This is both reassuring and disturbing.

Apparently Pittsburgh, either the city and/or the organization, does stink for FAs. When you can count on one hand the number of significant FAs the Pens have signed in the last 30 years and about 1 in the last 15 years, I doubt any other team has that distinction. Probably not even close.
- Hockey66

From everything I've ready, Mario and Burkle spare no expense in taking care of the players and families. First class all the way.

My ideal scenario would be dumping Sceviour for whatever, signing Granlund for ~$3M and signing Koekkoek for ~$1M.

I would then consider this a really good off-season in light of roster and cap dynamics. But, I know this won't happen. I suspect JR is done until the season starts, either by his intention or by circumstance.
- Hockey66

I really like Granlund and think he’d instantly make the bottom six more viable.

Is Koekkoek primarily a LD, or can he play on the right side as well?

Right, but you would think that would entice FAs to come here, not the opposite.
- Hockey66

Well problem is Sid, Geno, Gonch/Letang, Staal/Kessel, Neal/Horny and Fleury to an extent were the pricey guys, idk how they were fitting any more big cap hits to bring guys in. They had to bargain shop to make a competent team. Shero (frank)ed up the bottom 6 for awhile.

Edit: The "/" represent being here at separate times and also that Tanger and Gonch didn't both have bigger contracts at the same time, or at least for long. Can't remember haha

Whatever happened to those dominos once Hall and Pietro signed? Lol. But in all seriousness I wonder if Hoffman will go for the years with a cheaper cap hit, say 4mil per or the one year 6mil route. If I was him I would go the years because he's not Hall.

Well problem is Sid, Geno, Gonch/Letang, Staal/Kessel, Neal/Horny and Fleury to an extent were the pricey guys, idk how they were fitting any more big cap hits to bring guys in. They had to bargain shop to make a competent team. Shero (frank)ed up the bottom 6 for awhile.

Edit: The "/" represent being here at separate times and also that Tanger and Gonch didn't both have bigger contracts at the same time, or at least for long. Can't remember haha
- 668710

My point exactly. The Pens are never in the market for 5-6 mil guy. Certainly not a 7-9 mil guy. I'll even cut Shero some slack cause he was always pressed against the cap too. Shero f'd up because he was trading high picks for rentals. At least Rutherford trades for players with term. I don't see any evidence that players don't want to play for the Pens. When RFA's and UFA's are offered contracts that are competitive, they sign them to play here.

If JR pulled off the miracle and signed Hoffman or Dadonov to a multi year deal at 4 million per I think he would silence most of his critics for the offseason. I know I would be ecstatic.

I know this is an off the wall idea, but if JR was able to land both Hoffman and Dadonov at 4 million for 3 years. Would you guys be willing to trade Rust, McCann, and Riikola in deals for prospects to make it work?

If JR pulled off the miracle and signed Hoffman or Dadonov to a multi year deal at 4 million per I think he would silence most of his critics for the offseason. I know I would be ecstatic.

I know this is an off the wall idea, but if JR was able to land both Hoffman and Dadonov at 4 million for 3 years. Would you guys be willing to trade Rust, McCann, and Riikola in deals for prospects to make it work?
- 123Kid

Our defense at the forward position would take a huge hit and we would be even shallower at the center position, so no.

We just need one of Hoffman, Dadonov, or ideally IMO, Granlund. Get rid of someone like Sceviour to do it.

My point exactly. The Pens are never in the market for 5-6 mil guy. Certainly not a 7-9 mil guy. I'll even cut Shero some slack cause he was always pressed against the cap too. Shero f'd up because he was trading high picks for rentals. At least Rutherford trades for players with term. I don't see any evidence that players don't want to play for the Pens. When RFA's and UFA's are offered contracts that are competitive, they sign them to play here.
- madmike71

There is some truth to what you are saying, but still, less than 5 significant FAs over 30 years with the opportunity to play with the likes of Lemieux, Jagr, Crosby, and Malkin?

It also seems like we get beat out on smaller contract guys, too.

There is some truth to what you are saying, but still, less than 5 significant FAs over 30 years with the opportunity to play with the likes of Lemieux, Jagr, Crosby, and Malkin?

It also seems like we get beat out on smaller contract guys, too.
- Hockey66

My big point was not only do the Pens not get the "big ticket" FA's, but they also don't seem to get those guys willing to take a "discount" to play here. Like a proven scorer coming off a down year playing for a loser, Why not ride shot gun for a year or 2 with Sid/Geno and reestablish value while playing for a winner

The reason there is never any capspace for FA's is I think ownership/management knows this, so they focus on trading for guys with term and resigning guys that are already here

If JR pulled off the miracle and signed Hoffman or Dadonov to a multi year deal at 4 million per I think he would silence most of his critics for the offseason. I know I would be ecstatic.

I know this is an off the wall idea, but if JR was able to land both Hoffman and Dadonov at 4 million for 3 years. Would you guys be willing to trade Rust, McCann, and Riikola in deals for prospects to make it work?
- 123Kid

No, just go with one. Let's not make Ruth do more than he has to and (frank) something up lol

How are you today my wanna be know it all managers? In Ruth we trust

How are you today my wanna be know it all managers? In Ruth we trust
- Barnaby36

If JR pulled off the miracle and signed Hoffman or Dadonov to a multi year deal at 4 million per I think he would silence most of his critics for the offseason. I know I would be ecstatic.

I know this is an off the wall idea, but if JR was able to land both Hoffman and Dadonov at 4 million for 3 years. Would you guys be willing to trade Rust, McCann, and Riikola in deals for prospects to make it work?
- 123Kid

A good few of us think we're one good producing middle six forward away from a pretty solid roster...so yeah, Hoffman or Dadonov, I believe both to be just that. Dad plays rightwing though, so he'd be my preference. Could also see Geno liking him on his line, so that makes either Kapanen or Rust on the 3rd line, which is (or should be) good for McCann at 3C.

Just need a bit more scoring punch in that bottom 6....and who knows, we certainly dont, but perhaps Poulin provides it. Id much rather have someone proven starting the season though.

How are you today my wanna be know it all managers? In Ruth we trust
- Barnaby36

You keep using this word “we”. I do not think it means what you think it means.

My ideal scenario would be dumping Sceviour for whatever, signing Granlund for ~$3M and signing Koekkoek for ~$1M.

I would then consider this a really good off-season in light of roster and cap dynamics. But, I know this won't happen. I suspect JR is done until the season starts, either by his intention or by circumstance.
- Hockey66

Yes Koekkoek would be awesome hes underrated and will be cheap. Granlund sure Dadonov sure or Leivo he's also underrated and cheap.

You keep using this word “we”. I do not think it means what you think it means.
- Victoro311

Still can't believe we passed on so many good deals out there.

I'd be very happy with Schmidt and Wennberg

No, just go with one. Let's not make Ruth do more than he has to and (frank) something up lol
- 668710

Agree keep McCann give him a shot. Surround with better wingers and consistent line mates and see what happens. Likely keep Rust as well to win now but if there's an offer too good to refuse then take it. Sell high and stock up on assets for trade deadline or cap space for FA

Would love to pry Danault or Cirelli away but not sure how

Yes Koekkoek would be awesome hes underrated and will be cheap. Granlund sure Dadonov sure or Leivo he's also underrated and cheap.
- MHurl

I think Koekkoek would be nice too. What's the deal with him?

My ideal scenario would be dumping Sceviour for whatever, signing Granlund for ~$3M and signing Koekkoek for ~$1M.

I would then consider this a really good off-season in light of roster and cap dynamics. But, I know this won't happen. I suspect JR is done until the season starts, either by his intention or by circumstance.
- Hockey66

I'd ship it. Granlund won't play center, but he'd lock down the RW depth. You could play him top 6 and move Kap down if you wanted, or not.

You lock down RW, and essentially McCann, Jankowski, Rodrigues, Poulin, and O'Connor are competing for two spots. I like the odds of McCann plus one of those four emerging.

I really like Granlund and think he’d instantly make the bottom six more viable.

Is Koekkoek primarily a LD, or can he play on the right side as well?
- MaxHyjinx

Yep, Koekkoek played the right side for Chicago in the playoffs this year.

And if you get a guy who can play either side, you can let Riikola go and save a little cap and open up a roster spot for a forward instead of carrying 8.

Yep, Koekkoek played the right side for Chicago in the playoffs this year.

And if you get a guy who can play either side, you can let Riikola go and save a little cap and open up a roster spot for a forward instead of carrying 8.
- Tojo.

At this point I cant help but think Rikky-Math will be a pairing...and its possible it might be effective as the 3rd pairing...

I'd ship it. Granlund won't play center, but he'd lock down the RW depth. You could play him top 6 and move Kap down if you wanted, or not.

You lock down RW, and essentially McCann, Jankowski, Rodrigues, Poulin, and O'Connor are competing for two spots. I like the odds of McCann plus one of those four emerging.
- Tojo.

(frank) man all we really need is one guy. I think that’s why I’m so frustrated. We just need to bring in one legit top 9 guy (ideally 2 but that ship has long sailed), and it shouldn’t have been that hard in this buyer’s market. You add Granlund or Hoffman to this team and I’m back in the “anything can happen if Sid and Geno catch fire and everyone’s healthy” camp.

(frank) man all we really need is one guy. I think that’s why I’m so frustrated. We just need to bring in one legit top 9 guy (ideally 2 but that ship has long sailed), and it shouldn’t have been that hard in this buyer’s market. You add Granlund or Hoffman to this team and I’m back in the “anything can happen if Sid and Geno catch fire and everyone’s healthy” camp.
- Victoro311

I agree. Granlund and Koekkoek and we're good to go. Is it possible? Just be Fn creative.

I agree. Granlund and Koekkoek and we're good to go. Is it possible? Just be Fn creative.
- Barnaby36

It might be possible but JR's comments about thinking the 3rd line is set and secured now are worrisome regarding this, no doubt haha.

It might be possible but JR's comments about thinking the 3rd line is set and secured now are worrisome regarding this, no doubt haha.
- MattStrat

This sucks...but he also said Jacko was good for the 3rd pairing...hope management enlights him.