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.
- Thunderbolt

Kap literally scored four goals from January to the rest of of the year. I'm not sure how much more he can regress from that.

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.
- PENS1989

No $hit Holmes. Damn how dumb was your comment lmfao

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.
- Rinosaur

I’d say Rust is a good example On how a player can improve his game by a lot. Rust from day one was supposed to be nothing more than a 3rd line type or a 3rd wheel on the second line. He just exceeded in every way. Zucker used to joke about Rusty when they played together in college: he had stone hands.
As the world turns…

I’d say Rust is a good example On how a player can improve his game by a lot. Rust from day one was supposed to be nothing more than a 3rd line type or a 3rd wheel on the second line. He just exceeded in every way. Zucker used to joke about Rusty when they played together in college: he had stone hands.
As the world turns…
- Barnaby36

Opposite trajectories though. The expectations from Rust were fairly low and he kept earning more ice time and better roles. Kap started stronger his career and kept trending down.

But hey... GIVE HIM A CHANCE

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.
- Rinosaur

I think a lot of this also falls on coaching. Instead of speeding down the ice and curling up, they need to instruct him to do something different… at least I’m assuming they don’t tell him that since that’s all he does. He has a good motor and shot. Now he needs to learn how to do something useful. Sully really needs to instruct him or he needs to get on YouTube and figure out what other players do on his own.

I think a lot of this also falls on coaching. Instead of speeding down the ice and curling up, they need to instruct him to do something different… at least I’m assuming they don’t tell him that since that’s all he does. He has a good motor and shot. Now he needs to learn how to do something useful. Sully really needs to instruct him or he needs to get on YouTube and figure out what other players do on his own.
- 10inchTerror

Kapanen was immature when he arrived here in '20. I remember him sitting in the post game briefings more interested in his phone than talking to the reporters. I also remember reports having Kap shoot pucks around away from the on ice meeting coaches were having at center ice.

The problem is Kapanen. Sullivan, the coaching staff, and whoever else interested in making Kap a professional need to stress the point of becoming an adult. He should have plenty of examples as this is an old team. I do think he started to turn this around as he started to admit he needed to work on his game. Whether that was just lip service or not I don't know.

Kapanen has been playing professional hockey sinse he was 16. He needs to start acting like it.

I think a lot of this also falls on coaching. Instead of speeding down the ice and curling up, they need to instruct him to do something different… at least I’m assuming they don’t tell him that since that’s all he does. He has a good motor and shot. Now he needs to learn how to do something useful. Sully really needs to instruct him or he needs to get on YouTube and figure out what other players do on his own.
- 10inchTerror

Man some of you guys have really low hockey IQs. The Gretzky curl is one of the few things he does right.

Man some of you guys have really low hockey IQs. The Gretzky curl is one of the few things he does right.
- Feds91Stammer

Not what he does after that

I'm not at all surprised that he is back but that contract is tough to swallow. Kapanen strikes me as a guy who is always in his own head. He has been traded back and forth now a few times and had contract uncertainty hanging over his head. Usually that helps players but it seemed like it was weighing on him.

The team really likes him obviously so they must have a role in mind for him. Geno is not an easy center to play with and Kap completely failed there. Not that we will see it but I do think that he is a guy that Sid could turn into a 30 goal scorer.

I'd like to see a Zucker-Carter-Kapanen line, I think that would be a great line. Could also see Blueger moving up to Center the 3rd line and having Poehling play 4C. A lot of options though I feel like we are short at least one top 9 forward to round out the group.

Not what he does after that
- 10inchTerror

Exactly.

I'm not at all surprised that he is back but that contract is tough to swallow. Kapanen strikes me as a guy who is always in his own head. He has been traded back and forth now a few times and had contract uncertainty hanging over his head. Usually that helps players but it seemed like it was weighing on him.

The team really likes him obviously so they must have a role in mind for him. Geno is not an easy center to play with and Kap completely failed there. Not that we will see it but I do think that he is a guy that Sid could turn into a 30 goal scorer.

I'd like to see a Zucker-Carter-Kapanen line, I think that would be a great line. Could also see Blueger moving up to Center the 3rd line and having Poehling play 4C. A lot of options though I feel like we are short at least one top 9 forward to round out the group.
- MacPatty

He was tried with Sid initially and completely flopped there. He clicked a lot better with Geno and, well, we all know that’s still a pretty low bar.

This team is basically the same top 6, same G's and a very mediocre bottom 6 all just a yr older. The D seems like moving the deck chairs around. Petry might be an upgrade but is Smith any good?

feels like the same team expecting different results over the last 4 years.

I agree if they could get a 3rd line of Zucker-Blueger-Kap that could help. I think Carter is gassed by January.

This team is basically the same top 6, same G's and a very mediocre bottom 6 all just a yr older. The D seems like moving the deck chairs around. Petry might be an upgrade but is Smith any good?

feels like the same team expecting different results over the last 4 years.

I agree if they could get a 3rd line of Zucker-Blueger-Kap that could help. I think Carter is gassed by January.
- sammy87

He is a capable guy to start on our 3rd pairing easily. Moving forward perhaps getting a bump up in 2 years.

Carter deserves more credit than what he gets.

Our top 6 is pretty good. If we only could get a little better in the bottom 6.

This team is basically the same top 6, same G's and a very mediocre bottom 6 all just a yr older. The D seems like moving the deck chairs around. Petry might be an upgrade but is Smith any good?

feels like the same team expecting different results over the last 4 years.

I agree if they could get a 3rd line of Zucker-Blueger-Kap that could help. I think Carter is gassed by January.
- sammy87

Except I posted the roster for 2018 here the other day and like 16 guys arent on the team anymore that were there 4 years ago hahah, pile of guys in 2019 not there anymore either...and for the oldest team in league guys: age had nothing to do with them losing in 1st round this past season.

None of this is to say they will be a top contender though, just sayin'

This team is basically the same top 6, same G's and a very mediocre bottom 6 all just a yr older. The D seems like moving the deck chairs around. Petry might be an upgrade but is Smith any good?

feels like the same team expecting different results over the last 4 years.

I agree if they could get a 3rd line of Zucker-Blueger-Kap that could help. I think Carter is gassed by January.
- sammy87

Feels like you post the same god damn thing year after year, but only disappear when the Pens get different results. Disappeared for those back to back years after poopting all over Phil the Thrill, and now you're back in full muppet force.

This team is basically the same top 6, same G's and a very mediocre bottom 6 all just a yr older. The D seems like moving the deck chairs around. Petry might be an upgrade but is Smith any good?

feels like the same team expecting different results over the last 4 years.

I agree if they could get a 3rd line of Zucker-Blueger-Kap that could help. I think Carter is gassed by January.
- sammy87

The goalie situation is by far the most concerning for me. The forward situation hasn't really changed but I thought this was a pretty good forward group last season.

I really like what we have done with out D. We have the best RD group in the league. Our LD or Dumo, Pettersson, Smith and POJ is actually pretty solid if Dumo is healthy. I think Smith has huge potential and could end up being a huge contributor, especially if he can earn a spot on the second pair with Petry. A healthy Malkin with Smith and Petry manning the point is going to put up 100 points.

Just looking at the D though, I can't help but think there is still another move that will be made. Ideally we would add one more top 9F and it just seems like such a bad move to bury Smith or POJ because we have too many bodies.

Feels like you post the same god damn thing year after year, but only disappear when the Pens get different results. Disappeared for those back to back years after poopting all over Phil the Thrill, and now you're back in full muppet force.
- j.boyd919

The goalie situation is by far the most concerning for me. The forward situation hasn't really changed but I thought this was a pretty good forward group last season.

I really like what we have done with out D. We have the best RD group in the league. Our LD or Dumo, Pettersson, Smith and POJ is actually pretty solid if Dumo is healthy. I think Smith has huge potential and could end up being a huge contributor, especially if he can earn a spot on the second pair with Petry. A healthy Malkin with Smith and Petry manning the point is going to put up 100 points.

Just looking at the D though, I can't help but think there is still another move that will be made. Ideally we would add one more top 9F and it just seems like such a bad move to bury Smith or POJ because we have too many bodies.
- MacPatty

Patty Petry already said he usually does better with a more defensive Dman. Smith likes to jump on the play. He's got good speed and likes to join the rush. I think he'd do better with Rutta or PO Joseph.

Question is: Could Pettersson get traded and we roll a 2nd pairing of Rutta-Petry and PO Joseph-Smith in the 3rd line (fighting for those spots with Ruhwedel and Friedman obviously)? I know Smith can play RD as he already said he spent like 90% of his hockey career playing the right side.

Patty Petry already said he usually does better with a more defensive Dman. Smith likes to jump on the play. He's got good speed and likes to join the rush. I think he'd do better with Rutta or PO Joseph.

Question is: Could Pettersson get traded and we roll a 2nd pairing of Rutta-Petry and PO Joseph-Smith in the 3rd line (fighting for those spots with Ruhwedel and Friedman obviously)? I know Smith can play RD as he already said he spent like 90% of his hockey career playing the right side.
- Barnaby36

My guess is we'll see:
Dumo-Letang
Petts-Petry
Smith/POJ-Rutta

They definitely didn't sign Rutta to let him sit in the press box when they already have Ruhwedel doing that all the god damn time lol

doubt they play Rutta on is off hand.

My guess is we'll see:
Dumo-Letang
Petts-Petry
Smith/POJ-Rutta

They definitely didn't sign Rutta to let him sit in the press box when they already have Ruhwedel doing that all the god damn time lol

doubt they play Rutta on is off hand.
- j.boyd919

You Posted the obvious for our D-pairings. That's what we all expect to happen.

My question is if we traded Pettersson for Top 6 help (like Garland) if Rutta or Petry could play either side just to let PO Joseph ease his job for now.

Dumoulin-Letang
PO Joseph-Petry
Smith-Rutta

This could be a thing too.

Kapanen was immature when he arrived here in '20. I remember him sitting in the post game briefings more interested in his phone than talking to the reporters. I also remember reports having Kap shoot pucks around away from the on ice meeting coaches were having at center ice.

The problem is Kapanen. Sullivan, the coaching staff, and whoever else interested in making Kap a professional need to stress the point of becoming an adult. He should have plenty of examples as this is an old team. I do think he started to turn this around as he started to admit he needed to work on his game. Whether that was just lip service or not I don't know.

Kapanen has been playing professional hockey sinse he was 16. He needs to start acting like it.
- Thunderbolt

This is the first I've ever heard of this.

This is the first I've ever heard of this.
- jmatchett383

Me neither.

Patty Petry already said he usually does better with a more defensive Dman. Smith likes to jump on the play. He's got good speed and likes to join the rush. I think he'd do better with Rutta or PO Joseph.

Question is: Could Pettersson get traded and we roll a 2nd pairing of Rutta-Petry and PO Joseph-Smith in the 3rd line (fighting for those spots with Ruhwedel and Friedman obviously)? I know Smith can play RD as he already said he spent like 90% of his hockey career playing the right side.
- Barnaby36

That d core would be brutal.

Between what the Penguins have done since free agency started and Chelsea FC getting cooked in the transfer market... been a rough offseason for me.

Between what the Penguins have done since free agency started and Chelsea FC getting cooked in the transfer market... been a rough offseason for me.
- SuperHenderson13

(frank) Barca man. Nothing we can do if Kounde is willing to ignore the fact that Barca literally can’t pay their roster. If his heart is set there, well, I hope for his sake his contract gets honored. Would have been no question of it at Chelsea.