Anyone here think we could roll these lines for the bottom 2?

Blueger-Carter-Kapanen
McGinn-Poehling-Archibald
(O’Connor-Zohorna) extras
- Barnaby36

Please stop posting our trash bottom 6 lol

Please stop posting our trash bottom 6 lol
- 668710

Assuming they're going to crowbar Kap into the top six, I think the only way we have a shot at a decent bottom six is to load up the 3rd line.

Zucker-Blueger-Carter
DOC-Poehling-McGinn

The best move we can make is trying to trade Zucker to the Ducks. Hex isn't going to trade the guys he signed (McGinn, Rutta).

Assuming they're going to crowbar Kap into the top six, I think the only way we have a shot at a decent bottom six is to load up the 3rd line.

Zucker-Blueger-Carter
DOC-Poehling-McGinn
- Rinosaur

Yea that 3rd line looks better. But if Kap struggles to score goals he'll get bumped down and continue to be a waste of 3.2.

And the trade was for the guy who was #8 in points and they both scored at the exact same rate at even strength. They’re pretty darn comparable production wise.

Again, Barkov and Ekblad are 26. If you’re Florida and you say no to this trade you’re going all in on next year and then you either let your star wing and a key supporting cast member walk or you lock them up on suspect contracts. Either way, you’re hamstringing the second half of your two franchise cornerstones’ Cup window.

I see this trade as trading Weegar, a 1st, and a prospect to reset the clock on Huberdeau for the rest of Barkov and Ekblad’s prime. I think that’s a good trade.
- Victoro311

My initial reaction is FLA got fleeced HARD, but there's many ways to dissect this. Your logic only makes sense TO ME if FLA knew they had no chance at keeping Huberdeau. I get the age factor you're looking at, but I don't think that was the factor.

My other thought was after they got embarrassed by Tampa, management felt they needed to send a shockwave into the locker room. Especially with all the rumors of players (frank)ing off during the playoffs.

Yea that 3rd line looks better. But if Kap struggles to score goals he'll get bumped down and continue to be a waste of 3.2.
- 668710

LOL "if"

LOL "if"
- Rinosaur

Well I meant like this past season with his shooting percentage of 7. I think his average is 11, he needs to be around that.

Well I meant like this past season with his shooting percentage of 7. I think his average is 11, he needs to be around that.
- 668710

The issue for me with Kap in general is he's completely one-dimensional and if he's not scoring 20+ goals then he's worthless. Now, he showed flashes of playing a 200ft game when it seems they lit a fire under his ass, so if he can be a useful two-way player and be 15 to 20G guy? Ok, I can reset my expectations and see the value.

If they can also tell him stop pulling up and take the puck deep? That would also be a win. I get the benefits of pulling up after entry, but he's no good at it and it's not part of their gameplan.

The issue for me with Kap in general is he's completely one-dimensional and if he's not scoring 20+ goals then he's worthless. Now, he showed flashes of playing a 200ft game when it seems they lit a fire under his ass, so if he can be a useful two-way player and be 15 to 20G guy? Ok, I can reset my expectations and see the value.

If they can also tell him stop pulling up and take the puck deep? That would also be a win. I get the benefits of pulling up after entry, but he's no good at it and it's not part of their gameplan.
- Rinosaur

Oh I get it haha. Hopefully he sees all the negative comments and articles and it lights a fire under his ass.

Oh I get it haha. Hopefully he sees all the negative comments and articles and it lights a fire under his ass.
- 668710

I think a one year deal would have done a better a job of lighting a fire under his ass.

I think a one year deal would have done a better a job of lighting a fire under his ass.
- Rinosaur

Agreed but I bet the whole holdup was over the 2nd year. Which if anything should of brought the cap below 3m. Now he’s got a bit of breathing room.

My initial reaction is FLA got fleeced HARD, but there's many ways to dissect this. Your logic only makes sense TO ME if FLA knew they had no chance at keeping Huberdeau. I get the age factor you're looking at, but I don't think that was the factor.

My other thought was after they got embarrassed by Tampa, management felt they needed to send a shockwave into the locker room. Especially with all the rumors of players (frank)ing off during the playoffs.
- Rinosaur

Hex should have done the same thing and sent a shockwave through the locker room and said 4 yrs of losing in the 1st round is unacceptable no matter the circumstances...

Title should have been "Kap hit not worth it",
Just sayin.

Title should have been "Kap hit not worth it",
Just sayin.
- TartanBill

LOL! Originally it was Krapanen. RW probably was told to change and couldn't think of anything quick enough.

Title should have been "Kap hit not worth it",
Just sayin.
- TartanBill

Winner

Agreed but I bet the whole holdup was over the 2nd year. Which if anything should of brought the cap below 3m. Now he’s got a bit of breathing room.
- 10inchTerror

Yeah, nothing to light a fire under a guy's ass like job security.

Yeah, nothing to light a fire under a guy's ass like job security.
- Rinosaur

Lol

The Bjorkstrand trade was a nonsense. We could’ve had him for that price. He’d be awesome with Geno and Rakell.

The Bjorkstrand trade was a nonsense. We could’ve had him for that price. He’d be awesome with Geno and Rakell.
- Barnaby36

Not really, there is a thing called a salary cap...

Bjorkstrand is in the prime of his career, making a market value salary of $5.4M million dollars until the 2026-2027 NHL season.

Sadly only if we moved Zuckers contract could we have afforded him as a player

Assuming they're going to crowbar Kap into the top six, I think the only way we have a shot at a decent bottom six is to load up the 3rd line.

Zucker-Blueger-Carter
DOC-Poehling-McGinn
- Rinosaur

Are you saying that Kap is better in the bottom 6 than top six? Kap makes nothing better. He’s the worst player on the team including Archibald. At this point a pens fan can only hope for a significant injury to him.

Are you saying that Kap is better in the bottom 6 than top six? Kap makes nothing better. He’s the worst player on the team including Archibald. At this point a pens fan can only hope for a significant injury to him.
- Grinder47

Damn bro that's pretty brutal. Kap 2 years prior showed some pretty good Chemistry on the ice with Malkin. I have heard he is pushing it hard in training this offseason. So hopefully he can bring it next year. Plus I doubt he will regress after having such a down year

Damn bro that's pretty brutal. Kap 2 years prior showed some pretty good Chemistry on the ice with Malkin. I have heard he is pushing it hard in training this offseason. So hopefully he can bring it next year. Plus I doubt he will regress after having such a down year
- 123Kid

I don't see him regressing either. Last season was the low point of his career thus far. He is such an enigma that nobody knows which direction he's going to go.

Are you saying that Kap is better in the bottom 6 than top six? Kap makes nothing better. He’s the worst player on the team including Archibald. At this point a pens fan can only hope for a significant injury to him.
- Grinder47

How did you actually miss the first sentence that clearly says "Assuming they're going to crowbar Kap into the top six."

Just feel like pontificating today?

Damn bro that's pretty brutal. Kap 2 years prior showed some pretty good Chemistry on the ice with Malkin. I have heard he is pushing it hard in training this offseason. So hopefully he can bring it next year. Plus I doubt he will regress after having such a down year
- 123Kid

I'm not trying to be a Richard, but that's when a player is looking to rebound they always talk about "training hard." Physical training is great and all, but the physical part of Kap's game isn't the issue. It's his brain. Unless his training includes watching game tape with the coaching staff to shift his decision-making, the best we can hope for is him getting some more luck with this shooting %.

Kap is burtal. He has a lower hockey IQ and that's not something that can always be improved upon. Some players can be shown the light and taught to see/think the game differently, but that's probably the hardest thing to change in a player.