It is looking like JJ will not be traded.

The question is, does JR do anything else to upgrade the D?

Letang-Dumo
Pets-Shultz
JJ-Guds
Rudy-Rikolla

IDK, its a lot of hope that Riccola and Pets make a big jump....Isnt there some Swedish Dman in the farm?
- sammy87

Rutherford did an interview with Madden yesterday. Not much new ground covered but I was intrigued when Madden asked him how close he was to making another move and Rutherford responded that he's down the road with several conversations and said he wouldn't be surprise if another deal happens this week.

It is looking like JJ will not be traded.

The question is, does JR do anything else to upgrade the D?

Letang-Dumo
Pets-Shultz
JJ-Guds
Rudy-Rikolla

IDK, its a lot of hope that Riccola and Pets make a big jump....Isnt there some Swedish Dman in the farm?
- sammy87

They got one longshot rookie, Almari, who won't be ready this year. Addison is about it in the system. Expect GMJR to sign a few vets July 1st to 2 way deals for depth, or maybe someone like Trotman or Czuczman returning.

Not impressed by the Flyers off-season moves so far. Braun for 2 picks is a downgrade from Gudas, they're essentially paying Niskanen 7M this year, and Hayes has been basically a 40+ point center.
- Tojo.

I really like AV as a coach. Losing Gudas sucks but if Nisky stays healthy then he’s an upgrade in the transition game. I imagine Fletcher has probably talked with Gudas’ agent and figures he’s going to lose him anyways because they have so many other defenders to retain

The Brain trade was an overpayment and was gross. He’s good on the P.K. and there were talks that Philly wanted to improve there

Check out Hayes’ TOI. When he gets legit 2C minutes then he produces more. I imagine his QoT is going to go up in Philly as well. Somebody was going to pay him whether it was back in NY, Dallas, or Buffalo. Turns out Philly is ok letting Patrick Nolan play 3C or wing. Panik is probably getting over 4, Nyquist is probably going to get around 7, Duchene and Panarin will get 10-11 with lots of SBs. The market hath been set!

They got one longshot rookie, Almari, who won't be ready this year. Addison is about it in the system. Expect GMJR to sign a few vets July 1stto 2 way deals for depth, or maybe someone like Trotman or Czuczman returning.
- Tojo.

Phaneuf for $1M, 1 year prove me deal lol 🤮

Similar to how everyone said 2.75 is too much for Hagelin. I look forward to hearing more of how everyone else overpays for everything. This reminds me of the Oshie contract in some regards. A lot to live up to early on and then something likely not able to live up to down the road. It’s EXACTLY show everyone felt about Weber, Letang, ROR, and Kessel - who’s 6.8 looks better and better every day

Rutherford did an interview with Madden yesterday. Not much new ground covered but I was intrigued when Madden asked him how close he was to making another move and Rutherford responded that he's down the road with several conversations and said he wouldn't be surprise if another deal happens this week.
- madmike71

Interesting. I’m really hoping we unload a couple contracts still. Off course we’ll have to receive other contracts back.

Phaneuf for $1M, 1 year prove me deal lol 🤮
- Barnaby36

If this is what it takes to move on from JJ then I’m all for it. We would have a gritty, sheltered third pairing. I just read a post on dion: for as bad as he is, he’s actually not terrible at stepping up and not giving up his own blue line. We could use some more of that and getting rid of JJ is enticing in itself

Similar to how everyone said 2.75 is too much for Hagelin. I look forward to hearing more of how everyone else overpays for everything. This reminds me of the Oshie contract in some regards. A lot to live up to early on and then something likely not able to live up to down the road. It’s EXACTLY show everyone felt about Weber, Letang, ROR, and Kessel - who’s 6.8 looks better and better every day
- WSCTeton17

Phil’s contract is a still considering we are only paying him $6.8M to score a PPG. I hope he is motivated to get another cup with us otherwise trade his ass for cap space.

I really like AV as a coach. Losing Gudas sucks but if Nisky stays healthy then he’s an upgrade in the transition game. I imagine Fletcher has probably talked with Gudas’ agent and figures he’s going to lose him anyways because they have so many other defenders to retain

The Brain trade was an overpayment and was gross. He’s good on the P.K. and there were talks that Philly wanted to improve there

Check out Hayes’ TOI. When he gets legit 2C minutes then he produces more. I imagine his QoT is going to go up in Philly as well. Somebody was going to pay him whether it was back in NY, Dallas, or Buffalo. Turns out Philly is ok letting Patrick Nolan play 3C or wing. Panik is probably getting over 4, Nyquist is probably going to get around 7, Duchene and Panarin will get 10-11 with lots of SBs. The market hath been set!
- WSCTeton17

Hayes is a good C to have but he got overpaid by a couple millions. Perhaps $5-5.5M was his worth.

If this is what it takes to move on from JJ then I’m all for it. We would have a gritty, sheltered third pairing. I just read a post on dion: for as bad as he is, he’s actually not terrible at stepping up and not giving up his own blue line. We could use some more of that and getting rid of JJ is enticing in itself
- WSCTeton17

I probably would take Dion for $1M on this team tbh...but JJ has to go in fact.

I probably would take Dion for $1M on this team tbh...but JJ has to go in fact.
- Barnaby36

As Boyd has referred to a few times - Jordie Benn would be ideal on the left side

I highly doubt Skinner, Karlsson, and Hayes just took these big money deals and all of these other guys (Duchene, Gardiner, Gus etc) are going to go based off old comparables. I mean, RW just talked about judging contracts based off their cap hit %. League revenues keep going up and the new TV deals will rise as well, with it the cap will continue to rise. Even if the cap is $81.5MM that’s still a 2.5% increase over last season.

I’m not going to be Shocked when Trouba gets $8MM and I won’t be shocked when Gardiner gets $7MM. Hopefully the next CBA shortens the RFA period by at least 2 years

Lol wut. Yeah staying ahead of the competition worked out real well the last 2 seasons.
- j.boyd919

Lol wut. We just won back to back cups two seasons ago on him changing things.

Spoiled fans like you give the rest of us a bad name. I appreciate how hard it is to build a team that can win a cup, let alone one that wins back to back. We don’t win those cups without JR, you don’t have to agree with his moves but a real fan of the game would at least give him his due.

Respect goes a long way kid, I’m rooting for you to figure it out.

I was looking at the sharks salary cap, and they could be a good team to trade with. They have 16 mil to sign Pavelski, Meier, Labanc, Thornton, Donskoi, and Nyquist. They’ll probably let Nyquist and Donskoi walk, but Pavelski could easily get $8+ mil, and Meier and Labanc could get $4+ mil each, which would eat up the rest of their cap space. I wonder if the pens could try to work a deal with the 1st round pick and ZAR or Simon for Meier.

Rutherford did an interview with Madden yesterday. Not much new ground covered but I was intrigued when Madden asked him how close he was to making another move and Rutherford responded that he's down the road with several conversations and said he wouldn't be surprise if another deal happens this week.
- madmike71

I still think its possible Kessel could be traded. Rutherford is posturing to rebuild the demand. After free agency teams will see Kessel at 6.8 is good value. Im still torn, I wouldn't give him away but I find it disheartening that he can't play on Sid or Malkin's line, same with Hornqvist. I am happy JR is revamping the forwards with some younger and faster guys.

I was looking at the sharks salary cap, and they could be a good team to trade with. They have 16 mil to sign Pavelski, Meier, Labanc, Thornton, Donskoi, and Nyquist. They’ll probably let Nyquist and Donskoi walk, but Pavelski could easily get $8+ mil, and Meier and Labanc could get $4+ mil each, which would eat up the rest of their cap space. I wonder if the pens could try to work a deal with the 1st round pick and ZAR or Simon for Meier.
- drummer829

Not a chance. Meier just had a great season and likely gets in the 7-7.5 range AAV. Labanc likely gets 5+ as well. Plenty of rumors that Donskoi will be gone and Gus will be as well. Look for them to trade Dell and sign a backup to the league minimum. I bet Dillon gets moved too

Wouldn’t surprise me to see Pavelski walk, it’s been discussed for a long time now. You’re correct in that they can’t keep everyone, but they’re not going to let go of top 6 RFAs for cheap. If Hayes as a rental is worth a 1st and a roster player then these guys are worth quite a bit more

I still think its possible Kessel could be traded. Rutherford is posturing to rebuild the demand. After free agency teams will see Kessel at 6.8 is good value. Im still torn, I wouldn't give him away but I find it disheartening that he can't play on Sid or Malkin's line, same with Hornqvist. I am happy JR is revamping the forwards with some younger and faster guys.
- nelson911

I feel the same. With contracts heading north Kessel’s contract is becoming more and more valuable

Not a chance. Meier just had a great season and likely gets in the 7-7.5 range AAV. Labanc likely gets 5+ as well. Plenty of rumors that Donskoi will be gone and Gus will be as well. Look for them to trade Dell and sign a backup to the league minimum. I bet Dillon gets moved too

Wouldn’t surprise me to see Pavelski walk, it’s been discussed for a long time now. You’re correct in that they can’t keep everyone, but they’re not going to let go of top 6 RFAs for cheap. If Hayes as a rental is worth a 1st and a roster player then these guys are worth quite a bit more
- WSCTeton17

I guess it depends what route they want to take. Stick with Pavelski and possibly lose Labanc or Meier, or go with Meier and Labanc and lose Pavelski. If Pavelski gets 7, Meier gets 6, and Labanc gets 5 (all low numbers) that’s $18 mil. If I’m a rival, I’m throwing offer sheets at Meier and Labanc for sure. Avs could do that no problem

Not sure if I’ve shared this yet: Kevin Hayes

https://twitter.com/ineff.../1141177179381882881?s=21

Your D pairings would look a whole lot better with Cole next to Schultz and Petts with Oleksiak
- WSCTeton17

I'm drooling over the thought we could have had Oleksiak and Gudbranson as our bottom pairing D and traded JJ. Heck i'm just drooling over trading JJ and having Cole or Oleksiak back

I probably would take Dion for $1M on this team tbh...but JJ has to go in fact.
- Barnaby36

Agreed. I would even take Dion at 1 year for 2-3 million if it meant we got rid of JJ.

I feel the same. With contracts heading north Kessel’s contract is becoming more and more valuable
- WSCTeton17

This is one reason why I think JR will eventually trade Kessel. I feel as the prices go up for free agents, GM's will start to call JR over Kessel and his contract. Offers for him in theory should get better since his contract is becoming a steal. I also think that is why JR is stating he wouldn't rule out trading anyone.

Oh good another JJ circle jerk.
You've all gone insane, JJ is not important to the teams success. JJ wasnt the reason the Pens got swept, they lost because they had no team identity. They played no discipline hockey and constantly forced plays right into the Isles counter attack. When the chips were down the team packed it in, last years team lacked the necessary leadership to right the ship.

JR makes one bad signing and people are calling him among the leagues worst?! He built back to back Stanley Cups, probably could have gotten the third if Malkin wasnt injured in the first round.

JR knows what it takes to win the cup, he is proven that by winning 3! Name another GM in the game that can say the same.
- stackthepads

Where is your statistical evidence? Sid has to play with Simon, Malkin and Kessel are on the same line playing two different styles on their own terms, Letang trying to win the cup himself and Pettersson and Gudbransson are playing sound smart defense and putting up tangible offense. Let’s blame it all on Gudbransson and JJ though. That’s the easy thing to do on paper.

I just think the Stanley Cup is hard to win.
- j.boyd919

I know you do and when you say that I totally 100 % agree. It's the hardest trophy to win sports IMO. Even harder when you consider the issues we're talking about. Pens were playing damn solid hockey in March. Then a bunch of players returned in the last week or so of season.

After watching St Louis I’m not completely sure the post Sid/Malkin era is going to be that bad. Any NHL caliber team that is buying into what the coach is saying and willing to out work the skill on the other side of the redline can win. I mean can you imagine Malkin/Kessel line going up against the 4th line of the blues during that run? It’s so frustrating when you have the skill but not the other sh it. The other sh it is simply a choice.

I’m also thinking just having a guy like Gudbransson around the team for the entire season is going to be a big help. Maybe he will female dog slap Kessel a few times when he’s acting like a spoiled little American.