Puust on waivers. Hopefully he makes it so he can at least be a throw in for a trade down the road. If not don’t really care. He didn’t bring much and won’t ever in a bottom 6 roll with senior hockey players.

See that to me is a horrendous "plan" if that was his set plan because it wasnt just EK. We have Graves and Jarry as well. Especially when he comes in and totally botches a bottom 6 forward group that he specifically made.

And if thats the case, for more recent moves in the past 6 months, why did he want Bunting when he was trading away the top trade chip at a deadline?

Also, why trade Yager for a more "NHL ready prospect" when you are rebuilding? Unless it was a no brainer trade and you are clearly without a doubt are getting the better prospect?

Even still hes adding these 30 year old type players in the "hopes" of getting a 4th round pick meanwhile completely blocking all ice time for the young kids?
Maybe he does have some kinda plan but looking at everything in total, I see no rebuilding "plan".
- pens4life-66

Yeah... all of this. I want the Pens to take a run at it here, even if it delays a rebuild by a couple years but I can accept going full rebuild right now. But if we do that, I at least want to see a bunch of young guys getting in there and seeing what they have.

I have zero desire to watch guys like Hayes, Gryz & Nieto. poop, at least go out and get a few Reaves, Deslauriers or Rempe type so we don't just get female dog slapped around every game.

Karlsson doesn't want to be here? Sure looks that way... just healthy scratch him until he accepts whatever trade you offer for him. I think his value will be hurt more by his ability to restrict trade destinations than it will by sitting him if that eventually opens up more options for us. He will probably go somewhere and do really well but for us it feels almost like it will be addition by subtraction. Its crazy to me that some kind of trade with Ottawa with Karlsson and Zub switching places hasnt happened yet since both teams could really use the change.

Fire Sully because he sucks in general but really sucks at integrating young guys into the roster. Hire Boudreau and just let them play fast and loose for the rest of the season.

Stack Malkin-Crosby-Rackell, get rid of all of the mopers and fill that lineup with a bunch of guys that are hungry and will hustle. Im ok with sucking if we have a team full of guys who are doing their very best out there.

Yeah... all of this. I want the Pens to take a run at it here, even if it delays a rebuild by a couple years but I can accept going full rebuild right now. But if we do that, I at least want to see a bunch of young guys getting in there and seeing what they have.

I have zero desire to watch guys like Hayes, Gryz & Nieto. poop, at least go out and get a few Reaves, Deslauriers or Rempe type so we don't just get female dog slapped around every game.

Karlsson doesn't want to be here? Sure looks that way... just healthy scratch him until he accepts whatever trade you offer for him. I think his value will be hurt more by his ability to restrict trade destinations than it will by sitting him if that eventually opens up more options for us. He will probably go somewhere and do really well but for us it feels almost like it will be addition by subtraction. Its crazy to me that some kind of trade with Ottawa with Karlsson and Zub switching places hasnt happened yet since both teams could really use the change.

Fire Sully because he sucks in general but really sucks at integrating young guys into the roster. Hire Boudreau and just let them play fast and loose for the rest of the season.

Stack Malkin-Crosby-Rackell, get rid of all of the mopers and fill that lineup with a bunch of guys that are hungry and will hustle. Im ok with sucking if we have a team full of guys who are doing their very best out there.
- MacPatty

Agree on the top line. But I’d be telling ek if he wants out he better summon ek of the past to get a contender to waste 5m per year on him.

Friedman at the intermission says the Penguins went to Bryan Rust and told him they won’t even ask him to wave his NTC, he will remain in Pittsburgh. He’s highly respected and teams have asked about him.

— NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) March 3, 2024

This was last years deadline, but still speaks to there was no “rebuilding” plan at that time. Unless Rust is 1 of the core sentimental players but now it’s widely reported Dubas is open to trading any of them besides Sid. I don’t know, I’m VERY confused. Hahaha

I wouldn’t care either way rebuild or attempt to contend or trade Malkin, Letang, Karlsson and Rust and re tool but doesn’t seem any of these lanes are happening it’s just wing it every 3-4 months.

Feel sorry for you fans that got Dufas. Since we cut him and Keefe loose and with Berube coaching a different brand of hockey the Leafs are flying.

Feel sorry for you fans that got Dufas. Since we cut him and Keefe loose and with Berube coaching a different brand of hockey the Leafs are flying.
- leafersince62

Till the playoffs when the Leafs crash and burn as usual.

Till the playoffs when the Leafs crash and burn as usual.
- hfc355

TBF though I’d have zero issue with Berube.

I looked yesterday and I'm pretty sure the Pens are 1st in high danger chances for at 5v5, 3rd in scoring chances for at 5v5, and 1st in xGF at 5v5. Now... if you look at all the SC against, xGA, and high danger against... they are 3 of the worst in that lol they are basically running the trade chance for chance playbook and losing because they are still lacking what they have been lacking since trading Kessel 5 years ago, and now Guentzel.. finishing talent. They don't have the finishing talent to trade chances -- and they didn't do poop to replace either of those players production in recent years.
- j.boyd919

What actually happens is the Pens get “high danger scoring chances” against teams playing a cohesive defensive system, and the other team gets “high danger scoring chances” against no defensive system. Not that high danger scoring chances is a reliable stat though because no one actually tracks the chance, just where the puck is coming to the net from.

Rak - Sid - rust
Beau - Geno - tomasino
Bunting - Lizotte - O’Connor
Nieto - Acari- Hayes

Pickering - Letang
Petts - ek
Shea - st. I

Some healthy participants. Team getting older again lol
- 10inchTerror

Nice to see Tomasino get an actual chance. Anyone want to bet if he gets five games in the top six before Sully gives up on him unless he lights the world on fire?

Pens looked like they had a decent third line that was actually outscoring teams in Puljujarvi-DOC-Poulin. So naturally one is in the minors, one is scratched, and the third is bumped to a position he doesn't play as well.

You are more rattled than Jim Rutherford looking at the schedule and seeing Tom Wilson's Caps come to town.
- j.boyd919

good one

There were no moves this offseason that led me to believe they were trying to compete lol I don't understand fans needing a declaration -- you saw the moves, you see how they play, you see the goaltending is trash, the finishing talent still isn't there -- this team was meant to be bad from the start.

I'm pretty sure he gave some quotes in the offseason about possibly not being competitive this year, I think Taylor Haas had reposted it recently.
- j.boyd919

I've always maintained there's a difference between the obsessed fan who posts on Hockeybuzz and the casual fans of the city. Pittsburgh fans in general are pretty confused right now about the direction of the team. And the knowledgeable ones just feel insulted.

Me, I think Dubas doesn't have a clear idea on what he wants to do. Trading for Hayes is great for a rebuild, an anchor for the next two years. But the Guentzel trade to me was clearly done primarily with next year in mind, not several years down the road. I honestly can't tell if he's trying to reload or rebuild, but I feel like he's doing poorly at both.

Nice to see Tomasino get an actual chance. Anyone want to bet if he gets five games in the top six before Sully gives up on him unless he lights the world on fire?

Pens looked like they had a decent third line that was actually outscoring teams in Puljujarvi-DOC-Poulin. So naturally one is in the minors, one is scratched, and the third is bumped to a position he doesn't play as well.
- Tojo.

Yeah I’d like to see a doc-Lizotte/glass-pulj 3rd line. I’m surprised to see tomasino get a shot in a proper role for him. Sully loves playing soft offensive wingers in a checking role. I’d be surprised if he gets a full game there unless he burns the barn down early.

Puust on waivers. Hopefully he makes it so he can at least be a throw in for a trade down the road. If not don’t really care. He didn’t bring much and won’t ever in a bottom 6 roll with senior hockey players.
- 10inchTerror

60+ games. 25 years old. He's had his chance. I'd rather see him claimed as I'd rather see half a dozen guys in WBS, but I doubt anyone takes him.

Well Dubas has been listening to me. Apparently he went to watch the Cleveland Monsters with Jiricek playing there. Rossi is reporting that we are in on him and are willing to trade McGroaty in part of a deal for him.

There is a perfect world in which we trade McGroaty, Hayes and the 2026 2nd we got from StL for Oliver and Jiricek. I could forgive him for trading Yager if he pulled that off.

CBJ would also be a great trade partner in a 3way to offload Karlsson and have them do the retaining.

PIT - Zub, Jiricek & Sens 2025 3rd. Most importantly +$5M in cap space.
OTT - Karlsson (1/2 ret by CBJ) & Beauvillier
CBJ - McGroaty, Pinto, Pens 2026 2nd (StL)

lest us keep coach sullivan until dubas can find the guys to play the right way

I've always maintained there's a difference between the obsessed fan who posts on Hockeybuzz and the casual fans of the city. Pittsburgh fans in general are pretty confused right now about the direction of the team. And the knowledgeable ones just feel insulted.

Me, I think Dubas doesn't have a clear idea on what he wants to do. Trading for Hayes is great for a rebuild, an anchor for the next two years. But the Guentzel trade to me was clearly done primarily with next year in mind, not several years down the road. I honestly can't tell if he's trying to reload or rebuild, but I feel like he's doing poorly at both.
- Tojo.

That's where I'm at. Getting Bunting and making sure Rust is totally not available for any trade discussions makes me think he's attempting to sneak into the playoffs. (as of last trade deadline at the very least)
I get the Hayes and Glass moves would be "rebuild" moves IF Guentzel and Rust were traded for only re build moves but they weren't. If he was re building this offseason and full well knew teams wanted Rust, why in the F was Rust not moved!?

I think he liked Glass, Lizotte, and Grzelcyk and just straight up missed on a couple more player evaluations. Same with this Tomasino trade. If it doesnt work out he still keeps his free pass to try again.

Jiricek CBJ, Dach Montreal, Struble Montreal, and Zegras Ana. Are all names I heard us connected to. Again it's weird. Are we tanking or not? If we are bringing in young talent, then why didn't we bring in young talent this past offseason. Such a weird spot. I agree with you guys I don't think Dubas knows what he wants to do. He is another Hextall. A guy with no plan.


Side note: Many of us Pens fans have been watched the Pens since prior to Crosby. So a losing season is no issue. Heck many of us also watched it Pre Lemieux days.

Well Dubas has been listening to me. Apparently he went to watch the Cleveland Monsters with Jiricek playing there. Rossi is reporting that we are in on him and are willing to trade McGroaty in part of a deal for him.
- MacPatty

Not that I think it would be wrong here, but if we traded our top prospect twice in a year that's pretty nuts. I'm not as familiar so I don't know how bad the risk/reward is in his game. But our prospect pool could use another RHD and anyone really with an offensive pulse.

Of course we could use top six forwards badly too

Not that I think it would be wrong here, but if we traded our top prospect twice in a year that's pretty nuts. I'm not as familiar so I don't know how bad the risk/reward is in his game. But our prospect pool could use another RHD and anyone really with an offensive pulse.

Of course we could use top six forwards badly too
- Tojo.

Jiricek’s biggest knock is lack of mobility so he will fit right in with every other prospect we have

That's where I'm at. Getting Bunting and making sure Rust is totally not available for any trade discussions makes me think he's attempting to sneak into the playoffs. (as of last trade deadline at the very least)
I get the Hayes and Glass moves would be "rebuild" moves IF Guentzel and Rust were traded for only re build moves but they weren't. If he was re building this offseason and full well knew teams wanted Rust, why in the F was Rust not moved!?

I think he liked Glass, Lizotte, and Grzelcyk and just straight up missed on a couple more player evaluations. Same with this Tomasino trade. If it doesnt work out he still keeps his free pass to try again.
- pens4life-66

Rust is what 32? He’s been solid but past his prime. If someone was willing to pony up move him. Could have signed gutz long term?

But yeah I feel dubas is trying to make a run snd rebuild at the same time and neither are working.

That's where I'm at. Getting Bunting and making sure Rust is totally not available for any trade discussions makes me think he's attempting to sneak into the playoffs. (as of last trade deadline at the very least)
I get the Hayes and Glass moves would be "rebuild" moves IF Guentzel and Rust were traded for only re build moves but they weren't. If he was re building this offseason and full well knew teams wanted Rust, why in the F was Rust not moved!?

I think he liked Glass, Lizotte, and Grzelcyk and just straight up missed on a couple more player evaluations. Same with this Tomasino trade. If it doesnt work out he still keeps his free pass to try again.
- pens4life-66

Idk, Rust has a FNMC through this season only, hence a lot easier to move him and maximize return this summer -- plus Sid likes playing with him and he needed Sid to re-sign. Hard to know as well that Dubas didn't chat informally with a few teams he thought Rust might waive to go to and decided the return wasn't worth it. We'll see what happens over the summer.

Glass and Hayes are OK re-build moves. Grz only makes sense if he's their secrete weapon for tanking. Jarry and Graves are long-term disasters.

Idk, Rust has a FNMC through this season only, hence a lot easier to move him and maximize return this summer -- plus Sid likes playing with him and he needed Sid to re-sign. Hard to know as well that Dubas didn't chat informally with a few teams he thought Rust might waive to go to and decided the return wasn't worth it. We'll see what happens over the summer.

Glass and Hayes are OK re-build moves. Grz only makes sense if he's their secrete weapon for tanking. Jarry and Graves are long-term disasters.
- MickV

This is an excellent point. I have no idea if any of these rumors are accurate, but it's hard to completely judge Dubas when keeping Sid was his primary goal. It might shed some light on his "disjointed" priorities. Trying to keep the meal ticket happy at the same time your turning over the roster with mostly a pipeline of junk. Seems impossible.

I have to be honest... The Yager for McGroarty deal has me nervous.