I commend you dubas with this move.. Size and a physical player. The downside is will sullivan play him more than 4 minutes a game? Becuase he brings some grit to his game.

I’m excited for this Rutger kid but I caution everyone to remember Sergei Plotnikov before penciling him into the first line. He hasn’t played a professional minute yet and is more likely to be a bust than a 50 pt scorer out the gate
- Victoro311

I'm cautiously optimistic...emphasis on cautiously. Hopefully he's given some slack on his leash...allowed to make mistakes and not get buried. I mean, if Karlsson can cough up the puck like 4 times a game and still get 25+ minutes a night....this kid should be allowed to get minutes if he's f'n up here and there....

I'm cautiously optimistic...emphasis on cautiously. Hopefully he's given some slack on his leash...allowed to make mistakes and not get buried. I mean, if Karlsson can cough up the puck like 4 times a game and still get 25+ minutes a night....this kid should be allowed to get minutes if he's f'n up here and there....
- MattStrat

Cautiously optimistic too. All the pundits seem to agree he’s nhl ready and sounds like part of his trade demand was going somewhere he’d be guaranteed playing time so hopefully there’s an understanding there with Sullivan. To me, success for Rutger is season long paces of high 30s in points and double digit goals and finishing the season in the top 6.

From the things I've read looks like McGroarty is a better prospect than Yager but Winnipeg was in a real pickle, they had to trade him. It seems like either the Pens could have given up less or had them throw a draft pick in to sweeten it!

Been real nice to have both those prospects!

Cautiously optimistic too. All the pundits seem to agree he’s nhl ready and sounds like part of his trade demand was going somewhere he’d be guaranteed playing time so hopefully there’s an understanding there with Sullivan. To me, success for Rutger is season long paces of high 30s in points and double digit goals and finishing the season in the top 6.
- Victoro311

And 3 FM.

From the things I've read looks like McGroarty is a better prospect than Yager but Winnipeg was in a real pickle, they had to trade him. It seems like either the Pens could have given up less or had them throw a draft pick in to sweeten it!

Been real nice to have both those prospects!
- stevens87

End of the day we don’t know what other teams were offering. McGroatry is a good prospect. Not elite/future star, but good with a top half of the first round pedigree, ready to make his NHL debut. Doubt getting him for peanuts was on the table, but agree that it sure would have been nice to get this done with picks instead.

From the things I've read looks like McGroarty is a better prospect than Yager but Winnipeg was in a real pickle, they had to trade him. It seems like either the Pens could have given up less or had them throw a draft pick in to sweeten it!

Been real nice to have both those prospects!
- stevens87

Peg had two more years yet they could have hung on to him. They absolutely did not have to trade him now. He could have changed his mind. He could have had another big season and became more valuable. There would essentially have been 30 other teams with some type of offer. If he could have been had for less he would have been. And likely not to Pittsburgh.

Cautiously optimistic too. All the pundits seem to agree he’s nhl ready and sounds like part of his trade demand was going somewhere he’d be guaranteed playing time so hopefully there’s an understanding there with Sullivan. To me, success for Rutger is season long paces of high 30s in points and double digit goals and finishing the season in the top 6.
- Victoro311

Absolutely. I'd be very happy with that and call it a successful rookie season. I do believe however that the potential is there for him to surpass that...as well as come a fair bit shy of it. Could go either way haha... He's definitely not a surefire prospect. I mean, what if he does gel with Sid well... There's a job opening for being one of the best players of all time's winger haha... Perhaps he seizes it, perhaps he doesn't. I think the latter is more probable ... but if he does and Sid is anywhere remotely close to how good he was last season then he's going North of 40 hahah

Peg had two more years yet they could have hung on to him. They absolutely did not have to trade him now. He could have changed his mind. He could have had another big season and became more valuable. There would essentially have been 30 other teams with some type of offer. If he could have been had for less he would have been. And likely not to Pittsburgh.
- ChrisMS

OK, I wasn't sure how long Winnipeg had but if it was two years, better off just making the deal and not mess around!

OK, I wasn't sure how long Winnipeg had but if it was two years, better off just making the deal and not mess around!
- stevens87

Pretty much. Worst case he just finishes college and becomes a free agent and Winnipeg gets nothing.

Would anyone have considered askarov for a 1st?

Would anyone have considered askarov for a 1st?
- SuperHenderson13

Askarov and Jarry. Sure.

I see a lot of griere hate everywhere online but looking at sj’s pool they are looking good if their prospects project out to where people think they will be.

Askarov and Jarry. Sure.

I see a lot of griere hate everywhere online but looking at sj’s pool they are looking good if their prospects project out to where people think they will be.
- 10inchTerror

If only he would have kept EK.

Would anyone have considered askarov for a 1st?
- SuperHenderson13

It was more like Pickering and a 1st for Askarov

Would anyone have considered askarov for a 1st?
- SuperHenderson13

We have two good G prospects that aren't far off. I'm not as down on Jarry as most. Pens need to tighten things up and Jarry will be fine. If he has a good season, maybe flip him next off season.

I agree that I think Jarry will be flipped at the deadline. Hopefully all of our goalies do well to push this fact. I assume McGroarty will be on the top line at some point this season next to Sid.

I predict we move someone prior to the season (Eller or Acciari). A few moves are made at the TDL - Jarry gets moved, Pettersson potentially gets shopped (which I am not happy to say).

I do think Graves and Karlsson turn it around and play better this season. I also think Blomqvist gets promoted and shows he can be good w/ the Pens.


I actually think we did good this offseason we have a lot of younger talent who could potentially take up some roster spots this year and next. McGroarty, Glass, Beauvillier, and Lizotte all brought in. We have some good younger prospects.


Add some additional solid draft picks next offseason, along with some potential good free agent pick ups, plus keep some of the younger (cheaper) talent to take up some roster spots. We could potentially have some good momentum in a year or two.

I agree that I think Jarry will be flipped at the deadline. Hopefully all of our goalies do well to push this fact. I assume McGroarty will be on the top line at some point this season next to Sid.

I predict we move someone prior to the season (Eller or Acciari). A few moves are made at the TDL - Jarry gets moved, Pettersson potentially gets shopped (which I am not happy to say).

I do think Graves and Karlsson turn it around and play better this season. I also think Blomqvist gets promoted and shows he can be good w/ the Pens.


I actually think we did good this offseason we have a lot of younger talent who could potentially take up some roster spots this year and next. McGroarty, Glass, Beauvillier, and Lizotte all brought in. We have some good younger prospects.


Add some additional solid draft picks next offseason, along with some potential good free agent pick ups, plus keep some of the younger (cheaper) talent to take up some roster spots. We could potentially have some good momentum in a year or two.
- 123Kid

I'm pushing back on some things for conversation, but overall really enjoyed this post.

I hope we can move somebody to alleviate the roster crunch. I'm not confident since we got a third to take on Glass at a similar salary. I can't see Accairi getting any takers right now. Maybe Eller though there are limited teams that can fit him in.

Still can't believe we have six guys who might deserve a shot battling for the 14th forward, and five will need to go on waivers.

I'm hopeful for better from those defensemen too. Blomqvist.... this could get interesting because I can see Murashov potentially overtaking him yet Blomqvist is closer to the NHL. It's a nice problem, just could cut into Blomquist's time. Not that he needs much, if he repeats, I'd be willing to call him up midyear for a look.

I'm actually liking our forwards a little better than our defense and goaltending right now. Not that it's good enough even, but adding McGroarty and Glass does make me like the depth more. Get those two plus Beau and maybe a young guy breaking out and think we can find a pair of third line wings and hopefully one of the centers clicks.

Which as I said, better than I feel about Jarry or Gryz and Graves.

The Pens are starting to lay a good foundation. A couple potential starting goalies, 2-3 defensive defenseman, McGroarty and a handful of wings who have a chance to be middle six guys. They still need to find those next franchise guys though. They got next to nothing at center and puck moving D. But it sure looks better than it did this time last year and they didn't even have a first round pick.

He’s 23 and past his ELC. He’s not a prospect anymore. At this point he’s a young guy who plays for our AHL team.
- Victoro311

Derrick pouliot is still a prospect the last I heard..

I agree that I think Jarry will be flipped at the deadline. Hopefully all of our goalies do well to push this fact. I assume McGroarty will be on the top line at some point this season next to Sid.

I predict we move someone prior to the season (Eller or Acciari). A few moves are made at the TDL - Jarry gets moved, Pettersson potentially gets shopped (which I am not happy to say).

I do think Graves and Karlsson turn it around and play better this season. I also think Blomqvist gets promoted and shows he can be good w/ the Pens.


I actually think we did good this offseason we have a lot of younger talent who could potentially take up some roster spots this year and next. McGroarty, Glass, Beauvillier, and Lizotte all brought in. We have some good younger prospects.


Add some additional solid draft picks next offseason, along with some potential good free agent pick ups, plus keep some of the younger (cheaper) talent to take up some roster spots. We could potentially have some good momentum in a year or two.
- 123Kid

I did not realize Beau was only 27 until you mentioned him with the younger talent. Feel like he’s been in the league for ages

I'm pushing back on some things for conversation, but overall really enjoyed this post.

I hope we can move somebody to alleviate the roster crunch. I'm not confident since we got a third to take on Glass at a similar salary. I can't see Accairi getting any takers right now. Maybe Eller though there are limited teams that can fit him in.

Still can't believe we have six guys who might deserve a shot battling for the 14th forward, and five will need to go on waivers.

I'm hopeful for better from those defensemen too. Blomqvist.... this could get interesting because I can see Murashov potentially overtaking him yet Blomqvist is closer to the NHL. It's a nice problem, just could cut into Blomquist's time. Not that he needs much, if he repeats, I'd be willing to call him up midyear for a look.

I'm actually liking our forwards a little better than our defense and goaltending right now. Not that it's good enough even, but adding McGroarty and Glass does make me like the depth more. Get those two plus Beau and maybe a young guy breaking out and think we can find a pair of third line wings and hopefully one of the centers clicks.

Which as I said, better than I feel about Jarry or Gryz and Graves.

The Pens are starting to lay a good foundation. A couple potential starting goalies, 2-3 defensive defenseman, McGroarty and a handful of wings who have a chance to be middle six guys. They still need to find those next franchise guys though. They got next to nothing at center and puck moving D. But it sure looks better than it did this time last year and they didn't even have a first round pick.
- Tojo.

Thanks for the response Tojo! Murashov I believe will also turn heads and may also make a strong push for a roster spot. Overall I think he have a very good problem to have with young talent pushing for spots especially at Goalie.

I did not realize Beau was only 27 until you mentioned him with the younger talent. Feel like he’s been in the league for ages
- Victoro311

I also feel the same way about Beau. I think he might be coming into a good situation where the pressure is off of him and he can hopefully just reset his career and maybe be a solid bottom six forward with some scoring potential

I also feel the same way about Beau. I think he might be coming into a good situation where the pressure is off of him and he can hopefully just reset his career and maybe be a solid bottom six forward with some scoring potential
- 123Kid

I don’t have too much faith in beavillier regaining his nyi form (which was a lot due to playing with barzal) glass being healthy and able to find his game, as well as Hayes returning to form after a down year. Especially if all 3 form a 3rd line haha but here’s hoping.

I don’t have too much faith in beavillier regaining his nyi form (which was a lot due to playing with barzal) glass being healthy and able to find his game, as well as Hayes returning to form after a down year. Especially if all 3 form a 3rd line haha but here’s hoping.
- 10inchTerror

The good part is now we add in McGroarty. Maybe later DOC instead. And if Hayes doesn't regain form you can go with Eller. Possibly even Puustinen, Puljujarvi, or Bennstrom works. That's why I feel somewhat better since we added McGroarty and Glass. They have a couple options if one or two can't bounce back.

The good part is now we add in McGroarty. Maybe later DOC instead. And if Hayes doesn't regain form you can go with Eller. Possibly even Puustinen, Puljujarvi, or Bennstrom works. That's why I feel somewhat better since we added McGroarty and Glass.
- Tojo.

I think Hayes has the best chance of the bunch. He’s only one year removed from some pretty decent years in Philly. Maybe last year was st louis’ fault/deployment, linemates, etc. but of all 3 click that would be dope.

I think Hayes has the best chance of the bunch. He’s only one year removed from some pretty decent years in Philly. Maybe last year was st louis’ fault/deployment, linemates, etc. but of all 3 click that would be dope.
- 10inchTerror

Again, I really don’t think we acquired Hayes to play hockey and given his tendency to check out mentally and take checking shifts off, I think he’ll find himself in Sully’s doghouse pretty quick. We traded for Hayes to get that 2nd.