I think your four choice are anything but realistic. I think Mrazek and Raanta are far more realistic options, not necessarily great options, but far more realistic.

I think trades in general are less likely than signing a FA.
- Rinosaur

Yeah man I literally said "I don't really know" to start off my list. I made my list based on the most ideal, not least desirable/most likely to happen. If you prefer, just reverse the order of what I listed.

Bishop would be an awful addition. No doubt he's a good goalie WHEN he plays but seems 100% unreliable especially at 34 years old.

Feel like his issues are only going to get worse. I'd rather have Bernier
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

If the Pens are dead-set on keeping Jarry and rolling a 1A/1B situation then Bernier is probably one of the best priced low-risk/high reward situation for the Pens. I doubt he comes in any higher than $2M, but I'd suspect him being closer to the $1.5M mark.

Again, not an ideal choice, but probably one of the better options for the Pens' budget.

I don't think there are any "ideal" options that are realistic.

We've talked about a Jarry/Kuemper swap, but is that even on their radar?

Gibson is unrealistic, but the most ideal target.

Of the UFA's that will likely be available and in the Pens' price range, I don't think there's any that are significant upgrades to Jarry.
- Rinosaur

Could always target Driedger from FLA. Guys stuck behind Bob and Knight is only going to likely push him out.

Andersen could be another option depending on his price. I dont think Leafs are going to re-sign him and his next contract will probably be less than 5 mill.

Talbot could be an option from Minnesota via trade if they are willing to move him.

Quick could be short term option if LA was willing to retain cap.

CBJ might also be willing to mover Koorpisalo or Elvis

I'd Stay away from Mrazek and Reimer, they did well in CAR but CAR has arguably one of the best D cores out there.

Could always target Driedger from FLA. Guys stuck behind Bob and Knight is only going to likely push him out.

Andersen could be another option depending on his price. I dont think Leafs are going to re-sign him and his next contract will probably be less than 5 mill.

Talbot could be an option from Minnesota via trade if they are willing to move him.

Quick could be short term option if LA was willing to retain cap.

CBJ might also be willing to mover Koorpisalo or Elvis

I'd Stay away from Mrazek and Reimer, they did well in CAR but CAR has arguably one of the best D cores out there.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

Hard to tell what kind of price Dreidger will get. He will definitely be on a many team's radar. He was great in the small sample size in the regular season then awful in the playoffs.

Andersen is another difficult-to-gauge goalie. Will he do a super cheap prove-it contract? What is super cheap for him? I think $4Mish prices him out of the Pens range.

Quick is toast. He wasn't even the best goalie on the Kings this year.

There are so many "ifs" in regards to the Pens plans and as I mentioned earlier we really don't know what Hextall is planning. If he plans on keeping Jarry then I can't see how they afford Andresen.

Could always target Driedger from FLA. Guys stuck behind Bob and Knight is only going to likely push him out.

Andersen could be another option depending on his price. I dont think Leafs are going to re-sign him and his next contract will probably be less than 5 mill.

Talbot could be an option from Minnesota via trade if they are willing to move him.

Quick could be short term option if LA was willing to retain cap.

CBJ might also be willing to mover Koorpisalo or Elvis

I'd Stay away from Mrazek and Reimer, they did well in CAR but CAR has arguably one of the best D cores out there.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

How the (frank) is Quick an option?

How the (frank) is Quick an option?
- Feds91Stammer

They brought him up on NBCSN during a Pens game one night, Anson Carter I think did, so now people bring him up. He said he can definitely still play at a high level and would be a good option for the Pens.

He's a terrible option even with 50% retained.

If we take Hextall at his word and Jarry remains a Penguin then goalies I think people can mark off their list due to money: Andersen, Mrazek and Rask. I think all three sign for more than $3M.

I don't know that the Pens can afford to spend more than around $2M on another goalie. They're going to have a hard enough time filling this lineup out when Zucker and Pettersson are gone, let alone find space to spend $3M+ on another goalie.

Goalies I think likely to come in at less than $2M: Raanta, Bernier and Smith.

Raanta and Bernier make the most sense out of that group IMO.

Names that frighten me: Dubnyk, Halak and Rinne.

They brought him up on NBCSN during a Pens game one night, Anson Carter I think did, so now people bring him up. He said he can definitely still play at a high level and would be a good option for the Pens.

He's a terrible option even with 50% retained.
- Rinosaur

He’s the worst goalie in the league not named Martin Jones. People love their narratives though.

If we take Hextall at his word and Jarry remains a Penguin then goalies I think people can mark off their list due to money: Andersen, Mrazek and Rask. I think all three sign for more than $3M.

I don't know that the Pens can afford to spend more than around $2M on another goalie. They're going to have a hard enough time filling this lineup out when Zucker and Pettersson are gone, let alone find space to spend $3M+ on another goalie.

Goalies I think likely to come in at less than $2M: Raanta, Bernier and Smith.

Raanta and Bernier make the most sense out of that group IMO.

Names that frighten me: Dubnyk, Halak and Rinne.
- Rinosaur

I don’t believe Bernier will be available.

I don’t believe Bernier will be available.
- Feds91Stammer

Removing the Pens from the equation, if an actual playoff team/contender offers him similar money to DET, I think he choses the playoff team.

Removing the Pens from the equation, if an actual playoff team/contender offers him similar money to DET, I think he choses the playoff team.
- Rinosaur

I expect him to sign after expansion but before free agency.

He’s the worst goalie in the league not named Martin Jones. People love their narratives though.
- Feds91Stammer

There's always this idea that an aging formerly good player will come back to life on a better team because they now have something to play for. Quick is beyond done. This is why I worry about them signing someone like Rinne if he wants to keep playing.

How the (frank) is Quick an option?
- Feds91Stammer

Because he is an option. Doesnt have to be a great option. He's 35 with 2 years left on his contract. Might just need a change in scenery. Mike Smith is an older goalie who bounced back from 2 awful seasons, Cam Talbot is another goalie that has struggled and recently bounced back with a new team.

There's always this idea that an aging formerly good player will come back to life on a better team because they now have something to play for. Quick is beyond done. This is why I worry about them signing someone like Rinne if he wants to keep playing.
- Rinosaur

Just needs a change of scenery bro.

Because he is an option. Doesnt have to be a great option. He's 35 with 2 years left on his contract. Might just need a change in scenery. Mike Smith is an older goalie who bounced back from 2 awful seasons, Cam Talbot is another goalie that has struggled and recently bounced back with a new team.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

The Pens aren't in the position to roll the dice on a "change of scenery" goalie. They'd be better served seeing if Jarry takes a step forward than go for goalies like you mentioned.

I think the option we should explore is one of two things:

1) Trade for an elite goalie. MAF or Gibson... maybe you take a chance on Bishop

2) Roll into next season with Jarry and DeSmith. At the trade deadline or before, pick up a 3rd option. Teams like the Penguins saw firsthand what happens when you have a goalie injuried and you have a 3rd goalie you dont trust. We could've had a cheap but decent backup going into the playoffs for a late round pick had DeSmith gotten hurt pre-trade deadline.

A lot of the conversation seems focused on bringing in a slightly above average goaltender who hasnt performed in the playoffs... we already have 2 of those. I'd rather our money be spent on the skaters instead of another average goalie.

Either go with a big fish or stay the course and add another goalie at the deadline.

The Pens aren't in the position to roll the dice on a "change of scenery" goalie. They'd be better served seeing if Jarry takes a step forward than go for goalies like you mentioned.
- Rinosaur

Even if thats the case Quick at 50% retained could be a valuable backup. He has playoff experience. 2.9 mill is a pretty low risk move. Probably be a cheap to acquire as well.

Even if thats the case Quick at 50% retained could be a valuable backup. He has playoff experience. 2.9 mill is a pretty low risk move. Probably be a cheap to acquire as well.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

He sucks though.

Even if thats the case Quick at 50% retained could be a valuable backup. He has playoff experience. 2.9 mill is a pretty low risk move. Probably be a cheap to acquire as well.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

But for around $3M they can probably get Mrazek or the like while not having to give up any assets.

If we take Hextall at his word and Jarry remains a Penguin then goalies I think people can mark off their list due to money: Andersen, Mrazek and Rask. I think all three sign for more than $3M.

I don't know that the Pens can afford to spend more than around $2M on another goalie. They're going to have a hard enough time filling this lineup out when Zucker and Pettersson are gone, let alone find space to spend $3M+ on another goalie.

Goalies I think likely to come in at less than $2M: Raanta, Bernier and Smith.

Raanta and Bernier make the most sense out of that group IMO.

Names that frighten me: Dubnyk, Halak and Rinne.
- Rinosaur

Would anyone consider going a little over the cap with Geno out for maybe 2 months? Not his full cap hit, but pick a number like 3.5 M the Pens have a lot of players at and gamble that someone will always be injured or that you can move a salary quick if you absolutely have too.

Would anyone consider going a little over the cap with Geno out for maybe 2 months? Not his full cap hit, but pick a number like 3.5 M the Pens have a lot of players at and gamble that someone will always be injured or that you can move a salary quick if you absolutely have too.
- Tojo.

How does that work though? Don't the Pens have to be fully cap compliant once Geno returns? I've never really tried to understand how all of that works lol

I think the option we should explore is one of two things:

1) Trade for an elite goalie. MAF or Gibson... maybe you take a chance on Bishop

2) Roll into next season with Jarry and DeSmith. At the trade deadline or before, pick up a 3rd option. Teams like the Penguins saw firsthand what happens when you have a goalie injuried and you have a 3rd goalie you dont trust. We could've had a cheap but decent backup going into the playoffs for a late round pick had DeSmith gotten hurt pre-trade deadline.

A lot of the conversation seems focused on bringing in a slightly above average goaltender who hasnt performed in the playoffs... we already have 2 of those. I'd rather our money be spent on the skaters instead of another average goalie.

Either go with a big fish or stay the course and add another goalie at the deadline.
- SuperHenderson13

I think the second option is the only one that make sense. No one is going to give them a reliable elite goalie in a trade and I hate to think of what they would have to give up if so. Basically, even as early as the start of free agency I think they should look for a third goalie - but not necessarily jump at the first available. When they have one start out with a 33/33/33% split in ice time (keeping one in the press box) and constantly reevaluate them, gradually giving the best performing goalie more ice time.

One thing to consider is that goalie performance can vary drastically between seasons. They can go from looking great to looking bad or vice-versa between seasons. It is entirely possible that Jarry can go back to how he looked a couple seasons ago when he not only made the all-star game but looked like the best goalie there.

The team, of course, has to reduce the quality chances against. If they do not do that then it doesn't matter who is in net.

The only long term solution (since neither Jarry nor DeSmith nor anyone they are likely to get as a third goalie is) is to draft a goalie. To get a good one Hextall might have to make a trade for a draft pick or to move up in the draft - something the Pens haven't done in a while since Rutherford seemed to be allergic to the draft.

Would anyone consider going a little over the cap with Geno out for maybe 2 months? Not his full cap hit, but pick a number like 3.5 M the Pens have a lot of players at and gamble that someone will always be injured or that you can move a salary quick if you absolutely have too.
- Tojo.

Wouldn’t work.

How does that work though? Don't the Pens have to be fully cap compliant once Geno returns? I've never really tried to understand how all of that works lol
- Rinosaur

If the Pens were fully healthy once Geno returned, they would need to move a salary quickly, so you'd need someone who could do that.

Basically it only really works for the whole season if the Pens always have a significant salary on long-term IR. But if they at least had someone they know they could move, it could help get through Geno's injury at least.

Probably too risky to try, just something I've been kicking around in my head.

Bettman is being an incredibly condescending jerk at this press conference.