For my n**** van Riemsdyk? (frank) yes. The first hurts a lot and I am one of the proud, the few, the men who haven't given up on Bennett yet, but JVR is young, bordering on elite talent. He has what I consider to be the second best forward contract in the NHL after Max Pacioretty. If Despres was still with us this is a no brainer, but I'm willing to use some of our loose cap to sign a solution at defense if Pouliot needs to be moved in order to acquire such a cheep fix at the top 6 for years to come.

JVR-Crosby-Hornqvist
Kunitz-Malkin-Perron
Winnik-Soderberg-Dupuis
XXX-XXX-Comeau

Letang-Maatta
Sekera/Franson-Cole
Dumoulin-Lovejoy

Something like this should work under the cap, considering you trade Sutter and Spaling for any draft picks you can get and buyout Scuderi. Kapanen making the team allows you flexibility to move either Kunitz or Perron depending on whoever's currently underperforming to the third and Sundqvist making the team gives you another ELC on the bottom six. The defense isn't great, but it's solid and provides the forwards the puck moving talent that they need to play Penguins brand hockey at every line between Letang, Maatta, Sekera/Franson, and Dumoulin. Cole is also not immobile.

This team looks very good to me and it's worth moving yet another first and Pouliot for.
- Victoro311

Yea, the more I think about it, JvR is the right size, age, skill, and contract for our team needs. Not sure I'd put both JvR and Hornqvist on the same line but good lord that line could do some damage.

God, I miss capgeek. If that lineup works with the cap, Sundqvist and Wilson or something could cheaply fill the 4th line, count me in.

Yea, the more I think about it, JvR is the right size, age, skill, and contract for our team needs. Not sure I'd put both JvR and Hornqvist on the same line but good lord that line could do some damage.

God, I miss capgeek. If that lineup works with the cap, Sundqvist and Wilson or something could cheaply fill the 4th line, count me in.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

JVR can fit on any team. kessel, not so much.

JVR can fit on any team. kessel, not so much.
- clark_griswold

yeah, some dressing rooms have pretty narrow staals in the lockeroom

Well, I don't see any AHL stats for Jarry, so I doubt hes worth anything yet.

Murray might be a hot ticket for a team wanting to take a risk having him split time with a starter (or 2 others starts since thats a thing for some lol).
- Guile

Yeah but if we were giving up DP + Bennett I would rather have Jarry going out.

63gp 44 14 3 .914 2.24

That's his stat line from 13-14 with the Oil Kings, pretty sure he had a decent year this year too but I can't find it and I'm at work "working"

Yea, the more I think about it, JvR is the right size, age, skill, and contract for our team needs. Not sure I'd put both JvR and Hornqvist on the same line but good lord that line could do some damage.

God, I miss capgeek. If that lineup works with the cap, Sundqvist and Wilson or something could cheaply fill the 4th line, count me in.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Truuuu. I didn't really have good line combos formed. If Perron takes a few walks down the river side and rediscovers himself, then that Perron-Crosby-Hornqvist line would do some serious damage. Pray Kap makes the team, pencil JVR in as Malkin's banger and stick Kap in as a sniper on Malkin's wing. I'd see if Toronto would want Murray instead of Bennett in the trade to give us more potential options at top 6 RW in case Kap's not ready. Honestly, Murray probably has more value than Bennett at this point in time anyways.

yeah, some dressing rooms have pretty narrow staals in the lockeroom
- sensarmy_11

Agree w/RW in that he's too old, will want too much term, and will cost too much. Some team will throw 4 years, $20 mill his way, if not more. Pass.

I'll keep saying it...mini rebuild is the only way out of this to get back to being a true Cup contender as opposed to a team with 5 or so top players surrounded by crap.

Trade Sutter, Spaling, Kunitz, and perhaps even Perron. Get as many picks as you can for those guys. This is a deep draft. 2nd round picks have value this year.

Fill in with youth, cheap UFAs. Struggle this season and perhaps next. But, you build some assets to them move forward with the last 5 or so years of 87 and 71 being top 10 players.

If they plan on being a Cup contender next season, then you have to trade either Maatta or DP and get a top 6 forward in return. You can then build out from there.
- 87_71_11_29

I'd go with a similar plan, but aim towards the 2016-2017 season. I'd do that for two reasons, the prospect system is ready to give several guys their shots over the next couple of years and this team has an abnormal number of key players in their prime years now (Crosby, Malkin, Hornqvist, Perron, Sutter, Letang, Cole, and Fleury) that could decline my the end of a long rebuild.

While the pool isn't the deepest, most of the impactful prospects will arrive if not this year then next year. Kapanen, Sundqvist, Wilson, Pouliot, Dumoulin, Harrington, and Murray is a group that can give the team a push. This year, I'd be willing to struggle to let any young players ready for it get an opportunity. And by struggle, I mean doing things like giving Bennett a long look with Malkin if Kapanen can't earn the spot, though I'd also sign Comeau as the 2nd backup option with Kapanen if not ready this year likely ready 2016. They need to figure out questions like what is Sundqvist's future role and which defensemen eventually make up their second pairing and which might be tradable. Spend this year finding out what you have so you know what you might need.

Make decisions not for this coming year but next on players. They probably don't let Dupuis go, and having one over priced vet leader doesn't kill us, but Kunitz should still have enough value to add a decent forward prospect. Either extend or trade any upcoming UFAs of value, but not for picks but young forwards or forward prospects especially at lw. I'm moving Sutter, hoping he can help me get a top 6 LW. I try to get Cole signed beyond this year. And I keep Perron and so long as he rebounds like I'd expect extend him early next year.

Truuuu. I didn't really have good line combos formed. If Perron takes a few walks down the river side and rediscovers himself, then that Perron-Crosby-Hornqvist line would do some serious damage. Pray Kap makes the team, pencil JVR in as Malkin's banger and stick Kap in as a sniper on Malkin's wing. I'd see if Toronto would want Murray instead of Bennett in the trade to give us more potential options at top 6 RW in case Kap's not ready. Honestly, Murray probably has more value than Bennett at this point in time anyways.
- Victoro311

That top 9..

Perron-Sid-Hornqvist
JVR-Geno-Kap
Kunitz-Sutter (if he isn't packaged in the JVR deal)-Dupuis*
Comeau/Winnik/Spaling/Wilson/Rust

JW could be a good signing if he was the missing piece of a cup run next year.

I don't think we are a competitor next year so why sign an old guy to make an average team good. 4 years 20 million could make sense if we were really a cup team and the added piece could make a difference and then you pay him $5 million as a 3rd liner.

Yeah but if we were giving up DP + Bennett I would rather have Jarry going out.

63gp 44 14 3 .914 2.24

That's his stat line from 13-14 with the Oil Kings, pretty sure he had a decent year this year too but I can't find it and I'm at work "working"
- znagle

He must not have had a start for us this season, I already checked... just the Murray and Zatkoff show.

No

Closest we could come to that would be DP, Bennett (although I think he breaks out next year) and Tristian Jarry.
- znagle

EDIT: "although I think he breaks next year"

He must not have had a start for us this season, I already checked... just the Murray and Zatkoff show.
- Guile

Yeah I think he's been in JRs the whole year, I'm pretty sure Jarry was the higher rated goalie before Murray had this season.

EDIT: "although I think he breaks next year"
- 87_71_11_29

Don't say that

I'd go with a similar plan, but aim towards the 2016-2017 season. I'd do that for two reasons, the prospect system is ready to give several guys their shots over the next couple of years and this team has an abnormal number of key players in their prime years now (Crosby, Malkin, Hornqvist, Perron, Sutter, Letang, Cole, and Fleury) that could decline my the end of a long rebuild.

While the pool isn't the deepest, most of the impactful prospects will arrive if not this year then next year. Kapanen, Sundqvist, Wilson, Pouliot, Dumoulin, Harrington, and Murray is a group that can give the team a push. This year, I'd be willing to struggle to let any young players ready for it get an opportunity. And by struggle, I mean doing things like giving Bennett a long look with Malkin if Kapanen can't earn the spot, though I'd also sign Comeau as the 2nd backup option with Kapanen if not ready this year likely ready 2016. They need to figure out questions like what is Sundqvist's future role and which defensemen eventually make up their second pairing and which might be tradable. Spend this year finding out what you have so you know what you might need.

Make decisions not for this coming year but next on players. They probably don't let Dupuis go, and having one over priced vet leader doesn't kill us, but Kunitz should still have enough value to add a decent forward prospect. Either extend or trade any upcoming UFAs of value, but not for picks but young forwards or forward prospects especially at lw. I'm moving Sutter, hoping he can help me get a top 6 LW. I try to get Cole signed beyond this year. And I keep Perron and so long as he rebounds like I'd expect extend him early next year.
- Tojo.

Pretty much spot on. Nice post.

EDIT: "although I think he breaks next year"
- 87_71_11_29

HEY! He could break some bones out their socket... I was leaving it open for interpretation.

Don't say that
- znagle

When I do the list my top 12 forward thing here on HB, I'm no longer including BB in that list. I truly see no point in doing so until 2 things happen:

1. He plays at least 20 games in a row w/o breaking
2. He produces at least .75 pts per game over said 20 games. He's gotta be at minimum a 60 pt guy otherwise he's useless.

HEY! He could break some bones out their socket... I was leaving it open for interpretation.
- Guile

He just tweaked his wrist as you typed that.

That top 9..

Perron-Sid-Hornqvist
JVR-Geno-Kap
Kunitz-Sutter (if he isn't packaged in the JVR deal)-Dupuis*
Comeau/Winnik/Spaling/Wilson/Rust
- znagle

Sutter and Spaling are donezo if that deal comes into fruition because then we have to sign top 4 d help. We really should do it as it stands now, but moving Pouliot makes it a primary necessity. I wouldn't mind overpaying for Soderberg at 3C and give him a 4 mil contract, but I am not gonna pay Sutter 3.3 when we need to give a guy 5 or so mil for our second pairing. Someone yesterday said we'd have about 9 mil in cap space when its all said and done qualifying RFAs and signing a few depth players like Winnik and Comeau. Move Sutter and Spaling gives you about what? 14.5 mil in cap space to work with? JVR takes up 4.25, top 4 help takes up another 5.5 or so. Leaves you with about 4.75 in space to sign a 3C. If Sods signs for 3mil, then great. If Dupuis retires then Sods can sign for 4 no issue. If Dupuis comes back and Sods wants 4, I strongly consider moving on from Kunitz since he's getting payed top 6 figures and there's no place in the top 6 for him anymore.

When I do the list my top 12 forward thing here on HB, I'm no longer including BB in that list. I truly see no point in doing so until 2 things happen:

1. He plays at least 20 games in a row w/o breaking
2. He produces at least .75 pts per game over said 20 games. He's gotta be at minimum a 60 pt guy otherwise he's useless.
- 87_71_11_29

I'd have to agree here. I think he gets it next year. Maybe not the 60 points, but I say at least .5ppg or so

Sutter and Spaling are donezo if that deal comes into fruition because then we have to sign top 4 d help. We really should do it as it stands now, but moving Pouliot makes it a primary necessity. I wouldn't mind overpaying for Soderberg at 3C and give him a 4 mil contract, but I am not gonna pay Sutter 3.3 when we need to give a guy 5 or so mil for our second pairing. Someone yesterday said we'd have about 9 mil in cap space when its all said and done qualifying RFAs and signing a few depth players like Winnik and Comeau. Move Sutter and Spaling gives you about what? 14.5 mil in cap space to work with? JVR takes up 4.25, top 4 help takes up another 5.5 or so. Leaves you with about 4.75 in space to sign a 3C. If Sods signs for 3mil, then great. If Dupuis retires then Sods can sign for 4 no issue. If Dupuis comes back and Sods wants 4, I strongly consider moving on from Kunitz since he's getting payed top 6 figures and there's no place in the top 6 for him anymore.
- Victoro311

This would be a pipe dream

This would be a pipe dream
- znagle

The only issue with my idea is that it leaves very little wiggle room to resign Perron. Not the biggest issue with JVR under contract, but if we're shipping out a first then we need to retain these younger top 6 wingers since our pipe system will be baron. I think I'm coming to the conclusion that if we were to make a trade for JVR that packaged a first, Pouliot, and Bennett/Murray, moving Kunitz at some point is practically a necessity.

I still see no pressing issue to move Sutter... We have other things that should be higher of a priority.

1A) Scuderi bye bye
1B) Stop getting (frank)ing injured
1C) Draft good poop
2) Kunitz bye bye
3A) Top 6 Winger(s)
3B) Resign Winnik, Downie, Comeau, or any of the three, for reasonable price
4) Dupuis, where is he going to be at
5) Spaling for asset(s)
6) Sutter
7) Pretend to trade Crosby and or Malkin
8) Flint Michigan Megabowl

Note: I liked Spaling, just about 700K too much for what hes doing here... If we are going to be cap crunched, hes gone. If we have wiggle room for once, KEEP HIM.

That is my Penguins todo list

For my n**** van Riemsdyk? (frank) yes. The first hurts a lot and I am one of the proud, the few, the men who haven't given up on Bennett yet, but JVR is young, bordering on elite talent. He has what I consider to be the second best forward contract in the NHL after Max Pacioretty. If Despres was still with us this is a no brainer, but I'm willing to use some of our loose cap to sign a solution at defense if Pouliot needs to be moved in order to acquire such a cheep fix at the top 6 for years to come.

JVR-Crosby-Hornqvist
Kunitz-Malkin-Perron
Winnik-Soderberg-Dupuis
XXX-XXX-Comeau

Letang-Maatta
Sekera/Franson-Cole
Dumoulin-Lovejoy

Something like this should work under the cap, considering you trade Sutter and Spaling for any draft picks you can get and buyout Scuderi. Kapanen making the team allows you flexibility to move either Kunitz or Perron depending on whoever's currently underperforming to the third and Sundqvist making the team gives you another ELC on the bottom six. The defense isn't great, but it's solid and provides the forwards the puck moving talent that they need to play Penguins brand hockey at every line between Letang, Maatta, Sekera/Franson, and Dumoulin. Cole is also not immobile.

This team looks very good to me and it's worth moving yet another first and Pouliot for.
- Victoro311

Trading Pouliot would really hurt if he blossoms into Letang with better PP skills, but you're right JVR is the perfect fit for our most gaping hole. Other than Kunitz, I really like that line-up.

I still see no pressing issue to move Sutter... We have other things that should be higher of a priority.

1A) Scuderi bye bye
1B) Stop getting (frank)ing injured
1C) Draft good poop
2) Kunitz bye bye
3A) Top 6 Winger(s)
3B) Resign Winnik, Downie, Comeau, or any of the three, for reasonable price
4) Dupuis, where is he going to be at
5) Spaling for asset(s)
6) Sutter
7) Pretend to trade Crosby and or Malkin
8) Flint Michigan Megabowl

Note: I liked Spaling, just about 700K too much for what hes doing here... If we are going to be cap crunched, hes gone. If we have wiggle room for once, KEEP HIM.

That is my Penguins todo list
- Guile

You know, as much as I really really really don't like Sutter, you're right. It's not super pressing. However, its an obvious area that can be improved on. Soderberg is gonna priced in general Sutter range between 3 and 4 mil. Certainly no more than 4. He's a better fit for this team and would be an instant improvement.

Secondly, you gotta consider that Flats is a UFA after this season and will want a raise. Considering that he's currently costing us about .3 mil than what he's worth, I absolutely don't want to pay him a cent more. Since we're so asset deprived it makes a lot of sense to move him for whatever we can get and sign a guy like Soderberg who will be around the same cap hit AND improve the team.

I still see no pressing issue to move Sutter... We have other things that should be higher of a priority.

1A) Scuderi bye bye
1B) Stop getting (frank)ing injured
1C) Draft good poop
2) Kunitz bye bye
3A) Top 6 Winger(s)
3B) Resign Winnik, Downie, Comeau, or any of the three, for reasonable price
4) Dupuis, where is he going to be at
5) Spaling for asset(s)
6) Sutter
7) Pretend to trade Crosby and or Malkin
8) Flint Michigan Megabowl

Note: I liked Spaling, just about 700K too much for what hes doing here... If we are going to be cap crunched, hes gone. If we have wiggle room for once, KEEP HIM.

That is my Penguins todo list
- Guile

Interesting on the list. Like the format. I'd make 1B 1A! I'm just assuming 2/3 of our team will be injured from mid Nov through end of March.