Ryan Wilson: Despite no GM the Penguins re-sign depth player Despite no GM the Penguins re-sign depth player

The last 8 Presidents Trophy winners haven't made it past 2nd round.
- MattStrat

That's nuts. I can't say I watched the B's that much, but they didn't exactly roll a pretty mediocre Pens team this season. I thought the Pens had large stretches of those games where they were the better team. Just like the entire season, the Pens couldn't keep the puck out of their own net in crunch time.

Nylander played pretty well. Didn't look over-matched. Him and Pustinen should have been given opportunities. Not saying they're game changers, but add some youth to the roster.

Unless the new GM comes in and works his magic, the Penguins will need young depth guys signed to cheap contracts. They dont have a lot of wiggle room in the cap situation to fill numerous spots. Giving Nylander a contract makes a lot of sense.

Force Nylander to workout with Crosby in the offseason. Force him to watch real commitment and preparation. That should help.

Unless the new GM comes in and works his magic, the Penguins will need young depth guys signed to cheap contracts. They dont have a lot of wiggle room in the cap situation to fill numerous spots. Giving Nylander a contract makes a lot of sense.
- SuperHenderson13

DOC-Poehling-Nylander with a dose of Archibald or someone similar should be their 4th line next year and should come in under 4m for the entire line. That's exactly the type of deals they need, unless they sign someone else and use DOC on the 3rd line.

DOC-Poehling-Nylander with a dose of Archibald or someone similar should be their 4th line next year and should come in under 4m for the entire line. That's exactly the type of deals they need, unless they sign someone else and use DOC on the 3rd line.
- j.boyd919

This. Although, I'm fully expecting Nylander to be stapled to Carter on the 3rd line. Followed by Sullivan scratching him for lack of production. But no worries, Carter will get a jersey every night.

This. Although, I'm fully expecting Nylander to be stapled to Carter on the 3rd line. Followed by Sullivan scratching him for lack of production. But no worries, Carter will get a jersey every night.
- madmike71

Yep.

DOC-Poehling-Nylander with a dose of Archibald or someone similar should be their 4th line next year and should come in under 4m for the entire line. That's exactly the type of deals they need, unless they sign someone else and use DOC on the 3rd line.
- j.boyd919

I largely agree, although I would like Sullivan to give Nylander a chance at a top 6 role. He will probably fall flat, but to me, its the kind of chance you have to take. But that 4th line is way better than our 3rd line this year.

An early guess at the lines for next year has the top 6 stay the same with money being spent on the 3rd line. The 4th line you noted above would be good with me.

I largely agree, although I would like Sullivan to give Nylander a chance at a top 6 role. He will probably fall flat, but to me, its the kind of chance you have to take. But that 4th line is way better than our 3rd line this year.

An early guess at the lines for next year has the top 6 stay the same with money being spent on the 3rd line. The 4th line you noted above would be good with me.
- SuperHenderson13

I'm all for trying things like that, but just knowing how Sully Sullies, I figure you won't see much change in the top 6, outside someone taking Zucker's spot either Granlund or another UFA. Still under the belief that they need to buy Granlund out and get out from under that. See what Zucker is willing to take. Then work from there. Biggest question mark is the goalie. I can't see running back Jarry again to have him get injured before the playoffs, but there really aren't a lot of options. It's rough out there for a pimp.

I largely agree, although I would like Sullivan to give Nylander a chance at a top 6 role. He will probably fall flat, but to me, its the kind of chance you have to take. But that 4th line is way better than our 3rd line this year.

An early guess at the lines for next year has the top 6 stay the same with money being spent on the 3rd line. The 4th line you noted above would be good with me.
- SuperHenderson13

Absolutely... I'm sick of the rote bullsh!t with Sully. He's turned into a "paint-by-numbers" coach. So predictable.

Absolutely... I'm sick of the rote bullsh!t with Sully. He's turned into a "paint-by-numbers" coach. So predictable.
- madmike71

Wasnt he playing with Geno for a few games and it all looked good?

That's nuts. I can't say I watched the B's that much, but they didn't exactly roll a pretty mediocre Pens team this season. I thought the Pens had large stretches of those games where they were the better team. Just like the entire season, the Pens couldn't keep the puck out of their own net in crunch time.

Nylander played pretty well. Didn't look over-matched. Him and Pustinen should have been given opportunities. Not saying they're game changers, but add some youth to the roster.
- madmike71

They would of improved the bottom 6 if there all season...not saying they're huge difference makers but I don't think its far fetched the Pens would of had 3 more standing points, and in the playoffs, if they were there since October...

Wasnt he playing with Geno for a few games and it all looked good?
- MattStrat

He played quite a bit with Malkin and looked good. He certainly looks like one of our twelve best players. Should he be penciled in a top six role? No, he should'nt be pigeonholed into a bottom six role either.

Wait I have an idea, let's give the young guys a chance at multiple roles this season and see what happens. We may have a surprise or two waiting to happen.

If every cent is important that’s a dumb signing.

If every cent is important that’s a dumb signing.
- Grinder47

Why? If he sucks, just waive him. Low risk low reward.

Why? If he sucks, just waive him. Low risk low reward.
- jmatchett383

He sucks. There’s no if. Why waste the time.

Jack Hughes getting the crosby treatment tonight, hooked, blasted with a hit not having the puck and no calls

He sucks. There’s no if. Why waste the time.
- Grinder47

Hahahah he's better than Carter for like 1/5th the cost..

Hahahah he's better than Carter for like 1/5th the cost..
- MattStrat

He won’t score 12 goals next year.

Jack Hughes getting the crosby treatment tonight, hooked, blasted with a hit not having the puck and no calls
- abcpens10

Keep your head up wussy.

I don't get it. He got nailed square in the face. How's that not a headshot?

I don't get it. He got nailed square in the face. How's that not a headshot?
- madmike71

Clean hit. Gotta keep your head up.

I don't get it. He got nailed square in the face. How's that not a headshot?
- madmike71

Maybe you don’t get it because your just not a hockey person. It’s ok.

I don't get it. He got nailed square in the face. How's that not a headshot?
- madmike71

The official rule says head contact is allowed if its unavoidable. So because Meier was not standing upright, his head was lower, where his shoulder would normally be. So that makes it legal.

Its still a grey area issue. How do you determine whether the head contact was unavoidable? Is it open season on a guy if he's not standing straight up? Meier skated head down into the other team's zone. He should be smarter than that.

But either the league cares about headshots or it doesnt. Trouba knows the rule and navigates it well. Its a question of whether the rule is garbage or not.

The official rule says head contact is allowed if its unavoidable. So because Meier was not standing upright, his head was lower, where his shoulder would normally be. So that makes it legal.

Its still a grey area issue. How do you determine whether the head contact was unavoidable? Is it open season on a guy if he's not standing straight up? Meier skated head down into the other team's zone. He should be smarter than that.

But either the league cares about headshots or it doesnt. Trouba knows the rule and navigates it well. Its a question of whether the rule is garbage or not.
- SuperHenderson13

Dude went through the middle with his head down. He deserves literally anything he gets. You just love to see it when there’s someone there to teach them a lesson.