Ryan Wilson: Sabres are desperate and have assets Dubas is looking for Sabres are desperate and have assets Dubas is looking for

You are not getting Peterka for Rakell and a 1st 😂

You are not getting Peterka for Rakell and a 1st 😂
- Mathwil3

Probably not if you had a competent GM, but you don't, so there's that.

You are not getting Peterka for Rakell and a 1st 😂
- Mathwil3

You just jinxed it for yourself. Thanks.

Probably not if you had a competent GM, but you don't, so there's that.
- j.boyd919

hahaha


Jokes aside, do we have a competent GM?

hahaha


Jokes aside, do we have a competent GM?
- MattStrat

I actually think we do, he’s just wasn’t able to get the team competitive for one last hurrah. Like is said in the other thread, we quietly are in a really good spot with futures and flexibility. There’s still an outside chance we could mobilize assets this offseason to bring in some next generation top 6 reinforcements for one truly last competitive attempt, though I don’t see that being the direction we go in. I think Crosby and Malkin have accepted the rebuild and that’s just what we’re doing now.

hahaha


Jokes aside, do we have a competent GM?
- MattStrat

I think for the time being he has been competent since shifting gears. His one kick at the can didn’t work so he shifted his goal to collecting assets and picks and has been pretty successful in doing that.

Do we see another competitive team with the big 3 around? Probably not, I dunno. Maybe it depends on where the draft pick falls this year. Imagine them falling to pick Misa then going out and shelling cash for Rantanen or Marner, they could try to turn the corner quickly with some smart moves.

My predictions:

-Ek remains a pen

-Rakell remains a pen

-Some fringe players on expiring contracts are moved for mid round picks

-we take a crappy contract or 3rd party out cap space for another crappy mid round pick

My predictions:

-Ek remains a pen

-Rakell remains a pen

-Some fringe players on expiring contracts are moved for mid round picks

-we take a crappy contract or 3rd party out cap space for another crappy mid round pick
- 10inchTerror

Probably true. I'm actually fine with it. No need to take garbage offers on good players. There's always the draft for EK and Rak. I'd take another short term contract for a 2nd.

I think for the time being he has been competent since shifting gears. His one kick at the can didn’t work so he shifted his goal to collecting assets and picks and has been pretty successful in doing that.

Do we see another competitive team with the big 3 around? Probably not, I dunno. Maybe it depends on where the draft pick falls this year. Imagine them falling to pick Misa then going out and shelling cash for Rantanen or Marner, they could try to turn the corner quickly with some smart moves.
- j.boyd919

IDK I can't see a turnaround in a year. The defense and goal tending are too much of a dumpster fire to save. There might be a lot of answers in the system, but expecting them to be ready next year is a lot to hope for.

Furthermore, Malkin and Letang have faded to the point it's really the big one. And Crosby is chasing a record for most seasons as a point a game player, so even he is probably running out of time as an elite player.

I sort of don't mind trying to add a core piece because they don't have a #1 defenseman or top end offensive talent in their prospect pool. But it's probably smarter to embrace the tank next year, grab another top pick, see how the prospects progress, and re-evaluate in a year. By then they should have a bunch of guys ready or close to it.

IDK I can't see a turnaround in a year. The defense and goal tending are too much of a dumpster fire to save. There might be a lot of answers in the system, but expecting them to be ready next year is a lot to hope for.

Furthermore, Malkin and Letang have faded to the point it's really the big one. And Crosby is chasing a record for most seasons as a point a game player, so even he is probably running out of time as an elite player.

I sort of don't mind trying to add a core piece because they don't have a #1 defenseman or top end offensive talent in their prospect pool. But it's probably smarter to embrace the tank next year, grab another top pick, see how the prospects progress, and re-evaluate in a year. By then they should have a bunch of guys ready or close to it.
- Tojo.

Yeah I'm with you, I'm hoping he doesn't try to turn the corner and just keeps up the same stuff he's currently doing -- but who knows what conversations have been had with those guys. Geno has said he wants to get back to the playoffs with the Pens so his son can see him play -- I don't see it either.

hahaha


Jokes aside, do we have a competent GM?
- MattStrat

No. He quit hockey at 14.

I think keeping Rakell is a pretty big gamble by Dubas. Not sure he can put up much better numbers than this, and not even sure it can sustained for the next season or two.

If he nosedives, it will look really stupid that we didnt sell high on him.

I think keeping Rakell is a pretty big gamble by Dubas. Not sure he can put up much better numbers than this, and not even sure it can sustained for the next season or two.

If he nosedives, it will look really stupid that we didnt sell high on him.
- SuperHenderson13

Seeing that Tampa/Seattle trade makes me wonder what we can get for Rakell.

Came to say this too. Rakell & bunting could get us something around this. Massive kickstart…

The Pittsburgh 'retool' conversation should startt and end with finding an NHL caliber goaltender....not trading away a 30 goal scorer (and a 1st) who carries a reasonable contract for the next couple years for a 20 goal scorer just because he's younger.

Seeing that Tampa/Seattle trade makes me wonder what we can get for Rakell.
- j.boyd919

Crazy return. I'll be disappointed if they don't find a deal for Rackell in this market unless teams are scared off from last year.

Remember Gourde was a long time TB player and won the cup there and plays center. I don’t think that trade is particularly indicative of anything. TB probably just wanted Gourde back and were willing to pay whatever within reason

The Pittsburgh 'retool' conversation should startt and end with finding an NHL caliber goaltender....not trading away a 30 goal scorer (and a 1st) who carries a reasonable contract for the next couple years for a 20 goal scorer just because he's younger.
- greenyone

I agree, that wouldn't make a lot of sense for the Pens in the short-term, and maybe not the long term either if they'll be picking high.

Goaltender they will probably be letting their prospects get a shot at, so I don't see them going for a major fix there this off-season until. Blomqvist will get another shot and Murashov will get one before that. So as bad as gaoltending has been, I do agree with addressing other areas instead and hope they have that answer internally.

Remember Gourde was a long time TB player and won the cup there and plays center. I don’t think that trade is particularly indicative of anything. TB probably just wanted Gourde back and were willing to pay whatever within reason
- Victoro311

Gourde was playing on Seattle's fourth line though he is probably OK at 3C. Bjorkstrand had 16 goals and 37 points in 61 games. 2 1sts and a 2nd feels like an overpay to me.

Now someone please overpay like that for Rackell.

Came to say this too. Rakell & bunting could get us something around this. Massive kickstart…
- Brownsoldier

I can 100% confirm there is 1 team that HAS already offered close to that same package for Rackell and Beauvilier. That was as of Monday and why I said trading rakell should be priority #1. 1st, 1st and a prospect that is probably in pens top 4-5.

Gourde was playing on Seattle's fourth line though he is probably OK at 3C. Bjorkstrand had 16 goals and 37 points in 61 games. 2 1sts and a 2nd feels like an overpay to me.

Now someone please overpay like that for Rackell.
- Tojo.

JBB dishes out 1st round picks like they're candy. They don't have a 1st until 2028 lol dude gives no (frank)s. Make all the trades try to win as many cups with Kuch/Hedman/Point as they can.

I can 100% confirm there is 1 team that HAS already offered close to that same package for Rackell and Beauvilier. That was as of Monday and why I said trading rakell should be priority #1. 1st, 1st and a prospect that is probably in pens top 4-5.
- pens4life-66

Dude… this would be amazing.

I can 100% confirm there is 1 team that HAS already offered close to that same package for Rackell and Beauvilier. That was as of Monday and why I said trading rakell should be priority #1. 1st, 1st and a prospect that is probably in pens top 4-5.
- pens4life-66

Thanks. Really hope they can pull something like that off. Even 2 of those pieces would be great.

Dude… this would be amazing.
- Brownsoldier

Hell, the oilers just traded a 2nd and 4th for Trent fackin Frederic.....