Ryan Wilson: The Penguins went out and did the thing The Penguins went out and did the thing

So Sullivan done?

So Sullivan done?
- rrentz

Nah.

So Sullivan done?
- rrentz

Nah. He’s going to have a front office that actually values his input now.

For sure but you would hope with his experience as GM he isn’t going to overstep and prevent the GM from doing their job.
- Feds91Stammer

That's were it gets a little muddy. All these guys have big ego's or they wouldn't be where they are. It's interesting. The Steelers have a similar thing going on right now and by all accounts they've had a great off-season

I could see Dubas setting the vision and saying... "This is how we intend to play. Now bring me the players that support it". The GM will largely be an AGM. Really just semantics. Probably just removes some of the more tedious work from his plate.

Nah. He’s going to have a front office that actually values his input now.
- Feds91Stammer

Dam..was hoping NYR could scoop him up

So we’re all of these interviews before specifically for the press of hockey ops position? Or are they just letting Dubas have a final say with the official GM hiring?

That's were it gets a little muddy. All these guys have big ego's or they wouldn't be where they are. It's interesting. The Steelers have a similar thing going on right now and by all accounts they've had a great off-season

I could see Dubas setting the vision and saying... "This is how we intend to play. Now bring me the players that support it". The GM will largely be an AGM. Really just semantics. Probably just removes some of the more tedious work from his plate.
- madmike71

For the most part they should all have a similar vision. Any competent front office member should be able to logically support/argue for a specific player or move they want to make and why it aligns with the general vision of the org.

Dam..was hoping NYR could scoop him up
- rrentz

Nah. You guys are (frank)ed.

Nah. You guys are (frank)ed.
- Feds91Stammer

For the most part they should all have a similar vision. Any competent front office member should be able to logically support/argue for a specific player or move they want to make and why it aligns with the general vision of the org.
- Feds91Stammer

Agreed. Who makes the final call when the margin is razor thin? We'll likely never know, but I'm assuming it's Dubas.

POHO - Dubas
GM - Lawrence
AGM - Ventura

Two carry overs from the end of last blog:

I agree with that. It's mandatory...actually. But usually there's the "buck stops here" guy. I'm guessing it's going to be Dubas.
- madmike71

Dubas and Toronto parted because Dubas wanted full control. One thing I’m not worried about is there being a clear power structure with Dubas being the definitive top or else he wouldn’t have taken the job. What I don’t know is what the actual GM’s role will be. Mileage can vary there. I think Dubas is going to be a very involved PHO but I also think he’s smart enough to come up with a system where the GM’s wings aren’t clipped and he can still function as an actual GM.

It would be a reach but this is what I was thinking. I could see him wanting HIS guy, who will follow his marching orders. Spezza was a very well liked player as I understand it too.

The ideal situation would be bringing in Darche now.

His first move is going to be getting Nylander, Murray and Timmins for Rust, Rutta & DeSmith.
- MacPatty

Man seeing Rust forgo more money at his home town Red Wings to sign a long term deal in Pitt only to be traded after a season would absolutely suck to see. Not saying trading Rust isn’t the right move, but as a personal fan I would be sad.

Nah. He’s going to have a front office that actually values his input now.
- Feds91Stammer

It's a double edged sword for Sullivan. On the one hand, he hasn't had a GM that has actually supported him in years at this point so his job just got much easier. On the other hand, now that FSG has their guy, he's been knocked back down to just the coach in the power structure with a bad roster and a possibly lost locker room. Its much more likely he loses his job now if things start to go poorly on the ice.

Nah. You guys are (frank)ed.
- Feds91Stammer

Isn't it reportedly between Hines and Lavi? I do not envy that situation. I would be so sad.

Two carry overs from the end of last blog:


Dubas and Toronto parted because Dubas wanted full control. One thing I’m not worried about is there being a clear power structure with Dubas being the definitive top or else he wouldn’t have taken the job. What I don’t know is what the actual GM’s role will be. Mileage can vary there. I think Dubas is going to be a very involved PHO but I also think he’s smart enough to come up with a system where the GM’s wings aren’t clipped and he can still function as an actual GM.


Man seeing Rust forgo more money at his home town Red Wings to sign a long term deal in Pitt only to be traded after a season would absolutely suck to see. Not saying trading Rust isn’t the right move, but as a personal fan I would be sad.
- Victoro311

Rust has a full NMC through next season. He won't be waiving any time soon. At least I wouldn't expect him to.

Rust has a full NMC through next season. He won't be waiving any time soon. At least I wouldn't expect him to.
- burgh4life87

So did Hornqvist.

So did Hornqvist.
- Victoro311

Things change when teams ask you to waive it. You get a feeling like you're not wanted... then you waive it.

What are the egos possessing?

Rust has a full NMC through next season. He won't be waiving any time soon. At least I wouldn't expect him to.
- burgh4life87

NMC just gives him control. Doesn’t mean he won’t waive it.

I'm not in the trade Rust camp. Not yet, no way. In a down year he still had 20 G's and almost 50 points. Plus I watched almsot every single game he played last season and no one hit has many posts or had highlight saves made on them, than Rust.

I'm not in the trade Rust camp. Not yet, no way. In a down year he still has 20 G's and almost 50 points. Plus I watched almsot every so gle game he played last season and no one hit has many posts or had highlight saves made on them, than Rust.
- MattStrat

He had a career year generating scoring chances and high danger chances. He was looking good, just had some bad luck.

NMC just gives him control. Doesn’t mean he won’t waive it.
- Feds91Stammer

Yah, and I don't expect him to. Probably cliche but the family card gets pulled here. He has two young children and I think his wife is from Pittsburgh. Plus it's not like he is on the outs with the coach. He was a top 6 player all year.

I'm not in the trade Rust camp. Not yet, no way. In a down year he still had 20 G's and almost 50 points. Plus I watched almsot every single game he played last season and no one hit has many posts or had highlight saves made on them, than Rust.
- MattStrat

In theory he’s your most valuable non elite player that could allow for a decent roster shakeup. Don’t think you trade him otherwise.

Interesting - good fit for him as PHOP, I wonder if Darche would still want the GM role? Perhaps we circle back to Tlusky? Seems potential for a solid management team though!


I'd love to see him bring Nylander in!!!