No one wanted Ned? Shocking.

Not suggesting we get a huge pick or anything but doesn't someone need a quality backup going into the playoffs or for their push for the playoffs?
- coohill

I have a hunch they will try to resign him. I think his comments on the deadline vs the draft were spot on as it pertains to value of guys with term. Smith will likely be moved at the draft.

I liked Dubas during his press conference pretty much said the dropping prices kept some players here. He is still going to reshape the roster this offseason. He also took the best deal on the table for Jake. I respect how he took the blame for not attempting to resign Jake and stated it was his decision. I see a lot of deals around the draft. I think some of the personnel brought in this offseason may have been coaching/Sullivan's call since he said he brings the coaches in to get their opinion on things during the offseason.
- 123Kid

Trade Smith in the offseason, Sign Zucker, Sign DeBrusk

The 5.5 Million that Bunting makes vs what Guentzel might expect can be spread into 2 other players to make a decent 3rd line - Maybe Yager plays next year

I still like the roster construction, or at least the attempt

Karlsson for all our bad contracts? Yep

Should have just kept Rutta vs signing Graves

Reilly Smith for a 4th SHOULD have worked (Might be a Smith attitude problem)

Eller - Good

Ned - Double Good

Acciari/Nieto - This were borderline minimum deals.Lets not pretend they were given 5 years at top dollar

This boils down to Sully being past his best before. Malkin being washed (Maybe GMJR and Hextall were on the right track here) Rakell on a big deal being snakebit, Rust being hurt (again) - Jake being out the last 10 games didn't help either - The cupboard being EMPTY in Wilkes Barrie when the 4th line couldn't hit isn't on Dubas
- RoloTahmasee

He only brought in dudes that were over 30. The team had to go into sell mode. Sold off the only under 30 top 6 F for an ok mid 6 player that’s older and prospects/picks that may pan out in 2-3 yrs min. Hard to spin year 1 as a success.

I liked Dubas during his press conference pretty much said the dropping prices kept some players here. He is still going to reshape the roster this offseason. He also took the best deal on the table for Jake. I respect how he took the blame for not attempting to resign Jake and stated it was his decision. I see a lot of deals around the draft. I think some of the personnel brought in this offseason may have been coaching/Sullivan's call since he said he brings the coaches in to get their opinion on things during the offseason.
- 123Kid

It's time for the BOSS to be a BOSS. "These are the players I want you to play. If you don't play them, I'll find someone who will". F Sully. He's had one playoff series win since his last cup. Maybe his opinions suck.

Trade Smith in the offseason, Sign Zucker, Sign DeBrusk

The 5.5 Million that Bunting makes vs what Guentzel might expect can be spread into 2 other players to make a decent 3rd line - Maybe Yager plays next year
- RoloTahmasee

I don’t want to sign anyone over 30. We tried that and get dusted every 3rd period. Avg. age needs to drop significantly.

Interesting about LVK

Vegas Golden Knights first-round picks:

2026: Traded
2025: Traded
2024: Still have
2023: David Edstrom (traded)
2022: Traded
2021: Zach Dean (traded)
2020: Brendan Brisson
2019: Peyton Krebs (traded)
2018: Cody Glass/Nick Suzuki/Erik Brannstrom (all traded)

— Steven Ellis (@SEllisHockey) March 8, 2024

He only brought in dudes that were over 30. The team had to go into sell mode. Sold off the only under 30 top 6 F for an ok mid 6 player that’s older and prospects/picks that may pan out in 2-3 yrs min. Hard to spin year 1 as a success.
- sammy87

Comes down to the cost of acquisition

32 year old Reilly Smith on a 2 year deal for a 4th was a schrewd move. Smith likely came here sour from leaving the Vegas cup winner and that effected his play - It's a deal on paper that makes a ton of sense

We don't have the picks or prospects to go out and trade for ready to play NOW 25 year olds. We don't have the capspace to compete with the top free agents either

I liked Dubas during his press conference pretty much said the dropping prices kept some players here. He is still going to reshape the roster this offseason. He also took the best deal on the table for Jake. I respect how he took the blame for not attempting to resign Jake and stated it was his decision. I see a lot of deals around the draft. I think some of the personnel brought in this offseason may have been coaching/Sullivan's call since he said he brings the coaches in to get their opinion on things during the offseason.
- 123Kid

What’s he really going to say? This was a bubble team at best when the season began. By Christmas coach should have been canned and Jake should have been signed or shipped.

Comes down to the cost of acquisition

32 year old Reilly Smith on a 2 year deal for a 4th was a schrewd move. Smith likely came here sour from leaving the Vegas cup winner and that effected his play - It's a deal on paper that makes a ton of sense

We don't have the picks or prospects to go out and trade for ready to play NOW 25 year olds. We don't have the capspace to compete with the top free agents either
- RoloTahmasee

Well according to a bunch of penguins media stans, we “filled the prospect pool” back up with these amazing prospects from
The Guentzel trade. But now we still don’t have the prospects to get a young roster player. Great.

What’s he really going to say? This was a bubble team at best when the season began. By Christmas coach should have been canned and Jake should have been signed or shipped.
- sammy87

Not firing Sully before Xmas was this teams undoing. It was clear after multiple seasons it wasn't working anymore

Bring in a fresh coach, give him 2 months and if he can't turn the ship, blow it up

Not firing Sully before Xmas was this teams undoing. It was clear after multiple seasons it wasn't working anymore

Bring in a fresh coach, give him 2 months and if he can't turn the ship, blow it up
- RoloTahmasee

Yeah it’s not rocket science.

Dubas has such a hard on for sully in every presser it’s uncomfortable.

I don’t want to sign anyone over 30. We tried that and get dusted every 3rd period. Avg. age needs to drop significantly.
- Brownsoldier

Actually, there was an awful lot of games with slow start first periods that ended up with the Pens being the better team in the final two frames. A number of times they rallied in final two periods to get to OT... Then lost haha

I've noticed the the older I've gotten I haven't lost my cardio and stegnth with hockey. It just takes me a while to really get going in a game. It's like it takes a lot longer to completey warm up...anecdotal for sure haha but I know quite few others my age that say the same thing.

Well according to a bunch of penguins media stans, we “filled the prospect pool” back up with these amazing prospects from
The Guentzel trade. But now we still don’t have the prospects to get a young roster player. Great.
- Brownsoldier

Why would a team trade an NHL ready young player for 3 ?? Question marks

I'm sure we can get a young 25 year old forward if we offered Petts and one of these prospects

But that just leaves another hole to fill

Teams don't trade these players

YOUNG - CHEAP - GOOD

You can have 2 of the 3 if you want a player you didn't draft and develop

It's time for the BOSS to be a BOSS. "These are the players I want you to play. If you don't play them, I'll find someone who will". F Sully. He's had one playoff series win since his last cup. Maybe his opinions suck.
- madmike71

Makes you wonder how much of his input has been from Sullivan on some of these deals. I am actually excited to see what Bunting and some of the younger talent could bring to the team. I think we are in a good spot. If Bunting could click he is only 4.5 million. If Rakell could rebound next year I think we will be in good shape. Rangers and Carolina are the only 2 teams that I think will be above us if we have a good offseason.

Not firing Sully before Xmas was this teams undoing. It was clear after multiple seasons it wasn't working anymore

Bring in a fresh coach, give him 2 months and if he can't turn the ship, blow it up
- RoloTahmasee

For sure. It's the first move to see if fresh voices can make them more consistent... If they don't then you become sellers. Of course in saying that they didn't really sell besides Jake haha.

I still like the roster construction, or at least the attempt

Karlsson for all our bad contracts? Yep

Should have just kept Rutta vs signing Graves

Reilly Smith for a 4th SHOULD have worked (Might be a Smith attitude problem)

Eller - Good

Ned - Double Good

Acciari/Nieto - This were borderline minimum deals.Lets not pretend they were given 5 years at top dollar

This boils down to Sully being past his best before. Malkin being washed (Maybe GMJR and Hextall were on the right track here) Rakell on a big deal being snakebit, Rust being hurt (again) - Jake being out the last 10 games didn't help either - The cupboard being EMPTY in Wilkes Barrie when the 4th line couldn't hit isn't on Dubas
- RoloTahmasee

You basically just kept all your bad contracts and bundled them up to a guy that ruined the PP. bad.

Yeah it’s not rocket science.

Dubas has such a hard on for sully in every presser it’s uncomfortable.
- sammy87

I think Dubas was asked about Sully and backed him super hard when he was interviewing for the job with FSG

So, it would be an egg on face moment if he fired him 4 months into the season

But Dubas has a 7 year contract, His job is secure for the next 4 seasons - Should have just grabbed a towel and done it

The new ownership group is in over their head with hockey.

Dubas is perceived as some sort of great GM but has ever built a team that can even compete in the playoffs.

EK made the PP worse. Does Ok 5-5 but takes up much needed money for the top six.

But at least Ruh is off the books.

You basically just kept all your bad contracts and bundled them up to a guy that ruined the PP. bad.
- Grinder47

Yawn

If Karlsson "Ruined the PP" then just take him off of it, Have him QB the 2nd unit

BUT, That's a Sully issue

Dubas' issue is that he's the one that's kept Sully employed

Why would a team trade an NHL ready young player for 3 ?? Question marks

I'm sure we can get a young 25 year old forward if we offered Petts and one of these prospects

But that just leaves another hole to fill

Teams don't trade these players

YOUNG - CHEAP - GOOD

You can have 2 of the 3 if you want a player you didn't draft and develop
- RoloTahmasee

Wasn’t Zegras on the trade block?

Yawn

If Karlsson "Ruined the PP" then just take him off of it, Have him QB the 2nd unit

BUT, That's a Sully issue

Dubas' issue is that he's the one that's kept Sully employed
- RoloTahmasee

Sully is the most replaceable piece….it’s basically like dude I got a new roster with your input ant you still suck…pack your bags

I still like the roster construction, or at least the attempt

Karlsson for all our bad contracts? Yep

Should have just kept Rutta vs signing Graves

Reilly Smith for a 4th SHOULD have worked (Might be a Smith attitude problem)

Eller - Good

Ned - Double Good

Acciari/Nieto - This were borderline minimum deals.Lets not pretend they were given 5 years at top dollar

This boils down to Sully being past his best before. Malkin being washed (Maybe GMJR and Hextall were on the right track here) Rakell on a big deal being snakebit, Rust being hurt (again) - Jake being out the last 10 games didn't help either - The cupboard being EMPTY in Wilkes Barrie when the 4th line couldn't hit isn't on Dubas
- RoloTahmasee

lol

The new ownership group is in over their head with hockey.

Dubas is perceived as some sort of great GM but has ever built a team that can even compete in the playoffs.

EK made the PP worse. Does Ok 5-5 but takes up much needed money for the top six.

But at least Ruh is off the books.
- Grinder47

Dubas has been a part in building good teams

However, I believe he knows that the only way to do it is to tank hard for multiple seasons and get Top 5 picks - Pittsburgh Ownership doesn't want to do this right now which is why he held out for a 7 year deal. It's gonna be a time wasting, water treading 2-3 years before Dubas can really "Get to Work" and he knew it - So he got himself enough years to get enough runway into the rebuild before his contract is up

lol
- j.boyd919

You think Malkin is still Elite? - We're gonna disagree

At best he is "just a guy" For every moment of brilliance there are 1 or 2 stupid penalties, disinterested shifts and lazy backchecks

For 6 Million there were probably at least a few better options to replace what we are getting

The contract is also going to age horribly from here

I really wanted to get Hertl for the Pens, so that is what I am salty about. And of course the fact that Stone is going to just chill on the LTIR until the playoffs. Oh, and the fact they get off the hook with Lehner being a drunk (you should not get cap relief for players that go off a cliff with booze and drugs).

I think this has to spell the end of Marchessault there.
- MacPatty

Why the hell shouldn’t you get cap relief because someone is being treated for substance use disorder? Maybe players shouldn’t seek help for mental illness?