If they were set in trading Malkin, I’d try to to get Vegas to make a deal.

Malkin/JJ for William Karlsson/Theodore.
- drummer829

I'd do it but likely Vegas wouldn't.

I was actually thinking a Kessel for Karlsson deal might make sense.

"The hole at a #2C would be catastrophic."

The hole at #2C this past season WAS catastrophic. And it showed night after night, to rear it's ugly head in the (brief) playoffs.

Nothing against Geno personally, but he isn't getting any younger. His heart didn't seem in it this season, and there is no remedy for that.

And just because GMJR has indeed had a couple bad trades, doesn't mean he doesn't still have a few tricks up his sleeve. Guess we'll see what happens.
- Cousinskrid

There was no hole at 2C this year. He managed to be a point per game player while playing significant minutes with a dumpster fire in JJ. Can’t ask of much more.

"The hole at a #2C would be catastrophic."

The hole at #2C this past season WAS catastrophic. And it showed night after night, to rear it's ugly head in the (brief) playoffs.

Nothing against Geno personally, but he isn't getting any younger. His heart didn't seem in it this season, and there is no remedy for that.

And just because GMJR has indeed had a couple bad trades, doesn't mean he doesn't still have a few tricks up his sleeve. Guess we'll see what happens.
- Cousinskrid

I think you need to give Geno the benefit of the doubt here. Claiming his heart wasn't in it is a lazy, short-sighted and unprovable statement. You're also completely disregarding his injury(ies) in 2018-19. As mentioned several times on this blog, he also mostly played on the 2nd line with the infamous Jack Johnson. Put his underwhelming season on the staff, not him.

Again, the Pens should not trade Geno unless the return is an offer that cannot be refused.

I think you need to give Geno the benefit of the doubt here. Claiming his heart wasn't in it is a lazy, short-sighted and unprovable statement. You're also completely disregarding his injury(ies) in 2018-19. As mentioned several times on this blog, he also mostly played on the 2nd line with the infamous Jack Johnson. Put his underwhelming season on the staff, not him.

Again, the Pens should not trade Geno unless the return is an offer that cannot be refused.
- MikeyKay

It’s a shame that a PPG season is considered underwhelming in the NHL.

It was written in French, which means it has no credibility whatsoever.
- jmatchett383

Yeah, I'm not buying this, just might as well speculate anyways.

I've always been a member of the "never trade Geno" club, but if you guaranteed me Duchene would sign for 8mil and Huberdeau+ for Geno.....well, that would be worth considering. That might extend the quickly closing window.

You don’t have Evgeni Malkin if you trade him.
- Ryan_Wilson

Isn't this true of any player?

I think you need to give Geno the benefit of the doubt here. Claiming his heart wasn't in it is a lazy, short-sighted and unprovable statement. You're also completely disregarding his injury(ies) in 2018-19. As mentioned several times on this blog, he also mostly played on the 2nd line with the infamous Jack Johnson. Put his underwhelming season on the staff, not him.

Again, the Pens should not trade Geno unless the return is an offer that cannot be refused.
- MikeyKay

This is all I'm saying, really, and Geno underwhelmed. Nothing personal. But I find it ironic that when an average winger underachieves, it's his fault. But if a superstar wing underwhelms, it's the D's fault. Should be the other way around, really.

This is all I'm saying, really, and Geno underwhelmed. Nothing personal. But I find it ironic that when an average winger underachieves, it's his fault. But if a superstar wing underwhelms, it's the D's fault. Should be the other way around, really.
- Cousinskrid

The fact that people think Geno underachieved is what’s comical.

I've always been a member of the "never trade Geno" club, but if you guaranteed me Duchene would sign for 8mil and Huberdeau+ for Geno.....well, that would be worth considering. That might extend the quickly closing window.
- madmike71

Personally I’d pass. I’d focus on building around Sid and Geno. If that means trading Kessel for whatever rift they have. Sid, Geno, and Letang can still compete for another 3 years imo IF the team around them is solid. You trade Geno for Huberdeau and Kessel for cap space and a lesser winger, I don’t believe that makes the team better than keeping Geno, trading Kessel for a winger and cap space, and signing another solid winger.

This is all I'm saying, really, and Geno underwhelmed. Nothing personal. But I find it ironic that when an average winger underachieves, it's his fault. But if a superstar wing underwhelms, it's the D's fault. Should be the other way around, really.
- Cousinskrid

If that superstar winger is usually good for 90+ points, then his production suddenly drops when paired primarily with a terrible defenseman, there's probably some truth in there.

Personally I’d pass. I’d focus on building around Sid and Geno. If that means trading Kessel for whatever rift they have. Sid, Geno, and Letang can still compete for another 3 years imo IF the team around them is solid. You trade Geno for Huberdeau and Kessel for cap space and a lesser winger, I don’t believe that makes the team better than keeping Geno, trading Kessel for a winger and cap space, and signing another solid winger.
- j.boyd919

I agree with all that.

I'm just saying, I don't find Evgeni Malkin attractive.

I'm just saying, I don't find Evgeni Malkin attractive.
- jmatchett383

Yeah I mean if a hockey players abilities and potential were based on looks he wouldn't of even been drafted.

This is all I'm saying, really, and Geno underwhelmed. Nothing personal. But I find it ironic that when an average winger underachieves, it's his fault. But if a superstar wing underwhelms, it's the D's fault. Should be the other way around, really.
- Cousinskrid

The defensemen he played with were a problem. It wasn't even just JJ, his numbers with Schultz and Maatta were also significantly worse.

I do think Malkin didn't have a great season despite the points because of the increase in turnovers and lazy backchecks. But he also doesn't drive possession anymore like he did in his 20s and could probably use some help there. Instead, he played mostly with the guys who struggle in that regard.

The fact that people think Geno underachieved is what’s comical.
- j.boyd919

Well you can't on one hand say he is an elite, top 10 center in the league who can't be traded and then not accept his performance being judged on that.

He put up a PPG, led mostly by power play scoring and he was a huge liability defensively all season. Not to mention he was given hugely favorable OZ starts.

So did he underachieve vs your average 2nd line center? No. Did he underacheive vs what you would expect of an untradeable superstar center... Yes he did.

Well you can't on one hand say he is an elite, top 10 center in the league who can't be traded and then not accept his performance being judged on that.

He put up a PPG, led mostly by power play scoring and he was a huge liability defensively all season. Not to mention he was given hugely favorable OZ starts.

So did he underachieve vs your average 2nd line center? No. Did he underacheive vs what you would expect of an untradeable superstar center... Yes he did.
- MacPatty

He had 40 5v5 points , which is on par with is career average. But sure. Keep running with that false “power play scoring” narrative with his 26 PP points.

The defensemen he played with were a problem. It wasn't even just JJ, his numbers with Schultz and Maatta were also significantly worse.
- Tojo.

Geno's response of "he's in the NHL, he can skate it out" during the team meeting and scenario question asked by Sullivan, really drives home his frustration with the defense corps.

Geno's response of "he's in the NHL, he can skate it out" during the team meeting and scenario question asked by Sullivan, really drives home his frustration with the defense corps.
- simethos

I honestly have zero problem with that answer coming from him or anyone on the team. He’s not wrong.

Geno's response of "he's in the NHL, he can skate it out" during the team meeting and scenario question asked by Sullivan, really drives home his frustration with the defense corps.
- simethos

Well, I don't want to absolve Geno, you can't just leave the zone and expect Chad Ruhwedel to get you the puck.

But yeah, it has to be frustrating when you're not playing with anyone who can get you the puck all year. Not just spring you on breakouts, but even winning the puck back. Who did that for him once Hagelin left?

Well, I don't want to absolve Geno, you can't just leave the zone and expect Chad Ruhwedel to get you the puck.

But yeah, it has to be frustrating when you're not playing with anyone who can get you the puck all year. Not just spring you on breakouts, but even winning the puck back. Who did that for him once Hagelin left?
- Tojo.

Rust is basically a short haired Hags. I’d like to see him glued to Geno next season.

Well, I don't want to absolve Geno, you can't just leave the zone and expect Chad Ruhwedel to get you the puck.

But yeah, it has to be frustrating when you're not playing with anyone who can get you the puck all year. Not just spring you on breakouts, but even winning the puck back. Who did that for him once Hagelin left?
- Tojo.

Not disagreeing but it’s not just our D. Our forwards abilities to get open and cut through lanes to make room for each other is BRUTAL. The Islanders breakout was so much more efficient. They would have a guy start moving up the ice, dish off to a guy on the wall who would dish it right back and then they would have 3-4 guys flying at 2-3 of ours. It happened all the time and it was excellent

Rust is basically a short haired Hags. I’d like to see him glued to Geno next season.
- j.boyd919

Rust is never a bad option on any line and I probably start him there too, but he isn't quite Hagelin level menace (few are), who really drive possession.

The move I'm obviously advocating is Pettersson getting more time with Malkin.

Are those changes enough? Kessel is Kessel, not going to drive play but going to score alot. Schultz has been wildly inconsistent year to year and he doesn't really boost Malkin's possession numbers even prior to this year, other than a 3% spike in team shooting percentage.

I'm just saying, I don't find Evgeni Malkin attractive.
- jmatchett383

Which dudes are you more into?

Which dudes are you more into?
- Nucker101

I always had a thing for Crosby. Those lips weren't made for talking.