Niskanen only got a one game suspension for cross checking a guy in the face and breaking his jaw. You'd think somebody on Tampa would fall on his sword and do the same to Marchand.

Niskanen only got a one game suspension for cross checking a guy in the face and breaking his jaw. You'd think somebody on Tampa would fall on his sword and do the same to Marchand.
- madmike71

He would be hailed a hero.

I think you are right, though Sanderson could possibly fall. I wish there was a way to trade up for Drysdale as I think he is going to have a Makar like impact (likely not quite as good though). Would likely need to go to #5 for that and I don't think they have the juice.

But yes, likelt going to grab one of the centers.
- MacPatty

I think if anything Sanderson goes too high just because he's the 2nd rated D, but if he's at 15 that would be amazing.

I think if anything Sanderson goes too high just because he's the 2nd rated D, but if he's at 15 that would be amazing.
- Tojo.

Just prepare yourself that he could very well be the next Cody Ceci or Derek Forbort. Not to be a Debbie Downer, but they were recently selected at #15, too.

Rumors have it Taylor Hall may take a pay decrease to play for a winning team. He is valuing a consistent winning team over $$. I wouldn't mind JR taking a shot at the sweepstakes to get him. I feel we are solid on the LW, but Hall definitely is a talent you don't see available everyday in free agency.

Just prepare yourself that he could very well be the next Cody Ceci or Derek Forbort. Not to be a Debbie Downer, but they were recently selected at #15, too.
- Hockey66

So were Karlsson and Larkin. Draft picks may or may not pan out. But, it's still a better chance drafting in first round.

Rumors have it Taylor Hall may take a pay decrease to play for a winning team. He is valuing a consistent winning team over $$. I wouldn't mind JR taking a shot at the sweepstakes to get him. I feel we are solid on the LW, but Hall definitely is a talent you don't see available everyday in free agency.
- 123Kid

Maybe I'm way off base, but I just don't think Hall moves the needle enough for the Pens when you consider the money it will cost to obtain him and the other needs this team needs to fill. Even a "pay decrease" will not be cheap. Taking less also needs to be clarified. Is it less than he would get on the open market or less than his current $6M? That's a huge difference. A discount against the market value is probably still $6.5 to $7M neighborhood, but a decrease from his current salary could be in the $4.5M range. Let's consider the scenarios at the market discount:

1) They move Jake to make room for Hall. Personally I'm taking Jake over Hall right now at what Jake is costing the Pens. The only thing that changes it that maybe you can move Jake for a strong RW. Still, I'm not loving this idea.

2) They move Zucker to make room for Hall. Ok, obviously Hall is a better player than Zucker, but there are certain dynamics Zucker brings, like his speed, and again, does spending an additional $1.5M move the needle enough with Hall in his spot? I don't know, but there's definitely more of an argument for that using Zucker than Jake. Like the first option, you could always try and move Zucker for a RW.

3) The grand and super unlikely scenario: You now have Hall, Jake and Zucker as your top 9 LWs. That adds incredible depth to this team and you would almost definitely see both Bjugstad + JJ out of here. STILL, the void at RW is glaring and the Pens need a way to fill it. You've just cleared out space and now need to clear more to fill that hole.

I'm going on a tangent here, but I highly doubt Hall is on the Pens' radar and vice/versa.

Just prepare yourself that he could very well be the next Cody Ceci or Derek Forbort. Not to be a Debbie Downer, but they were recently selected at #15, too.
- Hockey66

That is my ultimate fear. There are some guys projected in the first round that read like them or Connor Hall. Physical, nasty defender, blah, blah, blah. I want physical D men but I want their skating to be what stands out above their nastiness.

Maybe I'm way off base, but I just don't think Hall moves the needle enough for the Pens when you consider the money it will cost to obtain him and the other needs this team needs to fill. Even a "pay decrease" will not be cheap. Taking less also needs to be clarified. Is it less than he would get on the open market or less than his current $6M? That's a huge difference. A discount against the market value is probably still $6.5 to $7M neighborhood, but a decrease from his current salary could be in the $4.5M range. Let's consider the scenarios at the market discount:

1) They move Jake to make room for Hall. Personally I'm taking Jake over Hall right now at what Jake is costing the Pens. The only thing that changes it that maybe you can move Jake for a strong RW. Still, I'm not loving this idea.

2) They move Zucker to make room for Hall. Ok, obviously Hall is a better player than Zucker, but there are certain dynamics Zucker brings, like his speed, and again, does spending an additional $1.5M move the needle enough with Hall in his spot? I don't know, but there's definitely more of an argument for that using Zucker than Jake. Like the first option, you could always try and move Zucker for a RW.

3) The grand and super unlikely scenario: You now have Hall, Jake and Zucker as your top 9 LWs. That adds incredible depth to this team and you would almost definitely see both Bjugstad + JJ out of here. STILL, the void at RW is glaring and the Pens need a way to fill it. You've just cleared out space and now need to clear more to fill that hole.

I'm going on a tangent here, but I highly doubt Hall is on the Pens' radar and vice/versa.
- Rinosaur

They probably play Jake or Zucker on their off side and live with the diminished returns if they had all 3.

I'd say a bigger problem is I imagine Hall plays Geno's PP spot and gets a good chunk of his production there. So are we going to force Geno or Hall on their off-side because we just saw how that works.

Amazing player, but I don't think he's a good fit. And since he's younger than our stars I think he'd prefer a younger core rather than stare at another rebuild.

Pronman at the Athletic did the Pens system today 22 and younger. Of note, Poulin is listed at RW, which is where it looked like he played this year and offers a cleaner path to top 6 when he's ready.

Only 5 prospects made the legit NHL player tier to get ranked. Poulin was the tier above: very good player. In order: Poulin, Legare, POJ, Hallander, O'Connor

Other mentioned as having a shot in no particular order: Puustinen, Lee, Caulfield, Reilly, Bjorkqvist, and Maniscalo.

Rumors have it Taylor Hall may take a pay decrease to play for a winning team. He is valuing a consistent winning team over $$. I wouldn't mind JR taking a shot at the sweepstakes to get him. I feel we are solid on the LW, but Hall definitely is a talent you don't see available everyday in free agency.
- 123Kid

A pay cut for Hall is still going to be at least $7M per year.

Taylor Hall = Phil Kessel. I think you bring him in to run a 3rd line and dominate against weaker competition. Problem is he is a left shot and there is no room for him on the PP.

Again like kessel he is going to get a long term deal after 3 years he will be underperformed on it. They are very similar streaky, score out of nowhere guys but once they lose just a bit of that step they lose a big edge.

Rumors have it Taylor Hall may take a pay decrease to play for a winning team. He is valuing a consistent winning team over $$. I wouldn't mind JR taking a shot at the sweepstakes to get him. I feel we are solid on the LW, but Hall definitely is a talent you don't see available everyday in free agency.
- 123Kid

We need to start accepting realities that the Penguins can no longer be viewed as that powerhouse team that all UFAs would be dying to join, and even take a discount to join.

There are better teams in our division with better situations than the Penguins. Taylor Hall could easily take a short term deal with a team like Colorado before Makar gets paid. That is what I think of when I think of a top UFA taking a smaller deal to win.

The Penguins organization has a great reputation for treating its players well, but I just dont see any big name UFAs of signing with the Penguins because they want to win. I think there are better situations out there for them.

They probably play Jake or Zucker on their off side and live with the diminished returns if they had all 3.

I'd say a bigger problem is I imagine Hall plays Geno's PP spot and gets a good chunk of his production there. So are we going to force Geno or Hall on their off-side because we just saw how that works.

Amazing player, but I don't think he's a good fit. And since he's younger than our stars I think he'd prefer a younger core rather than stare at another rebuild.
- Tojo.

The Pens need a couple of more right-handed shots, so moving Jake or Zucker doesn't solve that problem. I agree, he just doesn't fit with this team as-is.

Just prepare yourself that he could very well be the next Cody Ceci or Derek Forbort. Not to be a Debbie Downer, but they were recently selected at #15, too.
- Hockey66

This is a good point. There is no question the #15 pick could be a total bust and even if they make the NHL, they could be a useless NHL player. On the flip side, a number of good players have come out of that range.

To me, I like the strategy of moving a 1st round pick for a young NHL ready talent. GMs overvalue 1st round picks. Find someone who wants the pick and is willing to part with a solid NHL-ready piece that is 22 years or younger.

Rumors have it Taylor Hall may take a pay decrease to play for a winning team. He is valuing a consistent winning team over $$. I wouldn't mind JR taking a shot at the sweepstakes to get him. I feel we are solid on the LW, but Hall definitely is a talent you don't see available everyday in free agency.
- 123Kid

I read that too, didn't mention it in here but I'm not against it if it's a possibility. I'm sure him or Zucker can play RW. We acquired Kessel when he was 28 and we got some of his best seasons out of him. If Geno isn't going to take one timers anymore because of his elbow I'd put Geno on the LW PP and Hall on the RW. Zuck or Hall could play RW in the top 6. I say if it's an option you do it. But hey we may not be on Halls radar but if we are you don't think about it, you just do it.

Obviously it's a huge if, if Hall even wants to come but:
Hall-Sid-Zuck
Guentz-Geno-Rust
Hall has never played with a great center. You'd have each line with a 20-25 goal scoring wing and one line has a 40 goal scorer and a solid 30 goal scorer. Plus your centers are 25-35 goal scorers. And that's no where near a "soft" top 6. Work the bottom 6 with some youth, may have to move Horney not sure haha.

Can someone spill the beans on whats in Josh Yohe’s article he just posted? Apparently murray & Jarry are getting a ton of interest already.

Obviously it's a huge if, if Hall even wants to come but:
Hall-Sid-Zuck
Guentz-Geno-Rust
Hall has never played with a great center. You'd have each line with a 20-25 goal scoring wing and one line has a 40 goal scorer and a solid 30 goal scorer. Plus your centers are 25-35 goal scorers. And that's no where near a "soft" top 6. Work the bottom 6 with some youth, may have to move Horney not sure haha.
- 668710

If we brought in a natural right wing for Sid and the PP, I honestly wouldn’t mind Zucker on the third line.

Can someone spill the beans on whats in Josh Yohe’s article he just posted? Apparently murray & Jarry are getting a ton of interest already.
- Brownsoldier

Nothing really noteworthy. Basically teams have enquired, which of course they have. Serious negotiations haven’t started.

Nothing really noteworthy. Basically teams have enquired, which of course they have. Serious negotiations haven’t started.
- Victoro311

Trade them both for young roster ready players, sign one of the many FA goalies for 4 or 5 mill and use DeSmith as back up. Pens get younger, fresher and hungrier.

Or

Trade Murray and hopefully get a young roster ready player back or attach JJ to Murray and get next to nothing back. Sign Jarry for 3 millish and and have a 4 miliish duo with him and DeSmith.

Im fine with either of those scenarios...the latter being the most likely.

Trade them both for young roster ready players, sign one of the many FA goalies for 4 or 5 mill and use DeSmith as back up. Pens get younger, fresher and hungrier.

Or

Trade Murray and hopefully get a young roster ready player back or attach JJ to Murray and get next to nothing back. Sign Jarry for 3 millish and and have a 4 miliish duo with him and DeSmith.

Im fine with either of those scenarios...the latter being the most likely.
- MattStrat

I'm not ok going into the free agent goaltending situation. I'd rather have Jarry due to him being the best goalie with the lowest cap hit.

Trade them both for young roster ready players, sign one of the many FA goalies for 4 or 5 mill and use DeSmith as back up. Pens get younger, fresher and hungrier.

Or

Trade Murray and hopefully get a young roster ready player back or attach JJ to Murray and get next to nothing back. Sign Jarry for 3 millish and and have a 4 miliish duo with him and DeSmith.

Im fine with either of those scenarios...the latter being the most likely.
- MattStrat

Trade for MAF with a couple million retained?

If Lehner keeps this up, He'll be the guy they want to keep

If we brought in a natural right wing for Sid and the PP, I honestly wouldn’t mind Zucker on the third line.
- Victoro311

Not against that at all. I'm just saying if Hall is an actual option you don't think that hard about it, there's ways to work the roster. But there's plenty of other teams for him to go to.

Something that caught my eye in that short scouting report was mentioning how he's good but he's no Cam Lee. I had totally forgot we signed Cam Lee too.

That is my ultimate fear. There are some guys projected in the first round that read like them or Connor Hall. Physical, nasty defender, blah, blah, blah. I want physical D men but I want their skating to be what stands out above their nastiness.
- MacPatty

Yeah, physical D she be more in the mold of Trouba.