Oh, yeah, I would do that, but I doubt WPG does. Not only is Copp a good, young center on a cheap contract with team control after next season, but I think a good 3C is a lot more valuable than an average 2LD. I think we would have to add something significant, like a 2nd.

Not to mention that WPG is pretty weak down the middle, especially with Little uncertain for next season. Have you heard he is available? WPG is also one of those teams that never seems to trade anyone.

As for Riikola on the second pair, I might want to see more of him in that role before I lock him there as the full-time starter in the last good year of the window. I like his game, though.
- Hockey66

This exactly. I would love to give him a long look as a 3rd pair guy if POJ isn't deemed ready, and I would even if you take JJ out. He just looked the part from the little we saw and a guy who could push play which we could really use. But he was very sheltered so I wouldn't feel comfortable giving him a larger role right now.

Thought this was interesting from Yohe's Q and A about the Pens mindset:

What happened in the restart? They seemed lifeless. Did everyone just want to be back with their families?

I think some players simply didn’t want to be there. And as time goes on, I think many in the organization believe that as well, which is why they aren’t blowing this team up but rather trying to ramp up for another championship run.

Thought this was interesting from Yohe's Q and A about the Pens mindset:

What happened in the restart? They seemed lifeless. Did everyone just want to be back with their families?

I think some players simply didn’t want to be there. And as time goes on, I think many in the organization believe that as well, which is why they aren’t blowing this team up but rather trying to ramp up for another championship run.
- Tojo.

It makes sense. Honestly, I put little stock in the way the team performed in 4 games after being off for months.

And, I may be one of the only people, but I like the move for Kapanen. So, I'm ok with the team as is moving forward. Well, other than finding a 3rd pairing RD and hopefully moving Johnson with Murray.

It makes sense. Honestly, I put little stock in the way the team performed in 4 games after being off for months.

And, I may be one of the only people, but I like the move for Kapanen. So, I'm ok with the team as is moving forward. Well, other than finding a 3rd pairing RD and hopefully moving Johnson with Murray.
- cranktheradio

I liked the move for Kap, too. Cheap for the next two years and then RFA. He was productive in his first full season with 20 goals and 44 points. World-class speed. Still only 24. Drafted at #22 and I'd say he's lived up to his draft position. We paid a 7 spot premium for him but I call that cheap bust insurance. I don't really care about Hallander and I didn't know it but having a RFA with a high QO like Rodrigues is really a PITA and can mess up a team's cap. It does make the Kahun trade look even worse, though.

As for the Pens return after the long layoff, I can see that maybe they're rusty and out of sync with one another. I hate hearing that some didn't want to be there, though. I get that it's a tough situation, but either go into it 100% or not at all. If guys were half-assing it once they were there, then that's maybe a culture problem. Do you think they feel the same way if none of them had ever won a Cup?

To bring it full circle back to Horny, is it possible that he was one of those that didn't want to be there, hence JR looking to trade him to "shake things up"? I was baffled how he was handled in the playoffs. They were exploited as a soft perimeter team in game 1. Then game 2 Horny gets bumped up the lineup and starts doing his thing and it's working. Then Sully abandons that and goes back to the soft perimeter approach (Sheary) and the rest is history.

Agreed Hockey66, especially with that last point. Who on the Pens now will bring that grit and intensity?

The number 1 biggest problem with the Pens is that despite the top end talent, they have become the easiest team in the league to play against. It was really noticeable when Kunitz left, it will be moreso if Hornquist is gone.

Agreed Hockey66, especially with that last point. Who on the Pens now will bring that grit and intensity?

The number 1 biggest problem with the Pens is that despite the top end talent, they have become the easiest team in the league to play against. It was really noticeable when Kunitz left, it will be moreso if Hornquist is gone.
- MacPatty

That's easy. Our new FA RW target Jesper Fast.

Nah bro... I mean keeping JJ is always a nightmare scenario. But trading for Matheson and then trading Pettersson for Copp would be a big net positive imo.

Riikola -marino is a good enough 2nd pair
- YouMeAndDupuis9

it is not a good enough second pair, not by a long shot

That's easy. Our new FA RW target Jesper Fast.
- 123Kid

A Swede for a Swede.

People keep talking about him, but we already have a 4th line RW, do we really need two?

A Swede for a Swede.

People keep talking about him, but we already have a 4th line RW, do we really need two?
- Hockey66

He was actually playing their 2nd and 3rd lines during the season. He was on NYR's most productive line which was Panarin - Strome - Fast. So I actually believe he would fill the 3rd winger spot well.

A Swede for a Swede.

People keep talking about him, but we already have a 4th line RW, do we really need two?
- Hockey66

Fast played on the top line for the Rangers. Not that he's a top line talent, but the type who does the dirty work on a line for his mire skilled linemates without embarrassing himself when the puck is on his stick. Think Rust prior to this year.

Agreed Hockey66, especially with that last point. Who on the Pens now will bring that grit and intensity?

The number 1 biggest problem with the Pens is that despite the top end talent, they have become the easiest team in the league to play against. It was really noticeable when Kunitz left, it will be moreso if Hornquist is gone.
- MacPatty

Very true. Right now all teams need to do is run a trap against the Pens and they'll refuse to dump it behind them and go to work.

Should be a very intersting day in Penguinland.

Should be a very intersting day in Penguinland.
- Rinosaur

Hopefully. Its all out of our hands, but if we cant be watching them play, then offseason moves are certainly a form of entertainment too, plus great conversation pieces haha.

Should be a very intersting day in Penguinland.
- Rinosaur

Are we still trading Pettersson and keeping JJ on the roster?haha Just buy out the Fn guy..

I still hope this Hörnqvist-Matheson deal goes through.

Are we still trading Pettersson and keeping JJ on the roster?haha Just buy out the Fn guy..

I still hope this Hörnqvist-Matheson deal goes through.
- Barnaby36

If JJ stays I dont want it to go through and vice versa. Extremely good chance JJ stays haha.

Hopefully. Its all out of our hands, but if we cant be watching them play, then offseason moves are certainly a form of entertainment too, plus great conversation pieces haha.
- MattStrat

Love this time of year

If JJ stays I dont want it to go through and vice versa. Extremely good chance JJ stays haha.
- MattStrat

True. I want this trade to go down but JJ has to be out of this roster. No reason to keep him. Matheson essentially will replace Schultz in the lineup (I mean, in production...at least they hope)

I wonder if Matheson continues to be our target if the Hornqvist deal falls through? Or if Hornqvist was just a cap dump? I wouldn't mind trying a Matheson with salary retained for JJ + type of deal.

I still have this gut feeling if the Florida deal doesn't work out. That Hornqvist is going to end up in Nashville to finish his career where he started. I could definitely see a Hornqvist for Turris type of trade happening. Turris is a R handed option and a 3rd center fit.

Or maybe a trade with Minnesota Hornqvist for Parise with money retained. It would provide us with a player who likes to play in front of the net, but also would add a different element with his ability to create offense. It would definitely add to our bottom 6 in terms of scoring. With his decreased playing time on the ice it could also add to his longevity.

Fast played on the top line for the Rangers. Not that he's a top line talent, but the type who does the dirty work on a line for his mire skilled linemates without embarrassing himself when the puck is on his stick. Think Rust prior to this year.
- Tojo.

I'd be good with Fast, from what I've read about him, though I'll admit I didn't see much of the Rangers this year.

If this Hornquist trade does happen, I think a trade with Edmonton will be next up.

I'm guessing a Murray for Kassian centered deal. I'll go further and hope for:

Murray, Petterson & ZAR/Simon for Nurse and Kassian. I think that would be a big win for the Pens and a good outcome for the Oilers also.

I wonder if Matheson continues to be our target if the Hornqvist deal falls through? Or if Hornqvist was just a cap dump? I wouldn't mind trying a Matheson with salary retained for JJ + type of deal.

I still have this gut feeling if the Florida deal doesn't work out. That Hornqvist is going to end up in Nashville to finish his career where he started. I could definitely see a Hornqvist for Turris type of trade happening. Turris is a R handed option and a 3rd center fit.

Or maybe a trade with Minnesota Hornqvist for Parise with money retained. It would provide us with a player who likes to play in front of the net, but also would add a different element with his ability to create offense. It would definitely add to our bottom 6 in terms of scoring. With his decreased playing time on the ice it could also add to his longevity.
- 123Kid

My hope is that there's teams that want Horny's PP specialties, cup experience and great every game battle attitude and offer something better now. I still want all of that and him on the Pens but understand the moving him too.

He was actually playing their 2nd and 3rd lines during the season. He was on NYR's most productive line which was Panarin - Strome - Fast. So I actually believe he would fill the 3rd winger spot well.
- 123Kid

12 goals and 17 assists playing on that line? Yikes!

12 goals and 17 assists playing on that line? Yikes!
- Hockey66

Sounds like the things said about Simon on top line....except Fast produced better....

Fast played on the top line for the Rangers. Not that he's a top line talent, but the type who does the dirty work on a line for his mire skilled linemates without embarrassing himself when the puck is on his stick. Think Rust prior to this year.
- Tojo.

But Rust was scoring 40+ points on a 82 game average. Fast is barely breaking 30. I'd say his numbers look Tanevesque.

Maybe I'm being too harsh, but I'd like a little more scoring from 3RW, especially since bottom six scoring was an issue.

I wonder if Matheson continues to be our target if the Hornqvist deal falls through? Or if Hornqvist was just a cap dump? I wouldn't mind trying a Matheson with salary retained for JJ + type of deal.

- 123Kid

When I heard Matheson, I thought for sure it would be JJ going the other way. Even straight up given the AAV and term of Matheson.

I actually like the potential of a Matheson rebound, kind of like Schultz was where he has all of the tools, just needs the right environment and opportunity to put it all together. Unlike Schultz, he is carrying a burdensome contract before having a chance to prove himself.

12 goals and 17 assists playing on that line? Yikes!
- Hockey66

That was in a shortened season (69 games). Plus he played more of a Hagelin role. I am pretty confident people still wanted him back even though he only scored 10 goals and 21 assists in an 81 game season next to Malkin. We couldn't see what he could do for NYR in the playoffs because he got injured, but he brings a little more to the table and has been one of the better forecheckers in the league. He has tons of speed and has multiple 10+ goal seasons. He also had 2 SHGs this season. He seems like the perfect complement to McCann in terms of having a speedy 3rd line. If Lafferty could be a little more consistent they actually could be a very good forechecking/scoring line.