Also we're gonna know today that Kap is gonna go to arbitration? He surely isn't signing that 840,000 contract. If he did I'd be highly surprised.
- 668710

By 5pm today. He will file.

Jimmy Vesey, Michael Raffle, Sam Steel, Alex Chiasson, Tyler Ennis, Ryan Donato.

What do these player have in common? Players who are all actual NHLers COMPARED to Arichbald and Caggiula and will all likely cost around the same price. Hell, Boyle and Sprong are worlds better than those guys and will be dirt cheap.

Now we'll have Kapanen at some point on a bloated contract. The Pens are going unnecessarily struggle at forward.

100% agree. Also welcome back!
- 123Kid

Thanks!! Feels good to be back!

Whether I like the moves or not, Hextall has a clear identity he's shooting for. My concern is whether or not that identity with click as well as what he's trying to do with the forwards. There's no rhyme or reason there.

The fact depth scoring was an issue last year, what he's done so far is a step backwards. Caggiula and Archibald are barely NHL players, and there were/are better players available in their price-range.

I have no real issue with Poehling reclamation idea, but it should have just been him, not the other guys signed.
- Rinosaur

I really don't see Arch or Cagg in the lineup to be honest they will be in WBS, O'Connor is gonna get a shot here for sure.

I really don't see Arch or Cagg in the lineup to be honest they will be in WBS, O'Connor is gonna get a shot here for sure.
- 668710

They likely will be, but they currently take up cap space which prevents them from signing anyone of use.

They likely will be, but they currently take up cap space which prevents them from signing anyone of use.
- Rinosaur

Not really, they can send them down if they want, and you can be 10 percent over during the off-season. I've done some things on CF where i put guys down and had 13 F 7D but I don't know Kaps number yet haha just waiting on that now. Depending on his cap hit we can have some wiggle room at a deadline forward acquisition, because that's where we're at now, we can't sign anyone worth a damn. Just leave some space for a deadline move.

Not really, they can send them down if they want, and you can be 10 percent over during the off-season. I've done some things on CF where i put guys down and had 13 F 7D but I don't know Kaps number yet haha just waiting on that now. Depending on his cap hit we can have some wiggle room at a deadline forward acquisition, because that's where we're at now, we can't sign anyone worth a damn. Just leave some space for a deadline move.
- 668710

Deadline moves are all well and good, but I'd prefer not let their playoff chances be dependent on two lines when they could have more balance now.

They likely will be, but they currently take up cap space which prevents them from signing anyone of use.
- Rinosaur

I think pending the Kap situation he will bring in another player or 2. I think he will waiver Archibald and send him to WBS. I think Hex brought in Archibald and Rutta as players who will stick up for their teammates and fight. Archibald is a player who has some questionable hits. Which if Trouba dished them out then why not have someone who would make him pay on your lower lines.

I think pending the Kap situation he will bring in another player or 2. I think he will waiver Archibald and send him to WBS. I think Hex brought in Archibald and Rutta as players who will stick up for their teammates and fight. Archibald is a player who has some questionable hits. Which if Trouba dished them out then why not have someone who would make him pay on your lower lines.
- 123Kid

Does Ruta do that? Reports on him seem to be that he’s big but soft. I know Archibald is a sand paper guy but he’s not an nhl player and shouldn’t be getting called up even to “enforce”.

Does Ruta do that? Reports on him seem to be that he’s big but soft. I know Archibald is a sand paper guy but he’s not an nhl player and shouldn’t be getting called up even to “enforce”.
- Victoro311

No. Rutta is a soft Euro.

Does Ruta do that? Reports on him seem to be that he’s big but soft. I know Archibald is a sand paper guy but he’s not an nhl player and shouldn’t be getting called up even to “enforce”.
- Victoro311

I haven't read that he's soft. Just that he doesn't use his body the way everyone would like for a guy his size. I'm starting to think he's the Dman version of Zohorna.

I haven't read that he's soft. Just that he doesn't use his body the way everyone would like for a guy his size. I'm starting to think he's the Dman version of Zohorna.
- Rinosaur

You just described soft lol

You just described soft lol
- Victoro311

190 hits in 238 games

Pettersson has 398 in 294 games for reference

I think pending the Kap situation he will bring in another player or 2. I think he will waiver Archibald and send him to WBS. I think Hex brought in Archibald and Rutta as players who will stick up for their teammates and fight. Archibald is a player who has some questionable hits. Which if Trouba dished them out then why not have someone who would make him pay on your lower lines.
- 123Kid

Rutta and Archibald are definitely not on the roster because they hit and fight... I'd like to have a couple guys who can but we definitely don't have that element yet.

Deadline moves are all well and good, but I'd prefer not let their playoff chances be dependent on two lines when they could have more balance now.
- Rinosaur

I agree with you, but we're past that now. Gotta work with what we are working with haha. I wouldn't have signed Rutta and worked on another forward personally, but this is what we have haha

190 hits in 238 games

Pettersson has 398 in 294 games for reference
- Feds91Stammer

That's interesting, I know he's not a big hitter but when he was playing against us it seemed like he was winning board battles down low in his own zone. There were multiple occasions where I was very annoyed with Rutta down low in his own zone. Now super small sample size obviously. I'll take your word more because you watch way more Tampa games than I do.

I just assumed he fights. I looked up info on him and the first video was a fight

https://youtu.be/hWllCBPf8ZQ

I just assumed he fights. I looked up info on him and the first video was a fight

https://youtu.be/hWllCBPf8ZQ
- 123Kid

2 career fights both in the last 3 months.

He got beat up by Morgan Reilly

That's interesting, I know he's not a big hitter but when he was playing against us it seemed like he was winning board battles down low in his own zone. There were multiple occasions where I was very annoyed with Rutta down low in his own zone. Now super small sample size obviously. I'll take your word more because you watch way more Tampa games than I do.
- 668710

Just seems like unnecessary spending for a 3rd pair RD. He has solid PK numbers but he also wasn't relied on in Tampa's regular rotation. Also Ruh was already you best PK RD numbers wise. So at best he's a slight downgrade to lateral from Ruh and a much higher cap hit. But hey he's taller than Ruh.

Just seems like unnecessary spending for a 3rd pair RD. He has solid PK numbers but he also wasn't relied on in Tampa's regular rotation. Also Ruh was already you best PK RD numbers wise. So at best he's a slight downgrade to lateral from Ruh and a much higher cap hit. But hey he's taller than Ruh.
- Feds91Stammer

Hahaha it is true. I only see him as a fill in during injuries. Otherwise I agree why sign him at all. Ruh was good on the 3rd pairing last season for a lot cheaper.

Edit: plus for that amount of money why not get someone else? Or go another cheap option.

Just seems like unnecessary spending for a 3rd pair RD. He has solid PK numbers but he also wasn't relied on in Tampa's regular rotation. Also Ruh was already you best PK RD numbers wise. So at best he's a slight downgrade to lateral from Ruh and a much higher cap hit. But hey he's taller than Ruh.
- Feds91Stammer

Yea I get it, I personally wouldn't have signed him but I'm happy with our top 4 and that's the main thing. Was he a waste of cap space? Absolutely. But just hope he can do his thing on the third pair and not be JJ. If he's JJ were (frank)ed again.
Edit:Dumo is a big question mark. I just hope he's more steady this year. But am aware he could be bad.

That's interesting, I know he's not a big hitter but when he was playing against us it seemed like he was winning board battles down low in his own zone. There were multiple occasions where I was very annoyed with Rutta down low in his own zone. Now super small sample size obviously. I'll take your word more because you watch way more Tampa games than I do.
- 668710

Somebody should really start tracking board battle/ 50/50 puck outcomes haha... I think that would be interesting and also important to know. To my eyes in the playoffs Rutta looked great and did indeed win those battles often...

Just seems like unnecessary spending for a 3rd pair RD. He has solid PK numbers but he also wasn't relied on in Tampa's regular rotation. Also Ruh was already you best PK RD numbers wise. So at best he's a slight downgrade to lateral from Ruh and a much higher cap hit. But hey he's taller than Ruh.
- Feds91Stammer

Well it's a luxury spend that we didn't seem to have a ton of room for. I am happy we have Rutta, I think he's going to be a nice fit even if it doesn't totally make sense at the moment.

They must really like Smith or both they and the Habs must not have been into Marino at all. I think it's a bonus to have made these moves and not netted an extra contract for next year. It's a monster free agent class as it stands next year so the rental market should be strong and favor the buyers.

Let's see what we have on Poehling and our WBS guys, see if anyone gets injured and then identify the holes we need to fill for a playoff run mid way through the season.

What does him being younger have anything to do with the type of player he is?
- Rinosaur

Just that he's as much of a prospect as they are, maybe more so. If I were to rank guys like Poehling and Smith with the young players in WBS we talk about, I'd have both in the top 5 or 6. And yes that says a lot about our prospects as well.

But I agree with what you said later. Poehling isn't the issue. We needed a depth center, got one with some upside instead of a vet. Archibald I'm sure they wanted as an experienced PKer for the 4th line RW. Not where I'd play most of our prospects besides Zohorna and maybe DOC. Caggiula is probably competing for a spot or ticketed to WBS for experienced depth. Hopefully top 9 roles don't go to those 2, but wish I felt more sure about that.

Yea Dumo I expect to be gone after this season and they MAY have to sign a replacement if POJ and Smith can't handle 2nd and third pair next season.
- 668710

I agree with this. You have Dumo for this year, you play POJ or Smith on the third pair. If you think one is capable of top 4, then you know you can let Dumo go without needing a replacement. I'd neither does well, a add that to next year's shopping list.