Dumping Kessel was the catalyst for the team playing like this.
- stackthepads

Nah. Pens could have kept Kessel, bought out JJ, still signed Tanev, and replaced Cullen and Wilson with Blueger, ZAR, Kahun etc. and likely would have been just fine.

The catalyst was moving away from bad hockey players like Cullen, Wilson, etc. Kessel played in this exact type of system in the 2015-16 cup run and should have won a Conn Smythe.

Nah. Pens could have kept Kessel, bought out JJ, still signed Tanev, and replaced Cullen and Wilson with Blueger, ZAR, Kahun etc. and likely would have been just fine.

The catalyst was moving away from bad hockey players like Cullen, Wilson, etc. Kessel played in this exact type of system in the 2015-16 cup run and should have won a Conn Smythe.
- j.boyd919

This is a hypothetical debate, but I do have a question for you. Would you trade Tanev for Kessel right now?

This is a hypothetical debate, but I do have a question for you. Would you trade Tanev for Kessel right now?
- stackthepads

No, but would you trade Galch for Kessel back?

No, but would you trade Galch for Kessel back?
- Beatnic57

Talent wise ofcourse, but no because I think Kessels personality would negatively affect the team chemistry.

Boston has been on a bit of a slide. Hopefully the Pens can pour more salt in the wound.
- Rinosaur

I like how we match up with Boston. If the Blueger line can limit the Bergeron line, Pens should be able to beat them on the other matchups because while they have a few good players (Krejci, DeBrusk, Coyle) they aren't very deep up front.

Nah. Pens could have kept Kessel, bought out JJ, still signed Tanev, and replaced Cullen and Wilson with Blueger, ZAR, Kahun etc. and likely would have been just fine.

The catalyst was moving away from bad hockey players like Cullen, Wilson, etc. Kessel played in this exact type of system in the 2015-16 cup run and should have won a Conn Smythe.
- j.boyd919

I won't deny this, but I think Kessel's "cancer" started to set in, it was pretty obvious. where it was much less or non-existant the first two years. I do believe Tanev and Blueger have helped alot. But i believe it was an attitude thing, while not skilled, they at least had the right attitude.

You say it like all that needed to be done, was to replace bad players with decent players and we would be fine. but we also replaced a good player ,kessel, with other decent players. Which doesn't make any sense?? But we are still doing much better...and we have had stars injured for 100% percent of the season.

So if you can't admit that the attitude/cancer was at least part of the problem, as well as trimming the fat, youre just stubborn.

This is a hypothetical debate, but I do have a question for you. Would you trade Tanev for Kessel right now?
- stackthepads

Given cap hit and age, probably not. If Kessel is going on a serious decline it would be harder to stomach that cap hit for 3 more years as opposed to Tanev possibly regressing back to a 25-30 point player.

If Kessel were to decline to a 40-50 point player with half on the PP, I think his ES game (and line) would probably struggle whereas Tanev as a 25-30 point guy can still provide solid play at ES and be a contributor in other facets on his line.

Talent wise ofcourse, but no because I think Kessels personality would negatively affect the team chemistry.
- stackthepads

Fair enough, but it is really hard to say what is going on in the locker room. Nothing creditble that I have read has said that Kessel was a bad influence....

The loss of Guetzel l, talent wise, would be an easier cross to bear with Kessel on the team. It's too hypothetical to really say....

President's Trophy is the regular season championship. Like the FA Cup in football.

Still a great great achievement.
- kaptaan

The thing is.....it's not though

No, but would you trade Galch for Kessel back?
- Beatnic57

No, but would you trade Galch for Kessel back?
- Beatnic57

Depends on how Galch's money eventually gets spent. After the Kessel trade, JR specifically mentioned Galch's expiring contract. If he signs an aging plug with the savings (like JJ), then obviously it would be awful. If he turns that cap space into a young top 6 forward then you'd have to say it was great. Plus, POJ may develop into a top 4 dman. No way of knowing at this point how that trade will eventually shake out. One things for certain.... They're not missing Kessel right now.

****"That second last paragraph just wasn't necessary in an otherwise good blog haha. Yes, GMJR made some stumble moves and decisions but overall his body of work since taking over has the good far exceeding the bad IMO.

I mean I cant even really be mad at the JJ signing anymore because he picked up Marino on the back end for peanuts."

So please do tell...what is wrong with pointing out that the last 2 seasons were duds basically because of self-inflicted wounds? I love how for some of you, no one is ever allowed to point out that Fleury has flaws (gasp), GMJR made some head-scratching moves (shocking) or that Jack Johnson actually makes his playing partners a little bit worse ?
This team is fun to watch and I pray we dont screw it up by making additional unnecessary moves (See Brassard)

Depends on how Galch's money eventually gets spent. After the Kessel trade, JR specifically mentioned Galch's expiring contract. If he signs an aging plug with the savings (like JJ), then obviously it would be awful. If he turns that cap space into a young top 6 forward then you'd have to say it was great. Plus, POJ may develop into a top 4 dman. No way of knowing at this point how that trade will eventually shake out. One things for certain.... They're not missing Kessel right now.
- madmike71

If Kessel really is in the process of just falling off a cliff after two consecutive PPG seasons, then $6.8 mil in cap space for a guy who had an insanely restrictive NTC is actually really good and I’ll have to tip my hat to JR for moving that contract when he did. I’d wager that Phil would be doing just fine if he were still here, but obviously there’s no way of knowing that so I’m not gonna die on that hill. Totally possible he’s becoming washed.

I won't deny this, but I think Kessel's "cancer" started to set in, it was pretty obvious. where it was much less or non-existant the first two years. I do believe Tanev and Blueger have helped alot. But i believe it was an attitude thing, while not skilled, they at least had the right attitude.

You say it like all that needed to be done, was to replace bad players with decent players and we would be fine. but we also replaced a good player ,kessel, with other decent players. Which doesn't make any sense?? But we are still doing much better...and we have had stars injured for 100% percent of the season.

So if you can't admit that the attitude/cancer was at least part of the problem, as well as trimming the fat, youre just stubborn.
- joecool2931

I don’t buy into locker room stuff. There’s no way to prove it. Could Kessel have been a female dog? Sure. Could Sully’s ego have gotten in the way? Sure. Could GMJR have told Kessel he’ll never play in Pittsburgh again? Sure. Could Kessel have asked for a trade to Tochett? Sure. All possibilities, but difficult to prove.

What is easy to prove is removing bad hockey players and replacing them with good hockey players. The change is players is evident in every way.

Guentzel-Sid-Simon
Kahun-Geno-Rust
ZAR-McCann-Kessel
Tanev-Blueger-Horny

Is still a ridiculous lineup with sick depth.

****"That second last paragraph just wasn't necessary in an otherwise good blog haha. Yes, GMJR made some stumble moves and decisions but overall his body of work since taking over has the good far exceeding the bad IMO.

I mean I cant even really be mad at the JJ signing anymore because he picked up Marino on the back end for peanuts."

So please do tell...what is wrong with pointing out that the last 2 seasons were duds basically because of self-inflicted wounds? I love how for some of you, no one is ever allowed to point out that Fleury has flaws (gasp), GMJR made some head-scratching moves (shocking) or that Jack Johnson actually makes his playing partners a little bit worse ?
This team is fun to watch and I pray we dont screw it up by making additional unnecessary moves (See Brassard)
- Amanion

Because he brings it up in every other blog like he’s gathered new readers. No one new reads his blogs. We’ve been here for years lol

****"That second last paragraph just wasn't necessary in an otherwise good blog haha. Yes, GMJR made some stumble moves and decisions but overall his body of work since taking over has the good far exceeding the bad IMO.

I mean I cant even really be mad at the JJ signing anymore because he picked up Marino on the back end for peanuts."

So please do tell...what is wrong with pointing out that the last 2 seasons were duds basically because of self-inflicted wounds? I love how for some of you, no one is ever allowed to point out that Fleury has flaws (gasp), GMJR made some head-scratching moves (shocking) or that Jack Johnson actually makes his playing partners a little bit worse ?
This team is fun to watch and I pray we dont screw it up by making additional unnecessary moves (See Brassard)
- Amanion

Not much man and I dont really give a sh!t either way. Its just been said a thousand times is all. Nothing RW writes and nothing anyone posts here really impacts me negatively in any way. As for that other stuff I actually pointed JJ out today hahah....Sorry to of upset you...

I don’t buy into locker room stuff. There’s no way to prove it. Could Kessel have been a female dog? Sure. Could Sully’s ego have gotten in the way? Sure. Could GMJR have told Kessel he’ll never play in Pittsburgh again? Sure. Could Kessel have asked for a trade to Tochett? Sure. All possibilities, but difficult to prove.

What is easy to prove is removing bad hockey players and replacing them with good hockey players. The change is players is evident in every way.

Guentzel-Sid-Simon
Kahun-Geno-Rust
ZAR-McCann-Kessel
Tanev-Blueger-Horny

Is still a ridiculous lineup with sick depth.
- j.boyd919

It is! and it could be...

Guentzel-Sid-Simon
Kahun-Geno-Rust
Zucker-McCann-ZAR
Tanev-Blueger-Horny.

My point is that they made both the changes. I know its cliche and from a movie (Miracle), but its not always about having the best players, its about having the right players.

Sid's was much better in tight quarters, but I'm still trying to figure out how Malkin even knew where to pass, let alone do it.
- jmatchett383

he's russian. he has 3 eyes.

It is! and it could be...

Guentzel-Sid-Simon
Kahun-Geno-Rust
Zucker-McCann-ZAR
Tanev-Blueger-Horny.

My point is that they made both the changes. I know its cliche and from a movie (Miracle), but its not always about having the best players, its about having the right players.
- joecool2931

Oh I’m in no way shape or form complaining about where the Pens are right now. The roster looks good and they’re clicking on all cylinders. They look like the 15-16 Pens which was by far the most entertaining Penguins team in the last decade.

I just think that if you swapped Galch and Kessel on this team, they’d be stronger. Hell, like you said, if they swapped Zucker and Kessel they’d probably be even stronger.

I just don’t really buy into moving Kessel was the driving force behind making this team better lol. I do think that acquiring Tanev and Kahun and playing Blueger and ZAR regularly is what ultimately helped the Pens get better. Also McCann, Tanev, and Rust having career years, and Marino coming out of nowhere.

But most of that all could have happened without the Kessel/Galch swap.

87th

We have played teams that currently have 60 points or more (Boston, Tampa, Washington, NY Islanders, and St Louis) 7 times this season...

We are 2-5
- Beatnic57

We are 2-3-2. Letang Crosby and Malkin just played their 5th full game together. I think we are ok.

Oh I’m in no way shape or form complaining about where the Pens are right now. The roster looks good and they’re clicking on all cylinders. They look like the 15-16 Pens which was by far the most entertaining Penguins team in the last decade.

I just think that if you swapped Galch and Kessel on this team, they’d be stronger. Hell, like you said, if they swapped Zucker and Kessel they’d probably be even stronger.

I just don’t really buy into moving Kessel was the driving force behind making this team better lol. I do think that acquiring Tanev and Kahun and playing Blueger and ZAR regularly is what ultimately helped the Pens get better. Also McCann, Tanev, and Rust having career years, and Marino coming out of nowhere.

But most of that all could have happened without the Kessel/Galch swap.
- j.boyd919

The reason I think there was clearly a problem somewhere is they were set on moving him. Obviously not for the stats reasons either. Pretty much everyone thats ever been on some kind of competitive team has seen how much 1 bad attitude can disrupt a team. There was multiple reports Crosby DID NOT want malkin moved but nothing about Kessel solely. Look how often you seen Malkin frustrated on the bench last season and this season its like totally gone. Just a lot of points seem to point to Kessel may have been a problem. Kessel even trained with gary roberts whos well well known to be a great trainer and he said Kessel wouldnt train hard ever there no matter what he did.

Agree with all your points though that the other things helped make them better as well.

Just spotted this on DK's site...

• Spotted Brian Dumoulin after the game. No boot. Last time any of us had seen, he was in a boot.

The reason I think there was clearly a problem somewhere is they were set on moving him. Obviously not for the stats reasons either. Pretty much everyone thats ever been on some kind of competitive team has seen how much 1 bad attitude can disrupt a team. There was multiple reports Crosby DID NOT want malkin moved but nothing about Kessel solely. Look how often you seen Malkin frustrated on the bench last season and this season its like totally gone. Just a lot of points seem to point to Kessel may have been a problem. Kessel even trained with gary roberts whos well well known to be a great trainer and he said Kessel wouldnt train hard ever there no matter what he did.

Agree with all your points though that the other things helped make them better as well.
- pens4life-66

I remember hearing he was training with Gary Roberts...I never heard him specifically say anything about Phil training though...Source??

No, but would you trade Galch for Kessel back?
- Beatnic57

Don't forget there was another piece to that trade. P-O Joseph was the main piece coming to Pittsburgh.