Keeping Acciari, Nieto, and Graves on IR for two more weeks is all we need to know. I haven't heard if any of those three have begun skating yet.
- Thunderbolt

They should keep them on IR just in case we make the playoffs. Should probably do the same to Carter to give him some rest

I might flip out if the two Finns get booted from the lineup for Acciari and Nieto
- Victoro311

No way Nieto sniffs ice time now if healthy. I’d want ATCh in though.

Rempe Macdermid tonight?

I might flip out if the two Finns get booted from the lineup for Acciari and Nieto
- Victoro311

Pretty sure Dubas said Nieto's injury is more serious than they thought and he's not coming back this year.

Josh Getzoff is the Jansen Harkins of announcers.

Josh Getzoff is the Jansen Harkins of announcers.
- acdc1206

He's growing on me a bit but for a while I really thought I liked Mearsy better....and I never really thought Mearsy was that great to begin with hahaha

Josh Getzoff is the Jansen Harkins of announcers.
- acdc1206

So better offensive skills than Drew O Connor?

No way Nieto sniffs ice time now if healthy. I’d want ATCh in though.
- Grinder47

Sure they can put him in for Carter.

This reminds me of an article I read yesterday. It sad Dubas shouldn't spend all his time trying to fix the bottom 6 this offseason. He should allow the young talent show what they can do for the bottom 6 and bottom pair for the Defense. The article went on to talk about trading Smith, EK, and Rakell and some others and work on solidifying the top 6 and top 4 defense.
- 123Kid

As far as the forwards, O'Connor is the only one that has taken advantage of his playing time. Sullivan likes him so much the 1LW job is his to lose. Good for him.

I do believe the others (Puustinen, Puljujarvi, Gruden, Poulin, and Bemstrom) realize this is there one and only shot at the NHL level. They know they need to impress people now, then work hard in the summer.

I haven't really seen anyone stand out. They all have speed and individual talents that stick out. Puustinen has great vision, Puljujarvi is physical and a nose for the net, Gruden is a bull, and Bemstrom has a heavy shot. Haven't seen enough of Poulin to form an opinion.

Contrary to the defensive unit, this group could be pushed next year from even younger guys. Which is a good thing.
- Thunderbolt

Kind of putting these together because 123Kid has the big picture and Thunderbolt drilled into the specific players but I agree with you both.

The Pens don't have the type of top end young talent to help the top of lineup. But they have a lot of candidates to give the bottom six a shot in the arm. I wouldn't mind if they cleared out everyone but Eller. I like Eller as a one year placeholder at 3C so we can see more of Poulin and Ponomarev.

Yager is the only potential top six next year to me, but that feels unlikely though he made big progress this year. He's tailed off a little. But he does play a responsible game so Sully could take a liking to him.

Graves being out helps.
Who expected this turn of events?

Both St. Ivany and Ludvig are young in defenseman years. Joseph is included in that conversation. There's more expectation from Joseph as he's been playing at the NHL level for some time.

I think all three have improved from the start of the year. And that's all you can ask right now. Really looking for Joseph to take that next step and push Graves to the curb.

After that nobody in the system looks ready to make the jump to the big squad next year.
- Thunderbolt

I agree. POJ has surpassed Graves and I've always been a believer in him developing so I don't hate giving him the job next year.

And I can see Ludwig and St. Ivany taking steps. I think St. Ivany is locking down 3C. Ludwig will probably have to go the Ruhwedel route of 7D and wait his turn. Graves I bet we are stuck with and he's a road block, but I bet Sully is more comfortable keeping him at 3 LD then 2 guys so light on experience.

To be fair, I don't think any of us saw St. Ivany coming so maybe someone else surprises us. But I agree nobody is ready yet. Pickering needs time, but I do think people are too down on him, most places still project him as a 4. Unfortunately not a 2 or 3 like they hoped when using him as a first, but he can still get there.

I’m going to root for the Penguins to win hockey games like I’ve been doing since I was six or so. Thanks.
- Grinder47

Hey we actually agree on something. I don't think they will make it, but I'm rooting for them regardless.

TWIMC- Haase had a good explanation on Poulin. None of the Pens goalie options fit under the cap, so they had to clear space to make the emergency recall for a backup goalie. Blomquist already got sent down, so they will probably bring someone else back up next game, likely Poulin or Gruden.

I agree. POJ has surpassed Graves and I've always been a believer in him developing so I don't hate giving him the job next year.

And I can see Ludwig and St. Ivany taking steps. I think St. Ivany is locking down 3C. Ludwig will probably have to go the Ruhwedel route of 7D and wait his turn. Graves I bet we are stuck with and he's a road block, but I bet Sully is more comfortable keeping him at 3 LD then 2 guys so light on experience.

To be fair, I don't think any of us saw St. Ivany coming so maybe someone else surprises us. But I agree nobody is ready yet. Pickering needs time, but I do think people are too down on him, most places still project him as a 4. Unfortunately not a 2 or 3 like they hoped when using him as a first, but he can still get there.
- Tojo.

Here's an article on Jack Rathbone from this morning's Trib. Sounds like he could be close to ready.

https://triblive.com/spor...resh-start-with-penguins/

Kind of putting these together because 123Kid has the big picture and Thunderbolt drilled into the specific players but I agree with you both.

The Pens don't have the type of top end young talent to help the top of lineup. But they have a lot of candidates to give the bottom six a shot in the arm. I wouldn't mind if they cleared out everyone but Eller. I like Eller as a one year placeholder at 3C so we can see more of Poulin and Ponomarev.

Yager is the only potential top six next year to me, but that feels unlikely though he made big progress this year. He's tailed off a little. But he does play a responsible game so Sully could take a liking to him.
- Tojo.

Do you actually see them trying to trade EK? I dont see it.

Sure they can put him in for Carter.
- Victoro311

I’d just scratch DOC and put EK on LTIR.

Wow. They say they want people to be into hockey but they toss 8 guys from the rags Devils Gabe right away. What a joke of a “hockey” league.

I’d just scratch DOC and put EK on LTIR.
- Grinder47

And that’s why you build houses instead of hockey teams.

Do you actually see them trying to trade EK? I dont see it.
- j.boyd919

Maybe 15% chance. I don't think they plan to and I don't think he'd be easy to move. After all nobody much wanted him after a Norris season which is why we got such a nice deal.

But much as I will defend the trade, it hasn't been the best fit and I wouldn't be opposed to moving him. And maybe he wants out and the Ottawa interest is real. So maybe, but I'd lean heavy towards no.

Here's an article on Jack Rathbone from this morning's Trib. Sounds like he could be close to ready.

https://triblive.com/spor...resh-start-with-penguins/
- Thunderbolt

Thanks for the read. IDK being a fringe lefty is a tough spot to break through. He's got POJ, Ludvig, and Shea ahead of him. And Pickering and Pieninemi behind him. He is probably going to have to put himself in position for a call up and make the most of it like St. Ivany has before Pickering is ready.

Maybe 15% chance. I don't think they plan to and I don't think he'd be easy to move. After all nobody much wanted him after a Norris season which is why we got such a nice deal.

But much as I will defend the trade, it hasn't been the best fit and I wouldn't be opposed to moving him. And maybe he wants out and the Ottawa interest is real. So maybe, but I'd lean heavy towards no.
- Tojo.

Interesting. I think the fit has been fine. He's a +5 at 5v5, which isn't far off from most 1D's unless your Boston. He's got the highest xGF on the D corp, has allowed Letang to focus more on D and less on driving offense. Sure there are PP issues but I don't really think he's a huge part of that problem. I think it's a lack of left wall threat + change in PP system. Players are a little responsible but there's 5 of them on the ice and I don't really see EK as the main issue on the PP.

Interesting. I think the fit has been fine. He's a +5 at 5v5, which isn't far off from most 1D's unless your Boston. He's got the highest xGF on the D corp, has allowed Letang to focus more on D and less on driving offense. Sure there are PP issues but I don't really think he's a huge part of that problem. I think it's a lack of left wall threat + change in PP system. Players are a little responsible but there's 5 of them on the ice and I don't really see EK as the main issue on the PP.
- j.boyd919

There’s been cause to criticize Karlsson throughout the season for various reasons but he’s obviously really good and fits with the core. D men seem to really benefit from familiarity with their teammates to a great degree so I really don’t think he should be moved.

I think the hole in the blue line is mostly due to lack of a true second top four LD. Seems whatever pairing doesn’t have Peterson on it has been subpar and has made the RD look awful. Is POJ the guy to stabilize that or do we need to figure it out? Idk but it ain’t graves.

Interesting. I think the fit has been fine. He's a +5 at 5v5, which isn't far off from most 1D's unless your Boston. He's got the highest xGF on the D corp, has allowed Letang to focus more on D and less on driving offense. Sure there are PP issues but I don't really think he's a huge part of that problem. I think it's a lack of left wall threat + change in PP system. Players are a little responsible but there's 5 of them on the ice and I don't really see EK as the main issue on the PP.
- j.boyd919

I guess I'd say the complaints he isn't making a 10M impact are fair. Trying to ignore the circumstances of the trade aren't. I agree he's been a positive, but not really on the superstar level as hoped. They have much bigger issues elsewhere.

PP mystifies me. It's not like Rust and Rackell haven't both had success in that spot. I know they aren't Kessel in his prime, but with them and Smith they have enough capable righties. If we got last year's Rackell maybe this isn't even a problem.

But on the other side, I think they said Geno went 38 games without a PP goal. I know he's lost a bit this year, but how does that happen? So agree, lots of blame to go around. EK was just the face of it because a big part of why you get a guy like him is for the PP.

There’s been cause to criticize Karlsson throughout the season for various reasons but he’s obviously really good and fits with the core. D men seem to really benefit from familiarity with their teammates to a great degree so I really don’t think he should be moved.

I think the hole in the blue line is mostly due to lack of a true second top four LD. Seems whatever pairing doesn’t have Peterson on it has been subpar and has made the RD look awful. Is POJ the guy to stabilize that or do we need to figure it out? Idk but it ain’t graves.
- Victoro311

EK played mostly with Petts the first 2 months of the season and scored 6 goals (plus 12 assists) in 22 games, a 22 goal pace which is super elite for a Dman. Then they put him with Graves and he scored 2 goals in 4 months. So, just need coaches that don't put him with Graves next year.

I guess I'd say the complaints he isn't making a 10M impact are fair. Trying to ignore the circumstances of the trade aren't. I agree he's been a positive, but not really on the superstar level as hoped. They have much bigger issues elsewhere.

PP mystifies me. It's not like Rust and Rackell haven't both had success in that spot. I know they aren't Kessel in his prime, but with them and Smith they have enough capable righties. If we got last year's Rackell maybe this isn't even a problem.

But on the other side, I think they said Geno went 38 games without a PP goal. I know he's lost a bit this year, but how does that happen? So agree, lots of blame to go around. EK was just the face of it because a big part of why you get a guy like him is for the PP.
- Tojo.

I was expecting somewhere in the realm of 60-70 points from EK. As Mick said above... He probably would be giving you close to that had he played with Petts the whole year. The Pens had 39 goals and 30 against when EK and Petts were on the ice for 750 minutes.

EK and Graves had 7 goals and 12 against in 380 minutes. Graves sank every pairing he was on. Had they not tried to force Graves who was completely mis-evaluated by management into the top 4, EK would likely be providing around 10M IMO but it's tough when you're dragging around an anchor like Graves.

It's like having Jack Johnson all over again lol