I think I finally see Hextall's plan..."Be A Tard For Bedard". He can't possibly have destroyed this team this badly with any other intention.

I'm actually encouraged with the play for 60 mins with 4 starting D missing, despite the outcome... However this isn't a just like the process time of year Hahaha there has to be results. Officially out of a playoff spot now. Backs to the wall.

I'm actually encouraged with the play for 60 mins with 4 starting D missing, despite the outcome... However this isn't a just like the process time of year Hahaha there has to be results. Officially out of a playoff spot now. Backs to the wall.
- MattStrat

Florida is playing great. I think the Pens are just about done. Especially with the D core injuries. You can see the looks on their faces.....they know it's probably over.

I'm usually pretty optimistic, but they are such a limited team right now and they're throwing away points against lottery teams.

I think I finally see Hextall's plan..."Be A Tard For Bedard". He can't possibly have destroyed this team this badly with any other intention.
- Pags

I'm not sure there's a GM in Pittsburgh sports history who's done a worst job in such a short time frame. You're right, it's hard to fuk up this badly.

Last time I saw the playoff %'s like a week or two ago, the Penguins were at 96% probability to make the playoffs. Missing them would be an epic collapse.

The biggest frustration is how badly we have handcuffed ourselves for next year money wise. If this wasnt our year but we had a ton of flexibility next season, I'd say no problem. Take our lumps this year and prepare for next year. Right off the bat we have:

Granlund - $5M
Carter - $3.125M
Ruuta - $2.75M
Petry - $6.25M

So right off the bat, you are spending $18M to get about 1/3 value on that money. That is just incredibly poor. With that $18M, the Penguins easily could've signed enough talent to more than fill out this roster. Next year, what little money we'd have has to be sent wisely because Jake needs a new contract in 2024 plus you have no starting goalie.

I think I finally see Hextall's plan..."Be A Tard For Bedard". He can't possibly have destroyed this team this badly with any other intention.
- Pags

I think the crazy thing is that he actually succeeded at the Penguins #1 goal last offseason. He got everyone resigned at good contracts (Rust's is probably the only ugly one right now). He did the hard part that many people, including me, thought he'd mess up.

He then gets all of this money to spend... and wastes every single cent of it. None of his prospects he held onto those picks for look to be anything special, no one in the AHL is close to making an impact, and we have a ton of passengers that we will have next year.

The collapse is almost impressive. If you said to me after game 7 last year how good Crosby and Malkin would be this year plus be healthy... I'd say we would be competing for the division. To miss the playoffs with this core playing at this level deserves nothing but an immediate firing.

I think I finally see Hextall's plan..."Be A Tard For Bedard". He can't possibly have destroyed this team this badly with any other intention.
- Pags

It’s really mind numbing that his big cap move was Granlund. Dude is a vet minimum player and now we’re stuck to him for two more years. Zucker is probably a must sign for us now and we can’t even do that because of Granlund’s (frank)ing cap hit probably.

It’s really mind numbing that his big cap move was Granlund. Dude is a vet minimum player and now we’re stuck to him for two more years. Zucker is probably a must sign for us now and we can’t even do that because of Granlund’s (frank)ing cap hit probably.
- Victoro311

Doesn’t really matter. Zuckers not going to want to stay here.

Did Sid and Geno see the ice together 5v5 at all tonight?
- Thorny87

Yes. It was Archy-Crosby-Malkinto end the second. A line that should stay together.
Arch-Crosby-Malkin
Jake-Poehling-Zuck
Rust-Granlund-Rak
DOC-Cartsy-Heinen

This would probably be my lineup. I would have staples Sid and Geno together the whole season.

I think I would explore some Jake trades in the off-season. He accumulates his points(Thanks Sid) but is also such a passenger at times. Plus the happy hour lucky bunch at the top of this team needs a shakeup. Good thing Rust got that NMC.

How does the lotto work? Can’t you only move up so many spots, or can any non playoff team get 1st overall?

How does the lotto work? Can’t you only move up so many spots, or can any non playoff team get 1st overall?
- wsldck

I think they changed it to the worst 10 or 11 teams only.

Doesn’t really matter. Zuckers not going to want to stay here.
- Grinder47

Oh, I think he very much likes it "here"...however, he might get a raise the Pens cant afford...I'm not even sure they can afford him at same price now with Granny there for two more years haha.

This season ain't over by the way...its just much more interesting now...lets see them in total desperation mode ....its basically the playoffs from here on...and with two very strong opponents coming up.

The missing 4 starting d-men is really damning though hahaha....horrible timing. Which teams are going to be fine with 4 starting D gone? Despite this they utterly dominated last night, like a full 60 mins, against a team that still thinks it has a chance to get in and in much more desperate mode.

Florida is playing great. I think the Pens are just about done. Especially with the D core injuries. You can see the looks on their faces.....they know it's probably over.

I'm usually pretty optimistic, but they are such a limited team right now and they're throwing away points against lottery teams.
- madmike71

I didnt see that in them at all.

Is Ty Smith hurt? Curious why he didn't get the call.

Still not sure what Hex was thinking with his D trades this year. Id take Matheson/Marino over this group. Pretty hard to watch lately.

Is Ty Smith hurt? Curious why he didn't get the call.

Still not sure what Hex was thinking with his D trades this year. Id take Matheson/Marino over this group. Pretty hard to watch lately.
- sammy87

Took a puck to the face a couple of weeks ago. Facial fractures. He's out.

How does the lotto work? Can’t you only move up so many spots, or can any non playoff team get 1st overall?
- wsldck

You have to be the 11th worse team to have a chance at him. You can only move up 10 spots in the draft. The Rangers ruined that for us.