I wouldn't totally discount a low return for Phil. Especially if Rutherford feels he can spend that money differently in UFA.
- madmike71

What would you wanna see from Arizona? If that's where Phil gets traded to?

Lebrun’s new article says top D men in play are Ristolainen, Subban, and Letang, admits the price on Letang is very high but says JR is definitely listening

What would you wanna see from Arizona? If that's where Phil gets traded to?
- nateca44

I really don't know. Others around here have a better grasp on some of these players than I do. I just believe the Penguins really want to move Kessel and it's a pretty limited market. Combine those things and it doesn't equal a great return. Like most of the media around here, I don't believe Rutherford's recent indifference to Kessel returning is genuine.

What would you wanna see from Arizona? If that's where Phil gets traded to?
- nateca44

Keller, Oesterle and Crouse for Kessel, Rust, JJ and one of our promising prospects

AZ sends Hossa’s contract to Ottawa for their a 3rd rounder this year and a 2nd rounder next year and buys out JJ to become cap compliant

Penguins use the cap space on not-so-Scorey Perry and keep the space to extend players next offseason

Jake-Sid-Perry
Keller-Malkin-Kahun
Simon-Bjugstad-Hornqvist
ZAR-Blueger-McCann

Dumo-Letang
Petts-Schultz
Oesterle-Gudbranson

I really don't know. Others around here have a better grasp on some of these players than I do. I just believe the Penguins really want to move Kessel and it's a pretty limited market. Combine those things and it doesn't equal a great return. Like most of the media around here, I don't believe Rutherford's recent indifference to Kessel returning is genuine.
- madmike71

I believe its inevitable as well. I'd be interested in freeing up cap and going after Dzingal or throwing a few picks at Tampa for Miller. I think those guys would be solid additions

Keller, Oesterle and Crouse for Kessel, Rust, JJ and one of our promising prospects

AZ sends Hossa’s contract to Ottawa for their a 3rd rounder this year and a 2nd rounder next year and buys out JJ to become cap compliant

Penguins use the cap space on not-so-Scorey Perry and keep the space to extend players next offseason

Jake-Sid-Perry
Keller-Malkin-Kahun
Simon-Bjugstad-Hornqvist
ZAR-Blueger-McCann

Dumo-Letang
Petts-Schultz
Oesterle-Gudbranson
- WSCTeton17

I never seen any of those guys play. Fast? They seem young so I imagine theyll be what Rutherford is looking for.

I never seen any of those guys play. Fast? They seem young so I imagine theyll be what Rutherford is looking for.
- nateca44

Oesterle is a puck mover with some offensive upside. He needs communication to succeed. Crouse set a hits record with the Coyotes this year. Keller was an NHL all star as a rookie although many now believe his absolute ceiling moving forward is closer to 65 points. He breaks up the ice looking for breakaways often, he has good hands and good puck control and a bit of a sneaky shot from in tight. He’s got great vision but he shy’s away from contact and doesn’t draw in defenders like Kane does (which opens guys up elsewhere) - he often gets beat 1 on 1 with defenders so instead he usually throws it to the D or is content to cycle the puck downward. He works harder than Phil so I think Geno would dig it

I never know how much stock to put into Mock Drafts, but I saw several that had the Pens selecting either Cam York (D) or Ryan Suzuki (C). Saw video on Suzuki and he looked very solid and heard York is like a reboot of Letang. Thoughts?

Oesterle is a puck mover with some offensive upside. He needs communication to succeed. Crouse set a hits record with the Coyotes this year. Keller was an NHL all star as a rookie although many now believe his absolute ceiling moving forward is closer to 65 points. He breaks up the ice looking for breakaways often, he has good hands and good puck control and a bit of a sneaky shot from in tight. He’s got great vision but he shy’s away from contact and doesn’t draw in defenders like Kane does (which opens guys up elsewhere) - he often gets beat 1 on 1 with defenders so instead he usually throws it to the D or is content to cycle the puck downward. He works harder than Phil so I think Geno would dig it
- WSCTeton17

That's one hell of an assessment. Thanks for that. Out of curiosity, why would Arizona give up those guys for especially if they're looking to give minimum for Kessel?

That's one hell of an assessment. Thanks for that. Out of curiosity, why would Arizona give up those guys for especially if they're looking to give minimum for Kessel?
- nateca44

Crouse doesn’t put up a ton of offense and AZ has a glut of defenders. They need offense and many have the opinion that Keller will never be a 70-80 point guy unless he plays with a Crosby or Malkin type player. I personally think it’s a year too early for them to add a guy like Kessel but a guy who’s a little younger, more of a 2-way player, who’s cheaper like Zucker would make a lot of sense for Tocchet’s brand of Hockey. I don’t think Kessel is a fit in the desert but I could be wrong

I never know how much stock to put into Mock Drafts, but I saw several that had the Pens selecting either Cam York (D) or Ryan Suzuki (C). Saw video on Suzuki and he looked very solid and heard York is like a reboot of Letang. Thoughts?
- Doogs

Take best player available. I've read this is supposed to be one of the deepest drafts in a long while. so if you can trade down and grab a few more assets, that's good with me.

Also good with them trading it as long as it is for a younger guy on a good contract.

I never know how much stock to put into Mock Drafts, but I saw several that had the Pens selecting either Cam York (D) or Ryan Suzuki (C). Saw video on Suzuki and he looked very solid and heard York is like a reboot of Letang. Thoughts?
- Doogs

Not sure if you subscribe to athletic, but Jesse Marshall had a good writeup on the possible players that could fall to the Pens.

Suzuki:

I was representing the Penguins, and Ryan Suzuki fell right into my lap. Suzuki is a true on-ice general in the sense that his vision and puck distribution are among the elite of this draft class. Suzuki is the type of player that drives offense and elevates the players around him. His pass is the most lethal aspect of his game and he’s capable of throwing hard, accurate passes off the ice surface across long distances.

I don’t think enough gets made of Suzuki’s ability to dangle or create for himself. These are still strong elements to his game that often get lost in the talk of his skating or puck distribution.

He didn't talk about York, but the players he mentioned:
Jakob Pelletier - LW
Nils Hoglander - LW
Tobias Bjornfot - LD
Bobby Brink - LW
Moritz Seider - RD

Crouse doesn’t put up a ton of offense and AZ has a glut of defenders. They need offense and many have the opinion that Keller will never be a 70-80 point guy unless he plays with a Crosby or Malkin type player. I personally think it’s a year too early for them to add a guy like Kessel but a guy who’s a little younger, more of a 2-way player, who’s cheaper like Zucker would make a lot of sense for Tocchet’s brand of Hockey. I don’t think Kessel is a fit in the desert but I could be wrong
- WSCTeton17

Does this make the Pens a more complete team?

Same. Too much chatter to make me believe that there isn't a hint of truth.
- burgh4life87

Keller, Galch, and OEL are the only players I'd really have interest in though...its a tough match between PIT/ARI imo

Not sure if you subscribe to athletic, but Jesse Marshall had a good writeup on the possible players that could fall to the Pens.

Suzuki:




He didn't talk about York, but the players he mentioned:
Jakob Pelletier - LW
Nils Hoglander - LW
Tobias Bjornfot - LD
Bobby Brink - LW
Moritz Seider - RD
- Rinosaur

Everything I read has Seider going in the 10-15 range so he’s probably out. Todd Cordell (Devils blogger) had a good write up on Hoglander today that’s worth a quick read if you’re interested in him.

The best deal for Kessel remains making a pure 1 for 1 hockey trade. Rutherford has done it a million times already with good success. The key is finding that team looking to trade a guy or similar pedigree to Kessel.

Everything I read has Seider going in the 10-15 range so he’s probably out. Todd Cordell (Devils blogger) had a good write up on Hoglander today that’s worth a quick read if you’re interested in him.
- kfinl170

Seider seems to be, at least from what I've read, kind of a wild card. While yes, he's most likely to be gone fairly quick, some think he could fall further than expected, but I've also read that about pretty much every player outside of the top five.

Here's Marshall's write-up:

I’ve seen Nils Hoglander do things with possession of the puck this season that have left me absolutely dumbfounded. It’s almost as if Hoglander is using some kind of magnetic ruse to keep the puck on his stick in improbable situations. Hoglander is an electrifying talent who has deft hands and an uncanny ability to fight through traffic and keep the puck on his stick against all odds. He’s creative in one-on-one situations and, although he does play with his head down too often for my liking at times, his offensive skill set enables him to repeatedly test and exploit weaknesses in the defense. There is such a thing as “too much,” and Hoglander often teeters on that line. There are instances where making the safer play is the right play, and Hoglander pushes a bit too hard, but those are coachable aspects to his game. The things he can do in transition aren’t teachable at all, and that’s what makes him an intriguing prospect.

Hoglander’s skating isn’t as much of an offensive weapon as his hands and puck-handling are. He’s a good skater who accelerates quickly and can adjust the flow of play with his edging and lateral mobility. He lacks the true top end gear boasted by some of his mid-first round counterparts. What he lacks in raw speed, he makes up for with his ability to stickhandle in a phone booth. Hoglander is difficult to contain once he gets moving and is erratic in almost every aspect of his game.

Hogland’s shot fits that erratic description. Mechanically speaking, it’s unconventionally fast, and his release is deceptive and unassuming. His backhand got featured less and less as the year wore on, and I believe it is a weapon that wasn’t utilized enough. Hoglander’s season didn’t end as he’d have hoped. His hot start faltered at the midpoint of the season and he struggled to find the box score at critical points of the year. That being said, his raw talent is undeniable, and this season proved that he’s capable of playing against grown men in a professional league.

Seider seems to be, at least from what I've read, kind of a wild card. While yes, he's most likely to be gone fairly quick, some think he could fall further than expected, but I've also read that about pretty much every player outside of the top five.

Here's Marshall's write-up:
- Rinosaur

Yeah I subscribe and have read quite a bit, seems like there should be a good crop of players to choose from, if they stay put, but probably no one to help in the near term

Holy sh it contracts and term. Now we’re speaking this groups language. Forget the hockey stuff.

Does this make the Pens a more complete team?
- nateca44

If you talk to a Phil Kessel diehard then no. I think Keller would fit like a new Bauer 4-roll glove on Malkin’s wing and Kessel and JJ were both bringing Malkin down. Oesterle is also an improvement on the left side. Losing Rust in the deal sucks but you need to give to get. With this trade I think it revives Malkin, improves our backend, and opens up cap space moving forward. It also makes us younger which is what GMJR wants to do. For AZ it could very likely push them into the playoffs

McCann-Crosby-Guentzel
Keller-Malkin-Hornqvist/Kahun
Simon-Bjugstad-Hornqvist/Kahun
ZAR-Blueger-Crouse

Dumo-Letang
Pettersson-Schultz
Oesterle-Gudbranson

If you talk to a Phil Kessel diehard then no. I think Keller would fit like a new Bauer 4-roll glove on Malkin’s wing and Kessel and JJ were both bringing Malkin down. Oesterle is also an improvement on the left side. Losing Rust in the deal sucks but you need to give to get. With this trade I think it revives Malkin, improves our backend, and opens up cap space moving forward. It also makes us younger which is what GMJR wants to do. For AZ it could very likely push them into the playoffs

McCann-Crosby-Guentzel
Keller-Malkin-Hornqvist/Kahun
Simon-Bjugstad-Hornqvist/Kahun
ZAR-Blueger-Crouse

Dumo-Letang
Pettersson-Schultz
Oesterle-Gudbranson
- WSCTeton17

You can’t have 4 people on a line. Everyone wants to be a GM and coach. Then they have 4 people on the 2nd and 3rd line. Coaching is easy right?

You can’t have 4 people on a line. Everyone wants to be a GM and coach. Then they have 4 people on the 2nd and 3rd line. Coaching is easy right?
- Grinder47

Try coaching against a 4 man line...can’t. Out manned and out matched

You can’t have 4 people on a line. Everyone wants to be a GM and coach. Then they have 4 people on the 2nd and 3rd line. Coaching is easy right?
- Grinder47

Jesus man how old are you? That / means either or just like when you read a document and it says “and/or” - it means the players are interchangeable

Take best player available. I've read this is supposed to be one of the deepest drafts in a long while. so if you can trade down and grab a few more assets, that's good with me.

Also good with them trading it as long as it is for a younger guy on a good contract.
- SuperHenderson13

There are just a ton of guys rated pretty close together so it's hard to say who BPA is.

If one of the defensemen expected to go in the teens: Harley, Seider, or York falls to us, that's who I pick. Otherwise Hoglander should still be there and I also like Levoie.

My best guess on how the 2020 Pens would be constructed if Grinder were GM based off his grit/effort boner:

Kuhnackl-Crosby-Kunitz
Reaves-Malkin-Guentzel
Lucic-Sutter-Ferland
Gary Roberts-C. Adams-Georges Laraque

Gudas-The Ghost of Rob Scuderi
Polak-Cole
Oleksiak-Gudbranson

Plan the parade! 🥳