Not sure why anyone thinks Zucker has much to offer. His points per game this year is worse than Kapanen’s and we all know what everyone thinks of his game. Plus, Zucker’s being paid $2+ million more than KK. The bottom six are giving you just about what you can expect for the money. Not so with Zucker and Kapanen.

Not sure why anyone thinks Zucker has much to offer. His points per game this year is worse than Kapanen’s and we all know what everyone thinks of his game. Plus, Zucker’s being paid $2+ million more than KK. The bottom six are giving you just about what you can expect for the money. Not so with Zucker and Kapanen.
- Dr Blob

If you remove Zucker's cap hit for a moment, he's been playing a very good 200ft game this year. His speed and tenacity were highly on display and was a positive player in terms of helping to generate scoring chances, so unlike Kapanen, he does help the Pens when he's on the ice.

That said, I have no expectations of any significant production when he returns, but he will at least make the Pens harder to play against.

I agree with you, but the reality of what the Pens can offer doesn't help their case for obtaining a top 6 RW. That said, if we can get players who are simply producing better than Kap and/or Zucker would help.

Our prospects are sub-par
Kap's value is in the trash
Our 1st will be a bottom ten pick.

Not the most attractive pieces to help get a top six winger, so I'd be happy at least bringing in player who produce more than our current players.
- Rinosaur

Depends on if you want a player with or without term.

With term, yeah it's going to be difficult, gonna have to package POJ+Kap+1st

Rental, the Pens can probably find a decent top 6 player for their 1st round pick and maybe a little more.

Taylor Hall went for a 25 year old scrub and a 5th round pick or some poop last year.

Depends on if you want a player with or without term.

With term, yeah it's going to be difficult, gonna have to package POJ+Kap+1st

Rental, the Pens can probably find a decent top 6 player for their 1st round pick and maybe a little more.

Taylor Hall went for a 25 year old scrub and a 5th round pick or some poop last year.
- j.boyd919

I think Hall had a trade clause thought, right? That didn't give BUF much leverage. I could be wrong, but I think that was the situation.

I'm really not sure how the rental market will shake out. There's more supply than demand, so you'd think prices may be driven down and late 1st might be able to get you something good, but it's hard to gauge what these bidding wars will look like at the moment.

If the Pens could grab Rakell for a 1st and POJ? Of course I'd prefer that, but the cap issue is real. Yeah, they could move Kap out in a deal, but does anyone want him right now? Maybe the Pens could dump Kap somewhere for a mid-round pick and use futures to get someone, but who knows right now. Kap's value is terrible.

EDIT: Hall at a full NMC in Buffalo. They had zero leverage on moving him.

I think Grinders comment from the last thread is correct.

Playing the speed and skill philosophy is no longer the Pens strength. I don't think any trades they can afford is going to change that.

Carolina and Florida are way faster then the Pens and in order to try and keep up, the Pens were flying the zone trying to get ahead of the play.

Problem with that is they left the D holding the puck under pressure with the only option being throw it up the boards. That resulted in a ton of turnovers.

Sully needs to re think this teams strategy.

I think Grinders comment from the last thread is correct.

Playing the speed and skill philosophy is no longer the Pens strength. I don't think any trades they can afford is going to change that.

Carolina and Florida are way faster then the Pens and in order to try and keep up, the Pens were flying the zone trying to get ahead of the play.

Problem with that is they left the D holding the puck under pressure with the only option being throw it up the boards. That resulted in a ton of turnovers.

Sully needs to re think this teams strategy.
- Thorny87

Just because there's a couple of teams that are faster and more skilled doesn't mean the Pens still aren't a speed/skill team. It just means there are teams that are better at it.

Even Burke has openly admitted that's the DNA of this team and knows that's their path to success even if he wants to add a little size and grit.

Definitely need more players in the mold of Heinen, Kapenan, Carter and Mcginn.

Expanding the top of the roster with more bottom 6 guys is definitely the way to go lol.

Top 6 RW
Backup tendie
Vet/Depth LD

should be priority.
- j.boyd919

No question these should be the exact priorities in that order. Top 6 RW is a must. Hextall came in and stated he will still try to compete while keeping his eye on the future. F that. Can't have a foot in both camps. Trying to do both leaves them with another 1st round exit.

When they get bad, it's good to be really bad anyway.

Just because there's a couple of teams that are faster and more skilled doesn't mean the Pens still aren't a speed/skill team. It just means there are teams that are better at it.

Even Burke has openly admitted that's the DNA of this team and knows that's their path to success even if he wants to add a little size and grit.
- Rinosaur

Yes. And there is a high chance you're meeting one if not 2 in the playoffs if you want to got far.

I'm not saying abandon their style of play, which as you stated is good enough to beat most teams.

I'm saying don't exacerbate the problem when another team has you beat in that area.

Carolina looked like they were in the Pens dressing room between periods. They knew exactly what the Pens were gonna do and picked it off all night.

I think Grinders comment from the last thread is correct.

Playing the speed and skill philosophy is no longer the Pens strength. I don't think any trades they can afford is going to change that.

Carolina and Florida are way faster then the Pens and in order to try and keep up, the Pens were flying the zone trying to get ahead of the play.

Problem with that is they left the D holding the puck under pressure with the only option being throw it up the boards. That resulted in a ton of turnovers.

Sully needs to re think this teams strategy.
- Thorny87

Do you guys watch the games and actually think they are trying to be a speed team still? I haven't seen them attempt that identity since 2015-16.

This team is way more systemic in their approach to breakouts and zone entries than they are given credit around here lol

I think Hall had a trade clause thought, right? That didn't give BUF much leverage. I could be wrong, but I think that was the situation.

I'm really not sure how the rental market will shake out. There's more supply than demand, so you'd think prices may be driven down and late 1st might be able to get you something good, but it's hard to gauge what these bidding wars will look like at the moment.

If the Pens could grab Rakell for a 1st and POJ? Of course I'd prefer that, but the cap issue is real. Yeah, they could move Kap out in a deal, but does anyone want him right now? Maybe the Pens could dump Kap somewhere for a mid-round pick and use futures to get someone, but who knows right now. Kap's value is terrible.

EDIT: Hall at a full NMC in Buffalo. They had zero leverage on moving him.
- Rinosaur

Yeah that changes things, didn't realize that.

Do you guys watch the games and actually think they are trying to be a speed team still? I haven't seen them attempt that identity since 2015-16.

This team is way more systemic in their approach to breakouts and zone entries than they are given credit around here lol
- j.boyd919

Did you see the Carolina game? They were systemic to a fault

No question these should be the exact priorities in that order. Top 6 RW is a must. Hextall came in and stated he will still try to compete while keeping his eye on the future. F that. Can't have a foot in both camps. Trying to do both leaves them with another 1st round exit.

When they get bad, it's good to be really bad anyway.
- madmike71

Exactly.

If Hextall had any sort of pull in Philly, he should 100% be trying to pry Giroux out of Philly.

Or he needs to nut up and trade assets for a 25-26 year old under contract.

Probably gonna end up being Phil at the end of the day. Burke loves him. Familiarity to the system, boys in the room love him. Can come cheap from AZ. Probably don't need to move a body either so he can push others down the lineup.

Did you see the Carolina game? They were systemic to a fault
- Thorny87

I did. And I watched the Lightning game in person the night before, where it was probably their best game of the season.

I won't harp on 1 game against Carolina on a back to back after they thumped the reigning Stanley Cup Champs.

Systemically, you're not going to change your system at the end of the season heading into the playoffs. He can fine tune and fine tune, but Carolina's D plays a tight gap at the blue line and not a lot of teams do that so fine tuning to counter that won't do much good in the regular season. Those types of should definitely adjustments happen in the playoffs.

I just dont think the Pens issues are structure/system related. I think their scoring has dried up and they have too many middle six forwards in elevated roles.

I did. And I watched the Lightning game in person the night before, where it was probably their best game of the season.

I won't harp on 1 game against Carolina on a back to back after they thumped the reigning Stanley Cup Champs.

Systemically, you're not going to change your system at the end of the season heading into the playoffs. He can fine tune and fine tune, but Carolina's D plays a tight gap at the blue line and not a lot of teams do that so fine tuning to counter that won't do much good in the regular season. Those types of should definitely adjustments happen in the playoffs.

I just dont think the Pens issues are structure/system related. I think their scoring has dried up and they have too many middle six forwards in elevated roles.
- j.boyd919

100% But do you think anyone they can afford will change that?

It's not a complete system overhaul either. Just more support for our D. Like at the start of the year when most of us were marveling at the support and breakout.

Already told Boyd this. Hextall needs to grow a pair.

CDS
ZAR
Kap
2022 1st
2022 2nd

For

Tuch
Anderson

100% But do you think anyone they can afford will change that?

It's not a complete system overhaul either. Just more support for our D. Like at the start of the year when most of us were marveling at the support and breakout.
- Thorny87

I think that there are plenty of options.

Rackell is a volume shooter that could help.
Maybe try to pry Tuch from Buffalo
Giroux is going to probably have his choice of where he would like to go given his relationship with the Flyers management, I'd poke around for that.
Boeser is an option I suppose.
Phil is going to be an option for sure due to familiarity to system and the boys
Eberle could possibly be available for the right price?
Namestnikov is a lower tiered option but he's more of what the Pens already have


Not sure what the left field options are if Hextall goes for someone with term, but I think there are definitely viable options to improve the team at a relatively low cost.

Already told Boyd this. Hextall needs to grow a pair.

CDS
ZAR
Kap
2022 1st
2022 2nd

For

Tuch
Anderson
- Feds91Stammer

I feel like that should be a hard no for Buffalo.

Already told Boyd this. Hextall needs to grow a pair.

CDS
ZAR
Kap
2022 1st
2022 2nd

For

Tuch
Anderson
- Feds91Stammer

Buffalo declines.

Flyers offer you a gently used Claude Giroux 50% retained for Son of Kapanen and a top-60 pick.

Thoughts on something like this?

Matheson + 1st round 2022 + Poulin + Legarre + 3rd in 2023*
FOR
Chychrun + Crouse

The 3rd becomes 1st if PIT goes to cup final in 2023, 2nd if goes to conference final in 2023

I'm not sure how highly coveted Poulin and Legarre are outside of PIT though, but assuming they are considered highly (not superstar high, but top 6 potential-high), then maybe it is enticing to ARZ?

Salary wise it works out, with Matheson making more than Chychrun. It does empty the prospect pool for PIT, which is against Hextall's usual M.O. but since both Chychrun and Crouse are pretty young I think it is not so much of a big deal in this case.

I feel like that should be a hard no for Buffalo.
- Victoro311

Should be but when have they had a good track record of making good decisions?

Flyers offer you a gently used Claude Giroux 50% retained for Son of Kapanen and a top-60 pick.
- Tomahawk

Pens take that and run. Absolutely yes haha.

Flyers offer you a gently used Claude Giroux 50% retained for Son of Kapanen and a top-60 pick.
- Tomahawk

We don’t even think about that one haha.

Thoughts on something like this?

Matheson + 1st round 2022 + Poulin + Legarre + 3rd in 2023*
FOR
Chychrun + Crouse

The 3rd becomes 1st if PIT goes to cup final in 2023, 2nd if goes to conference final in 2023

I'm not sure how highly coveted Poulin and Legarre are outside of PIT though, but assuming they are considered highly (not superstar high, but top 6 potential-high), then maybe it is enticing to ARZ?

Salary wise it works out, with Matheson making more than Chychrun. It does empty the prospect pool for PIT, which is against Hextall's usual M.O. but since both Chychrun and Crouse are pretty young I think it is not so much of a big deal in this case.
- mventres

Doesn't solve the Penguins secondary scoring woes.

Poulin and Legarre are definitely not coveted. They are overrated in Pittsburgh if you ask me lol.

I agree with you, but the reality of what the Pens can offer doesn't help their case for obtaining a top 6 RW. That said, if we can get players who are simply producing better than Kap and/or Zucker would help.

Our prospects are sub-par
Kap's value is in the trash
Our 1st will be a bottom ten pick.

Not the most attractive pieces to help get a top six winger, so I'd be happy at least bringing in player who produce more than our current players.
- Rinosaur

Everything should be going into top 6 wing.