The Pens are actually in a pretty good position for next year even with a flat cap. Might be able to fill 1st line RW. They have flexibility. Can't keep Murray and hopefully move Bjug.
- madmike71

Bjugstad and Johnson represent a lot of imminently replaceable cap. If we could get rid of them without taking cap back, or just a bit of cap, we’d have a good bit more funny money to play with than other top contenders with very little holes to fill.

Bjugstad and Johnson represent a lot of imminently replaceable cap. If we could get rid of them without taking cap back, or just a bit of cap, we’d have a good bit more funny money to play with than other top contenders with very little holes to fill.
- Victoro311

I think they can move JJ if they retain the max 50%, but I can't see any other way. Bjugstad I could see them possibly doing a complete dump with. There are enough teams who need to fill out their lineup with middle six talent that could take a flyer on him. Buffalo comes to mind.

Jeez it really has not sunk in that we are three days away from Penguins hockey in the post season.

I am almost certainly going to forget the game is on and miss the first period

I think they can move JJ if they retain the max 50%, but I can't see any other way. Bjugstad I could see them possibly doing a complete dump with. There are enough teams who need to fill out their lineup with middle six talent that could take a flyer on him. Buffalo comes to mind.
- Rinosaur

In a super ideal world... you could trade Bjudgstad for a mid pick... maybe a 4th in a cap dump move to a team that also values him as a 3rd line center.

Then... somehow turn and dump JJ with like... ~30%, not 50% using the 4th and another mid/late pick for a late pick (because I think you have to get something back now?) and just wipe your hands clean of about 5.4 mil of cap space.


I still personally like Bjudstad's game... but hes become a more expensive Brittle Beau Bennett here.

In a super ideal world... you could trade Bjudgstad for a mid pick... maybe a 4th in a cap dump move to a team that also values him as a 3rd line center.

Then... somehow turn and dump JJ with like... ~30%, not 50% using the 4th and another mid/late pick for a late pick (because I think you have to get something back now?) and just wipe your hands clean of about 5.4 mil of cap space.


I still personally like Bjudstad's game... but hes become a more expensive Brittle Beau Bennett here.
- Guile

Retaining 50% of JJ's contract is still better than a buyout and that's really all I'm comparing it to. If they can move him with retaining less that would be great, but I personally don't believe a 4th round pick is going tickle anyone's fancy enough to lower that retention. I'd happily be wrong though.

I believe it was Sid Sheary and Horny who played together in the 2016 run. Can only think it be better with Guentz in Shearys spot. Either way if Sheary is failing and the Zuck-Geno-Rust line is killing it, gotta think Horny goes up there. I'm just glad Simon is injured so that it's not even and option on Sid's wing lol
- 668710

They ran Guentzel-Sid-Hornqvist in the 17-18 playoffs and they were outstanding. It's not just a theory, when they play together, it works.

You know, I’m fine with Sheary for what he is. He was pretty incredible value for us when he was on ELC and he’s a decent enough middle six player. But when you have Sid and G who can put up goals at will on the same line, Simon is an infinitely better third wheel than Sheary is. He actually plays defense, is underrated on the boards, good in the cycle, and a better passer and puck carrier than Sheary is. The hate boner for Simon on this board is so hyperbolized. Pretty impressive Carl Hagelin was able to get through his tenure here still being a fan favorite given how much people here detest guys who don’t put up numbers in the top 6.
- Victoro311

I don't really like Simon as the top option on that line and have made that clear repeatedly. But given the choice between Simon or Sheary, I'd probably go Simon. Hoping Sheary shows some growth from previous playoff disappearances.

They ran Guentzel-Sid-Hornqvist in the 17-18 playoffs and they were outstanding. It's not just a theory, when they play together, it works.
- Tojo.

I was going to mention that. This is correct. They did all the scoring that post season. They dominated. Then for some strange reason, Sullivan broke it up and dropped Hornie to Geno's line (Geno was nursing some kind of injury). Nobody scored after that. He was probably trying to prop up Geno but it didn't work. Single worst coaching move by Sullivan in Pittsburgh.

Bjugstad and Johnson represent a lot of imminently replaceable cap. If we could get rid of them without taking cap back, or just a bit of cap, we’d have a good bit more funny money to play with than other top contenders with very little holes to fill.
- Victoro311

I've said this before, I think JJ is here for the entirety of that contract. At minimum, he'll be here for one more season. The Pens don't buy out players and I can't see any other team taking that contract unless we pay them to take it.

Speaking of D.... I think it's fully possible Ruh is in the bottom pairing next season.

I've said this before, I think JJ is here for the entirety of that contract. At minimum, he'll be here for one more season. The Pens don't buy out players and I can't see any other team taking that contract unless we pay them to take it.

Speaking of D.... I think it's fully possible Ruh is in the bottom pairing next season.
- madmike71

And he’ll be the next victim of the “wow this guy’s really regressed, but look at Johnson. He’s had an admirable season” narratives that keep popping up because people don’t comprehend that Johnson is the issue and keeps dragging his partners down.

I've said this before, I think JJ is here for the entirety of that contract. At minimum, he'll be here for one more season. The Pens don't buy out players and I can't see any other team taking that contract unless we pay them to take it.

Speaking of D.... I think it's fully possible Ruh is in the bottom pairing next season.
- madmike71

JJ-Ruhwedel would be awful. They both need the other guy to be the primary puck mover on the pair. That's why Riikola-Ruhwedel worked well as a 3rd pair. They complimented each other's weaknesses.

Now if POJ beats out JJ at some point next year, I could see that working.

Taken from the Athletic:

In NHL history, only five players have produced more goals per game in the playoffs among those who have played 40 or more postseason games than Guentzel’s 0.585 total. Their names: Mario Lemieux (0.71), Mike Bossy (0.66), Rocket Richard (0.62), Cam Neely (0.61) and Wayne Gretzky (0.59).

They ran Guentzel-Sid-Hornqvist in the 17-18 playoffs and they were outstanding. It's not just a theory, when they play together, it works.
- Tojo.

That's right, I remember that now. They tore it up.

That's right, I remember that now. They tore it up.
- 668710

Yes. And Hornqvist will still go to that line when they need a goal. He should just be put their. Sheary would probably mesh better with the 3rd line anyway.

The Pens path got a lot harder. Extra round. Reseeding is worse. Guaranteed to only play one of Tampa or Boston before.
- Tojo.

And now they may not have to player either of them.

Side note: I'm a bit surprised that RW didn't refer to the exhibition game win as the high point in Claude Giroux's career as a Flyer.

And now they may not have to player either of them.

Side note: I'm a bit surprised that RW didn't refer to the exhibition game win as the high point in Claude Giroux's career as a Flyer.
- jmatchett383

it just goes without saying...

it just goes without saying...
- JLT168

Well, it does rival the regular-season game that was played outdoors.

And now they may not have to player either of them.

Side note: I'm a bit surprised that RW didn't refer to the exhibition game win as the high point in Claude Giroux's career as a Flyer.
- jmatchett383

Technically Toronto could have knocked the Bruins and Lighting off, but who are we kidding. I want another Pens Flyers series while both teams are good.

Technically Toronto could have knocked the Bruins and Lighting off, but who are we kidding. I want another Pens Flyers series while both teams are good.
- Tojo.

Well if the Flyers finish 4th in the round robing and the Penguins beat the Habs, you'll get your wish.

I'm just saying, Tampa Bay got swept last season in the first round, so you're not guaranteed to play anyone past the first round.

And he’ll be the next victim of the “wow this guy’s really regressed, but look at Johnson. He’s had an admirable season” narratives that keep popping up because people don’t comprehend that Johnson is the issue and keeps dragging his partners down.
- Victoro311

Don't read Rossi's article on JJ in the Athletic. It's basically he was fine on the 3rd pair earlier so there's nothing to worry about. Said he was a good veteran safety valve for Marino early. I think it's safe to say now who was elevating who in that pairing.

Well if the Flyers finish 4th in the round robing and the Penguins beat the Habs, you'll get your wish.

I'm just saying, Tampa Bay got swept last season in the first round, so you're not guaranteed to play anyone past the first round.
- jmatchett383

I thought I wrote that as the guarantee was they'd only play one of Tamp or Boston.

And I love the rivalry rounds over fresh match-ups, so I loved the idea that we had to potentially try to beat our 2 biggest rivals to advance to the Conference Finals. Still possible, but less likely.

I thought I wrote that as the guarantee was they'd only play one of Tamp or Boston.

And I love the rivalry rounds over fresh match-ups, so I loved the idea that we had to potentially try to beat our 2 biggest rivals to advance to the Conference Finals. Still possible, but less likely.
- Tojo.

No matter what playoff scenario they used, they they wouldn't assured on playing both, one, or neither of them. If Boston and Tampa Bay both lost their first round series in either format, the Pens wouldn't play them.

Are the Flyers still a top rival? Up until this year, we've been pretty irrelevant since 2012.

No matter what playoff scenario they used, they they wouldn't assured on playing both, one, or neither of them. If Boston and Tampa Bay both lost their first round series in either format, the Pens wouldn't play them.

Are the Flyers still a top rival? Up until this year, we've been pretty irrelevant since 2012.
- jmatchett383

Guarantee was that they could only play at most one in the old format. Maybe neither if they both lost or the Pens lost, but no way they would play both.

Washington is probably ahead at the moment because of Ovi, Wilson, and the 4 tight series where the winner eventually won the Cup, but it will always go back to Pens and Flyers.

No matter what playoff scenario they used, they they wouldn't assured on playing both, one, or neither of them. If Boston and Tampa Bay both lost their first round series in either format, the Pens wouldn't play them.

Are the Flyers still a top rival? Up until this year, we've been pretty irrelevant since 2012.
- jmatchett383

To me they are still number one.

If you guys are interested in a long read analytics breakdown of the Pens forward lines. G-off is a good read. Has defense and goalies to, I haven't gotten that far:

https://thesportsdaily.co...__twitter_impression=true

I'd forgotten how good McCann and Hornqvist were defensively together, though I think Kahun was also a part of that.