I kind of stopped. Usually skim through it a bit before going straight to the thread. The thing is, I think he can be a decent writer and seems to know stuff, but he doesn't utilize the platform for anyone to engage with him, so he comes off as quite a "listen to me from my high horse, for everything I say is a fact" douche.

Do you think he even reads the posts? I am quite certain he does.
- chimpira

Yea he was really good, I've been reading here since 08 when Metzer was the writer then Toperzer for awhile. I had a different profile but something happened to it haha. Anyways he use to be a regular commenting and seemed super smart and pretty nice guy not sure what happened.

Over payments are never great, but it’s good to be in a situation where at least your overpayment is providing a positive impact
- Rinosaur

Absolutely 👍

His best game was the CBJ game where he hovered around 50% on the shot attempts and had a +3 goal differential at 5v5. Other than that he’s been whatever. Loses the scoring chance/high danger battle every game but with the limited ice time it’s not hurting the Pens nearly as much as in the past. I think he’s a +1 at 5v5 on the season (3-2)
- j.boyd919

I'll give JJ a little love early. He's still below the line 5v5 but not disasterously so and part of that has been his partner's so maybe his numbers would improve as Marino does. He's been really good on the PK. It's acceptable for a bottom pair forward. Still early, still willing to move him if possible.

Blandisi is nothing but an occasional call up. He doesn't stand out in anything really.
- Barnaby36

I'll be excited when we get more higher upside players as call ups rather than career tweeners like Blandisi.

We could have a pretty monster bottom 6 in a few years with Lafferty, Bjorkqvist, Pavlachev, ZAR

I'll give JJ a little love early. He's still below the line 5v5 but not disasterously so and part of that has been his partner's so maybe his numbers would improve as Marino does. He's been really good on the PK. It's acceptable for a bottom pair forward. Still early, still willing to move him if possible.
- Tojo.

So far it's been fine to have either JJ or Guds dress, but not both. It seems that what the Pens are doing now. If JJ is playing, Guds is scratched; and vice-versa. I am sure that either a JJ or Guds trade is imminent. I think it's just a matter of with whom and who gets packaged in that deal.

That Lafferty kid is a firecracker. I think he is going to stay in the big leagues - I like the cut of his jib.

Over payments are never great, but it’s good to be in a situation where at least your overpayment is providing a positive impact
- Rinosaur

I dont even think its an overpayment other than the term. Even at that, in 6 years he'll only be 32 and presumably will still have wheels...not to mention that will be like 3% of the cap by then.

He's a unique enough hockey player, imo, that you have no guarantees of finding a cheaper guy to do the same job for you.

I dont even think its an overpayment other than the term. Even at that, in 6 years he'll only be 32 and presumably will still have wheels...not to mention that will be like 3% of the cap by then.

He's a unique enough hockey player, imo, that you have no guarantees of finding a cheaper guy to do the same job for you.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

I’m a fan of Tanev, but he’s not unique.

I'll give JJ a little love early. He's still below the line 5v5 but not disasterously so and part of that has been his partner's so maybe his numbers would improve as Marino does. He's been really good on the PK. It's acceptable for a bottom pair forward. Still early, still willing to move him if possible.
- Tojo.

Crazy thing is his numbers are better then Olli "whatsa" Maatta. There is talk he might be healthy scratched for slater koekkoek with how bad he has been. Not gonna lie I was a huge fan of Maatta his first couple years and thought he was gonna be a great top 4 but Ive watched 2 games of his so far and its been horrendous.

Over payments are never great, but it’s good to be in a situation where at least your overpayment is providing a positive impact
- Rinosaur

For me the term was ridiculous....6 years. But I don't necessarily think the cap hit is that much of an overpayment. It's like the Paul Mart argument. Not going to end up on the score sheet a ton, but can be a difference maker all over the ice. Beating guys to pucks, keeping possession, drawing penalties, Good PK'r. That shyt adds up. The Pens were definitely missing that ingredient last season.

I kind of stopped. Usually skim through it a bit before going straight to the thread. The thing is, I think he can be a decent writer and seems to know stuff, but he doesn't utilize the platform for anyone to engage with him, so he comes off as quite a "listen to me from my high horse, for everything I say is a fact" douche.

Do you folks think he reads the posts? I am quite certain he does.
- chimpira

Oh for sure. His blogs reflect our comments pretty often and he tweets his complaints about some of our comments too lol

So far it's been fine to have either JJ or Guds dress, but not both. It seems that what the Pens are doing now. If JJ is playing, Guds is scratched; and vice-versa. I am sure that either a JJ or Guds trade is imminent. I think it's just a matter of with whom and who gets packaged in that deal.
- chimpira

I think Guddy has been horrendous this year. Honestly I’ve preferred JJ to Guddy this season.

"One of Sidney Crosby’s best attributes is his ability to facilitate the puck and what good is it if the players on the other end can’t put it in the net?"

I’m a fan of Tanev, but he’s not unique.
- Rinosaur

Agree to disagree. Led the league in hits last year, non-stop motor, drew 8(!) penalties already this season, blocks shots, good possession player, good PKer.... how many guys have all those attributes and cost less?

He's unique to me in the way Hagelin is unique, lots of fast/defensive first players, but theres 10 Mikkel Boedker's and Tobias Rediers out there for every 1 Hagelin.

Crazy thing is his numbers are better then Olli "whatsa" Maatta. There is talk he might be healthy scratched for slater koekkoek with how bad he has been. Not gonna lie I was a huge fan of Maatta his first couple years and thought he was gonna be a great top 4 but Ive watched 2 games of his so far and its been horrendous.
- pens4life-66

Maatta is a chameleon. I totally agree with RW on that front. He’s only as good as his partner. If he plays with dumpster fire players, he’s gonna have dumpster fire numbers.

I’m a fan of Tanev, but he’s not unique.
- Rinosaur

Agree and disagree. I think its very hard not to be a fan of someone that works that hard every single shift. I know what you are saying hes not unique but he kind of is in that hes got top 1% speed in the entire league and he literally goes 100% every single shift. I cant think of a player that brings that level of effort shift in and shift out. Thats not normal at all.

I'll be excited when we get more higher upside players as call ups rather than career tweeners like Blandisi.

We could have a pretty monster bottom 6 in a few years with Lafferty, Bjorkqvist, Pavlachev, ZAR
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Pens feel locked in with Tanev and Hornqvist as 3rd line wings for a while with their contracts. Going to be hard for prospects that aren't too 6 caliber to make an impact.

Is Pavlachev a senior? I'm hoping he doesn't go the college FA route.

So far it's been fine to have either JJ or Guds dress, but not both. It seems that what the Pens are doing now. If JJ is playing, Guds is scratched; and vice-versa. I am sure that either a JJ or Guds trade is imminent. I think it's just a matter of with whom and who gets packaged in that deal.
- chimpira

I think it's going to be Gudbranson just to preserve right left balance.

Agree to disagree. Led the league in hits last year, non-stop motor, drew 8(!) penalties already this season, blocks shots, good possession player, good PKer.... how many guys have all those attributes and cost less?

He's unique to me in the way Hagelin is unique, lots of fast/defensive first players, but theres 10 Mikkel Boedker's and Tobias Rediers out there for every 1 Hagelin.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

There was a couple plays that Tanev looked like he was gonna just blindly throw it away. Instead he kept possession and looked for teammate and made a play. I think he's settling in more. It was a lucky goal but he earned that bounce.

I think it's going to be Gudbranson just to preserve right left balance.
- Tojo.

Pens feel locked in with Tanev and Hornqvist as 3rd line wings for a while with their contracts. Going to be hard for prospects that aren't too 6 caliber to make an impact.

Is Pavlachev a senior? I'm hoping he doesn't go the college FA route.
- Tojo.

Random thought also unlikely and unpopular, but I’d like to move Hornqvist. The Avs seem like a team that could benefit from him.

Maatta is a chameleon. I totally agree with RW on that front. He’s only as good as his partner. If he plays with dumpster fire players, he’s gonna have dumpster fire numbers.
- j.boyd919

Which is not worth 4M. We'd be better with Maatta than JJ for sure, but a guy that partner dependant isn't a top 4 defenseman either.

I think it's going to be Gudbranson just to preserve right left balance.
- Tojo.

Gudbranson is as good as gone. I’d be shocked if he’s still here in November.

For me the term was ridiculous....6 years. But I don't necessarily think the cap hit is that much of an overpayment. It's like the Paul Mart argument. Not going to end up on the score sheet a ton, but can be a difference maker all over the ice. Beating guys to pucks, keeping possession, drawing penalties, Good PK'r. That shyt adds up. The Pens were definitely missing that ingredient last season.
- madmike71

I agree, he's giving them their money's worth. When you're cap strapped, you look to move mid-roster cap hits and with his term that's hard to do. But if Tanev was the only 'bad' contract and they somehow moved JJ, Gudbranson, and Hornqvist, they'd have no problem filling out the roster under the cap next year.

Gotta be careful with early comparisons and all... but Lafferty could make up for the Sundqvist mistake. Similiar kind of player but I think Laffers got better wheels (and from my hometown )
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Dude you’re from Hburg too???