Looking back I think not moving Jake to Genoa line was terrible coaching. Sid’s production has always been fine when Jake gets hurt. If you know Sid will do sid things, and more than likely Jake will keep scoring without Sid, why would you keep them together at all times. I’m also sure Sid cares more about trying to win than not sharing a line mate.

Bertuzzi - Crosby - Rust
Bunting - Malkin - Rak
Duclair - Domi - (5 ish mill player)
DOC - Eller - pulju

Would need to unload Smith and Acciari
- pens4life-66

sold, sold, sold!!!!!

Looking back I think not moving Jake to Genoa line was terrible coaching. Sid’s production has always been fine when Jake gets hurt. If you know Sid will do sid things, and more than likely Jake will keep scoring without Sid, why would you keep them together at all times. I’m also sure Sid cares more about trying to win than not sharing a line mate.
- 10inchTerror

I agree. While its hard to break up one of the best duos in the league its the coaches job to try and find ways for the whole lineup to be effective. I honestly cant remember Geno and Jake getting a 5 on 5 shift together but I'm sure they did, at least for a bit hahah


EDIT: They had 55 mins of 5 on 5 time together...not a lot but I never would have said that much. Sid and Jake had 704 mins.

Bertuzzi - Crosby - Rust
Bunting - Malkin - Rak
Duclair - Domi - (5 ish mill player)
DOC - Eller - pulju

Would need to unload Smith and Acciari
- pens4life-66

Any idea how we get rid of Graves too? I would think they can trade Smith (and Jarry), but if we're stuck with Graves it's a cap headache.

Not sure what you're getting at. The pick is top-10 protected but based on record we're going to have either the 13th or 14th pick, hence we cannot keep the pick unless we win the lottery --- which would move us up 10 spots to 3 or 4, in which case we would definitely keep the pick. (So we either have no choice or an easy choice depending on what happens in the lottery. Our odds of moving up though are very small.)
- MickV

Oh ok gotcha...I thought they had the option of either yrs 1st to trade away. So they have to trade this yrs unless its top 10

That sucking sound was all yinz CHEF Carter bashers... going away with nothing to say. Should be giving him thanks for not complaining about the linemates on a 4th line that were border-line NHL players playing under a coach with his hands in his pockets signifying he can't even get into the playoffs now - let alone go 4 and out.

Hopefully, the CHEF comes back for another year... (I concede) he's a 4th liner now - but the best 4th liner on the team, right now.

The HEAD COACH is 95% to blame - the GM is too new - the biggest mistake Dubas made was not having an assistant coach who could take charge.

A new coaching staff with at least one assistant who could move in and take over is JOB ONE right now for Dubas. The team just wasn't managed.

That sucking sound was all yinz CHEF Carter bashers... going away with nothing to say. Should be giving him thanks for not complaining about the linemates on a 4th line that were border-line NHL players playing under a coach with his hands in his pockets signifying he can't even get into the playoffs now - let alone go 4 and out.

Hopefully, the CHEF comes back for another year... (I concede) he's a 4th liner now - but the best 4th liner on the team, right now.

The HEAD COACH is 95% to blame - the GM is too new - the biggest mistake Dubas made was not having an assistant coach who could take charge.

A new coaching staff with at least one assistant who could move in and take over is JOB ONE right now for Dubas. The team just wasn't managed.
- sufi-judge

Jesus Christ the way you type is annoying. Are you trying to make buzz words stand out on wish.com or something?

Jesus Christ the way you type is annoying. Are you trying to make buzz words stand out on wish.com or something?
- Guile

Seo search was my guess

Seo search was my guess

No period there - possibly yinz is stagnant?

Bertuzzi - Crosby - Rust
Bunting - Malkin - Rak
Duclair - Domi - (5 ish mill player)
DOC - Eller - pulju

Would need to unload Smith and Acciari
- pens4life-66

While that would be a nice lineup, the odds of the Pens unloading two forwards while taking none back while adding 4 top 9 forwards in free agency seems a bit... unlikely. I do like the players you are talking about though.

The Pens aren't going to be able to dump Graves, I am expecting Zona/Salt Lake will want to try to compete sooner than later rather than continuing to eat poop. This move could really change the offseason dynamic this year. Lots of teams with talented players to re-sign and no cap space and now the team everyone always dumps salary on might not help out. They could easily overpay one or more of Stamkos, Reinhart, Guentzel or Marchessault where the incumbent teams couldnt match.

Its going to have to be Graves for another teams problem with both teams just oping for a better fit. Like Graves for Josh Anderson (which I would do).

I think a Jarry deal will be hard to pull off so I just think we need to get ready to live with him as a 1B.

Smith trade would be good but I'm more interested in trying to move on from Rackell. I think he is just ok and has a long contract at $5M. He could be a nice piece as part of a trade for a better (higher paid) player like Gaudreau (or even Laine).

I don’t think the pens were that far off. Coaching, PP, and being out skated in OT seemed like killers.

I’ve said before, the pens need that speedy goal scoring winger to help carry the puck into the zone during the PP and also help a ton in OT if they get there.

Maybe you can dump Graves to CBJ for Gaudreau and like $3 mil retained. Tell CBJ to throw in Texier too 🤷‍♂️

Seasons not even over yet guys. Still one more W to go out and get. Chill out.

Fire Dubas, bring in Chiarelli.
Fire Sullivan, bring in Mike Keenan.
Sign Jack Johnson this summer for 5 years

Seasons not even over yet guys. Still one more W to go out and get. Chill out.
- Grinder47

Grinder, the voice of reason.

Any idea how we get rid of Graves too? I would think they can trade Smith (and Jarry), but if we're stuck with Graves it's a cap headache.
- MickV

Don’t really “have” to unload Graves…

Bertuzzi - Crosby - Rust $19.325
Bunting - Malkin - Rak $15.6
Duclair - Domi - (5 ish mill player) $11
DOC - Eller - pulju $4.125
Total $50.05

Petts - Karlsson $14.025
POJ - Letang $6.925
Graves - St.Ivany $5.357
Total $26.307

Jarry $5.375
Backup $1.5
Total $6.875 Total $83.232

Now would be dead cap/buyout of $2.47 plus 2 extras at $.875 is $1.75… Total $4.22

That’s $87.454. It’s tight but works.
Also to save the argument coming, the 3rd line winger says “ish” so if you really want drop it down to a 3 mill player and you save 2 mill more. Or use Yager or someone under a mill and save 4 mill. (Those new players are all next seasons “expected” cap hit numbers)

As I said before… Would need to unload Smith and Acciari which I 110% think you could do without taking anything back.

When a guy like Granlund gets almost 60 points with a Sharks bad team what does that tell you. Maybe it is the way they use these players when they come to this team Maybe the philosophy is all messed up. Others who were here did pretty well when leaving Sprong McCann Granlund E Rod Maybe it is just Sully and his way of doing things, how else can you explain that when guys leave here they do okay Pittsburgh is where middle of the line players come to die
- broncohorvath

In 68 GP

Granlund > Smith this year. Who saw that coming?

Don’t really “have” to unload Graves…

Bertuzzi - Crosby - Rust $19.325
Bunting - Malkin - Rak $15.6
Duclair - Domi - (5 ish mill player) $11
DOC - Eller - pulju $4.125
Total $50.05

Petts - Karlsson $14.025
POJ - Letang $6.925
Graves - St.Ivany $5.357
Total $26.307

Jarry $5.375
Backup $1.5
Total $6.875 Total $83.232

Now would be dead cap/buyout of $2.47 plus 2 extras at $.875 is $1.75… Total $4.22

That’s $87.454. It’s tight but works.
Also to save the argument coming, the 3rd line winger says “ish” so if you really want drop it down to a 3 mill player and you save 2 mill more. Or use Yager or someone under a mill and save 4 mill. (Those new players are all next seasons “expected” cap hit numbers)

As I said before… Would need to unload Smith and Acciari which I 110% think you could do without taking anything back.
- pens4life-66

Yeah, I know you don't have to get rid of Graves, but now you're losing Ned, POJ gets a raise this year right too? I'd like to keep Ned and POJ. If we can get rid of Graves, then we can afford that and your moves ... but I don't know how to get rid of Graves.

Yeah, I know you don't have to get rid of Graves, but now you're losing Ned, POJ gets a raise this year right too? I'd like to keep Ned and POJ. If we can get rid of Graves, then we can afford that and your moves ... but I don't know how to get rid of Graves.
- MickV

Yup, then like I said as well, if you want to keep Ned and POJ slot Bemmy or Yager or Pusstinen or Poulin or whoever into the 3rd line and you have 4 mill extra. Thats 3.5 for Ned and 2.825 for POJ... which I think are both higher hits for those 2.

Bertuzzi - Crosby - Rust
Bunting - Malkin - Rak
Duclair - Domi - (5 ish mill player)
DOC - Eller - pulju

Would need to unload Smith and Acciari
- pens4life-66

My ideal ufa’s:

Elias Lindholm - 2nd line C
Sean Monahan - 3rd line C
Sean Durzi - 2nd LD
Kiril Marchenko - 3rd line RW
Anthony Duclair - Top line LW?
Eli tolvanen - 3rd/4th line LW or,
Yakov trenin - 3rd/4th line LW or,
Alex Texier - 3rd/4th line LW/C

I’d only want one of mantha/bertuzzi/duclair.
Doubt any would sign in Pitt but I’d focus on Monahan, Durzi, Marchenko, Tolvanen. Maybe Zadarov if Durzi signs somewhere.

Yup, then like I said as well, if you want to keep Ned and POJ slot Bemmy or Yager or Pusstinen or Poulin or whoever into the 3rd line and you have 4 mill extra. Thats 3.5 for Ned and 2.825 for POJ... which I think are both higher hits for those 2.
- pens4life-66

What I'm trying to do here is get you to give us some insider info on how we're getting rid of Graves.

I know, I know, it's not possible, but it would really help put the puzzle together for next year.

My ideal ufa’s:

Elias Lindholm - 2nd line C
Sean Monahan - 3rd line C
Sean Durzi - 2nd LD
Kiril Marchenko - 3rd line RW
Anthony Duclair - Top line LW?
Eli tolvanen - 3rd/4th line LW or,
Yakov trenin - 3rd/4th line LW or,
Alex Texier - 3rd/4th line LW/C

I’d only want one of mantha/bertuzzi/duclair.
Doubt any would sign in Pitt but I’d focus on Monahan, Durzi, Marchenko, Tolvanen. Maybe Zadarov if Durzi signs somewhere.
- 10inchTerror

Yup, everyone will have their own players etc but just shows “IF” Dubas has a proper plan, He’s got lots to work with and could make this an actual good team. My opinion that plan should start with a 5.5 mill ish LW and a 3.5-4 ish mill C.
Eller has been much better then I thought but I wouldn’t trust him to keep it up at 36 at a good 3rd line level and also it wouldn’t be pretty when an injury happens and he’s top 2 lines.

What I'm trying to do here is get you to give us some insider info on how we're getting rid of Graves.

I know, I know, it's not possible, but it would really help put the puzzle together for next year.
- MickV

Hahaha I was kinda thinking that but I got nothing on that. I know the Canucks were interested for sure in the offseason and I heard the leafs but not sure about them.

Don’t really “have” to unload Graves…

Bertuzzi - Crosby - Rust $19.325
Bunting - Malkin - Rak $15.6
Duclair - Domi - (5 ish mill player) $11
DOC - Eller - pulju $4.125
Total $50.05

Petts - Karlsson $14.025
POJ - Letang $6.925
Graves - St.Ivany $5.357
Total $26.307

Jarry $5.375
Backup $1.5
Total $6.875 Total $83.232

Now would be dead cap/buyout of $2.47 plus 2 extras at $.875 is $1.75… Total $4.22

That’s $87.454. It’s tight but works.
Also to save the argument coming, the 3rd line winger says “ish” so if you really want drop it down to a 3 mill player and you save 2 mill more. Or use Yager or someone under a mill and save 4 mill. (Those new players are all next seasons “expected” cap hit numbers)

As I said before… Would need to unload Smith and Acciari which I 110% think you could do without taking anything back.
- pens4life-66

That's pretty tight. I think I'd keep DOC at 3 LW and create a little room. I don't mind at all though going a little less on the tip line and putting some money into the third line.

I am going to try and enjoy watching tonight's game before putting too much effort into CapFriendly armchair GM for next year.

Sid needs a 6-point game for 1600. Let's go Pens!

Yup, everyone will have their own players etc but just shows “IF” Dubas has a proper plan, He’s got lots to work with and could make this an actual good team. My opinion that plan should start with a 5.5 mill ish LW and a 3.5-4 ish mill C.
Eller has been much better then I thought but I wouldn’t trust him to keep it up at 36 at a good 3rd line level and also it wouldn’t be pretty when an injury happens and he’s top 2 lines.
- pens4life-66

Definitely. Not op much for true top line wingers but lots of ways to improve lines 2-4. Eller, doc, pulj I think would make an elite 4th line.