Ryan Wilson: Under the radar: Penguins extend depth defensemen Under the radar: Penguins extend depth defensemen

Welcome to last week.

Now that Tanner is gone we bonafide have the worst blogger on the site

I’d take Garth over RW. At least Garf was funny

RW is a combo of Debbie Downer and Buzz Killington

Now that Tanner is gone we bonafide have the worst blogger on the site

I’d take Garth over RW. At least Garf was funny

RW is a combo of Debbie Downer and Buzz Killington
- RoloTahmasee

Nah most of the bloggers on here suck. RWs mailed in effort and holier than thou writing is still middle of the pack on hockeybuzz.

is it possible that either riikola or ruhwedel was signed for cost certainty and they will be a throw in to make the #s even up in a trade package? i dont understand the signing if all the defensemen (except Schultz) stays the same.

is it possible that either riikola or ruhwedel was signed for cost certainty and they will be a throw in to make the #s even up in a trade package? i dont understand the signing if all the defensemen (except Schultz) stays the same.
- i'mjustafan

I would say maybe re Riikola (hopefully not) but doubtful re Ruh who is pretty much a league minimum player.

I didn't realize that the contract extension for Ruh is for 2021-2022 - he was already under contract for the upcoming season. I don't know why JR felt the need to do that now.

Ryan Wilson: Under the radar: Penguins extend depth defensemen
Under the radar: Penguins extend depth defensemen
- Ryan_Wilson

It appears that the Oil are out for the Murray Sweepstakes...

It appears that the Oil are out for the Murray Sweepstakes...
- Beatnic57

https://pittsburghhockeyn...mark-recchi-to-nj-devils/

It appears that the Oil are out for the Murray Sweepstakes...
- Beatnic57

I never considered them a realistic option. Outside of the big 3 forwards (all centers) who they weren't going to trade, there are few good options. Same on defense - the only option would be if they were foolish enough to trade one of their top 2 LDs. It's amazing how bad the supporting cast is on that team.

I would say maybe re Riikola (hopefully not) but doubtful re Ruh who is pretty much a league minimum player.

I didn't realize that the contract extension for Ruh is for 2021-2022 - he was already under contract for the upcoming season. I don't know why JR felt the need to do that now.
- Hockey66

If Ruhwedel ends up as the #6 defenseman or in some other way earns a raise, they don't have to give him one. Really no downside.

The oilers aren’t in on Murray because they want a “part-time starter”? I understand Murray isn’t great, but hasn’t the oilers problem been a revolving door of below average goalies?

I can’t see any UFA goalie there knowing their defense is still terrible. Maybe an older goalie like Khudobin takes a big 3 year contract with the oilers and is set for his retirement

The oilers aren’t in on Murray because they want a “part-time starter”? I understand Murray isn’t great, but hasn’t the oilers problem been a revolving door of below average goalies?

I can’t see any UFA goalie there knowing their defense is still terrible. Maybe an older goalie like Khudobin takes a big 3 year contract with the oilers and is set for his retirement
- drummer829

Well Murray is a part time starter, so...

The oilers aren’t in on Murray because they want a “part-time starter”? I understand Murray isn’t great, but hasn’t the oilers problem been a revolving door of below average goalies?

I can’t see any UFA goalie there knowing their defense is still terrible. Maybe an older goalie like Khudobin takes a big 3 year contract with the oilers and is set for his retirement
- drummer829

That and poor coaching, and trading away top 6 talent for nothing, and bad contracts to aging/overrated players, and...

If Ruhwedel ends up as the #6 defenseman or in some other way earns a raise, they don't have to give him one. Really no downside.
- Tojo.

Well, I'll say if Ruh ends up as the #6, the Pens are in trouble. I've always liked Ruh, but this last season he didn't look very good to me and now he's on the wrong side of 30. He could very well regress from his #7 role and then we've got a roster spot tied up in a guy who we'd rather not. I'd say that is much more likely than Ruh improving and earning a raise. It just seems odd to extend a league minimum vet over a year in advance. In the end, it probably doesn't matter much one way or the other.

Well Murray is a part time starter, so...
- 668710

I was going to say the same. Murray has also been below average for a while so if the Oilers are trying to avoid that, then... I'm sure the fact that Murray is still young and might turn it around could be appealing to them, but JR probably looked at their roster and didn't see a fit other than an overpay on the Oilers part.

That and poor coaching, and trading away top 6 talent for nothing, and bad contracts to aging/overrated players, and...
- Victoro311

They really did (frank) up. Eberle and Hall should still be there. RNH should have been dangled for the Dman. Imagine Mcdavid with Eberle and then Hall with Draisaitl. The other winger on each line could have been third liners or ELC guys.

Well, I'll say if Ruh ends up as the #6, the Pens are in trouble. I've always liked Ruh, but this last season he didn't look very good to me and now he's on the wrong side of 30. He could very well regress from his #7 role and then we've got a roster spot tied up in a guy who we'd rather not. I'd say that is much more likely than Ruh improving and earning a raise. It just seems odd to extend a league minimum vet over a year in advance. In the end, it probably doesn't matter much one way or the other.
- Hockey66

Ruh playing 3rd pair wouldn't suck as long as the coaching/GM does what they need to do with a certain dman on the team. But I agree I'd rather him be an extra dman if we could.

Ruh playing 3rd pair wouldn't suck as long as the coaching/GM does what they need to do with a certain dman on the team. But I agree I'd rather him be an extra dman if we could.
- 668710

That's a given but as much as Sully likes to play the third pair and should probably start limiting Letang's minutes, I'd rather have a better than average 3RD, if you can even call Ruh average, which I don't.

That's a given but as much as Sully likes to play the third pair and should probably start limiting Letang's minutes, I'd rather have a better than average 3RD, if you can even call Ruh average, which I don't.
- Hockey66

3rd pair D can be handled basically at anytime, I think Ruth may wanna see what POJ and Maniscalco do as well. Rikki is also in the mix, I really like the way he plays. Honestly our third pair can possibly be made from within. I'd work on that 3c in a trade or maybe try for Granlund who you brought up.

Hockey rule question...

Can you get a player get a 5 minute major without getting game misconduct?

That's a given but as much as Sully likes to play the third pair and should probably start limiting Letang's minutes, I'd rather have a better than average 3RD, if you can even call Ruh average, which I don't.
- Hockey66

How great would it be to have a solid 3rd pair LD? I personally think Ruh is under rated when you consider his contract. It really pissed me off when they were using JJ and Riikola at RD a couple of years ago when it was blatantly obvious neither could handle it. Meanwhile Ruh sat for 3 months. Total mismanagement from Sully.

If his partner was solid, they could easily get by with Ruh. You just can't pay 3.25mil for garbage in a 3rd pairing.

Hockey rule question...

Can you get a player get a 5 minute major without getting game misconduct?
- Rinosaur

Fighting

Fighting
- jmatchett383

I should have been more specific lol. A non-fighting penalty. Boarding for example.

Well, I'll say if Ruh ends up as the #6, the Pens are in trouble. I've always liked Ruh, but this last season he didn't look very good to me and now he's on the wrong side of 30. He could very well regress from his #7 role and then we've got a roster spot tied up in a guy who we'd rather not. I'd say that is much more likely than Ruh improving and earning a raise. It just seems odd to extend a league minimum vet over a year in advance. In the end, it probably doesn't matter much one way or the other.
- Hockey66

I agree with you that Ruhwedel shouldn't be a 6. I think he's solid as a 7 though and isn't at an age where it likely to drop yet. It's also not really a hard contract to move and one you can bury in the minors worse case.

Yes, it is unusual to extend a healthy scratch guy a year out, but at league minimum why not.

Does Matt Mattin have more goals this playoffs than Domick Simon did in 300 games on Sids wing yet?