To be clear, I dont want simmonds. But if it would mean we are getting rid of Johnson, Ill do that all day.

Still no look at what they got in the draft...just more “look what is out there, but they can’t have it because of...well, you know.”

Come on RW.
- Doogs

No disrespect, but if you came here for level-headed analysis with a healthy dose of perspective, you came to the wrong place. This is a forum for incessant axe grinding and spoiled whining about the current management.

No disrespect, but if you came here for level-headed analysis with a healthy dose of perspective, you came to the wrong place. This is a forum for incessant axe grinding and spoiled whining about the current management.
- mdub71

Post of the year candidate right here.

Simmonds to me signals they’re still in the same mindset from when they overvalued Reaves. Wrong direction for the Pens.
- Rinosaur

The Kahun deal and chasing Zucker sounds to me like the Rutherford has capitulated to Sullivan's wishes. I still hope we can work out a deal for Zucker. Bringing Simonds here would be comically stupid. I don't believe that rumor at all.

As far as trading Gudbranson... I don't think JR has any desire to trade him. He's played pretty well so far and it satiates JR's "push back" hunger.

The Kahun deal and chasing Zucker sounds to me like the Rutherford has capitulated to Sullivan's wishes. I still hope we can work out a deal for Zucker. Bringing Simonds here would be comically stupid. I don't believe that rumor at all.

As far as trading Gudbranson... I don't think JR has any desire to trade him. He's played pretty well so far and it satiates JR's "push back" hunger.
- madmike71

I’m ok with keeping Guds, but I’m also ok with moving him. I would just rather they only had one of JJ or Guds and I’m sure you can guess my preference.

The only reason I believe the Simmonds thing is because this isn’t the first rumbling. Since the season ended I’ve read it a couple of times.

Not to sound dramatic, but If the Pens sign Simmonds I think it officially ends the Crosby-Era Pens. This would send a clear sign they have no intention of getting back to the style of play that not only worked for them, but deviates from the style of play the NHL continue to head.

They would continue to get it older and slower.
- Rinosaur

To me it shows they haven't done their homework. Simmonds has seen a decline in powerplay production for 3 years straight, which was 50% of his offense at his peak. His 5v5 value is that of a 3rd liner in production and 4th liner in defending metrics

I’m ok with keeping Guds, but I’m also ok with moving him. I would just rather they only had one of JJ or Guds and I’m sure you can guess my preference.

The only reason I believe the Simmonds thing is because this isn’t the first rumbling. Since the season ended I’ve read it a couple of times.
- Rinosaur

I agree, the defense is not workable with those two. Like WSC, I'm hoping Rikki steps up and makes the conversation moot.

I agree, the defense is not workable with those two. Like WSC, I'm hoping Rikki steps up and makes the conversation moot.
- madmike71

He skates and moves the puck infinitely better than JJ, but he’s equally as bad defensively. Hopefully that’s just an adjustment to NA hockey and we see an improvement.

Was there anything on the asking price of Puljujarvi? Just read the oilers blog and their bottom 6 is crap. Could ZAR and a 2021 mid round pick get it done?

Was there anything on the asking price of Puljujarvi? Just read the oilers blog and their bottom 6 is crap. Could ZAR and a 2021 mid round pick get it done?
- drummer829

There are actually a few outlets reporting that the Oilers are asking for Rust. Bob Stauffer has said pittsburgh is aggressive on this, because of their depth at RW they can take the chance of trading a more proven player for one with a higher ceiling.

There are actually a few outlets reporting that the Oilers are asking for Rust. Bob Stauffer has said pittsburgh is aggressive on this, because of their depth at RW they can take the chance of trading a more proven player for one with a higher ceiling.
- burgh4life87

That seems like a high risk/high reward trade. If Puljujarvi bounces back like Schultz did leaving Edmonton, he could be a 50+ pt player. If he flops like Yakupov, then you just traded away a decent 3rd line 30+ point player. I could also see Puljujarvi threatening to leave again if he isn’t productive on a new team.

The east is looking to be more competitive right now. I still think the Pens make it, but I don’t think they’re a lock.
- Rinosaur

And that was kind of my point.... We had 100 pts last year... it took 98 to make the playoffs and were definitely not any better than we were last season as of right now.

The Pens are a borderline playoff team right now and a couple bad bounces is all it could take to be watching ping pong balls come early May instead of playoff hockey.... Given that we cannot trade our 1st rounders to get rid of bad deals cause they could end up being a top 3 pick now.... Sad but true.

There are actually a few outlets reporting that the Oilers are asking for Rust. Bob Stauffer has said pittsburgh is aggressive on this, because of their depth at RW they can take the chance of trading a more proven player for one with a higher ceiling.
- burgh4life87

I think the Pens should do this in a heartbeat. I love Rusty, but I think he's hit his ceiling.

That seems like a high risk/high reward trade. If Puljujarvi bounces back like Schultz did leaving Edmonton, he could be a 50+ pt player. If he flops like Yakupov, then you just traded away a decent 3rd line 30+ point player. I could also see Puljujarvi threatening to leave again if he isn’t productive on a new team.
- drummer829

Honestly, I’d do it. I have noticed that Rust had gotten a half step slower since his break through a few years ago. He won’t be getting faster and that’s his best asset. Hes not a bargain on his contract but he’s not an anchor. I like the cap savings with puljujarvi too.

I think the Pens should do this in a heartbeat. I love Rusty, but I think he's hit his ceiling.
- MikeyKay

Yeah I agree 100%. It sucks when Rust is a top 6 player and goes like 80% of the season with no goals. I get he turned it up at one point but I really dont think hes a core dude. Hes proven his worth, made his $$$...time to move on.

I'm not going to pretend I know much of Pullajarvi other than he was a highly sought after player at teh draft but I would bet hes no worse than Simon and has upside to be > Rust.

If they can do that and get Zucker and rid the team of JJ. JR worked his magic once again.

Legare might not be the fastest skater in the draft but he doesn't look terrible. He can find the soft areas really well and has a great release. He might need someone to do the carrying for him at the next level but he's a finisher.

That seems like a high risk/high reward trade. If Puljujarvi bounces back like Schultz did leaving Edmonton, he could be a 50+ pt player. If he flops like Yakupov, then you just traded away a decent 3rd line 30+ point player. I could also see Puljujarvi threatening to leave again if he isn’t productive on a new team.
- drummer829

Rust produced 27 points at 5v5 with his most common linemates being Sid and Jake, and common D pair of Letang and Dumo. That seems to be replaceable production. Puljujarvi has the skill set of a 60 plus point player. I think that it's a no brainer. Consider that Rust played twice as many minutes with Crosby this season than Simon and only produced 2 more points... I'd say he is replaceable.

Honestly, I’d do it. I have noticed that Rust had gotten a half step slower since his break through a few years ago. He won’t be getting faster and that’s his best asset. Hes not a bargain on his contract but he’s not an anchor. I like the cap savings with puljujarvi too.
- Grizzsh

I think I would too, especially with the Kahun trade and the amount of “power forwards” that were drafted. Also hoping ZAR can move forward in his development as well

There are actually a few outlets reporting that the Oilers are asking for Rust. Bob Stauffer has said pittsburgh is aggressive on this, because of their depth at RW they can take the chance of trading a more proven player for one with a higher ceiling.
- burgh4life87

I think Rust is a goner in general. Probably the easiest to move.

I think Rust is a goner in general. Probably the easiest to move.
- Rinosaur

Without a doubt. Speed, some skill, decent cap hit. What if we packaged him with JJ and got like a 6th rounder. Almost 7milly in cap right there. I can only dream.

Without a doubt. Speed, some skill, decent cap hit. What if we packaged him with JJ and got like a 6th rounder. Almost 7milly in cap right there. I can only dream.
- Grizzsh

Yeah doubt it with the cap only at 81.5.....Curious if the Sharks are having buyers remorse on EK prior to knowing the cap.

People saying we haven’t gotten any better: have you forgotten how we started the year? Murray has since cemented himself as a starter in my eyes (he faltered big time to start the year which is exactly why I didn’t take him infantasy!), we have 5 serviceable D men, we brought in players with upside in McCann Bjugstad Kahun. Remember when Brassard was our 3C?! Dude was so invisible and was not doing his linemates any favors, I recall Horny playing with him often early on. Blueger is an improvement over Cullen.

To call our playoffs a joke is entirely accurate. To say that our roster is worse off than it was at the start of last season is way off course IMO. Hopefully the tinkering isn’t done and we can stay healthy and play as a team

Without a doubt. Speed, some skill, decent cap hit. What if we packaged him with JJ and got like a 6th rounder. Almost 7milly in cap right there. I can only dream.
- Grizzsh

Depends on what people value Rust at. If it takes a 1st rounder to unload one year of Marleau, is a 1st enough to unload JJ? Would it need to be a 1st and a 4th or something? I think unless we take a contract coming back it would likely be like Rust and a 2nd and the acquiring team would buy out JJ this year or next. There just isn’t a huge market of teams who would do that outside of say NJD or MTL (who was rumored to be in on JJ, has bought out players in the past (Steve Mason) and depends on how they value Rust)

People saying we haven’t gotten any better: have you forgotten how we started the year? Murray has since cemented himself as a starter in my eyes (he faltered big time to start the year which is exactly why I didn’t take him infantasy!), we have 5 serviceable D men, we brought in players with upside in McCann Bjugstad Kahun. Remember when Brassard was our 3C?! Dude was so invisible and was not doing his linemates any favors, I recall Horny playing with him often early on. Blueger is an improvement over Cullen.

To call our playoffs a joke is entirely accurate. To say that our roster is worse off than it was at the start of last season is way off course IMO. Hopefully the tinkering isn’t done and we can stay healthy and play as a team
- WSCTeton17

Thanks for this. Especially reminding everybody how incredibly miserable the Brassard experience became. What a f'n douche. Big game Brass moped himself out of town and basically out of a big contract offer this summer. Who would offer that stiff anything but a "prove it" deal? He was the JJ of the forwards with a sh*tty attitude.

Depends on what people value Rust at. If it takes a 1st rounder to unload one year of Marleau, is a 1st enough to unload JJ? Would it need to be a 1st and a 4th or something? I think unless we take a contract coming back it would likely be like Rust and a 2nd and the acquiring team would buy out JJ this year or next. There just isn’t a huge market of teams who would do that outside of say NJD or MTL (who was rumored to be in on JJ, has bought out players in the past (Steve Mason) and depends on how they value Rust)
- WSCTeton17

Marleu’s cap hit was 3 mil more... but for only 1 more year. They also knew how desperate the leafs were so Cost & demand probably dictated the 1st. As for JJ, I wouldn’t be shocked if we could sneak by with using rust, a 3rd and him for a 5th.