...and with this news the first shred of actual evidence that my feeling that Hex wants to keep the players a lot of us want to rid of and just assume he does too, is real..ugh
- MattStrat

Less depth on the RW behind Rust, vs. LW behind Jake, Zucker, McGinn, DOC, etc. Right now it's basically Rust, Carter, Z.

I wonder if they see DOC as a cheap Heinen replacement. I often feel like they compete for a LW spot

I wonder if they see DOC as a cheap Heinen replacement. I often feel like they compete for a LW spot
- Tojo.

I'm sure they want to let Z or DOC secure a spot. It's not a bad decision, but if they wind up signing Kap for anywhere between $2M-$3M instead of Heinen? Then this looks really bad.

I wonder if they see DOC as a cheap Heinen replacement. I often feel like they compete for a LW spot
- Tojo.

They shouldn’t see DOC as anything other than an absolute wild card.

They shouldn’t see DOC as anything other than an absolute wild card.
- Feds91Stammer

His metrics through a minuscule 22 game sample last season look like a solid bottom six player. I think it’d be smart to give him a shot to start the season to see if he can fill a role on a minimum contract.

His metrics through a minuscule 22 game sample last season look like a solid bottom six player. I think it’d be smart to give him a shot to start the season to see if he can fill a role on a minimum contract.
- Victoro311

Right but Heinen was an 18 goal scorer that was playing on the 2nd line to end the year. So it would be absolute best case scenario for DOC to match that production or role.

His metrics through a minuscule 22 game sample last season look like a solid bottom six player. I think it’d be smart to give him a shot to start the season to see if he can fill a role on a minimum contract.
- Victoro311

To me it's not about DOC as a possible cheap replacement for Heinen. It's whether they spend money on Kapenen instead of Heinen. That's where the mistake would be.

To me it's not about DOC as a possible cheap replacement for Heinen. It's whether they spend money on Kapenen instead of Heinen. That's where the mistake would be.
- Rinosaur

RW depth vs. LW depth

RW depth vs. LW depth
- j.boyd919

That'w why you keep Rakell.

Less depth on the RW behind Rust, vs. LW behind Jake, Zucker, McGinn, DOC, etc. Right now it's basically Rust, Carter, Z.
- j.boyd919

Oof...thats brutal on the right side hahah...even if they signed Kap again we need more...Rakky would help that but I'm kind of with Tojo about being weary of handing him a large cap hit.

Could Giroux be had for 6ish? Let Rakk walk and give Giroux and Geno 6 x 4 each. Giroux is a good right winger and can play C as well if Geno goes down....when Geno goes down, I mean...

As for the EK rumor

Malkin stays. Rakell stays.

Giroux is signed as a Heinen/Kapanen replacement.

Guentzel - Crosby - Giroux
Rust - Malkin - Rakell
Zucker - Carter - Kapanen
McGinn - Blueger - O'Connor

Edit: BOOM! Jagr B.Ryan vibes

As for the EK rumor

Malkin stays. Rakell stays.

Giroux is signed as a Heinen/Kapanen replacement.

Guentzel - Crosby - Giroux
Rust - Malkin - Rakell
Zucker - Carter - Kapanen
McGinn - Blueger - O'Connor

Edit: BOOM! Jagr B.Ryan vibes
- Barnaby36

I kinda want to see it just to see the meltdown. Also would be hilarious if Giroux gets a Cup with the Penguins.

If Rakell goes to FA, I dont see him coming back. He'll get a bigger offer from somewhere else. If Malkin goes to FA, I could still see him come back.

As for the EK rumor

Malkin stays. Rakell stays.

Giroux is signed as a Heinen/Kapanen replacement.

Guentzel - Crosby - Giroux
Rust - Malkin - Rakell
Zucker - Carter - Kapanen
McGinn - Blueger - O'Connor

Edit: BOOM! Jagr B.Ryan vibes
- Barnaby36

Not that he isn't still talented but I just don't see the Giroux thing happening at all. If we are balking at any deal giving Malkin $6M why would we be after Giroux?

I say trade Pettersson to the Hawks for Toews 1/2 retained (could also work a double retention deal through Arizona since his salary is much lower than his cap hit). Slide Malkin to RW. Resign Heinen and Kap or trade Kaps rights to Zona for Kassian 1/2 retained. Sign Kessel. Could be a dominant forward group.

Jake-Sid-Rust
Heinen-Toews-Malkin
Zucker-Carter-Kessel
McGinn-Bleuger-Kap/Kassian

To me, Strome is the best option for the Penguins, with or without Malkin. I've said before that I think Malkin should go to wing. I think Strome has the upside of moving up to #2 center when needed.

To me, Strome is the best option for the Penguins, with or without Malkin. I've said before that I think Malkin should go to wing. I think Strome has the upside of moving up to #2 center when needed.
- SuperHenderson13

I've been saying this for a little bit. It also allows Carter to move to wing and make him more of a support player than a driver.

As for the EK rumor

Malkin stays. Rakell stays.

Giroux is signed as a Heinen/Kapanen replacement.

Guentzel - Crosby - Giroux
Rust - Malkin - Rakell
Zucker - Carter - Kapanen
McGinn - Blueger - O'Connor

Edit: BOOM! Jagr B.Ryan vibes
- Barnaby36

Over the cap and your 3rd line still sucks.

I've been saying this for a little bit. It also allows Carter to move to wing and make him more of a support player than a driver.
- Rinosaur

Yeah I don't really get the desire to move Geno to wing, given we have a center who's already proven capable to play wing and Geno's fine as a center, putting up similar underlying numbers as Sid.

Right but Heinen was an 18 goal scorer that was playing on the 2nd line to end the year. So it would be absolute best case scenario for DOC to match that production or role.
- Feds91Stammer

Oh I wouldn’t expect that. I would hope for him to be a good fourth liner and everything further would be gravy. I didn’t realize we were talking DOC vs Heinen, just whether or not we should try to give DOC a chance to be an NHL regular this season.

But regardless, I wouldn’t really expect Heinen to match Heinen’s production from last year either. I firmly believe we need another top 6 winger ontop of Rackel (assuming both Malkin and Rackel are resigned which is no sure thing). Heinen had a good season, he was a good penguin and I would have been interested to retain him at the right price as a Swiss Army knife that can play up and down as needed, but I don’t think he’s the answer as the permanent 2LW

Yeah I don't really get the desire to move Geno to wing, given we have a center who's already proven capable to play wing and Geno's fine as a center, putting up similar underlying numbers as Sid.
- j.boyd919

Yup. If they can move Pettersson or Dumo, I'd like to see them get Rakell and Strome

Jake-Sid-Rust
Zucker-Geno-Rakell
???-Strome-Carter

Yeah I don't really get the desire to move Geno to wing, given we have a center who's already proven capable to play wing and Geno's fine as a center, putting up similar underlying numbers as Sid.
- j.boyd919

I feel like eventually it's going to happen to prolong his career. Not so sure that time is now, but this is the off-season when they have some space to address it.

They could lose ERod who was a great full in and Blueger is only a year from UFA so someone who can play center should be added.

I'd try something like this...

https://www.capfriendly.c.../armchair-gm/team/3426252

His metrics through a minuscule 22 game sample last season look like a solid bottom six player. I think it’d be smart to give him a shot to start the season to see if he can fill a role on a minimum contract.
- Victoro311

This and DOC was a point a game player at the AHL this year. I don't expect him to be a top 6, but I wouldn't mind seeing what he can do on Carter's line.

I don't think he's getting Heinen numbers, but if we thought Heinen was getting those numbers again for certain we'd be paying him. (and I know you said that elsewhere)

DOC for league minimum maybe capably replaces the size at a fraction of the cost to use money elsewhere with RW needing a lot of help. And if he fails, maybe Poulin or someone steps up later, but at this point DOC deserves the look

I feel like eventually it's going to happen to prolong his career. Not so sure that time is now, but this is the off-season when they have some space to address it.

They could lose ERod who was a great full in and Blueger is only a year from UFA so someone who can play center should be added.
- Tojo.

What they need to do to prolong his career is improve his supporting cast. Moving him to wing changes nothing.

Yeah I don't really get the desire to move Geno to wing, given we have a center who's already proven capable to play wing and Geno's fine as a center, putting up similar underlying numbers as Sid.
- j.boyd919

Because it will help extend his career/usefulness. It wont need to happen today or tomorrow, but as he moves into his new deal (hopefully), I think it will make a lot of sense.