There will be 6-8 new bodies by next year, nothing this season is going to give you an accurate look at how they’ll play next season
- abasin

You may be right

Do you think it’s possible MG would have more points if he played with the Pens ( Gino etc) ? And do you think the reason Smith is playing bottom 6 is because he has played like a bottom six player?
Thats my point genius. MG doesn’t produce at 5 million and Hextall is a terrible gm . Dubas brings in Smith at 5 million obviously not to be bottom 6 he doesn’t produce but he is a still a forward thinking excellent gm.
- johnnypie

There's these guys called coaches and they dictate where players play, not GM's.... for better or worse...

Hextall specifically brought MG in for the bottom 6, though...which was one of the many examples of him being a terrible GM. Especially when you consider he wasnt doing good with the Preds that season haha. Perhaps Sully is a terrible coach for not putting MG in the top 6 over Crosby, Geno, Rust, Rakell, Guentzel and Zucker.... Smith was brought in for the top 6 when all indications from previous seasons were that he produces at top 6 rates at ES. It didn't work out that way. Started off really strong and fizzled. Perhaps Sully should have left Smith in top 6. Who knows. Should MG have been on top PP over those guys listed? Nah...

MG went to a place with zero pressure, or expectations, playing loose getting 6-8 more minutes a game than he did with the Pens and has 1st PP duties. Almost half of his points are from the PP. He and Smith both have almost the exact same amount of ES points. This isnt what you think/thought it is and I am now done responding to you.

I heard they are going to clone him so they can ice:

Carter-Carter-Carter
Carter-Carter-Carter
Carter-Carter-Carter
Carter-Carter-Carter
Carter-Carter
Carter-Carter
Carter-Carter
Carter
- chimpira

That’s one responsible hard back checking forward group with an offensive pulse.

There will be 6-8 new bodies by next year, nothing this season is going to give you an accurate look at how they’ll play next season
- abasin

This whole season has been like banging your head against the wall and not being able to figure out why your head hurts. I felt the same way last year. Sully basically had one move last year... flopping Rust and Rak constantly. That was essentially his only strategic shift. I guess it shouldn't surprise us this year is even worse.

Doesn't matter if you swap out players. I don't see much changing until he's gone.

Doesn't matter if you swap out players. I don't see much changing until he's gone.
- madmike71

To me this should me one of the top priorities - getting a new coaching staff. Because no matter who you bring in under Sullivan, they are not going to change anything until the entire system changes. Sullivan is not a tactician anymore; he should have adapted his system with every cast change, but he keeps doing the same things over and over when they are clearly not working.

I feel like you put Sully in charge of the current Panthers, Bruins, or Rangers ... and they will start losing.

That’s one responsible hard back checking forward group with an offensive pulse.
- Grinder47

Plus a ton of heart and veteran presence in the locker room.

Can you trade a coach in the NHL?

I know it's been mentioned on here but I'm not sure if it's ever been confirmed. If Sully is canned and say the Devils hire him, do the Pens still have to pay him the remainder of his extension?

I know it's been mentioned on here but I'm not sure if it's ever been confirmed. If Sully is canned and say the Devils hire him, do the Pens still have to pay him the remainder of his extension?
- Thorny87

No I’m pretty sure guaranteed contract money is forfeited once a new job is taken. I know that’s what happened with Bylsma.

I know it's been mentioned on here but I'm not sure if it's ever been confirmed. If Sully is canned and say the Devils hire him, do the Pens still have to pay him the remainder of his extension?
- Thorny87

Usually don't have to pay if they get another job elsewhere if you stay under contract and are just told to stay home.

Or they can buy you out of the deal up front.

Thanks all.

I think it's pretty unlikely Sully goes without a job for long. I could see him going to Jersey and actually having success with the young fast team there.

How much do we have to move up in order to have Dubas keep the pick?

I've been looking at draft rankings and besides Celebrini it's kinda all over the place with a mix of D and forwards.

Another reason to get rid of Sully sooner rather than later is to see if someone else can turn the ship around and get a glimpse of how the team will play/finish next year.
- Thorny87

The Pens will keep the pick if it is top 10. If they are in the top 10 and they give the Sharks the pick, you better bet your ass that they are trading Crosby and tanking.

Could definitely see them trading the pick if it is not top 3. Celebrini is going to be good, not Bedard good but better than Lafreniere. Different type of player but probably about the same as a Hughes but able to make an impact earlier.

Lots of other good players, especially on D but that is way harder to gauge. Lindstrom is going to go in the top 3 and he is my other target.

Your goaltending....looks really good.
The rest of it is just disjointed. So many great players.
what the hell is wrong?
- Octavarium

IMO, in order:

1) Rigid, undatable coaching
2) Terrible PP (extension of 1)
3) Chronic injuries to the top 6 throughout the year
4) Lack of talented finishers up and down the roster (makes 3 worse)

Missed the game last night, for some reason our club decided not to show it.

I see Graves played 20:55, he must've played well.

I see Sullivan is going to force O'Connor to earn that coveted spot next to Sid. Hopefully he played well enough to bump Bunting down next game.

I think we are close to turning it around.
- Thunderbolt

Jokes aside O’Conner had a legitimately good game last night. I think my opinion of him is solidifying as a good third liner that can play third wheel in the top six in a pinch.

Jokes aside O’Conner had a legitimately good game last night. I think my opinion of him is solidifying as a good third liner that can play third wheel in the top six in a pinch.
- Victoro311

that's exactly where he should be next year. Maybe even 4th line if they can create an adequate offensive minded bottom 6

There's these guys called coaches and they dictate where players play, not GM's.... for better or worse...

Hextall specifically brought MG in for the bottom 6, though...which was one of the many examples of him being a terrible GM. Especially when you consider he wasnt doing good with the Preds that season haha. Perhaps Sully is a terrible coach for not putting MG in the top 6 over Crosby, Geno, Rust, Rakell, Guentzel and Zucker.... Smith was brought in for the top 6 when all indications from previous seasons were that he produces at top 6 rates at ES. It didn't work out that way. Started off really strong and fizzled. Perhaps Sully should have left Smith in top 6. Who knows. Should MG have been on top PP over those guys listed? Nah...

MG went to a place with zero pressure, or expectations, playing loose getting 6-8 more minutes a game than he did with the Pens and has 1st PP duties. Almost half of his points are from the PP. He and Smith both have almost the exact same amount of ES points. This isnt what you think/thought it is and I am now done responding to you.
- MattStrat[/qu

Good time for you to move on . All your bs about no pressure and more minutes doesn’t have anything to do with my point. One gm Hextall is called terrible because of bad contracts and roster moves. Dubas is given credit like he fixed that problem meanwhile he has done the same thing,with MG and Smith being one example. What signings / moves have been successful ?
But is he called terrible? No he is a progressive almost brilliant gm.

Liked the Kevin Bieksa story. It’s a good thing he is on HNIC. Only one that knows what he is talking about. Couple of weeks ago Ron (backstabber) McLean and Jennifer B are going on about how wrong it was for the predators to cancel the team trip to Vegas because the team wasn’t playing well. Like their some pee-wee travel team . They were looking forward to it they said. Both said how bad it was for team spirit etc.
Bieksa says management is right you are not entitled to any trip. Your professional hockey players you have a responsibility to play to a certain standard. Well after the cancelled trip they went 11-0-1. Now in the playoffs. McLean even
Insinuated that the Caps won the cup only after Barry Trotts softened and started socializing with his players. What a jerk .

Jokes aside O’Conner had a legitimately good game last night. I think my opinion of him is solidifying as a good third liner that can play third wheel in the top six in a pinch.
- Victoro311

Agreed, plus his contract is good for that level of play. It's not his fault he's been the only option to throw into the top 6 at times.

that's exactly where he should be next year. Maybe even 4th line if they can create an adequate offensive minded bottom 6
- j.boyd919

Being able to play O’Conner on the 4th line would be excellent but I doubt we are able to put ourselves in such a good position with forwards.

Jokes aside O’Conner had a legitimately good game last night. I think my opinion of him is solidifying as a good third liner that can play third wheel in the top six in a pinch.
- Victoro311

Yeah, he should stick around for the bottom 6...no matter what Grinder says or thinks haha

Your goaltending....looks really good.
The rest of it is just disjointed. So many great players.
what the hell is wrong?
- Octavarium

I posted this explanation They are have amnesia Offensive amnesia It is like a fog that they are all in. They can get shots but cannot find the back of the net Target shooters that hit the goalie but not the net. Chance after chance with no results
For a team like Pittsburgh we have never see that before I think they all have Offense Derangement Syndrome just like Democraps who the Trump Derangement Syndrome LOL

I’m dumb , one plays for the sharks with that noted 1st line along with the top tier offensive defenseman , the other with 2 generational players with Letang and the great EK that Dubas stole . And if you believe Smith was brought in to be in the bottom 6 you really shouldn’t call anyone dumb. MG has been better this year with out doubt for the same contract.
- johnnypie

Smith has been bad for us but MG was worse. For me, I'd rather have neither, they can both kick rocks.

Do you think it’s possible MG would have more points if he played with the Pens ( Gino etc) ? And do you think the reason Smith is playing bottom 6 is because he has played like a bottom six player?
Thats my point genius. MG doesn’t produce at 5 million and Hextall is a terrible gm . Dubas brings in Smith at 5 million obviously not to be bottom 6 he doesn’t produce but he is a still a forward thinking excellent gm.
- johnnypie

There's a big difference here. Smith produced well and won a cup with Vegas, whereas granland was an absolute dumb gamble because he wasn't working in Nashville at the time of acquisition. I female doged about that MG trade the sect it was made.

There's a big difference here. Smith produced well and won a cup with Vegas, whereas granland was an absolute dumb gamble because he wasn't working in Nashville at the time of acquisition. I female doged about that MG trade the sect it was made.
- 668710

I think this guys whole thing is that he believes we are all praising Dubas, thinking he's doing great so far and does no wrong. I've only spoke fondly of his work with the Leafs and even that had its stains hahah...no GM in the history of the league has nailed every single trade and signing they've done haha

I think this guys whole thing is that he believes we are all praising Dubas, thinking he's doing great so far and does no wrong. I've only spoke fondly of his work with the Leafs and even that had its stains hahah...no GM in the history of the league has nailed every single trade and signing they've done haha
- MattStrat

I don't think anyone here is sucking Dubas' cock lol. He's doing a good job. All you can ask is to try an make good moves. I think most of us questioned the Graves signing a little when it happened and also Eller. But Smith and EK, hell no, those were good moves. I gave Hextall his praises for the Rakell trade and signing because it was good. But his other work was pretty bad.