Guentzel is obviously going to draw the most attention here but I’d sell off all the vets in the bottom 6 and use the remainder of the season to evaluate Puustinen, DOC, Puljujarvi, and Poulin. If we’re not doing anything this year we might as well see what if we can get away with not signing 2mil 4th liners again next year.

I think Roy challenged that goal just to get on the PK to get momentum back.
- MickV

I had the same thought myself while watching the game last night.

Who do we see as the most valuable trading chips that would not be considered core?

Jake
Rust
Petts
Smith
Ned

in that order?
- Thorny87

I think with the length on Rust's deal, I think he might actually be tough to move. For that reason, might as well keep him since he's their best wing after Jake.

I agree with the rest of your list though. Might get something for Eller too.

Guentzel is obviously going to draw the most attention here but I’d sell off all the vets in the bottom 6 and use the remainder of the season to evaluate Puustinen, DOC, Puljujarvi, and Poulin. If we’re not doing anything this year we might as well see what if we can get away with not signing 2mil 4th liners again next year.
- Victoro311

That's definitely the route to go. Some of those guys may even get elevated to top six if say Jake and Smith are traded. DOC basically is anyways.

Poulin and Puustinen both lose waiver exempt status next year so they should really decide on if they are saving roster spots for them. (You all know I'm giving Poulin one )

Look, it's obvious what Dubas needs to do: trade all our bad players for good players.

Look, it's obvious what Dubas needs to do: trade all our bad players for good players.
- MickV

Hell yeah brother

I think with the length on Rust's deal, I think he might actually be tough to move. For that reason, might as well keep him since he's their best wing after Jake.

I agree with the rest of your list though. Might get something for Eller too.
- Tojo.

Forgot about Eller.

I think Rust is pretty highly regarded around the league? 2X cup winner at 5.1 seems OK as long as they don't dig too deep?

I consider Jake and Rust core....and they are not the problem at all. I want to keep them both.

I consider Jake and Rust core....and they are not the problem at all. I want to keep them both.
- MattStrat

I can understand that but I don't think this team can change its spots without a major shakeup, that includes coaching.

I think they're all too comfortable playing a certain way and one of the reasons is familiarity. They have tried new looks here and there but always revert back to their old habits.

Not a Ryan Reeves shakeup though.

I can understand that but I don't think this team can change its spots without a major shakeup, that includes coaching.

I think they're all too comfortable playing a certain way and one of the reasons is familiarity. They have tried new looks here and there but always revert back to their old habits.

Not a Ryan Reeves shakeup though.
- Thorny87

That's the thing...I really do believe this team as is (with healthy Jake) are capable of quality hockey and winning more than losing. We've seen it this season. They had the best, or second best, record for an almost 2 month stretch. I do think a coaching shake up could whip this roster into better shape....but its not going to happen...and with that any new players brought in will have the same coaching staff....

Also continuity and familiarity with rosters is huge and usually a good thing. Its having a lot of new pieces that can take time to gel and produce consistency. Look what happens when teams win the cup and pieces want raises and move on...that team doesnt usually get back to the promise land for a while...

Lebrun says the Canes are sniffing around Reilly Smith

Crazy that ppl are just now realizing change is needed. I think the past 5 years have been worse than the pre Crosby years…..here you’re watching crosby waste away on a bad team.

I’m not sure on dubas. Haven’t been impressed so far. I know he signed Tavares in tor but did he make any moves or just have good picks to work with?
- sammy87

I agree, I've been saying this for a looong time this needs to be done already and about sully being fired also for the past 5 years. All I get is ridiculed with idiot "fans". ALthough hextall was GM at the time also.

Lebrun says the Canes are sniffing around Reilly Smith
- BINGO!

I hope they take a good whiff!! Breathe in, get their lungs full ...

That's the thing...I really do believe this team as is (with healthy Jake) are capable of quality hockey and winning more than losing. We've seen it this season. They had the best, or second best, record for an almost 2 month stretch. I do think a coaching shake up could whip this roster into better shape....but its not going to happen...and with that any new players brought in will have the same coaching staff....

Also continuity and familiarity with rosters is huge and usually a good thing. Its having a lot of new pieces that can take time to gel and produce consistency. Look what happens when teams win the cup and pieces want raises and move on...that team doesnt usually get back to the promise land for a while...
- MattStrat

I agree to a certain extent but lets just rip the bandaid off now and use the rest of the season to evaluate what is left and maybe find some chemistry with any new personnel?

That is another issue I have with this coaching staff. They let things ride for too long without ever really testing different combinations.

Then they're fighting for their playoff lives and one injury caves them in. All because they never tried to balance the line combos to make a better team when games weren't do or die.

I agree to a certain extent but lets just rip the bandaid off now and use the rest of the season to evaluate what is left and maybe find some chemistry with any new personnel?

That is another issue I have with this coaching staff. They let things ride for too long without ever really testing different combinations.

Then they're fighting for their playoff lives and one injury caves them in. All because they never tried to balance the line combos to make a better team when games weren't do or die.
- Thorny87

That's a major issue of mine, too.

I hope they take a good whiff!! Breathe in, get their lungs full ...
- chimpira

hahaha

I'm totally fine with Smith being dealt.

Just wondering though....as I watched most games or at least most of most games haha...but I dont really recall him getting a good look with Sid, so why wasn't that tried? He can play both wings...

Hot goalie and star players while most of the rest of the team was overwhelmed. That might have been the best stretch MAF played for the Pens. Certainly the most impactful. I cringe when I hear people say he only really won the one Cup.
- Tojo.

If you look at every team that has won the Cup since the lockout, they all have one defenseman who's at least an All-Star caliber player who eats up the top minutes. The 2017 team did it with freaking Ron Hainsey. It's like they were trying to lose.

Lebrun says the Canes are sniffing around Reilly Smith
- BINGO!

I'd be interested to see if he gets dealt. Rumor earlier in the season was that he was homesick and wanted to head back West, specifically to Vegas. Not sure they can afford him now.

hahaha

I'm totally fine with Smith being dealt.

Just wondering though....as I watched most games or at least most of most games haha...but I dont really recall him getting a good look with Sid, so why wasn't that tried? He can play both wings...
- MattStrat

It's glaring he isn't getting a look there now and is instead on a third line while DOC and Phillips started on the second line. I'm ready to write Smith off as a guy who didn't fit here.

I consider Jake and Rust core....and they are not the problem at all. I want to keep them both.
- MattStrat

Guentzel was core but he hasn’t resigned. If he had wanted to stay, he wouldn’t be trade bait right now but our chances of making the playoffs are slim as is so it just makes no sense to let him walk for nothing.

If you look at every team that has won the Cup since the lockout, they all have one defenseman who's at least an All-Star caliber player who eats up the top minutes. The 2017 team did it with freaking Ron Hainsey. It's like they were trying to lose.
- jmatchett383

Haha yeah it was crazy we had that and Hainsey on his off-side as well. Shout out to Justin Schultz for having a great year, but they weren't running him against other team's best.

I guess if I made my no trade list right now, it would be: Crosby, Malkin, Letang, Rust, Jarry.

On the fence with Petterson but I'd listen. I figure he can still get a second next year, but if someone offered something like a first I'd take it.

Guentzel was core but he hasn’t resigned. If he had wanted to stay, he wouldn’t be trade bait right now but our chances of making the playoffs are slim as is so it just makes no sense to let him walk for nothing.
- Victoro311

I get that but we really have zero clue whats going on behind the scenes for sure. I still think he signs with Pens. I think this is all being figured out now, especially with him laid up.

I'm terrified the Pens get the 10th overall pick and then it becomes protected.

Next years draft pick likely will be higher. Stay out of that bottom 10 boys.

I get that but we really have zero clue whats going on behind the scenes for sure. I still think he signs with Pens. I think this is all being figured out now, especially with him laid up.
- MattStrat

Ever the optimist. Hope you're right.