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

I think we should all reserve ourselves to the fact the Pens are stuck with JJ for at least another season.

Where did all this love for Jesse Puljujarvi come from? The likelihood that he’s not a bust at this point is low. If he wasn’t a top 5 pick no one would be talking about him.

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

From Your fingers to My eyes!!! LMAO

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.
- madmike71

Just lots of recency bias I think because we were so bad in the playoffs. HCMS and GMJR have got to be on the hotseat a bit for being swept without major injuries in our lineup. I’m more optimistic about this team vs what we had last year even if the opposition is improving

Some guy yesterday nailed it when all he said was “I didn’t know next years roster had to be done today”

Just lots of recency bias I think because we were so bad in the playoffs. HCMS and GMJR have got to be on the hotseat a bit for being swept without major injuries in our lineup. I’m more optimistic about this team vs what we had last year even if the opposition is improving

Some guy yesterday nailed it when all he said was “I didn’t know next years roster had to be done today”
- WSCTeton17

You’re right, but the draft is also the most opportune time to move big salaries because draft picks are like cars. The second you drive them off the lot they lose value. It makes me a bit anxious that we didn’t make a trade during the draft given that rutherford has said that he needs to unload another contract. Weakens his position further.

Where did all this love for Jesse Puljujarvi come from? The likelihood that he’s not a bust at this point is low. If he wasn’t a top 5 pick no one would be talking about him.
- Victoro311

I don’t get it either, but if it’s simply to dump space, but get a little something in return I’m ok with it. At that point it’s low risk/high reward.

That being said, I think he’s a bust.

I don’t get it either, but if it’s simply to dump space, but get a little something in return I’m ok with it. At that point it’s low risk/high reward.

That being said, I think he’s a bust.
- Rinosaur

I mean I just don’t think that’s a very good rout to go down. Right now for all of our team flaws our forward depth is pretty good. If we start trading away forward depth just so we can give mediocre guys bigger contracts our defense is going to be even more exploitable. We can’t just shed Rust’s cap, we need to hockey trade him if that’s what we want to do.

I mean I just don’t think that’s a very good rout to go down. Right now for all of our team flaws our forward depth is pretty good. If we start trading away forward depth just so we can give mediocre guys bigger contracts our defense is going to be even more exploitable. We can’t just shed Rust’s cap, we need to hockey trade him if that’s what we want to do.
- Victoro311

Unfortunately they have no choice. Poor spending has lead to moving good players for poor returns instead of shipping out the bad players.

It’s just the financial reality.

You’re right, but the draft is also the most opportune time to move big salaries because draft picks are like cars. The second you drive them off the lot they lose value. It makes me a bit anxious that we didn’t make a trade during the draft given that rutherford has said that he needs to unload another contract. Weakens his position further.
- Victoro311

I love the analogy. But I’ve been saying since the Kessel trade rumors came up that he likely gets dealt once teams miss out in free agency and have a better picture of their cap outlook, I think it’s similar for Zucker. It just so happens that with these inflated contracts that Kessel’s value has gone up. I still would not rule out a 3-way trade where Kessel goes to AZ, Rust and Galchenyuk go to MN, and Zucker and maybe Oesterle head to Pitt. Likely? No. Possible? Uhhh sure haha

Someone before mentioned Daley. Just imagine if we kept him at a slight haircut and never went down this JJ path. We’d be bashing on a whole other type of player 😂 the difference being that Daley is well suited to certain series (teams that are trap heavy) whereas there is no well suited with JJ. Remember how much better Daley looked against OTT?! Against the aisles? Probably not so much

Apparently Pulj is heading to Europe unless he gets traded

Apparently Pulj is heading to Europe unless he gets traded
- WSCTeton17

Am I wrong to say he has had 2 hip surgeries?

Where did all this love for Jesse Puljujarvi come from? The likelihood that he’s not a bust at this point is low. If he wasn’t a top 5 pick no one would be talking about him.
- Victoro311

His draft position is the only reason he's a big name, just like Erik Gudbranson when he was in Florida.

Sportsnet has an article today on who’s courting who, you should check it out. I love that AZ is going for little Joe. I’d much rather they give him $8MM and move a body than trade assets for Phil

Am I wrong to say he has had 2 hip surgeries?
- Doogs

That is correct. Very concerning if you ask me but it is something that can be overcome. Major hip surgery for a hockey player is basically 12 months until you feel truly 100%

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

You're right in saying all of that and that's where my hope lies. That all the new guys added in second half last season and those who were injured down the stretch will all have a full training camp and pre seas together. That more time together will give them familiarity and cohesiveness right out the gate and they play solid.

You're right in saying all of that and that's where my hope lies. That all the new guys added in second half last season and those who were injured down the stretch will all have a full training camp and pre seas together. That more time together will give them familiarity and cohesiveness right out the gate and they play solid.
- MattStrat

This is my thought. The team that put them in a hole was at the start of the season, the team at the end was pretty good with the exception of the 4 games against the Isles. A full season and camp with them could be a good start.

Still hope (despite the futility of it) that they find it in themselves to sit JJ and let the WB/S guys and Rad Chad their turn. If no moves are made...that is.

And I know that stat wise they weren’t much better but know I am not that guy, and couldn’t careless.

This is my thought. The team that put them in a hole was at the start of the season, the team at the end was pretty good with the exception of the 4 games against the Isles. A full season and camp with them could be a good start.

Still hope (despite the futility of it) that they find it in themselves to sit JJ and let the WB/S guys and Rad Chad their turn. If no moves are made...that is.

And I know that stat wise they weren’t much better but know I am not that guy, and couldn’t careless.
- Doogs

Do they save any cap space if they send JJ down to the AHL?

Do they save any cap space if they send JJ down to the AHL?
- drummer829

Yeah they would save about a million if I remember correctly.

WSCT said yesterday that it would be vet minimum plus $375,000. To bury JJ in WB/S.

Where did all this love for Jesse Puljujarvi come from? The likelihood that he’s not a bust at this point is low. If he wasn’t a top 5 pick no one would be talking about him.
- Victoro311

He's 21, hasn't played a ton. His most common linemate was Lucic. I think people just think the potential is still there. He has an amazing shot. He's big. He can skate. If he puts it together you get a top 6 scoring winger for a decade. Trading away a replaceable asset for that chance is very intriguing.

I think we should all reserve ourselves to the fact the Pens are stuck with JJ for at least another season.
- Rinosaur

Might as well watch a different team then.

Might as well watch a different team then.
- eNDSo

I’ll never stop watching the Pens, but I’m definitely not excited for this season.

Where did all this love for Jesse Puljujarvi come from? The likelihood that he’s not a bust at this point is low. If he wasn’t a top 5 pick no one would be talking about him.
- Victoro311

Well first off... "Justin Schultz is the worst defenseman in the league"...so Edmonton factor is in play.

But mainly, its just a way to cut salary and get a player with upside rather than a pick.

Well first off... "Justin Schultz is the worst defenseman in the league"...so Edmonton factor is in play.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

I don't think this is a good comparable. Schultz was producing well offensively for EDM, so he was at least doing something well. Puljujarvi has been pretty bad all-around.

WSCT said yesterday that it would be vet minimum plus $375,000. To bury JJ in WB/S.
- Doogs

I could be wrong about that. Could be the full cap hit less the league minimum plus $375,000. So I think we would save a little over a million, but I could be wrong about that