Oh god no

‘Penguins Free Agent Rumor: Pens, Wayne Simmonds Could Fit’

https://pittsburghhockeyn...wayne-simmonds-could-fit/
- Thorny87

Simmonds is a worse version of Hornqvist who is tougher. Crap, that sounds like the type of mistake JR would make.

Simmonds is a worse version of Hornqvist who is tougher. Crap, that sounds like the type of mistake JR would make.
- Tojo.

Even with the JJ contract, I've stayed on the Rutherford bandwagon. I can't deny I've teetered a couple of times....especially with the Gudbranson trade, but I'm still hanging on. If Rutherford signs Simonds, I'M DONE! I'm grabbing a torch and pitchfork and storming PPG's front doors.

Love to see that you’re still salty about a stupid “top 100” list 😂

Even with the JJ contract, I've stayed on the Rutherford bandwagon. I can't deny I've teetered a couple of times....especially with the Gudbranson trade, but I'm still hanging on. If Rutherford signs Simonds, I'M DONE! I'm grabbing a torch and pitchfork and storming PPG's front doors.
- madmike71

I've wavered at the JJ signing and Gudbranson trade, though so far the latter has been good. But, overall I like the moves he's made post JJ and the direction he's taken them.

Hagelin trade stunk, but at the time looked like a calculated risk on a buy low. Pettersson is the type of defenseman I've been craving for that 2nd LD spot. The Florida trade was out right robbery dumping two anchors and a 2nd for two young middle six players. Liked the Maatta trade, and so far Gudbranson as been a nice way to address toughness with a guy who actually helps.

As a possession guy, outside of the Hagelin trade they've mostly moved out their worst guys (Sprong, Brassard, Sheahan, Pearson, Maatta, Cullen) for guys that have so far excelled (Pettersson, Bjugstad, Gudbranson, Kahun, with McCann breaking even).

JJ, Schultz, and Phil stand out, but Schultz and Kessel at least provide offense. Think this team could really tilt the ice next year, which with their collection of finishers can be a lethal combo. So long a Murray keeps his second half form, I see a better season.

I've wavered at the JJ signing and Gudbranson trade, though so far the latter has been good. But, overall I like the moves he's made post JJ and the direction he's taken them.

Hagelin trade stunk, but at the time looked like a calculated risk on a buy low. Pettersson is the type of defenseman I've been craving for that 2nd LD spot. The Florida trade was out right robbery dumping two anchors and a 2nd for two young middle six players. Liked the Maatta trade, and so far Gudbranson as been a nice way to address toughness with a guy who actually helps.

As a possession guy, outside of the Hagelin trade they've mostly moved out their worst guys (Sprong, Brassard, Sheahan, Pearson, Maatta, Cullen) for guys that have so far excelled (Pettersson, Bjugstad, Gudbranson, Kahun, with McCann breaking even).



JJ, Schultz, and Phil stand out, but Schultz and Kessel at least provide offense. Think this team could really tilt the ice next year, which with their collection of finishers can be a lethal combo. So long a Murray keeps his second half form, I see a better season.
- Tojo.

I think the whole Reeves/Brassard trade was by first his worst example of his trade ability. He did right it a bit with McCann and Bjustad but it set in motion 2 seasons of bad hockey and pieces that could have been managed better.

I think the big question is Kessel....Does he want to be a Pen? Does the team want him?

I think the whole Reeves/Brassard trade was by first his worst example of his trade ability. He did right it a bit with McCann and Bjustad but it set in motion 2 seasons of bad hockey and pieces that could have been managed better.

I think the big question is Kessel....Does he want to be a Pen? Does the team want him?
- sammy87

I don't think Kessel wants to be a Penguin anymore and I don't think the team wants him anymore either.... Phil does want to strongarm to HIS new spot though

If the Pens could somehow sign Panarin (10 mill per) They could afford to move out Kessel for a low return, (think a prospect and a pick) If they could package that with JJ to dump him onto another team then the moneys even and the teams vastly improved

You could view it as Kessel and JJ for Panarin and I do that all day every day

TIOPS (grain of salt) seems to believe the Pens are not done revamping their d-core wanting an impact move for their top two pairings, but no specifics on how or who.

I of course WANT to believe this is true as it would likely mean another dman being shipped out, most likely JJ. But again, it's TIOPS, so I'm not taking it too seriously.

I don't think Kessel wants to be a Penguin anymore and I don't think the team wants him anymore either.... Phil does want to strongarm to HIS new spot though

If the Pens could somehow sign Panarin (10 mill per) They could afford to move out Kessel for a low return, (think a prospect and a pick) If they could package that with JJ to dump him onto another team then the moneys even and the teams vastly improved

You could view it as Kessel and JJ for Panarin and I do that all day every day
- RoloTahmasee

If he can move Kessel and JJ he in theory can sign Planarian for that.....which all would be forgiven.

If he can move Kessel and JJ he in theory can sign Planarian for that.....which all would be forgiven.
- sammy87

Kessel would have to be moved for almost a complete cap-dump which is not impossible, but giving the difficulty of moving him for a hockey trade, you're now creating an even smaller pool.

I've toyed with various scenarios involving a Jack Johnson move. I have to think getting his salary off the books completely is HUGELY unlikely. The Pens would either be taking back a bad salary or retaining salary.

TIOPS (grain of salt) seems to believe the Pens are not done revamping their d-core wanting an impact move for their top two pairings, but no specifics on how or who.

I of course WANT to believe this is true as it would likely mean another dman being shipped out, most likely JJ. But again, it's TIOPS, so I'm not taking it too seriously.
- Rinosaur

Friedman reported in his latest 31 thoughts that the Pens have high interest in Trouba but wondered how a deal would get done... as do I

Friedman reported in his latest 31 thoughts that the Pens have high interest in Trouba but wondered how a deal would get done... as do I
- kfinl170

TIOPS also reported this a few days ago. Let's say there's some truth to this. There's a few scenarios I would see playing out based on all the reports I've read in the media:

1) The Pens move on from Letang. I can only hope this isn't true and just stupid media reports like the Malkin crap, but who knows. This would obviously free up the space needed depending on how a Letang trade plays out.

I don't view Trouba as a #1 dman and I think the Pens would take a massive hit by moving Letang and replacing him with Trouba.

2) The Pens move out Schultz and one other roster player, preferably JJ, but could be someone like Rust.

3) Somehow the Pens find a way to move Kessel as a 100% cap-dump for futures.

TIOPS also reported this a few days ago. Let's say there's some truth to this. There's a few scenarios I would see playing out based on all the reports I've read in the media:

1) The Pens move on from Letang. I can only hope this isn't true and just stupid media reports like the Malkin crap, but who knows. This would obviously free up the space needed depending on how a Letang trade plays out.

I don't view Trouba as a #1 dman and I think the Pens would take a massive hit by moving Letang and replacing him with Trouba.

2) The Pens move out Schultz and one other roster player, preferably JJ, but could be someone like Rust.

3) Somehow the Pens find a way to move Kessel as a 100% cap-dump for futures.
- Rinosaur

Trouba is not a #1 defender in this league. Getting him and moving on from Schultz isnt a bad idea, but using him to replace Letang would be a huge mistake.

Trouba is not a #1 defender in this league. Getting him and moving on from Schultz isnt a bad idea, but using him to replace Letang would be a huge mistake.
- burgh4life87

100% Agreed.

TIOPS also reported this a few days ago. Let's say there's some truth to this. There's a few scenarios I would see playing out based on all the reports I've read in the media:

1) The Pens move on from Letang. I can only hope this isn't true and just stupid media reports like the Malkin crap, but who knows. This would obviously free up the space needed depending on how a Letang trade plays out.

I don't view Trouba as a #1 dman and I think the Pens would take a massive hit by moving Letang and replacing him with Trouba.

2) The Pens move out Schultz and one other roster player, preferably JJ, but could be someone like Rust.

3) Somehow the Pens find a way to move Kessel as a 100% cap-dump for futures.
- Rinosaur

#2 is the way this all works. The Jets needs to have interest in Justin Schultz as a Trouba replacement with a year in reasonable term left and the trade needs to revolve around that.

#2 is the way this all works. The Jets needs to have interest in Justin Schultz as a Trouba replacement with a year in reasonable term left and the trade needs to revolve around that.
- Victoro311

I agree, but after JR voiced his issues on the complacency of the Pens I'm concerned about what he thinks is necessary to change that around.

Hagelin signed with caps 4 years 2.750mill AAV

Hagelin signed with caps 4 years 2.750mill AAV
- jso97

Good use of freeing up that Niskanen money... NOT

I'm a fan of Hagelin and was hoping there was a shot of him returning, but I think that's too much.

Hagelin signed with caps 4 years 2.750mill AAV
- jso97

2.75 is a fair bit more reasonable than 4 mill for the production he brings, especially with the cap up again now.

Good use of freeing up that Niskanen money... NOT

I'm a fan of Hagelin and was hoping there was a shot of him returning, but I think that's too much.
- Rinosaur

Agree 100%

Hagelin signed with caps 4 years 2.750mill AAV
- jso97

I’d definitely pass on that. Good for him though.

Even with the JJ contract, I've stayed on the Rutherford bandwagon. I can't deny I've teetered a couple of times....especially with the Gudbranson trade, but I'm still hanging on. If Rutherford signs Simonds, I'M DONE! I'm grabbing a torch and pitchfork and storming PPG's front doors.
- madmike71

What If signs Simmonds and then gets the rights to Trouba, trades Johnson and signs Gardiner?

I’d definitely pass on that. Good for him though.
- Victoro311

He was 6% of the cap when he was with the Pens and now he's 4% of the Cap's cap. I think for what he brings 2.75 isnt bad and he's not a player who's skating I see going to sh!t in the next 3 or 4 years. Besides the flash in the pan HBK line, production was never ever his thing, really. His biggest asset is his D/PKing from his speed IMO and I think he will continue to be good at those things.

I figured 2.0 to 2.5 per was fair for him.

What If signs Simmonds and then gets the rights to Trouba, trades Johnson and signs Gardiner?
- nateca44

Um... what?

2.75 is a fair bit more reasonable than 4 mill for the production he brings, especially with the cap up again now.
- MattStrat

Fast guys who can't score are usually available for 900k

When he got 4 million, that was with the Ducks as he was leaving the Rags when he was still young and viewed as having "Potential" as a 20 goal man

I like Hags, but too many of those deals and all of a sudden you have 12-15 million tied up in spare parts that you could use to get bonafide game breakers

Fast guys who can't score are usually available for 900k

When he got 4 million, that was with the Ducks as he was leaving the Rags when he was still young and viewed as having "Potential" as a 20 goal man

I like Hags, but too many of those deals and all of a sudden you have 12-15 million tied up in spare parts that you could use to get bonafide game breakers
- RoloTahmasee

Those type of fast guys are either on entry level deals it they're fast and otherwise stink. Hags is an elite play driver and PKer that is offensively gifted enough to play 3rd line but not really top 6. That's actually great value for what he brings and the Caps are a win now team with a closing window.

The question of course is how long until he declines and how that effects him, which is why I wouldn't want that term for a gifted 3rd liner.