Pleasantly surprised. Rutherford's comments earlier made it seem like he didn't have plans for him.
- madmike71

This basically eats up the cap space freed up by the Bjugstad trade.

Glad they resigned McCann as he is much better than all of the options floated out there for 3C...

Glad they resigned McCann as he is much better than all of the options floated out there for 3C...
- iworkatinitech

Based on JR's statement I don't think he's a lock for 3C just yet.

Pleasantly surprised. Rutherford's comments earlier made it seem like he didn't have plans for him.
- madmike71

I think he’s realized there’s no other option. I like McCann. In a vacuum I think the $2.95 bridge is fair. I’m just not stoked that he’s the 3C moving forward with the personnel we have to fill out the rest of that line. I think he needs a half decent scoring winger to succeed kind of like Kahun, which we currently do not have and probably don’t have the cap space to get.

This basically eats up the cap space freed up by the Bjugstad trade.
- Rinosaur

Kind of funny.... Rutherford made so much noise about changing the team and all he's done is largely keep it intact (kap aside).

Based on JR's statement I don't think he's a lock for 3C just yet.
- Rinosaur

I’m totally fine with McCann as the 3C if they give him competent wingers, OR JR has a solid 3C lined up in a trade and McCann will be used as a winger

I think he’s realized there’s no other option. I like McCann. In a vacuum I think the $2.95 bridge is fair. I’m just not stoked that he’s the 3C moving forward with the personnel we have to fill out the rest of that line. I think he needs a half decent scoring winger to succeed kind of like Kahun, which we currently do not have and probably don’t have the cap space to get.
- Victoro311

I think Rutherford may still be looking for a 3C and we could be seeing McCann as the 3rd line LW. His statement about how he can play both wing and center doesn't exactly sound like he's ready to lock him in to that spot just yet.

I think we could see him TRY and make another move to free up space.

I’m totally fine with McCann as the 3C if they give him competent wingers, OR JR has a solid 3C lined up in a trade and McCann will be used as a winger
- drummer829

I'm totally find with him at 3C if they bring in a solid LW.

McCann is also now a locked up asset that is more tradable. Lots of ? When a guys still an RFA

GMJRs post season “talk” might have just been leverage in negotiations with McCann

He also talked about getting younger re a roster skate up. McCanns already young. Letang, Hornqvist, Bjugstad (already gone) JJ (god willing) fit that category

I think Rutherford may still be looking for a 3C and we could be seeing McCann as the 3rd line LW. His statement about how he can play both wing and center doesn't exactly sound like he's ready to lock him in to that spot just yet.

I think we could see him TRY and make another move to free up space.
- Rinosaur

I agree. I think he'll still bring in a center.

Pens re-signed McCann for 2 yrs @ $2.9M AAV
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Great deal. I think that is fair for player and team.

This basically eats up the cap space freed up by the Bjugstad trade.
- Rinosaur

Yeah, I think they weren't sure if they could move Bjugstad, but once they did it became easier to keep McCann. (That and as others suggested the center market is pretty poor and he might be their best option).

Regardless, I'm happy and hope this means he sticks around. I'm certainly not willing to rule out a Rutherford trade.

I’m totally fine with McCann as the 3C if they give him competent wingers, OR JR has a solid 3C lined up in a trade and McCann will be used as a winger
- drummer829

I'd still like to see them add a player in the mix. I know a lot of people prefer a center, but I think just adding the best player at center or wing they can acquire is fine.

One last point on McCann, while the focus is on offense, he did have the best defensive metrics of any regular forward on the team not on the Blueger line. That's not insignificant for a 3C.

So even with a horrible final 6 weeks or so to end the season, he had a pace for over 40 points, plays good defense, is young, fast, and makes a shade under 3M. Doesn't that sound like exactly the type of guy you want?

Yeah, I think they weren't sure if they could move Bjugstad, but once they did it became easier to keep McCann. (That and as others suggested the center market is pretty poor and he might be their best option).

Regardless, I'm happy and hope this means he sticks around. I'm certainly not willing to rule out a Rutherford trade.
- Tojo.

I'm not convinced that JR's convinced he's their 3C option or his words would have been different.

At this point I'm still of the opinion that if McCann is 3C they should move Tanev to 3rd LW and use the free space to sign a really good 4th liner.

One last point on McCann, while the focus is on offense, he did have the best defensive metrics of any regular forward on the team not on the Blueger line. That's not insignificant for a 3C.

So even with a horrible final 6 weeks or so to end the season, he had a pace for over 40 points, plays good defense, is young, fast, and makes a shade under 3M. Doesn't that sound like exactly the type of guy you want?
- Tojo.

Love good defensive forwards.

McCann is just 24, too, even though he's played in the league a while now. I think he might be on the verge of a breakout. Showed signs of it this past season.

What are the metrics for driving play? I assume that's what is most important on the offensive side of things for centers?

I think he’s realized there’s no other option. I like McCann. In a vacuum I think the $2.95 bridge is fair. I’m just not stoked that he’s the 3C moving forward with the personnel we have to fill out the rest of that line. I think he needs a half decent scoring winger to succeed kind of like Kahun, which we currently do not have and probably don’t have the cap space to get.
- Victoro311

Maybe Poulin but that is a gamble. But could try it beginning of the year if we don't fill that spot.

I think Rutherford may still be looking for a 3C and we could be seeing McCann as the 3rd line LW. His statement about how he can play both wing and center doesn't exactly sound like he's ready to lock him in to that spot just yet.

I think we could see him TRY and make another move to free up space.
- Rinosaur

I agree