Ryan Wilson: I've seen that fish before I've seen that fish before

From the Previous Forum discussion. I do wonder MacPatty if Pens go in a familiar direction for Dubas


Rust-Crosby-Rackell
Koivunen-Malkin-Tomasino
Bunting-Tavares-Marner
Ponomarev-Lizotte-Glass

FA-Letang
Pickering-FA
Graves-Descharnais/Brunike



I have been wondering if they could sign Tavares and Marner this offseason. Tavares could be a quick replacement for Malkin until we develop someone else (since we all know Malkin only has a few years left). Dubas is very familiar with both

From the Previous Forum discussion. I do wonder MacPatty if Pens go in a familiar direction for Dubas


Rust-Crosby-Rackell
Koivunen-Malkin-Tomasino
Bunting-Tavares-Marner
Ponomarev-Lizotte-Glass

FA-Letang
Pickering-FA
Graves-Descharnais/Brunike

I have been wondering if they could sign Tavares and Marner this offseason. Tavares could be a quick replacement for Malkin until we develop someone else (since we all know Malkin only has a few years left). Dubas is very familiar with both
- 123Kid

I am all for adding those two, and I am sure Dubas would love to add them if only to spite Toronto. Unfortunately I feel like its highly unlikely we get one, let alone two.

The cap increases saved Toronto's bacon. They've got the room to get both re-signed. I think their whole offseason will be determined by how the playoffs go. If they go on to win the cup, I think they are both back, but Marner for sure. If they bow out early again I think Marner could consider leaving... and Tavares with all of his CRA disputes might also welcome a change of scenery. I could very easily see Tavares sign with the Panthers, especially if Bennett prices himself out there.

I have always said, I could easily see Marner in a Pens jersey and I do think he would come here if we made him a great offer. Also hearing now that Marner is starting to negotiate around his agent with the Leafs, which increases the chances of him staying.

I don't know why but I have this feeling of inevitability that we will end up trading Bunting to Toronto for Domi and either Robertson or a 2nd rounder. I don't necessarily like it but I just have a feeling it is going to happen.

Now that we have high volume in picks, I'm expecting (and hopeful) that Dubas is just going to work on increasing quality rather than adding more picks in trades.

Can we flip guys like Bunting & Gryzleck with one of our 2026 2nds for a 2026 1st? Rather than just trading for another 2nd?

Can we trade Beau or Glass with a 3rd for a 2nd instead of trading them for a 3rd? That type of thing is what I am interested in seeing Dubas pull off.

Side note, there was a Vancouver beat writer who was calling out that the big mistake Vancouver made in the Pettersson deal was allowing Fernstrom to be included. Apparently he has heated up in the SHL since the trade. He could turn into a player for us.

Well there it is. Nieto on waivers. I didn't think they had it in them to waive a vet like him.

Well there it is. Nieto on waivers. I didn't think they had it in them to waive a vet like him.
- Tojo.

Hopefully a team picks him up...I dont even want him in WBS potentially taking top 6 mins from a young guy.

Hopefully a team picks him up...I dont even want him in WBS potentially taking top 6 mins from a young guy.
- MattStrat

WBS is the highest scoring team in the AHL. Nieto doesn't deserve to play on the top 3 lines. Poulin-Ponomarov-Puustinen is actually their current 3rd line.

But I hope someone picks up Nieto so they can maybe use his spot for a college FA.

WBS only has 3 games before the NHL TDL, and presumably we'll be trading away several players from the NHL club before then, so Nieto shouldn't be able to block much game time ... and not unlikely they open up a spot on the NHL club again before he even needs to physically go to WBS.

Interesting. Bunting is out, he actually had his appendix removed. Boko is available and should come off IR. Yet Sullivan said a recall may be coming. Nieto is still at the optional skate.

WBS only has 3 games before the NHL TDL, and presumably we'll be trading away several players from the NHL club before then, so Nieto shouldn't be able to block much game time ... and not unlikely they open up a spot on the NHL club again before he even needs to physically go to WBS.
- MickV

Poulin is actually day to day and they played 11 forwards so guess they could make room (I think Gruden may be out as well)

Interesting. Bunting is out, he actually had his appendix removed. Boko is available and should come off IR. Yet Sullivan said a recall may be coming. Nieto is still at the optional skate.
- Tojo.

How long does an appendix removal keep him out? Is he still tradeable at the deadline if someone comes in with a good offer? We don't need to trade him but its always better to have that option than not.

How long does an appendix removal keep him out? Is he still tradeable at the deadline if someone comes in with a good offer? We don't need to trade him but its always better to have that option than not.
- MacPatty

Not 100% sure, but I think it's a couple of weeks minimum. I doubt anybody would hesitate to trade for him unless they needed immediate help.

I dont know if there is any actual substance to this, but a lot of people in the hockey media are pushing for a Rantanen to Toronto move. Suggestion is that Toronto needs to go 100% all in this year.

I don't necessarily think that is something they should/would do but if they did want to, its clear that Toronto and Carolina would need a third team in the mix.

TOR: Rantanen (2.5M ret by Pitt) & Glass/Hayes
CAR: Rackell & Blomqvist
PIT: Cowan & Leafs 2026 1st

OR:
TOR: Rantanen (2.5M ret by Pitt), Glass/Hayes & Pens 2025 4th.
CAR: Rackell & Blomqvist
PIT: Cowan, Leafs 2026 1st, Leafs 2025 2nd & Domi

OR:
TOR: Rantanen (2.5M ret by Pitt), Glass/Hayes & Pens 2026 2nd
CAR: Rackell & Blomqvist
PIT: Knies & 2026 1st *If you cant tell I think Knies is a stud*

Not 100% sure, but I think it's a couple of weeks minimum. I doubt anybody would hesitate to trade for him unless they needed immediate help.
- madmike71

Yeah, hard to say. He has a 2nd year on the deal so not just a rental.