Ryan Wilson: Evgeni Malkin will be a Penguin until the end Evgeni Malkin will be a Penguin until the end

The organization needs to look at what kind of people they are drafting. Is this person willing to change their game to become an efffective NHL player if they need to? Also they really need to get someone they see as Sullivans replacement in Wilks. Someone who will help players make that adjustment. For instance this Mcgroarty kid doesn’t strike me as knuckles to the grindstone to make the NHL.
- Grinder47

Maybe it's wishful thinking on my part, but I think that's been a big culture shift this year in WBS due to the depth of talent they have. They've seen their top forwards: Puustinen, Nylander, Poulin, not be able to stick and clear waivers. They have probably 10-11 forwards that thought they'd definitely make the NHL and realize they are fighting for ice time in the AHL.

Guys like Ponomarov and Koivunen have gotten scrapper. McGroarty has embraced being a top PKer. Pouring has been fighting more and it's clicked in he's going to have to make it as a fourth line guy. Bennstrom has gotten away from playing perimeter hockey.

On McGroarty specifically, it's always an adjustment when you go from running over kids your own age to playing against grown men. He's adjusted though, playing much better.

All these guys won't make it, but I think the competition in WBS at forwards is bringing about a bigger appetite to change games. Because if they don't, they realize the guy next to them will take their spot.

Would be interested to see if some of the guys who watch more WBS games agree, but that team seems more competitive to me.

It does feel like a whole different shift this season compared to others in WBS. Every player seems willing to grind and get their hands dirty.


Yohe saying he believes Karlsson will be moved, but in the offseason.

Malkin has received a raw deal the last few years. He has been trying to carry guys who are 3rd and 4th liners on other teams along on the 2nd line. I still think he can be a PPG player if he has at least one really good player with him... kind of like we saw when he and Sid were getting out there together.

I'd like to see what he can do when he doesnt have to be the best guy on his line. Make McDavid rotate through some combination of Beauvillier, Bunting, Tomasino and Heinen and see if he can crack 100pts... not happening.

Maybe it's wishful thinking on my part, but I think that's been a big culture shift this year in WBS due to the depth of talent they have. They've seen their top forwards: Puustinen, Nylander, Poulin, not be able to stick and clear waivers. They have probably 10-11 forwards that thought they'd definitely make the NHL and realize they are fighting for ice time in the AHL.

Guys like Ponomarov and Koivunen have gotten scrapper. McGroarty has embraced being a top PKer. Pouring has been fighting more and it's clicked in he's going to have to make it as a fourth line guy. Bennstrom has gotten away from playing perimeter hockey.

On McGroarty specifically, it's always an adjustment when you go from running over kids your own age to playing against grown men. He's adjusted though, playing much better.

All these guys won't make it, but I think the competition in WBS at forwards is bringing about a bigger appetite to change games. Because if they don't, they realize the guy next to them will take their spot.

Would be interested to see if some of the guys who watch more WBS games agree, but that team seems more competitive to me.
- Tojo.

But this is what has been missing from the NHL club. Certain guys just get favorable opportunities, even if not deserved. Dubas picked up all of these guys as "projects" and its like we are trying to force the issue to make those trades look good. Then again, maybe its just because we have no one else to put in the top 6. Its crazy that we have been this bad and we havent really seen any of these young guys come up and actually get much ice time. Hopefully that changes after the trade deadline.

I wonder if we are going to take a shot at any NCAA free agents this season.

I wonder if we are going to take a shot at any NCAA free agents this season.
- 123Kid

I used to always get excited about those guys coming out. Are there any game changers? When was the last time an undrafted NCAA guy turned into something good? I feel like that group is now scouted way better/more than they were 5 or so years ago... seems less likely for someone to slip through the cracks.

I used to always get excited about those guys coming out. Are there any game changers? When was the last time an undrafted NCAA guy turned into something good? I feel like that group is now scouted way better/more than they were 5 or so years ago... seems less likely for someone to slip through the cracks.
- MacPatty

I don't know that you find stars anymore, unless they force FA by staying until their eligibility passes. Guys like DOC, Sheary, ZAR, and DeSmith would be considered successes just because they made it to the NHL, but they're all bit players.

But this is what has been missing from the NHL club. Certain guys just get favorable opportunities, even if not deserved. Dubas picked up all of these guys as "projects" and its like we are trying to force the issue to make those trades look good. Then again, maybe its just because we have no one else to put in the top 6. Its crazy that we have been this bad and we havent really seen any of these young guys come up and actually get much ice time. Hopefully that changes after the trade deadline.
- MacPatty

The top 6 thing I'm convinced is just Sully wants to put someone who is good defensively even if he is questionable offensively with Malkin and Bunting because neither of them plays much defense. Thus DOC, Glass, and Heinen get the assignment over guys like Beauvillier or Tomasino.

The best prospects are all rookies besides Blomqvist. It's common to give them a full year to adjust to being pros. The only rookie that started in WBS that forced his way up mid-season I can think of is Guentzel.

And it's not like our prospects are necessarily better than say Tomasino. McGroarty has more upside, but that's more off his all-around game than top end offensive skill. Is Koivunen better? Maybe, but beyond McGroarty and maybe Koivunen I don't think anybody in WBS has a better chance at being a top 6 than the guy playing on our third line already. He's who I give a shot to if Bunting or Rackell is traded, and maybe backfill his spot with Bennstrom or Ponomarov.

I used to always get excited about those guys coming out. Are there any game changers? When was the last time an undrafted NCAA guy turned into something good? I feel like that group is now scouted way better/more than they were 5 or so years ago... seems less likely for someone to slip through the cracks.
- MacPatty

Simon Zajicek at Goalie is interesting. Grinder would like Joshua Eernisse guy is a physical presence every time he hits the ice. Loves the dirty areas and net front. Doesn't score a lot, but they know when he is on the ice. They call him an NFL linebacker on skates. When he hits it hurts.


Danil Aimurzin from the KHL seems like he could be a good sniper. Also Grigori Kuzmin from the KHL is a bit undersized but has some good offensive skills.

I wonder if we are going to take a shot at any NCAA free agents this season.
- 123Kid

Might be hard since the Penguins only have one open contract spot, unless they can free some up at the deadline.

Simon Zajicek at Goalie is interesting. Grinder would like Joshua Eernisse guy is a physical presence every time he hits the ice. Loves the dirty areas and net front. Doesn't score a lot, but they know when he is on the ice. They call him an NFL linebacker on skates. When he hits it hurts.


Danil Aimurzin from the KHL seems like he could be a good sniper. Also Grigori Kuzmin from the KHL is a bit undersized but has some good offensive skills.
- 123Kid

I like the sound of Eernisse! We need someone who can actually make a defender hear footsteps going to retrieve pucks.

Some of these small guys from the KHL are making their game translate, Kaprisov and Michov being prime examples. Would be cool to bring in a young Russian kid for Geno to mentor. He might enjoy that at this point in his career.

No amount of hope for a high draft pick makes it easier to stomache looking like this against the Flyers.

Could they do worse than 19GA in 3gms with David Ayres between the pipes?

#LottoFever

I don't know that you find stars anymore, unless they force FA by staying until their eligibility passes. Guys like DOC, Sheary, ZAR, and DeSmith would be considered successes just because they made it to the NHL, but they're all bit players.
- Tojo.

There’s a Calgary hitmen player going to U of Wisconsin next year. One of the point leaders in the whl. Small but feisty. Standouts to every player in every game, including teammate tanner howe. Be curious to see where how he fares after college.

I’m on my way to Kentucky. Did anyone look like they were embarrassed and taking the loss to a former rival to heart last night? Sid should ask for an out and go play hockey somewhere.

Should we be surprised that a team that was already in the bottom half of the league for goals and chances against, after trading away their best defensive defenseman, is even worse in those regards? hahah

I didnt watch a peep of that last night...meant to but got tied up with life stuff and by the time I got home had forgotten it was on.

No amount of hope for a high draft pick makes it easier to stomache looking like this against the Flyers.
- Tojo.

Glad I missed the game last night... sad how the Flyers were supposed to be rebuilding coming into this season and they just mop the floor with us.

On another note, Seth Jones is definitely putting himself on the market. I'm not entirely sure how he stacks up vs Karlsson in terms of value. Both are similar players, with Jones being younger, but signed longer and Karlsson only having two years left after this one and Jones having 4.

It definitely hurts the trade value for Karlsson. Both players have full NMC's and have to ok any trade which narrows it down further. All things equal, who does a team like Florida value more?

Glad I missed the game last night... sad how the Flyers were supposed to be rebuilding coming into this season and they just mop the floor with us.

On another note, Seth Jones is definitely putting himself on the market. I'm not entirely sure how he stacks up vs Karlsson in terms of value. Both are similar players, with Jones being younger, but signed longer and Karlsson only having two years left after this one and Jones having 4.

It definitely hurts the trade value for Karlsson. Both players have full NMC's and have to ok any trade which narrows it down further. All things equal, who does a team like Florida value more?
- MacPatty

Florida doesn’t value either of those net zero players. They don’t play the right way.

Wondering about Karlsson & Detroit. The Yzerplan has been on the hot seat and they are on the cusp of getting back into the playoffs. Karlsson fills a big void for them and always has a strong Sweedish contingent (which Karlsson may or may not care about).

We were trying to sign Tarasenko in the offseason and didnt get it done, but he has been a huge disappointment in Detroit. He would still make for a nice upgrade on Geno's wing and would be salary coming back for next year that isnt totally dead space.

I don't think that Detroit is giving up any of their prime time prospects in a trade for Karlsson but we could still extract value.

Karlsson, Heinen & Beauvillier for Tarasenko, Berggrenn & 2025 1st (lottery protected).

I think Tarasenko can bounce back in the right situation and worst case, he becomes a rental trade chip next season. Berggren is a gamble... super talented but not a reliable two way player. Would a change of scenery help? I'd prefer to get a younger prospect or more picks.

I don't know how we replace Karlsson next season if we are trying to compete but this would give us another $5M in cap space to address it. I think Beau and Heinen help Detroit out this year and clear out an extra roster spot for us next year.

FA-Crosby-Rackell
Tarasenko-Malkin-Rust > Could this be a legit 2nd line?
Bunting-Hayes-Tomasino > I think we trade Bunting (Hayes too), but for now.
Berggren-Lizotte-Accari/Glass

FA-Letang
Pickering-FA
Graves-Descharnais/Brunike

We have about $28M to address 1LW, 1LD & 2RD in this scenario, though there will be a lot of other roster players that will be moved by next season.

Florida doesn’t value either of those net zero players. They don’t play the right way.
- Grinder47

That's right. I would bet on the Cats not even kicking the tires on either hahah

That's right. I would bet on the Cats not even kicking the tires on either hahah
- MattStrat

Well Jim Nill came out and said unequivocally that they were not interested in Karlsson after some in the media rumored it. That one never made sense to me.

Bunting missed practice today so maybe this is moot, but if Boko returns they'd be over the roster limit. I'm not sure offhand if Boko has been here long enough to need waivers, if so, I think he's the likely man out.

Otherwise Pens would be forced to waive someone. Strange they put themselves in this position for a defenseman they don't seem to have any interest in playing.

Wondering about Karlsson & Detroit. The Yzerplan has been on the hot seat and they are on the cusp of getting back into the playoffs. Karlsson fills a big void for them and always has a strong Sweedish contingent (which Karlsson may or may not care about).

We were trying to sign Tarasenko in the offseason and didnt get it done, but he has been a huge disappointment in Detroit. He would still make for a nice upgrade on Geno's wing and would be salary coming back for next year that isnt totally dead space.

I don't think that Detroit is giving up any of their prime time prospects in a trade for Karlsson but we could still extract value.

Karlsson, Heinen & Beauvillier for Tarasenko, Berggrenn & 2025 1st (lottery protected).

I think Tarasenko can bounce back in the right situation and worst case, he becomes a rental trade chip next season. Berggren is a gamble... super talented but not a reliable two way player. Would a change of scenery help? I'd prefer to get a younger prospect or more picks.

I don't know how we replace Karlsson next season if we are trying to compete but this would give us another $5M in cap space to address it. I think Beau and Heinen help Detroit out this year and clear out an extra roster spot for us next year.

FA-Crosby-Rackell
Tarasenko-Malkin-Rust > Could this be a legit 2nd line?
Bunting-Hayes-Tomasino > I think we trade Bunting (Hayes too), but for now.
Berggren-Lizotte-Accari/Glass

FA-Letang
Pickering-FA
Graves-Descharnais/Brunike

We have about $28M to address 1LW, 1LD & 2RD in this scenario, though there will be a lot of other roster players that will be moved by next season.
- MacPatty

Detroit would be an interesting destination, but I haven't heard anything about them having any interest. I do wonder from the whispers of the Jones trade interest, that they would be looking for a RHD. Maybe Parayko? We were talking with the Blues. I know Buffalo was a bit about Defenseman and young talent. I think a 3 team deal for Karlsson would be the best route.