Here is an exercise for everyone that should be fun:
-Assume for the moment that GMJR gets the Pens a 3C that is an adequate replacement for Bonino.
-Assume that the Pens have a healthy core group going into the playoffs in April 2018 (87,71,58,30,81)

Look at the various roster moves out there so far and tell me what team in the east if any has made enough moves to be a serious contender at a level against a healthy Pens next year. I'm not sure that I would favor any Eastern Conference team against the Pens at this point. My point being that yes, the Pens have stuff to figure out, and sure there has been some attrition, but everyone else has issues too. Yes, there are other shoes to drop, and health is a huge factor, but I still like where the Pens are at.

Thoughts?
- Emperor Filonius

Agreed. Some teams are incrementally better and the biggest loser and our biggest adversary (the Caps) got appreciably worse.

I have complete confidence that JR will get a competent 3C. Maybe even someone a bit more consistent than Bones.

I do believe in the "clutch" factor and we'll miss that, but as long as we have Sid and Geno, we'll be a/the favorite.

"Worry is a misuse of imagination"
- Darklight11

You wanna read some rough drafts of some chapters of some novels I've tried to pen? Now THOSE are misuses of imagination

I don't think we can drill gmjr in getting reeves. It's not a horrible move. But it also came from Crosby who said he wants a guy like that on the team. If Crosby asks for protection then you go get him protection.
- sditulli

What does Crosby know? He doesn't have a mathematics degree, what can he possibly know about hockey?

LMAO you couldn't be more (frank)ing clueless
- Feds91Stammer

Says the one posting tweets about how often Ryan Reaves hits certain players like there was some kind of a point. About as useless as a Reaves/Doan hero shart comparison. You're like a toddler with something shiny - show you a number and you're all drool and diaper rash and unintelligible words.

Reaves can fight. Like, he's pretty much the best guy out there right now. Doan? Not so much. He's willing to get his face bashed in, but there's a big difference. Bottom line is that if Dubinsky or Wilson take liberties, they'll be answering to Reaves.

We are still favorites in the east. Columbus got better. Capitals got a lot worse. Toronto is likely our top threat.
- sditulli

Yea I absolutely hate that Cbus acquired Panarin. I hope they do not get Duchene.

He's not going to be able to catch either of them.

Complete non-issue.
- BINGO!

Haha I get what you are saying but I'm sure he could catch Dubinsky

I have complete confidence that JR will get a competent 3C.
- madmike71

He said quite plainly that he's in no rush. That could even mean that they start the season with scraps and wait to make a better trade. The exact quote was that Sullivan told him that he could make do at the beginning of the season with anyone at 3rd and 4th C as long as he had Crosby and Malkin healthy.

Rutherford picks what he wants and then he goes and gets it. Lots of folks here advocate buying whatever is cheap with triple coupons ASAP just so there's something in the pantry. Being patient and not settling has been pretty successful for Rutherford so far.

Says the one posting tweets about how often Ryan Reaves hits certain players like there was some kind of a point. About as useless as a Reaves/Doan hero shart comparison. You're like a toddler with something shiny - show you a number and you're all drool and diaper rash and unintelligible words.

Reaves can fight. Like, he's pretty much the best guy out there right now. Doan? Not so much. He's willing to get his face bashed in, but there's a big difference. Bottom line is that if Dubinsky or Wilson take liberties, they'll be answering to Reaves.
- hardnosed

^ this x 1,000

What does Crosby know? He doesn't have a mathematics degree, what can he possibly know about hockey?
- hardnosed

Yohe said multiple times last year that the stars liked having Sestito in the lineup. This isn't BS either. Regardless what some fans think, Crosby sees value in having that kind of presence.

Yohe said multiple times last year that the stars liked having Sestito in the lineup. This isn't BS either. Regardless what some fans think, Crosby sees value in having that kind of presence.
- madmike71

I'd bet a pizza from the best pizza joint in the Burgh that Reeves scores 10 goals next year. Blues fans and players weren't happy about that trade.

Yohe said multiple times last year that the stars liked having Sestito in the lineup. This isn't BS either. Regardless what some fans think, Crosby sees value in having that kind of presence.
- madmike71

Most stars do I think. I know Gretzky loved having insurance on his team that if he was getting run at, the guy who ran at him would have to answer instantaneously. I didn't like the trade at first, but the more I think about it, the more I understand and get it.

Most stars do I think. I know Gretzky loved having insurance on his team that if he was getting run at, the guy who ran at him would have to answer instantaneously. I didn't like the trade at first, but the more I think about it, the more I understand and get it.
- rbaurle51

My complaint is I believe we over-paid, and the possible reason we over-paid is because JR was so vocal about getting that type of player. I know he was trying to make a point by openly stating his disdain for the cheap shots (and lack of consequences) that some teams are taking at Crosby.

I just believe you keep your mouth shut and don't tip your hand before you make your moves. I don't have many complaints with JR, but he's a little to vocal in the media for me.

I'd bet a pizza from the best pizza joint in the Burgh that Reeves scores 10 goals next year. Blues fans and players weren't happy about that trade.
- hipcheck_goalie

I heard that Toronto fans were not happy about losing Hunwick. Maybe this Rutherford fella knows what he's doing...

I heard that Toronto fans were not happy about losing Hunwick. Maybe this Rutherford fella knows what he's doing...
- T-Train

you kidding? they are extatic to lose him. they are happy that hainsey are replacing him cuz he sucks more than haisey apperantly.

My complaint is I believe we over-paid, and the possible reason we over-paid is because JR was so vocal about getting that type of player. I know he was trying to make a point by openly stating his disdain for the cheap shots (and lack of consequences) that some teams are taking at Crosby.

I just believe you keep your mouth shut and don't tip your hand before you make your moves. I don't have many complaints with JR, but he's a little to vocal in the media for me.
- madmike71

Yes but we got basically the best guy whose still a competent hockey player. He may not be an amazing hockey player but it lets us have a guy in the lineup who can give you 10-14 min a night and is a lot better than the sesito or tanner glass types.

He looks like he will give us 5-10 goals a year. Also he isn't really a fighter, but can when necessary. Only 100 penalty minutes most years.

I heard that Toronto fans were not happy about losing Hunwick. Maybe this Rutherford fella knows what he's doing...
- T-Train

Everyone on the Toronto blog blasted Hunwick all the time. Again, I'm pretty sure Hunwick was playing in the top 4, which is way out of his depth. As long as he's on the bottom pairing I'm fine. He's a pretty good bottom pairing guy, but I'm concerned that Rutherford sees him as a top 4 option.

My complaint is I believe we over-paid, and the possible reason we over-paid is because JR was so vocal about getting that type of player. I know he was trying to make a point by openly stating his disdain for the cheap shots (and lack of consequences) that some teams are taking at Crosby.

I just believe you keep your mouth shut and don't tip your hand before you make your moves. I don't have many complaints with JR, but he's a little to vocal in the media for me.
- madmike71

I agree in general, but if you call St. Louis about acquiring Reaves, well, that tells them that you want Reaves.

The thing is, Reaves is one of the best at what he does. I think there are three components to players of his ilk, call them what you will: hitting, intimidation, and fighting. Most only excel at one or two, but Reaves is at or near the top in all three categories. Not to mention Reaves can skate and has decent hands. Oh, he's pretty good defensively, too. If there's not much difference between Reaves and guys like Kuhnhackl and Archibald in terms of actual hockey skills, I'll take Reaves every day of the week.

The price was a 4C prospect who had been in the organization for a while and failed to crack the lineup. If he tops out at 4C and an average one at that, no big loss. There's a good chance he'll never be an NHL regular, which is saying something given expansion. The other cost was moving down a few spots in a weak draft after the odds drop into the single digits for drafting a player who will do anything in the NHL, let alone be a decent player.

Everyone on the Toronto blog blasted Hunwick all the time. Again, I'm pretty sure Hunwick was playing in the top 4, which is way out of his depth. As long as he's on the bottom pairing I'm fine. He's a pretty good bottom pairing guy, but I'm concerned that Rutherford sees him as a top 4 option.
- Victoro311

Yeah, I just heard it from one person on the Pens blog, so not reliable. We'll see, though. I do hope they find a true top 4 and ship Maatta out.

This is good... Until Letang goes down, at which point it turns into dog poop like these past playoffs showed. We won it all this year, and I'm ecstatic we did, but we also leaned too heavily on Crosby, Malkin, and goaltending and I don't want to take those odds again. I'm hungry for a 3pete and we have a ton of cap space and assets to throw around, so overpaying on D and bringing in another highish cap hit, first line caliber guy as legit Letang insurance is a thing we can actually pull off and I'm disappointed Rutherford seems content with Hunwick.

If you want to argue that we won the Cup so we don't need to do anything to improve, I really can't argue with your point the same way I can't argue with the people who thought Toews was better than Sid due to amount of Cup wins because that argument isn't based on any meaningful hockey analysis, statistical or eye test. I think its pretty clear that we had serious issues these playoffs and got bailed out by a very small handful of special players. I'd rather rely on a team, not 4 guys to win the Cup.
- Victoro311

No, no, no I would never argue that... Not sure where you get that idea of me but I assure you I don't think like that. I'm an always open for improvements kinda guy if they make sense. As it stands, I don't believe the Pens are as good currently as the team that won it all a month ago. There are variables to consider though such as not knowing how new pieces will fit/work out... How much more the younger regular guys develop and how much better they get (or regress) .. And how much of an impact the younger on the fringe guys have.

you kidding? they are extatic to lose him. they are happy that hainsey are replacing him cuz he sucks more than haisey apperantly.
- martox

I have a lot of good buds who are Leafs fans... They all really liked what Hunwick brought every game and didn't like seeing him go. Every single one of them hate signing Hainsey ... They watched the playoffs too.

Thoughts on going back to STL and offering Horny for Sobotka?

I think reaves will b great for the long season schedule. Fight tom wilson every game , beat up some one in philly, They finished second in the league last yr banged up and no defense. Hes not there for the PP.

I know boyd i wouldnt have traded for him. Hyman got 4x9, i wouldn't give sheary any more than 10.5, obviously arbitration wont count playoff pts?

Thoughts on going back to STL and offering Horny for Sobotka?
- kfinl170

All Day!

I have a lot of good buds who are Leafs fans... They all really liked what Hunwick brought every game and didn't like seeing him go. Every single one of them hate signing Hainsey ... They watched the playoffs too.
- MattStrat

One Toronto fan with knowledge I know said Hunwick is a quick skater but nothing much. Solid defensively. Expect a Cole-Ruhwedel hybrid. He was not mad at losing him but liked him enough to have a spot in the 6 D.

Thoughts on going back to STL and offering Horny for Sobotka?
- kfinl170

Not a good way to acquire our 3rd C. Don't trade a warrior like Hörnqvist just like that. I'd rather trade Sheary if he's asking for too much. Sheary is good @ $2.5-3M at most.