Looks like Rempe is in the lineup for New York tonight. Going to be interesting which direction that goes. Quite honestly when he’s played against teams without a heavy constantly challenging him I’ve really liked his game. I also like that fat Peter gives him a long leash on straight running guys. Should make the game a little more interesting.

Looks like Rempe is in the lineup for New York tonight. Going to be interesting which direction that goes. Quite honestly when he’s played against teams without a heavy constantly challenging him I’ve really liked his game. I also like that fat Peter gives him a long leash on straight running guys. Should make the game a little more interesting.
- Grinder47

Definitely a story line to watch. Should give NYR some more gusto, but... he's also just not a good NHLer.

Looks like Rempe is in the lineup for New York tonight. Going to be interesting which direction that goes. Quite honestly when he’s played against teams without a heavy constantly challenging him I’ve really liked his game. I also like that fat Peter gives him a long leash on straight running guys. Should make the game a little more interesting.
- Grinder47

Who cares. Go Cats.

(frank)ing clean hit.

Because we don't have the assets and we don't have the time to not take huge risks. I like that he has the flexibility to play wing or center. Riding shotgun to Crosby would be a perfect scenario for him to turn it around and be productive at that level. You also have to take into account shipping out the Graves and Jarry long term salaries as well.

In the long term, even if he is a complete bust we will just be rebuilding after Crosby is done anyway.

Edit: And he is still only 25... he is just hitting his prime now.
- MacPatty

7 x $8.5M is just way too big of a risk for me for a guy who's career high is 63 points.

Who cares. Go Cats.
- Victoro311

I’m rooting for the Cats to win and Rempe to have a big game. He’s great for the league.

I’m rooting for the Cats to win and Rempe to have a big game. He’s great for the league.
- Grinder47

He’s a side show. Wake me up when we get the next prime Lucic.

From DK...

• To further my recent points on how the Penguins aren't suffering financially -- despite the recent firings of several employees on the business side -- a source tells me that, on the night of Feb. 7, a game against Winnipeg at PPG Paints Arena, the team surpassed revenues for the entire 2022-23 season, thanks largely to dynamic ticket pricing. After which everything was figurative gravy. Their revenues have gone way up.

• Evgeni Malkin moving to the wing for the 2024-25 NHL season? I don't know the extent to which it's being discussed internally, but I know it's being discussed internally. Makes sense, too. Less wear, less defensive responsibility and, truth is, he can still burst up ice the way he'd prefer -- up the middle and late -- while someone else does the dirty work. Stay tuned.

He’s a side show. Wake me up when we get the next prime Lucic.
- Victoro311

To each their own. Pretty good game until it devolved into a bs special teams contest.

To each their own. Pretty good game until it devolved into a bs special teams contest.
- Grinder47

Yup. This game def has a PP GWG from a ticky-tack call vibe.

From DK...

• To further my recent points on how the Penguins aren't suffering financially -- despite the recent firings of several employees on the business side -- a source tells me that, on the night of Feb. 7, a game against Winnipeg at PPG Paints Arena, the team surpassed revenues for the entire 2022-23 season, thanks largely to dynamic ticket pricing. After which everything was figurative gravy. Their revenues have gone way up.

• Evgeni Malkin moving to the wing for the 2024-25 NHL season? I don't know the extent to which it's being discussed internally, but I know it's being discussed internally. Makes sense, too. Less wear, less defensive responsibility and, truth is, he can still burst up ice the way he'd prefer -- up the middle and late -- while someone else does the dirty work. Stay tuned.
- madmike71

It will be very telling what they do in the off-season then. They don't have anyone internally who could step in at 2c. Even if he made the team, I'd imagine Yager at wing because he still needs to add some weight.

Kaapo Kakko scratched – Matt Rempe in – RAGS are 21-3-1 when he’s playing,

CoINKYdink?

It will be very telling what they do in the off-season then. They don't have anyone internally who could step in at 2c. Even if he made the team, I'd imagine Yager at wing because he still needs to add some weight. -- Tojo.

I just recieved THN’s Draft Preview edition… they have Tai Iginla rated 9th.

Also, rated the CBJ biggest need being goaltending and that the defense requires an overhaul. Simply put that Werenski needs help. Yet, they have to find a starting goaltender.

Possibly, my suggesting on how to add more muscle to a fancy/soft PENS team and continue building for the future – isn’t as boneheaded as you attempted to play it.
Look at the Rangers and the Panthers – those are 2 models the PENS should be looking at with every move.

Suppose nothing works… that is - Merzlirkin bombs… so what? In the 2025 draft, try to get a couple off of the USA NTDP like Hagens, Hemsler, or Vansagki. At least it would satisfy the conflicting mission of giving the older guys to win another one and rebuilding. Sticking to (all things being even) selecting players from North America would be another good idea.

BTW, have you suggested the slightest of ideas of what you think they should or you'd like to see them do?

It will be very telling what they do in the off-season then. They don't have anyone internally who could step in at 2c. Even if he made the team, I'd imagine Yager at wing because he still needs to add some weight.
- Tojo.

Presumably if they go this route the top-6 forward they bring in will be a 2C instead of a winger.

I just recieved THN’s Draft Preview edition… they have Tai Iginla rated 9th.

Also, rated the CBJ biggest need being goaltending and that the defense requires an overhaul. Simply put that Werenski needs help. Yet, they have to find a starting goaltender.

Possibly, my suggesting on how to add more muscle to a fancy/soft PENS team and continue building for the future – isn’t as boneheaded as you attempted to play it.
Look at the Rangers and the Panthers – those are 2 models the PENS should be looking at with every move.

Suppose nothing works… that is - Merzlirkin bombs… so what? In the 2025 draft, try to get a couple off of the USA NTDP like Hagens, Hemsler, or Vansagki. At least it would satisfy the conflicting mission of giving the older guys to win another one and rebuilding. Sticking to (all things being even) selecting players from North America would be another good idea.

BTW, have you suggested the slightest of ideas of what you think they should or you'd like to see them do?
- sufi-judge

I don't remember what your full proposal was, but part of it was bringing in Guddy which just isn't going to happen. The Pens RD next year are going to be EK, Letang, and St.Ivany. They aren't going to get another RD making $4M / year. Guddy was fun while he was here, but he just doesn't fit on their current roster.

Merzlirkins makes slightly more than Jarry and is much worse, so I also don't see us taking on him and his contract since that's a bigger problem than Graves, who we can bury in the AHL at the cost of $3M/year as a last resort.

I'm all for adding some grit on D, but I think St.Ivany does that on the 3rd pair. If we can find a way to get rid of Graves and bring in a top-4 LD that can move the puck and play with an edge, that would be ideal -- but I expect what they'll do in reality is start with Petts-EK, Graves-Letang, POJ-St.Ivany with the hope that Graves can play better than last year and at a minimum increase his trade value. (Of course, I'd love to be wrong and have KD find a trade for Graves, but I don't expect he'll find one that makes sense for us.)

7 x $8.5M is just way too big of a risk for me for a guy who's career high is 63 points.
- MickV

With the cap going up this year and the following years, start getting used to 8 million and 60ish points for players. Especially centers.

Guddy was fun while he was here, but he just doesn't fit on their current roster.
- MickV

That could be. My intent was more physical D but more importantly – obtaining Iginla. In other words, just don’t flush yet another season down the toilet without making some future progress.
I’m going to look at another scenario, if Iginla is on the board before Calgary chooses him 9th overall. That would be w/Montreal, Utah, Ottawa, or Seattle… or possibly, somehow getting a player like Zegras.

Merzlirkins makes slightly more than Jarry and is much worse, so I also don't see us taking on him and his contract since that's a bigger problem than Graves, who we can bury in the AHL at the cost of $3M/year as a last resort.

LOL… classic trading my bad players for your worse players. Just a note: Both Jarry and Merzlirkins don’t appear that overjoyed about where they are playing.

I'm all for adding some grit on D, but I think St.Ivany does that on the 3rd pair. If we can find a way to get rid of Graves and bring in a top-4 LD that can move the puck and play with an edge, that would be ideal -- but I expect what they'll do in reality is start with Petts-EK, Graves-Letang, POJ-St.Ivany with the hope that Graves can play better than last year and at a minimum increase his trade value. (Of course, I'd love to be wrong and have KD find a trade for Graves, but I don't expect he'll find one that makes sense for us.)

Yet, Dubas brought in Graves… and not many didn’t think he was a good addition.
If Iginla still on the board at #7 – Ottawa needs a goalie maybe worse than Columbus… Jarry, plus others like Smith, Joseph or Graves for the draft pick and Chychrun [lol. Everybody wins, eh!]

I just recieved THN’s Draft Preview edition… they have Tai Iginla rated 9th.

Also, rated the CBJ biggest need being goaltending and that the defense requires an overhaul. Simply put that Werenski needs help. Yet, they have to find a starting goaltender.

Possibly, my suggesting on how to add more muscle to a fancy/soft PENS team and continue building for the future – isn’t as boneheaded as you attempted to play it.
Look at the Rangers and the Panthers – those are 2 models the PENS should be looking at with every move.

Suppose nothing works… that is - Merzlirkin bombs… so what? In the 2025 draft, try to get a couple off of the USA NTDP like Hagens, Hemsler, or Vansagki. At least it would satisfy the conflicting mission of giving the older guys to win another one and rebuilding. Sticking to (all things being even) selecting players from North America would be another good idea.

BTW, have you suggested the slightest of ideas of what you think they should or you'd like to see them do?
- sufi-judge

I'll do a blue print later today when I have a little more time. I admittedly do not have specific targets or a big trade in mind.

Big issue here is you get triggered easily and don't seem to read my posts, because there are two things there that I didn't say.

1) I said different people have Iginla ranked differently and not everyone has him as a top ten. While I couldn't find some of the lower rankings I saw earlier in the off-season, Pronman of the Athletic ranks Iginla 15, Bob Mackenzie has him at 16. Both of whom I value more than Craig Button at TSN. I haven't done my own big board, but that feels about right. He'll probably get drafted earlier because teams reach for grit and hope they'll improve (hi Poulin in the first round).

2) I didn't slam you at all for wanting to make the team tougher. I would also like to add a little toughness. I slammed your proposal as being unrealistic, adding an unnecessary player in Gudbranson rather than a top 4 LHD who I'm fine with being physical, and trying to say Jarry and Merzlikens are similar.

With the cap going up this year and the following years, start getting used to 8 million and 60ish points for players. Especially centers.
- Aaron_85

Sure, eventually, but this past year there were 20 players who made between $8M and $9M AAV (excluding a few who played less than 20 games due to injury) and only Johansen had a lower ppg than PLD -- and the only other one of those players to have less than PLD's career avg ppg was Skinner (and just barely less).

Right now C's putting up about 60 points are mostly in the $5M-$6M range.

My intent was more physical D but more importantly – obtaining Iginla.
- sufi-judge

Last time we brought in an Iginla it didn't work out as planned (though Jarome actually played well during that run).

LOL… classic trading my bad players for your worse players. Just a note: Both Jarry and Merzlirkins don’t appear that overjoyed about where they are playing.
- sufi-judge

I would not be surprised at all to see us trade Jarry, but I don't see us taking back a bad goalie contract in return.

Yet, Dubas brought in Graves… and not many didn’t think he was a good addition.
If Iginla still on the board at #7 – Ottawa needs a goalie maybe worse than Columbus… Jarry, plus others like Smith, Joseph or Graves for the draft pick and Chychrun
- sufi-judge[lol. Everybody wins, eh!]

I could see us making a trade with OTT, but I doubt they'd be interested in giving up that draft pick for Jarry or anybody else we'd be sending them.

Kaapo Kakko scratched – Matt Rempe in – RAGS are 21-3-1 when he’s playing,

CoINKYdink?
- sufi-judge

It’s only not a coincidence if you can copy and paste 7 stats that are not win-loss that paint Rempe in a positive light.

Since I was challenged to put out my own thoughts, blueprint for the off-season. I don't have specific targets or a crazy trade, just needs I'd like the Pens to realistically address.

Top six forward, preferably a big shot who could elevate the PP: Essentially the Guentzel replacement. I would have said a LW because I love Bunting at 2 and DOC at 3 if you can get someone ahead of them. But with rumors of moving Malkin to wing, an idea I and others have mentioned, that might be the target. Yager could actually fit this need, but I'm not willing to declare him NHL ready yet, especially at center weighing 173.

Middle six winger with an edge: basically try to find another Bunting type. I was thinking of a RW here who could compete with Rackell if he doesn't bounce back.

But maybe Malkin is a RW or a LW? I'll say currently I'd like a top six LW and middle six RW, but change one of those to C if Malkin moves. Oh and trade Smith obviously.

Luxury move, trade Eller and upgrade 3C: Eller was fine but aging. For next year's team they could aim to do better. But there might not be enough cap room to do that, and the Pens have 3 potential young centers arriving this year or next in Yager, Poulin, and Ponomarev so Eller as a placeholder this year is fine while those guys sort themselves out.

Fourth line: Basically I think they are in a position to go with a youth movement here to improve depth (unfortunately no youth movement at the top half of the lineup). While the wings weren't great, I think the biggest problem was Accairi was miscast as a center. I would either trade him or move him to wing. I'd have Poulin and Ponomarev compete for the spot (Gruden could be a long shot here). Poulin is my favorite and does add a bit of grit while having enough skill he may move higher in the lineup eventually like DOC did. Could say the same for Ponomarev. Minus the grit they're pretty similar, but he also doesn't need waivers.

At wings I'd like one classic crash and bang PKer capable of a ten goal season. This could be Accairi or Gruden or maybe a UFA. I lean towards the younger, hungrier, cheaper guy, but could see a vet in the mix.

Other wing I go a skill, two way guy who can jump on the third line when injuries hit. So Puustinen or Puljujarvi. Pens have enough PKers already and will have a young center with some skill in my blueprint so I'm going for some balance and hopefully getting something more like the Blueger line.

Defense: right side I probably roll with Letang, Karlsson, St. Ivany. I'm open to moving EK if they find an alternative, it wasn't a great fit year one. But it's not a pressing need for me and would be hard to do.

Left defense they should just extend Pettersson now. I think we are stuck with Graves. Ludvig works as #7.

Last spot is tricky. I like POJ to continue to improve, but he's similar to Petterson. I could see wanting a better net front presence, but if they can't move Graves it might be best not to lock in a third big contract and go with POJ bridging into Pickering although I don't think that's the best play for this year. Moving Graves, getting a true #4, and having POJ bridging to Pickering on the third pair would be far better, but I'm not optimistic on anyone taking Graves right now.

Goalie: I am open to moving Jarry of their are takers, but I'll assume the plan is him to start the year. I'd start Blomquist in WBS most likely though if he repeats last year with a brand new defense I can see him arriving mid year similar to Murray. So I'd get a vet backup on a one year deal. Unfortunately probably can't bring back Ned at a similar price, but he wasn't so amazing that it's going to be a big issue because most likely it will be Jarry v Blomquist by the end of the season.

Since I was challenged to put out my own thoughts, blueprint for the off-season. I don't have specific targets or a crazy trade, just needs I'd like the Pens to realistically address.

Top six forward, preferably a big shot who could elevate the PP: Essentially the Guentzel replacement. I would have said a LW because I love Bunting at 2 and DOC at 3 if you can get someone ahead of them. But with rumors of moving Malkin to wing, an idea I and others have mentioned, that might be the target. Yager could actually fit this need, but I'm not willing to declare him NHL ready yet, especially at center weighing 173.

Middle six winger with an edge: basically try to find another Bunting type. I was thinking of a RW here who could compete with Rackell if he doesn't bounce back.

But maybe Malkin is a RW or a LW? I'll say currently I'd like a top six LW and middle six RW, but change one of those to C if Malkin moves.

Luxury move, trade Eller and upgrade 3C: Eller was fine but aging. For next year's team they could aim to do better. But there might not be enough cap room to do that, and the Pens have 3 potential young centers arriving this year or next in Yager, Poulin, and Ponomarev so Eller as a placeholder this year is fine while those guys sort themselves out.

Fourth line: Basically I think they are in a position to go with a youth movement here to improve depth (unfortunately no youth movement at the top half of the lineup). While the wings weren't great, I think the biggest problem was Accairi was miscast as a center. I would either trade him or move him to wing. I'd have Poulin and Ponomarev compete for the spot (Gruden could be a long shot here). Poulin is my favorite and does add a bit of grit while having enough skill he may move higher in the lineup eventually like DOC did. Could say the same for Ponomarev. Minus the grit they're pretty similar, but he also doesn't need waivers.

At wings I'd like one classic crash and bang PKer capable of a ten goal season. This could be Accairi or Gruden or maybe a UFA. I lean towards the younger, hungrier, cheaper guy, but could see a vet in the mix.

Other wing I go a skill, two way guy who can jump on the third line when injuries hit. So Puustinen or Puljujarvi. Pens have enough PKers already and will have a young center with some skill in my blueprint so I'm going for some balance and hopefully getting something more like the Blueger line.

Defense: right side I probably roll with Letang, Karlsson, St. Ivany. I'm open to moving EK if they find an alternative, it wasn't a great fit year one. But it's not a pressing need for me and would be hard to do.

Left defense they should just extend Pettersson now. I think we are stuck with Graves. Ludvig works as #7.

Last spot is tricky. I like POJ to continue to improve, but he's similar to Petterson. I could see wanting a better net front presence, but if they can't move Graves it might be best not to lock in a third big contract and go with POJ bridging into Pickering although I don't think that's the best play for this year. Moving Graves, getting a true #4, and having POJ bridging to Pickering on the third pair would be far better, but I'm not optimistic on anyone taking Graves right now.

Goalie: I am open to moving Jarry of their are takers, but I'll assume the plan is him to start the year. I'd start Blomquist in WBS most likely though if he repeats last year with a brand new defense I can see him arriving mid year similar to Murray. So I'd get a vet backup on a one year deal. Unfortunately probably can't bring back Ned at a similar price, but he wasn't so amazing that it's going to be a big issue because most likely it will be Jarry v Blomquist by the end of the season.
- Tojo.

TLDR summary
Get a top 6, preferably LW, with a big shot for PP (or C if Malkin moves to wing)

Add a middle six wing similar to Bunting

Go young fourth line with a mix of skill and grit. Puustinen-Poulin-Accairi/Gruden?

One year back up goalie with the expectation Blomquist takes over mid season or next year.

Trade Smith.

If there is money, look to possibly upgrade 2LD or 3C, although bridge situations could work there with capable players already and potential young talent behind them though admittedly not best for 2024-2025.

I am not completely against moving EK, Jarry, Rackell, or Graves, but find any of those unlikely so largely hoping for better seasons. Not ideal, but we aren't good enough to trade futures to move contracts.

If Iginla still on the board at #7 – Ottawa needs a goalie maybe worse than Columbus… Jarry, plus others like Smith, Joseph or Graves for the draft pick and Chychrun
- sufi-judge[lol. Everybody wins, eh!]

If the Penguins want to get to #9 using Jarry as part of the deal, it's going to include probably this year's first and Yager. Ottawa has no reason to give up that pick, so you'll have to overpay.

It’s only not a coincidence if you can copy and paste 7 stats that are not win-loss that paint Rempe in a positive light.
- Grinder47

We can also make up a narrative about how the rags almost blew the Carolina series until they scratched Rempe. It’s not that hard to just make poop up to fit your argument