Ryan Wilson: Hurricanes closing the gap on the Penguins Hurricanes closing the gap on the Penguins

*have closed the gap

*have surpassed

Probably from Detroit. Detroit style pizza is generally cheese then sauce too.
- j.boyd919

There’s this place in Vegas called Pizza Rock and it’s one of the few decent places in Vegas for pizza. They do all styles and my favorite is called the Detroit Red Top with the sauce on top. It’s honestly great and this is coming from a serious pizza snob.

JR is only a move or two from returning the Pens to major contenders. It’s just a matter if he can/will.

You’re dead on with the Canes improvement. If they get average goaltending they will be in the playoffs again. Still not sold on Pens but am hopeful to see a more focused team effort and a longer playoff run. They have the pieces.

*have closed the gap
- FinnGod

Yeah

*have surpassed
- Nucker101

Prolly

This is the Pens’ last playoff year for a while, if they make it at all.

Take a look at CapGeek for 20-21. It’s going to be ugly.

This is the Pens’ last playoff year for a while, if they make it at all.

Take a look at CapGeek for 20-21. It’s going to be ugly.
- Za Warudo

Meh... Buy out JJ saves 2mil. Let Galch walk. Saves 4.9mil. Let Schultz walk. Saves 5.5mil. Got to pay Kahun and McCann and find a replacement for Schultz with the surplus. It's not dire. Just can't throw stupid money around like he did with Tanev and JJ.

Meh... Buy out JJ saves 2mil. Let Galch walk. Saves 4.9mil. Let Schultz walk. Saves 5.5mil. Got to pay Kahun and McCann and find a replacement for Schultz with the surplus. It's not dire. Just can't throw stupid money around like he did with Tanev and JJ.
- madmike71

Based on 2019 cap, you’ve got 17.9 in space. Let’s assume a 3% increase and that puts you at 20.5.

Now, start with Matt Murray’s new contract. Let’s be conservative and call that 6 Mil. Leaves us at 14.5. Dominic Simon needs a new deal, let’s again stay Conservative and call that 1 Mil, so 13.5.

Next let’s take Kahun and McCann. A combined 5 Mil for both strikes me as reasonable. Now we’re down to 8.5.

Now, consider Marcus Pettersson still needs a new deal. If he bets on himself and goes for a 1-year, then he needs another new contract next year. If he’s a legit top 4 defenseman, he’s getting AT LEAST 3.5 and quite possibly much more. But let’s assume 3.5, and now we have 5 Mil left.

This brings us to Schultz and Galchenyuk. You aren’t getting either of them back for 5 Mil (unless Gally tanks, in which case you don’t want him anyway.). This is a top 6 winger and a top 4 D, with only spare parts money to replace them.

Sure, you can trade Bjugstad or buy someone out, but there’s nothing here that is paradigm-shifting and not enough help coming from WBS. And let’s not forget Sid and Geno will be 33 and 34, respectively.

This is the last season of good times. Enjoy it.

Based on 2019 cap, you’ve got 17.9 in space. Let’s assume a 3% increase and that puts you at 20.5.

Now, start with Matt Murray’s new contract. Let’s be conservative and call that 6 Mil. Leaves us at 14.5. Dominic Simon needs a new deal, let’s again stay Conservative and call that 1 Mil, so 13.5.

Next let’s take Kahun and McCann. A combined 5 Mil for both strikes me as reasonable. Now we’re down to 8.5.

Now, consider Marcus Pettersson still needs a new deal. If he bets on himself and goes for a 1-year, then he needs another new contract next year. If he’s a legit top 4 defenseman, he’s getting AT LEAST 3.5 and quite possibly much more. But let’s assume 3.5, and now we have 5 Mil left.

This brings us to Schultz and Galchenyuk. You aren’t getting either of them back for 5 Mil (unless Gally tanks, in which case you don’t want him anyway.). This is a top 6 winger and a top 4 D, with only spare parts money to replace them.

Sure, you can trade Bjugstad or buy someone out, but there’s nothing here that is paradigm-shifting and not enough help coming from WBS. And let’s not forget Sid and Geno will be 33 and 34, respectively.

This is the last season of good times. Enjoy it.
- Za Warudo

There's a good chance Rust and his $3.5 mil won't be around and maybe, just maybe, the Pens will get lucky and have a quality forward and quality defenseman on ELCs come through.

I was just looking at the Pens schedule this season and we have 16 back-to-back games. Is is just me or is that a lot?? All but 1 involves travel in between.

OK. For those of you following at home, cause this writer clearly isn't, Jake Gardnier is an absolute mess in his own end. The Leafs desperately need another good NHL defenseman yet just about every real fan breathed a collective sign of relief when Area 51 finally signed somewhere else. That should tell your something.

Good lip service to Carolina. I would still much rather have the Pens matchup against Carolina than the Islanders though.

OK. For those of you following at home, cause this writer clearly isn't, Jake Gardnier is an absolute mess in his own end. The Leafs desperately need another good NHL defenseman yet just about every real fan breathed a collective sign of relief when Area 51 finally signed somewhere else. That should tell your something.
- Greyman

In case you haven’t been following this writer doesn’t watch hockey. Stats say He’s good, he’s good.

OK. For those of you following at home, cause this writer clearly isn't, Jake Gardnier is an absolute mess in his own end. The Leafs desperately need another good NHL defenseman yet just about every real fan breathed a collective sign of relief when Area 51 finally signed somewhere else. That should tell your something.
- Greyman

I think Gardiner is a lot better than you think he is. No offense, but I get the sense that most Leafs fans tend to overreact to things such as a gaffe in the playoffs leading to a game-winning goal. Gardiner is a good defender and a puck-moving defenseman who provides a lot of offense and is a bargain at $4 mil. You can use stats, an unbiased eye test, whatever you want, and this is the likely conclusion.

The Leafs can't afford him which is why he is playing elsewhere.

I think Gardiner is a lot better than you think he is. No offense, but I get the sense that most Leafs fans tend to overreact to things such as a gaffe in the playoffs leading to a game-winning goal. Gardiner is a good defender and a puck-moving defenseman who provides a lot of offense and is a bargain at $4 mil. You can use stats, an unbiased eye test, whatever you want, and this is the likely conclusion.

The Leafs can't afford him which is why he is playing elsewhere.
- Hockey66

The only thing I would add to this is anyone who has had back issues knows how suddenly and unexpectedly crippling a back issue can be, let alone a guy trying to keep his career in the NHL going. Sit up in bed one fine morning, try to stretch as most people do, and WHAM, you're DONE for months. Hope it works out for Carolina, but JG could end up playing video games.

I think Gardiner is a lot better than you think he is. No offense, but I get the sense that most Leafs fans tend to overreact to things such as a gaffe in the playoffs leading to a game-winning goal. Gardiner is a good defender and a puck-moving defenseman who provides a lot of offense and is a bargain at $4 mil. You can use stats, an unbiased eye test, whatever you want, and this is the likely conclusion.

The Leafs can't afford him which is why he is playing elsewhere.
- Hockey66

Oh yes, you nailed it and if he says otherwise he's lying. I live in a place that has a heavy following and love for the Leafs. Some of my best buds are diehard Leafs fans...and these guys hate Gardiner because of those playoff gaffs. Some blame the 1st round exists squarely on him. I try and reason with them and tell them how ridiculous that is...

OK. For those of you following at home, cause this writer clearly isn't, Jake Gardnier is an absolute mess in his own end. The Leafs desperately need another good NHL defenseman yet just about every real fan breathed a collective sign of relief when Area 51 finally signed somewhere else. That should tell your something.
- Greyman

Nah.

Good lip service to Carolina. I would still much rather have the Pens matchup against Carolina than the Islanders though.
- Grinder47

Lol the Isles (frank)ing blow, dude.

OK. For those of you following at home, cause this writer clearly isn't, Jake Gardnier is an absolute mess in his own end. The Leafs desperately need another good NHL defenseman yet just about every real fan breathed a collective sign of relief when Area 51 finally signed somewhere else. That should tell your something.
- Greyman

Gardiner may be good in the CORSI HOCKEY LEAGUE but in the NHL he lacks important traits like grit/60, truculence, and a willingness to give life-altering concussions. Plus he wasn’t even born in Canada, so how could he possibly be good?

Lol the Isles (frank)ing blow, dude.
- BINGO!

Need I remind you they SMOKED the Pens in 4 games. SMOKED.

Need I remind you they SMOKED the Pens in 4 games. SMOKED.
- Cousinskrid

And then they got smoked 4-0 by the Canes.

We got trounced by the Islanders and the later got trounced by the Canes. I believe in favorable matchups and the Penguins doesn't do very well against teams coached by Trotz.