You want your prospects learning how to get beat up by their teammates in practice?
- Feds91Stammer

Well Craig Adam’s also stood up for Crosby and Malkin on many occasions in real games as well. Something I would expect any young player on this team to do. But it was a joke.

For now he's the GM as well...he's in charge of it all for now.
- MattStrat

I feel like Sullivan’s more in charge of it all right now, which is the bigger problem.

I feel like Sullivan’s more in charge of it all right now, which is the bigger problem.
- Grinder47

What brings you to those feelings?

It's easy to see why FSG was waiting for him. He absolutely crushed that presser.
- burgh4life87

But does he have the patience of RON HEXTALL LOL

Which is what Sully would love too...most, or all, coaches would, really hahaha
- MattStrat

I think it was more of a coded statement that he's not bringing in a thumper to take a spot over a 200ft player who can at least get chances.

Well Craig Adam’s also stood up for Crosby and Malkin on many occasions in real games as well. Something I would expect any young player on this team to do. But it was a joke.
- Grinder47

No way. Your comment was a joke?

Dubas as President feels like a home run. Really ideal for a first time GM too to have someone who recently went through the same thing to bounce ideas with.

Seen Spezza's name already floated for GM. Maybe assistant, but he's only been retired for a year so feels like he could stand to learn more.

Hoping they go back to Darche, but understand they'll probably start over with Dubas once the off-season winds down a bit.

The good news is that it cant really get any worse for the Pens front office so you can only go up from Hextall/Burkle.

Im sure Dubas has a good read on the prospect pool TOR has and will look to make some moves there. Its natural to go to what you know. Also the rumors are that Nylander wants out or TOR wants him out......Be interesting to see if he can come to the Pens.

Rust, Granlund, and Rutta for Nylander and Murray
- Feds91Stammer

Rights to Dumo for Matthews

Go big or go home.

The good news is that it cant really get any worse for the Pens front office so you can only go up from Hextall/Burkle.

Im sure Dubas has a good read on the prospect pool TOR has and will look to make some moves there. Its natural to go to what you know. Also the rumors are that Nylander wants out or TOR wants him out......Be interesting to see if he can come to the Pens.
- sammy87

Oh, it can...it can.

The good news is that it cant really get any worse for the Pens front office so you can only go up from Hextall/Burkle.

Im sure Dubas has a good read on the prospect pool TOR has and will look to make some moves there. Its natural to go to what you know. Also the rumors are that Nylander wants out or TOR wants him out......Be interesting to see if he can come to the Pens.
- sammy87

Willy is 7 mill now with one season left...then will want a raise. Not sure that him with the Pens is all that realistic.

EDIT: his bro is with the Pens though...and he made a very selfless move for the World Championship involving his bro....never know, the bro connection could come into play.

Willy is 7 mill now with one season left...then will want a raise. Not sure that him with the Pens is all that realistic.
- MattStrat

Why not? The Pens' window is probably closed but screw it, go all in this year and deal with next year when it comes. Outside of Crosby, Malkin, Letang, and Guentzel, I'd trade any player on the team as well as the 1st rounder and any prospects to get him. Push all your chips in for this year.

Oh, it can...it can.


- jmatchett383

man you all have had a rough stretch.

Willy is 7 mill now with one season left...then will want a raise. Not sure that him with the Pens is all that realistic.

EDIT: his bro is with the Pens though...and he made a very selfless move for the World Championship involving his bro....never know, the bro connection could come into play.
- MattStrat

Yes but then you dont need to resign Z, who i liked last year. IF Rust is involved then you could potentially keep Z.

They also aren't guaranteed with a new deal with Gutz either who will want a raise.

Lots of factors. I just think having 5/6 of your top 6 30+ is not a good formula.

man you all have had a rough stretch.
- burgh4life87

We went from Hextall and his "Ignore the on-ice product and manage the cap/prospect pool" approach to Fletchers's "Go all-in with a mediocre on-ice product while mismanaging the cap and depleting the prospect pool."

You guys don't know rock bottom.

Why not? The Pens' window is probably closed but screw it, go all in this year and deal with next year when it comes. Outside of Crosby, Malkin, Letang, and Guentzel, I'd trade any player on the team as well as the 1st rounder and any prospects to get him. Push all your chips in for this year.
- jmatchett383

Agree...hes got 2 years to make something happen with those guys. After that, they can fall off a cliff at any point.

Really encouraging hearing him talk about the analytics team saying “we’ll add more positions if needed”. Seems like FSG gave him a blank check and told him to go buy everything you need/want for a cup.

Getting “younger” doesn’t bode well for resigning a guy like Zucker. However, if you can snag someone like Bertuzzi, then I’m all for it. I get the sense Poehling might be the only returning player in the bottom 6 besides some AHL call up regulars.

People mentioned Rust earlier. Definitely would prefer to keep him, but if you can upgrade his spot by trading him and picks/prospects, then I’m all for it.

We went from Hextall and his "Ignore the on-ice product and manage the cap/prospect pool" approach to Fletchers's "Go all-in with a mediocre on-ice product while mismanaging the cap and depleting the prospect pool."

You guys don't know rock bottom.
- jmatchett383

Oh I am aware. There are ways for us to get back to the playoffs next year and I don't think we are as screwed as most do.

Really encouraging hearing him talk about the analytics team saying “we’ll add more positions if needed”. Seems like FSG gave him a blank check and told him to go buy everything you need/want for a cup.

Getting “younger” doesn’t bode well for resigning a guy like Zucker. However, if you can snag someone like Bertuzzi, then I’m all for it. I get the sense Poehling might be the only returning player in the bottom 6 besides some AHL call up regulars.

People mentioned Rust earlier. Definitely would prefer to keep him, but if you can upgrade his spot by trading him and picks/prospects, then I’m all for it.
- drummer829

I'd bet DOC and Nylander are full time NHL'ers next season. Sully was begging for DOC to stay up last year and Hextall kept sending him down. Nylander got a contract without a GM being in place so that should say something.
Heinen won't get a new deal. Granlund will definitely not be here. I think they work something out with Carter and move him too.

Really encouraging hearing him talk about the analytics team saying “we’ll add more positions if needed”. Seems like FSG gave him a blank check and told him to go buy everything you need/want for a cup.

Getting “younger” doesn’t bode well for resigning a guy like Zucker. However, if you can snag someone like Bertuzzi, then I’m all for it. I get the sense Poehling might be the only returning player in the bottom 6 besides some AHL call up regulars.

People mentioned Rust earlier. Definitely would prefer to keep him, but if you can upgrade his spot by trading him and picks/prospects, then I’m all for it.
- drummer829

I liked Zucker, even when it wasn't popular, but I'd still go to free agency and try to get younger. I do worry a little though that he is such a good play driver and how losing that will impact Malkin.

I'd add DOC to Poehling, but after that they can blow up that bottom six. Can take or leave Archibald he was at least decent.

I liked Zucker, even when it wasn't popular, but I'd still go to free agency and try to get younger. I do worry a little though that he is such a good play driver and how losing that will impact Malkin.

I'd add DOC to Poehling, but after that they can blow up that bottom six. Can take or leave Archibald he was at least decent.
- Tojo.

I like Z too and if it means Z or Rust Id take Z any day of hte week.

Id go all in for 2 years. After that you can seek out trades for Malkin, Letang, Rakell etc... to go to a contender to get picks back for a rebuilding era.

I liked Zucker, even when it wasn't popular, but I'd still go to free agency and try to get younger. I do worry a little though that he is such a good play driver and how losing that will impact Malkin.

I'd add DOC to Poehling, but after that they can blow up that bottom six. Can take or leave Archibald he was at least decent.
- Tojo.

Zucker did what he could had done since his time in Pittsburgh if he stayed healthy the whole time. I just feel like Dubas comments on getting younger might make him expendable. Maybe he takes a discount? However he seems like the type of player that a bubble team would give a large one year contract to hopefully duplicate the season he had.

Willy is 7 mill now with one season left...then will want a raise. Not sure that him with the Pens is all that realistic.

EDIT: his bro is with the Pens though...and he made a very selfless move for the World Championship involving his bro....never know, the bro connection could come into play.
- MattStrat

Bros before Toronto’s

Bros before Toronto’s
- Feds91Stammer

hahahah look at the Dad joke!

Zucker did what he could had done since his time in Pittsburgh if he stayed healthy the whole time. I just feel like Dubas comments on getting younger might make him expendable. Maybe he takes a discount? However he seems like the type of player that a bubble team would give a large one year contract to hopefully duplicate the season he had.
- drummer829

I really loved Zucks game last season...but he's been so glassy...and is now 31. I dont know that he elevated his play because of a contract year, like some would say. In between all the injuries the season before he looked fantastic in limited time.

I'm lukewarm on him coming back, would lean towards no if he wants much of a raise.