I don't believe interest is down all that much. I think there's a multitude of reasons ticket sales are down. Nightmare construction around the arena and 20% inflation on necessities are leading the pack. Local tv ratings are still really good the last I heard. Penguins fanbase is pretty solid. Not a bunch of bandwagoners, but sure, there's some of those.

Count me as someone who doesn't want a 10 year rebuild because we total f'd up with seriously bad long term contracts. I do not believe this team is winning a cup this year. I think they could have been a dark horse with some better off-season work, but Hextall blew that.
- madmike71

I'm judging more by conversations with people and sports talk. There's no buzz at all around the team.

What are the odds on Hextall doing something stupid today to try and save his job?
- Tojo.

Crazy trade where we get JT, ship out Pettersen, but then get a LD from the Flyers? Provorov or Sanheim? Hope it's not Sanheim...

We have no cap space unless something crazy happens. Rust on the block?

65% something stupid happens.
- j.boyd919

Yep.

That was Granlund. I don’t think he has the cap to do something stupid to save his job.

I guess he could still trade Pettersson
- Victoro311

He is on the wrong side of 30.

Crazy trade where we get JT, ship out Pettersen, but then get a LD from the Flyers? Provorov or Sanheim? Hope it's not Sanheim...

We have no cap space unless something crazy happens. Rust on the block?
- buckster2342

I mean, LD Ty Smith is waiting too.... I rrrreally don't want to lose Petts but Smith has shown he can play at NHL level and he's already in house...could be what Hex is thinking..

He is on the wrong side of 30.
- Thorny87

Hahaha

What are the odds on Hextall doing something stupid today to try and save his job?
- Tojo.

Yes

I'm judging more by conversations with people and sports talk. There's no buzz at all around the team.
- Tojo.

I think that's generally accurate, but mostly because "hope" is not all that high for post season success. It ebbs and flows. I'm a firm believer teams need some down times to reignite buzz. I do believe you can really harm a franchise with extended bad times however. I want to avoid that.

Pretty obvious that Fenway Sports Group is letting the team run itself into the ground and then relocate once the core retires.

$100 says bonino extended in the off season

I mean, LD Ty Smith is waiting too.... I rrrreally don't want to lose Petts but Smith has shown he can play at NHL level and he's already in house...could be what Hex is thinking..
- MattStrat

When there was talk about Chuchryn, I thought for sure Smith was the perfect type of guy to go the other way to Zona. I think the kid is a good player and I hate that he is down in the minors. That said, you are taking a monstrous gamble that he could step up in a big way in the playoffs.

But if it gets you Miller to play left wing on Malkin's line, and Zucker with Carter and Granlund, I would be feeling pretty good still.

When there was talk about Chuchryn, I thought for sure Smith was the perfect type of guy to go the other way to Zona. I think the kid is a good player and I hate that he is down in the minors. That said, you are taking a monstrous gamble that he could step up in a big way in the playoffs.

But if it gets you Miller to play left wing on Malkin's line, and Zucker with Carter and Granlund, I would be feeling pretty good still.
- MacPatty

It's certainly high risk... Could work out. Worst case we have another 1st round exit which is what the current roster is on track to do anyway.

Granlund for Miller one-for-one…turn Hextard into Hexbert Hexstein

LeBrun says we’re getting Kulikov

Penguins getting Kulikov from Anaheim.

It's certainly high risk... Could work out. Worst case we have another 1st round exit which is what the current roster is on track to do anyway.
- buckster2342

Exactly. It’s not really a risk at all. The odds of a first round exit with petts vs smith are minimal. Could actually be less with smith depending who comes back.

Petts has peaked he’s a solid top 4 dman. He be won’t be part of the org beyond his contract. Better move him now with value.

Yohe claims source told him jt miller won’t happen today

LeBrun says we’re getting Kulikov
- Victoro311

So now they can trade a D in return for Miller?

Not sure how he fits unless we are trading a D out for a forward.

Btw I’m sure bonino will rekindle his success 6 years ago without the speed of hags and kessel in his prime.

It's mainly Hextall. His whole MO has never been making big and aggressive moves. I think there is a big disconnect between what Hextall wants versus what everyone else wants in the organization. I am a big believer in trading 1st round picks for young NHL talent. He seems to think holding those 1st round picks is important. Why that is, none of us have any idea. He did an amazing job getting our whole top 6 locked in at good value deals, but he has taken the cap space he had and the limited draft capital he had and wasted it.

It was a big miss by Lemieux when he hired him. One of the few things Mario has missed since 1984 when he came here.
- SuperHenderson13

Thanks for the response.

Yeah so Hextall is riding a fence.

That was Granlund. I don’t think he has the cap to do something stupid to save his job.

I guess he could still trade Pettersson
- Victoro311

Never underestimate stupidity. If Hex wants to (frank) it up, he will find a way.

So now they can trade a D in return for Miller?

Not sure how he fits unless we are trading a D out for a forward.
- kfinl170

He doesn’t have to fit. He just needs to be a move that Hextall can point to as justification why he shouldn’t loose his job when FSG and Mario call him into their office the day after getting bounced by the Bruins in round 1.

So now they can trade a D in return for Miller?

Not sure how he fits unless we are trading a D out for a forward.
- kfinl170

Exactly what I was thinking. Kulikov replaces Pettersson?

Exactly what I was thinking. Kulikov replaces Pettersson?
- drummer829

Is he any good?

Is he any good?
- sammy87

No. He’s an over the hill defensive d man who who’s way overdeployed. Best case scenario for him with us is that he’s like Gudbranson and can be competent on the third pairing.