Why would the Pens not protect 8 forwards, and 2 defenseman? Sounds silly but ...do they see Matheson as a quality defensive man?
- nateca444

Teams can protect 7 forwards, 3 defensemen and 1 goalie, OR 8 skaters (forwards/defensemen) and 1 goalie.

Why would the Pens not protect 8 forwards, and 2 defenseman? Sounds silly but ...do they see Matheson as a quality defensive man?
- nateca444

Besides not being allowed Matheson had a good season last season. He played up to his contract. The main problem with Matheson is the long term impacts of his contract, not how it is at the moment.

That’s not allowed.
- Victoro311

Ahh, I thought it was an option. Well, I still think I'd protect Pettersson because he's younger, has term and to me is more tradable of the 2. What do I know tho lol. I'm excited either way.

I mean, part of me doesn't care about term from any player the Pens sign since this window probably couldn't last more than another two years, but this just seems like a silly deal if this is true.
- Rinosaur

I agree. If it was a 4 to 5 year deal were the last two are wasted, fine. But 7 years just seems bad. Plus he will have zero trade value at that point.

I’d go 7 years for 5 per on Hyman

I’m only concerned about the next 4. I don’t care if he’s good/bad or indifferent in years 5-7

We should be in rebuild mode by then so what does it matter if he can play or not. In fact; the worse he is, the better

He’s a reporter from Toronto star. Covers the leafs etc. He meant salary as you can’t go longer then 8 year term.
- pens4life-66

Ah, gotcha

I agree with The Game. Makes sense that Francis and Hexy already know the player being taken. My guess.... Zucker.

If that's not the case and the Pens somehow lose Carter, we are fvcked.

I agree with The Game. Makes sense that Francis and Hexy already know the player being taken. My guess.... Zucker.

If that's not the case and the Pens somehow lose Carter, we are fvcked.
- madmike71

If the Penguins lose Carter, competing at a high level next season is going to be tough. You arent going to find a guy to replace Carter who makes as little as Carter does with LA holding some of his salary.

I think if the Penguins expose Zucker, that's who Seattle takes. Full stop. I dont see Francis overthinking it. Personally, I think there's a 0% chance they take Tanev. He is a 4th liner. Blueger wouldnt be a fun one to lose. I like his game and think his new deal is great value.

If the Penguins lose Carter, competing at a high level next season is going to be tough. You arent going to find a guy to replace Carter who makes as little as Carter does with LA holding some of his salary.

I think if the Penguins expose Zucker, that's who Seattle takes. Full stop. I dont see Francis overthinking it. Personally, I think there's a 0% chance they take Tanev. He is a 4th liner. Blueger wouldnt be a fun one to lose. I like his game and think his new deal is great value.
- SuperHenderson13

Eric Huala is available for less. Wouldn't he be an option?

I agree with The Game. Makes sense that Francis and Hexy already know the player being taken. My guess.... Zucker.

If that's not the case and the Pens somehow lose Carter, we are fvcked.
- madmike71

Why would Francis already have told Hextall who he plans on taking?

Eric Huala is available for less. Wouldn't he be an option?
- nateca444

I wouldnt put Huala in Carter's league. Other than that one 29 goal season, he's been pretty underwhelming.

Why would Francis already have told Hextall who he plans on taking?
- Rinosaur

Why would Francis need to keep it a secret? Hex knows he's going to lose a guy, there isn't any motivation by either party to bluff each other. They can negotiate a player to be taken or Hex can just trade away any player of value (for below market) and leave Francis nothing to pick from. It serves both their interests to come to an equitable solution based the nature of the draft

If they agree, to say Zucker, then Francis knows he has a top 6 winger under contract and Hex agrees not to trade him before the draft. Francis can now make deals with other teams knowing what he has and Hextall can carry on with the offseason business knowing he needs a winger but also has capspace

If Francis wants a cheap bottom 6 guy (ZAR) and Hextall wants to free up cap, this helps him get aggressive in moving Zucker now seeing he's not going to get any relief in the expansion draft. Hex would agree not to move ZAR, since if he did, Francis would just end up taking another guy and the Pens would be no further ahead

We've been through this before. McPhee and most every team already had an agreement beforehand that McPhee referred to as "The Pact" - It was on both parties to stick to their deal once it was negotiated

Again, this isn't a bunch of guys trying to screw each other over and Fans just don't get that. There is a reason the same names get recycled thoughout the league management over and over. They are part of the same club and the way that they do business, is far different than guys and their "Fantasy League Drafts"

Francis might need another job one day and Hextall might be the guy hiring, or the other way around, and they aren't going to piss that away just to one up each other or risk a poor reputation amongst the other brethren

Will history repeat itself...Hex signed a bottom 6 center to a 2 year deal in 2017, left him exposed and that's who the Knights took haha....we can't assume Teddy is with the Pens in September.

https://www.pensburgh.com...teddy-blueger-kraken-pick

I think I would be fine with it if they started the season with these C's:

Sid
Carter
Teddy
Freddy

Sign Freddy.

I’d go 7 years for 5 per on Hyman

I’m only concerned about the next 4. I don’t care if he’s good/bad or indifferent in years 5-7

We should be in rebuild mode by then so what does it matter if he can play or not. In fact; the worse he is, the better
- TheGame316

As much as I have no interest in 8 year term for 29 year olds.... if history has taught me anything, most teams can find a way to weasel out of bad deals.

Why would Francis already have told Hextall who he plans on taking?
- Rinosaur

Because the NHL GM is a old boys club.

As much as I have no interest in 8 year term for 29 year olds.... if history has taught me anything, most teams can find a way to weasel out of bad deals.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Considering some of the interviews with Hextall and Burke, I don't see them doing any bad long term contracts. They'll try to walk a fine line of squeezing every last drop out of Sid, Geno and Letang while trying to restock the system with prospects.

Both Burke and Hextall openly stated they have "rebuild" on their minds. The "bad" contracts they'll consider will be the Letang and Malkin extensions.

As much as I have no interest in 8 year term for 29 year olds.... if history has taught me anything, most teams can find a way to weasel out of bad deals.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

I have heard in the early reports Hyman was seeking at least a 5 year deal. 5 years would be a lot easier to stomach. I do question if Hextall is planning on moving someone besides Zucker out if he were to acquire Hyman.

Considering some of the interviews with Hextall and Burke, I don't see them doing any bad long term contracts. They'll try to walk a fine line of squeezing every last drop out of Sid, Geno and Letang while trying to restock the system with prospects.

Both Burke and Hextall openly stated they have "rebuild" on their minds. The "bad" contracts they'll consider will be the Letang and Malkin extensions.
- madmike71

I think the approach of icing a team to stay competitive and catch lightening in a bottle while also having an eye to the future is exactly what should be done right now. Love the approach, let’s see how it works.

A new mock draft from the Athletic has the Pens drafting Ilya Fedotov, RW

Ryan Clark, new Kraken beat writer for the Athletic, not sure how plugged in he is. He wrote the Blueger signing means we are likely deciding between protecting Carter or Kap. Can’t imagine they’d be exposing Kap but seeing his name was surprising.

I agree with The Game. Makes sense that Francis and Hexy already know the player being taken. My guess.... Zucker.

If that's not the case and the Pens somehow lose Carter, we are fvcked.
- madmike71

Pens should try and make it known that if Carter is selected, he would retire. Hopefully that would scare Seattle off.

Ryan Clark, new Kraken beat writer for the Athletic, not sure how plugged in he is. He wrote the Blueger signing means we are likely deciding between protecting Carter or Kap. Can’t imagine they’d be exposing Kap but seeing his name was surprising.
- kfinl170

We would be better off trading Kap instead of exposing him in the draft. I feel the same way with McCann. I don't believe we should expose Carter the way he came here and played as well as he did.

I think the approach of icing a team to stay competitive and catch lightening in a bottle while also having an eye to the future is exactly what should be done right now. Love the approach, let’s see how it works.
- kfinl170

Agree. It's a pragmatic approach. If Rutherford was still here, I could see some crazy, "future be damned" deal.

Ryan Clark, new Kraken beat writer for the Athletic, not sure how plugged in he is. He wrote the Blueger signing means we are likely deciding between protecting Carter or Kap. Can’t imagine they’d be exposing Kap but seeing his name was surprising.
- kfinl170

They aren't going to expose a productive 25 year old on a cheap contract with RFA rights