Ryan Wilson: JG Pagneau JG Pagneau

This team has a log-jam at RW and while I know you like McCann at LW, which is where i preferred him last year, he's shown not only to be very effective a Center, he'd been more effective than Bjugstad at Center.

I'd honestly rather either move Bjugstad out or let him play RW wherever he can fit. Losing Jake ( a LW ) and Chucky not working (also a LW), I think LW should be the priority and let McCann make a tremendous 3rd line. This team has always been more successful when icing a terrific 3rd line, i.e. Staal and Bones.

EDIT: Logjam was probably the wrong word, but there’s definitely a bigger quality void at LW than RW at the moment.
- Rinosaur

I'd disagree about a RW logjam. There isn't an obvious option for Crosby's RW. Some possiblities like Bjugstad haven't been tried, but it's getting close to the deadline.

Zucker is a long-term move and I think with Guentzel eventually back they have enough LW options in McCann, Kahun, and Poulin. That said they do need help and can movw those pieces around so I'm not going to be mad if they get Zucker who I really like, I'd just prefer a RW.

I think McCann and whatever leftovers he plays with will really be the 4th line behind Blueger and he's better than that and can just play top 6 LW and move to center qhen Crosby or Malkin is hurt. But it's also not bad to have him elevating a bottom 6 line, so I can live with it and that might work best, it just isn't my first choice.

I think you have to take Pageau's possession numbers with a bit of a grain of salt........he plays on a team that, even when they were winning, was a possession trainwreck. he has been saddled with some AWFUL linemates over the years also....this is the first season I can ever remember him consistently having quality linemates

I'm not disputing your assertion that he's overvalued right now based on his goal totals......obviously that's the case, and it's why Ottawa likely wants to move him, but he is a very very good defensive forward.

I think you have to take Pageau's possession numbers with a bit of a grain of salt........he plays on a team that, even when they were winning, was a possession trainwreck. he has been saddled with some AWFUL linemates over the years also....this is the first season I can ever remember him consistently having quality linemates

I'm not disputing your assertion that he's overvalued right now based on his goal totals......obviously that's the case, and it's why Ottawa likely wants to move him, but he is a very very good defensive forward.
- sensarmy_11

You are correct. RW hasn’t learned about isolated impact and is living in 2015 looking at relative stats.

@Tojo

Not to beat a dead horse, but I’ve been saying they need two wingers: the one to replace Chuck not working out, or in essence the void at RW left by Kessel and replacing Jake, which is why I like Toffoli plus one of the rumored wingers.

Zucker-Sid-Toffoli
Kahun-Geno-Rust
Simon-McCann-Horn
ZAR-Blue-Tanev

I forget, what side does Granlund play? Unable to look it up right now.

@Tojo

Not to beat a dead horse, but I’ve been saying they need two wingers: the one to replace Chuck not working out, or in essence the void at RW left by Kessel and replacing Jake, which is why I like Toffoli plus one of the rumored wingers.

Zucker-Sid-Toffoli
Kahun-Geno-Rust
Simon-McCann-Horn
ZAR-Blue-Tanev

I forget, what side does Granlund play? Unable to look it up right now.
- Rinosaur

Tatar - Sid - Horny
Kahun - Geno - Rust
McCann - Blue - Simon
ZAR - Glendening - Tanev

@Tojo

Not to beat a dead horse, but I’ve been saying they need two wingers: the one to replace Chuck not working out, or in essence the void at RW left by Kessel and replacing Jake, which is why I like Toffoli plus one of the rumored wingers.

Zucker-Sid-Toffoli
Kahun-Geno-Rust
Simon-McCann-Horn
ZAR-Blue-Tanev

I forget, what side does Granlund play? Unable to look it up right now.
- Rinosaur

Yeah, I'm thinking more long-term. I don't want to spend too much time on it either because getting Zucker is still a good move.

A long-term and a rental wing would be ideal, although a couple of the rental wings (Toffoli and Granlund) are guys I'd target in the off-season so I'd love a chance to rent with the option to buy if it works.

I think Granlund can play all 3 spots, but I always see him at RW.

Yeah, I'm thinking more long-term. I don't want to spend too much time on it either because getting Zucker is still a good move.

A long-term and a rental wing would be ideal, although a couple of the rental wings (Toffoli and Granlund) are guys I'd target in the off-season so I'd love a chance to rent with the option to buy if it works.

I think Granlund can play all 3 spots, but I always see him at RW.
- Tojo.

Granlund hasn’t spent significant time at center since 15-16

What about Kevin Labanc out in SJ. I know they would prefer to keep a young player like that, but he is coming off a 40, 56 point and highly likely 40 point season again this year. At 24 he is arbitration eligible, which at this point he is likely to be awarded something greater than 3 million, Andrew Copp got over 2mill in his arbitration with half the production. SJ has only 6 forwards, 4 defenders, and 1 goalie signed for next season and projects (at the current cap hit) to only have 19.5mill to work with. That is not a lot of space. If the asking price is a 1st and a top prospect for an RFA of his talents, do you pull the trigger?

What about Kevin Labanc out in SJ. I know they would prefer to keep a young player like that, but he is coming off a 40, 56 point and highly likely 40 point season again this year. At 24 he is arbitration eligible, which at this point he is likely to be awarded something greater than 3 million, Andrew Copp got over 2mill in his arbitration with half the production. SJ has only 6 forwards, 4 defenders, and 1 goalie signed for next season and projects (at the current cap hit) to only have 19.5mill to work with. That is not a lot of space. If the asking price is a 1st and a top prospect for an RFA of his talents, do you pull the trigger?
- burgh4life87

It really depends on what SJ is planning. Lebanc is still young, but he’s also about to enter his latter 20’s which for a rebuild it would benefit them more to move him if he can garner a solid return.

I feel that SJ, like MIN is still mulling over whether or not to rebuild.

It really depends on what SJ is planning. Lebanc is still young, but he’s also about to enter his latter 20’s which for a rebuild it would benefit them more to move him if he can garner a solid return.

I feel that SJ, like MIN is still mulling over whether or not to rebuild.
- Rinosaur

I think their only option is a budget retooling. They cant trade any of the top 3 D, frankly no one either wants those contracts or they can't afford it. From the forward group the wont trade Couture or Hertl, shouldn't trade Meier, and Kane has just a 3 team trade list as part of his modified NTC. They also don't have a 1st this year, which for a team on the rebuild is tough to swallow.

I'm a Hornqvist fan for what he brings but I don't think he's a great top line option anymore. He can help in a pinch but he just doesn't seem to mesh with Sid right now.

Hopefully Kahun is OK after break, I'd really like to see McCann back with Sid and Simon for the speed he brings.

I'm a Hornqvist fan for what he brings but I don't think he's a great top line option anymore. He can help in a pinch but he just doesn't seem to mesh with Sid right now.

Hopefully Kahun is OK after break, I'd really like to see McCann back with Sid and Simon for the speed he brings.
- Thorny87

I think they can use him on Sid's line strategically, but overall I agree. If I'm Rutherford, I'm looking at a RW for Sid's line.

I think there are games when they need to simplify and get the puck on net. Those are the games I think Hornie can still be effective on the top line.

I think they can use him on Sid's line strategically, but overall I agree. If I'm Rutherford, I'm looking at a RW for Sid's line.

I think there are games when they need to simplify and get the puck on net. Those are the games I think Hornie can still be effective on the top line.
- madmike71

Yah, Horny on his line for Ozone draws aren't a bad idea, but they are poor together in the transition game.

Russo of the Athletic made another mention today that the Penguins have heavily been involved with Zucker. Rutherford has apparently been talking to people about every aspect of Zucker, on and off the ice. I don't think he has anyone else realistically on his radar right now.

Yah, Horny on his line for Ozone draws aren't a bad idea, but they are poor together in the transition game.

Russo of the Athletic made another mention today that the Penguins have heavily been involved with Zucker. Rutherford has apparently been talking to people about every aspect of Zucker, on and off the ice. I don't think he has anyone else realistically on his radar right now.
- burgh4life87

You want him all horny in the o-zone?

You want him all horny in the o-zone?
- jmatchett383

Is there a better zone to be horny in

Is there a better zone to be horny in
- burgh4life87

Definitely not the friend zone.

Definitely not the friend zone.
- jmatchett383

Or a friends D-zone

https://pittsburghhockeyn...t77F-RdY0EQUOZbl80DLEjFnQ

It's similar to what we have all been discussing all season, but found it interesting that Montreal is shopping Kovy for a 3rd round, if this writer is to be believed.

https://pittsburghhockeynow.com/pittsburgh-penguins-trade-talk-top-6-wingers-available/?fbclid=IwAR1XU_8W6stQLBL4UuQIIegjND32kOl8Grt77F-RdY0EQUOZbl80DLEjFnQ

It's similar to what we have all been discussing all season, but found it interesting that Montreal is shopping Kovy for a 3rd round, if this writer is to be believed.
- Beatnic57

He also thinks AA is a well-rounded player so....

I keep reading his free stuff for a different perspective, but his takes are often so strange that I don't know why.

Tatar - Sid - Horny
Kahun - Geno - Rust
McCann - Blue - Simon
ZAR - Glendening - Tanev
- Feds91Stammer

and what will the Pens offer MTL for Tatar?

and what will the Pens offer MTL for Tatar?
- Symba007

Nothing that other teams couldn’t beat.

and what will the Pens offer MTL for Tatar?
- Symba007

He's been trading Tatar here for 3 or 4 years. If Tatar is made available, I guess it would depend on what MTL wants, though GMJR seems more interested in Zucker.

Definitely not the friend zone.
- jmatchett383

He also thinks AA is a well-rounded player so....

I keep reading his free stuff for a different perspective, but his takes are often so strange that I don't know why.
- Tojo.

Yeah, I just would be pretty cheesed if we could have had Kovy for free and end up spending a 3rd. . Completely hypothetical, and unlikely, but a possibility nonetheless