Ideally, we completely blow it up and try something new in the off-season. If we end up with a top 10 pick, that could turn into a contributor sooner than later. Lots of talent in FA to retool.

In the very least, I want Sid to get a stacked line and be able to put up points. Would love to see him somehow pass Jagr and get to the 2000 point mark.
- MacPatty

How many fewer seasons did jags hit 2000 pts though being in the k? Insane to think about.

Is FA stacked? I just browsed forwards seemed meh.

Even with the worst teams, you usually see 2 maybe 3 trades happening at the TDL. You still need to ice a full team.

People expecting a 5 or 6-player retool at the TDL should prepare to be let down.
- jmatchett383

I think maybe 3-4 trades occur. Jake, Smith, Ned, and maybe one of Acciari, Eller, or Graves.

Personally I think they keep Rust and Rakell I also think a lot of this talk continues and some moves occur in the offseason.

I hate the idea of going into next season without a 1st round pick, especially an unprotected first round pick.

To me, I'd rather finish 13-16th and give up the pick this year than go into next year gambling that things will be better. As terrible as we've been, we've had a good year of Crosby and good goaltending. No promise we have that next year (ok, except maybe good Crosby).

To me, I only care about Crosby hitting 1 point per game. For him to do that for another year would be a special accomplishment and I usually dont care about individual stats.

Much of this team's business will take place in the summer. I see them moving Jake and Smith. Any move to move Graves, Rakell, or Jarry happens at or around the draft. They need to create some open spots at the TD and play some of the young players in the AHL. See if you have anything worthwhile for next year.

If Crosby played 4 seasons after this one, Would you want to see him in Pittsburgh in a Wildcard/First round exit/semi rebuild situation, or would you rather watch him in Colorado in a fight for cups every year?

I'm leaning towards Colorado

Even with the worst teams, you usually see 2 maybe 3 trades happening at the TDL. You still need to ice a full team.

People expecting a 5 or 6-player retool at the TDL should prepare to be let down.
- jmatchett383

I definitely don't expect all to happen, definitely not at the deadline. The 3 that need to happen are Jake, Ned and Smith. Beyond that would be a bonus.

Pens have always shown you who they are.

The real problem though is sully. Pitt needs a coach who controls the team, not vice versa. Torts would have bench nearly everyone by now not named Sid. Torts would wear thin but someone like him is needed.
- 10inchTerror

Coaching has been a problem for the last 4+ years but somehow always gets a pass.

If Crosby played 4 seasons after this one, Would you want to see him in Pittsburgh in a Wildcard/First round exit/semi rebuild situation, or would you rather watch him in Colorado in a fight for cups every year?

I'm leaning towards Colorado
- RoloTahmasee

I agree. I don’t want to see them play on bad teams. I was rooting for maf to beat the pens.

Like I've said plenty of times, I'm not scared of the long painful rebuild. It's been a hell of an era. What I'm kind of apprehensive about is that things have gotten so bad that I can now very much see the core three asking out rather than retiring here, and that will make me sad. No one is having fun out there. Are they cool with doing this for three more years? Given the body language we've been seeing, I doubt it.
- Victoro311

As long as they're together in their second home of almost 20 years, maybe?

Either way I think I'm fine, if they stay cool, and if they want out then the Pens get assets for it and that helps with rebuild. Ive also said before that they've paid their dues to the Pens and then some. They hold an all of professional sports record together. If they want to go elsewhere to try and hoist it would suck a little at first learning of it, and seeing it in action, but I'd respect their decisions and cheer for them if in finals.

Remember when Paul Maurice resigned and left being coach of the Jets, of his one accord, because he felt like he had lost the room?... What a classy and noble move....

As long as they're together in their second home of almost 20 years, maybe?

Either way I think I'm fine, if they stay cool, and if they want out then the Pens get assets for it and that helps with rebuild. Ive also said before that they've paid their dues to the Pens and then some. They hold an all of professional sports record together. If they want to go elsewhere to try and hoist it would suck a little at first learning of it, and seeing it in action, but I'd respect their decisions and cheer for them if in finals.
- MattStrat

Your big move is Sid....if he wants out you can blow up the whole thing and do a strong rebuild quickly. If he doesnt the Pens will retool around him and be irrelevant the rest of the decade. In all seriousness do you have a feel or any rumors to his thoughts

Kuznetsov on waivers.

Your big move is Sid....if he wants out you can blow up the whole thing and do a strong rebuild quickly. If he doesnt the Pens will retool around him and be irrelevant the rest of the decade. In all seriousness do you have a feel or any rumors to his thoughts
- hfc355

I really think they are gonna try and do the retool around Sid because he deserves it and I'm fine with that approach... For better or worse.

As for Sid I think he stays a Pen until the end... But I've been wrong before haha and if I am this time, it's okay. His number will be in rafters.

Sooo Malkin going back to Russia right?

As long as they're together in their second home of almost 20 years, maybe?

Either way I think I'm fine, if they stay cool, and if they want out then the Pens get assets for it and that helps with rebuild. Ive also said before that they've paid their dues to the Pens and then some. They hold an all of professional sports record together. If they want to go elsewhere to try and hoist it would suck a little at first learning of it, and seeing it in action, but I'd respect their decisions and cheer for them if in finals.
- MattStrat

Sure but I’ll still be sad.

The whole thing is moot if the Pens are actually married to Sullivan. This roster isn’t as bad as the record, but apparently the GM and ownership group see Sullivan as an answer, not the problem. Not even worth thinking about it if that’s the case. There’s better things to keep an eye on around the league. Although I’m always a pens fan.

The whole thing is moot if the Pens are actually married to Sullivan. This roster isn’t as bad as the record, but apparently the GM and ownership group see Sullivan as an answer, not the problem. Not even worth thinking about it if that’s the case. There’s better things to keep an eye on around the league. Although I’m always a pens fan.
- Grinder47

Yeah gotta keep make sure to tune into Rempe’s next prescheduled UFC sideshow

Yeah gotta keep make sure to tune into Rempe’s next prescheduled UFC sideshow
- Victoro311

Yep. Way more entertaining than seeing the same thing for the 6th year in a row. At least the kid isnt a giant pusillanimous man like 95 percent of the league.

Sooo Malkin going back to Russia right?
- Grinder47

Even if he did, we'd still have his cap hit on the books because Hex signed him to a 35+ contract.

The whole thing is moot if the Pens are actually married to Sullivan. This roster isn’t as bad as the record, but apparently the GM and ownership group see Sullivan as an answer, not the problem. Not even worth thinking about it if that’s the case. There’s better things to keep an eye on around the league. Although I’m always a pens fan.
- Grinder47

Hard to know what Dubas is thinking about Sullivan since his bosses signed Sully to a 3-year extension before he took on the job, and that extension doesn't start until next year. That's a lot of your bosses money, so he'd need to convince FSG that firing Sully is worth $$$ before doing it.

If the pens have the 9th or 10th pick, you might as well give that away and keep your 2025 1st round pick that’s unprotected.

Next year could be even worse if they decide to trade Pettersson, Karlsson, Rust, and Rakell. I’m sure Dubas will talk to Crosby, Malkin, and Letang and ask what they want to do. Ride out their careers in a familiar place? Or jump to 1 or 2 more cities for a last ditch effort at a Stanley cup

If Dubas doesn’t fire Sullivan then he obviously does not have permission to do it. He sounds like he’s not even considering it which is ridiculous.

I really think they are gonna try and do the retool around Sid because he deserves it and I'm fine with that approach... For better or worse.

As for Sid I think he stays a Pen until the end... But I've been wrong before haha and if I am this time, it's okay. His number will be in rafters.
- MattStrat

Crosby is one of bv those athletes who should never wear a different jersey but he probably has 3 or 4 more yrs left. That's why I dont see the Pens rebuilding if he decides he wants to stay a Pen. Tough position

Even if he did, we'd still have his cap hit on the books because Hex signed him to a 35+ contract.
- MickV

But at least he doesn’t suck up ice time.

Crosby is one of bv those athletes who should never wear a different jersey but he probably has 3 or 4 more yrs left. That's why I dont see the Pens rebuilding if he decides he wants to stay a Pen. Tough position
- hfc355

They can "not rebuild" and "retool" all they want but that's easier said than done

You really want to watch Sid play in 4 more years of this?

I'd be down to jump on the Colorado bandwagon and watch him win some more Cups

MAKE A TRADE, DAMMIT