If I'm Rutherford I'm not making a move (on defense) at this point in time. Why fuk with the chemistry when the team is playing so well through all these injuries? I'd add a forward if a deal made sense, but I don't see anybody wanting Galch or Bjug (who knows how long he'll be out). Seems like too much tinkering. Let things continue to gel.

Secondly, I wouldn't move Jarry until I know what I'm looking at with Murray's deal. I'd let this season play out with Murray/Jarry tandem. If Murray goes down long term, I do not believe DeSmith can handle starter duty for weeks or months at a time.
- madmike71

I want to see this team healthy before making a trade. But yeah, agree, a trade shouldn't be made for an incremental tweek.

Biggest question will remain Geno's LW, but need to sideline that right now. McCann, Rust, and Kahun all having big starts takes some pressure off.

Hornqvist in non contact jersey for practice. Not sure what that means except it is a step forward.

I don't really understand Goals Above Replacement stats, but charting hockey has McCann at 5th in the league.

I still am curious on McCann with Malkin, but I'm coming around to leaving him and Kahun on the 3rd line together. That could make a filthy 3 line attack with a playable 4th line to eat defensive draws and zone time.

I don't really understand Goals Above Replacement stats, but charting hockey has McCann has 5th in the league.

I still am curious on McCann with Malkin, but I'm coming around to leaving him and Kahun on the 3rd line together. That could make a filthy 3 line attack with a playable 4th line to eat defensive draws and zone time.
- Tojo.

I’m glad Tanev got that bump. He shouldn’t be on the 4th.

I also don’t understand GAR. What does it measure exactly? Goals on top of what a replacement player would score?

I also don’t understand GAR. What does it measure exactly? Goals on top of what a replacement player would score?
- Rinosaur

That’s correct, but there are multiple proprietary formulas for calculating it that use varying criteria.

I’m skeptical of GAR; One of the prominent formulas rated Olli Matta as a top-5 defender in the entire league last year.

Ryan Wilson: A Barrie good trade idea
A Barrie good trade idea
- Ryan_Wilson

Another edition of "I wish the Pens would acquire my favorite players" blog series.

Another edition of "I wish the Pens would acquire my favorite players" blog series.
- Murphy_Dump

There's no way Jarry is getting moved... He's taking Murray's spot eventually.

Wasn’t it confirmed that McCaan was actually the guy JR was after? Another terrible move by Donald Trump.

Leafs will never trade Tyson Barrie without ever seeing what he can do. A new coach will play him properly.

Wasn’t it confirmed that McCaan was actually the guy JR was after? Another terrible move by Donald Trump.
- Grinder47

#TFA

That’s correct, but there are multiple proprietary formulas for calculating it that use varying criteria.

I’m skeptical of GAR; One of the prominent formulas rated Olli Matta as a top-5 defender in the entire league last year.
- Za Warudo

Correct. Goals scored above what an AHL level replacement player would produce I believe is the definition. Also correct that the criteria changes from one statistician to the next

Surprised that McCann is 5th but judging by his +\- I’m guessing he doesn’t have a ton of goals against

There's no way Jarry is getting moved... He's taking Murray's spot eventually.
- hipcheck_goalie

I hope so. Murray will want big bucks on his next deal. I really like Barrie but wouldn’t want to see Schultz leave tbh. If we can keep him at his current cap hit it would be awesome.

Btw

How about Marino’s and Jacko’s play so far? I’m really liking it.

Tyson Barrie is a brutal defender.
- Reubenkincade

Schultz is an equally brutal if not more brutal defender and Barrie’s offensive game is way better. Mind you, that right there is why this trade would never happen. Barrie is better period. How much do you want this specific backup goalie that you’re willing to downgrade from Barrie to Schultz?

Has there been any word on Bjugstad’s injury?

The Pens clearly won because TOR isn't a good team.

JJ is on a two game point streak lmao. Geno hasn't looked this good in a while. Sometimes it's like when Sid is out, it re-centers him and Geno. I miss the days when one would have such a dominant shift that the other came out and tried to 1UP the last guy. I also really love the way that Jarry handles the puck. This would have been a different game if he let in the fluke shot in the 1st period.

I don't know what all the hate on Schultz is about. When Letang went out for almost all of 2016, Schultz stepped in and put up over 50 points.
- pens_4ever

I don’t hate Schultz. I think he’s a solid mid pairing guy. But he’s old for the contract he’s about to get this offseason and I don’t think he’s good enough to justify paying the UFA premium for his twilight years. Barrie’s only exactly one year younger so it’s not like he’s a spring chicken either but I’d feel more comfortable paying him than Schultz.

Posing this question again...

I never paid super close attention to Barrie, but was he this bad defensively in Colorado or is just the team he’s on now? Because Toronto seems like a defensive mess in general.

Love your handle. Clever.

Has there been any word on Bjugstad’s injury?
- Rinosaur

Still being evaluated according to Sullivan. Hornqvist "making significant progress".

The injury bug has hit all parts of this team. The goalies have been fortunate so far. Gotta keep Jarry because Murray’s past health history says so. Jarrys a bargain at his salary given his play this year. No need to help Toronto 😉

The bigger story should be can the storm be weathered until Sid returns? Definitely playing like a team now and no panic.
- pghbirdman

Understanding how much Jarry could be worth to the Leafs, I couldn't agree more with what you said... while Murray has PLAYED pretty solid so far, he is hardly solid. With the way injuries have gone this season, we could be Jarry/DeSmith in a heartbeat.

I’d rather pry a lefty out of Toronto if I was going after someone. Muzzin is in a Co tract year and I’d rather make a sacrifice to get a left D to either get rid of jj or Pettersson. Obviously prefer jj but I wouldn’t want both on similar contracts.

I’d rather pry a lefty out of Toronto if I was going after someone. Muzzin is in a Co tract year and I’d rather make a sacrifice to get a left D to either get rid of jj or Pettersson. Obviously prefer jj but I wouldn’t want both on similar contracts.
- 10inchTerror

I wanted Muzzin when he was available from LA. But right now, he's not.

Barrie might not be either as it makes no sense for the Leafs and their cap situation, but there are at least rumors he's unhappy an might want out.

I wanted Muzzin when he was available from LA. But right now, he's not.

Barrie might not be either as it makes no sense for the Leafs and their cap situation, but there are at least rumors he's unhappy an might want out.
- Tojo.

I also wanted him from LA too. Toronto would be foolish to get rid of any imo until they sort out their issues and see then how he fits but if we are gonna go after defence I’d rather have a solid lefty. With the emergence of Marino I think our right side is pretty damn good.

I wanted Muzzin when he was available from LA. But right now, he's not.

Barrie might not be either as it makes no sense for the Leafs and their cap situation, but there are at least rumors he's unhappy an might want out.
- Tojo.

Barrie wants 8+ million per and the Leafs both can't afford it and definitely won't pay it if his play continues

A guy like Schultz might make sense both in the short term (better fit now) and long term as he will probably command closer to 6 (and they'd get a look if he works there or not)

I think we're moving on either way and are slotting in Marino going forward

I wouldn't throw in Jarry to make it happen though unless we were getting a really good prospect back

Lifted this from Yohe's column today....

(I chatted with Bjugstad for a moment on his way out of the building tonight. There was no cast, so presumably, nothing is broken. But he was walking with a noticeable limp, so I’m sure there’s concern with his knee.)