Ryan Wilson: Thoughts from clean out day Thoughts from clean out day

McGroarty and Koivunen taking 2 top 9 spots and Pickering and Brunicke possibly taking 2 top 6 defenseman spots bodes well for roster planning for next season. It allows us to avoid giving stupid contracts to lower tier free agents like we've done in the past.

If a big fish like a Marner is available, you have to take a swing at him. Even if you land him, I dont think it solves our problems, fixing the defense and goaltending is a lot bigger, but having a top 6 of the guys below is about as good as you could ask for.

Koivunen
Crosby
Rust
Malkin
Marner
Rackell

On defense, Letang is far closer to a bottom pairing defenseman than top pairing guy. Thats a sad reality, but it is true. I think Karlsson goes so even with Pickering and Brunicke, we still have to solidify both sides of the blueline. A desperate team like the Rangers is the kind of team we should be calling about a guy like K'Andre Miller on the left side.

For goaltending, I think the reality is an external option isnt likely. I think the best we can hope for is keeping Jarry and hoping one of our AHL guys gets hot next season plus a better defense in front of the goalie helps.

Smith and Petry retention comes off next season. If you can move Hayes, Acciari, and Heinen, this team has the cap to add some big players.

You could sign Ekblad and Marner without even trading Karlsson.

McGroarty and Koivunen taking 2 top 9 spots and Pickering and Brunicke possibly taking 2 top 6 defenseman spots bodes well for roster planning for next season. It allows us to avoid giving stupid contracts to lower tier free agents like we've done in the past.

If a big fish like a Marner is available, you have to take a swing at him. Even if you land him, I dont think it solves our problems, fixing the defense and goaltending is a lot bigger, but having a top 6 of the guys below is about as good as you could ask for.

Koivunen
Crosby
Rust
Malkin
Marner
Rackell

On defense, Letang is far closer to a bottom pairing defenseman than top pairing guy. Thats a sad reality, but it is true. I think Karlsson goes so even with Pickering and Brunicke, we still have to solidify both sides of the blueline. A desperate team like the Rangers is the kind of team we should be calling about a guy like K'Andre Miller on the left side.

For goaltending, I think the reality is an external option isnt likely. I think the best we can hope for is keeping Jarry and hoping one of our AHL guys gets hot next season plus a better defense in front of the goalie helps.
- SuperHenderson13

Young guys are tricky to assess, especially in small samples. While I'd like to hope that McG and Koiv can keep playing like they did the end of this season, more so improving on it, there is no guarantee of this. It could go the other way.

@Strat:

Given where we are at as an organization I don’t think we can afford not pencil in Koivunen. He killed it in the AHL and played well in the top 6 when called up. Signing middle six insurance for Koivunen would just muddy up the roster, prevent development, and gas cap we don’t need to.

McGroatry is different. Personally I think we should keep a spot open for him, but he didn’t look quite ready so I can understand wanting some insurance for him not being able to make the opening night roster and sticking

“I think if you asked the fan base, the folks in this room that followed the team long enough, if the decisions were made to get the team back into the playoffs next year or make the moves necessary to contend in the long run, in a the way the fan base is used to, they’d probably choose the latter.

“We just have to stick to a very concise plan and execute our butts off.”

Feels very much like he’s punting next season too…gonna be more of the same

@Strat:

Given where we are at as an organization I don’t think we can afford not pencil in Koivunen. He killed it in the AHL and played well in the top 6 when called up. Signing middle six insurance for Koivunen would just muddy up the roster, prevent development, and gas cap we don’t need to.

McGroatry is different. Personally I think we should keep a spot open for him, but he didn’t look quite ready so I can understand wanting some insurance for him not being able to make the opening night roster and sticking
- Victoro311

If they want to be competitive they will bring in guys to help bolster middle six or bottom six. Lorenz would be a great grab if he's cheap.

“I think if you asked the fan base, the folks in this room that followed the team long enough, if the decisions were made to get the team back into the playoffs next year or make the moves necessary to contend in the long run, in a the way the fan base is used to, they’d probably choose the latter.

“We just have to stick to a very concise plan and execute our butts off.”

Feels very much like he’s punting next season too…gonna be more of the same
- abasin

With the chance at McKenna -- they shouldn't "punt" but they shouldn't go out and make 5-6 moves to try and turn the ship around on a dime.

If they want to be competitive they will bring in guys to help bolster middle six or bottom six. Lorenz would be a great grab if he's cheap.
- Aaron_85

I’m more so talking about someone aggressively mediocre for the middle six which we would have to do if we don’t see Koivunen as being a spot holder for opening night. If someone is legitimately good then obviously we should sign them regardless

With the chance at McKenna -- they shouldn't "punt" but they shouldn't go out and make 5-6 moves to try and turn the ship around on a dime.
- j.boyd919

They’re in no man’s land right now, if he’s more concerned with the long term success, they need to strip more down for next year and guarantee top 5 lottery odds, worst case is getting slightly better and staying in the 9-16 draft slot.

They’re in no man’s land right now, if he’s more concerned with the long term success, they need to strip more down for next year and guarantee top 5 lottery odds, worst case is getting slightly better and staying in the 9-16 draft slot.
- abasin

I don't really see how they are in no-mans land right now.

The direction has been pretty clear for 2 seasons now.

@Strat:

Given where we are at as an organization I don’t think we can afford not pencil in Koivunen. He killed it in the AHL and played well in the top 6 when called up. Signing middle six insurance for Koivunen would just muddy up the roster, prevent development, and gas cap we don’t need to.

McGroatry is different. Personally I think we should keep a spot open for him, but he didn’t look quite ready so I can understand wanting some insurance for him not being able to make the opening night roster and sticking
- Victoro311

I lean towards one top 6 spot and one middle six spot for them and have them battle it out. I'd still add a top 6 forward, though maybe a center is better and move Geno to wing.

After that, sort of depends on guys like Tomasino and Novak and are they part of the plan moving forward on the third line.

FYI, I am in Texas and had the best brisket of my life last night. That is all.

Doesn't sound like Dubas is in any rush to make a push next year. Was pretty candid about his approach this off-season. An interesting comment or two on EK.

Doesn't sound like Dubas is in any rush to make a push next year. Was pretty candid about his approach this off-season. An interesting comment or two on EK.
- madmike71

The bit about not building a team to make the playoffs, but to compete in the playoffs said to me "dont be surprised if we are in a wildcard race and we sell every to get into the McKenna race"

@Strat:

Given where we are at as an organization I don’t think we can afford not pencil in Koivunen. He killed it in the AHL and played well in the top 6 when called up. Signing middle six insurance for Koivunen would just muddy up the roster, prevent development, and gas cap we don’t need to.

McGroatry is different. Personally I think we should keep a spot open for him, but he didn’t look quite ready so I can understand wanting some insurance for him not being able to make the opening night roster and sticking
- Victoro311

I agree with all of that. Here's to hoping they keep developing in the right direction...but maybe not until after next season? haha...

#McKenna4Penguins

FYI, I am in Texas and had the best brisket of my life last night. That is all.
- MickV

Where did you go? I may be going to Dallas for work next month. I’ve had Blacks BBQ in Austin a few years back. I really want to make it back to Austin and check out KGBBQ. He was on Netflix’s BBQ Showdown and got like 3rd or 4th. Egyptian dude from Cairo who started fusing Egyptian food with TX bbq.

I agree with all of that. Here's to hoping they keep developing in the right direction...but maybe not until after next season? haha...

#McKenna4Penguins
- MattStrat

Don't worry, I'm sure Buttman will be glad to gift your Pens another generational talent.

The bit about not building a team to make the playoffs, but to compete in the playoffs said to me "dont be surprised if we are in a wildcard race and we sell every to get into the McKenna race"
- SuperHenderson13

I always thought he was going to do "rebuild mode" for another year, but those comments pretty much confirmed it. Yeah.... there's that too lol.

Where did you go? I may be going to Dallas for work next month. I’ve had Blacks BBQ in Austin a few years back. I really want to make it back to Austin and check out KGBBQ. He was on Netflix’s BBQ Showdown and got like 3rd or 4th. Egyptian dude from Cairo who started fusing Egyptian food with TX bbq.
- j.boyd919

Blacks in Austin. Brisket was amazing. I'm not sure how to rank it overall though compared to Rodney Scott's in Charleston, SC. Rodney does whole hog with a peppery Carolina sauce; totally different experience to Blacks.

I had my kids with me so wasn't going to queue for multiple hours for the more famous Austin BBQs, but maybe some day in the future I'll manage to try those.

I always thought he was going to do "rebuild mode" for another year, but those comments pretty much confirmed it. Yeah.... there's that too lol.
- madmike71

And that makes infinitely more sense. Start to play some young guys, start to maybe sign some UFAs, but know you're probably still at least a year away. Not tanking for McKenna, but not trying to fix everything in one off-season either.

Blacks in Austin. Brisket was amazing. I'm not sure how to rank it overall though compared to Rodney Scott's in Charleston, SC. Rodney does whole hog with a peppery Carolina sauce; totally different experience to Blacks.

I had my kids with me so wasn't going to queue for multiple hours for the more famous Austin BBQs, but maybe some day in the future I'll manage to try those.
- MickV

Oh dude if you're still there, go back to Black's and get the Beef Rib. It was one of the best pieces of meat I've ever had. Definitely different from Carolina BBQ and not comparable at all IMO.

Oh dude if you're still there, go back to Black's and get the Beef Rib. It was one of the best pieces of meat I've ever had. Definitely different from Carolina BBQ and not comparable at all IMO.
- j.boyd919

Technically, we went to Terry Blacks, not the Original Blacks, but they're the same family and supposedly the meats are essentially the same.

The beef rib looked amazing, but also huge and more difficult to share with my kids. We have been in San Antonio the past few days, but we're flying home from Austin tomorrow and may have time to get some BBQ before heading to the airport.