JMO.... We need prospects more than getting rid of Graves. He's a sunk cost, but the cap is going up substantially. He might be a good trade with retention candidate. I'd rather go that route. Personally, I'd like to see if we can combine two firsts and move up if there's a player that's worth it. Get quality.
- madmike71

I'm mostly here just curious if this is even allowed. Can you renegotiate pick protection as part of a future trade?

I'm mostly here just curious if this is even allowed. Can you renegotiate pick protection as part of a future trade?
- MickV

It's an interesting thought. I can't see why it wouldn't be legal, but have no idea. I honestly don't want to give the Rangers any "out" though. It's damn funny having their top pick either this year or next. They have a lot to figure out. GM and coaching changes. Players are pissed. Panarin involved in a sexual assault. Yikes.

JMO.... We need prospects more than getting rid of Graves. He's a sunk cost, but the cap is going up substantially. He might be a good trade with retention candidate. I'd rather go that route. Personally, I'd like to see if we can combine two firsts and move up if there's a player that's worth it. Get quality.
- madmike71

I don't know that the quality difference is worth moving up. I'd rather have 2 good lottery tickets myself.

Don’t forget. It was all Botterill behind the scenes punching in Corsi numbers to the hockey computer. That was really the difference maker.
- Grinder47

Lol, I forgot that RW conspiracy theory that all the good moves were Botterill and that's why he was bad after.

JMO.... We need prospects more than getting rid of Graves. He's a sunk cost, but the cap is going up substantially. He might be a good trade with retention candidate. I'd rather go that route. Personally, I'd like to see if we can combine two firsts and move up if there's a player that's worth it. Get quality.
- madmike71

Sid just had a 90 point season. We need nhl players. Combine two firsts and get some guys that can help immediately.

Sid just had a 90 point season. We need nhl players. Combine two firsts and get some guys that can help immediately.
- Grinder47

You're going to be disappointed.

I don't know that the quality difference is worth moving up. I'd rather have 2 good lottery tickets myself.
- Tojo.

Did Frondell move up the rankings lately? I thought he was projected in the 10-15 range, but some mocks have him top 5.

I was intrigued by an Eklund + Frondell draft given their playing time together.

I think I'd still like them to get Martone if possible.

Did Frondell move up the rankings lately? I thought he was projected in the 10-15 range, but some mocks have him top 5.

I was intrigued by an Eklund + Frondell draft given their playing time together.

I think I'd still like them to get Martone if possible.
- j.boyd919

Yes, Frondell has been increasing his stock with a strong second half. 5 feels like about where I'd have him.

That would be a dream scenario from where we are. We'd be lucky to get Frondell with our pick or Eklund with the Rangers pick (I'd say he's 8 or 9).

I'd be surprised if Martrone fell out of the top 5. Power forwards are usually reached for, not dropping.

I just can’t with this hot streak after eliminated and that challenge.

Every single NHLgame in the last three days has broken or is breaking that they will have to draft 9th after this disaster of a year

This team is now the Steelers. Too dumb to be bad when they are bad

this team is absolutely killing me.

This team is now the Steelers. Too dumb to be bad when they are bad
- mkrisnosky

Can’t blame the players for overperforming…what a loser complaining they’re beating their biggest rival and Sid is having a multi-point night.

Can’t blame the players for overperforming…what a loser complaining they’re beating their biggest rival and Sid is having a multi-point night.
- abasin

Who is blaming the players? I surely don’t like a challenge there though.

Hey chief do me a favor and if you ever get sad that shaefer/misa/hagens/martone/frondell/eklund/desoyners/mcqueen aren’t on the team, promise me you’ll remember this game and how good it felt to win it

I just can’t with this hot streak after eliminated and that challenge.

Every single NHLgame in the last three days has broken or is breaking that they will have to draft 9th after this disaster of a year
- mkrisnosky

Gotta laugh that Jarry flat out stole a few games down the stretch.

Who is blaming the players? I surely don’t like a challenge there though.

Hey chief do me a favor and if you ever get sad that shaefer/misa/hagens/martone/frondell/eklund/desoyners/mcqueen aren’t on the team, promise me you’ll remember this game and how good it felt to win it
- mkrisnosky

If you think the difference between #5 (at best) and #9 is going to make or break this team, please be prepared to be forever disappointed.

If you think the difference between #5 (at best) and #9 is going to make or break this team, please be prepared to be forever disappointed.
- abasin

Meh... The Penguins have been the poster child for benefitting from tanking and drafting high. While this won't be a Crosby, Malkin, Lemieux or Jagr draft it's hard to forget the decades of success those guys gave us. This will be the 3rd straight year of no playoffs and we still don't have any high end prospects. I'm glad these guys are putting up points but I want to see a contender sooner than later.

Meh... The Penguins have been the poster child for benefitting from tanking and drafting high. While this won't be a Crosby, Malkin, Lemieux or Jagr draft it's hard to forget the decades of success those guys gave us. This will be the 3rd straight year of no playoffs and we still don't have any high end prospects. I'm glad these guys are putting up points but I want to see a contender sooner than later.
- madmike71

I think we’ll be just fine. We just have this feeling we’re headed in the right direction and next year could surprise

Meh... The Penguins have been the poster child for benefitting from tanking and drafting high. While this won't be a Crosby, Malkin, Lemieux or Jagr draft it's hard to forget the decades of success those guys gave us. This will be the 3rd straight year of no playoffs and we still don't have any high end prospects. I'm glad these guys are putting up points but I want to see a contender sooner than later.
- madmike71

Their cap flexibility the next 3-4 years will do more at building a contender than a few draft spots. 23 and 24 they should’ve made the playoffs, plus didn’t have their 24 1st rounder. Its gonna take finding Rusts and Guentzals in middle rounds to really have a shot.

Great game. Way to battle to the end. Like men.

Their cap flexibility the next 3-4 years will do more at building a contender than a few draft spots. 23 and 24 they should’ve made the playoffs, plus didn’t have their 24 1st rounder. Its gonna take finding Rusts and Guentzals in middle rounds to really have a shot.
- abasin

At 37, Sid carried the team. How much longer is that going to happen? Yes, you can buy players out of UFA because a few impact players trickle through these days, but you still need to "home grow" most of your own talent.

IMO, It's OK to root for both individual accomplishments AND better draft picks when your season has literally been over for 40 games.

I think we’ll be just fine. We just have this feeling we’re headed in the right direction and next year could surprise
- Victoro311

Maybe. Getting Marner would be a huge help. That D though....woof. Tending....woof.

Maybe. Getting Marner would be a huge help. That D though....woof. Tending....woof.
- madmike71

Getting Marner and the fact Koi looks legit and is only $900k can go a long way. Hopefully one of the young goalies is legit and Jarry plays atleast league average.

I can't comprehend watching Sid and Ovi both score in a game and caring about draft picks. We may never see that again, enjoy it, all-time greats still great after 20 years. The draft, free agency, etc, can all wait at least until tomorrow.

I can't comprehend watching Sid and Ovi both score in a game and caring about draft picks. We may never see that again, enjoy it, all-time greats still great after 20 years. The draft, free agency, etc, can all wait at least until tomorrow.
- MickV

This is what these last years are supposed to be about. Enjoy it. We’ll rebuild and it’ll be fine

If you think the difference between #5 (at best) and #9 is going to make or break this team, please be prepared to be forever disappointed.
- abasin

The Pens aren't one player away from turning it around. This team is Sid and almost nothing else. They need a lot of help. Even though the prospect pool has gotten deeper, they still lack high end talent. Better chance to get that at 5 over 9.

I don't think it's the disaster some are making it out to be, but I'd have much rather had my pick of the second tier than the pick of the third tier, which is the difference between 5 and 9. Hopefully the scouting staff, which has been good under Dubas, finds someone undervalued there. Or they win the lottery.

Their cap flexibility the next 3-4 years will do more at building a contender than a few draft spots. 23 and 24 they should’ve made the playoffs, plus didn’t have their 24 1st rounder. Its gonna take finding Rusts and Guentzals in middle rounds to really have a shot.
- abasin

Teams do not turn it around buy spending a lot on UFA. See Predators, Nashville. UFA you overpay to fill needs. It's mostly good for rounding out an almost finished roster.

How you win is simple: find value under the cap. Best way to do that is home grown talent. And constantly having more of it coming up. Not a coincidence the best run of the Crosby era was when they had a bunch of guys performing well on cheap contracts.