Nothing that Alex Meruelo touches goes as well as it should. Dude makes Jim Balsillie look legit.
- BINGO!

He went from tuxedo salesman to single-demographic pizza shop owner to owning sports teams and hotels. Yes, dude's shady as hell, but I'd gladly trade places with him.

I was just going to write that. Getting the best fringe NHL'rs. Sound like he wants to barely make or miss the playoffs again. God forbid we give one of our prospects a decent look. I don't want a bunch of guys that have already proven they don't belong in the league. I'll take the unknown over that.
- madmike71

What young guys? Also, the AHL has a cap on the number of "Veterans" you can have.

https://www.dkpittsburghs...eran-development-rule-tlh

But then again, the AHL has no roster limits, so you can have more veterans on your roster that aren't in your lineup.

I said this several weeks ago... I don't want my coach to have more power than the GM. I think that's a huge mistake, but I have little doubt that will be the case again this year.

I found the bit about a competitive AHL team pretty strange. I don't think you can just "wish" that into existence without drafting good, young players. Not to mention his lack of interest in giving a player or two a decent look with the big club. IDK.... Just found that weird.
- madmike71

They need to start swinging more for the unsigned college guys and try to find some diamonds in the rough there.

One thing to remember is that we’re not making just one hire. We’re making two. The wonder if we’re taking the PHO from the same pool of interviewees. We could very well come out west it’s two of these names being floated around.

One thing to remember is that we’re not making just one hire. We’re making two. The wonder if we’re taking the PHO from the same pool of interviewees. We could very well come out west it’s two of these names being floated around.
- Victoro311

There was also talk yesterday that they are looking to bring in a bunch of candidates in a promotional role like when they had Botterill, Fitzgerald, and Guerin all running different aspects and all holding AGM titles.

There was also talk yesterday that they are looking to bring in a bunch of candidates in a promotional role like when they had Botterill, Fitzgerald, and Guerin all running different aspects and all holding AGM titles.
- burgh4life87

This search has me excited. I like the direction it’s moving in and the names that made it to round 2. Seems like all the bad names were left in round 1 where they belong.

This search has me excited. I like the direction it’s moving in and the names that made it to round 2. Seems like all the bad names were left in round 1 where they belong.
- Victoro311

According to Friedman he heard its down to Tulsky, MacKinnon, and Darche. Or at least those 3 are the ones he is hearing the most about.

According to Friedman he heard its down to Tulsky, MacKinnon, and Darche. Or at least those 3 are the ones he is hearing the most about.
- burgh4life87

Feel like it’s gotta be Tulsky’s job if he wants it.

Edit: But the other two seem like solid hires too. Would be happy with any though obviously I prefer Tulsky.

Feel like it’s gotta be Tulsky’s job if he wants it.

Edit: But the other two seem like solid hires too. Would be happy with any though obviously I prefer Tulsky.
- Victoro311

He would be my #1, but I agree. No real bad options with those 3. I wonder who they like for Pres.

He would be my #1, but I agree. No real bad options with those 3. I wonder who they like for Pres.
- burgh4life87

I'm wondering if it's going to be Chayka for pres, Tulsky for GM maybe they try and bring back Ventura for an AGM spot.

I'm wondering if it's going to be Chayka for pres, Tulsky for GM maybe they try and bring back Ventura for an AGM spot.
- j.boyd919

I'm wondering if it's going to be Chayka for pres, Tulsky for GM maybe they try and bring back Ventura for an AGM spot.
- j.boyd919

I was thinking the Chaya PHO thing too. Maybe his talents are better suited for high level direction rather than day to day negotiations.

According to Friedman he heard its down to Tulsky, MacKinnon, and Darche. Or at least those 3 are the ones he is hearing the most about.
- burgh4life87

That's an exciting list

What young guys? Also, the AHL has a cap on the number of "Veterans" you can have.

https://www.dkpittsburghs...eran-development-rule-tlh

But then again, the AHL has no roster limits, so you can have more veterans on your roster that aren't in your lineup.
- jmatchett383

They could have had better quality vets last year. They basically opened the top spots to their prospects who aren't great but those guys got prominent roles and ice time. But think Sully would rather have those tweeners in that role so he'd have more experienced guys to call up instead of younger guys.

I'm wondering if it's going to be Chayka for pres, Tulsky for GM maybe they try and bring back Ventura for an AGM spot.
- j.boyd919

Chayka and Botterill would both be decent in that Pres spot. I hope they bring back Ventura in that capacity.

Chayka and Botterill would both be decent in that Pres spot. I hope they bring back Ventura in that capacity.
- burgh4life87

The other thing Friedman eluded to was that Bots might only want the Pres of Hockey Opps role of he were to come back.

I find it a little weird we arent hiring a President of Hockey Ops and then allowing the President of Hockey Ops to play a major role in hiring the GM. Seems weird the coach would have hiring input on both of his bosses.

Threw this together:https://www.capfriendly.c.../armchair-gm/team/4125456

Pens got some options.



Contract projections were based off of Evolving Wild's projects except Zucker who took a small discount to stay in Pittsburgh.

Threw this together:https://www.capfriendly.c.../armchair-gm/team/4125456

Pens got some options.



Contract projections were based off of Evolving Wild's projects except Zucker who took a small discount to stay in Pittsburgh.
- j.boyd919

I would really like lineup if it was real... However, the Bertuzzi and Zucker contracts are probably lower than they'll sign for, wherever they sign, I would imagine.

Threw this together:https://www.capfriendly.c.../armchair-gm/team/4125456

Pens got some options.



Contract projections were based off of Evolving Wild's projects except Zucker who took a small discount to stay in Pittsburgh.
- j.boyd919

You're going to bring J.Staal back and love it.

I would really like lineup if it was real... However, the Bertuzzi and Zucker contracts are probably lower than they'll sign for, wherever they sign, I would imagine.
- MattStrat

Maybe, but Evolving wild is usually pretty close in their projections and I just took theres straight up for Bert. I think the Zucker one is possible if he really wants to resign in Pittsburgh.

You're going to bring J.Staal back and love it.
- BINGO!

Har dee har.

Har dee har.
- j.boyd919

no for real

Maybe, but Evolving wild is usually pretty close in their projections and I just took theres straight up for Bert. I think the Zucker one is possible if he really wants to resign in Pittsburgh.
- j.boyd919

Bertuzzi would be a god send for this team. Exact prototype of what we need.

Zucker sounded legit about wanting to come back. I would not rule it out. I’m interested what we do with 3C. That’s what will make or break this team.

Unrelated but I’m really pissed off thinking about a POJ-Marino second pairing. I feel like those two would mesh really well.

Bertuzzi would be a god send for this team. Exact prototype of what we need.

Zucker sounded legit about wanting to come back. I would not rule it out. I’m interested what we do with 3C. That’s what will make or break this team.

Unrelated but I’m really pissed off thinking about a POJ-Marino second pairing. I feel like those two would mesh really well.
- Victoro311

I think they would have been a really good shutdown 2nd pairing. Offense may not have been there, but they would probably come out on top on the goals for/against battle.

3C I think the Pens have a lot of options if they are willing to buyout Granlund.

Compher, Barbashev, Domi, ROR, maybe even some lesser guys that could fit the role.