I am going to push back on this. Blueger is fast, carries the puck thru the neutral zone, battles in the corners and along the walls. The same skills everyone likes about Simon.

The areas he is better than Simon are; he drives the net, battles in front of net and also has a sneaky shot.

The big difference I see between them is the fact Blueger looks to shoot whereas Simon only shoots when there is no other option.
- Thunderbolt

I just looked and theyre only 2 of 4 players to play every game for the Pens this season and their underlying 5 on 5 numbers are almost identical. Blueger has been settled into a line and Simon gets tossed all over the lineup.

I kind of lean towards your opinion here but understand the others too.

I think the reluctance to this is just how effective not only Bluey's line is but also how good the team chemistry is. People are afraid to F with an already good thing.

The Pens were looking pretty damn good until that Brassard trade, which pretty much everyone wanted and thought was a good move....then they werent the same cohesive team after Brassard.
- MattStrat

This is my point. We have a well oiled machine. I'm not f'n with the chemistry. Brassard coming in like a turd in the punch bowl definitely comes to mind. Not saying Zucker would do the same, but I'm starting to believe Blueg's is a key part of this team.

Plus.... I honestly believe Sullivan would slug JR if he took away his shutdown center.

Just noticed he's signed next year for 750k. I'm keeping him.

Simon's passing and puck-skills are far superior to Blueger. Defensively they are about equal. While Simon's production in the top-six equal that of Blueger in the bottom, I think Blueger would completely drown if he tried to play in the top-six.
- Rinosaur

I can't wait to see what Blueger can do in the top six, but I suspect it will never happen. It's certainly not going to happen this year.

Of course this is only my opinion, I think you and everyone else will be pleasantly surprised at how well he can handle LW. Unfortunately we may never know.

To me, the LD is more important to upgrade than any other position. That's where I think JR will upgrade first.

I just looked and theyre only 2 of 4 players to play every game for the Pens this season and their underlying 5 on 5 numbers are almost identical. Blueger has been settled into a line and Simon gets tossed all over the lineup.
- MattStrat

Getting tossed from Crosby to Malkin to McCann and now back to Crosby isn't such a bad thing. When he has been demoted to fourth line it was because he wasn't producing.

Blueger has been pigeon holed into a position. It is very important position, yes. And maybe it is the best position for him as far as the team goes. There is no doubt he is the best option. He is a talented player and if given the chance he can prove it, I think he is being underutilized.

To me, the LD is more important to upgrade than any other position. That's where I think JR will upgrade first.
- hipcheck_goalie

With Dumo coming back in a few weeks they have Dumo, Petts, Rikky and JJ for the LD already.

Whos getting scratched for new LD? JJ? nah...Dumo or Petts? nah

With Dumo coming back in a few weeks they have Dumo, Petts, Rikky and JJ for the LD already.

Whos getting scratched for new LD? JJ? nah...Dumo or Petts? nah
- MattStrat

Petts would have to be traded. I could see someone older like Martinez and in return a young player like petts plus a pick, secondary asset.

Gotta agree with Rino here. Teddy is great in his role and ive personally was excited when he drafted him, watched him play in college once, and have been waiting to see him in a Pens jersey for a long time. That being said, he’s a bottom six center. Probably a really good 4C or an average 3C. We should not be getting hung up on Blueger if the return is an elite two-way top line wing. Especially when G is out and this team has a very real chance of contending for the Cup.

That being said, I think we have just enough trade ammunition that I don’t think Rutherford would have to include Blueger if he doesn’t want to.

This IMO would be the ideal forward group for THIS season if the Pens can pull it off...

Zucker-Sid-Toffoli
Kahun-Geno-Rust
Simon-McCann-Horn
ZAR-Blueger-Tanev

Obviously this would mean Bjugstad and Galchenyuk are the players to be moved as part of these deals.

I would love an LD, but I just don't think the Pens believe they need one. They're clearly not moving JJ right now and I don't think they'd want to risk losing Riikola for nothing if they had to put him waivers when Dumo was healthy.

Gotta agree with Rino here. Teddy is great in his role and ive personally was excited when he drafted him, watched him play in college once, and have been waiting to see him in a Pens jersey for a long time. That being said, he’s a bottom six center. Probably a really good 4C or an average 3C. We should not be getting hung up on Blueger if the return is an elite two-way top line wing. Especially when G is out and this team has a very real chance of contending for the Cup.

That being said, I think we have just enough trade ammunition that I don’t think Rutherford would have to include Blueger if he doesn’t want to.
- Victoro311

I think Galch or Bjug + 1st + their choice of a Pens prospect gets it done and losing Addison, Poulin or Legare is TOTALLY worth it.

I think Galch or Bjug + 1st + their choice of a Pens prospect gets it done and losing Addison, Poulin or Legare is TOTALLY worth it.
- Rinosaur

Agreed. I'd do this. Frankly, I don't really understand a team like Minny centering a trade around a player like Blueg's. That's why I don't really believe that rumor about what they want as a return. Billy G was heavily involved in getting the prospects we have so you'd think he'd want one of those.

Agreed. I'd do this. Frankly, I don't really understand a team like Minny centering a trade around a player like Blueg's. That's why I don't really believe that rumor about what they want as a return. Billy G was heavily involved in getting the prospects we have so you'd think he'd want one of those.
- madmike71

I think it really depends on what Minny has planned. The real get for them is the pick and prospect. If they plan on doing a quick rebuild/retool then Bjugstad makes sense as an affordable stop-gap. He'd obviously be the throw-in.

I have to think Koivu retires after this year and if he doesn't, I'd imagine he'd want to do a one or two year deal with a contender. That leaves Staal, EK and Rask as their centers. Bjugstad would fill in nicely to get them through another year.

Are people really concerned about moving Blueger for Zucker?

At least for this season they have Bjugstad to play 4C. I mean come on, talk about about about an embarrassment of riches if that’s the case.

I like Blueger, but an above average a 4C is very replaceable next year, folks. Getting a legit top-six winger like Zucker cost-controlled for the remainder of the Sid/Geno era for 4C and a bum? Yes, please.
- Rinosaur

The Blueger line is awesome, don't get me wrong, but the Pens were playing really well before that line was put together. Right now everyone is on the same page so while yes, some lines are finding chemistry, everyone sees to be finding success.
- Rinosaur

I'm not sure how goid Blueger and ZAR are apart from Tanev, but I am a believer in chemistry and those 3 just work together. They've been together playing a 3rd line role pretty much the entire season with the injuries and they get the job done.

If you trade Blueger, you're not only potentially disrupting that, you're messing with your cap next year by moving an effective player making about league minimum. And while by all means I want to take a shot this year, with the Guentzel and Dumoulin injuries we might actually be better next year.

If this is the only way to get a wing, sure, I can agree, but if you zoom out I think you can do it for futures and that's the route I'd take.

First off, I just accidentally flagged this. Sorry.

Secondly, completely fleeced? I think thats a bit exaggerated, especially if the pick is high. Galch would most likely turn into at least one more pick for them too.

I'm sticking to Galch, Bjugs (or Rikky) and a 1st for Zucker.
- MattStrat

That's too much cap Minnesotas way IMO and they won't want that.

I'm not sure how goid Blueger and ZAR are apart from Tanev, but I am a believer in chemistry and those 3 just work together. They've been together playing a 3rd line role pretty much the entire season with the injuries and they get the job done.

If you trade Blueger, you're not only potentially disrupting that, you're messing with your cap next year by moving an effective player making about league minimum. And while by all means I want to take a shot this year, with the Guentzel and Dumoulin injuries we might actually be better next year.

If this is the only way to get a wing, sure, I can agree, but if you zoom out I think you can do it for futures and that's the route I'd take.
- Tojo.

I definitely put a good amount of stock into chemistry, but Blueger's skill-set is not that hard to replace. For this season you'd get Bjugstad as his replacement and while they're very different players I still believe you get a killer fourth line by swapping out Blueger for Bjugstad.

That's too much cap Minnesotas way IMO and they won't want that.
- 668710

Not that I think the'd want both Bjug and Chucky, they absolutely have the space right now.

I think it really depends on what Minny has planned. The real get for them is the pick and prospect. If they plan on doing a quick rebuild/retool then Bjugstad makes sense as an affordable stop-gap. He'd obviously be the throw-in.

I have to think Koivu retires after this year and if he doesn't, I'd imagine he'd want to do a one or two year deal with a contender. That leaves Staal, EK and Rask as their centers. Bjugstad would fill in nicely to get them through another year.
- Rinosaur

For Billy G's sake, I hope he realizes there's no quick rebuild for them. Actually I should say.... I hope the owner realizes there's no quick rebuild/retool. They need to sell off and suck for a couple years and hope the new CBA has a couple of compliance buyouts included.

https://www.waveintel.org/

Here’s a link to some new charts if anyone isninterested.

They have player head to head

And

Team head to head

Gotta agree with Rino here. Teddy is great in his role and ive personally was excited when he drafted him, watched him play in college once, and have been waiting to see him in a Pens jersey for a long time. That being said, he’s a bottom six center. Probably a really good 4C or an average 3C. We should not be getting hung up on Blueger if the return is an elite two-way top line wing. Especially when G is out and this team has a very real chance of contending for the Cup.

That being said, I think we have just enough trade ammunition that I don’t think Rutherford would have to include Blueger if he doesn’t want to.
- Victoro311

Elite two way top line wing? I assume you are talking about Tatar and not the mental midget Zucker right?

https://www.waveintel.org/

Here’s a link to some new charts if anyone isninterested.

They have player head to head

And

Team head to head
- j.boyd919

These charts are pretty nice

Gotta agree with Rino here. Teddy is great in his role and ive personally was excited when he drafted him, watched him play in college once, and have been waiting to see him in a Pens jersey for a long time. That being said, he’s a bottom six center. Probably a really good 4C or an average 3C. We should not be getting hung up on Blueger if the return is an elite two-way top line wing. Especially when G is out and this team has a very real chance of contending for the Cup.

That being said, I think we have just enough trade ammunition that I don’t think Rutherford would have to include Blueger if he doesn’t want to.
- Victoro311

If our desire is a two way forward we have at least two of them already. Blueger and Tanev can play that role. Are they elite, no not even close. I get it. If Blueger is so easily replaced let's give him a shot in that role. I want to see what some of the guys we already have can do rather than trading young players for question marks.

On a side note, I have no problem with people who disagree with me. I take a contrarian view often, particularly when I think guys are overrated or underrated.

For example; I have been quiet on JJ for the most part because I see people are evaluating him more in line with his pay and ability. JJ works hard and plays the way the staff wants him to play. The coaches see that and give him passes where people here do not.

Elite two way top line wing? I assume you are talking about Tatar and not the mental midget Zucker right?
- Feds91Stammer

Pens are not getting Tatar unfortunately.

Pens are not getting Tatar unfortunately.
- Rinosaur

Why’s that?

I definitely put a good amount of stock into chemistry, but Blueger's skill-set is not that hard to replace. For this season you'd get Bjugstad as his replacement and while they're very different players I still believe you get a killer fourth line by swapping out Blueger for Bjugstad.
- Rinosaur

What do you say to just taking a different target that doesn't require Blueger if that's the sticking point.

What do you say to just taking a different target that doesn't require Blueger if that's the sticking point.
- Tojo.

Read back, sir. I did. I was simply saying that if Blueger is what it takes they shouldn’t say no.