Talk to some flyers fans about that. They will tell you solid things about Hextall. He built them a solid team. Also talk to some LA King management about when they won the cup and they will tell you about how Hex has a good eye for players who will fit together on the ice from a Chemistry standpoint and that is hard to do.

Also so what if it takes him 4 years to develop into a solid player for us? I was the little Pens all the time and it's not like JRs picks are doing much for us. Plus I would rather have a few first round picks and build through free agency a bit to allow us to get a bit younger. Also when it's time for Sid and the guys to hang it up, we will be a piece or 2 away. Instead of a complete dumpster fire with nothing to build on.
- 123Kid

Because the Penguins window to compete is 3ish years. Drafting someone who can come in at an ELC and help within 2-3 years is much more valuable than kid who is going to come in during the tank.

Also... no we won't want to be a piece or 2 away, no sense is floating around mediocrity after a window is shut. We will want to be a dumpster fire and bottom out to accumulate the highest draft picks we can.

Because the Penguins window to compete is 3ish years. Drafting someone who can come in at an ELC and help within 2-3 years is much more valuable than kid who is going to come in during the tank.

Also... no we won't want to be a piece or 2 away, no sense is floating around mediocrity after a window is shut. We will want to be a dumpster fire and bottom out to accumulate the highest draft picks we can.
- j.boyd919

Looks like Chicago is going tank mode this season.... Might end up with Bedard...

Looks like Chicago is going tank mode this season.... Might end up with Bedard...
- MattStrat

I'm curious to see what they will be doing with Jones lol

I'm curious to see what they will be doing with Jones lol
- Rinosaur

It is remarkable that their "rebuild" has been made up of them acquiring a lot of good picks/prospects, trading 2 1st round picks + a top defensive prospect for Seth Jones, a guy with 1 year left on his deal, pay Jones $9.5M, trade all of their younger players like DeBrincat and Dach, and now they are starting over again.

It's a bold strategy.

Because the Penguins window to compete is 3ish years. Drafting someone who can come in at an ELC and help within 2-3 years is much more valuable than kid who is going to come in during the tank.

Also... no we won't want to be a piece or 2 away, no sense is floating around mediocrity after a window is shut. We will want to be a dumpster fire and bottom out to accumulate the highest draft picks we can.
- j.boyd919

If you build your team around solid players who can hold up the stars, then you can increase the length of being competitive. This can be done by having solid drafts and bringing in good FAs.


I think our draft pick was one of the better players available. Hex didn't want to take a shot with a Russian player, but the scouts believed our pick has a chance to be solid only time will tell. Many Vancouver sites had him as one of the top players drafted by them. Also who knows what's going to happen with him. In 2 years this kid could be traded away or impress the staff enough to get his shot. Overall the scouts liked him enough to pick him and I like to look at the potential positives and hope for a solid future for this team.

Looks like Chicago is going tank mode this season.... Might end up with Bedard...
- MattStrat

They’re clueless. They took on Mrazek to move up to take a guy that should have been there without moving up.

If you build your team around solid players who can hold up the stars, then you can increase the length of being competitive. This can be done by having solid drafts and bringing in good FAs.


I think our draft pick was one of the better players available. Hex didn't want to take a shot with a Russian player, but the scouts believed our pick has a chance to be solid only time will tell. Many Vancouver sites had him as one of the top players drafted by them. Also who knows what's going to happen with him. In 2 years this kid could be traded away or impress the staff enough to get his shot. Overall the scouts liked him enough to pick him and I like to look at the potential positives and hope for a solid future for this team.
- 123Kid

Tanking and rebuilding is easier and likely faster. Your probability to become Chicago and eventually have to tear it down is much higher than what you are suggesting.

Not to mention you always overpay in FA.

Talk to some flyers fans about that. They will tell you solid things about Hextall. He built them a solid team. Also talk to some LA King management about when they won the cup and they will tell you about how Hex has a good eye for players who will fit together on the ice from a Chemistry standpoint and that is hard to do.

Also so what if it takes him 4 years to develop into a solid player for us? I was the little Pens all the time and it's not like JRs picks are doing much for us. Plus I would rather have a few first round picks and build through free agency a bit to allow us to get a bit younger. Also when it's time for Sid and the guys to hang it up, we will be a piece or 2 away. Instead of a complete dumpster fire with nothing to build on.
- 123Kid

The problem isnt whether Hextall is a good GM, the problem is can Hextall build a team to compete in the 3 year window the Penguins likely have. I've talked to Flyers fans. They've all said the same thing: Hextall was a good GM for them, but he was too patient and unwilling to make the bold move to help the club reach that next level. Eventually, patience wore thin.

Youre right, Rutherford's pick isnt doing anything for us either. It's been 3 years and Poulin still isnt close to being ready for a top 9 role on the Penguins. When Sid retires, we dont want to be a piece or two away. That's how you finish middle of the pack and never get better. As soon as Crosby/Malkin/Letang retire, we should literally trade every talented player we have: Marino, Jake, etc.

1st round picks, especially outside the top 10, are lottery picks. A few of them will work out, most wont. I'd rather take a roll of the dice on a guy who has a ton of upside. The guy we picked looks like a solid player. He's big (needs to put some weight on), he can skate, and looks to have a good hockey IQ. That's great, but if he cant help us in this window, he isnt much value to us right now.

If you build your team around solid players who can hold up the stars, then you can increase the length of being competitive. This can be done by having solid drafts and bringing in good FAs.


I think our draft pick was one of the better players available. Hex didn't want to take a shot with a Russian player, but the scouts believed our pick has a chance to be solid only time will tell. Many Vancouver sites had him as one of the top players drafted by them. Also who knows what's going to happen with him. In 2 years this kid could be traded away or impress the staff enough to get his shot. Overall the scouts liked him enough to pick him and I like to look at the potential positives and hope for a solid future for this team.
- 123Kid

Yeah that’s not how that works. You don’t want the painful mediocrity of Detroit.

Do you guys think Sid doesn’t re up in 3 years?

The problem isnt whether Hextall is a good GM, the problem is can Hextall build a team to compete in the 3 year window the Penguins likely have. I've talked to Flyers fans. They've all said the same thing: Hextall was a good GM for them, but he was too patient and unwilling to make the bold move to help the club reach that next level. Eventually, patience wore thin.

Youre right, Rutherford's pick isnt doing anything for us either. It's been 3 years and Poulin still isnt close to being ready for a top 9 role on the Penguins. When Sid retires, we dont want to be a piece or two away. That's how you finish middle of the pack and never get better. As soon as Crosby/Malkin/Letang retire, we should literally trade every talented player we have: Marino, Jake, etc.

1st round picks, especially outside the top 10, are lottery picks. A few of them will work out, most wont. I'd rather take a roll of the dice on a guy who has a ton of upside. The guy we picked looks like a solid player. He's big (needs to put some weight on), he can skate, and looks to have a good hockey IQ. That's great, but if he cant help us in this window, he isnt much value to us right now.
- SuperHenderson13

^^correct. Be a realist, not an optimist.

Depending on Malkins deal if he gets one they in theory could sign Rakell and Heinen and move out a Dman and get Puljaarvi.

Gutz-Crosby-Rakell
Rust-Malkin-Puljaarvi
Zucker-Blueger-Heinen
Mcginn-Carter-plug

Do you guys think Sid doesn’t re up in 3 years?
- Grinder47

Depends on a lot of unknowns

Depending on Malkins deal if he gets one they in theory could sign Rakell and Heinen and move out a Dman and get Puljaarvi.

Gutz-Crosby-Rakell
Rust-Malkin-Puljaarvi
Zucker-Blueger-Heinen
Mcginn-Carter-plug
- sammy87

Nah it should be
Tatar - Crosby - Rakell
Guentzel - Malkin - Rust
Sucker - Plug - Heinen
DOC - Blueger - McGinn

Husso for you Feds.

Husso for you Feds.
- Blackstrom2

Not the worst stopgap duo until Cossa is ready.

Meh on that term but whatever Cossa is the future

Husso for you Feds.
- Blackstrom2

Nice pick last night. I would've liked the Penguins to take him if he was available.

Nice pick last night. I would've liked the Penguins to take him if he was available.
- SuperHenderson13

I preferred Savoie but I have faith in the guys scouting Sweden.

I was really hoping to wake up today to see Geno has been re-signed. This is getting ridiculous.

I was really hoping to wake up today to see Geno has been re-signed. This is getting ridiculous.
- Rinosaur

I'd be surprised if it happened during the draft, they probably have their focus on the draft today and will revisit Geno after.

I'd be surprised if it happened during the draft, they probably have their focus on the draft today and will revisit Geno after.
- j.boyd919

I guess. They don't draft again until round four, but I guess that doesn't mean they're not trying to get deals done for other rounds.

I guess. They don't draft again until round four, but I guess that doesn't mean they're not trying to get deals done for other rounds.
- Rinosaur

I’d rather see them ship someone out, Dumo or Zucker to create additional cap space.

I’d rather see them ship someone out, Dumo or Zucker to create additional cap space.
- j.boyd919

If they don’t do something cap dump wise today it probably won’t happen.