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.
- Guile

Since we go after Kane and not Brass we keep Cole. The top pair stays the same, Cole continue to play with Schultz, we keep the big rig Oleksiak but trade Sprong for Petts and Ruhwedel is 7. Obviously JJ isn’t signed and Maatta is gone in the Kane trade. This also means we keep our goalie prospect Gus and that 1st rounder which we use last year as the 31st pick after winning the cup. We trade this years first rounder and some junk for Bjugstad and McCann. Sheahan is kept as 4C and we get back to back cups again

Never mind. Feds said Hörnqvist sucks and Arizona wouldn’t be interested
- Barnaby36

That is not what I said but congrats on getting butthurt.

Eh I’m not sure I totally agree with this take. If you’re a fast team, not everyone on the team needs to be actually fast themselves, they just need to compliment the fast players. Like Hornqvist when he was still good was a pretty good complement to our speed and skill guys and an important part of or Cups.

I think Bjugstad and Maatta can be on fast teams and fit well if they’re given correct lineages like Hornqvist used to. Gudbranson, on the other hand is a pretty awkward fit for as good as he’s been, and Johnson is totally useless regardless of what type of team he’s on.
- Victoro311

For Johnson & Gudbranson, if you keep them, you either A) Play them together and have a dumpster fire pairing or B) You play them on different pairings and hamper the guy you pair them with. See Schultz this year, especially. I'm mindful of the fact that Gudbranson played pretty decently with Pettersson. I'd be more willing to keep him than Johnson. I'm also aware that Johnson isnt going anywhere because Rutherford isnt seeing what we are seeing. I see no way to start the year with both so Gudbranson has to be the guy if it aint going to be Johnson.

Hornqvist cannot play in any system let alone a speed one. He needs to go no matter what system we play. I agree on Bjugstad and thought he played decently. I included him because he could actually fetch us a worthwhile piece.

I agree, not all of these guys will go, but if we are serious about converting back to a fast game, we cannot be filled with guys who cannot play in that system.

This will be unpopular, but ONLY If Hornqvist proves difficult for the Pens to move I’d look at a Horn/Grabner swap. Why you ask?

Grabner is not as good as Horn, but his speed and scoring potential could be a good fit as a middle-winger.

His contract would also be a bit of a relief.

Why would AZ want to do that? Hornqvist is a type of player they don’t have and I think is a good veteran fit for a young group like them.
- Rinosaur

I’d be ok with that if we could somehow get Crouse too. He’s 21 and hits like a Mofo.

Hörnqvist would join forces with Hjälmarsson and Ekman-Larsson. Maybe he wouldn’t be against such a move.

That is not what I said but congrats on getting butthurt.
- Feds91Stammer

To play in your beer league I’d call him terrible lol. Anyway, I could see him going to Arizona.

This will be unpopular, but ONLY If Hornqvist proves difficult for the Pens to move I’d look at a Horn/Grabner swap. Why you ask?

Grabner is not as good as Horn, but his speed and scoring potential could be a good fit as a middle-winger.

His contract would also be a bit of a relief.

Why would AZ want to do that? Hornqvist is a type of player they don’t have and I think is a good veteran fit for a young group like them.
- Rinosaur

I don’t think Chayka moves a guy he just brought in and fit in just fine. That’s a red flag when you’re trying to bring in other FAs. But he’s going to be in the market for a top 6 forward to replace Panik and he’s in the market to move a defender since they’ll have 8 with Lyubushkin

https://danhopper.substac...=share&utm_medium=ios_app

Really says all that needs to be said on the subject.

The bit about “maybe a pair of 7s has really turned the corner as a good poker hand” was inspired.

For Johnson & Gudbranson, if you keep them, you either A) Play them together and have a dumpster fire pairing or B) You play them on different pairings and hamper the guy you pair them with. See Schultz this year, especially. I'm mindful of the fact that Gudbranson played pretty decently with Pettersson. I'd be more willing to keep him than Johnson. I'm also aware that Johnson isnt going anywhere because Rutherford isnt seeing what we are seeing. I see no way to start the year with both so Gudbranson has to be the guy if it aint going to be Johnson.

Hornqvist cannot play in any system let alone a speed one. He needs to go no matter what system we play. I agree on Bjugstad and thought he played decently. I included him because he could actually fetch us a worthwhile piece.

I agree, not all of these guys will go, but if we are serious about converting back to a fast game, we cannot be filled with guys who cannot play in that system.
- SuperHenderson13

I disagree on the usefulness of Hornqvist. He needs to be in a defensive trap and transition team IMO. That allows him to get in on the forecheck quicker and skate out of his own end less often. He’s not a fit here because WE’RE NOT A TRANSITION TEAM ANYMORE

To play in your beer league I’d call him terrible lol. Anyway, I could see him going to Arizona.
- Barnaby36

How do you know the level of my league?

How do you know the level of my league?
- Feds91Stammer

Scottsdale, AZ has a league strictly for former pros / Div 1 players. Only way past that is via tryout

How do you know the level of my league?
- Feds91Stammer

I don’t really. Do you guys have any ex-NHL or AHL players? Even QMJHL/OHL/WHL players. Honest question Feds. It must be cool to play against some of these guys.

I don’t really. Do you guys have any ex-NHL or AHL players? Even QMJHL/OHL/WHL players. Honest question Feds. It must be cool to play against some of these guys.
- Barnaby36

Nah. I suck. Just yanking your chain.

Nah. I suck. Just yanking your chain.
- Feds91Stammer

Hahah F off, it doesn’t make it cool. I hoped for some names from the minors

https://danhopper.substack.com/p/on-jack-johnson-fatigue?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app

Really says all that needs to be said on the subject.

The bit about “maybe a pair of 7s has really turned the corner as a good poker hand” was inspired.
- Victoro311

Very good article.

Like many others, I don't believe Teflon Jim should be trusted with the keys to car. He should be relieved of his GM responsibilities ASAP. The case for his dismissal is heightened by the fact that the core is facing a downward age related gradient. He caught lightning in a bottle, but, given the circumstances, its time to pull the plug before he continues to tinker with the roster. Make no mistake about it, this version of the Pens were built to battle the Caps in Apr/May. It was a strategy that didn't work.

And if Crosby wants us to believe that management is left to handle management decisions, then it's simply random coincidence that his good friend, and RW's go-to scapegoat, wears a Pens sweater.

I think at this point we can only hope that JR gets pressure from ownership to fix the defense, i.e. JJ.

I will say this, I don’t think he’s necessarily wrong the comments he made about the group’s desire.

Can anyone provide the cliffs notes on Yohe’s article about changes that are coming?

JR is going to make some sneaky move and trade Gudbransson but then sign Dan girardi to a 5 year/25 mil contract

Can anyone provide the cliffs notes on Yohe’s article about changes that are coming?
- Rinosaur

Nothing but the same obvious stuff. All you need to read is the headline. "Changes are coming". He doesn't know anything more than anyone else.

I haven’t seen any, but is there any further disciplinary measures for Foegel?

I haven’t seen any, but is there any further disciplinary measures for Foegel?
- Doogs

Not even a hearing. The league is a joke sometimes.

Not even a hearing. The league is a joke sometimes.
- Rinosaur

Wow, and from what Coach Reirden said, Oshie is Out a while.

Wow, and from what Coach Reirden said, Oshie is Out a while.
- Doogs

That’s one of those hits that goes a slightly different direction and that’s Oshie’s neck.

James Neal scratched for tonight.

Would a Jack Johnson and something else for James Neal make sense?

I feel like we need to get rid of one of Hörnqvist or Jacko.

James Neal scratched for tonight.

Would a Jack Johnson and something else for James Neal make sense?
- Barnaby36

No.