Losing Ceci is a big loss. Matheson finally had a partner that made him look like an acceptable 3/4 dmen. We will be hurting on Defense. I think Hexy butchered the off-season by concentrating on 3/4 line wingers instead of using the money to secure their 2nd pairing dmen. The kicker is we didn't get any net front presence forwards or crease clearing dmen two glaring weaknesses in the playoffs. As of today we have a weaker roster than the one that lost in the 1st round. Hexy has a lot of work to do but with no cap room and stand pat patience we may have another short playoff run...
- PENS1989

I'll concede Ceci is the one I'm most worried about though last year at this time he wasn't considered a strength either.

And we didn't improve or address the weaknesses of the team at all. This team is close to what we started last season with.

Carter-McCann
McGinn-Tanev
Heinen-Jankowski
Simon-Gaudreau
Friedman-Ceci

That should be close enough to navigate the regular season again. What they need if they want to make a run is some internal improvements (Jarry, Zucker, Marino, Pettersson), some prospects becoming players (POJ, Poulin, Legare, Zohorna, O'Connor) and then a trade deadline move just like they made for Carter.

We also entered last year with Jankowski as our 3rd line center and ERod locked in on the 3rd line as well. Geno aside, I don't think we're too different from the start of last year. End of last year yes.
- Tojo.

No, we're not too different from the start, but we're vastly different than the end and that's an issue IMO.

I'll concede Ceci is the one I'm most worried about though last year at this time he wasn't considered a strength either.

And we didn't improve or address the weaknesses of the team at all. This team is close to what we started last season with.

Carter-McCann
McGinn-Tanev
Heinen-Jankowski
Simon-Gaudreau
Friedman-Ceci

That should be close enough to navigate the regular season again. What they need if they want to make a run is some internal improvements (Jarry, Zucker, Marino, Pettersson), some prospects becoming players (POJ, Poulin, Legare, Zohorna, O'Connor) and then a trade deadline move just like they made for Carter.
- Tojo.

I mostly agree with all of this. I will say though that I believe Heinen to be an upgrade over Janko, Simon may never play in the NHL this season and Gaudreau didnt come up until end of season and only played 19 regular season games. I also dont think Ceci was as good as some think and he was atrocious in the playoffs haha.

I'll concede Ceci is the one I'm most worried about though last year at this time he wasn't considered a strength either.

And we didn't improve or address the weaknesses of the team at all. This team is close to what we started last season with.

Carter-McCann
McGinn-Tanev
Heinen-Jankowski
Simon-Gaudreau
Friedman-Ceci

That should be close enough to navigate the regular season again. What they need if they want to make a run is some internal improvements (Jarry, Zucker, Marino, Pettersson), some prospects becoming players (POJ, Poulin, Legare, Zohorna, O'Connor) and then a trade deadline move just like they made for Carter.
- Tojo.

I have no faith that Friedman or Ruhwedel can fill in for Ceci. I'm even more terrified Marino will be used with Matheson.....'cause we already know what that looks like.

Friedman looked ok in a small sample size, but wasn't that impressed with him. From my eyes, he's our 7th or 8th D.

I have no faith that Friedman or Ruhwedel can fill in for Ceci. I'm even more terrified Marino will be used with Matheson.....'cause we already know what that looks like.

Friedman looked ok in a small sample size, but wasn't that impressed with him. From my eyes, he's our 7th or 8th D.
- madmike71

I was impressed with Friedman in the small sample I saw, certainly much better than I expected from a waiver pick up.

I think the only possible saving grace is that most the teams in the metro besides NJD either made lateral moves/changes or got worse.

PHI and WSH are probably about the same as they were last year quality-wise.

CAR and NYR got significantly worse.

CBJ definitely took a few hits.

NYI remain to be seen on how they fill out their roster after losing Eberle and Leddy, but I don't expect much of a net change, positive or negative in that team.

The Pens have the benefit of a weaker Metro than in the past, but how long they lose Geno for will really dictate how things go. If he's out for most of the first half of the season we'll be selecting in the top fifteen.

I think the only possible saving grace is that most the teams in the metro besides NJD either made lateral moves/changes or got worse.

PHI and WSH are probably about the same as they were last year quality-wise.

CAR and NYR got significantly worse.

CBJ definitely took a few hits.

NYI remain to be seen on how they fill out their roster after losing Eberle and Leddy, but I don't expect much of a net change, positive or negative in that team.

The Pens have the benefit of a weaker Metro than in the past, but how long they lose Geno for will really dictate how things go. If he's out for most of the first half of the season we'll be selecting in the top fifteen.
- Rinosaur

I cant say that without a doubt because Sully can really maximize lackluster rosters haha...we have a large sample size of seeing it.

I cant say that without a doubt because Sully can really maximize lackluster rosters haha...we have a large sample size of seeing it.
- MattStrat

We'll see how either Ruhwedel or Friedman fill in for Ceci. That will be a huge factor.

No, we're not too different from the start, but we're vastly different than the end and that's an issue IMO.
- Rinosaur

That's apples to oranges IMO, so just agree to disagree there. I'll compare last year's playoff roster to this year's after the deadline. For now, what matters to me is does this team stack up to last year's entering the regular season.

I have no faith that Friedman or Ruhwedel can fill in for Ceci. I'm even more terrified Marino will be used with Matheson.....'cause we already know what that looks like.

Friedman looked ok in a small sample size, but wasn't that impressed with him. From my eyes, he's our 7th or 8th D.
- madmike71

I'm less concerned if Pettersson stays. I think that's the 2nd pair.

Friedman and Ruhwedel for 3rd pair I'm willing to try, though I would prefer if they eventually find a bargain vet like they did with Ceci. Cap space is non-existent now though.