They dumped Hoffman's salary and received an NHL goalie as well as the second rounder not to mention Petry who will be flipped for future assets. How do you not like this deal for Montreal?
- Hardbalz

100 %, great move

That doesn't change anything I said. Who are the other 10 million players the Pens have now that "you have added another 10 million dollar player"?
- MattStrat

You are right U I stand corrected. They avoided paying Malkin and Letang larger contracts by agreeing to pay them into their 40s

48M - Matthews, Marner, Nylander, Tavares, Rielly
37M - Crosby, Malkin, Guentzel, Karlsson, Letang

11M less, 10 more cup rings

48M - Matthews, Marner, Nylander, Tavares, Rielly
37M - Crosby, Malkin, Guentzel, Karlsson, Letang

11M less, 10 more cup rings
- AlfieisKing

Can’t stop thinking about us.

Retain who? Petry? No one is touching that contract. So yeah, MTL will absolutely retain him
- AxlRose91

Most teams would love to have Petry for under $3 million a year. He's a right-shot top-four defenceman. There are like five of them in the league.

48M - Matthews, Marner, Nylander, Tavares, Rielly
37M - Crosby, Malkin, Guentzel, Karlsson, Letang

11M less, 10 more cup rings
- AlfieisKing

Younger guys. Some in their prime.

48M - Matthews, Marner, Nylander, Tavares, Rielly
37M - Crosby, Malkin, Guentzel, Karlsson, Letang

11M less, 10 more cup rings
- AlfieisKing

Ten more cup rings is small potatoes when you tally up the ones your Sens have accumulated .

I mean what have the Sabres done over the last few decades? The franchise has been irrelevant since Hasek was in net.
- LeafsPain54

They traded their franchise player and he went on to win a Cup.

So... they won a Cup vicariously through Jack.

Actually, I think Montreal did well in this transaction, got rid of 2 players that they wanted to unload, didn't even retain any of their salaries & even got a top 4 D-man who they can trade for more assets, plus another NHL goalie & kid for the farm team. Very good asset management. I'd say Montreal made out the best of the 3 teams involved.
- Jrw10

Yeah, I'm a Pens fan and I'm ok with what Montreal did. I like Pitlick for pittsburgh as he is offensively capable, and the Pens needed as much depth as possible to see who can win bottom 6 minutes. But, he wasn't really doing much for Montreal that they don't have. Hoffman is a ghost of the player that he used to be. DeSmith is a quality goalie. Petry with Pitt retaining salary surprised me. He's with the 6.5 he was making so not he's going to be a valuable trade cop. Legare? I'm rooting for him. I love his aggression and shot. Maybe he can finally put it together. If so, he has a very high ceiling because of his physically and shot. So, high ceiling low floor player...

You are right U I stand corrected. They avoided paying Malkin and Letang larger contracts by agreeing to pay them into their 40s
- hfc355

You must have not posted attention that closely to what the Pens have done the last couple of years. You're focusing on the final result, but not seeing the underlying reasons. First, Sid has been adapting his game year in and year out his entire career. He's still a top player in the league and doesn't really show signs of any "cliff". Malkin looked healthier than he has in years last year. Once he started trusting his knee he played great. Letang is pretty much the same players he's always been. Again, the dude is possibly the most conditioned athlete I've ever seen. He's not hitting a cliff either.

So, at their contact numbers, they'll never be an issue even as they decline.

The Pens don't need EK to put up Paul Coffee numbers. But, he'll most likely put up 15-20 goals and 70+ points as a Pen. Letang and Graves will take the heavier defensive roles. EK will be playing with the best offensive players that he has ever played with.

As far as the Pens being a bubble playoff team ... I'm calling BS. Even if they don't do much in the playoffs, they're now built to win in the regular season. Not to mention that they're in a good spot to buy at the deadline. With all of the one year contracts out there they'll get a guy or two (Zucker?). And, next year they drop the only true bad contract on the roster in Carter.

48M - Matthews, Marner, Nylander, Tavares, Rielly
37M - Crosby, Malkin, Guentzel, Karlsson, Letang

11M less, 10 more cup rings
- AlfieisKing

And though older, still all playing at amazing levels. The addition of EK will likely help same Letang's body and boost everyone's numbers.

Not to mention that the rest of their top 6...Smith, Rakell, and Rust, are all in fair contracts and produce. Carter is the only "bad" contact in the entire team. From a spend perspective this was a great move. I also like what the Canadians did because Petry should be pretty valuable to flip. And, DeSmith is a solid NHL goalie for cheap.

The only team that it doesn't look very good for is San Jose. Hoffman is a ghost. Granlund and Ruuta "fine", but a little pricey for what they bring. And, holding 1.5 mil for 4 years and only getting a top 10 protected 1stv round pick just isn't great. I'd rather have EK over all 3 players they got in return (who cost more). I know they didn't have much of a choice. But, still. It was very underwhelming for them.

They dumped Hoffman's salary and received an NHL goalie as well as the second rounder not to mention Petry who will be flipped for future assets. How do you not like this deal for Montreal?
- Hardbalz

While I think Legare is a bust (often gets healthy scratched at the AHL level) Montreal did very well here. Petry was fine as a second pair D, just not who he was or a 6M player. Petry and a second and clearing out Hoffman are all positives and there's really no downside.

While I think Legare is a bust (often gets healthy scratched at the AHL level) Montreal did very well here. Petry was fine as a second pair D, just not who he was or a 6M player. Petry and a second and clearing out Hoffman are all positives and there's really no downside.
- Tojo.

Voila and legare is going to Laval, its for him to play better, maybe coming home will help

Voila and legare is going to Laval, its for him to play better, maybe coming home will help
- Xizord

Wish him the best, but Legare's skating has not improved and he's slow at reading plays. His shot is special, but his scoring has just declined since his draft year when he was carried by more talented teammates. Might make it as a fourth liner just because he's big and not afraid to fight.

I just feel like this acquisition is a little too late. You get a win now player at a win now cap hit while trading away a 1st and 2nd. But I don't see this roster as being a win now team. You have your big three (now 4) but do Pens fans feel like it's enough? Worth the cost for what may amount to jousting at windmills?

I seriously mean no disrespect and am asking honestly.

I just feel like this acquisition is a little too late. You get a win now player at a win now cap hit while trading away a 1st and 2nd. But I don't see this roster as being a win now team. You have your big three (now 4) but do Pens fans feel like it's enough? Worth the cost for what may amount to jousting at windmills?

I seriously mean no disrespect and am asking honestly.
- MBFlyerfan

To win a Cup, no. To get back to the playoffs, yes. They only missed by one point.

I think most of us Pens fans feel the time to win Cups is past. And normally it would be a good time to pull the plug.

But we want to see our core guys retire here playing competitively. Karlsson can help get them back. Top 2 lines and pairs are very good. Could also blow up with old guys getting hurt.

But most Pens fans I know are willing to take that chance and enjoy the end of a core that's given us a lot and we will probably never see again. Rebuild will come soon and will be long and painful.

To win a Cup, no. To get back to the playoffs, yes. They only missed by one point.

I think most of us Pens fans feel the time to win Cups is past. And normally it would be a good time to pull the plug.

But we want to see our core guys retire here playing competitively. Karlsson can help get them back. Top 2 lines and pairs are very good. Could also blow up with old guys getting hurt.

But most Pens fans I know are willing to take that chance and enjoy the end of a core that's given us a lot and we will probably never see again. Rebuild will come soon and will be long and painful.
- Tojo.

Pens and Caps are compatible. Islanders? If their goaltending stays good, they probably stay ahead of the Pens. Biggest issue is a hard charging Columbus team with a retooled lineup and a good coach. Some of the players that Columbus picked up are an upgrade. You also have to look at the Atlantic and think about Ottawa, Buffalo and Detroit, knowing that they're in the hunt for the second wildcard.

I just feel like this acquisition is a little too late. You get a win now player at a win now cap hit while trading away a 1st and 2nd. But I don't see this roster as being a win now team. You have your big three (now 4) but do Pens fans feel like it's enough? Worth the cost for what may amount to jousting at windmills?

I seriously mean no disrespect and am asking honestly.
- MBFlyerfan

As a pens fan, I’d hope none of us think we are up there now with Edmonton, Carolina, etc or even close. But we should at least be a WC team and maybe luck out and win a round. Graves is a huge improvement over dumoulin. The bottom 6 on paper appears to be significantly improved both in scoring and defence. Ek should boost the pp and numerous added players should help the pk.

But as mentioned above this should help give the fans some entertainment value the last few years of Sid and Geno. It will help pittsburgh sell tickets and jerseys. It will def get more eyes on the team for a little bit. If ek keeps doing ek things maybe longer.

All teams are going to go on hot and cold streaks including Pitt. Those hot streaks they will prob look unstoppable. Those cold streaks will make them look like they can’t defend to save their lives.

🤷🏻‍♂️

You must have not posted attention that closely to what the Pens have done the last couple of years. You're focusing on the final result, but not seeing the underlying reasons. First, Sid has been adapting his game year in and year out his entire career. He's still a top player in the league and doesn't really show signs of any "cliff". Malkin looked healthier than he has in years last year. Once he started trusting his knee he played great. Letang is pretty much the same players he's always been. Again, the dude is possibly the most conditioned athlete I've ever seen. He's not hitting a cliff either.

So, at their contact numbers, they'll never be an issue even as they decline.

The Pens don't need EK to put up Paul Coffee numbers. But, he'll most likely put up 15-20 goals and 70+ points as a Pen. Letang and Graves will take the heavier defensive roles. EK will be playing with the best offensive players that he has ever played with.

As far as the Pens being a bubble playoff team ... I'm calling BS. Even if they don't do much in the playoffs, they're now built to win in the regular season. Not to mention that they're in a good spot to buy at the deadline. With all of the one year contracts out there they'll get a guy or two (Zucker?). And, next year they drop the only true bad contract on the roster in Carter.
- cranktheradio

At best a bubble team..they aren't beating out Carolina..NJ..or Rangers and likelihood of Crosby..Letang..Malkin ..EK...and Jarry staying healthy is zero...add to that Jarrys inconsistent play = bubble team at best

At best a bubble team..they aren't beating out Carolina..NJ..or Rangers and likelihood of Crosby..Letang..Malkin ..EK...and Jarry staying healthy is zero...add to that Jarrys inconsistent play = bubble team at best
- hfc355

You might be right. But Pens fans don’t really care - we have 5 cups. 3 with this core.

But, if you’re wrong, it’ll make it that much sweeter for us. We love flying under the radar.

The Rangers’ core still hasn’t proved squat. Time’s ticking for those guys.

You might be right. But Pens fans don’t really care - we have 5 cups. 3 with this core.

But, if you’re wrong, it’ll make it that much sweeter for us. We love flying under the radar.

The Rangers’ core still hasn’t proved squat. Time’s ticking for those guys.
- MikeyKay

Actually, I take that back. The Rangers have proved that when being outplayed, they can always resort to playing dirty and throwing cheap shots to get back in it. So at least that’s something.

Ownership feels like it owes it's ageing vanguard a final window to shoot for glory, and this move helps achieve that. This team owes this core a lot - elderly statesmen they may be, over the years Pittsburgh's core has cemented the brand and brought a metric ton of revenue to a team once destined for insolvency. Sure, the Pens will be a dumpster fire in several years but all teams have to go through boom bust cycles in the cap era - the window is now. Fans don't like poor product though - it will be interesting if Dubas keeps his job through the fall from grace phase. He's proven quite apt at tinkering around edges and cap to keep a competitive team afloat, but it remains to be seen how solid he'd be as a drafting/rebuild GM. I hope we get to see it.

Ownership feels like it owes it's ageing vanguard a final window to shoot for glory, and this move helps achieve that. This team owes this core a lot - elderly statesmen they may be, over the years Pittsburgh's core has cemented the brand and brought a metric ton of revenue to a team once destined for insolvency. Sure, the Pens will be a dumpster fire in several years but all teams have to go through boom bust cycles in the cap era - the window is now. Fans don't like poor product though - it will be interesting if Dubas keeps his job through the fall from grace phase. He's proven quite apt at tinkering around edges and cap to keep a competitive team afloat, but it remains to be seen how solid he'd be as a drafting/rebuild GM. I hope we get to see it.
- Bartacus

That’s actually an interesting thought about Dubas rebuilding. I’m curious now about the mentality of his draft selections and how they have fared developing in Toronto.

Actually, I take that back. The Rangers have proved that when being outplayed, they can always resort to playing dirty and throwing cheap shots to get back in it. So at least that’s something.
- MikeyKay

Still whining about Troubas clean non penalized hit on Sid

Ownership feels like it owes it's ageing vanguard a final window to shoot for glory, and this move helps achieve that. This team owes this core a lot - elderly statesmen they may be, over the years Pittsburgh's core has cemented the brand and brought a metric ton of revenue to a team once destined for insolvency. Sure, the Pens will be a dumpster fire in several years but all teams have to go through boom bust cycles in the cap era - the window is now. Fans don't like poor product though - it will be interesting if Dubas keeps his job through the fall from grace phase. He's proven quite apt at tinkering around edges and cap to keep a competitive team afloat, but it remains to be seen how solid he'd be as a drafting/rebuild GM. I hope we get to see it.
- Bartacus

If they wanted to give them one last shot at making the playoffs they needed to get a goalie not a 10M defenseman. But that's fine when this blows up it will make their rebuild harder and longer