I was the one that repeatedly said I had a bad feeling about the series and that the Habs, with a few key guys back from injury, were better than their record indicated. That Price was totally capable of being stellar for a 3 to 5 game period. That the Habs seem to start new seasons after long breaks, for whatever reason(s), well above .500

Its just made me think about the Pens structure in general and how that youthful hunger and drive is more important than other intangibles Rutherford has pursued...and as a result traded away a sh!t ton of assets...assets that could of been young, hungry and driven, spark plugs if you will. Trading for (or resigning) veteran leadership when your multiple time proven star core is in their 30's with 3 cup rings? hahaha.....Rutherford has to go.
- MattStrat

I agree. His last two years have been pretty terrible. I think he got lucky with Marino and had nothing to do with it other than being the administrator. Yeah, he got Zucker, but he also gave up a good amount to get him.

You make a good point. A few other teams like Washington and St. Louis have also looked off. That's the last 4 Cup winners all possibly getting embarrassed in the first round. All 3 teams can't be suddenly this bad.
- Tojo.

ANA and AZ were fighting for first place to begin the season. The season before NJ and Buffalo were both near first place for a bit. It's just how things pan out every year. The cream rises to the top over the course of a season.

yeah, I'm thinking a possible buy low/ change of scenery guy with Virtanen. I'll take the larger season sample over the playoffs. I'm not positive but he might have been pushed down the lineup after they got Toffoli.
- Tojo.

Well, there was only 2.5 weeks between the deadline and the season ending. I think Toffoli got injured in the first playoff game and hasn't played since. But yeah, I'm on board with buy low / change of scenery, especially if it makes Horny expendable (just for cap/salary purposes). Not sure how much Virtanen is going to want with his new contract which will be due soon.

You make a good point. A few other teams like Washington and St. Louis have also looked off. That's the last 4 Cup winners all possibly getting embarrassed in the first round. All 3 teams can't be suddenly this bad.
- Tojo.

Are you including Chicago in the 4 or do the Pens count as 2? Chicago has been bad for a while and the Pens have looked like chumps instead of champs for a while. I'm definitely not surprised by the Pens poor play. They were playing like crap toward the end of the season and they got worse at the TDL. I think WAS is hitting the aging curve like we thought they would. STL definitely looks off and should be better, but they are still close with a good VAN team.

Kunitz really was fantastic. Always showed up with a big hit or a big goal when it counted. Great player.

He doesn't hit like Kunitz, but Hornquist has also had a knack for being there when it counts. Thats why id love to see him stick around.
- MacPatty

I remember Kunitz crushing timonen behind the net at full speed. Yeah I miss kuny

I remember Kunitz crushing timonen behind the net at full speed. Yeah I miss kuny
- 10inchTerror

I actually felt bad about that. I mean, is there a nicer guy than Timonen? But yeah, he was starched.

I agree. His last two years have been pretty terrible. I think he got lucky with Marino and had nothing to do with it other than being the administrator. Yeah, he got Zucker, but he also gave up a good amount to get him.
- Hockey66

I like Zucker and I’m glad he’s on the team, but when you consider that trade was basically Kessel and a 1st for Zucker, the shine really wears off from a value point of view. Extra points off now that we all want Sullivan gone and Sullivan not getting along with Kessel is the reason he got shipped out.

Yes it looks like Kessel has regressed and hindsight is kind to the people calling to trade him, but that doesn’t change the fact that Phil had come off a PPG year and that trading a PPG guy PLUS a pick for a run in the mill top 6 complementary piece is poop value.

I like Zucker and I’m glad he’s on the team, but when you consider that trade was basically Kessel and a 1st for Zucker, the shine really wears off from a value point of view. Extra points off now that we all want Sullivan gone and Sullivan not getting along with Kessel is the reason he got shipped out.

Yes it looks like Kessel has regressed and hindsight is kind to the people calling to trade him, but that doesn’t change the fact that Phil had come off a PPG year and that trading a PPG guy PLUS a pick for a run in the mill top 6 complementary piece is poop value.
- Victoro311

Just imagine if Phil didn't block that trade. For the record I was actually against Zucker for Phil until I knew JJ was part of the deal.

Are you including Chicago in the 4 or do the Pens count as 2? Chicago has been bad for a while and the Pens have looked like chumps instead of champs for a while. I'm definitely not surprised by the Pens poor play. They were playing like crap toward the end of the season and they got worse at the TDL. I think WAS is hitting the aging curve like we thought they would. STL definitely looks off and should be better, but they are still close with a good VAN team.
- Hockey66

Did you watch Sid and Tanger in the post game 4 loss presser?

They said theres no way they'd compare their play before this long a$$ break to the play in this unprecedented August start play in round and playoffs. They were asked if they thought in January, when close to top of league standings, that theyd end up playing like this and losing the play in round and you could tell by the reaction and answers they thought comparing this series to their game 7 or 8 months was ridiculous, especially with all the coming and going of roster players throughout the season. They thought it was totally irrelevant. I agree and its also why I dont like looking at players samples over multiple playoffs, especially if its only been a few 1st rounds in a row.

From DK:

The Penguins are aggressively pursuing a college free agent, although Rutherford did not identify him. "We thought he was going back to school for another year," he said. "With the uncertainty of college hockey now, he's decided not to. This is a player we've followed for the last couple of years, and we like him." He added that the Penguins were interested in one of the 21 prospects from around the league who qualified for unrestricted free agency over the weekend but, "It sounds like we are probably not in the hunt for him. He has his mind set on another team."

first thought is... why only interested in one of the 21 prospects? I realize everyone is trying to get their hands on these kids but theyre literally free assets if you can get them. Why not try?

I like Zucker and I’m glad he’s on the team, but when you consider that trade was basically Kessel and a 1st for Zucker, the shine really wears off from a value point of view. Extra points off now that we all want Sullivan gone and Sullivan not getting along with Kessel is the reason he got shipped out.

Yes it looks like Kessel has regressed and hindsight is kind to the people calling to trade him, but that doesn’t change the fact that Phil had come off a PPG year and that trading a PPG guy PLUS a pick for a run in the mill top 6 complementary piece is poop value.
- Victoro311

I guess to be fair it was Kessel and a 1st for Zucker and POJ. If POJ becomes an above average steady bottom pair Dman next season... its not bad for a declining Kessel where GMJR had little leverage.

I really like Zucker too btw. If he were right handed - RW we'd probably all feel much better.

I agree its a concerning trend to lose quality hockey players because Sully doesnt like their personality.

Molinari is killing it today... kind of what we all expected but good to hear GMJR citing the right things, not just 'youth':

Rutherford cited upgrading the depth behind Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin at center and “strengthening our defense” as personnel priorities during the offseason, but bolstering the will and commitment of the group seems to be an even greater concern.

“We have a couple of players who potentially could be on the market that there’s lot of interest in. You don’t get concerned about (the trade value of) those higher-valued players as maybe a mid-level player you may have to move, or want to move. You may get a lot less value for. Or no value for.

“That’s just the system we live in. It’s not like the old days, where you say, ‘This guy’s worth a third-round pick,’ and if you don’t get a third-round pick, you made a bad deal. Now, sometimes, it’s a good deal if you just move the player and don’t get anything for him, because that’s the system we live in.”

Molinari is killing it today... kind of what we all expected but good to hear GMJR citing the right things, not just 'youth':

Rutherford cited upgrading the depth behind Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin at center and “strengthening our defense” as personnel priorities during the offseason, but bolstering the will and commitment of the group seems to be an even greater concern.

“We have a couple of players who potentially could be on the market that there’s lot of interest in. You don’t get concerned about (the trade value of) those higher-valued players as maybe a mid-level player you may have to move, or want to move. You may get a lot less value for. Or no value for.

“That’s just the system we live in. It’s not like the old days, where you say, ‘This guy’s worth a third-round pick,’ and if you don’t get a third-round pick, you made a bad deal. Now, sometimes, it’s a good deal if you just move the player and don’t get anything for him, because that’s the system we live in.”
- YouMeAndDupuis9

I see Bjug falling into this category.

I like Zucker and I’m glad he’s on the team, but when you consider that trade was basically Kessel and a 1st for Zucker, the shine really wears off from a value point of view. Extra points off now that we all want Sullivan gone and Sullivan not getting along with Kessel is the reason he got shipped out.

Yes it looks like Kessel has regressed and hindsight is kind to the people calling to trade him, but that doesn’t change the fact that Phil had come off a PPG year and that trading a PPG guy PLUS a pick for a run in the mill top 6 complementary piece is poop value.
- Victoro311

I was a move Phil guy for a multitude of reasons, but I agree they didn't get a good enough return for him. Hands were tied when you have to trade him to one team and they use that leverage. POJ looks like a smart target playing 27 minutes in all situations as a 20 year old AHL rookie. Wish they would have gotten someone else or flipped Galchenyuk.

I think Zucker, while he'll never get Phil's numbers, is better than run of the mill. Had 20 goals 40 points in only 60 games and showed he might bump up a little here. But yeah we lost a 1st in that swap and it's questionable who got the better defensive prospect since they're very different.

I think it's still a win for the Pens, but the asset management I agree wasn't the best as they sold low and bought high.

From DK:

The Penguins are aggressively pursuing a college free agent, although Rutherford did not identify him. "We thought he was going back to school for another year," he said. "With the uncertainty of college hockey now, he's decided not to. This is a player we've followed for the last couple of years, and we like him." He added that the Penguins were interested in one of the 21 prospects from around the league who qualified for unrestricted free agency over the weekend but, "It sounds like we are probably not in the hunt for him. He has his mind set on another team."

first thought is... why only interested in one of the 21 prospects? I realize everyone is trying to get their hands on these kids but theyre literally free assets if you can get them. Why not try?
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Thanks for that article.

The Pens have 6 open spots on their 50 man contract limit. after signing RFAs, but that's with Poulin and Legare not making the team and they probably want to give both a chance. Also most teams want one or two spots free. So you don't want to spend too many spots on college free agents if you can only add 3 or 4 guys total including NHL and AHL free agents. Probably why Pavalchuk only got an AHL offer.

EDIT: They did already add two college UFAs and one European UFA so it's not like they're ignoring the market.

ZAR out 6 months with shoulder surgery. That would keep him out the first 2 to 3 months of the season if they actually start when they think they will.

ZAR out 6 months with shoulder surgery. That would keep him out the first 2 to 3 months of the season if they actually start when they think they will.
- Tojo.

Wtf, the Pens were still (frank)ing injured🤣

Thanks for that article.

The Pens have 6 open spots on their 50 man contract limit. after signing RFAs, but that's with Poulin and Legare not making the team and they probably want to give both a chance. Also most teams want one or two spots free. So you don't want to spend too many spots on college free agents if you can only add 3 or 4 guys total including NHL and AHL free agents. Probably why Pavalchuk only got an AHL offer.

EDIT: They did already add two college UFAs and one European UFA so it's not like they're ignoring the market.
- Tojo.

So basically until trades are made were sticking with making 2 signings then. But trades will be made.

Wtf, the Pens were still (frank)ing injured🤣
- 668710

Philly did it!