Ryan Wilson: Jake's back Jake's back

With 20gms in the books, we're getting to the point where it's no longer "early" in the season. 17pts out of 40 max for P% of .425 & a mere 2pts away from a WC spot. What isn't "clear", especially to paying fans, is whether this team is chasing a WC spot, or vying for top 5 lottery. If the Org. has playoff aspirations, they're going to have to boost their P% to roughly .612 (or getting 76pts from 124 remaining) to get around 93pts. Right now their P% is tracking for a 70pt season (which would be good enough for top 5 lottery last yr).

But nothing on-ice suggests an ability to improve their P% rate (~12pts every 10gms played). They give-up 3.5GA p/60 at 5v5. This group is old and slow, and can no longer play Sully's system with any advantage to them. Like pens4life-66 mentioned in the last blog, they do not defend in a 5man unit and they're a very easy/ soft opponent to play against. Then, throw in subpar net-minding. Minus the hockey ops/ tix sales hoodwinking, what is the realistic goal for this group?

Up is down. Down is up.

With the cap possibly going up 9 mil it would be easy to eat 50% of ek. But I’m wondering how these monster increases will just inflate all salaries except. Teams like the devils and Montreal will be laughing with all their main guys signed for 8 mil.

With the cap possibly going up 9 mil it would be easy to eat 50% of ek. But I’m wondering how these monster increases will just inflate all salaries except. Teams like the devils and Montreal will be laughing with all their main guys signed for 8 mil.
- 10inchTerror

I've never understood why so many top players signed long term deals over these past few years. I get its guaranteed and that kind of financial security is priceless, but some of these younger guys should've signed 3-4 year deals and waited for the cap to go up after Covid. It reminds me when mediocre players started making around the same as Sid did in his prime (I know Sid knowingly took less).

I've never understood why so many top players signed long term deals over these past few years. I get its guaranteed and that kind of financial security is priceless, but some of these younger guys should've signed 3-4 year deals and waited for the cap to go up after Covid. It reminds me when mediocre players started making around the same as Sid did in his prime (I know Sid knowingly took less).
- SuperHenderson13

Consider this complete naivety but maybe team loyalty. 8m to sign long term in the city you are happy in is still awesome. Matthews is really the player who keeps doing the medium term contracts.

Huge jumps with the cap like this can really change things up in the league. Or graves will soon be on par salary wise with all the rest of the 6-7th dmen in the league.

I said I'd never do it, but I bet against the Pens tonight. Tampa -1.5 at +155. Too good to pass up.

Chris Kunitz > Jake Guentzel

Totally respect your honest assessment of your team and situation.

I do not know how Dubas still works there with having picked up Karlson and his albatross contract. Talk about setting your team back 5 or 10 years. IF you do not do that, you keep Guentzel and possibly add another piece.

Almost as bad as Boston trading Ulmark before getting a deal done with Swayman. Love seeing that team struggle and disintegrate before our eyes...from the top of the organization on down to the peanut vendors.

Not sure how the penguins right the ship anytime soon. The Kevin Hayes thing was the biggest tell in NHL history. The Pens are the only team he is not the slowest skater on in the league....

I've never understood why so many top players signed long term deals over these past few years. I get its guaranteed and that kind of financial security is priceless, but some of these younger guys should've signed 3-4 year deals and waited for the cap to go up after Covid. It reminds me when mediocre players started making around the same as Sid did in his prime (I know Sid knowingly took less).
- SuperHenderson13

Life and decisions are made in real time. Not with the luxury of hindsight.

Study the case of Scotty Pippen. The worst contract for a player ever in pro sports.

Injury happens and your career can be over in a minute.

Totally respect your honest assessment of your team and situation.

I do not know how Dubas still works there with having picked up Karlson and his albatross contract. Talk about setting your team back 5 or 10 years. IF you do not do that, you keep Guentzel and possibly add another piece.

Almost as bad as Boston trading Ulmark before getting a deal done with Swayman. Love seeing that team struggle and disintegrate before our eyes...from the top of the organization on down to the peanut vendors.

Not sure how the penguins right the ship anytime soon. The Kevin Hayes thing was the biggest tell in NHL history. The Pens are the only team he is not the slowest skater on in the league....
- TrueGrit

They could have kept Guentzel and EK, but chose not to.

Life and decisions are made in real time. Not with the luxury of hindsight.

Study the case of Scotty Pippen. The worst contract for a player ever in pro sports.

Injury happens and your career can be over in a minute.
- TrueGrit

Also no future is certain, all it takes is a string of injuries and now you're an injury prone guy who might not be able to get another contract.

I know Dubas likes to be reactive instead of proactive but Id be jumping on the chance to add JT Miller now that there is huge problems there again. (sounds like hes staying home for at least the next 7 games) Send Pettersson with DOC, Beau or Bunting.

Doesnt have to be to compete, toss him on Sids wing till the trade deadline to explode his trade value and youd be hard pressed not to get more for a JT Miller then a marcus Pettersson. Lots of reports out there already confirming the nucks are a team interested in Pettersson. Or wait till after the season and trade Miller then if you wanted and let him and Sid do there thing this season.

Jim Montgomery anyone?

They could have kept Guentzel and EK, but chose not to.
- j.boyd919

Guentzel would have left as a free agent anyway. He might not be very hardworking and ambitious on the ice, but he’s not stupid.

I think there is a legitimate possibility we trade Sully to Boston. I have been saying this a while, but with Montgomery officially whacked, we will see in short order.

Wonder if you could see something like Sully & Rackell for Coyle and a 1st? Coyle sucks but a fairly reasonable buyout cost in the off season.

Totally respect your honest assessment of your team and situation.

I do not know how Dubas still works there with having picked up Karlson and his albatross contract. Talk about setting your team back 5 or 10 years. IF you do not do that, you keep Guentzel and possibly add another piece.

Almost as bad as Boston trading Ulmark before getting a deal done with Swayman. Love seeing that team struggle and disintegrate before our eyes...from the top of the organization on down to the peanut vendors.

Not sure how the penguins right the ship anytime soon. The Kevin Hayes thing was the biggest tell in NHL history. The Pens are the only team he is not the slowest skater on in the league....
- TrueGrit

They picked up 8M in fourth line players this off-season. If they wanted to, they could have paid Jake's 3M raise. They determined at that point it was time to start selling off pieces and/or not give another player a long-term deal into their thirties.

Looks weird that they got Karlsson and months later traded Jake, but they could have done both if they chose to and he was willing to stay.