"Competitive" yes. Contenders, no

The Pens fanbase has been spoiled, seeing the playoffs as a given and expecting to win the Cup ever year. The sad truth is that those days are gone. This team will have to scratch and claw its way to that playoffs and beyond. It will still only go as far as Crosby, goaltending, Letang (and Malkin, if signed) will take them, but they won't be able to carry a team like they did 6 years ago.
- jmatchett383

Regardless, it’s officially all over now.

By competitive do you mean squeaking in as a wild card team or winning division titles?
- Feds91Stammer

They were like 4 or 5 points away and battling for 1st when Jarry and a few others went down in March. They were in this position despite earlier in season having their whole first PP unit out for a few weeks, missing Sid all of October, Geno half a season and Rust and others for long periods of time too. One of the top teams 5 on 5/defensively all season that just had some finishing problems...that seemingly went away vs Rangers and their Vezina, should of won Hart as well, guy in net.

Regardless, it’s officially all over now.
- Rinosaur

hahaha oh my, you and your on brand doom and gloom.

They were like 4 or 5 points away and battling for 1st when Jarry and a few others went down in March. They were in this position despite earlier in season having their whole first PP unit out for a few weeks, missing Sid all of October, Geno half a season and Rust and others for long periods of time too. One of the top teams 5 on 5/defensively all season that just had some finishing problems...that seemingly went away vs Rangers and their Vezina, should of won Hart as well, guy in net.
- MattStrat

Right but you can’t pretend things will ever go perfectly in a season especially injury wise. You also can’t ignore bottom feeders ascending to the top of the division. So do you have an answer? Contenders or wild card pretenders?

I agree with everything you're saying ....and it was a handful of unlucky breaks that kept them from advancing in these past playoffs. They could of made final four, if not for so many unlucky breaks, perhaps even the final.
- MattStrat

They probably could have beaten the Rangers if they had league-average goaltending or had Crosby not been injured. I don't think they'd have beaten Carolina though.

Right but you can’t pretend things will ever go perfectly in a season especially injury wise. You also can’t ignore bottom feeders ascending to the top of the division. So do you have an answer? Contenders or wild card pretenders?
- Feds91Stammer

Why would I pretend that when you're replying to a post where I listed a lot, but not all, of their injuries woes haha. Despite these woes were still one of the top 5 on 5 teams all season.

They're neither extreme, contender or wild card pretender, they're in between. They made the playoffs 19 points over the first team on the outside looking in at wild card spot last season.

They probably could have beaten the Rangers if they had league-average goaltending or had Crosby not been injured. I don't think they'd have beaten Carolina though.
- jmatchett383

I think they would of with how they picked up the play vs Rags. If you asked me the same question, would they beat Canes in 1st or 2nd round, in March or April I would agree with you.

Why would I pretend that when you're replying to a post where I listed a lot, but not all, of their injuries woes haha. Despite these woes were still one of the top 5 on 5 teams all season.

They're neither extreme, contender or wild card pretender, they're in between. They made the playoffs 19 points over the first team on the outside looking in at wild card spot last season.
- MattStrat

I guess we will see in the next few days but as of now I see them fighting for a wild card spot the last week or so of the season.

I think they would of with how they picked up the play vs Rags. If you asked me the same question, would they beat Canes in 1st or 2nd round, in March or April I would agree with you.
- MattStrat

I'm gonna heavily disagree,

Look, they're not a BAD team. But they're not a top contender anymore either, and with this core another year older, I can't see them handling any top-end teams in a best-of-7.

hahaha oh my, you and your on brand doom and gloom.
- MattStrat

You may be right, but doesn't mean I'm wrong. This window was barely open to begin with. Someone like Trocheck, R.Strome or Copp certainly don't keep it open.

They were like 4 or 5 points away and battling for 1st when Jarry and a few others went down in March. They were in this position despite earlier in season having their whole first PP unit out for a few weeks, missing Sid all of October, Geno half a season and Rust and others for long periods of time too. One of the top teams 5 on 5/defensively all season that just had some finishing problems...that seemingly went away vs Rangers and their Vezina, should of won Hart as well, guy in net.
- MattStrat

Apparently nothing of this matter.

I'm gonna heavily disagree,

Look, they're not a BAD team. But they're not a top contender anymore either, and with this core another year older, I can't see them handling any top-end teams in a best-of-7.
- jmatchett383

Who's saying they're a top contender?

No reason why they would. Chicago is doing that to get Bedard by destroying their franchise.
- Barnaby36

Well Chicago is perfectly fine with covering up sexual abuse so they can go fck themseves. Hopefully they stay last place for ever.

I guess we will see in the next few days but as of now I see them fighting for a wild card spot the last week or so of the season.
- Feds91Stammer

I dont think them fighting for a wild card spot is that far fetched at all, regardless of what happens the next few days. Like you said earlier bottom feeder, and even some previous season middle pack, teams get better as well.

According to you they weren't making the playoffs at all the last two season, which I always replied its not that far fetched to me that they wouldn't.

So as always, we shall see what happens.

I agree with the general idea that even without Geno, the Penguins are probably still a playoff team, but not much more than that. So if the dream is to compete for a Cup, you need to target the high and low risk guys that offer the highest reward that could exceed expectations and take this team to the next level.

I wonder where Sully is at in all of this? I know he says he isnt involved in that stuff because he doesnt want to be, but i wonder what he has said/done, if anything about Geno, Letang, Rust, Rakell, etc.

Apparently, he was cool with the money, but wanted a 4th year.
- jmatchett383

According to Seravalli and DeFabo, the fourth year was on the table, and Geno still decided to test free agency. While a lot of people will be upset if Geno leaves, most people will conclude (and have concluded if yesterday's poll is to be believed) that Geno is the "bad guy" here.

You may be right, but doesn't mean I'm wrong. This window was barely open to begin with. Someone like Trocheck, R.Strome or Copp certainly don't keep it open.
- Rinosaur

They were in 1st without Malkin this past season. I dont want to lose him, I think they are a much better team with him, etc but I do know that Sully really juices lackluster rosters...if he didnt they wouldnt of made the playoffs at all last season. They were missing Sid, Geno, Rust, Jarry and more for massive chunks of the season. 5 of their top 9 forwards gone at one point hahah

I agree with the general idea that even without Geno, the Penguins are probably still a playoff team, but not much more than that. So if the dream is to compete for a Cup, you need to target the high and low risk guys that offer the highest reward that could exceed expectations and take this team to the next level.

I wonder where Sully is at in all of this? I know he says he isnt involved in that stuff because he doesnt want to be, but i wonder what he has said/done, if anything about Geno, Letang, Rust, Rakell, etc.
- SuperHenderson13

The Pens are IMO officially a bubble team now. There's nothing that keeps them as playoff lock.

If Malkin really wants that 4th year why doesn't he just play really good for the 3 years the team is offering? I'm sure they'd sign him for 1 year and 6 million when those 3 years are up

Because even Malkin knows that's a huge risk for HIM to take, but the team should take on all that risk and think nothing of it

If the "window" has 3 more years, I don't have a lot of confidence Malkin would be worth anywhere near 6 million when he's 38 (Year 3) He's barely worth it now with the injury risk

They were in 1st without Malkin this past season. I dont want to lose him, I think they are a much better team with him, etc but I do know that Sully really juices lack luster rosters...if he didnt they wouldnt of made the playoffs at all last season. They were missing Sid, Geno, Rust, Jarry and more for massive chunks of the season. 5 of their top 9 forwards gone at one point hahah
- MattStrat

Some of the major reasons they stayed that way were some players played over their heads: ERod and Carter. I don't think the Pens would have kept that momentum up an entire season without Geno.

If Malkin really wants that 4th year why doesn't he just play really good for the 3 years the team is offering? I'm sure they'd sign him for 1 year and 6 million when those 3 years are up

Because even Malkin knows that's a huge risk for HIM to take, but the team should take on all that risk and think nothing of it

If the "window" has 3 more years, I don't have a lot of confidence Malkin would be worth anywhere near 6 million when he's 38 (Year 3) He's barely worth it now with the injury risk
- TheGame316

Idk maybe it’s because they’ve disrespected him because they’re fine giving everyone else 6 years.

Who's saying they're a top contender?
- MattStrat

Well, if this is the case:

They could of made final four, if not for so many unlucky breaks, perhaps even the final.
- MattStrat

I'd say that's the sign of a top contender.

Well, if this is the case:



I'd say that's the sign of a top contender.
- jmatchett383

Nah....the east was pretty wide open...there weren't any teams in east on Colorado's level and no one including me thinks Pens could of beat Colorado, so no, but nice try to twist things there hahaha not to mention the use of "perhaps"

Nah....the east was pretty wide open...there wasn't any teams in east on Colorado's level and no one including me thinks Pens could of beat Colorado, so no, but nice try to twist things there hahaha not to mention the use of "perhaps"
- MattStrat

Until someone actually beats Tampa the east is not wide open.

Until someone actually beats Tampa the east is not wide open.
- Feds91Stammer

Whatever...barely got through the Leafs....Cats were a paper tiger...and Rags sucked according to you