He did stick by Murray for too long though.
- Victoro311

True.

He did stick by Murray for too long though.
- Victoro311

Murray helped him win 2 cups. I've never gotten the feeling Sully has much love for Jarry. Understandable since Jarry likely cost them that series against the Islanders.

If you believe the beat guys, they say he's a pretty relaxed guy....even when he's not playing well. Coaches aren't going to like that.

I've wanted the Pens to go over Duclair for the last like 5 years. Dude is exactly what they need. Plays hard, goes to the net, scores goals, and fast af. He's the perfect 3LW that can bump up if needed.
- j.boyd919

Pens basically have a 3LW who can bump up in DOC. He's not as good as Duclair but he's a lot cheaper. They need a wing for that top line.

Maybe sign Duclair and then you have 3 decent LWs and let it play out. I just don't think they can sign him for the third with the hole at first line and a capable player on the 3LW already. I'd personally be more open to adding a 3RW.

I don't think that's a Mike Sullivan-exclusive thing, I think that's most head coaches with a lot of young non-star players. I don't agree with it, as you give the job to the best player based or their play, not on age/experience. But yeah, this is definitely not exclusive to Sullivan.
- jmatchett383

Agree. It's not like we have a ton of youth, but Sully won while letting young guys play through their mistakes and learn and then became a short leash guy. Seems exceptionally so with POJ.

I will say though, he seems to be turning a corner there. DOC has had plenty of opportunities to play over Smith. Puustinen has been given a long run. POJ is playing over Graves now. And he's starting to give guys like Poulin and Gruden somewhat of a chance. Ludvig and especially St. Ivany are getting chances to solidify spots.

Pens basically have a 3LW who can bump up in DOC. He's not as good as Duclair but he's a lot cheaper. They need a wing for that top line.

Maybe sign Duclair and then you have 3 decent LWs and let it play out. I just don't think they can sign him for the third with the hole at first line and a capable player on the 3LW already. I'd personally be more open to adding a 3RW.
- Tojo.

I agree with that, I think the time to acquire Duclair has probably passed. No clue what they're going to do about the LW1.

Agree. It's not like we have a ton of youth, but Sully won while letting young guys play through their mistakes and learn and then became a short leash guy. Seems exceptionally so with POJ.

I will say though, he seems to be turning a corner there. DOC has had plenty of opportunities to play over Smith. Puustinen has been given a long run. POJ is playing over Graves now. And he's starting to give guys like Poulin and Gruden somewhat of a chance. Ludvig and especially St. Ivany are getting chances to solidify spots.
- Tojo.

This might be due entirely to injuries in my opinion though

I agree with that, I think the time to acquire Duclair has probably passed. No clue what they're going to do about the LW1.
- j.boyd919

Other than Jake and mittlestadt I don see anyone in ufa who can really fill the role.

Other than Jake and mittlestadt I don see anyone in ufa who can really fill the role.
- 10inchTerror

This is easy. Use Ocams Razer and go for the simplest solution: trade all our bad players for all their good players. Graves for Zegras so that Grinder is in complete and utter misery watching every single Penguins game.

Murray helped him win 2 cups. I've never gotten the feeling Sully has much love for Jarry. Understandable since Jarry likely cost them that series against the Islanders.

If you believe the beat guys, they say he's a pretty relaxed guy....even when he's not playing well. Coaches aren't going to like that.
- madmike71

Eh I feel like in a goalie that’s a premium trait. The ability to be chill and shake things off isn’t common at that position.

This is easy. Use Ocams Razer and go for the simplest solution: trade all our bad players for all their good players. Graves for Zegras so that Grinder is in complete and utter misery watching every single Penguins game.
- Victoro311

Wouldn’t everyone be? He’s slow, not physical and not good at scoring?

You don’t really need a Bonifide 1lw. Sid and Rust need a hammer for the tool belt. Another Bunting.

Other than Jake and mittlestadt I don see anyone in ufa who can really fill the role.
- 10inchTerror

Sean Mohahan and Tyler Bertuzzi maybe - not too interested in either at what they'll cost. I would prefer to sign Noah Hanifin, dump Graves for whatever then see if we can make a hockey trade for a young forward.

There are a few RFAs teams might not be want to give raises to - Shane Pinto, Matthew Berniers, Quinton Byfield, Yegor Sharangovich. If PO has any trade value, move him in the package for any of these guys - especially if Pens could land Hanifin.

I am looking forward to see how this off-season plays out. I think there needs to be a decent plan in place or Sid does not sign an extension - I guess we'll see...

Wouldn’t everyone be? He’s slow, not physical and not good at scoring?
- Grinder47

Do you actually watch hockey or just make stuff up? He’s very fast and his offensive toolbox is top notch. His issue is awareness

You don’t really need a Bonifide 1lw. Sid and Rust need a hammer for the tool belt. Another Bunting.
- Grinder47

Here I agree. Bunting looked really good with Sid before moving to Malkin and continuing his success. Get a Hornqvist type for that line at LW and you’re fine. I mean DOC has been fine there but someone with more of a scoring punch to the degree of Horny or Bunting would really elevate things

You don’t really need a Bonifide 1lw. Sid and Rust need a hammer for the tool belt. Another Bunting.
- Grinder47

Agreed.

Instead of loading up on an expensive top flight 1st line winger (which probably isn't available anyway) why not trying to find better fit play wise and spreading some money throughout the lineup.

You don’t really need a Bonifide 1lw. Sid and Rust need a hammer for the tool belt. Another Bunting.
- Grinder47

Find a way to trade for Lawson Crouse, sign zadarov on July 1st. Hammer 1 and 2.

Do you actually watch hockey or just make stuff up? He’s very fast and his offensive toolbox is top notch. His issue is awareness
- Victoro311

Maybe like a 1x1 prove it deal. He’s not very good at real hockey man.

McKenna coming along nicely for us in 2026.

Do you actually watch hockey or just make stuff up? He’s very fast and his offensive toolbox is top notch. His issue is awareness
- Victoro311

Agreed, but that's a big issue.

That said, he's an absolute wizard with the puck.

Agreed, but that's a big issue.

That said, he's an absolute wizard with the puck.
- jmatchett383

Ok that’s fine. I’m just saying if you’re going to hate on the kid at least know what you’re hating on instead of being being a total dingus

Find a way to trade for Lawson Crouse, sign zadarov on July 1st. Hammer 1 and 2.
- 10inchTerror

Crouse for Graves. Done. Haha

I would really like to get Crouse in the mix though, no doubt.

Crouse for Graves. Done. Haha

I would really like to get Crouse in the mix though, no doubt.
- MattStrat

I really like will cuylle on the rags. Real nice late 2nd round pickup. Big, physical, scores. Not a top liner but better than doc

Find a way to trade for Lawson Crouse, sign zadarov on July 1st. Hammer 1 and 2.
- 10inchTerror

Was never a fan of Crouse. No reason why, just not a fan.

Ok that’s fine. I’m just saying if you’re going to hate on the kid at least know what you’re hating on instead of being being a total dingus
- Victoro311

Totally fair. But any team would gladly take him

Totally fair. But any team would gladly take him
- jmatchett383

Absolutely. I’m mostly being an bumhole