They got max Domi. Bit of a gamble but I think I’d prefer Anderson.
- 10inchTerror

They also added grigorenko and their young guys should continue to improve.

Honest question for anyone: who had the best off-season in the Metro?

Off the top of my head I might go Canes for adding Fast, but they lost Williams and a lot of defensive depth, so how much better are They? (They could afford to lose that)
- Tojo.

Canes were smart and replaced Williams with a Williams-type player. And yeah, they are easily still 5 deep at defense. Goaltending might still be a problem for CAR, even though they did well in the playoffs.

We got rid of Horny but didn't replace what he brings and on defense we went from a horrendous third pairing to a probably terrible one, at least as far as actual defending goes.

Simon!!! 1 year 700k with the flames
- pens4life-66

Whew! I am happy for Simon, the Flames and especially me! Woo hoo!

How do you guys grill/cook your burgers?

How do you guys grill/cook your burgers?


- Feds91Stammer

Damn that looks good and juicy love the thick tomatoes too

They got max Domi. Bit of a gamble but I think I’d prefer Anderson.
- 10inchTerror

They lost a couple starting defensemen too. But they are better down the middle.

They lost a couple starting defensemen too. But they are better down the middle.
- Tojo.

They lost guys they were passed up in their system.

You make some really good points but the problem with the Pens is they had such a big deficit to make up and they failed. Some addition by subtraction regarding JJ, but yeah, we got cap pinched at the worst possible time. If Matheson is going to suck at defense anyway, I would have moved him to the right side and started Riikola on the left. Don't sign Ceci, dump Sceviour, and squeeze out a legit third liner.

The other problem with the Pens is roster construction. The only time the Pens looked threatening against MTL was when Horny started harassing Price and hanging out in front of the net. We literally have no one to do that now, either 5v5 or PP, and please don't say Guentzel because we saw what Weber did to him. Julien is no dummy and knew that the Pens would be easy to push around and they were. Not the reason the Pens lost but it was a factor.
- Hockey66

I don't really agree about this big deficit.

Do agree that the lack of net front may come back to bite them though.

I don't really agree about this big deficit.

Do agree that the lack of net front may come back to bite them though.
- Tojo.

I know we disagree about that. For me, it has a lot to do with roster construction and coaching. If you just look at the players we have, you're right, it's not that big of a deficit.

I don't really agree about this big deficit.

Do agree that the lack of net front may come back to bite them though.
- Tojo.

0 playoff wins in 2 seasons. It’s a significant deficit.

0 playoff wins in 2 seasons. It’s a significant deficit.
- Feds91Stammer

Yeah but those were against some seriously stacked ny and mtl teams

0 playoff wins in 2 seasons. It’s a significant deficit.
- Feds91Stammer

So much overlooked context to these seasons when you toss this statement out over and over...

Arguably best team in the league for 2 of the 5.5 months of this past season before it abruptly ended and that was with alot of big pieces out of the lineup nightly. I do think what they have signed right now definitely has the potential to be worse than this last seasons team but I don't think last seasons team is near as bad as people like to pretend. There were alot of upsets in that 1st weird abstract after 6 month layoff in pandemic times August best of 5 round hahah and the Pens also had players having first games with much longer layoffs than that. It was weird, wack and abract, the play in round, and only a part of the context of the past two season.

Honest question for anyone: who had the best off-season in the Metro?

Off the top of my head I might go Canes for adding Fast, but they lost Williams and a lot of defensive depth, so how much better are They? (They could afford to lose that)
- Tojo.

I honestly don't know that any metro team had a very good off-season. If we're counting the draft, then we can probably argue the Rangers are the most improved team relative to where they were, but then again they added Jack Johnson.

I definitely expect the Canes to be the #1 or #2 team in the Metro, but not because of any moves. They're just a team on the rise and I expect them to keep rising, especially if they improve their goalie situation.

So much overlooked context to these seasons when you toss this statement out over and over...

Arguably best team in the league for 2 of the 5.5 months of this past season before it abruptly ended and that was with alot of big pieces out of the lineup nightly. I do think what they have signed right now definitely has the potential to be worse than this last seasons team but I don't think last seasons team is near as bad as people like to pretend. There were alot of upsets in that 1st weird abstract after 6 month layoff in pandemic times August best of 5 round hahah and the Pens also had players having first games with much longer layoffs than that. It was weird, wack and abract, the play in round, and only a part of the context of the past two season.
- MattStrat

Excuses are like bumholes.

I honestly don't know that any metro team had a very good off-season. If we're counting the draft, then we can probably argue the Rangers are the most improved team relative to where they were, but then again they added Jack Johnson.

I definitely expect the Canes to be the #1 or #2 team in the Metro, but not because of any moves. They're just a team on the rise and I expect them to keep rising, especially if they improve their goalie situation.
- Rinosaur

Canes are overrated. Still not enough scoring and still no number one goalie.

If health and goaltending hold up, which I think goaltending will be more likely than good health, what’s holding them back? Defence is improved imo until we see otherwise. 3rd line issues? Jake and Guentz can carry a line to move a better righty down. G and rust can carry a line to move a lefty down the lineup. Move two ppl down to the 3rd line of needed. Zucker, whoever, Kap would prob be a decent 3rd line, if 1 of the 2 doesn’t move the needle enough. Try the kids in the lineup. Maybe a trade for a medium impact player will be made at some point. I wouldn’t bank on it but even 1 prospect playing competently would change the look of the bottom 6 regardless of where he slots in.

The only concern I have with the team is the choices that will be made by the coach. And obviously the gm, but those have already been made, so the only thing to look at is how to optimize the 19 players playing on any given night instead of wishing this signing or that trade was made.

I don’t expect a cup to be won but the playoffs should be within reason.
- 10inchTerror

There's a lot of assumptions here...

1) We really don't know that the defense is improved. Yes, in a bubble, no longer having Jack Johnson is an improvement, but there's more negative than positive stats to prove Matheson will be an improvement.

2) The bottom six, specifically the third line, is going to get caved in badly. I'm not going to assume Sullivan will funnel down players like Zucker or Kap to the third line, nor do I think they should because they don't have the personnel to throw up there. Gone are the Simons and Shearys. ERod and Jank are not capable of top-six deployment on are regular basis.

3) Yes, trades can be made, but we don't know what will be available will be significant enough to make a difference.

4) I don't believe in this team as a playoff lock, but I will say I don't see any team in the Metro aside from the Canes as a given. I expect the Caps and Islanders to be playoffs teams, but I don't know, the Islanders were on a massive downward slide towards the end of the season and were not looking likely to make the playoffs. Philly is such a Jeckyll and Hyde team, that I never know what to make them. All this said, I don't believe the Pens are a lock, but I think so much will depend on how everyone else more-so than their own success.

Canes are overrated. Still not enough scoring and still no number one goalie.
- Feds91Stammer

I definitely question their goaltending as I previously mentioned. Do they score enough? They could use a little more offense for sure, but I think they are built to be a strong regular season team.

Good because that means GMJR can't sign him for another year to complete his Mt. Rushmore of the league's worst defensemen.
- Tojo.

Just curious, who would be your hypothetical JR targets to complete the Mt. Rushmore? I would say maybe Risto and Kulikov.

Canes are overrated. Still not enough scoring and still no number one goalie.
- Feds91Stammer

Really surprised they didn't grab a goalie.

Just curious, who would be your hypothetical JR targets to complete the Mt. Rushmore? I would say maybe Risto and Kulikov.
- Hockey66

I mean JJ Guddy and Ceci are 3 of 4. Maybe he can get Seabrook next summer.

Really surprised they didn't grab a goalie.
- 668710

I could see them making a Mrazek for Rask type deal.

JR talked about how they kept space open to resign Simon. Then he turns around and signs a 1 year/700k deal with the Flames.

Either JR was blowing smoke out of his ass, or Simon had absolutely no interest in coming back to Pittsburgh.

JR talked about how they kept space open to resign Simon. Then he turns around and signs a 1 year/700k deal with the Flames.

Either JR was blowing smoke out of his ass, or Simon had absolutely no interest in coming back to Pittsburgh.
- drummer829

He turned down a contract from Pitt expecting to get more on the market. Failed miserably. Lost a spot on the roster but I wish him nothing but the best. Good player and good guy.

JR talked about how they kept space open to resign Simon. Then he turns around and signs a 1 year/700k deal with the Flames.

Either JR was blowing smoke out of his ass, or Simon had absolutely no interest in coming back to Pittsburgh.
- drummer829

Simons agent (frank)ed up.

Simons agent (frank)ed up.
- 668710

A lot of agents messed up. Duclair turned down 3 x 4.25m apparently.