Well yeah, it only makes sense there'd be more HDSC on the PP than 5 on 5...theyre playing with an extra player. There's also only like 2 to 8 mins of PP time a game. Sometimes none, sometimes a bit more.
- MattStrat

That’s why I used per 60. Because it levels the comparison.

It’s not a slightly less Phil lol 30-40 points is a lot more than slightly less.
- j.boyd919

Phil is the superior player, no doubt...but for how much longer?

Who knows.

It’s not a slightly less Phil lol 30-40 points is a lot more than slightly less.
- j.boyd919

But didn't you know, Chucky is going to significantly up his output now finally playing with the likes of Sid and Geno?

Phil is the superior player, no doubt...but for how much longer?

Who knows.
- MattStrat

Yeah, 82 points last year. Definitely a sign he's slipping. Who knows...

Yeah, 82 points last year. Definitely a sign he's slipping. Who knows...
- Rinosaur

That' s right, who knows, Debbie Downer. You certainly don't. No one does.

3 seasons ago Phil and Galch were only 3 points in the difference and Galch had 4 more goals than Phil.

But didn't you know, Chucky is going to significantly up his output now finally playing with the likes of Sid and Geno?
- Rinosaur

Its no sure fire, but its also not that far fetched. Phil had his career years playing with them.

Its no sure fire, but its also not that far fetched. Phil had his career years playing with them.
- MattStrat

He still put up far more playing with Bozak than Chucky did anywhere.

He still put up far more playing with Bozak than Chucky did anywhere.
- Rinosaur

That's irrelevant to what I said.

Also Phil had .74, .78 and .79 ppg seasons with Bozak....Galch had a .72 ppg season and that wasnt the season they were only 3 points apart.

Regardless, Phil is the superior player, I know that, but Galch has capabilities for his production to rise...but it might not.


Who knows.

Yeah, 82 points last year. Definitely a sign he's slipping. Who knows...
- Rinosaur

Let's hold off on judgement until after this season.

- j.boyd919

You didn’t find the humor there?

You didn’t find the humor there?
- Doogs

Hahaha just a bit.

Yohe seems to think Bjugstad is the likeliest to go followed by Rust.

Has anyone in the organization said they'd never buy out a player? Is it a Mario thing? Players always say it's a business, why is this team afraid to treat it so?

They have been given an easy out and regardless of the $ amount over time, it creates space for the immediate future and makes the team better.

A trade of Rust for Pulj and a JJ buyout should free up the space for the new Russian boner no?
- Thorny87

Buyouts are done for this year. Can't buyout a player until next summer.

Yohe seems to think Bjugstad is the likeliest to go followed by Rust.
- Rinosaur

Gross.

Its f'n maddening. If they trade Bjugs just watch the panic for a 3rd line C around November. ...and they'll still have JJ and lackluster D.

Gross.
- MattStrat

Yup. As we know moving JJ would solve all of it, but JR likes him, so nope.

Yup. As we know moving JJ would solve all of it, but JR likes him, so nope.
- Rinosaur

See my edit?

Yohe seems to think Bjugstad is the likeliest to go followed by Rust.
- Rinosaur

I saw that. It would be a total GMJR move to finally find a quality 3rd line center and then trade him just to clear space.

And honestly, after seeing Rust last season, I'd be more than Ok moving him. He is a good player for the contract, but he is replaceable. He also has value, so you could get a decent return from a team looking to contend instead of dumping Bjugs to a team for pennies on the dollar.

Kessel is a better player than Galy and that's why the Pens got a top D prospect with him. That being said, it will be interesting to see what Kessel can do when he becomes the center of attention again.

No more 3rd line matchups or 2nd line matchups with a top 5 center in the league. No more sitting across from the best player in the world on the power play.

I would not be surprised at all to see both Kessel and Galchenyuk match eachother with 70 point season's given their new surroundings.

Yohe seems to think Bjugstad is the likeliest to go followed by Rust.
- Rinosaur

I'd be surprised if he got moved but some people here act like he is untouchable. He is a solid player but it's not like he is irreplaceable. I don't think they should dump him for cap space but I'd be fine moving him for a good return.

I bet they are trying to move Jack or Erik but aren't finding any takers. We need to move one of these contracts pretty soon. Hopefully he doesn't F up and trade Bjugstad.
- Barnaby36

Pure speculation, but this is where I think the Pens are heading defensively:

1) Pettersson to 2nd pair. GMJR has talked him up alot and there are rumors they're going to skip the bridge deal and get him locked in at long-term deal. Maybe not start of season, but a matter of time.

2. The plan is for Joseph, who Tocchet said in an interview Rutherford insisted on to replace JJ when he's ready. Maybe Riikola bridges them there if he improves, GMJR has talked him up alot. But right now, they're probably more comfortable with JJ.

3. So who would be a good first partner for a skinny puck-moving defenseman? Or even an inexperienced Riikola? Erik Gudbranson. Maybe with next year's cap crunch he goes. Certainly in a couple years you'd think Addison will replace him, but for now, I think they will want to keep him.

I saw that. It would be a total GMJR move to finally find a quality 3rd line center and then trade him just to clear space.

And honestly, after seeing Rust last season, I'd be more than Ok moving him. He is a good player for the contract, but he is replaceable. He also has value, so you could get a decent return from a team looking to contend instead of dumping Bjugs to a team for pennies on the dollar.
- burgh4life87

I like Rust, buy with the elevated points he gets always playing with Crosby and the reputation he got from the Cup runs, he seems like the type of guy someone would overpay for.

Worst GM's in the NHL, but the top 2 are on another level of bad:

1. Jim Benning
2. Jim Rutherford
3. Paul Fenton
4. Pierre Dorion
5. Dale Tallon
6. Lou Lamoriello
7. Chuck Fletcher/Kevin Chevaldayoff
- quinneroma

I don't know. None of the above signed James Neal to a 5 year contract @ $5.75 mil per year.

I just don't think they've really tried to move Johnson or Gudbranson. When you look at the Toronto/Ottawa deal, you're telling me Rutherford couldn't have offered Johnson + Rust or even ZAR?

Zaitsev is marginally better than Johnson in some areas, but equally bad in most and has a much worse contract. If JR wanted to move Johnson he could. He doesn't want to and that's our biggest tipoff he's lost his grip.
- Rinosaur

I agree with you about the value. The main difference is Zaitsev is a righty an that always gets over-valued because almost everyone needs another one.

I like Rust, buy with the elevated points he gets always playing with Crosby and the reputation he got from the Cup runs, he seems like the type of guy someone would overpay for.
- Tojo.

That is my thought. He has value, because he is a solid player and the narrative around him is strong. I think he gets you the best prospect\pick to shed salary and leaves you with the easiest hole to fill. Frankly, watching Kahun video from last year, I have no doubt he could be a 15 goal, 40 point players at 5v5 with Sid and Jake. He is a much better support player in offensive production than Rust is.

Phil is the superior player, no doubt...but for how much longer?

Who knows.
- MattStrat

Everybody as been concerned with Hornqvist's second half drop off and rightly so. I don't understand why everyone takes it for granted that Phil, who had 2 80+ point seasons before his 30s is automatically going to do it again. He also slowed down the second half, both production wise (was mid-60s) and just speed. He's better than Galchenyuk and fits the PP better, but I saw him coming in under 70 points next year