Ryan Wilson: If the plan is to play Justin Schultz with Jack Johnson, trade him If the plan is to play Justin Schultz with Jack Johnson, trade him

Marino has made Schultz expendable. If Schultz had an LD on the 3rd pair who was a positionally responsible partner then I'd think there's be a good balance there, but if the Pens have a chance to secure an RD under contract on the 3rd pair then you pull the trigger.

Honestly, Jack Johnson must have done something bad to this blogger's family. I know he isn't the best defenseman to ever wear the flightless bird on the front of his jersey but damn dude, give it a break for a little while. I swear EVERY article is an attack on JJ. There must be a personal vendetta driving this onslaught of negativity. I've been watching hockey probably longer than this blogger has been alive and there have been far worse defensemen than Johnson come and go over the years. Also, this millennial ideology that all these fancy stats tell the whole story of a player's value is just silly. Even if JJ is the worst defenseman to ever play the position, writing something negative about the same player 4 out of every 5 articles is just getting real stale. I know it isn't actually 4 out of 5, it just seems that way. There is an unhealthy obsession there, that's for sure.

Honestly, Jack Johnson must have done something bad to this blogger's family. I know he isn't the best defenseman to ever wear the flightless bird on the front of his jersey but damn dude, give it a break for a little while. I swear EVERY article is an attack on JJ. There must be a personal vendetta driving this onslaught of negativity. I've been watching hockey probably longer than this blogger has been alive and there have been far worse defensemen than Johnson come and go over the years. Also, this millennial ideology that all these fancy stats tell the whole story of a player's value is just silly. Even if JJ is the worst defenseman to ever play the position, writing something negative about the same player literally 4 out of every 5 articles is just getting real stale. I don't think this dude knows enough about the sport or the team to come up with anything fresh.
- Rented Mule 66

The blog was about Schultz though...

The blog was about Schultz though...
- Feds91Stammer

And Johnson.

The blog was about Schultz though...
- Feds91Stammer

That makes my point! Even in a blog about another player, he has to include an attack on Johnson, who's name is mentioned in the title. We all know this blogger thinks JJ sucks. I bet he couldn't go 3 consecutive posts without mentioning him somewhere.

If I had to guess, Rutherford won't deal Schultz. Even though he hasn't been great this season, I think JR should keep the RD depth when considering Letang's injury history.

Marino seems to have earned 2nd pairing, right side IMHO:

3/58
28/6
50/4

Until Dumo comes back.

I'd be looking in to grabbing both Toffoli and Martinez out of LA. I know a lot of teams will be going after Martinez, but the Pens should attempt to be competitive for him as a replacement for Schultz. As good as Marino has been, in the case of the good ole sophomore slump he can be sheltered on the 3rd pair while Martinez steps in.

Unless LA want Schultz as a placeholder in return, the Pens could effectively make a move like RW was suggesting involving Schultz to NSH. Granlund may not be as sexy as Zucker, Saad, etc..., but he would be a solid addition.

If I had to guess, Rutherford won't deal Schultz. Even though he hasn't been great this season, I think JR should keep the RD depth when considering Letang's injury history.
- madmike71

I highly doubt JR makes a move for and LD and I agree about Schultz unless he happens to find a hockey deal for Schultz' replacement.

In general I don't expect any moves for a dman unless another major injury occurs.

That makes my point! Even in a blog about another player, he has to include an attack on Johnson, who's name is mentioned in the title. We all know this blogger thinks JJ sucks. I bet he couldn't go 3 consecutive posts without mentioning him somewhere.
- Rented Mule 66

But he was pointing out that the JJ-Schultz pairing is bad and going a different route would/could produce better results. I’m not sure what you’re complaining about.

I'd be looking in to grabbing both Toffoli and Martinez out of LA. I know a lot of teams will be going after Martinez, but the Pens should attempt to be competitive for him as a replacement for Schultz. As good as Marino has been, in the case of the good ole sophomore slump he can be sheltered on the 3rd pair while Martinez steps in.

Unless LA want Schultz as a placeholder in return, the Pens could effectively make a move like RW was suggesting involving Schultz to NSH. Granlund may not be as sexy as Zucker, Saad, etc..., but he would be a solid addition.
- Rinosaur

I wouldn't mess with this team's chemistry at all. They just came off an impressive come-from-behind win against the B's without Jake, 27 and 4... not to mention what they did long-term without Sid. Let 'em all get healthy and come back, and then maybe see what GMJR is offered by other teams.

But he was pointing out that the JJ-Schultz pairing is bad and going a different route would/could produce better results. I’m not sure what you’re complaining about.
- j.boyd919

Not really complaining, just pointing out that the blogger can't go a week without female doging about Johnson. JJ isn't that horrible of a player. Kris Letang, who everyone praises as the best D-man to play for the Pens since Randy Carlisle, makes more mistakes in one game that JJ does in a week. Not saying JJ is a better player than Letang cause Letang brings way more offense and mobility but, IMO, Letang is more likely to cost the Pens a game on any given night that Johnson.

I wouldn't mess with this team's chemistry at all. They just came off an impressive come-from-behind win against the B's without Jake, 27 and 4... not to mention what they did long-term without Sid. Let 'em all get healthy and come back, and then maybe see what GMJR is offered by other teams.
- Cousinskrid

Is Chemistry important? Sure, but adding or subtracting doesn't mean you'll mess with it. There's always this irrational fear that when a team is on a hot streak and gets a key player back from injury that it will throw off the chemistry.

The major thing about this Pens team IMO is not chemistry; it's how hard they work and stay focused to this system. Can a player come in and not get with the program? Sure, but I think the if Pens target the right players that won't be an issue.

Not really complaining, just pointing out that the blogger can't go a week without female doging about Johnson. JJ isn't that horrible of a player. Kris Letang, who everyone praises as the best D-man to play for the Pens since Randy Carlisle, makes more mistakes in one game that JJ does in a week. Not saying JJ is a better player than Letang cause Letang brings way more offense and mobility but, IMO, Letang is more likely to cost the Pens a game on any given night that Johnson.
- Rented Mule 66

Nah. You were definitely complaining.

Is Chemistry important? Sure, but adding or subtracting doesn't mean you'll mess with it. There's always this irrational fear that when a team is on a hot streak and gets a key player back from injury that it will throw off the chemistry.

The major thing about this Pens team IMO is not chemistry; it's how hard they work and stay focused to this system. Can a player come in and not get with the program? Sure, but I think the if Pens target the right players that won't be an issue.
- Rinosaur

Chemistry isn’t a real thing. Players need to fit the system. That’s it.

Proposal for a big deal. Please add suggestions on how to make the deal more realistic...

TO PIT:
Josh Manson
Rickard Rakell

TO ANA:
Nick Bjugstad
Calen Addison
Filip Hallander
2020 1st
2021 Cond'l 2nd (Becomes a 1st if the Pens win the cup this season with both players play X amount of in the playoffs)

Next a subsequent move is made to ship out Schultz.

Too convoluted?
Wrong pieces?

Not really complaining, just pointing out that the blogger can't go a week without female doging about Johnson. JJ isn't that horrible of a player. Kris Letang, who everyone praises as the best D-man to play for the Pens since Randy Carlisle, makes more mistakes in one game that JJ does in a week. Not saying JJ is a better player than Letang cause Letang brings way more offense and mobility but, IMO, Letang is more likely to cost the Pens a game on any given night that Johnson.
- Rented Mule 66

1. You absolutely were complaining
2. The blog wasn’t even about JJ, it was about Schultz and what to do with him when he returns.
3. JJ is legit one of the worst defensemen in the league lol
4. If you believe Letang is more likely to cost the Pens a game you should just sign off and stick to badminton. That’s just a retarded take.

K bye.

Proposal for a big deal. Please add suggestions on how to make the deal more realistic...

TO PIT:
Josh Manson
Rickard Rakell

TO ANA:
Nick Bjugstad
Calen Addison
Filip Hallander
2020 1st
2021 Cond'l 2nd (Becomes a 1st if the Pens win the cup this season with both players play X amount of in the playoffs)

Next a subsequent move is made to ship out Schultz.

Too convoluted?
Wrong pieces?
- Rinosaur

Hard to make major moves like that in season and I also think you could get a better return for that package.

Chemistry isn’t a real thing. Players need to fit the system. That’s it.
- Feds91Stammer

Chemistry is a real thing, but I don't necessarily believe it's a team as a whole. Some players just seem to work better together than others. They have a better or instant understanding of what they're going to do or where they will be. Now, we can have a semantic debate about the word "chemistry," or maybe you have a different word for what I'm talking about.

All in all I agree though I stated previously. Players need to come in and get on the same page. Some can, some can't, but I believe when and entire team is buying in it's infectious and a new player coming in who takes the game seriously will fit right in.

Hard to make major moves like that in season and I also think you could get a better return for that package.
- Feds91Stammer

Maybe just remove Hallander or add something like a 3rd rounder from ANA?

4. If you believe Letang is more likely to cost the Pens a game you should just sign off and stick to badminton.
- j.boyd919

lol

Guess we will start Jarry tonight.

(Nearly everyone started Grubauer @HBSL yesterday, realized also too late -due early start- that COL goes with Francouz.)

I don't think they should trade Schultz as it keeps the RD depth and it is needed since Letang tends to get hurt, provides some insurance. With Dumo still weeks away Johnson won't be playing with Schultz anyway.

Lastly, the Schultz Johnson pairing last year was being fed 2nd pairing minutes, if they go to it now, would it be 3rd pair, getting better match-ups? The numbers are the numbers when getting 2nd pair minutes, what will it be like getting 3rd pair and better match-ups? If it isn't working you do Petterson Schultz and Johnson Marino and you keep a pretty solid d-core for this playoff run.

I highly doubt JR makes a move for and LD and I agree about Schultz unless he happens to find a hockey deal for Schultz' replacement.

In general I don't expect any moves for a dman unless another major injury occurs.
- Rinosaur

Agree. Provided Dumo stays on target for an early February return, I think JR will stick to a top 6 wing by the TDL.

Chemistry isn’t a real thing. Players need to fit the system. That’s it.
- Feds91Stammer

LOL.