Good points there! And Pens D: Letang, Maatta, Daley, Schultz, Cole, Lovejoy, Dumoulin.. Not that scary on paper but got the job done!
- MjulQvist

I just still can't believe that defense won a cup. Still can't believe it even acknowledging it was a 23 man effort.

I just still can't believe that defense won a cup. Still can't believe it even acknowledging it was a 23 man effort.
- Mr Ricochet

Their D did not win it. Their speed up front and the heavy forecheck kept SJ pinned in.

The only truly defensive element to their game was Sullivan getting buy in from the forwards to block shots when in the D zone.

Their D did not win it. Their speed up front and the heavy forecheck kept SJ pinned in.

The only truly defensive element to their game was Sullivan getting buy in from the forwards to block shots when in the D zone.
- Return of the Roar

That is true but they beat three other teams too before SJ with that D. And when we say Hawks top 4 wasn´t good enough or cost the 1st round exit it is sounding a bit excuse right now isn´t it..

I think this format basically HAS to happen next year, especially with the cap crunch.

Panarin - Toews - ELC/Teravainen (if not sacrificed w/ Bickell)
ELC/Schmatlz? - Anisimov - Kane
ELC/Panik? - Kruger - Hossa
Scrub - Scrub - Scrub

Moving Panarin up hopefully gets us two scoring lines, and maybe the third line pots some goals, too... The youth have to catch fire. Period. Saad, Shaw, and Kruger were very strong in 2013 and even better in 2015.
- DMChi2010

I would imagine the fourth line going into camp (IN PENCIL):
Desi - McNeill - Hartman

I would imagine the fourth line going into camp (IN PENCIL):
Desi - McNeill - Hartman
- CanOCorn

Can definitely see that happening. Maybe a guy like Kero as the 13th F.

Knowing Q it'll be Mashinter somehow.

Can definitely see that happening. Maybe a guy like Kero as the 13th F.

Knowing Q it'll be Mashinter somehow.
- Hawksfan37

Wouldn´t suprise to see Tyler Motte in the mix too.

I think this format basically HAS to happen next year, especially with the cap crunch.

Panarin - Toews - ELC/Teravainen (if not sacrificed w/ Bickell)
ELC/Schmatlz? - Anisimov - Kane
ELC/Panik? - Kruger - Hossa
Scrub - Scrub - Scrub

Moving Panarin up hopefully gets us two scoring lines, and maybe the third line pots some goals, too... The youth have to catch fire. Period. Saad, Shaw, and Kruger were very strong in 2013 and even better in 2015.
- DMChi2010

Panarin has the gift to run a line.. Kind of like Kane. We saw that in a slim few games this year when he and Kane were separated. He was flying all over the ice.

Either put 19 and 88 together, or put 72 with 19. Divide the firepower and not just have one scoring line most of the time.

This team needs another LW - preferably someone who can play with Toews. However, the #4/5 D position also needs an insurance marker.

Wouldn´t suprise to see Tyler Motte in the mix too.
- MjulQvist

Hinostroza too.

So I know the following will not happen. Im not crazy and dont think that there is any realistic chance that it does. But the thought came to mind and it was fun to think about because thats all we do is think of new scenarios.

Anyway Toews is overrated IMO. He is an amazing player but he is still overrated to me. Great on defense and very good on the other end. But to me 10.5 a year is over paying a player who scored 28 goals. Yea he lost a great winger in Saad but he has 28 last year too with Saad and Hossa. Dont get me wrong, he is a great player and offers more than just offense to justify money. 10.5 million is better spent somewhere else to me.

So now the whole plan that would have to work to a T to be worth it.

Step 1- Trade Toews to Toronto
They are trying to clear space to go for Stamkos. This would get them the 1C they want and two way centers of Toews and Mathews down the middle would be very appealing to them. Mathews has been compared to Toews and I am sure Toews could teach him a whole lot. Thats the selling point and it is obvious. Now I would also include Bickel in this deal. Thats a lot of salary leaving. Hawks get JVR back which offsets the bickell money but gives you a legit LW to play on the first line. Aside from that, the best prospects you can get from a system that has a lot of very good ones. Not sure what the trade value of Nylander or Marner is but if you could get one of those it gets really interesting.

Step 2- (really only plausible situation if this was pulled off) Sign Stamkos
you just cleared 10.5 million in space. Maybe it takes a little more or less for Stammer? Sell him the fact that he is coming in to be the guy on a team that would contend for years to come. He gets to play with JVR, Panarin, Hossa, Kane. Stamkos and Kane on two different lines makes way more matchup issues than Kane and Toews every did. Two guys that will break 40 goals.

People will argue Stammer vs Toews on this but the argument should be Stammer plus Toews trade return vs Toews..which is no contest

I personally would try the following
Panarin-Stammer-Hossa
JVR-Anisimov-Kane

No this would not ever happen. Yes its fun to think about

Kane and Stammer- 40 each
Bread JVR-30 each
Hossa and Anisimov-20 each
140 goals on your top 2 lines being conservative will all but Hossa (who really knows how many he will put in). That team could score 250 goals in a year and if you got Brian Campbell cheap too then the D would be very good too.

That is true but they beat three other teams too before SJ with that D. And when we say Hawks top 4 wasn´t good enough or cost the 1st round exit it is sounding a bit excuse right now isn´t it..
- MjulQvist

Yes, they did the same thing with the forwards though in every series - total commitment to blocking shots by EVERYONE on the ice. As a result, very few pucks got behind the Pens D, not many exhausting cycles to wrestle out of, and quick transitions the other way.

By contrast, CHI employed the turtle in the hope of simply taking passing/shooting lanes away. Problem with that was the opponents' point men had all day and the whole top half of the zone to work with. Many missed shots went deep and the Hawk D couldn't crack the cycles.

It is hard to have a quick transition game or much control of the neutral zone when all of your players are below the circles in their D zone.

So I know the following will not happen. Im not crazy and dont think that there is any realistic chance that it does. But the thought came to mind and it was fun to think about because thats all we do is think of new scenarios.

Anyway Toews is overrated IMO. He is an amazing player but he is still overrated to me. Great on defense and very good on the other end. But to me 10.5 a year is over paying a player who scored 28 goals. Yea he lost a great winger in Saad but he has 28 last year too with Saad and Hossa. Dont get me wrong, he is a great player and offers more than just offense to justify money. 10.5 million is better spent somewhere else to me.

So now the whole plan that would have to work to a T to be worth it.

Step 1- Trade Toews to Toronto
They are trying to clear space to go for Stamkos. This would get them the 1C they want and two way centers of Toews and Mathews down the middle would be very appealing to them. Mathews has been compared to Toews and I am sure Toews could teach him a whole lot. Thats the selling point and it is obvious. Now I would also include Bickel in this deal. Thats a lot of salary leaving. Hawks get JVR back which offsets the bickell money but gives you a legit LW to play on the first line. Aside from that, the best prospects you can get from a system that has a lot of very good ones. Not sure what the trade value of Nylander or Marner is but if you could get one of those it gets really interesting.

Step 2- (really only plausible situation if this was pulled off) Sign Stamkos
you just cleared 10.5 million in space. Maybe it takes a little more or less for Stammer? Sell him the fact that he is coming in to be the guy on a team that would contend for years to come. He gets to play with JVR, Panarin, Hossa, Kane. Stamkos and Kane on two different lines makes way more matchup issues than Kane and Toews every did. Two guys that will break 40 goals.

People will argue Stammer vs Toews on this but the argument should be Stammer plus Toews trade return vs Toews..which is no contest

I personally would try the following
Panarin-Stammer-Hossa
JVR-Anisimov-Kane

No this would not ever happen. Yes its fun to think about

Kane and Stammer- 40 each
Bread JVR-30 each
Hossa and Anisimov-20 each
140 goals on your top 2 lines being conservative will all but Hossa (who really knows how many he will put in). That team could score 250 goals in a year and if you got Brian Campbell cheap too then the D would be very good too.
- kevndevries

I get your logic but it will never happen.

1. Toews is arguably the best 2 way forward in the NHL today and top captain.
2. He's the face of the franchise along with Kane.
3. Getting stamkos at a price close to or slightly below Toews AAV does nothing to help the cap problem long term.
4. How do you fit in Panarin if you take back JVR while still getting rid of Bickell? You still have no cap space to do it.

I would imagine the fourth line going into camp (IN PENCIL):
Desi - McNeill - Hartman
- CanOCorn

Possibly. I'm sure there will be a few other names competing for a spot as well.

In my opinion Hawks first priority THIS summer should be resigning Panarin. Loosing someone like Shaw would suck but to keep Panarin in long term is the key. Toews, Kane and Panarin are cornerstones on offense and Keith and Hjalmarsson in defense. You can build a strong team around those guys.

Panarin has the gift to run a line.. Kind of like Kane. We saw that in a slim few games this year when he and Kane were separated. He was flying all over the ice.

Either put 19 and 88 together, or put 72 with 19. Divide the firepower and not just have one scoring line most of the time.

This team needs another LW - preferably someone who can play with Toews. However, the #4/5 D position also needs an insurance marker.
- 93Joe

I think Toews with Panarin would benefit both players -- give 19 a winger who can finish, and allow 72 a chance to be more creative without having to defer to Kane.

Yes, they did the same thing with the forwards though in every series - total commitment to blocking shots by EVERYONE on the ice. As a result, very few pucks got behind the Pens D, not many exhausting cycles to wrestle out of, and quick transitions the other way.

By contrast, CHI employed the turtle in the hope of simply taking passing/shooting lanes away. Problem with that was the opponents' point men had all day and the whole top half of the zone to work with. Many missed shots went deep and the Hawk D couldn't crack the cycles.

It is hard to have a quick transition game or much control of the neutral zone when all of your players are below the circles in their D zone.
- Return of the Roar

No doubt but this group of rag tag, cast offs, up from the minors Dmen beat the Presidents Cup champ and the reigning Eastern Conference entry in the 2015/16 Cup Finals to beat the Sharks. That's some good coaching they beat and none could crack that nut. ......Somebody had to play defense for the Pens.

SJ came in as a forechecking demon and were gonna get pucks deep make the Pens D turn and then pound them or force them into turnovers, work the walls with the cycle. Well they did but the Pens D were much quicker to the puck, used the reverse to the other Dman behind the net and forwards were along the walls for an outlet. Or they simply chipped to the neutral zone and let their speed forwards win a puck battle with support following...........Veeeeeeeery few stretch passes if you noticed instead the forwards came back to help and then supported to keep pushing, pushing, pushing the puck forward.

No their D didn't win it, yes it was a 23 man effort in the Dzone but that group, many of which couldn't play for teams watching, didn't lose it and in fact were solid in all phases.

A system was devised around the talent, the talent bought in, the coach didn't change things up every 3 shifts and we see the results.

The Hawk D as it ended the season was eons better than the Pens'. But their coach made it workable and IMO their players were one trillion times more hungry than were the Hawks'.

Per Lazerus

#Blackhawks and RFA Andrew Shaw's camp still talking. A lot can happen between now and draft, obviously. Still waiting on cap number, too.

Holy Sh...Crap! Let me guess, Crawford, Shaw and either Seabrooke, Hjalmmersson or Kieth going east for The Captians new LW! Malkin?, Hmmm maybe Stoshu is gettin out the broom and wants to re Shape his bigger pieces, empty out the closet and go shopping for new toys. Ok EK, let's see how this 1plays out!

General Fanager (@generalfanager)
6/13/16, 6:00 AM
#Pens are #StanleyCup champs. Here's your 2016 NHL off-season schedule, starting Wednesday with the buy-out period: pic.twitter.com/7W62NSU76M

I think Toews with Panarin would benefit both players -- give 19 a winger who can finish, and allow 72 a chance to be more creative without having to defer to Kane.
- Hank_Greenberg

Panarin is a 1LW and he can definitely finish and playmake. Thinking the Hawks will have to settle on a lesser priced LW like McGinn, who can slide up the top 3 lines and maybe solidify the top 6 with Panarin at 1LW.

That is true but they beat three other teams too before SJ with that D. And when we say Hawks top 4 wasn´t good enough or cost the 1st round exit it is sounding a bit excuse right now isn´t it..
- MjulQvist

I still think fatigue had alot to do with the fall off in team D. It doesnt help that Q ran roughly a 3 line team and rolled guys like Mash out there. Q is still the wild card here with this team. Stan can make the roster adjustments, but Q needs to refocus and put guys where they belong.

I still think fatigue had alot to do with the fall off in team D. It doesnt help that Q ran roughly a 3 line team and rolled guys like Mash out there. Q is still the wild card here with this team. Stan can make the roster adjustments, but Q needs to refocus and put guys where they belong.
- z1990z

System too. How many times did a PK unit get stuck on the ice for a minute plus b/c we let teams maintain possession on the point. That will drain your legs for the period. Our D zone structure was so bad all year. Most the time I saw our forwards and D just running around chasing the puck. By the time we gained possession everyone was gassed and it was dump in and get off. Qs lack of adjustments and refusal to roll 4 lines killed this teams chances. There was not a big margin for error this year and Qs stubbornness was enough to cause a first round exit.

System too. How many times did a PK unit get stuck on the ice for a minute plus b/c we let teams maintain possession on the point. That will drain your legs for the period. Our D zone structure was so bad all year. Most the time I saw our forwards and D just running around chasing the puck. By the time we gained possession everyone was gassed and it was dump in and get off. Qs lack of adjustments and refusal to roll 4 lines killed this teams chances. There was not a big margin for error this year and Qs stubbornness was enough to cause a first round exit.
- bhawks2241

And then there is the PK problems too... I dont like the passive box they run. Teams like the Blues really pressure the points and I like that style. Lots of work on many fronts for this team. Really interested to see how Q handles this team with what will be several new faces. Big year in my opinion for the HC. Cup windows only stay open for so long. If he screws around with the roster again and plays dumb with who he puts out there?? Dont know, but he needs to realize he can be replaced. Im hoping for a rejuvinated team. From HC to the 13th forward.

So if the Pens winning the cup isn't bad enough. I thought I would add some salt to the wound to those who took part in JJ's bracket challenge. I am very proud to say that you all got beat by my 9 year old daughter Bella

She is a huge hockey fan and saw me filling out my bracket ( I finished 30th ) so she wanted to do one herself. I am not sure where I failed as a parent but she is a HUGE Penguins fan so she is excited beyond words that not only did they win the cup but that she won the bracket.

A good portion of the cap hell the Hawks face is due to so much salary ($21m) tied up in two players. It doesn't matter the value/quality of those two players. I have no problem with those salaries. It's simply a math problem and a relatively flat cap right now. That $21m is crushing the Hawks.

Any discussion of adding Malkin to that math, making it $30m on 3 players, is complete and utter folly. Ridiculous.

I don't care if they trade Seabs and AA for him (giving up more salary commitment than they get back).

The Hawks can NOT build a championship caliber team with $30m tied up in three players (at least until the cap rises above $85m). The math around that leaves the team with 4-5 Mashinter quality players.

Stop this nonsensical, waste of time discussion.

I just still can't believe that defense won a cup. Still can't believe it even acknowledging it was a 23 man effort.
- Mr Ricochet

pens had an outstanding playoff....what 3rd period performance of... we want it, lets get it. How shots did they block with a never say quit puck hawking team defensive effort.

I was pulling for the sharks since hawks got bounced but they could not get their game going in this series. Outstanding goal tending by two young players.

all teams have will have flaws and holes with this salary cap...championships are going to to be won on will and attitude and having players come out of no where to contribute big time..

and now already we have the rumors about fleury and malkin...gotta luv the buzz