn, rutta, and their 5.5mil go somewhere for a top 6. I’m sure rutta will do absolutely fine in a 3rd pair role but those two are both overpriced things we don’t need. Kap can go too.

I do not think the defense is as a whole improved at this point. IMHO.

I feel like a lot of these moves are based on POJ. You keep Dumo for his last year, let him walk, and let POJ take a top 4 role next year. That alone saves the pens $4+ mil while having almost the exact same team for 2023-24 season. Plus with Zucker gone, the pens have $9+ mil. Only free agent to note is Blueger.

Only problem is did they really do enough to be a Stanley cup team?

I do not think the defense is as a whole improved at this point. IMHO.
- powerhouse

It’s also older and more $$.

Can petry recover from last year?

It’s also older and more $$.

Can petry recover from last year?
- sammy87

Last year when he was almost a point per game player after Marty took over behind the bench?

https://mobile.twitter.co...amp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet

I feel like a lot of these moves are based on POJ. You keep Dumo for his last year, let him walk, and let POJ take a top 4 role next year. That alone saves the pens $4+ mil while having almost the exact same team for 2023-24 season. Plus with Zucker gone, the pens have $9+ mil. Only free agent to note is Blueger.

Only problem is did they really do enough to be a Stanley cup team?
- drummer829

Blueger and Jarry who will prob get a decent raise.

If they plan on dumo walking I’d put petts on the top pair with Letang now and see how that goes. Dumo could start on the 2nd pair and drop to 3rd mid season to see if Poj can handle it.

I think the defence is upgraded. Petry is good all around and can provide offence. MM isn’t here to do dumb things defensively. Petry had a bad year on a crappy team on the 1st pair. Being behind Letang on a better team should see good results.

That bottom 6 I think needs a good refurbishing though. I think I’d run:
Mcginn-blueger-carter
Plug-poehling-plug

I’d rather kids get a shot but that won’t happen.

It’s also older and more $$.

Can petry recover from last year?
- sammy87

It seems the defensive moves were more salary/cap moves than improving defensive play. Perhaps to retain our core this is the price we pay?

Blueger and Jarry who will prob get a decent raise.

If they plan on dumo walking I’d put petts on the top pair with Letang now and see how that goes. Dumo could start on the 2nd pair and drop to 3rd mid season to see if Poj can handle it.

I think the defence is upgraded. Petry is good all around and can provide offence. MM isn’t here to do dumb things defensively. Petry had a bad year on a crappy team on the 1st pair. Being behind Letang on a better team should see good results.

That bottom 6 I think needs a good refurbishing though. I think I’d run:
Mcginn-blueger-carter
Plug-poehling-plug

I’d rather kids get a shot but that won’t happen.
- 10inchTerror

If they could get a top 6 and bump z to the 3rd line all of a sudden it’s a solid line up.

The trades today could be really nice in no the end they just seem odd.

I think Van needs to dump cap. If the pens could get garland I’d be nice.

I do not think the defense is as a whole improved at this point. IMHO.
- powerhouse

Cause it isn’t. It’s just more expensive and the log jam was not resolved. At least they upgraded the top 6 and backup goaltending.

It seems the defensive moves were more salary/cap moves than improving defensive play. Perhaps to retain our core this is the price we pay?
- powerhouse

Cap moves in what way?

Petry and Rutta is 9m in

Matheson and Marino was 9.275m out

Cap moves in what way?

Petry and Rutta is 9m in

Matheson and Marino was 9.275m out
- Feds91Stammer

Ok. Did not know the financial specifics. That begs the question, then why these moves, I'm confused.

Ok. Did not know the financial specifics. That begs the question, then why these moves, I'm confused.
- powerhouse

We are getting the best player (Petry) and we are selling high on Matheson and buying low on Smith. That is likely the thinking. Also, Matheson had 4 years and Marino had 5... Neither has consistently proven themselves to the level we should be confident in what they can do further down the line.

Cap moves in what way?

Petry and Rutta is 9m in

Matheson and Marino was 9.275m out
- Feds91Stammer

I think we are all know rutta is the odd signing move here

Ok. Did not know the financial specifics. That begs the question, then why these moves, I'm confused.
- powerhouse

Because they reshaped their defense. They didn't subtract from it to add to forward. Wise? Honestly I'm on the fence. Most every player in these moves is kind of volatile. (Except maybe Rutta, but I'll give him a chance)

I feel like a lot of these moves are based on POJ. You keep Dumo for his last year, let him walk, and let POJ take a top 4 role next year. That alone saves the pens $4+ mil while having almost the exact same team for 2023-24 season. Plus with Zucker gone, the pens have $9+ mil. Only free agent to note is Blueger.

Only problem is did they really do enough to be a Stanley cup team?
- drummer829

No, but unless they magically found the fountain of youth for their core, got teams to take bad contracts for nothing, or found some stud prospects to plug in cheap, they weren't going to transform into a Cup team.

As sidenote: Smith is still waivers exempt.

I'd like to see Pustinen get a look in the bottom 6 too.
- 668710

He could get a shot. Pens can hope at least one of DOC, Poulin, Puustinen, Nylander, or Poehling can at least be a third liner. If at the trade deadline they look solid in at least 8 top 9 spots, you can add the last one. I honestly hope they don't clog up that spot for once.

Sounds like Petey was dealing with a lot first half of last season

Petry had asked for a trade last year because he was unable to see his family in Michigan due to COVID-19 lockdowns in Quebec. After tallying just 16 points in the first 40 games of the year on a poor Canadiens team, he finished the year with 20 points in his last 28 games.

Hopefully last year was partly being unable to see his family and that's resolved. If not, Pens are in big trouble. But if they get the Petry of most of his career this has to be a win. Why would they miss Matheson on the breakout on the second pair if Petry is there? And hopefully POJ or Smith adds a better breakout presence to the 3rd pair.

We are getting the best player (Petry) and we are selling high on Matheson and buying low on Smith. That is likely the thinking. Also, Matheson had 4 years and Marino had 5... Neither has consistently proven themselves to the level we should be confident in what they can do further down the line.
- MacPatty

Exactly this.

I think we are all know rutta is the odd signing move here
- Guile

For sure. And when you look the signings around the league (Mete, H.Fleury) it looks bad.

Petry had been solid until last year, let’s hope reirdens magic works on him like it did on Math

Petry had been solid until last year, let’s hope reirdens magic works on him like it did on Math
- kfinl170

Don’t need magic. I think the fact of not seeing his family, demanding a trade from mtl, playing 1rd on a crap team will be drastically helped by plying 2rd on a much better team and no off ice issues.