Ryan Wilson: Stuck in purgatory Stuck in purgatory

Horrible take. We need to lose this pick this year to protect next years pick. We are trending down. Next years pick should be higher in the draft.

The lineup that produces the most losses is the one they are already playing. Honestly the Bunting acquisition might help them get a little better on the PP. Playing young hungry AHL player might be the worst thing they could do to ensure a lottery selection, those guys will actually go all out in the meaningless games ahead.

Lets be perfectly honest here, since you started rebuilding with top five picks way back in 2002 (Ryan Whitney #5), some 22 years ago, you've had a helluva run with Geno and Sid. Which has included three Stanley Cups. You've been extremely fortunate, but this wasn't going to last forever, it never does. Your time has just come.

Your cupboards are empty, your best players are getting old for pro athletes, it's just time to start going through the process again. Within the next three years you're going to start a five to eight year rebuilding process, it's just time to accept that for Dubas and move on with it.

The lineup that produces the most losses is the one they are already playing. Honestly the Bunting acquisition might help them get a little better on the PP. Playing young hungry AHL player might be the worst thing they could do to ensure a lottery selection, those guys will actually go all out in the meaningless games ahead.
- TopShelf66

I agree with this, the young guys will play hard and loose. It will be more of a wide open game than what we've been seeing.

I too am looking forward to seeing how much the power play improves with Bunting. He's the closest thing we have had in years on a Hornqvist replacement.

Lastly, I do agree with RW, I would rather see Poulin and Ponomarev in action than anything else we have. The lone exception in Puustinen, leave him with Malkin for now.

Lets be perfectly honest here, since you started rebuilding with top five picks way back in 2002 (Ryan Whitney #5), some 22 years ago, you've had a helluva run with Geno and Sid. Which has included three Stanley Cups. You've been extremely fortunate, but this wasn't going to last forever, it never does. Your time has just come.

Your cupboards are empty, your best players are getting old for pro athletes, it's just time to start going through the process again. Within the next three years you're going to start a five to eight year rebuilding process, it's just time to accept that for Dubas and move on with it.
- DraftandDestroy

Isn't that what we're doing here?

Everybody knows we need to rebuild, but all our expensive players have FNMCs and as long as Sid wants to stay and is elite, we can't bottom out to get a top pick. So we're stuck atm.

Isn't that what we're doing here?
- Thunderbolt

No, you don't have a first round pick in 2024, it was traded away for Karlsson so you could push to be competitive. Unless the Canes make the finals, then you have one.

Surprised Dubas couldn’t find a decent return for Smith… perhaps not as good as Tofolli but a couple 3rds maybe or a 2nd & 3rd just to restock the draft board-

No, you don't have a first round pick in 2024, it was traded away for Karlsson so you could push to be competitive. Unless the Canes make the finals, then you have one.
- DraftandDestroy

What do you suggest? Maybe we could trade our top line winger for three prospects. How about our bottom d-man and our 4th string goalie for draft picks. Would that help?

I agree with this take. I think we should sign Kessel and pair him with Malkin and see if they can get their old Chemistry back if they do maybe have Malkin and Kessel make up part of a 3rd line combo with Eller. If Malkin can't play center well, try him at wing a few times before the end of the season. Also sign Fleury this offseason. If you want older talent may as well just have Malkin, Crosby, Kessel, Letang and Fleury. Sign all youth around them and maybe a star talent or two (Stamkos, Reinhart).

From Dubas comments, he made it seem like next year they’re going to be spending some money to make another run next year.

This season is lost, but I think Dubas gives up next years pick in hopes the team can do a bit better next year

Surprised Dubas couldn’t find a decent return for Smith… perhaps not as good as Tofolli but a couple 3rds maybe or a 2nd & 3rd just to restock the draft board-
- dozerD10

As terrible as it sounds I would have taken a 6th round pick if we didn't have Smiths cap hit anymore and didn't have to retain. His cap hit is worth more to the team going into the offseason

From Dubas comments, he made it seem like next year they’re going to be spending some money to make another run next year.

This season is lost, but I think Dubas gives up next years pick in hopes the team can do a bit better next year
- drummer829

Even with losing Guentzel, I actually do think we’ll be higher in the standings next year. Tons went wrong this season and I find it hard to believe that comedy of errors will happen again. I think you keep this year’s pick, try to make moves and/or get another good prospect in the system, and defer the pick transfer to next year.

Guentzel's going to get to experience suiting up for Rod Brind'amour and playing in a well balanced lineup with a lifelong family friend in Brady Skjei, and he's going to sign an extension in Raleigh before July 1.

Guentzel's going to get to experience suiting up for Rod Brind'amour and playing in a well balanced lineup with a lifelong family friend in Brady Skjei, and he's going to sign an extension in Raleigh before July 1.
- BINGO!

I think he is going to sign with the highest bidder which will probably be in the 12-13 range

Edit: My prediction Anaheim or Chicago

Guentzel's going to get to experience suiting up for Rod Brind'amour and playing in a well balanced lineup with a lifelong family friend in Brady Skjei, and he's going to sign an extension in Raleigh before July 1.
- BINGO!

Rooting for you guys and G.

Rooting for you guys and G.
- Victoro311

I'd be very happy to see you guys get a 1st and a 5th instead of just a 2nd.

In pregame interviews and stuff Jake seems real excited.

I'd be very happy to see you guys get a 1st and a 5th instead of just a 2nd.

In pregame interviews and stuff Jake seems real excited.
- BINGO!

I’m sure it’s bitter sweet for him. He’ll be such a good fit for you guys.

What’s your take on the Finn we got back in the trade? Definitely the most interesting piece of this trade for me

Even with losing Guentzel, I actually do think we’ll be higher in the standings next year. Tons went wrong this season and I find it hard to believe that comedy of errors will happen again. I think you keep this year’s pick, try to make moves and/or get another good prospect in the system, and defer the pick transfer to next year.
- Victoro311

Agree with this entirely. If the goal is competing next year, you have to take the gamble that you'll be picking lower. I'd feel much better if we were going into next year with somebody new behind the bench.

I think he is going to sign with the highest bidder which will probably be in the 12-13 range

Edit: My prediction Anaheim or Chicago
- 123Kid

With the way Verbeek overpays for grit stiffs like Killorn and Strome .. Jake being able to score goals will no doubt bum him out and he will pass...

I think he is going to sign with the highest bidder which will probably be in the 12-13 range

Edit: My prediction Anaheim or Chicago
- 123Kid

I think he'll get in the 9-10 range. I heard more of Dubas's comments last night. He said no team inquired about "trade and sign". No team even brought it up. He was viewed strictly as a rental. He reiterated the "rental" status is what limited the return.

With the way Verbeek overpays for grit stiffs like Killorn and Strome .. Jake being able to score goals will no doubt bum him out and he will pass...

- dozerD10

Bunting for Zegras straight up should work well for both sides then

Even with losing Guentzel, I actually do think we’ll be higher in the standings next year. Tons went wrong this season and I find it hard to believe that comedy of errors will happen again. I think you keep this year’s pick, try to make moves and/or get another good prospect in the system, and defer the pick transfer to next year.
- Victoro311

IDK. They've had stellar goaltending most of the year and relatively good health for their aging core stars. One of those could easily go sideways.

Pens are back to a 22 man roster with Guentzel's LTIR gone. They can't actually call up a bunch of young players. Also have to deal with the post deadline call up limit.