It has honestly felt like Brassard has dragged ass because he didn't want to play 3rd fiddle the entire time he has been in Pittsburgh.

Point being, he HAS to step it up or he is going to cost himself millions. No way they should give him away, needs to be a haul.
- MacPatty

If that's the reason he hasn't played well we should definitely dump him. Pretty gutless way to think. He's costing himself money....no doubt about that.

I've been wondering if they should let him play LW on Geno's line.

Seth Jones is great

If that's the reason he hasn't played well we should definitely dump him. Pretty gutless way to think. He's costing himself money....no doubt about that.

I've been wondering if they should let him play LW on Geno's line.
- madmike71

OH I agree but you have to think that Sheehan can handle 3C duties if you do. I dont think Brass returns much as a rental. I dont think one of the expendable Dmen and the 1st returns a 3C either. So IDK

OH I agree but you have to think that Sheehan can handle 3C duties if you do. I dont think Brass returns much as a rental. I dont think one of the expendable Dmen and the 1st returns a 3C either. So IDK
- sammy87

I'm still all for the Spezza rental experiment. Spezza (50% retained) for Brassard and a pick. I've said it lots with mixed results but I think he definitely makes us a better, deeper team and wouldn't cost as much as a guy like Hayes or even Faksa.

I have an offseason idea. What if Tampa dumps off Callahan and JT Miller to the Devils for maybe like Blake Coleman, Santini, and a pick and then NJ decides they want to continue rebuilding (even though Miller will only be 26 next season) so the Pens put together a package for him?

Gotta figure the Devils could use more goaltending in their system so Jarry makes sense, a 1st definitely makes sense, I think a young RFA like ZAR makes sense, and then maybe we send over Riikola as well?

Tampa gets the cap space while staying young and competitive, New Jersey gets futures amounting to Callahan (maybe dealt with salary retained), Jarry, 1st, ZAR, Riikola. Maybe the Pens add a 2021 3rd rounder or something to get it done?

I think it sounds like a really good idea, but he's like a younger version of Brassard (only much more physical and really just better). I say that meaning that he puts up quite a few points on the powerplay, which is time he likely wouldn't see in Pitt, and again he'd be on the 3rd line (though likely getting more TOI than he sees in Tampa rn).

I still would rather try Spezza now to see if it might be a viable option for next season as well. I would hate to lose Sheahan, but it sounds like we're good with Blueger as 4C moving forward

I'm still all for the Spezza rental experiment. Spezza (50% retained) for Brassard and a pick. I've said it lots with mixed results but I think he definitely makes us a better, deeper team and wouldn't cost as much as a guy like Hayes or even Faksa.

I have an offseason idea. What if Tampa dumps off Callahan and JT Miller to the Devils for maybe like Blake Coleman, Santini, and a pick and then NJ decides they want to continue rebuilding (even though Miller will only be 26 next season) so the Pens put together a package for him?

Gotta figure the Devils could use more goaltending in their system so Jarry makes sense, a 1st definitely makes sense, I think a young RFA like ZAR makes sense, and then maybe we send over Riikola as well?

Tampa gets the cap space while staying young and competitive, New Jersey gets futures amounting to Callahan (maybe dealt with salary retained), Jarry, 1st, ZAR, Riikola. Maybe the Pens add a 2021 3rd rounder or something to get it done?

I think it sounds like a really good idea, but he's like a younger version of Brassard (only much more physical and really just better). I say that meaning that he puts up quite a few points on the powerplay, which is time he likely wouldn't see in Pitt, and again he'd be on the 3rd line (though likely getting more TOI than he sees in Tampa rn).

I still would rather try Spezza now to see if it might be a viable option for next season as well. I would hate to lose Sheahan, but it sounds like we're good with Blueger as 4C moving forward
- WSCTeton17

You keep bringing up Spezza. The Stars are not sellers.

The All Star Skills is an event where you might get some casual fans to tune in and NBC can’t help but keep throwing out dated, bland, and creepy personalities to cover this sport.


On behalf of the province of Quebec, I would like to present my most sincere apologies for the presence of Renaud Lavoie.

You keep bringing up Spezza. The Stars are not sellers.
- Victoro311

I, among others, do not understand how going from Spezza to Brassard is viewed as Dallas selling. Brassard had almost as many points last season as Spezza had last season AND this season. Spezza is older. He's not even playing center in Dallas right now.

The odds of Dallas bringing Spezza back are extremely slim. He's a career center, why would he go back to a place that plays him mostly on the wing? However, I would say the odds of Brassard playing more like last year than this year if he went to Dallas are better than not (especially in a contract year) AND if he's a success then why wouldn't Dallas want to re-sign him and keep him as their 2C moving forward?

So, it's clearly not selling from a Stars perspective. I already know my friends who are Stars fans like the deal. From a Pens perspective, are there other reasons why we don't like it? Do we feel he's completely done? Won't mesh with Phil? That's the problem I have. We bring in another center, we pay more for him and then there's still no guarantee that he has chemistry with Phil or anyone else for that matter. Spezza for Brass is low risk. Brassard's 46 points last year would've put him 5th on Dallas last year, 4th among forwards and his 41 ES points would put him only 3 back of Klingberg and 8 back of Radulov. Spezza last year had 11 PPP, so only 15 at ES. It's absolutely not selling from their perspective

The Metro division is the best and Sidney Crosby is the best. Nothing new here.

The Metro division is the best and Sidney Crosby is the best. Nothing new here.
- martox

Where’s Martox and what did you do with him?

Where’s Martox and what did you do with him?
- Rinosaur

oh poop. I let it slip.

I wish I DVR'ed the game when he said "I once coached Mario Lemieux" . I guess being a scout is equivalent to being a coach in his world. Being a scout was actually probably the only thing he was ever good at, especially since he seems to know what peewee team each player played for.
- PghPens668771

McGuire was an assistant coach for the Pens in 1992.

Besides the overwhelming Jack D ick face in Boston no announcer ever really bothers me. It’s their job to talk about a hockey game for the entirety of it. Hockey gets more boring and robotic by the minute. “Bryan Rust skates real fast and loses the puck in the corner”. “Picked up by another Bryan Rust type player who skates really fast and loses the puck”. “Back to the defensemen that hasn’t hit someone in 36 games this season”. “The chatter between the benches is really nice tonight, It seems the guys are making plans for a fortnight convention this spring, as long as they don’t make the playoffs”.

The Barzal-Crosby-Letang trio was VERY dominant last night. All 3 awesome and skilled players.

Besides the overwhelming Jack D ick face in Boston no announcer ever really bothers me. It’s their job to talk about a hockey game for the entirety of it. Hockey gets more boring and robotic by the minute. “Bryan Rust skates real fast and loses the puck in the corner”. “Picked up by another Bryan Rust type player who skates really fast and loses the puck”. “Back to the defensemen that hasn’t hit someone in 36 games this season”. “The chatter between the benches is really nice tonight, It seems the guys are making plans for a fortnight convention this spring, as long as they don’t make the playoffs”.
- Grinder47

Here to more Barnaby's in today's games.

Besides the overwhelming Jack D ick face in Boston no announcer ever really bothers me. It’s their job to talk about a hockey game for the entirety of it. Hockey gets more boring and robotic by the minute. “Bryan Rust skates real fast and loses the puck in the corner”. “Picked up by another Bryan Rust type player who skates really fast and loses the puck”. “Back to the defensemen that hasn’t hit someone in 36 games this season”. “The chatter between the benches is really nice tonight, It seems the guys are making plans for a fortnight convention this spring, as long as they don’t make the playoffs”.
- Grinder47

Getting pucks deep as not turn it directly over, trying to establish a forecheck, dishing it up to a defender who’s wide open who constantly meets a winger who’s in his shooting lane.. there’s a reason why so many play like this these days and it’s how they’re being coached. Many of these coaches are still part of your old boys club. So why would they coach their players in such a manner? Times have changed, man

Seth Jones is great
- Thorny87

keith jones not so much

OH I agree but you have to think that Sheehan can handle 3C duties if you do. I dont think Brass returns much as a rental. I dont think one of the expendable Dmen and the 1st returns a 3C either. So IDK
- sammy87

He can handle 3C but it would a prayer answered if he could be the 4C (and sullivan plays him that way). The expendable dmen is (frank)ing useless. the first and brass might fetch something

He can handle 3C but it would a prayer answered if he could be the 4C (and sullivan plays him that way). The expendable dmen is (frank)ing useless. the first and brass might fetch something
- DeflatedPucks

I think Sheahan can play the 3rd line center role. I have a feeling Sheahan gets moved out in a ferland trade, but I hope not. I think Sheahan can play well especially if given another shot. I think if Brassard is traded he is worth more if a 3rd line center isnt coming back (most are saying the absolute top we can get for Brassard is a 1st plus a prospect). I would take a 1st for Brassard. Then maybe package one of our D plus 2 firsts for a center if they dont have faith in Sheahan. I think Sheahan can do it. He does show flashes from time to time of being good. As someone stated earlier though I think Brassard may stay put. I have heard Penguins were looking at Brian Boyle earlier in the season. I think a move for someone like him (an off the radar player) is what JR might do if Brassard is traded in my opinion. I also think Ferland comes to Pitt in a trade.

Watching all the interviews makes me miss Flower. His personality and constant smile...such a great guy.

The Metro division is the best and Sidney Crosby is the best. Nothing new here.
- martox

Damnit Martox! If you jinxed him I'll never forgive you!!!! Lol