Not sure where the idea that Kessel and Malkin needed each other came from. Outside of the PP they didnt work out well. Pens options for a trade need 1. upgrade the top 4 D. 2. Get Malkin wings that get him the puck or get Kessel a C that gets him the puck.

If the Pens do make moves they need to go big. This is beyond tweaking the lines....Do an overhaul.
- sammy87

Obviously I agree on Malkin and Kessel.

I don't even think they need that much. Improve the speed and puck moving ability on 1 or 2 dman spots. Get a top 6 2 way wing in place of Kessel. Get a 3rd line wing with a little scoring touch to bump Simon down. Should end up with a fairly dominant possession team.

Obviously I agree on Malkin and Kessel.

I don't even think they need that much. Improve the speed and puck moving ability on 1 or 2 dman spots. Get a top 6 2 way wing in place of Kessel. Get a 3rd line wing with a little scoring touch to bump Simon down. Should end up with a fairly dominant possession team.
- Tojo.

Rino likes Dzingel, which could be a good fit in our top 6 moving forward

I don’t think we need to bring in any defenders this offseason. Save that for in season if needed
Dumo-Letang
Petts-Schultz/PK
Ruhwedel-Gudbranson
Kola
The ghost of Sergei Gonchar
JMFJ

Rino likes Dzingel, which could be a good fit in our top 6 moving forward

I don’t think we need to bring in any defenders this offseason. Save that for in season if needed
Dumo-Letang
Petts-Schultz/PK
Ruhwedel-Gudbranson
Kola
The ghost of Sergei Gonchar
JMFJ
- WSCTeton17

I’m using that model because I’m assuming nobody wants Gudbranson or JJ. Just Maatta and Schultz

Rino likes Dzingel, which could be a good fit in our top 6 moving forward

I don’t think we need to bring in any defenders this offseason. Save that for in season if needed
Dumo-Letang
Petts-Schultz/PK
Ruhwedel-Gudbranson
Kola
The ghost of Sergei Gonchar
JMFJ
- WSCTeton17

Dzingel will be tough to get, he's on almost everyone's wish list.

Ruhwedel is a UFA and a righty so wouldn't pair with Gudbranson.

Riikola might eventually be the 3rd LD if he steps up (should have started in WBS) and JJ falls out of favor (and he returns). Feel like that might be a trade deadline move, just because JJ is the plan right now. 😒

Dzingel will be tough to get, he's on almost everyone's wish list.

Ruhwedel is a UFA and a righty so wouldn't pair with Gudbranson.

Riikola might eventually be the 3rd LD if he steps up (should have started in WBS) and JJ falls out of favor (and he returns). Feel like that might be a trade deadline move, just because JJ is the plan right now. 😒
- Tojo.

I’ve got Hayes at 6-6.25, Zucc at 5.75-6, Dzingel at 5-5.25 and I think Nyquist (depending on these playoffs) lies somewhere in between all of them

Wouldn’t surprise me to see Zucc and Hayes on the same club either both in Dallas or back with NYR

Since the preds PP is dead last in the league (12%) they need Kessel to help it out!

Kessel, 3rd round pick for Tolvanen, Allard OR Fabbro...

Hornqvist, Maatta, Jarry, 1st for Klefbom, Kassian, Puljujarvi

Get 1 of Hayes, Eberle, Ferland, Nelson or Nyquist as free agent!

Boom done! E5+!

Since the preds PP is dead last in the league (12%) they need Kessel to help it out!

Kessel, 3rd round pick for Tolvanen, Allard OR Fabbro...

Hornqvist, Maatta, Jarry, 1st for Klefbom, Kassian, Puljujarvi

Get 1 of Hayes, Eberle, Ferland, Nelson or Nyquist as free agent!

Boom done! E5+!
- pens4life-66

If the Penguins window is now (next 3-4 years), I don't think they'd want to do that Preds deal.

Picture this PP formation. Malkin on his one T side, Subban on his, Letang up top, 59/72 in front and 87 down low: Letang dishes over to Malkin and cuts down the middle towards the net. Malkin A) rips the puck on net with 3 players at or going to the net B) gives it down low to Sid who feeds Letang for a 1T or sauces it further to Subban for the 1T (which wasn’t an option with Phil) or C) if the PK follows Letang down low then Malkin gives it back to Subban for the 1T (or he in turn gives it right back to Geno for his) and we still have 3 guys in and around the net

You literally can’t take anything away with this setup because it highlights a 2 on 1 in so many segments and the best part is that Crosby is often the guy passing on the odd man opportunity lol
- WSCTeton17

The thing is...I think Letang gets the half wall in this scenario and PK takes the point. Letang's wrister and passing ability are sick.

But, if I'm dealing with the Preds, I'm looking at another player in a 1 for 1 deal... Ellis. Contracts are similar and so is value to current team. I'd then look to move Schultz on his own for a winger.

The thing is...I think Letang gets the half wall in this scenario and PK takes the point. Letang's wrister and passing ability are sick.

But, if I'm dealing with the Preds, I'm looking at another player in a 1 for 1 deal... Ellis. Contracts are similar and so is value to current team. I'd then look to move Schultz on his own for a winger.
- cranktheradio

Agree 100%

The thing is...I think Letang gets the half wall in this scenario and PK takes the point. Letang's wrister and passing ability are sick.

But, if I'm dealing with the Preds, I'm looking at another player in a 1 for 1 deal... Ellis. Contracts are similar and so is value to current team. I'd then look to move Schultz on his own for a winger.
- cranktheradio

Letang’s wrister is good from up top and the right side. How many wrister goals have we seen from him on the left side of the umbrella? Whereas PK already has a long history of ripping that shot from the left side of the umbrella and up top. He has a canon. If you run the give and go scenario your way then Letang lets the bomb go from up top? That’s taking away from Subban’s strength up top. The idea isn’t to QB this PP from the left side, it’s to QB it up top and from the right side which would be Letang, Geno, and Sid. Subban would only fill the top once it’s vacated and left wide open when Letang darts down low. As we’ve seen time and time again, players don’t always fit when you mash them into a scenario they aren’t comfortable with

It’s also about what Nashville wants in the trade and their future. Their future is re-signing Josi and giving him Subban money and moving Subban out. If the ask is Ellis my guess is they walk away from the deal and add in free agency. In that case, great job. Now GMJR is going to unload him elsewhere for junk!

Dark horse pick to land Kessel: Colorado. They have a ton of value contracts where they can fit him in for the short term. Obviously they would love Schultz too. D corps of EJ, Barrie, Cole, Schultz, Makar, Girard. Drool. This would fit GMJRs pushback factor if we took Zadorov coming back lol. Problem with COL is they don’t need to trade for him, they can solve their issues in FA and won’t need to give up assets
- WSCTeton17

This exactly. Phil is a “final piece” player and the Avs are ready for that next step. I wonder if Sakic might look to sell high on Tyson Jost whilst that asset still holds some value.

This exactly. Phil is a “final piece” player and the Avs are ready for that next step. I wonder if Sakic might look to sell high on Tyson Jost whilst that asset still holds some value.
- Za Warudo

I was thinking the same but then quickly came to the thought that Sakic likely only moves on from a Tyson Jost or Barrie type player if their contractual asks are ridiculous

I was thinking the same but then quickly came to the thought that Sakic likely only moves on from a Tyson Jost or Barrie type player if their contractual asks are ridiculous
- WSCTeton17

2019 Jost is the equivalent of 2016 Maatta. Sell now while perceived value still exceeds actual value, or regret not having done so.

Kessel for Byfuglien?

Kessel for Byfuglien?
- TheUltimateJet

Letang for Trouba?

Let’s be honest Kessel without a doubt has a shelf life on any team. Rutherford has the balls to pull it off too. He did build a Stanley cup winning team like 2 years ago. Every nhl GM knows way more about building a team than any of you, me or and especially RyanWilson. Go Blues

Also look at binnington. The time to cash in on Murray’s Stanley cup rings is now. So simple.

Let’s be honest Kessel without a doubt has a shelf life on any team. Rutherford has the balls to pull it off too. He did build a Stanley cup winning team like 2 years ago. Every nhl GM knows way more about building a team than any of you, me or and especially RyanWilson. Go Blues
- Grinder47

I could probably take five shots of jamo and do the same thing Rutherford’s doing right now. Hell, I was a big proponent of both Brassard and Bjugstad during two years ago’s offseason. We basically have the same taste.

Letang’s wrister is good from up top and the right side. How many wrister goals have we seen from him on the left side of the umbrella? Whereas PK already has a long history of ripping that shot from the left side of the umbrella and up top. He has a canon. If you run the give and go scenario your way then Letang lets the bomb go from up top? That’s taking away from Subban’s strength up top. The idea isn’t to QB this PP from the left side, it’s to QB it up top and from the right side which would be Letang, Geno, and Sid. Subban would only fill the top once it’s vacated and left wide open when Letang darts down low. As we’ve seen time and time again, players don’t always fit when you mash them into a scenario they aren’t comfortable with

It’s also about what Nashville wants in the trade and their future. Their future is re-signing Josi and giving him Subban money and moving Subban out. If the ask is Ellis my guess is they walk away from the deal and add in free agency. In that case, great job. Now GMJR is going to unload him elsewhere for junk!
- WSCTeton17

I see your point with the power play. But, I feel like Letang's work on the half wall (where Kessel is) opposite Geno would be devastating. PK would still get his shots off from that side as he Geno likes to come up and Sid slides into his spot quite often. I just think Tanger's puck skills would be more valuable from that spot. And, his ability to see Sid backdoor is still there.

Plus, I don't think Ellis is a no go for the Preds. He had a very average season and is locked up for a really long time. Honestly, they NEED help exactly what Phil brings. And, as a Pens fan...I'm worried by the fact that PK looked slow last season. Like, not nearly as dynamic. It looked like a lower back injury or something by watching his stride.

Let’s be honest Kessel without a doubt has a shelf life on any team. Rutherford has the balls to pull it off too. He did build a Stanley cup winning team like 2 years ago. Every nhl GM knows way more about building a team than any of you, me or and especially RyanWilson. Go Blues
- Grinder47

I'm personally concerned that Botts may have been the calm voice in GMJR's ear over the years. Buuuttt, he did give up ROR for NOTHING so, they're all capable of mistakes.

I do love the additions of Bjugstad, McCann, Schultz, the attempt to upgrade with Pearson, Gudbranson (even if he's paid about 1 mil too much), Petterson, and the college and European UFA's ZAR and Riikola. Jack Johnson...mistake. but, it sounds like the entire staff was in on that one.

Truthfully, the team did just get younger and harder to play against. And, they're completely set for another run if they don't want to make a shake up.

I could probably take five shots of jamo and do the same thing Rutherford’s doing right now. Hell, I was a big proponent of both Brassard and Bjugstad during two years ago’s offseason. We basically have the same taste.
- Victoro311

No you couldn’t, you didn’t and never will. Rutherford also has respect from otherGMs while they wouldn’t even return your calls.

I'm personally concerned that Botts may have been the calm voice in GMJR's ear over the years. Buuuttt, he did give up ROR for NOTHING so, they're all capable of mistakes.

I do love the additions of Bjugstad, McCann, Schultz, the attempt to upgrade with Pearson, Gudbranson (even if he's paid about 1 mil too much), Petterson, and the college and European UFA's ZAR and Riikola. Jack Johnson...mistake. but, it sounds like the entire staff was in on that one.

Truthfully, the team did just get younger and harder to play against. And, they're completely set for another run if they don't want to make a shake up.
- cranktheradio

The whole Botterill thing is just cooked up so fancy stat fan boys don’t have to give an old time roughian like Rutherford credit for anything.

I see your point with the power play. But, I feel like Letang's work on the half wall (where Kessel is) opposite Geno would be devastating. PK would still get his shots off from that side as he Geno likes to come up and Sid slides into his spot quite often. I just think Tanger's puck skills would be more valuable from that spot. And, his ability to see Sid backdoor is still there.

Plus, I don't think Ellis is a no go for the Preds. He had a very average season and is locked up for a really long time. Honestly, they NEED help exactly what Phil brings. And, as a Pens fan...I'm worried by the fact that PK looked slow last season. Like, not nearly as dynamic. It looked like a lower back injury or something by watching his stride.
- cranktheradio

Believe he was playing through an injury that rest would have helped.

No you couldn’t, you didn’t and never will. Rutherford also has respect from otherGMs while they wouldn’t even return your calls.
- Grinder47

Lol it’s so easy to trigger you my dude.

The whole Botterill thing is just cooked up so fancy stat fan boys don’t have to give an old time roughian like Rutherford credit for anything.
- Grinder47

Wasnt Botts around when they messed up the cap and had to dress 5 Dmen?

Did he hire Disco in Buff?

Either way Buff still sucks with Botts.