I agree on both accounts.
- MattStrat

In a perfect world, you could get both. Dubas as President of Hockey Ops and Tulsky as GM.

I think FSG wants/needs someone that can really hit the ground running. Not sure they'd fully trust a guy with no experience as a GM.

They were not the problem last season but I think things went about as well as they possibly could in terms of production and health. I expect a drop-off of varying degrees by them and every other player over 30, which feels like half of the team. There are just too many hurdles to overcome even if the new GM is somehow able to work some magic around the dire cap situation, close to zero help from the minors, and be able to find a goalie in a competitive goalie market.
- Hockey66

hahah yeah, there is definitely a mess to be sorted and Ive said a few times Im not holding my breath that it does get sorted. However, as SuperHendy said though, realistically, the big three are not going anywhere...so lets try and build something respectable around them for the next few years.

I found it hard to watch the big 3 try to drag this team to wins, only to be let down in the end, either by the bottom six, the goalies, or the coach, or all of the above. Are you ok if they never make it past the first round and all of their assets end up being worthless? Seems like a weird nostalgia fixation to me.
- Hockey66

I did not find it hard to watch the big 3 continue playing at a high level. I found it highly entertaining and enjoyable seeing my a few of my favorites to ever lace them up continue to be top 15 point producers.

With a better supporting cast, they can win a round or two, maybe more.

One other reason the idea of a rebuild is ridiculous is because you owe Crosby/Malkin/Letang a competitive team for the last few years of their careers. As you see guys like Matthews asking for $15M/year and McDavid making huge amounts of money... Crosby has never made above $8.7M, literally $700K more than what Trouba is making. All 3 guys have taken discounts for the sake of the team.

I am usually not a big fan of a team owing players anything, but those 3, Crosby and Malkin especially, could've asked for huge contracts and we would've given it to them. They always put the team and its competitiveness first.

A lot of Rangers fans/pundits are convinced Dubas will be hired by Pittsburgh, he'll fire Sullivan, hire Sheldon Keefe and then the Rangers will hire Mike Sullivan.

If Dubas leaves Toronto, it'll be because of Keefe's failures to adjust. Why on earth would he downgrade coaches.
- SuperHenderson13

Not like Sully adjusts these days either though lol

Does Detroit going 0 for 7 in the lotto and not ever picking higher than 4 at least make you wonder why you’re in such a rush to start the rebuild?
- Feds91Stammer

Different draft system now, just need to bottom out. Detroit has a much brighter future than the Pens right now. I would rather watch a bunch of young, hungry players than a bunch of old, dejected, soft, mentally defeated, oft-injured players playing for a stale AF coach. But that's just me.

The funny thing is, the rebuild is already happening regardless if anyone wants it to happen or how hard the Pens try to be competitive. They simply aren't competitive anymore. You can't just make all of these big contracts for old players go away and build a competitive team. Not possible. Detroit will pass the Pens next season. Buffalo and Ottawa, too. Not sure who drops below the Pens. Maybe the Isles, but I wouldn't count on it with their stud goalie.

hahah yeah, there is definitely a mess to be sorted and Ive said a few times Im not holding my breath that it does get sorted. However, as SuperHendy said though, realistically, the big three are not going anywhere...so lets try and build something respectable around them for the next few years.
- MattStrat

I would have a conversation with them and see if they want to stick around. They didn't look like they were having too much fun last year. They might want another bite at the apple and can see the writing on the wall that it likely isn't happening with the Pens. Contract restrictions can always be waived. I would rather see the big 3 play for a Cup on other teams than watch a replay of last season happen 4 to 5 more times. Speaking of things we "owe" them, another legit chance at a Cup would be one of them.

Different draft system now, just need to bottom out. Detroit has a much brighter future than the Pens right now. I would rather watch a bunch of young, hungry players than a bunch of old, dejected, soft, mentally defeated, oft-injured players playing for a stale AF coach. But that's just me.

The funny thing is, the rebuild is already happening regardless if anyone wants it to happen or how hard the Pens try to be competitive. They simply aren't competitive anymore. You can't just make all of these big contracts for old players go away and build a competitive team. Not possible. Detroit will pass the Pens next season. Buffalo and Ottawa, too. Not sure who drops below the Pens. Maybe the Isles, but I wouldn't count on it with their stud goalie.
- Hockey66

Keep struggling with that "competitive" word.

Does Detroit going 0 for 7 in the lotto and not ever picking higher than 4 at least make you wonder why you’re in such a rush to start the rebuild?
- Feds91Stammer

Well we have Uncle Gary ready to rig the lottery for us when we are ready.

Keep struggling with that "competitive" word.
- j.boyd919

Were they competitive against the two worst teams in the league with the playoffs on the line? Is it considered competitive just to make the playoffs when half the league makes the playoffs? Is it competitive losing in the first round 4 straight years and then not qualifying the fifth year? Do you think all of these old dudes are going to find the fountain of youth next year and the new GM will sprinkle some fairy dust and pull rabbits out of his hat? Maybe by your definition only the bottom 8 teams in the league aren't competitive. I think the Pens are closer to being one of those teams next year than they are to being a Cup contender.

Were they competitive against the two worst teams in the league with the playoffs on the line? Is it considered competitive just to make the playoffs when half the league makes the playoffs? Is it competitive losing in the first round 4 straight years and then not qualifying the fifth year? Do you think all of these old dudes are going to find the fountain of youth next year and the new GM will sprinkle some fairy dust and pull rabbits out of his hat? Maybe by your definition only the bottom 8 teams in the league aren't competitive. I think the Pens are closer to being one of those teams next year than they are to being a Cup contender.
- Hockey66

Who was your top contender for these playoffs on day one of them?

Who was your top contender for these playoffs on day one of them?
- MattStrat

Doesn't matter, Pens aren't competitive anymore and wouldn't have been if they made the playoffs. Sully has sucked their competitive spirit right out of them, even without Hex's sabotage. Too old and/or weak to fight hard anymore, anyway. It's over.

Flyers have two candidates for their President role... Eddie Olczyk and Keith Jones...

Getting Keith Jones off TV would be a big win.

Were they competitive against the two worst teams in the league with the playoffs on the line? Is it considered competitive just to make the playoffs when half the league makes the playoffs? Is it competitive losing in the first round 4 straight years and then not qualifying the fifth year? Do you think all of these old dudes are going to find the fountain of youth next year and the new GM will sprinkle some fairy dust and pull rabbits out of his hat? Maybe by your definition only the bottom 8 teams in the league aren't competitive. I think the Pens are closer to being one of those teams next year than they are to being a Cup contender.
- Hockey66

Chicago beat Boston, Vegas, Dallas, Toronto, Colorado, NYR, LA, Seattle, and Florida this season so…

Frank Seravalli with the list of candidates Pittsburgh has considered for their GM and Director of Hockey Ops roles. He stresses this isnt necessarily all of the candidates and what position each candidate is interviewing for:

Marc Bergevin
Jason Botterill
John Chayka
Mathieu Darche (Tampa)
Ryan Martin (Rangers)

Cant imagine they would be able to talk to any candidate from a team still in the playoffs so that's why it wouldnt include Dubas and Tulsky.

Other than Darche, this is a pretty underwhelming list.

Not like Sully adjusts these days either though lol
- j.boyd919

My biggest fear for the off-season is that no one from the organization seems the least bit concerned about Sullivan. He should have been fired 2 years ago.

In a perfect world, you could get both. Dubas as President of Hockey Ops and Tulsky as GM.

I think FSG wants/needs someone that can really hit the ground running. Not sure they'd fully trust a guy with no experience as a GM.
- SuperHenderson13

But but but NO RETREADS!!

I guess the Flyers haven’t been losing enough on the ice, needed to take an off ice L , Keith Jones lmfao

Chicago beat Boston, Vegas, Dallas, Toronto, Colorado, NYR, LA, Seattle, and Florida this season so…
- Feds91Stammer

Were the playoffs on the line? And did Columbus beat a bunch of good teams, too, when the playoffs were on the line? Or was it just the mentally and physically weak Pens?

My biggest fear for the off-season is that no one from the organization seems the least bit concerned about Sullivan. He should have been fired 2 years ago.
- Grinder47

I agree. Crazy he got an extension two years before his contract was up after repeated 1st round playoff failures.

Were the playoffs on the line? And did Columbus beat a bunch of good teams, too, when the playoffs were on the line? Or was it just the mentally and physically weak Pens?
- Hockey66

The playoffs are always on the line.

Columbus beat Toronto, NYI, Dallas, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Carolina, LA, Florida, and NYR.

The playoffs are always on the line.

Columbus beat Toronto, NYI, Dallas, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Carolina, LA, Florida, and NYR.
- Feds91Stammer

Yeah, sure, games in October through March are exactly the same as the last two games of the season against literally the two worst teams in the league and they couldn't even get a point.

But hey, the Pens finished with a negative goal differential on the season trying their hardest so they were definitely on the precipice of great things.

One other reason the idea of a rebuild is ridiculous is because you owe Crosby/Malkin/Letang a competitive team for the last few years of their careers. As you see guys like Matthews asking for $15M/year and McDavid making huge amounts of money... Crosby has never made above $8.7M, literally $700K more than what Trouba is making. All 3 guys have taken discounts for the sake of the team.


I am usually not a big fan of a team owing players anything, but those 3, Crosby and Malkin especially, could've asked for huge contracts and we would've given it to them. They always put the team and its competitiveness first.
- SuperHenderson13

What was the cap when Crosby signed his deal? I think he was the highest paid at the time.

Just what the market dictates. Mahomes isn’t even the highest paid qb any more. I think 2 have passed him. His contract will seem like a deal in 5 years.

Yeah, sure, games in October through March are exactly the same as the last two games of the season against literally the two worst teams in the league and they couldn't even get a point.

But hey, the Pens finished with a negative goal differential on the season trying their hardest so they were definitely on the precipice of great things.
- Hockey66

Correct. 2 points in October count the same as 2 points the last week of the season.

Correct. 2 points in October count the same as 2 points the last week of the season.
- Feds91Stammer

Correct, and going on a 4 game losing streak in the playoffs is the same number of losses as a 4 game losing streak in October.

I can't believe you're defending a team that completely folded when it mattered most. No fight. No urgency. Just laid down and left with their tail between their legs. Disgraceful.