I like this but 3 ways are rare and would the Flames really want to rid of Monahan?
- MattStrat

He had a disappointing season and their core hasn’t made it out of the first round since 14-15. I expect at least one of him and Gaudreau to be moved.

I like Jake. For his hit he produces. I think that injury has changed his mindset though. He's hesitant, which is causing him to be hit more I think.

He was off this post season and reminded me of Johnny here in Calgary.

I can't imagine the Flames doing it but even if they did, why wouldn't the Pens just take Monahan? Don't get me wrong, I like Bertuzzi too but I think I'd prefer Monahan over him.

I'm torn on Zucker. I think he is still a solid player who has some value, but then again with a surpressed FA market, what can you get for that free and clear $5.5M in space? To your point, Saad would be a good pickup... can we get him for less than $5.5M?
- MacPatty

The theory is that while they are aging. Crosby Malkin and Carter make a stacked center group and Bertuzzi scores the ugly goals this team desperately needs come playoff time.

I like this but 3 ways are rare and would the Flames really want to rid of Monahan?
- MattStrat

Monahan is pretty 1 dimensional. The flames need a shakeup. I think it's Johnny whose on the block though.

Yeah over 11% of the cap dedicated to Malkin and coming back at age 35 isnt a good recipe for next year. When he did play this year he was trash. Carter is a better C than Malkin at this point.

They really need to go in a new direction.
- sammy87

If they want to go all in and win now, I'm not sure trading Malkin does that. I do know that Hextall is very focused on maximizing assets. It will be interesting to see what Malkin is looking for in his next contract this summer.

If he is willing to take a discount say $7.5M for 3 years it is a no brainer. If he wants to make the same or take a raise I think they will take a hard look at trading him. I don't think they can afford to lose him for nothing. There are plenty of teams that would offer up multiple first round picks or equivalent prospects for Malkin as a rental.

Best part is Malkin hit 70 points last season. Carter last hit 70 points in 2008-09.
- Feds91Stammer

Oh, are we talking regular season nonsense again? What about this season? Doesn't that count?

But yeah, regular season fluff has always meant soooo so much to the Penguins playoff prospects. It's translated so well well over the past 4 seasons, hasn't it?

Also, last season is two years from next season. Last season Malkin was 33, Next season he'll be 35.

The theory is that while they are aging. Crosby Malkin and Carter make a stacked center group and Bertuzzi scores the ugly goals this team desperately needs come playoff time.
- Feds91Stammer

Yeah, I hear you. To your point with them aging though, it would be great to get a guy like Monahan as a transitory center that would allow Carter and/or Malkin to go to the wing.

What is Bertuzzi's injury situation anyways... he missed almost the whole season... not sure if the Pens can risk a guy coming off a season with their recent track record of man games lost.

Oh, are we talking regular season nonsense again? What about this season? Doesn't that count?

But yeah, regular season fluff has always meant soooo so much to the Penguins playoff prospects. It's translated so well well over the past 4 seasons, hasn't it?

Also, last season is two years from next season. Last season Malkin was 33, Next season he'll be 35.
- NJPensfan

Carter has 7 points his last 15 playoff games.

Malkin has 9 points his last 12 playoff games.

Which one is better?

Tell me what the Pens should do this offseason to get in position to win the cup.
- MacPatty

https://www.capfriendly.c.../armchair-gm/team/2418583

Something along these lines. Try my damndest to aquire a top tier goalie. Try to pluck Saad and Hyman from FA. Make room for POJ.

Pens issue wasn't their roster in the playoffs, it was their goaltending.

Oh, are we talking regular season nonsense again? What about this season? Doesn't that count?

But yeah, regular season fluff has always meant soooo so much to the Penguins playoff prospects. It's translated so well well over the past 4 seasons, hasn't it?

Also, last season is two years from next season. Last season Malkin was 33, Next season he'll be 35.
- NJPensfan

Once Geno got his conditioning mostly back this season he was dominant. Then he came back from another lay off 3 games into the playoffs and looked pretty good though getting more gassed than he usually would...conditioning...

Yeah, I hear you. To your point with them aging though, it would be great to get a guy like Monahan as a transitory center that would allow Carter and/or Malkin to go to the wing.

What is Bertuzzi's injury situation anyways... he missed almost the whole season... not sure if the Pens can risk a guy coming off a season with their recent track record of man games lost.
- MacPatty

Back surgery but nothing that’s expected to derail his career.

For me it’s more so Bertuzzi postseason track record. Obviously Detroit sucks so he hasn’t had nhl playoff experience. He did lead GR to a Calder cup and was the playoffs mvp. He also helped Guelph win an OHL championship and was impressive in the mem cup.

If they want to go all in and win now, I'm not sure trading Malkin does that. I do know that Hextall is very focused on maximizing assets. It will be interesting to see what Malkin is looking for in his next contract this summer.

If he is willing to take a discount say $7.5M for 3 years it is a no brainer. If he wants to make the same or take a raise I think they will take a hard look at trading him. I don't think they can afford to lose him for nothing. There are plenty of teams that would offer up multiple first round picks or equivalent prospects for Malkin as a rental.
- MacPatty

He's not a even $7.5 million player anymore, and sure won't be in 2 or 3 years when he'll be a glorified 2nd, and over-paid 3rd line center.

Will take a hard look at trading him? I'm sure they're doing that now. Problem is, trying to find a suitor that he'll agree to (or his wife will) playing for. Think Florida, or Cali. So it's limited.

I think the multiple 1st round picks only applies to rental Malkin of 3 to 5 years ago.

He's not a even $7.5 million player anymore, and sure won't be in 2 or 3 years when he'll be a glorified, and over paid 3rd line center.

Will take a hard look at trading him? I'm sure they're doing that now. Problem is, trying to find a suitor that he'll agree to (or his wife will) playing for. Think Florida, or Cali. So it's limited.

I think the multiple 1st round picks only applies to rental Malkin of 3 to 5 years ago.
- NJPensfan

Your misunderstanding of a 7.5m player and a 3rd line center here is astonishing.

Last 3 seasons all situations

Regular season
3.27 GF60
12.50 HDCF60

Playoffs
2.01 GF60
10.98 HDCF60

Your misunderstanding of a 7.5m player and a 3rd line center here is astonishing.
- j.boyd919

It’s whatever is in the water in NJ.

https://www.capfriendly.com/armchair-gm/team/2418583

Something along these lines. Try my damndest to aquire a top tier goalie. Try to pluck Saad and Hyman from FA. Make room for POJ.

Pens issue wasn't their roster in the playoffs, it was their goaltending.
- j.boyd919

I don't think it was JUST their goaltending. With the way Pens dominated for long periods of time they should have scored more which obviously isn't for lack of firepower. I know we disagree on getting to the net, you think they did, but I don't think the Pens invaded Sorokin's space enough.

You know I'm not in the "get big and physical" camp, but I do think the Pens need a little more balance in that department. I think having a couple of forwards who aren't afraid to play like Hornqvist or Kunitz would go a long way. Like Feds pointed out earlier, a forward or two who will get those greasy goals.

I don't think it was JUST their goaltending. With the way Pens dominated for long periods of time they should have scored more which obviously isn't for lack of firepower. I know we disagree on getting to the net, you think they did, but I don't think the Pens invaded Sorokin's space enough.

You know I'm not in the "get big and physical" camp, but I do think the Pens need a little more balance in that department. I think having a couple of forwards who aren't afraid to play like Hornqvist or Kunitz would go a long way. Like Feds pointed out earlier, a forward to two who will get those greasy goals.
- Rinosaur

That's where Saad, Hyman and Perry come in on my Armchair GM but yeah, it was 98% their goaltending that failed them.

It’s whatever is in the water in NJ.
- Feds91Stammer

Must be all that trash and mafia bodies.

That's where Saad, Hyman and Perry come in on my Armchair GM but yeah, it was 98% their goaltending that failed them.
- j.boyd919

I'm gonna nitpick and say it was 85%, because as atrocious as Jarry was ,the name of the game is scoring more than the other team, so if you're dominating offensively and not scoring that's a huge problem. I understand the converse to that is stopping more than the other team scores, but we can both agree on the different dynamic.

I'd be all for Saad and/or Hyman.

That's where Saad, Hyman and Perry come in on my Armchair GM but yeah, it was 98% their goaltending that failed them.
- j.boyd919

Long pants offseason hahaa.... like your lineup but think Hyman will be well north of 2 mill...and the Leafs will want to keep him

Long pants offseason hahaa.... like your lineup but think Hyman will be well north of 2 mill...and the Leafs will want to keep him
- MattStrat

Long pants are coming. Zadorov is coming. I just feel it. Can't wait for that poop show.

I'm gonna nitpick and say it was 85%, because as atrocious as Jarry was ,the name of the game is scoring more than the other team, so if you're dominating offensively and not scoring that's a huge problem. I understand the converse to that is stopping more than the other team scores, but we can both agree on the different dynamic.

I'd be all for Saad and/or Hyman.
- Rinosaur

You cant ignore the overall effect some of the Jarry let ins have on the overall moral and play of a team, either. If you score 3 goals you should win the game.

You cant ignore the overall effect some of the Jarry let ins have on the overall moral and play of a team, either. If you score 3 goals you should win the game.
- MattStrat

85% is still a high percentage to put on Jarry, so I'm not ignoring anything. I think it's being understated how much the Pens inability to invade Sorokin's space also cost the Pens.

I said before this series started that one of the downfalls could be if the Pens keep trying to set up the perfect plays rather than just getting dirty and that was factor.

85% is still a high percentage to put on Jarry, so I'm not ignoring anything. I think it's being understated how much the Pens inability to invade Sorokin's space also cost the Pens.

I said before this series started that one of the downfalls could be if the Pens keep trying to set up the perfect plays rather than just getting dirty and that was factor.
- Rinosaur

hahaha fair enough.

Last night on the broadcast they brought it up featuring a nice graphic to show how good the goalies the Pens have faced the last 4 series losses have been. Insane numbers from them.

5 on 5 numbers:

Holtby: .945 SV% and 1.40 GAA

Lehner: .964 SV% and 1.27 GAA

Price: .954 SV% and 1.23 GAA

Sorokin: .958 SV% and 1.49 GAA
- MattStrat

At some point you have to look at the team shooting the puck. Can't exactly do much on the play offs if you can't get past good goal-tending.