Ryan Wilson: The race to 24th place is on The race to 24th place is on

Gotta be real I’m not super worried about this

Gotta be real I’m not super worried about this
- Victoro311

Nah draft is as unpredictable as anything. Win games while SIDS in a sweater.

Nah draft is as unpredictable as anything. Win games while SIDS in a sweater.
- Grinder47

This.

Nah draft is as unpredictable as anything. Win games while SIDS in a sweater.
- Grinder47

Yeah I just can bring myself to care about the difference between picks 5-12 at this time

All this yabber about how to lose better is really getting old.

We've hinted around a lot that we have a head coach [SILKY] who has been a one-trick pony that played that one style [the speed-based, aggressive forechecking game] that got us 2 Stanley Cups. It’s what he knows. He does that well.

Dubas is the 3rd GM in line… Rutherford brought in some bigger more physical players and quite frankly, so did Hextall - did they see a team being pushed around? How could anyone not see that. BUT SILKY has refused or just can't change his style. He's smooth, SILKY, in fact... and like Silky Sullivan (the racehorse) who had its own style... kind of, just talks a good game even though most fans are seeing he and the GM(s) are paddling the boat in 2 different directions.

We are not a fast team right now and haven't been for a few years… we, for sure, are not big nor physical to play against… did I mention, we aren't that fast either. So, what are we? What's the identity? For sure, Dubas appears to have the same thoughts as the previous two… it could be all three are wrong. But it sure looks like we are kind-of just there… *just there* (that's our identity), and we are playing SILKY hockey when trading SILKY to the BRUINS or RANGERS or BUFFALO would be one of the best, sharpest, and shrewdest business moves the PENS organEYEzation could make right now and it would also be for any of those three teams.

See, everybody wins.

Yea I disagree with everyone. There is nothing noble or good about settling for being mediocre. I am a Steelers fan and it sucks constantly finishing above .500 with no chance of winning. Is it a better situation than some other teams? Sure, but it isnt better than the 2000s and early 2010s.

There is nothing good about winning these pointless games. There is nothing good about getting a point against the defending cup champions. I dont expect players to care about the draft because they are fighting for their futures in the league. I dont expect Sullivan to care because he is fighting for his job/future in coaching.

Yea I disagree with everyone. There is nothing noble or good about settling for being mediocre. I am a Steelers fan and it sucks constantly finishing above .500 with no chance of winning. Is it a better situation than some other teams? Sure, but it isnt better than the 2000s and early 2010s.

There is nothing good about winning these pointless games. There is nothing good about getting a point against the defending cup champions. I dont expect players to care about the draft because they are fighting for their futures in the league. I dont expect Sullivan to care because he is fighting for his job/future in coaching.
- SuperHenderson13

Sidney Crosby wants to win everytime he plays. Good enough for me. I realize the Steelers have never had an iconic sports figure the likes of Sid, so maybe you don’t understand.

Sidney Crosby wants to win everytime he plays. Good enough for me. I realize the Steelers have never had an iconic sports figure the likes of Sid, so maybe you don’t understand.
- Grinder47

Interesting point. Sid is elbowing his way into top 5 nhl ever. Steelers,.. a top 5 player? Lots of spectacular players. But top 5? Nah. But stillers might dominate a top 100 all time compared to other franchises.

Yea I disagree with everyone. There is nothing noble or good about settling for being mediocre. I am a Steelers fan and it sucks constantly finishing above .500 with no chance of winning. Is it a better situation than some other teams? Sure, but it isnt better than the 2000s and early 2010s.

There is nothing good about winning these pointless games. There is nothing good about getting a point against the defending cup champions. I dont expect players to care about the draft because they are fighting for their futures in the league. I dont expect Sullivan to care because he is fighting for his job/future in coaching.
- SuperHenderson13

This isn’t the NFL where if you don’t score a franchise QB you’re stuck in purgatory for ever and the only way to score a franchise qb with any consistency is to get as close to the first overall pick as possible. The talent pool going into the NHL draft is so deep and so difficult to project that there really isn’t a giant difference between the 5th overall pick and the 12th overall pick statistically. The only time that this race to the bottom really matters is when there’s at least a Bedard level prospect as consensus #1 and this year a) there isn’t one and b) even if there was we didn’t have a realistic shot at worst record even before this points streak

In the cap era, only 2 teams have won the Cup without a 1st or 2nd overall pick: the Red Wings in 2008 and the Blues in 2019. The Red Wings famously found their stars in later rounds, the Blues did have a couple top 5 picks at least.

To Vic's point, would tanking the rest of the year have gotten us one of those guys? They'd have added a nice player, but weren't getting that guy without winning the lottery. But it's fair to consider if they can build a champion without bottoming out, or at least finding some elite talent through trade or UFA. (Vegas, Ducks)

In the cap era, only 2 teams have won the Cup without a 1st or 2nd overall pick: the Red Wings in 2008 and the Blues in 2019. The Red Wings famously found their stars in later rounds, the Blues did have a couple top 5 picks at least.

To Vic's point, would tanking the rest of the year have gotten us one of those guys? They'd have added a nice player, but weren't getting that guy without winning the lottery. But it's fair to consider if they can build a champion without bottoming out, or at least finding some elite talent through trade or UFA. (Vegas, Ducks)
- Tojo.

You don’t even know if they would have added a nice player. Look at (frank)ing Mcgroarty. Kids a giant wussy.

Interesting point. Sid is elbowing his way into top 5 nhl ever. Steelers,.. a top 5 player? Lots of spectacular players. But top 5? Nah. But stillers might dominate a top 100 all time compared to other franchises.
- ChrisMS

Yeah but it’s also football. They play 6 games a year and beat up women. Like who gives a poop.

Yeah but it’s also football. They play 6 games a year and beat up women. Like who gives a poop.
- Grinder47

I do! NHL could learn a lot from the nfl. First thing… eliminate a good chunk of regular season games so they mean more. An nfl game is an event through most of the season. A loss is a big deal. NHL… meh. We lost. We’ll get them next time.

I do! NHL could learn a lot from the nfl. First thing… eliminate a good chunk of regular season games so they mean more. An nfl game is an event through most of the season. A loss is a big deal. NHL… meh. We lost. We’ll get them next time.
- ChrisMS

Nah. Hockey is just better in every possible way. Let’s not dumb it down so the general American public can be entertained. You can’t get excited over a regular season game? That’s on you. Wear a rapists name on your back and act like a douche in a parking lot somewhere.

Yea I disagree with everyone. There is nothing noble or good about settling for being mediocre. I am a Steelers fan and it sucks constantly finishing above .500 with no chance of winning. Is it a better situation than some other teams? Sure, but it isnt better than the 2000s and early 2010s.

There is nothing good about winning these pointless games. There is nothing good about getting a point against the defending cup champions. I dont expect players to care about the draft because they are fighting for their futures in the league. I dont expect Sullivan to care because he is fighting for his job/future in coaching.
- SuperHenderson13

100% It's all about increasing your odds. There's no guarantees, but isn't that the whole purpose of having the worst teams draft high? Dubas still has to pick the right player, but I'd rather have a larger pool to choose from.

The reason the Penguins have 5 cups is because they bottomed out a couple of times over the years. I doubt there's any generational talent in this draft, but since they'll be home for the playoffs AGAIN, it'd rather get the best prospect possible.

100% It's all about increasing your odds. There's no guarantees, but isn't that the whole purpose of having the worst teams draft high? Dubas still has to pick the right player, but I'd rather have a larger pool to choose from.

The reason the Penguins have 5 cups is because they bottomed out a couple of times over the years. I doubt there's any generational talent in this draft, but since they'll be home for the playoffs AGAIN, it'd rather get the best prospect possible.
- madmike71

My point is basically yes the 5th overall pick is better than the 12th overall pick but I really can’t get bent out of shape over the difference if the boys decide to win some games

My point is basically yes the 5th overall pick is better than the 12th overall pick but I really can’t get bent out of shape over the difference if the boys decide to win some games
- Victoro311

I understand it. I don't expect the players to tank, but I agree with the premise of the thread. Providing Dubas actually picks the right players, they're possibly hurting the speed of a turnaround. I acknowledge the draft is largely a crapshoot. I just want to see the Pens back in the playoffs and contending as soon as possible, and I don't see them doing it without getting several more really good prospect

I'm not watching the team and hoping the lose. I just don't get upset when they do.

This isn’t the NFL where if you don’t score a franchise QB you’re stuck in purgatory for ever and the only way to score a franchise qb with any consistency is to get as close to the first overall pick as possible. The talent pool going into the NHL draft is so deep and so difficult to project that there really isn’t a giant difference between the 5th overall pick and the 12th overall pick statistically. The only time that this race to the bottom really matters is when there’s at least a Bedard level prospect as consensus #1 and this year a) there isn’t one and b) even if there was we didn’t have a realistic shot at worst record even before this points streak
- Victoro311

How many teams regularly compete for cups without a core of super star players? We arent a top free agent destination and star players arent on the market for trades all the time. So the most logical way you are going to build is through the draft. You should be maximizing your potential to get a good pick every year if you arent in the playoffs.

You dont need the worst record to get the 1st pick. The 5th worst team has a 17.4% chance of a top 3 pick, the 12th pick has a .1% chance at a top 3 pick. Ill happily take my chances with the increased odds.

Youre right that there is a lot of grey area in prospects pools. No pick is promised to work out, which is why ill take my chances on the higher pick where our scouts can have more options to decide who is right. For every MacKinnon you will get a Yakupov.

Sidney Crosby wants to win everytime he plays. Good enough for me. I realize the Steelers have never had an iconic sports figure the likes of Sid, so maybe you don’t understand.
- Grinder47

As I said, the players are going to compete every game. I dont expect them to fold and look out for the good of the team long term. Guys are playing for contracts and guys like Sid are competitive. Im not saying bench Sid or do anything crazy. Call up some young players and give them a run of games. This season is no longer the priority.

As a Steelers fan, getting Terry Bradshaw at #1 was franchise changing... but i would've been fine with Phil Olsen at #4 since it really doesnt matter.

As I said, the players are going to compete every game. I dont expect them to fold and look out for the good of the team long term. Guys are playing for contracts and guys like Sid are competitive. Im not saying bench Sid or do anything crazy. Call up some young players and give them a run of games. This season is no longer the priority.

As a Steelers fan, getting Terry Bradshaw at #1 was franchise changing... but i would've been fine with Phil Olsen at #4 since it really doesnt matter.
- SuperHenderson13

I mean if you want to use the NFL analogy then these draft classes are a good way to illustrate my point. This draft is garbage for QBs. If you’re a team stuck in mediocrity that needs a franchise QB then where you fall in the first round ultimately doesn’t matter a ton cus Ward or Sanders aren’t going to be the guy. This NHL class is universally seen as slim on high end talent without a clear cut stud at the top. If there was ever a year to not really care where in the lottery we fall it’s this year

Especially since it was 21 years from Mario to Sid and will be 21 years from Sid to McKenna. Gary B has got our back for the lottery next year.

I mean if you want to use the NFL analogy then these draft classes are a good way to illustrate my point. This draft is garbage for QBs. If you’re a team stuck in mediocrity that needs a franchise QB then where you fall in the first round ultimately doesn’t matter a ton cus Ward or Sanders aren’t going to be the guy. This NHL class is universally seen as slim on high end talent without a clear cut stud at the top. If there was ever a year to not really care where in the lottery we fall it’s this year
- Victoro311

But we cant say on one hand it doesnt matter because the draft classes are too unpredictable in terms of knowing how much quality is there and at the same time say this year doesnt matter as much because the talent level is lower than average. This draft class could be like 2011 where 7/10 guys in the top 10 became all stars or 2012 where 2/10 became all stars.

Ill move off the NFL analogy and just say the penguins were better off in 2003-2006 drafts because we earned higher picks and draft top end talent with those picks instead of being later in the draft and missing out on those guys. Was there any promise it was going to work out? Of course not, but Ill take the added probability at a top 10 pick versus non-top 10 pick.

This Chycrun deal might have raised the value on EK…

This Chycrun deal might have raised the value on EK…
- Brownsoldier

The teams that were smart enough to lock up their core 2-3 years ago knowing how high the cap was going to go are going to be geniuses.