Counting shots is not watching hockey. That’s why there is that stats guy, and then the coach and GM who make fun of the stats guy.
- Grinder47

The same coach and GM who gave Jack Johnson a big contract and franked us.

The same coach and GM who gave Jack Johnson a big contract and franked us.
- burgh4life87

You could have replaced Johnson with Erik Karlsson and the Islanders still would have swept the pens.

I think we should try to sign Petts in the
1.75-2.75 range for 2-3 years.

I’m not interested in Schultz at 6.5x6.

Murray extension seems “okay,” Id like to see how he plays this season before shelling out a huge contract.

Only problem with shipping Bjugstad is who plays 3C? I didn’t mind him at 3C and I think they want McCann on the wings so unless they are willing to commit to McCann at 3C, I’m not sure I see Bjugstad moving before Rust unfortunately. Still wish it was Horny being moved.
- j.boyd919

I don't think you want Schultz next contract then. Neither do I. Think it's happening though.

With the roster we have I'd actually like to try McCann at 3C as the shooter with a pair of grinding wings and Bjugstad on Malkin's wing as a 2 way, go to the net guy with enough skill to be a top 6. Can always switch back if it fails.

Guentzel-Crosby-Kahun
Galchenyuk-Malkin-Bjugstad
Tanev-McCann-Hornqvist
ZAR-Blueger-Simon
(I'm assuming Rust is gone).

The sad thing is that I think the JJ contract is so bad that it casts everything else that Rutherford does in a bad light, in many people's eyes.

If you are going to start from the position that "I have to get rid of Kessel no matter what" (and I am not going to speculate on the reasons why Rutherford would think this way - just assume there are reasons) then the Kessel deal wasn't that bad. The Pens freed up cap space long term, they got Galchenyuk in a contract year (it is basically now or never for him, if he wants to be an elite NHL player), and they got a top tier defensive prospect. They were going to lose this deal no matter what but this is probably a best possible outcome.

Yeah, the length of the Tanev deal is a bit much but I think Rutherford and all other GM's operate under the assumption that the cap will go up. If it goes up significantly then this deal really isn't that bad, especially if Tanev adds some combined speed and physicality to the team.

Really, I think some of the other UFA signings that RW mentioned are potentially worse. Panarin may have been the best player but I think the deal he got is definitely "extreme", even accounting for the cap going up. He hasn't really shown himself to be an exceptionally good team leader and for that kind of contract he should be. As for Duchene, he is easily the most overrated player in the league. And the offer sheet the Canadiens made to Aho is nuts (and unfair to Carolina - it forces them to be as nuts as Montreal, unless they want to go back to rebuilding).

There is also the possibility that the owners may push to opt-out of the current CBA on 9/1/2019, considering that the cap went down. They may push for a new CBA that includes some buyouts - in other words a way out of the JJ contract.

You could have replaced Johnson with Erik Karlsson and the Islanders still would have swept the pens.
- Grinder47

How is that relevant to Jack being terrible?

Counting shots is not watching hockey. That’s why there is that stats guy, and then the coach and GM who make fun of the stats guy.
That the owner hired because he frequents hockeybuzz to much.
- Grinder47

Who counts shots?

How is that relevant to Jack being terrible?
- burgh4life87

Because everyone acts like getting rid of Johnson just makes the team a contender again.

The weird stat arguments people make Vensel said Bjugstad doesn't finish enough because he only had 9 goals in 36 games with the Pens. That's a 20 goal pace from a guy who played the majority of the time on the 3rd line, what do you want?

The sad thing is that I think the JJ contract is so bad that it casts everything else that Rutherford does in a bad light, in many people's eyes.

If you are going to start from the position that "I have to get rid of Kessel no matter what" (and I am not going to speculate on the reasons why Rutherford would think this way - just assume there are reasons) then the Kessel deal wasn't that bad. The Pens freed up cap space long term, they got Galchenyuk in a contract year (it is basically now or never for him, if he wants to be an elite NHL player), and they got a top tier defensive prospect. They were going to lose this deal no matter what but this is probably a best possible outcome.

Yeah, the length of the Tanev deal is a bit much but I think Rutherford and all other GM's operate under the assumption that the cap will go up. If it goes up significantly then this deal really isn't that bad, especially if Tanev adds some combined speed and physicality to the team.

Really, I think some of the other UFA signings that RW mentioned are potentially worse. Panarin may have been the best player but I think the deal he got is definitely "extreme", even accounting for the cap going up. He hasn't really shown himself to be an exceptionally good team leader and for that kind of contract he should be. As for Duchene, he is easily the most overrated player in the league. And the offer sheet the Canadiens made to Aho is nuts (and unfair to Carolina - it forces them to be as nuts as Montreal, unless they want to go back to rebuilding).

There is also the possibility that the owners may push to opt-out of the current CBA on 9/1/2019, considering that the cap went down. They may push for a new CBA that includes some buyouts - in other words a way out of the JJ contract.
- PghPens668771

That Aho contract is an easy match. 8m for that guy? He’s a (frank)ing stud.

Who counts shots?
- j.boyd919

The all knowing fancy stat fairies, or furries? I believe they share a convention?

Because everyone acts like getting rid of Johnson just makes the team a contender again.
- Grinder47

Agree, getting rid of JJ wouldn't solve all their problems, just their biggest one.

Been fun guys. I’m going fishing. Have fun scrutinizing some 3rd line wingers contract.

Because everyone acts like getting rid of Johnson just makes the team a contender again.
- Grinder47

Nah. Getting rid of Johnson, Gudbranson, Rikkolla, Cullen, and Wilson and replacing them with hockey players that are good can make this team a contender again.

Not trading away good hockey players like Maatta and Phil and replacing them with or keeping other poor hockey players on the roster can make the team a contender again.

Not overpaying depth players by 1m and 4 years can make this team a contender again.

There are multiple things that can be done to make this team a contender, but the routes that GMJR has been going aren’t likely to be that route.

The all knowing fancy stat fairies, or furries? I believe they share a convention?
- Grinder47

None of them count shots. There are computers to do that.

The weird stat arguments people make Vensel said Bjugstad doesn't finish enough because he only had 9 goals in 36 games with the Pens. That's a 20 goal pace from a guy who played the majority of the time on the 3rd line, what do you want?
- Tojo.

He also had the most shots on the pens in his shortened season here. Was 2nd in 5v5 goals in that same span.

Been fun guys. I’m going fishing. Have fun scrutinizing some 3rd line wingers contract.
- Grinder47

You've been fishing for relevance on here for a while. Hopefully you catch something in the stream.

The weird stat arguments people make Vensel said Bjugstad doesn't finish enough because he only had 9 goals in 36 games with the Pens. That's a 20 goal pace from a guy who played the majority of the time on the 3rd line, what do you want?
- Tojo.

I don’t have a problem with Bjugstad at all. I’m okay with a 20 goal pace playing on the 3rd line. I don’t really want to get rid of him, I just feel like his contract would be easier to move (along with Rust) over JJ, Horny, and Guddy.

Chucky to wear 18. This Chucky = new Neal thing is getting uncanny

You figure Babs will have Spezza play 4C? I figure you’re likely wrong. He loves his seasoned vets
- WSCTeton17

thats exactly why he will put him on the 4th line. He loves his 4th line, espcially in game 7 critical moments lol

Rossi just posted an article trading Bjugs, ZAR, and Gudbranson to Ott - A 2021 2nd to Vegas, OTT send a 2020 3rd to Vegas, Vegas sends PGH Gusev and Ottawa sends PGH Condon. Then he wants Petts to sign a 4 year 14 mill deal or 6 year 19.5, Murray to go 8 x 7.5 and Schultz 6x6.5

I think I see better and realistic props on this site. Who gave him a job?
- burgh4life87

So we're trading Bjugstad, ZAR, an Gudbranson for a 3rd and Condon, just to bury Condon, because the 3rd is the piece we need to get Gusev?

I also don't know why they hired him, other than he had friends working there.

So we're trading Bjugstad, ZAR, an Gudbranson for a 3rd and Condon, just to bury Condon, because the 3rd is the piece we need to get Gusev?

I also don't know why they hired him, other than he had friends working there.
- Tojo.

Yeah Rossi sucks.

Because everyone acts like getting rid of Johnson just makes the team a contender again.
- Grinder47

No, but it frees up cap space for a player who can make a more positive impact. Look at the players who signed for around 3 mil. I’m sure anyone would rather have Brett Connolly or Richard Panik over Jack Johnson.

I’m ok with the Tanev contract as long as Hornqvist and/or Rust are traded in a package for an upgrade on wing. From what I understand, Kahun and Tanev have a similar play style as Rust. I’d prefer Hornqvist to be traded because of his cap hit, but it seems like he may have negative value (pens would have to throw in a high pick). I wonder if the Blues would take Hornqvist as they have some salary cap and it seems he’d fit their play style