We are all thinking Matheson, Zucker, Pettersson, ZAR, Matheson, or Bluegar gets selected. What if they select DeSmith? I know Hextall is rumored to be interested in back up goalies. I know we are looking for a playoff goalie, but what if he is anticipating Desmith to get selected?
- 123Kid

I'd say best case scenario haha I wouldn't lose any sleep. Losing Blueger, Tanev, McCann would make me mad though. Even Zucker for free I wouldn't be comfortable losing.

What would it take us to get Eichel? Our soul?lol

Jokes aside, perhaps Guentzel/Pettersson/Poulin and 1st RP would be a start?
- Barnaby36

It would take something like... Zegras or Drysdale, 1st, mid round pick and a smaller cap hit player like Shattenkirk....

It would take something like... Zegras or Drysdale, 1st, mid round pick and a smaller cap hit player like Shattenkirk....
- pens4life-66

Okay Ek.

I'd say best case scenario haha I wouldn't lose any sleep. Losing Blueger, Tanev, McCann would make me mad though.
- Barnaby36

I think Blueger, ZAR and Zucker are the likeliest candidates. I wouldn't be mad if they lost out on McCann. I'd be mad if they lost out on McCann and couldn't get an appropriate replacement.

Personally, I'd leave McCann unprotected. Maybe my logic is flawed here, but I don't think they'd want someone like McCann with him being a UFA after this coming season.

If we're talking about protecting forwards...

Sid, Geno, Kap, Rust, Jake, Blueger, ZAR

I don't think Carter or McCann makes any sense for them. If McCann had at least another year on his contract then I'd say he makes sense.

Between Zucker, Tanev, Carter and McCann I think they're taking Zucker all day. If they took McCann then at least there's some decent replacements available who may cost a little more money, but they're there, i.e. Granlund.

Why would Seattle take DeSmith?
- Feds91Stammer

Figured it would be a different player that we haven't discussed thus far. He played pretty well as a goalie this year. He could be a good back up goalie. I figured who knows how they want to build their team, and unfortunately I feel most of us have a bias feeling we have all solid players exposed no matter who it is. You can make an argument that a lot of them are overpaid (Matheson, Zucker, and Pettersson). Maybe Seattle makes an aggressive pitch for free agents. Idk just a different thought. I feel McCann would be the most likely to be selected pending if he is exposed, but just wanted to throw out another name not mentioned

Okay Ek.
- Feds91Stammer

Then I’d be saying Columbus
As for Seattle they have a hard on for Tocchet mainly, but Dougie Hams is a big target for them

Figured it would be a different player that we haven't discussed thus far. He played pretty well as a goalie this year. He could be a good back up goalie. I figured who knows how they want to build their team, and unfortunately I feel most of us have a bias feeling we have all solid players exposed no matter who it is. You can make an argument that a lot of them are overpaid (Matheson, Zucker, and Pettersson). Maybe Seattle makes an aggressive pitch for free agents. Idk just a different thought. I feel McCann would be the most likely to be selected pending if he is exposed, but just wanted to throw out another name not mentioned
- 123Kid

There’s like 15 better goalies Seattle can get though.

Then I’d be saying Columbus
As for Seattle they have a hard on for Tocchet mainly, but Dougie Hams is a big target for them
- pens4life-66

Dougie will sign in a hipster market for sure.

I think Blueger, ZAR and Zucker are the likeliest candidates. I wouldn't be mad if they lost out on McCann. I'd be mad if they lost out on McCann and couldn't get an appropriate replacement.

Personally, I'd leave McCann unprotected. Maybe my logic is flawed here, but I don't think they'd want someone like McCann with him being a UFA after this coming season.
- Rinosaur

McCann is an RFA. Blueger and ZAR are both UFAs at that time so McCann actually has more control left right now.

McCann is an RFA. Blueger and ZAR are both UFAs at that time so McCann actually has more control left right now.
- Tojo.

Ahhh, I missed that nugget, but Blue and ZAR are RFAs.

If we're talking about protecting forwards...

Sid, Geno, Kap, Rust, Jake, Blueger, ZAR

I don't think Carter or McCann makes any sense for them. If McCann had at least another year on his contract then I'd say he makes sense.

Between Zucker, Tanev, Carter and McCann I think they're taking Zucker all day. If they took McCann then at least there's some decent replacements available who may cost a little more money, but they're there, i.e. Granlund.
- Rinosaur

I'm not sure McCann is THAT undesireable. I'm almost sure he'd get picked by Seattle tbh. ZAR will be left unprotected imo.

I think the Kraken would need us to pay them to take Petterson. They would jump at grabbing Zucker, anyone who thinks he is just a cap dump are nuts.

I dont get why Matheson is unmovable but Petterson has trade value... Matheson contract is only one year longer. He makes $900k more but the upside with him is just much higher.

I don't think either will be easy to move and I also worry about the term on Marinos deal. He is getting $4.4 for 6 more years and I'm not really sure what he is as a player. Has he already peaked or is he going to get better?
- MacPatty

Perception. Matheson started playing better once he was paired with Ceci, but his reputation was really bad coming to Pittsburgh so it's unlikely he's done enough to rehab his image yet.

Anytime I hear a national talk about the Pens defense, they usually mention Pettersson as underrated. His advanced metrics were best on the team among regular defensemen. He's liked less in Pittsburgh because at this point everyone is looking for the mistakes, but he's solid enough a team would want him even at his cap hit though the flat cap may change that.

I'm not sure McCann is THAT undesireable. I'm almost sure he'd get picked by Seattle tbh. ZAR will be left unprotected imo.
- Barnaby36

I never said undesirable.

Yes, hoping something like this is the plan. Only problem being after this season Carter is gone... who is the next 2C? Not easy to come by.
- MacPatty

On this team if it's not Geno? McCann. Not exciting, but he's responsible defensively and can score so you could build a line around that.

Probably would want an upgrade, but he's a guy I think could do it if that meant he got some quality wings.

I never said undesirable.
- Rinosaur

hahah sorry

On this team if it's not Geno? McCann. Not exciting, but he's responsible defensively and can score so you could build a line around that.

Probably would want an upgrade, but he's a guy I think could do it if that meant he got some quality wings.
- Tojo.

McCann at 2c???

Ahhh, I missed that nugget, but Blue and ZAR are RFAs.
- Rinosaur

My bad, I meant in a year.

Blueger and ZAR are RFAs this year but UFAs 2022 without multi year extensions.

McCann is signed this year, and RFA in 2022, and a UFA in 2023.

On this team if it's not Geno? McCann. Not exciting, but he's responsible defensively and can score so you could build a line around that.

Probably would want an upgrade, but he's a guy I think could do it if that meant he got some quality wings.
- Tojo.

I like McCann, good player but think he is much better suited to the wing.

But if McCann is going to be the plan at 2C the Pens should just blow it up. You aren't close to contending if he is your second center.

I'll be praying someone in the Flyers organization pisses off Couturier so we can sign him as a UFA after next season. Or maybe the Blues fall apart next year and make OReilly available (or to a lesser extent Schenn even). Kadri will be UFA also but like Schenn, not sure he is a high bar for 2C either.

If we're talking about protecting forwards...

Sid, Geno, Kap, Rust, Jake, Blueger, ZAR

I don't think Carter or McCann makes any sense for them. If McCann had at least another year on his contract then I'd say he makes sense.

Between Zucker, Tanev, Carter and McCann I think they're taking Zucker all day. If they took McCann then at least there's some decent replacements available who may cost a little more money, but they're there, i.e. Granlund.
- Rinosaur

If McCann is exposed, he is going to go to Seattle. I think they'd even pick him over Zucker. Being a RFA and having a degree of pedigree would make him a solid choice for Seattle... plus his ability to play multiple positions would be something they'd like.

Carter is a tough call. If Malkin was healthy, I'd probably agree to expose him and take a chance. However, with no Malkin, you arent going to find a 2nd line center like Carter for what we are paying him. Losing him would eliminate any chance this team has to compete without Malkin next year IMO.

There is word Rick Tocchet is getting his 3rd interview with Seattle, a pretty good sign he is a favorite for head coach right now. Would be interesting to see if he wants a guy from the Penguins that he knows and coached like a ZAR over a newer guy with the organization.

well I disagree with the 4th line player moniker. There's absolutely nothing special about Blueger and ZAR when they don't have Tanev. And he elevates the 3rd line anytime he is put with other linemates.

Look at what happened to "elite shutdown forward Adam Lowry" after he lost Tanev as a linemate.

Not to mention the tangible intangible of bringing energy every night to a team that has a bad habit of playing passively.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Even jank scored when he was with tanev

Would be interesting to see if he wants a guy from the Penguins that he knows and coached like a ZAR over a newer guy with the organization.
- SuperHenderson13

Was zar even on the team when he coached here? Couldnt have been more than his first year, I would think.

If McCann is exposed, he is going to go to Seattle. I think they'd even pick him over Zucker. Being a RFA and having a degree of pedigree would make him a solid choice for Seattle... plus his ability to play multiple positions would be something they'd like.

Carter is a tough call. If Malkin was healthy, I'd probably agree to expose him and take a chance. However, with no Malkin, you arent going to find a 2nd line center like Carter for what we are paying him. Losing him would eliminate any chance this team has to compete without Malkin next year IMO.

There is word Rick Tocchet is getting his 3rd interview with Seattle, a pretty good sign he is a favorite for head coach right now. Would be interesting to see if he wants a guy from the Penguins that he knows and coached like a ZAR over a newer guy with the organization.
- SuperHenderson13

Yeah I don't see us contending even now and we're probably going to take a step back in a year. It will still be Sid and Geno at centers, but if you wanted to flex Geno next to Sid I'd flex McCann in at 2C barring any other acquisitions.

If it wasn't clear, I was talking 2022.

Was zar even on the team when he coached here? Couldnt have been more than his first year, I would think.
- wsldck

Ah good call. I thought ZAR was on the team for 2017's Cup. He wasnt on the Penguins until 2018.

So yea, no one exposed would've been around when Tocchet was around. So never mind.

Yeah I don't see us contending even now and we're probably going to take a step back in a year. It will still be Sid and Geno at centers, but if you wanted to flex Geno next to Sid I'd flex McCann in at 2C barring any other acquisitions.

If it wasn't clear, I was talking 2022.
- Tojo.

I think this team could contend without Malkin... but it is going to take the team, coaching, and management to look in the mirror and realize we cannot out run and out gun teams in today's NHL. In 2016, we could beat anyone but overwhelming them on offense. 5 years later... we cant do that. Especially with weak goaltending. In my view, to maximize the rest of this era's group... you need an elite goaltender and a lot of solid 2 way players playing in a system that preaches two way hockey. It will mean less exciting hockey, less goals scored for, and hopefully less goals against. I dont see us ever being able to assemble a roster with the kind of offensive fire power that teams like Tampa, Carolina, Colorado, or Vegas can assemble. But I do think we can put a winning team together if the organization as a whole buys in... i just dont see that happening.

The only free agent centers who would be able to play 2nd line center beyond next year is Phillip Danault and he isnt the best option. He is a good 2 way center, but he is small. Wouldnt help one of the other problems we are trying to fix.

I agree though, there arent many good options at center besides McCann. 2022 free agency actually has some interesting names at center who could be available. Some of which will be resigned, but a couple could be good targets if we free up the cap space.