You first few lines are what frustrates the fan base. It's true; however Dubas is saying he is building a competitive roster which is why he doesn't want a fire sale. All of us as fans would rather it be a tear down to the studs with maybe just the big 3 and we would understand how we lose this bad in a game. Instead we are holding on to assets to be competitive (like Karlsson, Rust, and Rakell). If they wanna bomb then bring in all young talent and see what you have.


As a secondary statement when Dubas landed the team his first offseason he completely bombed. Which I feel was the nail in the coffin and has been forgotten by the fan base. Hextall sucked, but Dubas really sucked his first offseason.

Besides Eller he didn't land anyone who actually was any good and he was trying to be aggressive. He bombed with Reilly Smith, Jarry, Graves, Nieto, Acciari, and Karlsson. Plus we lost a 1st, 2nd and 3rd round picks. He could have signed Zucker to a cheap deal who wanted to come back at a discount. E-Rods agent checked in with us because at the time he still wanted to play for us.

Both players right there would have been 6 million and even if we put them on the 3rd line with Granlund it would have been a heck of a line and we would still have money left to sign some players. Plus it would have given us secondary scoring.
- 123Kid

I feel that the plan Dubas has articulated is not to strip it down to the studs. Instead he wants the next generation to learn from the core vets in the hope that it fosters a winning atmosphere. He said strip it to the studs tends to have trouble rebuilding a winning culture. I have doubts about this working, but I think that's the stated intention.

Unfortunately, as we are very early in the process, (because as you said he did start trying to win, but failed and pivoted), that new generation isn't even on the NHL roster so this season is a waste at the NHL level. And beyond Blomqvist, I doubt we see the impact full prospects called up this year because they are AHL rookies or lower and not of the caliber to skip through the AHL in less than a year. The guys we will likely see are those like Bennstrom, Ponomarov, and Poulin. McGroarty, Pickering, Koivunen, Broz I think will stay in the AHL for the rest of the year and push for spots next year. That's just the normal process. (I know Pickering got a shot earlier, but they keep adding defenseman to try out which is going to block his path and he looked promising but also like he needed more time).

If Murray was tradeable so is Jarry.
- 10inchTerror

Murray was a 2 time Cup winner that someone mistakenly thought they could fix. And they gave assets for him. Jarry just cleared waivers, so thr league thinks less of him.

There might be a trade where we retain salary or take back a bad contract, but it will be harder than Murray.

Murray was a 2 time Cup winner that someone mistakenly thought they could fix. And they gave assets for him. Jarry just cleared waivers, so thr league thinks less of him.

There might be a trade where we retain salary or take back a bad contract, but it will be harder than Murray.
- Tojo.

It's most likely a bad contract trade. I don't want to pay to retain, we'd be better off with a buyout. I'd rather not trade picks to dump him, but if you are going to sign a Rantanen, Marner or March and, it would be well worth it.

Look at Washington’s roster of players and tell me coaching doesn’t matter. They look like they are just cruising through the oilers, no one looks fast, no one looks like they are breaking a sweat.

Sadly I think Ponomarov might be traded (think Anaheim was scouting him in a deal). Bloom is good, but I think Murashov is who we are hoping takes the Goalie spot. You are right about Dubas pivoting. I am wondering the plan maybe they let Koivunen and McGroarty start next year. Bennstrom, Broz and Gruden are also possibilities. I think with a good pick this season and an aggressive offseason. We could be a different team next year

Speaking of McGroarty, he dropped the mittens & proceeded to eat fists. So, he’ll fit right-in with Sully & Co. lol

Way to battle Geno

Speaking of McGroarty, he dropped the mittens & proceeded to eat fists. So, he’ll fit right-in with Sully & Co. lol
- out_of_market

Do coaches not like at least make sure players can defend themselves anymore? Or maybe when you turn pro take it upon yourself to learn.

anyone gonna defend Gryz & step-up on Rempe?

Do coaches not like at least make sure players can defend themselves anymore? Or maybe when you turn pro take it upon yourself to learn.
- Grinder47

https://x.com/PuckReportN...tatus/1893693228274028562

no

https://x.com/PuckReportN...tatus/1893693228274028562

no
- out_of_market

Haha. Has Mcgroarty ever watched a hockey fight?

Bro needs to learn some boxing this offseason if he wants to fight.

As a secondary statement when Dubas landed the team his first offseason he completely bombed. Which I feel was the nail in the coffin and has been forgotten by the fan base. Hextall sucked, but Dubas really sucked his first offseason.

Besides Eller he didn't land anyone who actually was any good and he was trying to be aggressive. He bombed with Reilly Smith, Jarry, Graves, Nieto, Acciari, and Karlsson. Plus we lost a 1st, 2nd and 3rd round picks. He could have signed Zucker to a cheap deal who wanted to come back at a discount. E-Rods agent checked in with us because at the time he still wanted to play for us.

Both players right there would have been 6 million and even if we put them on the 3rd line with Granlund it would have been a heck of a line and we would still have money left to sign some players. Plus it would have given us secondary scoring.
- 123Kid

Yep - He was hired and thrust into a WIN NOW atmosphere but he also didn't want to sacrifice any of the future (and the cupboards were pretty empty anyways) because I think he knew deep down there wasn't enough he could do to get the team over the top

Karlsson looked like a great short term trade that didn't work, but the book isn't closed on that yet. If traded I expect some kind of a return

Jarry was a rock and a hard place. No real other options for either the player of the team. Had to think even if it didn't work out he'd be tradeable but he fell off a cliff

Guys like Graves and Smith were take who's available kind of deals. There wasn't any time to "build" anything. It was a "Throw sh1t at the wall and hope it sticks kinda situation"

Rebuild needed to start when Hextall was hired (except NOT with Hextall and Burke) we'd be around the corner by now and probably trending upwards

Sadly I think Ponomarov might be traded (think Anaheim was scouting him in a deal). Bloom is good, but I think Murashov is who we are hoping takes the Goalie spot. You are right about Dubas pivoting. I am wondering the plan maybe they let Koivunen and McGroarty start next year. Bennstrom, Broz and Gruden are also possibilities. I think with a good pick this season and an aggressive offseason. We could be a different team next year
- 123Kid

I am losing faith in Blomqvist being the guy. If he has some decent trade value, I'd be happy to move him. I'm super high on Murashov and let's not forget that Larsson has been great (if inconsistent) in WBS.

You mentioned we could get Binnington. Send Jarry back in a trade for him. I'd then trade Blomqvist for a forward prospect (Turcotte, Samskovich, Savoie, But) and buy out Ned.

Leaves us with Binnington backed up by Larsson with Murashov starting in WBS. I'd feel pretty good rolling with that.

Speaking of McGroarty, he dropped the mittens & proceeded to eat fists. So, he’ll fit right-in with Sully & Co. lol
- out_of_market

I already wanted to trade him... Now I definitely want to. That was one of the most pathetic efforts in a fight I've ever seen... I love how he squares up all tough and then totally doesn't even try to throw a punch and gets fed.

You can tell a lot about a player by how they fight. That was zero guts, zero will to win. I don't care if you suck at fighting and get your ass handed to you as long as you go down swinging.

Not surprised as this is the same guy who forced his way out of Winnipeg because they had the nerve to make him try to earn a roster spot.

Wow.... Horrible goal.

Soff

12 goals allowed on 46 shots the past 2 games is a great way to get into the lottery.

12 goals allowed on 46 shots the past 2 games is a great way to get into the lottery.
- MickV

Well this one is probably extra good for us as we not only get closer to a top 5 but the Rangers pick stays above #13.

Sucks to feel this ok with being embarrassed on the regular.

Sadly I think Ponomarov might be traded (think Anaheim was scouting him in a deal). Bloom is good, but I think Murashov is who we are hoping takes the Goalie spot. You are right about Dubas pivoting. I am wondering the plan maybe they let Koivunen and McGroarty start next year. Bennstrom, Broz and Gruden are also possibilities. I think with a good pick this season and an aggressive offseason. We could be a different team next year
- 123Kid

Interesting. I've never been high on Ponomarov so that wouldn't bother me much.

Especially after seeing how Murray and Jarry started and tailed off, I'm more comfortable keeping both goalies for now.

It will be an interesting offseason for certain. Frankly, I think they're gearing up for one more bad season, but with the rookie class in WBS this year starting to join the team throughout the year. And hope they draft a few more guys that will be the next wave.

Interesting. I've never been high on Ponomarov so that wouldn't bother me much.

Especially after seeing how Murray and Jarry started and tailed off, I'm more comfortable keeping both goalies for now.

It will be an interesting offseason for certain. Frankly, I think they're gearing up for one more bad season, but with the rookie class in WBS this year starting to join the team throughout the year. And hope they draft a few more guys that will be the next wave.
- Tojo.

If we're lucky the Pens just suck from here on out and end up with a top 5 pick lol

Interesting. I've never been high on Ponomarov so that wouldn't bother me much.

Especially after seeing how Murray and Jarry started and tailed off, I'm more comfortable keeping both goalies for now.

It will be an interesting offseason for certain. Frankly, I think they're gearing up for one more bad season, but with the rookie class in WBS this year starting to join the team throughout the year. And hope they draft a few more guys that will be the next wave.
- Tojo.

Different coach could get this roster into the playoffs. I’ll never buy into the coach stays just because. That’s where it will start.

Different coach could get this roster into the playoffs. I’ll never buy into the coach stays just because. That’s where it will start.
- Grinder47

The team would be better off if they moved away from Sully. But playoffs? Nah. Not with this goal-tending and just how bad the roster is after the top line.