I thought roster was the bigger problem. Still think Sully is a good coach, not perfect, but better than most. He's hardly the first coach to clash with Phil.

Pre-deadline moves, the roster was a mess. Nobody stepped into Schultz minutes on the right side until Gudbranson was added. Brassard, Pearson, and Sheahan we're mucking up the roster. Then he had to figure out if McCann or Bjugstad was the 3C and where the rest of the pieces fit.

Hard to settle on lines with all those problems. Hoping for more stability this year.
- Tojo.

Stability and familiarity are key for a rosters success IMO. Pile of trades last year then a pile of injuries made that stuff almost impossible.

Keep in mind Kessels P/M was -19. He was more harm than good. We need a different type of player (2-way). Hopefully they can convince Kessel to play elsewhere. I am all for trading him if we get fair value

Keep in mind Kessels P/M was -19. He was more harm than good. We need a different type of player (2-way). Hopefully they can convince Kessel to play elsewhere. I am all for trading him if we get fair value
- Pens_Jr_GM

Plus minus is a retarded stat to use as player evaluation. Try again.

Just have to patient until free agency begins. Once key players are off the market, potential talks could come to existence. The teams in the final, play with structure and it’s a copy cat league these days.

Plus minus is a retarded stat to use as player evaluation. Try again.
- j.boyd919

I understand what your saying but just proves time and time again Kessel is only a wrist shot goal scoring threat. You need to contribute more that a wrist shot. Ill take a coachable 2 way player that gives us more of a balance on both sides than a guy with a wrist shot every time.

I understand what your saying but just proves time and time again Kessel is only a wrist shot goal scoring threat. You need to contribute more that a wrist shot. Ill take a coachable 2 way player that gives us more of a balance on both sides than a guy with a wrist shot every time.
- Pens_Jr_GM

No. No it doesn’t. It doesn’t prove anything.

I understand what your saying but just proves time and time again Kessel is only a wrist shot goal scoring threat. You need to contribute more that a wrist shot. Ill take a coachable 2 way player that gives us more of a balance on both sides than a guy with a wrist shot every time.
- Pens_Jr_GM

He's also a world class passer and skater...

Stability and familiarity are key for a rosters success IMO. Pile of trades last year then a pile of injuries made that stuff almost impossible.
- MattStrat

Agree. Hoping with all full season they can make the pieces fit better. Not sure how they get out of the JJ problem, but hopefully a few guys bounce back and they have a better idea on how to use all the newer players.

I understand what your saying but just proves time and time again Kessel is only a wrist shot goal scoring threat. You need to contribute more that a wrist shot. Ill take a coachable 2 way player that gives us more of a balance on both sides than a guy with a wrist shot every time.
- Pens_Jr_GM

Over the last 3 years, Kessel’s all strengths goal differential is a +129. Which I believe is tied for like 3rd or 4th on the team.

His 5v5 goal differential over that same time is a +18 which is on par with most 2nd or 3rd liners. His bread and butter is the PP and that is where his elite scoring outweighs is “defensive deficiencies.”

He’s an elite point producer. There’s no reason to trade that for a 2-way player.

Agree. Hoping with all full season they can make the pieces fit better. Not sure how they get out of the JJ problem, but hopefully a few guys bounce back and they have a better idea on how to use all the newer players.
- Tojo.

JJ might not even be that big of a problem if he’s sheltered on the 3rd line but the problem with that is... he’s be opposite Gudbranson, who’s larger sample size says he’s not very good and I don’t think having JJ next to him will help thing otherwise. I wish they’d just (frank)ing buy him out or dump a first for him to be gone. I don’t give a poop about that first round pick if dumping JJ makes the Pens better for the next few years.

I understand what your saying but just proves time and time again Kessel is only a wrist shot goal scoring threat. You need to contribute more that a wrist shot. Ill take a coachable 2 way player that gives us more of a balance on both sides than a guy with a wrist shot every time.
- Pens_Jr_GM

Kessel for Ryan Hartman, done.

JJ might not even be that big of a problem if he’s sheltered on the 3rd line but the problem with that is... he’s be opposite Gudbranson, who’s larger sample size says he’s not very good and I don’t think having JJ next to him will help thing otherwise. I wish they’d just (frank)ing buy him out or dump a first for him to be gone. I don’t give a poop about that first round pick if dumping JJ makes the Pens better for the next few years.
- j.boyd919

You explained why I don't see JJ on the third pair as a solution. I agree that I'd love to see them bite the bullet to move him. Expecting Gudbranson to carry JJ sounds like a disaster waiting to happen.

You explained why I don't see JJ on the third pair as a solution. I agree that I'd love to see them bite the bullet to move him. Expecting Gudbranson to carry JJ sounds like a disaster waiting to happen.
- Tojo.

If one JJ Or Guddy were moved I’d be happy. Preferably JJ. (frank) I’d rather JUST move JJ and run with

Dumo-Letang
Maatta-Schultz
Pettersson-Gudbranson

All season. Good enough for me.

If one JJ Or Guddy were moved I’d be happy. Preferably JJ. (frank) I’d rather JUST move JJ and run with

Dumo-Letang
Maatta-Schultz
Pettersson-Gudbranson

All season. Good enough for me.
- j.boyd919

I would be okay with that too. I really don’t mind Gudbranson, the player...not a fan of Gudbranson the contract. Although, I prefer it to JJ the Player AND Contract!!! LOL

Kessel for Ryan Hartman, done.
- jmatchett383

Would they do that?

Would they do that?
- Doogs

The flyers? Yeah of course. Hartman sucks lol I’m sure any team would trade a 25 point winger for a 90 point winger.

The flyers? Yeah of course. Hartman sucks lol I’m sure any team would trade a 25 point winger for a 90 point winger.
- j.boyd919

Why did I think he was in Nashville. F the Flyers. Not sending Phil there.

Why did I think he was in Nashville. F the Flyers. Not sending Phil there.
- Doogs

He used to be in Nashville

Kessel is great. Penguins need to stay the course and find dmen in free agency

The flyers? Yeah of course. Hartman sucks lol I’m sure any team would trade a 25 point winger for a 90 point winger.
- j.boyd919

A 25-point winger does not "suck."

Kessel is great. Penguins need to stay the course and find dmen in free agency
- kaptaan

Most people in the local media think he'll still be traded. Honestly... I kind of think this too. JR just doing some pre-draft posturing.

JMO, but scraping Jack Johnson off this roster is imperative.

A 25-point winger does not "suck."
- jmatchett383

In a trade where the team acquiring him gives up Kessel, yeah, he sucks.

A 25-point winger does not "suck."
- jmatchett383

Sucking is all comparative. No one in the NHL sucks compared to any of us, but a 25 point winger definitely sucks compared to Phil Kessel.

Slightly different topic:

Does the signing of Emil Larmi make Jarry expendable? And does Emil (love that name, hahaha) create an NHL tandem or does he start as the WB/ S level and DeSmith stays?

Slightly different topic:

Does the signing of Emil Larmi make Jarry expendable? And does Emil (love that name, hahaha) create an NHL tandem or does he start as the WB/ S level and DeSmith stays?
- Doogs

Jarry will be moved 'cause he'd have to clear waivers to play in WB. Somebody would claim him for sure.