Well the point is a snowball of bad moves that left us in the cap situation we are now where we couldn't take advantage of a buyer's market.

Regardless, if we don't trade for Kapanen we have space to go after these guys too, so even with the bad moves factored in we still could have been in a position to make plays. I'd rather have Dadonov, Toffoli, or Craig Smith off free agency than Kapanen for what we traded, but obviously the advantage of the trade is that you can just go get your guy if you can convince one other person to give him to you. With free agents, they may just want to go elsewhere and you can't control that. If we didn't trade for Kapanen, we could have no one right now.
- Victoro311

Sure, but as you yourself have pointed out, they've been spending to the cap each year as they should be as contenders. We can absolutely talk about who they got, but it's what they should have been doing not saving for this off-season. Sure, Hornqvist's contract looks bad now, but not like they should have sat on that money for 2 years.

I prefer Kapanen over those guys. Worth the price we paid? Depends on how he does. If he wins the top PP spot and scores 25-30 goals, nobody will complain. But even if they went for one of those FAs guys instead, they'd still have a hole in their line-up, they'd just also still have a 1st.

I thought Eric Staal would have been the perfect 3C for Pitt....

Jets fan, and the one who got away is more about the one who stayed. Lots of Laine rumours. I’m glad he’s stayed put. And the more I think about it, the more I believe he wasn’t actually available (aside from a lucrative offer too good to turn down). I feel this was a bait-and-switch, with management seeking to find out which quality defensemen around the league could be had for the right price. Now Laine comes off the table, and negotiations have begun regarding players of interest to Chevy by finding out “if not Patrik, what else would it take?”. Jets are too tight lipped about trades, this was a distraction of some sort.

I thought Eric Staal would have been the perfect 3C for Pitt....
- chugger38

Except that he blocked good teams in his no trade to stay in Minny but he (frank)ed himself (which doesn't commonly happen) because a bad team traded for him.
Edit: Not sure which teams he blocked but I imagine we were on the block list because he knows Ruth would try and get him because Ruth loves his boys lol

Dominik Simon should have stayed so I'll say he got away.

As for a guy I wanted on this team I'd say Wennberg for 3rd line C. He was such a good option. Hope we still manage to get a guy like Granlund.

I thought Eric Staal would have been the perfect 3C for Pitt....
- chugger38

Don't be surprised if we traded for him at some point.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tdsL4kvp_I

Good GOD. How about Poulin being selected for Team Canada and whether he can make a difference this season? How about DeSmith and whether or not he can provide decent backup duties? How about the NHL's 48-game plan? Stop crying, GMRW.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tdsL4kvp_I

Good GOD. How about Poulin being selected for Team Canada and whether he can make a difference this season? How about DeSmith and whether or not he can provide decent backup duties? How about the NHL's 48-game plan? Stop crying, GMRW.
- TheBrownListerine

Lol your nickname just reminds me of Mr.Hankey a bit

Don't be surprised if we traded for him at some point.
- Barnaby36

I believe the Pens may be on his "no" list.

I believe the Pens may be on his "no" list.
- Rinosaur

Did that list dissolve (for lack of a better term) after the trade to Buffalo?

Did that list dissolve (for lack of a better term) after the trade to Buffalo?
- MattStrat

I'm not sure. I think players have to update that list every season if I'm not mistaken. Also, I'm not 100% sure the Pens were on that list, but that seemed to be inferred by some articles.

I'm not sure. I think players have to update that list every season if I'm not mistaken. Also, I'm not 100% sure the Pens were on that list, but that seemed to be inferred by some articles.
- Rinosaur

Yeah personally I cant just assume JR wanted him because it would be a great fit/move for the team's needs hahah...but there did seem to be a bit of smoke about it around then...

Did that list dissolve (for lack of a better term) after the trade to Buffalo?
- MattStrat

I don't think they dissolve anymore because I believe that was changed with the new CBA, but not sure. Where's Feds when you need him?

However, he was trying to stay in Minnesota, not avoid Pittsburgh, so maybe that's a possibility now.

So who's going to win the big game tonight?

I need to ask you, American friends, are you guys worried at all about what will happen when the results are known, no matter the winner?

Up here I know a lot of people who are worried for you guys and what will happen post election this eve, which part of me cant help but think is fueled largely by media.

48 games season, perhaps?

Obviously want a full season but I'll take whatever I can get. There would be some advantages to a short season for Sid, Geno and Tanger IMO.

48 games season, perhaps?

Obviously want a full season but I'll take whatever I can get. There would be some advantages to a short season for Sid, Geno and Tanger IMO.
- MattStrat

Honestly would rather they cut games then cram too many in and everyone gets hurt.

Honestly would rather they cut games then cram too many in and everyone gets hurt.
- Tojo.

Thats a good point.

Honestly would rather they cut games then cram too many in and everyone gets hurt.
- Tojo.

The NHL would be a better product if the season were shorter to begin with. Less injuries, no two month stretch where the games don’t matter at all and players check out. But $$$.

Jagr

Honestly would rather they cut games then cram too many in and everyone gets hurt.
- Tojo.

I brought this very same point up earlier a while back. Not only will they cram games in, at some point there will be almost no layoff between seasons in order to catch back up to its normal start in October.

At the very least they could do a shortened season then a playoff format to match what they just did. They get extra games in, but not too many and other teams can rest.

So who's going to win the big game tonight?

I need to ask you, American friends, are you guys worried at all about what will happen when the results are known, no matter the winner?

Up here I know a lot of people who are worried for you guys and what will happen post election this eve, which part of me cant help but think is fueled largely by media.
- MattStrat

Idk what's gonna happen but hopefully nothing crazy. I'm ready for it if it does though.

The NHL would be a better product if the season were shorter to begin with. Less injuries, no two month stretch where the games don’t matter at all and players check out. But $$$.
- Victoro311

I’ve had this convo with ppl before at work. Most players bodies can’t handle the annual workload as it is. They def need to play less but that’s too much money lost.

If the still plan to do the Olympics in July that would drastically affect the season as nhl won’t get any broadcast time. Not sure if they are still planning on going ahead with it.

Did that list dissolve (for lack of a better term) after the trade to Buffalo?
- MattStrat

It might have, but remember that he and the BUF GM are buddies (and I think former teammates) so if he doesn't want to come here, he probably won't.

So who's going to win the big game tonight?

I need to ask you, American friends, are you guys worried at all about what will happen when the results are known, no matter the winner?

Up here I know a lot of people who are worried for you guys and what will happen post election this eve, which part of me cant help but think is fueled largely by media.
- MattStrat

Overall it will be business as usual.

There are always a few knuckleheads who want to be the center of attention and do something stupid just to see if they can get on the news.

Your vote is your voice. That is the bottom line.

Overall it will be business as usual.

There are always a few knuckleheads who want to be the center of attention and do something stupid just to see if they can get on the news.

Your vote is your voice. That is the bottom line.
- Thunderbolt

I vote for JJ to play every game this year for the Rangers