I should have stuck to: this is why these prospects won't replace Guentzel.
- Tojo.

You don’t need to replace Guentzel.

Guenzel and Zucker moved out of here in a flash. Smith has already made it known he wants out. Nedjelkovic is saying the right things but he's leaving. We don't have the money to spend in free agency. Even if we did nobody has the desire to come here.

We have little choice but to go to a youth movement.

Guenzel and Zucker moved out of here in a flash. Smith has already made it known he wants out. Nedjelkovic is saying the right things but he's leaving. We don't have the money to spend in free agency. Even if we did nobody has the desire to come here.

We have little choice but to go to a youth movement.
- Thunderbolt

Harkin’s.

Baby Penguins blew a 3-1 lead and lost in OT and are eliminated. Sounds like they'll all fit in with the big squad.

If youth movement is to actually happen I’d like to see Yeager Ponomarev and Koivenen given fair shakes at the top six. Recycling Jake Guentzel around isn’t the answer to anything.
- Grinder47

What’s Poulins game though? Like he got called up, purposely went after Eric freaking Gudbranson with a bunch of cross checks, Then turned down Gudbranson’s invitation to dance got lit up and took a penalty all in the same shift. Is he a scorer? Is he tough? I’m all about giving young guys a shot and having some cap flexibility but not quite sure what Poulin’s angle to the NHL is. Three guys I mentioned have been Offensively gifted players their whole lives, put them with players that can help them with offense.
- Grinder47

I’ve never mentioned anything about AHL numbers at all. My argument is if any of these guys make the team it shouldn’t be on the 4th line. Go sign guys that can handle the rigors of being a 4th liner. The youth movement needs to happen in the top six.
- Grinder47

So what is offensively gifted players all their lives?

We disagree about what a fourth line player should be because you tend to like crappy players.

Poulin and Ponomarev, who are likely bottom six players in the NHL, I don't have any issue starting on the fourth line. Koivunen I agree, don't play him there, second or third. I want to see him in the AHL because I think he could be another Puustinen. Yager I would absolutely make a top six if he's ready.

Problem is the Pens don't have the youth to put in the top six. Most of them are probably not even as good as DOC offensively.

https://www.msn.com/en-us...545bbd3682a9e817ce8&ei=42

Good read. No questions answered, but at least it looks like a few of the guys stepped up a level.

Guenzel and Zucker moved out of here in a flash. Smith has already made it known he wants out. Nedjelkovic is saying the right things but he's leaving. We don't have the money to spend in free agency. Even if we did nobody has the desire to come here.

We have little choice but to go to a youth movement.
- Thunderbolt

?

Guentzel was traded. I read reports that Zucker wanted to come back. However, Dubas traded for Smith instead to fill that position. "Smith has already made it known he wants out?" when/where? Now, did he want to be traded away from the team he was with for a long time, finally won a cup with and in a place with low taxes and awesome weather all year? Probably not man. He is a human being after all. However, I'm not buying that effected play or that he was sulking or any of that crap.

What is "nobody has the desire to come here" based on? Horny was really upset they wanted to trade him and he had to go. Geno and Tanger signed long term to stay. By all accounts it looks like Sid will stay here his whole career.....

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nhl/penguins-prospects-impress-despite-playoff-loss/ar-AA1nLsey?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=HCTS&cvid=424e84467f474545bbd3682a9e817ce8&ei=42

Good read. No questions answered, but at least it looks like a few of the guys stepped up a level.
- Thunderbolt

"Penguins Prospects Impress..."....cant remember the last time I heard/read that, if ever. Kind of refreshing haha

?

Guentzel was traded. I read reports that Zucker wanted to come back. However, Dubas traded for Smith instead to fill that position. "Smith has already made it known he wants out?" when/where? Now, did he want to be traded away from the team he was with for a long time, finally won a cup with and in a place with low taxes and awesome weather all year? Probably not man. He is a human being after all. However, I'm not buying that effected play or that he was sulking or any of that crap.

What is "nobody has the desire to come here" based on? Horny was really upset they wanted to trade him and he had to go. Geno and Tanger signed long term to stay. By all accounts it looks like Sid will stay here his whole career.....
- MattStrat

I thought the guys in the Athletic confirmed Smith wants out. I think I've heard it on the other local radio station instead of just Madden. Seems like a lot of the beat guys are saying that.

The other ones are weird. Dubas pushed Jake out. Not sure Zucker was offered but they filled his spot before UFA, might have been worried about cost or term.

And let's not forget Karlsson just waived his clause to come here after actually forcing his way out.

I'm not sure who these guys are we pursued but wouldn't sign here. We just rarely go the UFA route.

speaking if cbus trades anyone see this rumour?


Pittsburgh sends to Columbus:
Reilly Smith
Kasper Björkqvist
Filip Hallander
2026 first-round pick

Columbus sends to Pittsburgh:
Patrik Laine
- 10inchTerror

I havent heard of this rumor in particular but I have been saying for a while that Laine could be a high risk option worth taking. That deal really doesnt make a lot of sense.

To me a trade with Columbus is a bigger one to limit risk on both sides. Laine is such a big wildcard but I think he could do really well in Pittsburgh where he doesnt have to be the headline star. Laine is still only 26 years old and has basically rested his body for the past year, so he does fit in with the "getting younger" plan even though it feels like he has been in the league forever. I'll take two guys with high upside and major financial implications tied to their success if we are going to make a run next year.

Rackell
Graves
Poulin
Pickering
1st rounder

Laine
Provorov

DOC-Eller-Laine could be a really solid 3rd line.

So what is offensively gifted players all their lives?

We disagree about what a fourth line player should be because you tend to like crappy players.

Poulin and Ponomarev, who are likely bottom six players in the NHL, I don't have any issue starting on the fourth line. Koivunen I agree, don't play him there, second or third. I want to see him in the AHL because I think he could be another Puustinen. Yager I would absolutely make a top six if he's ready.

Problem is the Pens don't have the youth to put in the top six. Most of them are probably not even as good as DOC offensively.
- Tojo.

Harkins is as good as DOC offensively.

Harkins is as good as DOC offensively.
- Grinder47

Do you ever latch onto a player that doesn’t absolutely blow?

Do you ever latch onto a player that doesn’t absolutely blow?
- Victoro311

Harkin’s gets to pucks faster than DOC, Handkes the puck better than DOC, skates faster than DOC, can navigate the offensive zone better with the puck on his stick than DOC. Can find the open guy better than DOC. Like I’m just stating facts. I watched both players quite a bit this last season.

Harkin’s gets to pucks faster than DOC, Handkes the puck better than DOC, skates faster than DOC, can navigate the offensive zone better with the puck on his stick than DOC. Can find the open guy better than DOC. Like I’m just stating facts. I watched both players quite a bit this last season.
- Grinder47

No.

No.
- j.boyd919

Absolutely without a doubt. I’m pretty sure you guys just check twitter and look at your fantasy teams too much during games to actually evaluate players. One guy played with Crosby, one guy didn’t.

The reffing in this islanders game is unreal in the favor of the Canes.

?

Guentzel was traded. I read reports that Zucker wanted to come back. However, Dubas traded for Smith instead to fill that position. "Smith has already made it known he wants out?" when/where? Now, did he want to be traded away from the team he was with for a long time, finally won a cup with and in a place with low taxes and awesome weather all year? Probably not man. He is a human being after all. However, I'm not buying that effected play or that he was sulking or any of that crap.

What is "nobody has the desire to come here" based on? Horny was really upset they wanted to trade him and he had to go. Geno and Tanger signed long term to stay. By all accounts it looks like Sid will stay here his whole career.....
- MattStrat

Guentzel has already sold his home here. Excuse me for interjecting some personal experience. Everyone I have known who left a certain area and considered returning kept their home.

Zucker, on the other hand, soon after getting traded here purchased a $3M home in Minnesota. His wife and kids stayed. I know that doesn't mean he didn't want to be In Pittsburgh. It isn't a good look.

As far as free agents, I stand corrected. Ryan Graves was our big signing last season. So we do attract big money UFA's. We have gotten Brandon Tanev, Brock McGinn and others. Not big money but decent players.

Harkins is as good as DOC offensively.
- Grinder47

Nah

Nah
- Tojo.

Check the AHL numbers bud. Since that’s your thing and all.

Harkins. 45 games. No goals. Couldn't even get one off his knee or something. Pretty sure he was the only Penguin without a goal. Jarry got a goal.

Harkins. 45 games. No goals. Couldn't even get one off his knee or something. Pretty sure he was the only Penguin without a goal. Jarry got a goal.
- madmike71

Game winner bud. In a scenario where it’s all about hands and offensive instinct.

Game winner bud. In a scenario where it’s all about hands and offensive instinct.
- Grinder47

Sounds good bud. DOC outscored Harkins entire NHL career this season.

Sounds good bud. DOC outscored Harkins entire NHL career this season.
- madmike71

Imagine that. Hard to believe looking at the two different roles they played.

I like Florida more and more. They look calm and confident. Bob is killing it in net.

?

Guentzel was traded. I read reports that Zucker wanted to come back. However, Dubas traded for Smith instead to fill that position. "Smith has already made it known he wants out?" when/where? Now, did he want to be traded away from the team he was with for a long time, finally won a cup with and in a place with low taxes and awesome weather all year? Probably not man. He is a human being after all. However, I'm not buying that effected play or that he was sulking or any of that crap.

What is "nobody has the desire to come here" based on? Horny was really upset they wanted to trade him and he had to go. Geno and Tanger signed long term to stay. By all accounts it looks like Sid will stay here his whole career.....
- MattStrat

I think most players are generally pretty happy unless there is family stuff with borders. I mean there’s players happy in Columbus and Arizona. So a winning franchise like Pittsburgh can’t be that bad. There will always be the odd person in sure for various reasons. Flower wouldn’t go to Washington as an example. I thought with smith though I read somewhere was more he didn’t want to leave Vegas than he hates Pittsburgh.