I feel the future here is somewhat bleak. Who do we have in the farm system absent Murray and maybe Pouliot that is of true NHL caliber. We have traded away a lot of possible future for rentals. I somewhat expect the same at this deadline too.
- Oneonta Penguin

If both Murray and Pouliot can hit their ceilings, the Penguins will be built from the net out. Starting with a top-pair of Pouliot/Maata isn't bad. If you can put a top-10 goalie behind them, it's a good place to start.

Our forward depth was as deep as it ever was coming into the season.

Ugh, why didn't we draft Datsyuk or Zetterburg!!! Terrible management.
- Pens_Burgh

Bonino Sucks, Plot isn't a NHL player, BB isn't a solution, Dupes was 36, Kuni 35, Perron has been streaky his entire career. Fehr is an upgrade as well as Cullen, but I dont see a team full of players that can move up and down like what was advertised.

I feel the future here is somewhat bleak. Who do we have in the farm system absent Murray and maybe Pouliot that is of true NHL caliber. We have traded away a lot of possible future for rentals. I somewhat expect the same at this deadline too.
- Oneonta Penguin

JR is not going out quietly. He will make a move for a Dman maybe a F. It will cost picks/DP/Kuni...Pens will push to make the playoffs, but it could be an ugly end.

I feel the future here is somewhat bleak. Who do we have in the farm system absent Murray and maybe Pouliot that is of true NHL caliber. We have traded away a lot of possible future for rentals. I somewhat expect the same at this deadline too.
- Oneonta Penguin

As long as Crosby and Malkin continue to play at a high level, I think this team can maintain contender status. Granted Crosby had us all worried earlier this year, but he is playing fantastic hockey now. If Kuni or Perron could finish a fraction of their chances we'd be right back in the metro conversation.

How much cap space do we currently have?

How much cap space do we currently have?
- joescullz

enough for streit..

If thats the case then you point fingers at Crosby and Malkin, its their team they are the leaders, they set the attitude. I dont see a coach having that much affect on the locker room unless its someone like Torts. Players want to win regardless.
- sammy87

Which I did at Crosby until Johnston was fired and I saw him go back to his old self almost over night. I think you're under rating Johnston's impact. He implemented a system that involved collapsing into our zone to protect or crease that destroyed the effectiveness of breakout passes. We're Crosby and Malkin supposed to lead a rebellion against the coach, and hold their own secret practices where they instructed the rest of the players how they should actually play if they wanted to win? Locker room mutinies don't end well for anyone involved.

JR is not going out quietly. He will make a move for a Dman maybe a F. It will cost picks/DP/Kuni...Pens will push to make the playoffs, but it could be an ugly end.
- sammy87

Again, why would they add a D man? The defense is fine now and JR sounded legitimately content when he acquired Daley. If anything he's gonna go out and get a LW, which I am in favor of as long as it's a hockey trade

Again, why would they add a D man? The defense is fine now and JR sounded legitimately content when he acquired Daley. If anything he's gonna go out and get a LW, which I am in favor of as long as it's a hockey trade
- Victoro311

I dont think Cole, Lovejoy and as well as Dumo has played he's still a rookie, and Daley could hold the fort for a legit playoff run. If they could add another solid guy I think it would help the team immensely. I am of the camp that MAF has made the D look better than they actually are. For as bad as Letang has been at time this year, dude is still a stud and moves the puck better than anyone else, they need another good puck mover.

Again, why would they add a D man? The defense is fine now and JR sounded legitimately content when he acquired Daley. If anything he's gonna go out and get a LW, which I am in favor of as long as it's a hockey trade
- Victoro311

Or streit!

Plenty of top seeds fall out as well. The point is that for the price of Kessel, the Caps got 2 players that contribute at the same pace and they didn't cost hardly anything to acquire. Pens had multiple holes on the roster but went big on Kessel, neglecting the rest of the roster the team still sucks and they lost a F prospect, D prospect, 1st rounder. Terrible management.
- sammy87

Kapanen and Harrington are probably replaceable prospects. 1st is lottery protected.
You gonna still think Oshie and Williams are great when the Caps lose in the 2nd round yet again?

Kapanen and Harrington are probably replaceable prospects. 1st is lottery protected.
You gonna still think Oshie and Williams are great when the Caps lose in the 2nd round yet again?
- jfkst1

They may lose but they are tearing it up now. Are you still going to want to ride what the Pens have been doing for the past 7 years w/o a win after the 2nd round?

My argument is that the Caps are an example of building a good team. Their D is ok, but the F group is solid and they have a very good G. Look at it how you want, Caps are getting 2x the production of Kessel at essentially the same price. Id take Oshie and Williams over Kessel every day the week.

Kap may or may not be any good, but he's a young F prospect that should be in the system the Pens can try to develop. Instead of shipping him out for a guy at his peak, locked up long term only to get older and slower. 5 pts in 7 games isn't bad for Kap in the WJ.

Kapanen and Harrington are probably replaceable prospects. 1st is lottery protected.
You gonna still think Oshie and Williams are great when the Caps lose in the 2nd round yet again?
- jfkst1

If we got Oshie and Williams instead of Kessel he'd still be harping that they didn't fix anything. Sammy will be complaining up until we win the cup (if that ever happens), be satisfied for a week max, and then start talking about how we got lucky and we're going to be bottom dwellers the next season.

Harrington has a similar skill set Cole, which everyone seems to hate, and Kapanen has failed to shine against prospects his own age except for a few flashes. Our first is loto protected, and with the Ducks' second likely being quite high if they keep going the way they're going. At the end of the day what's the difference between a bottom 17 first rounder and a top 10 second? Not much.

Which I did at Crosby until Johnston was fired and I saw him go back to his old self almost over night. I think you're under rating Johnston's impact. He implemented a system that involved collapsing into our zone to protect or crease that destroyed the effectiveness of breakout passes. We're Crosby and Malkin supposed to lead a rebellion against the coach, and hold their own secret practices where they instructed the rest of the players how they should actually play if they wanted to win? Locker room mutinies don't end well for anyone involved.
- Victoro311

Crosby's and Letangs games instantly improved under Sullivan. I don't believe either were tanking it, so that's an amazing indictment of the coach/system.

I also think the addition of Daley has been an under-reported story in Pittsburgh. It almost reminds me of when Therien was fired right before the "heart and sole" Gonchar returned in 2009. Now....I'm not comparing Gonchar and Daley, but I can't help but notice how much better our D/team has been with Daley as opposed to Scuderi.

If we got Oshie and Williams instead of Kessel he'd still be harping that they didn't fix anything. Sammy will be complaining up until we win the cup (if that ever happens), be satisfied for a week max, and then start talking about how we got lucky and we're going to be bottom dwellers the next season.

Harrington has a similar skill set Cole, which everyone seems to hate, and Kapanen has failed to shine against prospects his own age except for a few flashes. Our first is loto protected, and with the Ducks' second likely being quite high if they keep going the way they're going. At the end of the day what's the difference between a bottom 17 first rounder and a top 10 second? Not much.
- Victoro311

Didnt the ducks just go on a run? they re third arent they now?

Didnt the ducks just go on a run? they re third arent they now?
- jmdodgeser4

They are 4 pts out of a WC, 5-3-2 in their last 10. Same as Pens.

AV's are now with 45 pts 1 game out of a WC.

Kapanen and Harrington are probably replaceable prospects. 1st is lottery protected.
You gonna still think Oshie and Williams are great when the Caps lose in the 2nd round yet again?
- jfkst1

I don't think Kapanen is easily replaceable. All players are replaceable to a degree, but he looks like a very good top-6/top-3 forward prospect.

They are 4 pts out of a WC, 5-3-2 in their last 10. Same as Pens.

AV's are now with 45 pts 1 game out of a WC.
- sammy87

ok yah they just got leaped over. they were third in division. Just one point out though