I think Nieto is the most likely guy out of the non-locks to make the roster when healthy but a non-lock nevertheless. I have Nieto, Nylander, Pitilick, Johnsson, Hinostroza in that order fighting for the last two spots with Poulin, Puustinen, Zohorna, and Koppanen as the long shots.
- Victoro311

I actually have Nieto as an opening night lock given that he was a day 1 free agent signing. (He was wasn't he lol)

I actually have Nieto as an opening night lock given that he was a day 1 free agent signing. (He was wasn't he lol)
- burgh4life87

Down a forward I also think Nieto is a lock for opening night but when we all get healthy I think his spot isn’t guaranteed anymore.

Geeze....I was lost all morning not being able to complain about Jeff Carter around here.....

Geeze....I was lost all morning not being able to complain about Jeff Carter around here.....
- MattStrat

Yeah, I got way too much work done this morning.

Down a forward I also think Nieto is a lock for opening night but when we all get healthy I think his spot isn’t guaranteed anymore.
- Victoro311

Yea I did forget about Guentzel missing 5+ games here. That probably locks in Nieto. Interested in seeing White as well.

Geeze....I was lost all morning not being able to complain about Jeff Carter around here.....
- MattStrat

Hahahaha

Yeah, I got way too much work done this morning.
- MickV

Lol

Geeze....I was lost all morning not being able to complain about Jeff Carter around here.....
- MattStrat

I get like 15 minutes a day to sit on a bucket and eat a sandwich. The lack of Carter hate lately is really disappointing, I don’t want to talk about Matt (frank)ing Nieto

I get like 15 minutes a day to sit on a bucket and eat a sandwich. The lack of Carter hate lately is really disappointing, I don’t want to talk about Matt (frank)ing Nieto
- Grinder47

I'm sure after his first shift it'll be back in full force.

I think Nieto is the most likely guy out of the non-locks to make the roster when healthy but a non-lock nevertheless. I have Nieto, Nylander, Pitilick, Johnsson, Hinostroza in that order fighting for the last two spots with Poulin, Puustinen, Zohorna, and Koppanen as the long shots.
- Victoro311

I mostly agree with a few minor differences

Nieto got a multi-year deal and plays more of a 4th line game then anyone else you listed, so I think he's definitely in to start.

In fact I wonder how many of Nylander, Pitlick, Johansson, Hinostroza, Puustinen Sully would keep once Guentzel is healthy. They are all more offensive, some pretty bad defensively. If DOC and Eller won third line jobs, would any be on a fourth line? I could see the best getting third line, and the rest not even being on the team. Edit, should add White here too.

I'd push Koppanen up to fighting for a job. He seems ready for a shot and stylistically might fit better. Also I'd add Gruden to the dark horses. They seem to like him and he did get the call up at the end of the year. Would have to pass waivers (he should clear) and adds an energy style at wing or center.

I mostly agree with a few minor differences

Nieto got a multi-year deal and plays more of a 4th line game then anyone else you listed, so I think he's definitely in to start.

In fact I wonder how many of Nylander, Pitlick, Johansson, Hinostroza, Puustinen Sully would keep once Guentzel is healthy. They are all more offensive, some pretty bad defensively. If DOC and Eller won third line jobs, would any be on a fourth line? I could see the best getting third line, and the rest not even being on the team. Edit, should add White here too.

I'd push Koppanen up to fighting for a job. He seems ready for a shot and stylistically might fit better. Also I'd add Gruden to the dark horses. They seem to like him and he did get the call up at the end of the year. Would have to pass waivers (he should clear) and adds an energy style at wing or center.
- Tojo.

The reason why I have Nieto as a non-lock when the roster is healthy is because he’s on a minimum contract that’s entirely burriable in the AHL. If he gets outperformed, he’s getting the ax where as if a guy like Acciari gets outperformed, sunk cost fallacy enters the equation because you can’t bury him completely and recoup his whole cap.

Basically my point is that I think if someone outperforms Nieto he’ll get dropped, but it will take one of these guys completely outclassing Acciari or Eller for someone to win a spot over them.

I'm sure after his first shift it'll be back in full force.
- MickV

Nah he’s playing for the deadline so he can go to a contender.

The reason why I have Nieto as a non-lock when the roster is healthy is because he’s on a minimum contract that’s entirely burriable in the AHL. If he gets outperformed, he’s getting the ax where as if a guy like Acciari gets outperformed, sunk cost fallacy enters the equation because you can’t bury him completely and recoup his whole cap.

Basically my point is that I think if someone outperforms Nieto he’ll get dropped, but it will take one of these guys completely outclassing Acciari or Eller for someone to win a spot over them.
- Victoro311

I don't disagree that this could happen eventually, but I do think he'll get a prolonged look during the regular season first. I also think he seems like a Sully player and there isn't a lot of competition for those defensive, pk roles they want to fill.

Yeah, I got way too much work done this morning.
- MickV

hahaha definitely a bit more productive than usual this way too

I get like 15 minutes a day to sit on a bucket and eat a sandwich. The lack of Carter hate lately is really disappointing, I don’t want to talk about Matt (frank)ing Nieto
- Grinder47

Wont be long now and there'll be more than enough BJC complaining to go around...

I don't disagree that this could happen eventually, but I do think he'll get a prolonged look during the regular season first. I also think he seems like a Sully player and there isn't a lot of competition for those defensive, pk roles they want to fill.
- Tojo.

Looking at the Pens D I have some concerns about the PK this season....guessing Graves and Tanger will be 1A/1B first pair ES and 1st pair on PK.

Graves had 2nd highest PK time on the Devils last season, second only to Marino. Tanger has been used there a lot with Dumo and while I was hoping they'd start cutting that back a bit, the rest of the D men arent the greatest on the kill IMO.

Nah he’s playing for the deadline so he can go to a contender.
- Grinder47

You think he will waive his NMC to go to a Calder Cup contender?

You think he will waive his NMC to go to a Calder Cup contender?
- Feds91Stammer

Honestly maybe? With the Pens out of a playoff spot and his money on lock maybe he’d want to finish out playing some meaningful games.

Looking at the Pens D I have some concerns about the PK this season....guessing Graves and Tanger will be 1A/1B first pair ES and 1st pair on PK.

Graves had 2nd highest PK time on the Devils last season, second only to Marino. Tanger has been used there a lot with Dumo and while I was hoping they'd start cutting that back a bit, the rest of the D men arent the greatest on the kill IMO.
- MattStrat

Agree. They did that last year, but Petry and Ruuta out for Karlsson and ? means more ok time for Letang. Could influence that last RD role if nobody on the left plays their offside.

Agree. They did that last year, but Petry and Ruuta out for Karlsson and ? means more ok time for Letang. Could influence that last RD role if nobody on the left plays their offside.
- Tojo.

That's why Ruhwedel will make the starting lineup. 4th most pk time among Pens D over the last 3 years.

Honestly maybe? With the Pens out of a playoff spot and his money on lock maybe he’d want to finish out playing some meaningful games.
- Grinder47

No team playing meaningful games would want him. They'll be hoping Sully keeps him in the lineup when they play the Pens.

Happy now?

The team should be better, and at the very least is going to be more fun.

But the reality is that the Pens are going into this season with zero semblance of an actual NHL third line, and Jarry in net. Seems like two big Achilles heels to me.

The team should be better, and at the very least is going to be more fun.

But the reality is that the Pens are going into this season with zero semblance of an actual NHL third line, and Jarry in net. Seems like two big Achilles heels to me.
- mkrisnosky

Rodger that

Rodger that
- 668710

Pitlick supposedly has some jets so he might be flying around on the 3rd line

The team should be better, and at the very least is going to be more fun.

But the reality is that the Pens are going into this season with zero semblance of an actual NHL third line, and Jarry in net. Seems like two big Achilles heels to me.
- mkrisnosky

Jarry needs to be healthy. He's as good as they come when he's healthy.

As far as how good team is, they really can't get much lower than where they were at season's end. Not even that they lost to two of the weakest teams in the league. They were .500 in the last ten against teams out of the playoffs, for the most part.