Ryan Wilson: What the duck What the duck

Figured I would share from the previous discussion.

Recent insider discussions with us being linked to Buffalo (just from a recent discussion with some friends who have ties to the organization) our scouts and Dubas are in agreement that they want to try and being Zach Benson from Buffalo as their main target from Buffalo. We also asked about prices on Tuch, Quinn, Cozens, and even Power (which I assume is normal when having discussions between teams).


My friend believes they may do a 3 team deal with Pettersson with one team sending us prospects and picks and us sending the picks potentially with us sending additional picks/prospects to Buffalo with Zach Benson coming back (not set in stone just the ideal situation).


They feel like a Benson and McGroarty line would provide us with 2 great wingers for years to come.

Also discussions have us fighting over Glass vs Hayes for the 3rd line center spot. Some believe Hayes is moveable with Glass going into that spot, others believe Sullivan wants Hayes the veteran to be there and not to be shopped.

If you stay up and watch the game you should get a change to take a few shots - I'm taking five:
(1) PO Joseph is horrible. Not only is out of position a lot, gets banged around, and seems to be attempting to set a record for minor penalties but on top of that he also gives up the puck a lot.
(2) Why would Graves not be in the lineup… his play has drastically improved.
(3) DOC and Nieto should be packaged with Joseph (and Jarry) and give away a draft pick or two as an incentive to take them.
(4) Hayes needs more ice time. And, on Malkin's line.
(5) Killorn crushes Joseph and Gudas plasters Rust… the PENS reaction is what this team is and that is - it's not a team… it's more just an assemblage of players.

Watching a rerun of Storage Wars would have been a much better choice!

The best thing would be for this team to go winless on this road trip. Dubas needs to have no doubt that this team isnt good enough and wont be good enough. Trading guys for maximum returns like Pettersson and Rackell should be the priority. Finding someone to take Karlsson should be next priority, and third priority should be to figure out a plan with guys like Graves and Jarry

I agree with your take on this now being a team just a bunch of individuals. They don't stick up for each other. They don't care when something happens to their teammates. No fire no retaliation. It's sad

The best thing would be for this team to go winless on this road trip. Dubas needs to have no doubt that this team isnt good enough and wont be good enough. Trading guys for maximum returns like Pettersson and Rackell should be the priority. Finding someone to take Karlsson should be next priority, and third priority should be to figure out a plan with guys like Graves and Jarry
- SuperHenderson13

Everything I've read says nothing has changed with this season. They're going to sell and listen for offers on most of the players (other than the obvious few). I think Dubas started the season thinking they might be competitive enough next year, but I'm guessing he no longer believes that. He shouldn't believe it.

I'm thinking Bunting might draw some serious interest. He mailed in the first 6 weeks, but ever since he's been great.

I agree with your take on this now being a team just a bunch of individuals. They don't stick up for each other. They don't care when something happens to their teammates. No fire no retaliation. It's sad
- 123Kid

That's on our lame-ass coach. Just like the horrid PP last season. Sullivan and Mike Tomlin should be launched into the sun at the same time. Stale and stubborn.

Thanks for sharing all that. Interestingly saw the Pens linked to the Sabers elsewhere, but for what I'd call lesser targets than Benson. Ideally though I'd love to find a way to get a center with top six upside or a puck moving defenseman.

I wouldn't be surprised if Sully preferred Hayes. Seems like he's loved in the locker room as finally a guy who can keep everyone loose. And he's been playing well since coming back in and getting a shot at 3C. Glass hasn't done much in his elevated role.
- Tojo.

If you stay up and watch the game you should get a change to take a few shots - I'm taking five:
(1) PO Joseph is horrible. Not only is out of position a lot, gets banged around, and seems to be attempting to set a record for minor penalties but on top of that he also gives up the puck a lot.
(2) Why would Graves not be in the lineup… his play has drastically improved.
(3) DOC and Nieto should be packaged with Joseph (and Jarry) and give away a draft pick or two as an incentive to take them.
(4) Hayes needs more ice time. And, on Malkin's line.
(5) Killorn crushes Joseph and Gudas plasters Rust… the PENS reaction is what this team is and that is - it's not a team… it's more just an assemblage of players.

Watching a rerun of Storage Wars would have been a much better choice!
- sufi-judge

I wouldn't be surprised if they ended the experiment of POJ at RD. Clearly he is struggling at a position he never played as a pro. I think he'll be back in at LD post deadline when Pettersson is traded and Pickering moves up (though he's hit a bit of a wall himself.)

The best thing would be for this team to go winless on this road trip. Dubas needs to have no doubt that this team isnt good enough and wont be good enough. Trading guys for maximum returns like Pettersson and Rackell should be the priority. Finding someone to take Karlsson should be next priority, and third priority should be to figure out a plan with guys like Graves and Jarry
- SuperHenderson13

I hope they get a RD back who can play now if they trade EK. He's been good of late and they don't even have a 3 RD so there's really nothing behind Letang. I know we aren't prioritizing winning this year, but it's a massive hole if they want to compete next year.

I hope they get a RD back who can play now if they trade EK. He's been good of late and they don't even have a 3 RD so there's really nothing behind Letang. I know we aren't prioritizing winning this year, but it's a massive hole if they want to compete next year.
- Tojo.

Not sure if Letang is even a 1D at this point in his career.

We are the only team in the league that let's someone like Crosby get mugged… and *expect* nothing in a push back. Did anyone see Ryan Reaves and Mathieu Oliver in a battle of heavyweights?

Rutherford got tired of watching Malkin and Crosby get manhandled and went out and brought Reaves in… that was a while ago and last night Reaves showed he still is a bad ass dude. Reaves wasn't played by SILKY. SILKY Sullivan has no place for that... [thinking of that rocket into the SUN posting...] Someone call Elon Musk.

Reaves is 38 but still a bad ass… so, send the message bring him in and INSIST he play. Do Crosby, Malkin and Letang a real favor… and for someone staying up and watching these left coast games.

Not sure if Letang is even a 1D at this point in his career.
- j.boyd919

He's not IMO. Pens don't have anyone playing at a top defense pair level right now, but we all know that. Just that the drop off after EK and Letang is really bad.

And people probably expect too much of Brunicke to cover that. I'd be thrilled if made the team and was ready for third pair, but he can easily be back at juniors. They need another competent player there.

Holy hell.... Rantanen to the Canes!?!?!?!

Sounds like:

COL: Necas & Drury
CAR: Rantanen (1/2 ret by Chi) & Hall
CHI: 3rd round pick

Seems like a great deal for Colorado and Carolina... Not sure why Chicago even bothered?

Kevin weeks just tweeted a picture of Pittsburgh. We getting JT Miller?

Sounds like:

COL: Necas & Drury
CAR: Rantanen (1/2 ret by Chi) & Hall
CHI: 3rd round pick

Seems like a great deal for Colorado and Carolina... Not sure why Chicago even bothered?
- MacPatty

Cus why would they bother having Taylor hall?

Cus why would they bother having Taylor hall?
- Victoro311

I just mean they could have probably just traded Hall 1/2 retained for a 3rd without getting involved in this deal. Though it was the Hawks own 3rd, so it will be a high one and maybe they want to offer sheet?

Kevin weeks just tweeted a picture of Pittsburgh. We getting JT Miller?
- Brownsoldier

More likely Crosby traded to Avs than JT to Pittsburgh.

Middlestadt, Drury 1st & 2nd is something that Dubas would be all over... Two young guys who have underperformed expectations and a couple picks...

It will be interesting if it becomes another Guentzel deal for the Hurricanes where they lose him in free agency to someone else (which I definitely see happening).

More likely Crosby traded to Avs than JT to Pittsburgh.

Middlestadt, Drury 1st & 2nd is something that Dubas would be all over... Two young guys who have underperformed expectations and a couple picks...
- MacPatty

I believe it would have to be a big over pay. So Necas would also have to be involved. Sadly they don't have a lot of other prospects that are very good like they previously had. Dubas would probably want a bunch of prospects not picks. Especially for Crosby.

I think talk has picked up for Pettersson. Just a guess

I believe it would have to be a big over pay. So Necas would also have to be involved. Sadly they don't have a lot of other prospects that are very good like they previously had. Dubas would probably want a bunch of prospects not picks. Especially for Crosby.

I think talk has picked up for Pettersson. Just a guess
- 123Kid

Maybe a petterson and Rakell for JT+?

I don't believe JT is on our radar because he is a toxic personality. It's bad when even Tocchet is tired of him.

I believe it would have to be a big over pay. So Necas would also have to be involved. Sadly they don't have a lot of other prospects that are very good like they previously had. Dubas would probably want a bunch of prospects not picks. Especially for Crosby.

I think talk has picked up for Pettersson. Just a guess
- 123Kid

If Crosby was getting traded it would be because he asked and Dubas is not going to get a big overpay. He will have his hands cuffed a bit.

I don't believe JT is on our radar because he is a toxic personality. It's bad when even Tocchet is tired of him.
- 123Kid

I was just going to say that. All of the drama, the leave he took... Some of the stories about him being a pretty big ahole to Pettersson and others... I've lost interest in him unless it's very cheap.

He really needs to go to a Florida/Tampa/Dallas where they are stacked and have a really strong leadership core.

I thought he was just what Carolina needed but they swung way bigger.