I’ve noticed that often times there’s no middle ground with RW on players. Yes, he bangs the “our depth sucks” narrative a ton but you can’t mention how great of a player Letang is without saying that he flat out wasn’t good enough this series. Sid wasn’t good enough to open the series. Malkin didn’t commit hard enough defensively. But on top of all of that our ability to take good angles and slow the Aisles down while pushing them to the outside was probably the worst I’ve ever seen in a hockey game. It was so bad. They were constantly breaking the puck out so easily and with a ton of speed. That is a credit to them but also a failure on our part

My hope? New voice at the helm. I think guys like Malkin need it. Sid doesn’t, he knows what he needs to accomplish. Malkin needs a guy like Tocchet to talk to him 1 on 1 a lot and not just him but definitely him.

I think Maatta has to be a part of the shakeup. If Hornqvist stays he has to play in the top 6 or that line of him-Bjugstad-Simon need to produce a bit more. I’m ok with playing the RBK line, signing a guy like Zuccarello to play with Geno and Horny, letting McCann continue to play top line with Sid and Jake. Blueger deserves a roster spot

On the back end: it really surprises me how quickly some people turned on Petts. He wasn’t stellar in the postseason but he played one season on two different teams that both underachieved. I think he has the potential to play top 4 minutes, certainly

Finally, I’ll admit that it really bothers me that RW brings up Cole. I don’t recall that being something he did often and now it kinda feels like he’s doing it as an “I told you so.” Did he tell us so? I don’t recall him doing it often. Happy Cole continues to thrive

I don't see Pens trading Malkin or Kessel unless they have someone who can fill that spot is coming back. I could see Horny, and 1-2 D-men being traded for cap space. If Pens were to by miracle chance agree to a deal with Karlsson, Duchene, Panarin or another FA they feel can upgrade a spot on the team. I could see JR resigning Hagelin for the 3rd line role and letting Bluegar center the 4th line

Speed and scoring
- Rinosaur

So... with our top 6, the only one had outperform would be Rust.

So... meh?

Get me E Kane, I want to grit boner over him being here.

So... with our top 6, the only one had outperform would be Rust.

So... meh?

Get me E Kane, I want to grit boner over him being here.
- Guile

I think he’s a shark for the rest of his career now, unfortunately. I have always been infatuated with Kane.

I think he’s a shark for the rest of his career now, unfortunately. I have always been infatuated with Kane.
- Victoro311

Well of course you have, because you are still me deep down.

We should have went for him the year he was sold cheap due to the injury. Think it was a 2nd round pick and a middling prospect. He is what JR 'truly' wanted with the grit and skill to defend our stars and can actually play top 6 minutes.

If I'm JR. I'm making moves before the playoffs even end.

Kessel, Simon & JJ to Arizona for Schmaltz, Crouse & Grabner. I'll take a lesser return to get rid of JJ.

Malkin & Schultz to Florida for Ekblad & Trochek.

I'd also look at Kadri in Toronto. I love his game but I think Toronto is sick of him. Might be able to swing Maata+ for him.

Unrealistic or whatever... I'm good cashing in my chips on Malkin and Kessel and moving forward with a new era for the Pens. I do believe you can move Kessel and Malkin and become a better TEAM.
- MacPatty

As much as I like the idea of Schmaltz being a Penguin, Chayka isn’t moving his ONLY producing center. He got Schmaltz after trading away Strome who was a point per gamer for a while (on a talented team). Schmaltz meanwhile came in and put up 14 in 16 and got hurt in game 17. The kid is their only offensive center. He’s not getting traded for Kessel. On top of that, they already have a glut on D and it looks like Chychrun or more likely Connauton is on the way out. Kessel to AZ makes sense, but not for Schmaltz.

I mentioned Zuccarello here for us but I think he’s a better fit in AZ where he can help mentor other small wingers like Keller, Hinostroza, Garland. I don’t think Kessel is the role model they need. I don’t even know who he would play with if they got rid of Schmaltz.. Stepan? Lol

Well of course you have, because you are still me deep down.

We should have went for him the year he was sold cheap due to the injury. Think it was a 2nd round pick and a middling prospect. He is what JR 'truly' wanted with the grit and skill to defend our stars and can actually play top 6 minutes.
- Guile

Yup. Shouldn’t sent them Horny or Maatta. Botts would’ve jumped at that, right? We would be a completely different team with Kane and Cole

Well of course you have, because you are still me deep down.

We should have went for him the year he was sold cheap due to the injury. Think it was a 2nd round pick and a middling prospect. He is what JR 'truly' wanted with the grit and skill to defend our stars and can actually play top 6 minutes.
- Guile

He didn’t exactly get a king’s ransom at the deadline last year either. We decided to go after Brassard instead, which I guess was fine but ended up not working out. Getting Kane, extending him, and letting Hornqvist walk would have been pretty savvy, but we probably don’t have Bjugstad and McCann if right now if we did that and have a major 3C problem.

Also for the record I agree with those who believe Duchene resigns with CBJ. I just dont see Pens moving Malkin and leaving a big hole at Center. It took us a while to fill the 3rd line center hole, now people are trying to make a hole in the 2nd line by moving Malkin. I couldn't see it happen unless we had duchene as a filler, but that would he highly unlikely.

Yup. Shouldn’t sent them Horny or Maatta. Botts would’ve jumped at that, right? We would be a completely different team with Kane and Cole
- WSCTeton17

Maatta maybe. I have no idea why Botts would have jumped at a pending UFA over the age of 30, though.

I think he’s a shark for the rest of his career now, unfortunately. I have always been infatuated with Kane.
- Victoro311

Same! I always wished we traded for him over Brassard, but cant change the past

Yup. Shouldn’t sent them Horny or Maatta. Botts would’ve jumped at that, right? We would be a completely different team with Kane and Cole
- WSCTeton17

Should not have sent horny or maatta? Gonna guess that was a typo...

But I would not have traded Horny for injured E Kane. Horny would have been dealt around the draft after that year if needed based on our cap situation (I dont recall what we did that year right now) or just to replenish our always diminished asset pool.

I dont believe we could have kept both in that scenario

He didn’t exactly get a king’s ransom at the deadline last year either. We decided to go after Brassard instead, which I guess was fine but ended up not working out. Getting Kane, extending him, and letting Hornqvist walk would have been pretty savvy, but we probably don’t have Bjugstad and McCann if right now if we did that and have a major 3C problem.
- Victoro311

Teddy can handle the 3rd line. He didnt sink when holding the fort on the 2nd line for a bit.

Or hey... (frank)ING SUNDQVIST! had we gotten E Kane, no way JR does the Reeves trade.

Teddy can handle the 3rd line. He didnt sink when holding the fort on the 2nd line for a bit.

Or hey... (frank)ING SUNDQVIST! had we gotten E Kane, no way JR does the Reeves trade.
- Guile

I love Teddy, but I think he’d be a pretty average 3C. So yeah I guess your point stands, but I think Bjugstad is much better. If there is somehow an alternate universe where we traded for Kane and we’re still able to do the Florida trade without Brassard, I want to live in it.

I love Teddy, but I think he’d be a pretty average 3C. So yeah I guess your point stands, but I think Bjugstad is much better. If there is somehow an alternate universe where we traded for Kane and we’re still able to do the Florida trade without Brassard, I want to live in it.
- Victoro311

Hmmm... we'd have just traded our 1st and whatever for Bjug and Maccain. We are quite used to giving up that 1st.

I will keep AA for now.
- Feds91Stammer

How generous of you, I'm sure Stevie Y is happy to hear this.

Teddy can handle the 3rd line. He didnt sink when holding the fort on the 2nd line for a bit.

Or hey... (frank)ING SUNDQVIST! had we gotten E Kane, no way JR does the Reeves trade.
- Guile

God if we had Reeves and Kane last year in the playoffs it would have been a different series against the Capitals

God if we had Reeves and Kane last year in the playoffs it would have been a different series against the Capitals
- 123Kid

4th line playoff Reeves.. 4 minutes a game. No difference with him being here.

Hmmm... we'd have just traded our 1st and whatever for Bjug and Maccain. We are quite used to giving up that 1st.
- Guile

Honestly I think that trade would have been worth it given what Bjugstad and McCann have brought to this team. We’ll be incredibly lucky if whoever we draft this year will make any impact during the Crosby/Malkin Era whatsoever. I think last year’s draft class was the last one that had any realistic shot of being ready before this era is over, and even they (Hallander and Addison) are extreme long shots.

Honestly I think that trade would have been worth it given what Bjugstad and McCann have brought to this team. We’ll be incredibly lucky if whoever we draft this year will make any impact during the Crosby/Malkin Era whatsoever. I think last year’s draft class was the last one that had any realistic shot of being ready before this era is over, and even they (Hallander and Addison) are extreme long shots.
- Victoro311

So... in this new world.. our forward lines seem unparalleled but our D becomes.. what?


Jake - Sid - Jared
Kane - Malkin - Kessel
Simon - Bjug - ??? Teddy/Sund/Rust
Who ever of the two above... and Cullen

Edit: yes, I do assume we would resign Cullen again... JR gonna JR

So... in this new world.. our forward lines seem unparalleled but our D becomes.. what?


Jake - Sid - Jared
Kane - Malkin - Kessel
Simon - Bjug - ??? Teddy/Sund/Rust
Who ever of the two above... and Cullen
- Guile

Guentzel-Crosby-McCann
Kane-Malkin-Kessel
Simon-Bjugstad-Rust
Sundqvist-Blueger-ZAR/A. Johnson

No more Cullen. If he’s brought back this offseason I’ll flip a female dog. Kessel and Rust probably switch around frequently depending on how lines are clicking/not clicking any given week.

Guentzel-Crosby-McCann
Kane-Malkin-Kessel
Simon-Bjugstad-Rust
Sundqvist-Blueger-ZAR/A. Johnson

No more Cullen. If he’s brought back this offseason I’ll flip a female dog. Kessel and Rust probably switch around frequently depending on how lines are clicking/not clicking any given week.
- Victoro311

I was doing this years roster with those changes... not next year. Guess I didnt make that clear.

I was doing this years roster with those changes... not next year. Guess I didnt make that clear.
- Guile

Oh then yes. Although I think Rust is the clear cut third line guy over Teddy and Sundqvist.

Oh then yes. Although I think Rust is the clear cut third line guy over Teddy and Sundqvist.
- Victoro311

I'll let you do the D core then.

Also good luck figuring out how this timeline handled Hags into Pearson into Gudbranson. I ignored altering that, but feel free.

The problem with the defense isn’t good enough argument is you could have switched the Pens and Islanders defense around and I bet they are still swept. Every single loose puck is the Islanders in that series. Not to mention that every single line on the Islanders has a guy whose sole job is to get pucks to better players. Kuhnhackl made life easy for Nelson who had a good series. Lee makes life easy for Barzal, who also could kick Guentzel’s ass in a corner battle himself, komorov’s offense might have dried up but he might as well have been6’4” in that series and their 4th line is untouchable as far as value goes. The only real d man that needs to go is Johnson and the only way you’re going to get some good roster players is trading Murray. Let DeSmith and Jarry play themselves into a starter role next year.