the Pens don't {have too much draft-choices}, that's the reason to me, trading for a guy like Skinner or Patches is dumb if you only get him for one year then he's gone.
- stevens87

Completely agree, they should wait for training-camp (Sprong? Hayes? Grant? ZAR? Blueger?) und most likely till November to see what must be addressed... best trades&bargains always around Christmas! Trading now only in a position of strength (someone wants or overvalues a certain guy...).

So to you there is nothing you wouldn't give up for let's say Patches? If Montreal says will trade him for their 1st and 2nd this year and 1st and 3rd next year(this way in back to back years their 1st pick will be in the 100's) that is good for the organization?
- stevens87

For what it's worth, I agree with you to some degree. Loading up your team with UFA's can bite you quickly. They potentially could shorten the window by repeatedly doing this. Ideally, they should try to replicate the Kessel deal. Give up those "unknowns" of picks and prospects for proven players with control for at least a few years.

I agree with them in the context that the window is shrinking. We're at the stage of maximizing the Sid and Geno era. I could care less about prospects we won't see for 4 years. I personally am not a fan of Skinner, but if a deal could be reached involving picks and prospects for Patches (not likely), I'd do it. At this point Sprong would be off the table in any deal. We still need a couple of cheap young producers and Guentzal won't be cheap next year.

Completely agree, they should wait for training-camp (Sprong? Hayes? Grant? ZAR? Blueger?) und most likely till November to see what must be addressed... best trades&bargains always around Christmas! Trading now only in a position of strength (someone wants or overvalues a certain guy...).
- VeryModernMan

they did that last year and they were kept afloat by a ridiculous PP. Skinner is a guy that was top 5 in 5v5 goals over the last year or 2, addressing exactly what the Pens problems were. Granted I do expect the Pens peeper to be lethal again, I wouldn't want to bank on them winning games again solely because of their peeper.

No. I would not give up 2 firsts for Pacioretty. I would give up 1 first for him this year because getting rid of the first next year reduces the bargaining chips that GMJR has next year. I'd maximize the roster on a year to year basis.

I would give up a 1st and 2nd this year for Patches this year and a 1st and 3rd next year for say Taylor Hall (will be UFA after next season) or Granlund or Kreider (other notable UFAs, just examples really, not saying that they're possible) to maximize the roster that way. Then just keep dipping into the College pool for free assets.
- j.boyd919

This. Giving up the 30th overall pick in the draft in 2016 had no consequences as we got Kessel and won a cup. However I understand the weariness of the UFAs. Guys like Iginla and Morrow weren't fits. However I'm less worried about that with Rutherford because it seems he's more concerned with fit then with prestige.

This. Giving up the 30th overall pick in the draft in 2016 had no consequences as we got Kessel and won a cup. However I understand the weariness of the UFAs. Guys like Iginla and Morrow weren't fits. However I'm less worried about that with Rutherford because it seems he's more concerned with fit then with prestige.
- Thrill81

Hes also said In they past he prefers trades where he gets a player for more than a year - or for more than just that season. The Brassard trade trade has him here for last years playoffs & this whole season potentially.

Players may not want to play here either. Patches has said he wants to play in Florida, so imagine spending assets on a guy that has said publicly he wants to be somewhere else? Yes they are all pro's, but still......

I'm wondering if Ottawa would do a Kessel for Stone + trade - if Stone agreed to resign with the Pens at a cost that could be afforded?

This. Giving up the 30th overall pick in the draft in 2016 had no consequences as we got Kessel and won a cup. However I understand the weariness of the UFAs. Guys like Iginla and Morrow weren't fits. However I'm less worried about that with Rutherford because it seems he's more concerned with fit then with prestige.
- Thrill81

Personally I think Iggy was could have been a good fit, just utilized improperly by Bylsma. But yeah, any of those picks that BUF gave for Skinner aren't gonna be poop for 4 or 5 years. By that time, Crosby and Geno will be in their mid-late 30s.

I'm disappointed that they have so much money invested into their blue line TBH. I believe the Pens go as far as their forwards take them, and I have no clue why so much money was dumped into Oleksiak and Johnson as a bottom pair. Anyway you slice it, the Pens are gonna have 5+ mil tied up to the third pairing, whether it be JJ/Oleksiak, or Schultz/Oleksiak, or Maatta/JJ, whatever it may be. That's (frank)ing expensive.

Had they gone with Oleksiak and Ruhwedel as a 3rd pairing, or whatever, that would have given the Pens 4+mil for a forward, which I believe was way more important than signing a 4-6 defenseman.

Personally I think Iggy was could have been a good fit, just utilized improperly by Bylsma. But yeah, any of those picks that BUF gave for Skinner aren't gonna be poop for 4 or 5 years. By that time, Crosby and Geno will be in their mid-late 30s.

I'm disappointed that they have so much money invested into their blue line TBH. I believe the Pens go as far as their forwards take them, and I have no clue why so much money was dumped into Oleksiak and Johnson as a bottom pair. Anyway you slice it, the Pens are gonna have 5+ mil tied up to the third pairing, whether it be JJ/Oleksiak, or Schultz/Oleksiak, or Maatta/JJ, whatever it may be. That's (frank)ing expensive.

Had they gone with Oleksiak and Ruhwedel as a 3rd pairing, or whatever, that would have given the Pens 4+mil for a forward, which I believe was way more important than signing a 4-6 defenseman.
- j.boyd919

I agree completely. Unless Gonchar somehow turns jack johnson into a legitimate top 4 defenseman this late in this career, it's excessive. 2017 proved that as long as the penguins can score, their defense can include anyone. for heaven's sake Hainsey was playing top minutes. A healthy Letang plus Maatta, Dumo, and Schultz is all we need. Get skinner would make us lethal offensively. Not only the best center core but potential for best wingers too.

I agree completely. Unless Gonchar somehow turns jack johnson into a legitimate top 4 defenseman this late in this career, it's excessive. 2017 proved that as long as the penguins can score, their defense can include anyone. for heaven's sake Hainsey was playing top minutes. A healthy Letang plus Maatta, Dumo, and Schultz is all we need. Get skinner would make us lethal offensively. Not only the best center core but potential for best wingers too.
- Thrill81

I'm sure GMJR has something up his sleeve, but I am definitely curious as to what.

I'm sure GMJR has something up his sleeve, but I am definitely curious as to what.
- j.boyd919

I'm not trying to be a Debbie Downer, but I'm starting to lose faith in his decisions.

I'm not trying to be a Debbie Downer, but I'm starting to lose faith in his decisions.
- Rinosaur

Every GM makes bad decisions. He went and acquired Shehean, Brassard and Oleksiak (who I'm not big on, but seems to be everyone else likes him) so those were decent moves. The JJ move is questionable. The trade for Reaves was poop, but he made up for it with the Brassard trade IMO. Pens are still in a good spot. No GM is flawless.

Every GM makes bad decisions. He went and acquired Shehean, Brassard and Oleksiak (who I'm not big on, but seems to be everyone else likes him) so those were decent moves. The JJ move is questionable. The trade for Reaves was poop, but he made up for it with the Brassard trade IMO. Pens are still in a good spot. No GM is flawless.
- j.boyd919

It's not that I'm losing faith in Jim, but Botts in Buffalo is certainly hard to ignore.

It's not that I'm losing faith in Jim, but Botts in Buffalo is certainly hard to ignore.
- Thrill81

I like what Botterill has done. I definitely miss having him around.

It's not that I'm losing faith in Jim, but Botts in Buffalo is certainly hard to ignore.
- Thrill81

Not sure his return for ROR was good? I thought he could/should have got more especially considering the need for C in a lot of teams. The Blues won that 1 I think.

Every GM makes bad decisions. He went and acquired Shehean, Brassard and Oleksiak (who I'm not big on, but seems to be everyone else likes him) so those were decent moves. The JJ move is questionable. The trade for Reaves was poop, but he made up for it with the Brassard trade IMO. Pens are still in a good spot. No GM is flawless.
- j.boyd919

I recognize that even the best GM's make bad moves and I can even live with the Reaves trade as bad as I thought it was, but he in essence traded Hunwick and Sheary for JJ and added too much term.

It makes me question how they're evaluating the defense.

I recognize that even the best GM's make bad moves and I can even live with the Reaves trade as bad as I thought it was, but he in essence traded Hunwick and Sheary for JJ and added too much term.

It makes me question how they're evaluating the defense.
- Rinosaur

I certainly would have spent the Sheary and Hunwick savings differently, but none of JR's moves are close to being crippling. Like Boyd, I would have added another forward. I know you're not a fan of Oleksiak, but I believe he showed enough promise to call his acquisition a win.

I think the Reaves deal was absurd but not crippling either. I don't even hate having that element on the team like some others do, but I saw no reason to involve a 1st rounder for a player like him. I don't care that we got their 2nd. I still have faith in JR. The long offseason will do wonders for this team.

I also believe JR has something else up his sleeve.

I certainly would have spent the Sheary and Hunwick savings differently, but none of JR's moves are close to being crippling. Like Boyd, I would have added another forward. I know you're not a fan of Oleksiak, but I believe he showed enough promise to call his acquisition a win.

I think the Reaves deal was absurd but not crippling either. I don't even hate having that element on the team like some others do, but I saw no reason to involve a 1st rounder for a player like him. I don't care that we got their 2nd. I still have faith in JR. The long offseason will do wonders for this team.

I also believe JR has something else up his sleeve.
- madmike71

I think most of us thought that last season as well but we started the season as is. The team is far from bad & he doesn't have to do anything just yet. Let the team gel, the players get chemistry & watch what happens. I know our C position is very well covered though! Id even go as far to say at this very early stage, if the team plays well without injury I can see a great start to the season heading into Xmas. From there onward & beyond.....

So I don't think he is going to do anything unless another GM throws something ridiculous at him.

Good read on the guys from Capfriendly if you have a subscription to The Athletic.

https://theathletic.com/4...-insiders-and-fans-alike/

they did that last year and they were kept afloat by a ridiculous PP. Skinner is a guy that was top 5 in 5v5 goals over the last year or 2, addressing exactly what the Pens problems were.
- j.boyd919

5v5 must definitely improve, but at that time we had, what, some 5,x% shooting-percentage... so there should be alot potential (starting with Sid) from inside the roster.

Personally I think Iggy was could have been a good fit, just utilized improperly by Bylsma.
- j.boyd919

Agreed, but his attitude after losses "just want to have fun" was far from "i want to win!"... (i mean, we have gone all-in that deadline...)

I personally am not a fan of Skinner, but if a deal could be reached involving picks and prospects for Patches (not likely), I'd do it.
- madmike71

For a 1y-rental i would also go with Patches over Skinner.

Good read on the guys from Capfriendly if you have a subscription to The Athletic.
- madmike71

Follow that site from the first public beta, and guys are great to deal with and encouraged for suggestions... was easy to see that it will be the successor of CapGeek.

For a 1y-rental i would also go with Patches over Skinner.
- VeryModernMan

I agree with this statement. I think Patches is a better fit to Sullys system. I am hoping the Skinner trade set the bar for what it costs for top wingers so that we could land someone like Patches for a prospect a 2nd 3rd and 6th. Or possibly in our case a prospect, a player (so we can take back his salary) a 2nd and 6th. So we can keep our 1st for another trade if needed or even keep it for next years draft

This. Giving up the 30th overall pick in the draft in 2016 had no consequences as we got Kessel and won a cup. However I understand the weariness of the UFAs. Guys like Iginla and Morrow weren't fits. However I'm less worried about that with Rutherford because it seems he's more concerned with fit then with prestige.
- Thrill81

Morrow actually did fit in until he split his knee cap. Bylsma screwed that super team up so bad. I get so mad every time that team is brought up because it was so easy of what to do with the lines and bylsma's"system" and decisions screwed it up

I was surprised to see Skinner go so cheap. He can still score and has a nice shot. I don't think we could have handled his salary unless we traded players of similar salary. That would probably have killed that dean with the Canes. Thems' the breaks fellas.

Not sure his return for ROR was good? I thought he could/should have got more especially considering the need for C in a lot of teams. The Blues won that 1 I think.
- Aussiepenguin

Eh, the ROR trade was a little underwhelming to me. I don't understand why they got rid of him if they were going to grab to Skinner, but I don't follow Buffalo, did he have some locker room problems?

I like what Botterill has done. I definitely miss having him around.
- j.boyd919

Correct me if I'm wrong, but Botts was our main guy for the salary cap. I miss that a lot too.

Morrow actually did fit in until he split his knee cap. Bylsma screwed that super team up so bad. I get so mad every time that team is brought up because it was so easy of what to do with the lines and bylsma's"system" and decisions screwed it up
- 668710

I agree with that. The 2013 finally added some depth for Sid and Geno. Even the 2014 team had some depth, albeit the 4th line wasn't that good if I remember, but it's only a 4th line. Bylsma was a guy I liked in 2009 but not sure where he went wrong, just that he did.

Morrow actually did fit in until he split his knee cap. Bylsma screwed that super team up so bad. I get so mad every time that team is brought up because it was so easy of what to do with the lines and bylsma's"system" and decisions screwed it up
- 668710