I don't think Ruhwedel is better than Shultz, but he's certainly much better value. And I don't even know about the first part anymore. Schultz has been super bad the past year and a half, injury or no.
- Victoro311

Our 3rd pair is really bad, the type you'd like to move on from.

Our extra defenseman are good for extra defensemen. Doesn't mean they worthy of 3rd pair status though I think Riikola might be, but when they get measures against what we all worry JJ-Schultz is going to be and has been, it's tempting to play them instead.

Our 3rd pair is really bad, the type you'd like to move on from.

Our extra defenseman are good for extra defensemen. Doesn't mean they worthy of 3rd pair status though I think Riikola might be, but when they get measures against what we all worry JJ-Schultz is going to be and has been, it's tempting to play them instead.
- Tojo.

I actually think pretty highly of Riikola and would be very happy if he was anchoring the 3rd pair and I also think a Riikola/Ruhwedel 3rd pair would be quite serviceable. The issue is what you point out in terms of extra defensemen.

Do we want Ruhwedel jumping into the 2nd RD when there's an injury? Nope, but how realistic is it to have multiple 3rd pairing dmen capable of 2nd pairing play when you're a cap team?

GMJR spoke to Yohe again:

We already know we’re going to have to move some money around to get under the cap, just to make things work out for us. And I can tell you that some things and some decisions will be based on how certain people perform in the playoffs.

I have trouble not looking at that and thinking Murray


Also, Bjugstad may be available later so they may keep him on thw roster. I'm sure many wouldn't bother, but the other forward options are pretty bad.

Also, while he's invited to the camp portion, Poulin has to make the black aces team still, they just felt he deserved the shot.

I actually think pretty highly of Riikola and would be very happy if he was anchoring the 3rd pair and I also think a Riikola/Ruhwedel 3rd pair would be quite serviceable. The issue is what you point out in terms of extra defensemen.

Do we want Ruhwedel jumping into the 2nd RD when there's an injury? Nope, but how realistic is it to have multiple 3rd pairing dmen capable of 2nd pairing play when you're a cap team?
- Rinosaur

A vet #5 type on a value contract, ideally one that can play either side, is what I'd shoot for. Should be some bargains late in FA. Think a Cullen type signing, first time.

GMJR spoke to Yohe again:

We already know we’re going to have to move some money around to get under the cap, just to make things work out for us. And I can tell you that some things and some decisions will be based on how certain people perform in the playoffs.

I have trouble not looking at that and thinking Murray


Also, Bjugstad may be available later so they may keep him on thw roster. I'm sure many wouldn't bother, but the other forward options are pretty bad.

Also, while he's invited to the camp portion, Poulin has to make the black aces team still, they just felt he deserved the shot.
- Tojo.

Well I'm sure both Murray and Jarry are implied there. I'd even go so far as to point out McCann, Sheary and how the 3C/4C situation pans out. If Sheary outperforms McCann, could that possibly mean Blueger takes over 3C and Rod to 4C?

I may be stretching a bit, but I think there are quite a few dominoes here.

A vet #5 type on a value contract, ideally one that can play either side, is what I'd shoot for. Should be some bargains late in FA. Think a Cullen type signing, first time.
- Tojo.

Not many of those to go around unfortunately. Not to beat the proverbial dead horse, but this is where the JJ contact (frank)s them. If he wasn't in the lineup, they could easily overspend for someone more qualified.

I think you start Murray but the leash is shorter than it would be since its BO5
- Murphy_Dump

Yeah, I agree. However I think the leash should be very, very short. A single bad game or even bad period should be enough to get him pulled in favor of Jarry indefinitely (unless Jarry does worse). This is especially the case in the first series. In the past two seasons, especially this one, Murray has proven that he is not good at "starting cold". He will be starting cold and will have very little room for error, from the start. He won't have two to three months to get into NHL form.

As for the future, while I am not against keeping Murray he definitely has not earned a raise and with several bad contracts (like JJ's) the Pens can't afford to give him one. I am expecting that someone else will take a chance and give him a big deal.

Isn't there going to be a handful of exhibition games? In a perfect world we get a good snapshot of how ready Murray and Jarry are in those games.

Isn't there going to be a handful of exhibition games? In a perfect world we get a good snapshot of how ready Murray and Jarry are in those games.
- Rinosaur

Latest I heard was just one.

Well I'm sure both Murray and Jarry are implied there. I'd even go so far as to point out McCann, Sheary and how the 3C/4C situation pans out. If Sheary outperforms McCann, could that possibly mean Blueger takes over 3C and Rod to 4C?

I may be stretching a bit, but I think there are quite a few dominoes here.
- Rinosaur

That's a good call on Sheary, he definitely needs to earn his next deal.

I think they like McCann enough unless his ask is outrageous. Rod has a qualifier over 2M. I don't see him returning at that price.

That's a good call on Sheary, he definitely needs to earn his next deal.

I think they like McCann enough unless his ask is outrageous. Rod has a qualifier over 2M. I don't see him returning at that price.
- Tojo.

I'm a fan of McCann despite his scoring drought and hope they bring him back to play 3C.

Latest I heard was just one.
- Tojo.

That's just ridiculous if true. I think this opening tournament is going to be a disaster for some good teams. Rutherford made the comment in the Athletic which is no revelation, but some players find their legs earlier than others and the same goes for teams as a whole.

Isn't there going to be a handful of exhibition games? In a perfect world we get a good snapshot of how ready Murray and Jarry are in those games.
- Rinosaur

I read 2 on Sportsnet a while back, I'd say 3 or 4 weeks ago, but this was before anything was official obviously.

Would be nice to have at least 2 and start each goalie for them. See how they look a full game.

GMJR spoke to Yohe again:

We already know we’re going to have to move some money around to get under the cap, just to make things work out for us. And I can tell you that some things and some decisions will be based on how certain people perform in the playoffs.

I have trouble not looking at that and thinking Murray


Also, Bjugstad may be available later so they may keep him on thw roster. I'm sure many wouldn't bother, but the other forward options are pretty bad.

Also, while he's invited to the camp portion, Poulin has to make the black aces team still, they just felt he deserved the shot.
- Tojo.

It will be very interesting to see what happens next season with the cap. I think if we actually play an elimination series/playoff with success. I think the cap may stay the same or have only a slight decrease. I think if the compliance buyout happens as you spoke about earlier and was brought up in previous forum discussions. I think Bjugstad is our number 1 candidate.

I think overall we are in a good situation cap wise with Schultz walking, Sheary walking, and as you stated Rodrigues potentially not getting an offer (pending on how he plays if we have a playoff series).

I think Riikola, Simon (pending on how big of a raise he is looking for), Hornqvist (pending on how low the cap drops) and Murray/Jarry are trade candidates.


I think McCann gets a raise, but nothing crazy. I also think a surprise will be Marleau resigns as a depth piece with the team kinda like Cullen did for multiple years just to be a 4th line/leader type.

Our overall needs will be 3rd pairing D and a potential complimentary winger for Crosby/Malkin (pending the cap).

I read 2 on Sportsnet a while back, I'd say 3 or 4 weeks ago, but this was before anything was official obviously.

Would be nice to have at least 2 and start each goalie for them. See how they look a full game.
- MattStrat

It really should be five

It will be very interesting to see what happens next season with the cap. I think if we actually play an elimination series/playoff with success. I think the cap may stay the same or have only a slight decrease. I think if the compliance buyout happens as you spoke about earlier and was brought up in previous forum discussions. I think Bjugstad is our number 1 candidate.
- 123Kid

Really? I would say JJ. Bjug only has one year left and can be a decent player when healthy (can also play center). JJ only makes $850K less and has 3 more years of suckage. Also, when (not if) Bjug goes on LTIR, we recoup that cap space. I would even put Tanev ahead of Bjug. That's a lot of money for a lot of years for a non-scoring 4th liner.

Really? I would say JJ. Bjug only has one year left and can be a decent player when healthy (can also play center). JJ only makes $850K less and has 3 more years of suckage. Also, when (not if) Bjug goes on LTIR, we recoup that cap space. I would even put Tanev ahead of Bjug. That's a lot of money for a lot of years for a non-scoring 4th liner.
- Hockey66

This is the very reason why Bjugstad is likeliest to go. He's far easier to move than JJ. He still has three more years and with the possibility of a lower cap there's no way a team is taking him. If the Pens were lucky they'd find a taker at 50% retention.

I'm a fan of McCann despite his scoring drought and hope they bring him back to play 3C.
- Rinosaur

McCann will definitely be back. He was Rutherfords main target in that deal. I think I remember reading Guerin was the guy who really pushed for Bjug.

Bjug is definitely on the move one way or the other. JJ gonna be here for the rest of his miserable contract.....I'm sure of it.

McCann will definitely be back. He was Rutherfords main target in that deal. I think I remember reading Guerin was the guy who really pushed for Bjug.

Bjug is definitely on the move one way or the other. JJ gonna be here for the rest of his miserable contract.....I'm sure of it.
- madmike71

Just for reference, here are the buyout costs and savings for each:

Bjug
20-21: $600K (saves $3.5M cap)
21-22: $1.75M

JJ
20-21: $1.17M (saves $1.58M cap)
21-22: $1.17M (saves $1.58M cap)
22-23: $1.9M (saves $1.33M cap)
23-24: $900K
24-25: $900K
25-26: $900K

I think I did this right. To me, it's an easy choice. By comparison, Bjug gains $1.92M cap this year but JJ would gain $3.33M next year (savings vs. cost between the two). Then JJ results in cap savings of $1.33M the next year and costs only $2.7M the following 3 years (probably after the window anyway).

I take back my previous statement about buying out Tanev over Bjug - his buyout would be too much dead money for too long.

McCann will definitely be back. He was Rutherfords main target in that deal. I think I remember reading Guerin was the guy who really pushed for Bjug.

Bjug is definitely on the move one way or the other. JJ gonna be here for the rest of his miserable contract.....I'm sure of it.
- madmike71

I think the two most realistic scenarios for JJ are either bribing Seattle or a compliance buyout when the new CBA starts.

The wishful thinking scenario is if the cap goes down due to this crap that the league and NHLPA agree to a special circumstance compliance buyout for the 20/21 season.

Really? I would say JJ. Bjug only has one year left and can be a decent player when healthy (can also play center). JJ only makes $850K less and has 3 more years of suckage. Also, when (not if) Bjug goes on LTIR, we recoup that cap space. I would even put Tanev ahead of Bjug. That's a lot of money for a lot of years for a non-scoring 4th liner.
- Hockey66

Tanev is a very acceptable overpayment IMO. I'm glad he's a Penguin.

I can't help but wonder....with all this rest now....will Brandon Tanev's speed stick out again? Towards the end of the season, he was still fast, but not like near the top of the class in speed like he was the first month or two. That crazy speed had him drawing a lot of penalties...he definitely wasn't near as fast in the last few months...

I can't help but wonder....with all this rest now....will Brandon Tanev's speed stick out again? Towards the end of the season, he was still fast, but not like near the top of the class in speed like he was the first month or two. That crazy speed had him drawing a lot of penalties...he definitely wasn't near as fast in the last few months...
- MattStrat

Truthfully, the same could be said for much of the team. The Pens hit a wall as the season was winding down. You could easily see they didn't have the same gusto in the last month than they did for much of the season. I think they all just ran out of steam.

Truthfully, the same could be said for much of the team. The Pens hit a wall as the season was winding down. You could easily see they didn't have the same gusto in the last month than they did for much of the season. I think they all just ran out of steam.
- Rinosaur

Agreed. I think this layoff will be a good thing for Pens, not only because Jake will be back, but also the whole team including the 30+ stars will be well rested again. As we said many times, you cant keep the tempo and battle level of the early season going the whole season and into the playoffs. Impossible.

I can't help but wonder....with all this rest now....will Brandon Tanev's speed stick out again? Towards the end of the season, he was still fast, but not like near the top of the class in speed like he was the first month or two. That crazy speed had him drawing a lot of penalties...he definitely wasn't near as fast in the last few months...
- MattStrat

Good point. The guy I've been wondering about is Zucker because with the foot injury he had, we haven't even seen him at top speed in Pittsburgh yet.

I think it will also help Tanev press forward having ZAR back. That whole line did a great job reading off each other's games and knowing where the puck would likely be forced.