I wouldn’t mind the Pens signing Chara to a one year.

I wouldn’t mind the Pens signing Chara to a one year.
- Rinosaur

I wouldn't mind if he was a RD. I've got POJ pencilled in at 3LD and a vet partner with some size would make a nice balance.

I wouldn't mind if he was a RD. I've got POJ pencilled in at 3LD and a vet partner with some size would make a nice balance.
- Tojo.

If Ceci stayed at a reasonable price that would be nice. And I brought up Ekholm next to Marino. Thought that would be a good pair. I had moved out Pettersson & Jarry (Vegas) Zucker(Preds)and Matheson (Seattle) and brought in Fleury and Ekholm. Thought that would give us enough to possibly keep Ceci and put POJ and ONE of Zoharna, Poulin, Legare, O'conner etc.. in the lineup.

I wouldn't mind if he was a RD. I've got POJ pencilled in at 3LD and a vet partner with some size would make a nice balance.
- Tojo.

I guess it really comes down to if both Pettersson and Matheson are gone or not.

I guess it really comes down to if both Pettersson and Matheson are gone or not.
- Rinosaur

I'd have them both gone. But depends if we can lol

I wouldn’t mind the Pens signing Chara to a one year.
- Rinosaur

To me it's a no brainer. He might not be what he once was but he would add some much needed toughness and swagger to the defence.

At this point he is probably a 3rd pair guy but I'd absolutely love having him on board.

Kassian had a bad season with injuries but the year prior he was pretty good in the top 6.

By no means should he be a top target but if you want a guy who can play a physical game, scrap and play up and down the lineup you could do worse.
- MacPatty

Kassian is by no means a plug. You could slot him in on the 1st and 2nd lines if the situation required it or you could put him on the 3rd line and he'd be an effective player. Whats the hate? He only produces when he plays with Elite players? Isn't that what we're claiming to have and also what we're looking for?

One of the best teams in the league over the past 4 seasons uses Ryan Reaves on a regular shift and it hasn't seemed to hurt their win/loss record or their playoff success. There is room on every team for a guy with size who can also skate.

Kassian is by no means a plug. You could slot him in on the 1st and 2nd lines if the situation required it or you could put him on the 3rd line and he'd be an effective player. Whats the hate? He only produces when he plays with Elite players? Isn't that what we're claiming to have and also what we're looking for?

One of the best teams in the league over the past 4 seasons uses Ryan Reaves on a regular shift and it hasn't seemed to hurt their win/loss record or their playoff success. There is room on every team for a guy with size who can also skate.
- TheGame316

Kassian is 100% a plug.

Fleury was the greatest goalie in Penguins history and a HoF'er in my opinion. I was supportive of him back in the 2012-3 time frame when a lot of people wanted him gone and I always favored him over Murray.

As much as I would love to see him back here there is a reason why he is doing so well in Vegas - the team plays good, responsible defense in front of him. Vegas does a good job at reducing high quality chances against. This is something he is not going to get in Pittsburgh. At his age and with the types of shots he would face here I don't think things would go well, at least not if he were in a starter role.

Like I said in past blog replies, I think the high-risk style the Pens play tends to burn out goalies. Basically, I think they should get better at reducing the quality chances against (which might mean sacrificing some offense) and develop a young goalie who would be the future starter.

However, I would like to see Fleury back here as a backup someday. I am not sure he ready to voluntarily give up the starter role yet, though.

Sorry. Reading is a wonderful thing.

Kassian is by no means a plug. You could slot him in on the 1st and 2nd lines if the situation required it or you could put him on the 3rd line and he'd be an effective player. Whats the hate? He only produces when he plays with Elite players? Isn't that what we're claiming to have and also what we're looking for?

One of the best teams in the league over the past 4 seasons uses Ryan Reaves on a regular shift and it hasn't seemed to hurt their win/loss record or their playoff success. There is room on every team for a guy with size who can also skate.
- TheGame316

Reaves is a 4th liner. Not playing with mark stone. Kassian is a plug who belongs on the 4th line, nothing above.

Reaves is a 4th liner. Not playing with mark stone. Kassian is a plug who belongs on the 4th line, nothing above.
- 10inchTerror

Kassian was injured this year. Last year he put up 15G and 34PTS in 59 games. Kapanen put up 13G and 36PTS in 69 games. Kass is better than just a plug.

Kassian was injured this year. Last year he put up 15G and 34PTS in 59 games. Kapanen put up 13G and 36PTS in 69 games. Kass is better than just a plug.
- MacPatty

If the other team gets more scoring chances, more high danger chances, and more goals when you’re on the ice that makes you a plug.

Reaves is a 4th liner. Not playing with mark stone. Kassian is a plug who belongs on the 4th line, nothing above.
- 10inchTerror

I'm not suggesting Reaves is anything more than a 4th liner. Neither is Matt Martin, but both guys are capable of playing a regular 4th line shift on a good team

The difference with Kassian is he has proven he can provide offense when placed in offensive minded roles with offensive players

You can play Kassian where he is best suited on the 3rd and 4th lines but should the need arise, he can be slotted up the lineup to provide size and not be an offensive black hole

Unless Tom Wilson types have started growing on trees, there aren't many of these guys available if the goal is to insert some size and toughness into the everyday lineup

If the other team gets more scoring chances, more high danger chances, and more goals when you’re on the ice that makes you a plug.
- Feds91Stammer

But but, he's going to deter people hitting Sid and Geno!

Sadly, I think Hextall is going to go after Kassian. If he really wants his long pants player I wouldn't mind them picking up Fischer from AZ. He's not great, but he's a player they don't have to dress every night and just use him when the staff feels it necessary to bring some muscle in. Plus, he's cheap.

They can't just add a 4th line enforcer type because they have a 4th line that is too good to break up just to put in muscle. Need at least a 3rd liner, but realistically at least a middle six guy.

I'm not suggesting Reaves is anything more than a 4th liner. Neither is Matt Martin, but both guys are capable of playing a regular 4th line shift on a good team

The difference with Kassian is he has proven he can provide offense when placed in offensive minded roles with offensive players

You can play Kassian where he is best suited on the 3rd and 4th lines but should the need arise, he can be slotted up the lineup to provide size and not be an offensive black hole

Unless Tom Wilson types have started growing on trees, there aren't many of these guys available if the goal is to insert some size and toughness into the everyday lineup
- TheGame316

I highly doubt kassian will maintain even 20 points per season away from McDavid. Everyone is clamouring over Alex Tuch but he doesn’t play physical hockey all regular season. He is just capable of it when the playoffs come around. Marchessault has averaged more hits in his career and he’s 5’9. Pitt doesn’t need a goon, just someone capable of playing decent hockey who can play rough when needed in the playoffs. Kassian is a plug, try watching some Edmonton games, aside from hitting and fighting he doesn’t do much.

They can't just add a 4th line enforcer type because they have a 4th line that is too good to break up just to put in muscle. Need at least a 3rd liner, but realistically at least a middle six guy.
- Tojo.

The 4th line is getting broken up regardless. ZAR or Blueger are likely gone. Possible Zucker or one of the D go but that just means there is another open spot somewhere.

Kassian should absolutely not be the first choice for the Pens. But I could totally see him coming back in a trade if we sent Petterson, Rust or Zucker there as a salary offset.

But but, he's going to deter people hitting Sid and Geno!

Sadly, I think Hextall is going to go after Kassian. If he really wants his long pants player I wouldn't mind them picking up Fischer from AZ. He's not great, but he's a player they don't have to dress every night and just use him when the staff feels it necessary to bring some muscle in. Plus, he's cheap.
- Rinosaur

He weighs more than Kassian too so he makes them heavier.

He weighs more than Kassian too so he makes them heavier.
- Feds91Stammer

He has also managed to just crack the 30 point mark once too so his point total is just as good as kassian. Without mcD and drai to boot.

They can't just add a 4th line enforcer type because they have a 4th line that is too good to break up just to put in muscle. Need at least a 3rd liner, but realistically at least a middle six guy.
- Tojo.

Let me preface this by saying that I'm making comments based on the assumption that Hextall is going to make some kind of "truculent" move no matter what.

I think there's a number of ways they can address filling the need. Getting a fourth liner doesn't necessarily mean said player breaks up the Blueger line. If McCann/Carter is to be the hub of the third line, it's possible to bring in an enforcer type to toggle in the RW spot.

IMO if they can't find a heavier player with skill, finding a player who can at the very least keep up and not be a liability is a common-ground between wanting to get tougher, but not completely ruining the on-ice product.

That said, I'd be curious to see what Foligno's price tag will be. If he's available on a one-year deal for around $1M-$2M, I'd take a flyer on him. Him and McCann can be toggled between Geno and Carter depending on how things mesh.

That said, I'd be curious to see what Foligno's price tag will be. If he's available on a one-year deal for around $1M-$2M, I'd take a flyer on him. Him and McCann can be toggled between Geno and Carter depending on how things mesh.
- Rinosaur

I like Foligno but I don't see him signing a discount offer. He is going to get $4-5M per season. I'd like him but Zucker would have to be gone and like you said, I'd want a short deal.

Pens should definitely not be looking into trades like that anymore. Adding Ekholm wouldn't make them top contenders.
- Tojo.

Agreed. Any trades involving first round picks should be for guys under 25 with multiple years of control. Trading 1st round picks over the Crosby era has been hit or miss. I am going off of memory here, so if I miss anything...

2008 - Hossa (1/2 year)
2009 - Kept, Drafted Despres
2010 - Kept, Drafted Bennett
2011 - Kept - Drafted Harrington
2012 - Kept, Drafted Maatta. Also had 8th pick for Pouliot
2013 - Iginla (1/2 year)
2014 - Kept, Drafted Kapanen
2015 - Perron
2016 - Kessel
2017 - Reaves (acquired 2nd round pick)
2018 - Brassard
2019 - Kept, Drafted Poulin
2020 - Kapanen
2021 - Zucker

No doubt trading our pick in 2008, 2013, 2016, and possibly 2020 were worth it. We have actually kept more of our first round picks over the years than I thought. 2009-2012 having 5 first round picks turn into only 1 serious NHL player was the killer. The big miss on Pouliot hurts.

If the other team gets more scoring chances, more high danger chances, and more goals when you’re on the ice that makes you a plug.
- Feds91Stammer

Is Detroit going to sign Bernier? It looks like he had a decent year?

Agreed. Any trades involving first round picks should be for guys under 25 with multiple years of control. Trading 1st round picks over the Crosby era has been hit or miss. I am going off of memory here, so if I miss anything...

2008 - Hossa (1/2 year)
2009 - Kept, Drafted Despres
2010 - Kept, Drafted Bennett
2011 - Kept - Drafted Harrington
2012 - Kept, Drafted Maatta. Also had 8th pick for Pouliot
2013 - Iginla (1/2 year)
2014 - Kept, Drafted Kapanen
2015 - Perron
2016 - Kessel
2017 - Reaves (acquired 2nd round pick)
2018 - Brassard
2019 - Kept, Drafted Poulin
2020 - Kapanen
2021 - Zucker

No doubt trading our pick in 2008, 2013, 2016, and possibly 2020 were worth it. We have actually kept more of our first round picks over the years than I thought. 2009-2012 having 5 first round picks turn into only 1 serious NHL player was the killer. The big miss on Pouliot hurts.
- SuperHenderson13

That Pouliot pick really sucked lol