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

If you want to give some young guys a chance, they need a spot and not just on a checking line. Certainly wouldn't find out much about Puustinen or Nylander with Blueger and McGinn for example.

Pens have 8 top 9 spots set despite various levels of discontent with Zucker, Carter, and Kapanen. They are really just looking for one more. Fourth line will be fine. Having Rackell to start at top 6, a healthy Geno, and Kapanen bumped down to 3rd line are their improvements from beginning of last year.

It’s an EK rumor so it’s def not true, but would you all be open to Phil back here in minimum contract.

I just hope they finally play Kap on the PK. He played pretty well for Toronto on the PK. Or I wouldn't even mind trading him to another team for a prospect and bringing back E-Rod if possible.

As for next offseason we should be in good shape. We have Zucker and Dumo off the books. We need to give Bluegar and Jarry new contracts, but hopefully at that point Carter or McGinn comes off the books and we can put that money towards Blue and Jarry. Otherwise we may have some money to play with. Especially if Smith, Poehling, and our prospects make leaps towards playing full time with the big club.

I just hope they finally play Kap on the PK. He played pretty well for Toronto on the PK. Or I wouldn't even mind trading him to another team for a prospect and bringing back E-Rod if possible.

As for next offseason we should be in good shape. We have Zucker and Dumo off the books. We need to give Bluegar and Jarry new contracts, but hopefully at that point Carter or McGinn comes off the books and we can put that money towards Blue and Jarry. Otherwise we may have some money to play with. Especially if Smith, Poehling, and our prospects make leaps towards playing full time with the big club.
- 123Kid

If for some odd ass reason Kap comes back here at 1.5 mil or less... i'd be okay with his streaky as hell play. Its not like you can find that possibility for higher level offense for that cost without it being a near fluke of a FA signing.

If you want to give some young guys a chance, they need a spot and not just on a checking line. Certainly wouldn't find out much about Puustinen or Nylander with Blueger and McGinn for example.

Pens have 8 top 9 spots set despite various levels of discontent with Zucker, Carter, and Kapanen. They are really just looking for one more. Fourth line will be fine. Having Rackell to start at top 6, a healthy Geno, and Kapanen bumped down to 3rd line are their improvements from beginning of last year.
- Tojo.

I’m happy to let the young guys get a shot, but wasting money on assets that are known to be subpar sucks.

If for some odd ass reason Kap comes back here at 1.5 mil or less... i'd be okay with his streaky as hell play. Its not like you can find that possibility for higher level offense for that cost without it being a near fluke of a FA signing.
- Guile

I think Kap will have a way better year this year. I can see him training hard this offseason to prove that he can be better than he was last season. He shows flashes of being a superstar. He is just to inconsistent.

I think Kap will have a way better year this year. I can see him training hard this offseason to prove that he can be better than he was last season. He shows flashes of being a superstar. He is just to inconsistent.
- 123Kid

Hes put up at least 10 goals a year the last 4 years... That is worth about 2 million on the open market all day typically. But yes, streaky... has been able to play with a handful of elite centers and then later bumped down to 3rd or 4th line duties. Not sure how much that hurts and messes with his evaluation.

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.
- 668710

Yeah I’m not expecting Rutta to be JJ I just think it’s a lot of money for a meh bottom pairing defenseman. I don’t expect I’ll grow to like him like I did Ceci or even Gudbranson to a certain extent

It’s an EK rumor so it’s def not true, but would you all be open to Phil back here in minimum contract.
- kfinl170

Umm yes lol

Yeah I’m not expecting Rutta to be JJ I just think it’s a lot of money for a meh bottom pairing defenseman. I don’t expect I’ll grow to like him like I did Ceci or even Gudbranson to a certain extent
- Victoro311

It's weird isn't it? We get these players who are terrible on defense like Ceci, Gudbranson, and Matheson. Then they become solid players for us. I'm hoping Rutta and Smith are the next players we turn into solid players.

Yeah I’m not expecting Rutta to be JJ I just think it’s a lot of money for a meh bottom pairing defenseman. I don’t expect I’ll grow to like him like I did Ceci or even Gudbranson to a certain extent
- Victoro311

Hey you never know, give it a chance lol.

It's weird isn't it? We get these players who are terrible on defense like Ceci, Gudbranson, and Matheson. Then they become solid players for us. I'm hoping Rutta and Smith are the next players we turn into solid players.
- 123Kid

Smith might become a solid #3-4 eventually or be nothing and we'll forget about him lol

It's weird isn't it? We get these players who are terrible on defense like Ceci, Gudbranson, and Matheson. Then they become solid players for us. I'm hoping Rutta and Smith are the next players we turn into solid players.
- 123Kid

Add Schultz to that list. They all suck... Until they don't.

It's weird isn't it? We get these players who are terrible on defense like Ceci, Gudbranson, and Matheson. Then they become solid players for us. I'm hoping Rutta and Smith are the next players we turn into solid players.
- 123Kid

Yeah we’ve had good luck recently with defensemen that have been bad in paper but they’ve all had defining traits and skill sets that had worth. Cesi and Gudbranson were over deployed physical defensemen that we deployed correctly and Matheson’s offensive skill set really thrived in our system. I look at Rutta and I just see size with nothing that makes size useful in hockey. Not physical like a Cesi or Gudbranson, not super sound defensively like prime Dumo or Petterson. Just all around meh.

I am kinda excited to think of Petry on the 2nd pairing. He has a heavy slap shot and can clear the net. That is something we have been missing for quite sometime.

Yeah we’ve had good luck recently with defensemen that have been bad in paper but they’ve all had defining traits and skill sets that had worth. Cesi and Gudbranson were over deployed physical defensemen that we deployed correctly and Matheson’s offensive skill set really thrived in our system. I look at Rutta and I just see size with nothing that makes size useful in hockey. Not physical like a Cesi or Gudbranson, not super sound defensively like prime Dumo or Petterson. Just all around meh.
- Victoro311

I get it. I am hoping the analytical people and scouts get it right again and Rutta becomes an asset

If for some odd ass reason Kap comes back here at 1.5 mil or less... i'd be okay with his streaky as hell play. Its not like you can find that possibility for higher level offense for that cost without it being a near fluke of a FA signing.
- Guile

You could sign Boyle for Kaps qualifying offer. Boyle is a better hockey player right now than Kap.

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

Lol... Archibald is 5'10" 176lbs, he is not going to fight or intimidate anyone...trouba would destroy him with a chicken wing!

Lol... Archibald is 5'10" 176lbs, he is not going to fight or intimidate anyone...trouba would destroy him with a chicken wing!
- PENS1989

Bobby Farnham used to send guys to the Savard room and he was smaller than that.

Kasperi Kapanen to file for salary arbitration: https://triblive.com/spor...e-for-salary-arbitration/

I’m happy to let the young guys get a shot, but wasting money on assets that are known to be subpar sucks.
- Rinosaur

Agree with that.

Kasperi Kapanen to file for salary arbitration: https://triblive.com/spor...e-for-salary-arbitration/
- VeryModernMan

Yea we knew that was gonna happen haha. Maybe they come to a deal before hand

Lol... Archibald is 5'10" 176lbs, he is not going to fight or intimidate anyone...trouba would destroy him with a chicken wing!
- PENS1989

Archibald will fight and he can lay some big hits. Not sure what you're talking about. Obviously he's not a Ryan Reaves type fighter but he's dropped the gloves maybe 8-10 times in his career.

Bobby Farnham used to send guys to the Savard room and he was smaller than that.
- Grinder47

Farnham was 190 lbs and only played something like 67 games in his only 4 yrs in the NHL! Archibald is considerably smaller at 175 lbs, when you are talking 15lbs on a small frame... My point is Archibald is not going to fight or intimidate anyone as kid eluded to...

Farnham was 190 lbs and only played something like 67 games in his only 4 yrs in the NHL! Archibald is considerably smaller at 175 lbs, when you are talking 15lbs on a small frame... My point is Archibald is not going to fight or intimidate anyone as kid eluded to...
- PENS1989

Idk maybe it's because I have been 160# much of my life, but I intimidated a lot of people in the gym and on the field in sports. I curled 100# dumbbells for 15 reps and had a 400# bench press. I never played hockey, but I would hit players double my size on the football field and send them to the sideline. Power and strength mean more than size.