He's no longer waiver exempt...right? Honestly, it probably works in our favor. We keep his rights and he develops over there. He was no lock to make the roster. He's done nothing to earn a guarantee.
- madmike71

Yep, exactly right. Works out fine for the team IMO.

Working your way up from a D3 hockey player to an NHL head coach probably takes some character. I can't imagine doors opened quickly for him.
- Tojo.

What he really did here is say that DOC has better character than him since DOC plays in the NHL and all grinder could manage was beer league.

Marchand is the best. Really want to see Florida take this thing.

Crosby has to be sitting there watching Marchand, having left the team he was with his whole career, scoring OT game winners in the Cup Finals wondering what it would be like following suit.

At the same time his close buddy is playing incredibly exciting, Stanley Cup hockey, he is finding out they have hired a rebuild coach with an extremely limited track record (when they had the chance to hire Tocchet, who he was close with).

Marchand is going to be one and done in Florida, they can't pay everyone. Wouldn't it be epic to see Marchand beat the Oilers and then he and Crosby go to Montreal to bring a cup to Canada?

Heck, Montreal has the need and assets to bring in Crosby AND Letang in a trade and then sign Marchand. And if Sid and Letang are in Fleury's hometown playing, I guarantee he could be convinced to come out of retirement as a backup.

Crosby & Letang for #16, #17, Dach & Laine.And MTL has plenty more they could add.
Sign Marchand & Fleury.

Contenders:

Marchand-Crosby-Slavskovski
Demidov-Suzuki-Caufield
Evans-Newhook-Gallagher
TBD-TBD-Anderson

Hudson-Letang
Matheson-Carrier
Guhle-Mailloux

Montemblant-Fleury

Marchand is the best. Really want to see Florida take this thing.

Crosby has to be sitting there watching Marchand, having left the team he was with his whole career, scoring OT game winners in the Cup Finals wondering what it would be like following suit.

At the same time his close buddy is playing incredibly exciting, Stanley Cup hockey, he is finding out they have hired a rebuild coach with an extremely limited track record (when they had the chance to hire Tocchet, who he was close with).

Marchand is going to be one and done in Florida, they can't pay everyone. Wouldn't it be epic to see Marchand beat the Oilers and then he and Crosby go to Montreal to bring a cup to Canada?

Heck, Montreal has the need and assets to bring in Crosby AND Letang in a trade and then sign Marchand. And if Sid and Letang are in Fleury's hometown playing, I guarantee he could be convinced to come out of retirement as a backup.

Crosby & Letang for #16, #17, Dach & Laine.And MTL has plenty more they could add.
Sign Marchand & Fleury.

Contenders:

Marchand-Crosby-Slavskovski
Demidov-Suzuki-Caufield
Evans-Newhook-Gallagher
TBD-TBD-Anderson

Hudson-Letang
Matheson-Carrier
Guhle-Mailloux

Montemblant-Fleury
- MacPatty

1 as a Canadian that is not French I hope to never see the toxic Montreal fans win a cup in my lifetime. Same with Toronto.

2. I’d hope for a hell of a lot more than that for Sid and Letang.

Love the oilers sub on Reddit lol Bennett lives rent free in all oilers fans heads. I change my mind on him, he’s worth 10 mil

1 as a Canadian that is not French I hope to never see the toxic Montreal fans win a cup in my lifetime. Same with Toronto.

2. I’d hope for a hell of a lot more than that for Sid and Letang.
- 10inchTerror

As a non French Canadian, my order of teams I'd prefer to win the cup:

1. Calgary
2. Ottawa
3. Montreal
4. Vancouver
5. Winnipeg
6. Toronto
7. Edmonton

I just think it's more likely Sid would go to Montreal, and I care more about him winning a cup than because a team is located in Canada.

As a non French Canadian, my order of teams I'd prefer to win the cup:

1. Calgary
2. Ottawa
3. Montreal
4. Vancouver
5. Winnipeg
6. Toronto
7. Edmonton

I just think it's more likely Sid would go to Montreal, and I care more about him winning a cup than because a team is located in Canada.
- MacPatty

I despise Edmonton and just can’t stand Toronto and Montreal fans. I’d be happy if it was Winnipeg in the finals, or any of the others if they ever become contenders. I just can’t imagine listening to mtl/to fans if they actually won.

Curious how people find out what prospects go to dinner with which teams. Anyone hear what prospects we invited to dinner? Seems like a good indicator of interest…

Curious how people find out what prospects go to dinner with which teams. Anyone hear what prospects we invited to dinner? Seems like a good indicator of interest…
- Brownsoldier

Victor Eklund is the only one I’ve heard of but feel like he’s not supposed to be available at our pick

I might be in the minority, and I know its about winning, but I like a coach who was the "underdog" to make it to that point. No matter what your background is, reaching the job of NHL head coach is an incredible feat.

But Muse was on pace to be a lawyer and ended up teaching history before he got into hockey coaching. A remarkable story.

Reminds me of Jon Cooper who was a lawyer for several years before he started coaching.

Victor Eklund is the only one I’ve heard of but feel like he’s not supposed to be available at our pick
- Victoro311

That's good. Early on he was projected in the 5-8 range, now some people think he will be available later. It's not unrealistic to think he will be there for us, especially if there is a run on centers.

I think it'd be a similar story to Pellika-Sandin, top 5-10 talent that falls on size concerns.

Yohe had an article about Dubas's plans this offseason:

-not planning to be aggressive in free agency (unless its a younger guy who deserves term)
-doesnt see great value in big ufa signings
-doubts he'll be involved in signing opposing RFAs, especially with the cap rising and teams having more room to sign their RFAs
-trade market presents a big opportunity to the penguins
-teams are calling about the same guys from the trade deadline
-goal is to get younger. more likely to do that through trades/draft than free agency.

I agree with a lot of this. Unless its a big fish like a Bennett or Marner, its better to stay away and let the good deals materialize.

Curious how people find out what prospects go to dinner with which teams. Anyone hear what prospects we invited to dinner? Seems like a good indicator of interest…
- Brownsoldier

Yohe says Pens took Martone and Jackson Smith to dinner.

Yohe had an article about Dubas's plans this offseason:

-not planning to be aggressive in free agency (unless its a younger guy who deserves term)
-doesnt see great value in big ufa signings
-doubts he'll be involved in signing opposing RFAs, especially with the cap rising and teams having more room to sign their RFAs
-trade market presents a big opportunity to the penguins
-teams are calling about the same guys from the trade deadline
-goal is to get younger. more likely to do that through trades/draft than free agency.

I agree with a lot of this. Unless its a big fish like a Bennett or Marner, its better to stay away and let the good deals materialize.
- SuperHenderson13

Marner is young enough where he makes sense. I guarantee it would make Sid happy. I doubt he wants to come to a rebuilding team, but I'd love to see it.

TK does a lot of radio these days. In his opinion, he believes the Pens need to make a push for the playoffs next season. Need to keep Sid happy. Even if they're one and done, they need to get the losing stench off them (my words). If they miss next season, that will be 4 years in a row. It's becoming a habit.

I've watched as many playoff games as possible. I hate my team missing the playoffs every year. It used to be a given.

Yohe says Pens took Martone and Jackson Smith to dinner.
- MickV

And EKlund?

Thanks btw

And EKlund?

Thanks btw
- Brownsoldier

Haas has an article that we had dinner with Roger McQueen too.

Haase says McQueen, Mrtka, and Aitcheson all have told her they went to dinner with the Penguins. For McQueen and Aitcheson, they said the Pens were the only teams to take them to dinner. Frondell and Ekland met with them both here and in Sweden. O'Brien and Martin also met with them. Sounds like they talked to just about everyone.

More teams not taking McQueen to dinner is interesting because he'd be the guy I'd most want to know about. He said his back suffered a stress fracture due to rapid growth but his doctors say it should be fine moving forward. Of all the guys who might fall to us, he's who I most want if healthy. 6'5 almost 193 lbs already. Right shot center with the skill to play top line and a physical game.

Victor Eklund is the only one I’ve heard of but feel like he’s not supposed to be available at our pick
- Victoro311

He's probably around #9 on most boards, and considered very possible teams will go for the defenseman or Martin behind him, so he's a possibility.

I think anyone from McKenzie's 7-14 is possible. That's O'Brien, McQueen, Eklund, Smith, Mrtka, Martin, Bear, Aitcheson.

EDIT- I just saw that Pensburgh said almost exactly what I did only they took O'Brien off as a possibility.
https://www.pensburgh.com...ictor-eklund-brady-martin