Ryan Wilson: Running out of runway Running out of runway

My best advice is to enjoy the legacy players. The wins and losses will be what they are. The expectations should be muted. The hope for the offseason hangs in the balance with what ownership does. They have arrived at purgatory ahead of schedule.

Been on this mindset for a few years now.

That was an entertaining game last night. There's been so many entertaining games this season, just with sh!tty endings for the Pens fans watching. That's what this is, it's entertainment. Rudy taking a gassed penalty with 3 mins left last night? brutal haha They find ways to lose a lot.

They are 5th overall in xGF% at 5 on 5 this season.

They are 9th overall in HDCF% at 5 on 5 this season.

They have the 6th worst PDO at 5 on 5 this season....bad shooting %'s and sh!tty sv%'s

This team isnt as bad as some are crying it is...or as the haters would love to think.

If Jarry can stay as solid as last night, and some sticks/hands heat up, I like their chances of sneaking in. The potential is there for those two things to happen.

We shall see what happens.

That was an entertaining game last night. There's been so many entertaining games this season, just with sh!tty endings for the Pens fans watching. That's what this is, it's entertainment. Rudy taking a gassed penalty with 3 mins left last night? brutal haha They find ways to lose a lot.

They are 5th overall in xGF% at 5 on 5 this season.

They are 9th overall in HDCF% at 5 on 5 this season.

They have the 6th worst PDO at 5 on 5 this season....bad shooting %'s and sh!tty sv%'s

This team isnt as bad as some are crying it is...or as the haters would love to think.

If Jarry can stay as solid as last night, and some sticks/hands heat up, I like their chances of sneaking in. The potential is there for those two things to happen.

We shall see what happens.
- MattStrat

There issue is, and has been that they don't have finishers outside the top 6. Same issues as the last few seasons.

There issue is, and has been that they don't have finishers outside the top 6. Same issues as the last few seasons.
- j.boyd919

Agreed. Well, that and a lot of bunk goaltending has cost a ton of points too.

Que Grinder coming in to say the top 6 only had one goal last night haha

We deserve this...its the balance of the hockey universe...the cycle of things. Most seasons we'd know they were a playoff lock in January or February for almost 16 straight years....the years they weren't they won a cup. I dont expect that this year, obviously, but if this team could find a way to go on a roll they would roll right on into the playoffs the major underdog and on fire. Beating one of these upper echelon teams coming up could launch them into one...but with 4 starting dmen missing its a tall order.

What changes do we make for next year?
Dumo walks.
Do they let Jarry Walk? They may want to but what other alternatives are out there?
Can they afford to keep Zucker?

What changes do we make for next year?
Dumo walks.
Do they let Jarry Walk? They may want to but what other alternatives are out there?
Can they afford to keep Zucker?
- Amanion

New GM. Although it won't happen, I'd move on from Sully too.

I don't know how you can give Jarry the deal he wants and I think Granlund hurts our chances of bringing Zucker back. I'm not sure I want Zucker back at the price he's going to demand.

What changes do we make for next year?
Dumo walks.
Do they let Jarry Walk? They may want to but what other alternatives are out there?
Can they afford to keep Zucker?
- Amanion

How do they create meaningful cap space? If Hextall is still here do you honestly expect him to use cap space to make wise additions? He is one of the worst GM's in the league. This off season should tell us a lot of the ownership group.

New GM. Although it won't happen, I'd move on from Sully too.

I don't know how you can give Jarry the deal he wants and I think Granlund hurts our chances of bringing Zucker back. I'm not sure I want Zucker back at the price he's going to demand.
- madmike71

I agree, they should move on from Sully and Hex.

Maybe give Jarry a 1 yr bridge deal see what he can do and stay healthy? Im not sure there are any other options.

Id bring Z back but I'm not sure you can with Granlund and how you rid yourself of him, Carter, etc....Petry hurts too. Its just a huge mess.

Been on this mindset for a few years now.
- j.boyd919

Mine as well. Everytime one of them does something amazing, I think about how many times will we get to see them do that again.

I was one of those people that wanted these 3 to finish their careers here. That likely meant the inevitable is delayed a few years and I dont expect us to make a run, but seeing them play at a high level is all i ask.

I think Penguin fans take for granted how lucky we've been over the years. We've had superstar players for most of the time since 1984. The reality is we may never see another one in Pittsburgh in our lifetimes. That's not a fun reality to think about.

What changes do we make for next year?
Dumo walks.
Do they let Jarry Walk? They may want to but what other alternatives are out there?
Can they afford to keep Zucker?
- Amanion

CapFriendly has Carter at a buyout cost of $1M next year and $1M in 24-25. That's a no brainer to me. Buy him out.

I dont bring Jarry or Dumo back. I look to dump some of our dead weight and I only resign Zucker if the price is right. I think he isnt a guy you give a big contract to given his injuries.

Free agent wise - sign guys that Sully can actually work with. I think there is minimal chances he is fired. And I think theres minimal chances he changes his style. So actually find guys that can fit the bill.

Assuming we dont get a top 3 pick, I'd trade the 1st for a younger guy who is under club control.

How do they create meaningful cap space? If Hextall is still here do you honestly expect him to use cap space to make wise additions? He is one of the worst GM's in the league. This off season should tell us a lot of the ownership group.
- PittsPens

First they need to hire a new GM, and hire one with a plan on paper on how to rid some of the players Hextall acquired, namely Granlund and Rutta.

the correct thing to do would be to makes sure DOC, Nylander, and one of Puustinnen, Legar, or Poulin are on the roster next year. The pens need cheap depth players. Sink or swim with low cost players.

Let Dumo walk.

Probably let Jarry walk too, and try to sign someone like Raanta to a decent 3-4m deal.

Moving on from Rutta, Granlund, and Jarry would give them around 11m

Jake-Sid-Rakell
X-Geno-Rust
DOC-X-Nylander
X-Carter-Poehling

Petts-Letang
POJ-Petry
Smith-Ruhwedel
Friedman

X
DeSmith


Head to the bargain bin for 3C, 4LW, try to get a decent 2LW in FA, and sign someone like Raanta.

I agree. Should have been the Malkin Crosby show all year. Play them together.

First they need to hire a new GM, and hire one with a plan on paper on how to rid some of the players Hextall acquired, namely Granlund and Rutta.

the correct thing to do would be to makes sure DOC, Nylander, and one of Puustinnen, Legar, or Poulin are on the roster next year. The pens need cheap depth players. Sink or swim with low cost players.

Let Dumo walk.

Probably let Jarry walk too, and try to sign someone like Raanta to a decent 3-4m deal.

Moving on from Rutta, Granlund, and Jarry would give them around 11m

Jake-Sid-Rakell
X-Geno-Rust
DOC-X-Nylander
X-Carter-Poehling

Petts-Letang
POJ-Petry
Smith-Ruhwedel
Friedman

X
DeSmith


Head to the bargain bin for 3C, 4LW, try to get a decent 2LW in FA, and sign someone like Raanta.
- j.boyd919

When Hex gets axed put your application in for GM, seriously. You have NHL experience and could probably put your plans into words on paper for ownership hahah

I agree. Should have been the Malkin Crosby show all year. Play them together.
- Grinder47

I actually didnt mind your line suggestions in the last blog. Could get some offense going...just dont see Stubborn Sully going at it haha

Would a trade like this be of interest -

Ducks get Jake. -

Pens - Comtois / Helleson and a 2nd this yr.. probably going to be around 33 or so.

Pens add a young F. and a young RHD with upside. Plus get a early 2nd.

Ducks get 1st line LW for McTavish and Terry.

When Hex gets axed put your application in for GM, seriously. You have NHL experience and could probably put your plans into words on paper for ownership hahah
- MattStrat

"Sir what are your qualifications for GM?"

"I ran the stats machine on the jumbotron for the Lightning. We also talked a lot of poop in the office while the in-game arena show was being produced behind the scenes.

I also spent a copious amount of hours on Capfriendly's Armchair GM when I should have been working."

Would a trade like this be of interest -

Ducks get Jake. -

Pens - Comtois / Helleson and a 2nd this yr.. probably going to be around 33 or so.

Pens add a young F. and a young RHD with upside. Plus get a early 2nd.

Ducks get 1st line LW for McTavish and Terry.
- dozerD10

I doubt you'd see the Penguins move Jake for a package like this. If he doesnt sign an extension this summer, who knows, but I bet they resign Jake.

Yohe made a really good point on Twitter just now that prime 87, 71, and 58 wouldn’t win with this group. The team is just constructed super poorly. That’s all on Hex. Besides the JJ buy out cap hit, he’s gotten an out on pretty much all of Rutherford’s late stage mistakes. He just managed to (frank) things up worse.

Yohe made a really good point on Twitter just now that prime 87, 71, and 58 wouldn’t win with this group. The team is just constructed super poorly. That’s all on Hex. Besides the JJ buy out cap hit, he’s gotten an out on pretty much all of Rutherford’s late stage mistakes. He just managed to (frank) things up worse.
- Victoro311

Team just reminds me of the late Disco Dan teams where the bottom 6 was trash.

I dont really care that much to see the big 3 retire as Pens. Id love if MAF were still here but I also really enjoyed him making a run in Vegas and will probs pull for him wherever he is. Same goes for hte others. I think Id rather them make 1 last run somewhere so the Pens can rebuild instead of dying like the Hawks, Wings etc...Its been a hell of a run. I think maybe they could have got 1 more cup out of it but that's being a bit spoiled at this point.

I dont really care that much to see the big 3 retire as Pens. Id love if MAF were still here but I also really enjoyed him making a run in Vegas and will probs pull for him wherever he is. Same goes for hte others. I think Id rather them make 1 last run somewhere so the Pens can rebuild instead of dying like the Hawks, Wings etc...Its been a hell of a run. I think maybe they could have got 1 more cup out of it but that's being a bit spoiled at this point.
- sammy87

I'd take one more swipe at it next year. Give the next GM a chance at pulling off a miracle. After that I'd trade anything of value for futures. Including Sid if he's willing.

I agree, it doesn't bother me at all if those guys retire in Pens jersey's or not. Strip it to the bone and get high picks for a few years. Sometimes that doesn't work if you fuk up the draft, but it's the best way to rebuild in a capped league. I'm fully aware it can take 4 or 5 years.....and I'm fine with that.

I'd take one more swipe at it next year. Give the next GM a chance at pulling off a miracle. After that I'd trade anything of value for futures. Including Sid if he's willing.

I agree, it doesn't bother me at all if those guys retire in Pens jersey's or not. Strip it to the bone and get high picks for a few years. Sometimes that doesn't work if you fuk up the draft, but it's the best way to rebuild in a capped league. I'm fully aware it can take 4 or 5 years.....and I'm fine with that.
- madmike71

At this point in my life with young kids, its purely a 2 hr escape for me just to be entertained. I dont get that excited over pro sports any more or care that much.

When I lived in Denver Id always see the Pens when they were in town but the last few seasons i could barely stay awake into the 3rd. The excitement live wasn't there anymore. I really just like watching good talent and good games play. During most of hte season I barely pay attention.

"Sir what are your qualifications for GM?"

"I ran the stats machine on the jumbotron for the Lightning. We also talked a lot of poop in the office while the in-game arena show was being produced behind the scenes.

I also spent a copious amount of hours on Capfriendly's Armchair GM when I should have been working."
- j.boyd919

hahahah

You'd be better than Hex...a lot of us would