With the pivot they made, it would make sense to pivot from EK if they can. That deal was for the first two years IMO. Last two years we no longer can say look at the contracts they unloaded because those will be gone.
- Tojo.

For EK it makes sense to see if he has a better year this season to increase his value.

I think with any Russian player if you can get them over here you do it. They'll find him playing time. Not worth the risk of him getting stuck over there if you don't bring him over now.
- MickV

I can see that. I haven't even heard he wants to come to North America, but someone from Pens management, maybe Dubas, said he would like Murashov to join

In my ideal world he comes next year and gets more KHL time this year while Blomquist gets the bulk of the starts at WBS. But I see what you're saying.

I say heck with it and bring him over if he shows any promise. I heard we pulled back on the Jarry trade because we wanted to be competitive, but if we are taking a step back as a franchise it might be wise to trade Jarry and bring Blomqvist up (even though I believe that is the plan for the TDL this year). I think you bring Murashov in and you have him work with WBS and develop his skills so after the TDL he can take over in net for WBS

I am a bit of at a loss as to what to really expect moving forward. On the one hand if we’re really going to start the rebuild now while the stars play out to retirement, kind of makes sense to sell a guy like Petterssen. But if you look at our outyears, we are actually armed with a good amount of draft capital. I think there’s a world where the plan is to use these past two years to hit reset and restock a bit and then try to weaponize that draft capital starting next year or the year after to acquire a new generation of core pieces to give Sid and Geno one last competitive year before fully focusing on rebuilding post-retirement. We’re going to be pretty cap flexible with more assets than we’ve been really use to having here very soon. If nothing else, Dubas has built up some optionality even if the immediate season looks bleak

I am a bit of at a loss as to what to really expect moving forward. On the one hand if we’re really going to start the rebuild now while the stars play out to retirement, kind of makes sense to sell a guy like Petterssen. But if you look at our outyears, we are actually armed with a good amount of draft capital. I think there’s a world where the plan is to use these past two years to hit reset and restock a bit and then try to weaponize that draft capital starting next year or the year after to acquire a new generation of core pieces to give Sid and Geno one last competitive year before fully focusing on rebuilding post-retirement. We’re going to be pretty cap flexible with more assets than we’ve been really use to having here very soon. If nothing else, Dubas has built up some optionality even if the immediate season looks bleak
- Victoro311

The biggest problem is the Pens were probably in the playoffs last year with an average PP lol

The biggest problem is the Pens were probably in the playoffs last year with an average PP lol
- j.boyd919

Yeah but the reality we live in is that we missed and now we’re worse than we are last year. The silver lining is that we’ve retained flexibility with the only major misstep being the Graves contract. Gotta leverage that little bit of plus side and build a plan around that, whether it’s just totally committing to a rebuild right now or trying to leverage the optionality of our outyears into getting good young pieces that can be part of the now and the later. The one door that has definitely closed is pushing our remaining chips into the now for consistent playoff pushes before Sid and Geno retire

Yeah but the reality we live in is that we missed and now we’re worse than we are last year. The silver lining is that we’ve retained flexibility with the only major misstep being the Graves contract. Gotta leverage that little bit of plus side and build a plan around that, whether it’s just totally committing to a rebuild right now or trying to leverage the optionality of our outyears into getting good young pieces that can be part of the now and the later. The one door that has definitely closed is pushing our remaining chips into the now for consistent playoff pushes before Sid and Geno retire
- Victoro311

I not totally convinced they're worse than last season (roster that ended season), so far. Going to be a lot more energy in the lineup. Still dont think they make playoffs, though.

I totally forgot about 21 year old Tristan Broz and the fact he starts in WBS this season. He's at least a tiny bit intriguing to me haha

I not totally convinced they're worse than last season (roster that ended season), so far. Going to be a lot more energy in the lineup. Still dont think they make playoffs, though.
- MattStrat

To end the season ok but we’re definitely a lot worse without Guentzel

To end the season ok but we’re definitely a lot worse without Guentzel
- Victoro311

Oh I agree. Like I said last season I love having a Bunting type, would even like more, but it just sucks it was at the cost of Jake.

EDIT: they had two full months without Jake, so basically like a quarter of a season.

To end the season ok but we’re definitely a lot worse without Guentzel
- Victoro311

Guentzel was part of a losing culture for years before he was moved. There’s no loss there.

Guentzel was part of a losing culture for years before he was moved. There’s no loss there.
- Grinder47

Everyone that will be playing here next year will be part of a losing culture because we are not going to be good, including your guy Bunting.

Everyone that will be playing here next year will be part of a losing culture because we are not going to be good, including your guy Bunting.
- Victoro311

Well yeah. Sullivan is a loser and breeds a losing culture.

Sportsnet has the Pens at 29 on their power rankings. Could be a really long year.

Sportsnet has the Pens at 29 on their power rankings. Could be a really long year.
- Tojo.

29th in power play rankings? haha jk...I don't think they're that bad, to be considered the 4th worst team in the league before season starts...but hey, if they are, perhaps a top 3 pick in the next draft!

Sportsnet has the Pens at 29 on their power rankings. Could be a really long year.
- Tojo.

That's an absurd ranking. Last year 29th in the league was CBJ with 66 points.

JFresh's projection for the Pens is 87 points, right in the middle of my 85-90 point projection (though admittedly I was assuming they pick up another top-6 forward when making that prediction).

Now, if Sid gets hurt and missing a chunk of time, then OK let's shot for a top-5 pick, but otherwise I just don't see them managing to fall that low.

Oh I agree. Like I said last season I love having a Bunting type, would even like more, but it just sucks it was at the cost of Jake.

EDIT: they had two full months without Jake, so basically like a quarter of a season.
- MattStrat

Jake scored 22 goals for the Pens in 50 games last year. They won't replace Jake's skill but they can replace his 22 goals (still need a legit top-6 forward though).

I not totally convinced they're worse than last season (roster that ended season), so far. Going to be a lot more energy in the lineup. Still dont think they make playoffs, though.
- MattStrat

I agree. I don't think we are necessarily worse than last year, I think that is the reason I am frustrated is that we had a wide open canvass to take a step forward and we went lateral.

The Guentzel trade looks great now that we have Bunting and we wouldn't have been re-signing Jake near the numbers he got in free agency. He was gone anyway so we filled a hole with a good player on a good contract and added to the pool.

How we do this season is going to be highly driven by what we do to fill the 1LW slot. We still have some cap space to make a deal. Seems extremely unlikely Yager can make that big of a leap, but I almost wonder if that is why they havent filled the spot yet... holding out hope he can make the leap?

I think you can make the case we are better this year because we have at least finally addressed our teams most staggering weakness... coaching. Quinn did an awesome job with Karlsson and the SJ PP. If he can replicate that we are in a wildcard spot. If he can also figure out a way for Graves to function with Karlsson we are going to be in great shape.

I agree. I don't think we are necessarily worse than last year, I think that is the reason I am frustrated is that we had a wide open canvass to take a step forward and we went lateral.

The Guentzel trade looks great now that we have Bunting and we wouldn't have been re-signing Jake near the numbers he got in free agency. He was gone anyway so we filled a hole with a good player on a good contract and added to the pool.

How we do this season is going to be highly driven by what we do to fill the 1LW slot. We still have some cap space to make a deal. Seems extremely unlikely Yager can make that big of a leap, but I almost wonder if that is why they havent filled the spot yet... holding out hope he can make the leap?

I think you can make the case we are better this year because we have at least finally addressed our teams most staggering weakness... coaching. Quinn did an awesome job with Karlsson and the SJ PP. If he can replicate that we are in a wildcard spot. If he can also figure out a way for Graves to function with Karlsson we are going to be in great shape.
- MacPatty

Maybe we're waiting for Laine to be cleared by the NHLPA before making our big Graves for Laine trade.

Maybe we're waiting for Laine to be cleared by the NHLPA before making our big Graves for Laine trade.
- MickV

Columbus signed Jack m********king Johnson as a free agent... anything is possible.

I agree. I don't think we are necessarily worse than last year, I think that is the reason I am frustrated is that we had a wide open canvass to take a step forward and we went lateral.

The Guentzel trade looks great now that we have Bunting and we wouldn't have been re-signing Jake near the numbers he got in free agency. He was gone anyway so we filled a hole with a good player on a good contract and added to the pool.

How we do this season is going to be highly driven by what we do to fill the 1LW slot. We still have some cap space to make a deal. Seems extremely unlikely Yager can make that big of a leap, but I almost wonder if that is why they havent filled the spot yet... holding out hope he can make the leap?

I think you can make the case we are better this year because we have at least finally addressed our teams most staggering weakness... coaching. Quinn did an awesome job with Karlsson and the SJ PP. If he can replicate that we are in a wildcard spot. If he can also figure out a way for Graves to function with Karlsson we are going to be in great shape.
- MacPatty

I think the San Jose PP just worked because Karlson was able to be the only swinging Richard. In Pittsburgh you have 3, maybe 4 swinging Richards trying to swing at the same time. It’s a mess.

29th in power play rankings? haha jk...I don't think they're that bad, to be considered the 4th worst team in the league before season starts...but hey, if they are, perhaps a top 3 pick in the next draft!
- MattStrat

I don't think they're as good as last year's team so I don't see them as fixing the PP away from being a playoff team

That's an absurd ranking. Last year 29th in the league was CBJ with 66 points.

JFresh's projection for the Pens is 87 points, right in the middle of my 85-90 point projection (though admittedly I was assuming they pick up another top-6 forward when making that prediction).

Now, if Sid gets hurt and missing a chunk of time, then OK let's shot for a top-5 pick, but otherwise I just don't see them managing to fall that low.
- MickV

I think there is a little shock value in there, but I also think the idea they aren't taking a step backwards feels false. I think the truth is in the middle and the Pens are about an 80 point team.

I think people overrate a late season push where all those streaky 50 point forwards were hot at the same time. And they tend to forget that for a significant stretch when most everyone was underperforming that Sid, Jake, and Jarry were keeping the team afloat.

But the big factor is health. Crosby, Malkin, Letang, EK, and Pettersson, 5 of the 6 best players on the team, didn't miss a game. The Pens don't have the center or defenseman depth to cover for any of them. So I think they're one bad injury from a tailspin.

I don't think they're as good as last year's team so I don't see them as fixing the PP away from being a playoff team


I think there is a little shock value in there, but I also think the idea they aren't taking a step backwards feels false. I think the truth is in the middle and the Pens are about an 80 point team.

I think people overrate a late season push where all those streaky 50 point forwards were hot at the same time. And they tend to forget that for a significant stretch when most everyone was underperforming that Sid, Jake, and Jarry were keeping the team afloat.

But the big factor is health. Crosby, Malkin, Letang, EK, and Pettersson, 5 of the 6 best players on the team, didn't miss a game. The Pens don't have the center or defenseman depth to cover for any of them. So I think they're one bad injury from a tailspin.
- Tojo.

I wasnt implying that, for the record.

I don't think they're as good as last year's team so I don't see them as fixing the PP away from being a playoff team


I think there is a little shock value in there, but I also think the idea they aren't taking a step backwards feels false. I think the truth is in the middle and the Pens are about an 80 point team.

I think people overrate a late season push where all those streaky 50 point forwards were hot at the same time. And they tend to forget that for a significant stretch when most everyone was underperforming that Sid, Jake, and Jarry were keeping the team afloat.

But the big factor is health. Crosby, Malkin, Letang, EK, and Pettersson, 5 of the 6 best players on the team, didn't miss a game. The Pens don't have the center or defenseman depth to cover for any of them. So I think they're one bad injury from a tailspin.
- Tojo.

It's tough to gauge where we will end up. I think if we play complete games we could play well and potentially win some games. I expect another move to be made with us to get another winger prior to the season so that makes us a wildcard (hoping for Laine). I also believe there is potential we improve our PP from last year and potentially get a few more bounces which could improve the PP.


I agree an injury or 2 could change this teams season, but I could also say that for our opponents as well. You and I usually see things the same way, so I will agree with you as well. I think 80 points is more so where we should land. If we sell and have a fire sale with salary at the deadline. I could see that number being a lot less.

I wasnt implying that, for the record.
- MattStrat

Gotcha recorded for posterity.