Yohe said in his latest Q&A that while the Penguins would talk to Mitch Marner if he hits free agency, he doubts they would be a fit due to the timing of the Penguins process. He said a move like that would make sense 2-3 years down the road.

Yohe said in his latest Q&A that while the Penguins would talk to Mitch Marner if he hits free agency, he doubts they would be a fit due to the timing of the Penguins process. He said a move like that would make sense 2-3 years down the road.
- SuperHenderson13

This is what I've been saying. If Sid was several years younger, maybe, but the Pens are in rebuild and Sid probably only has a few season left of playing this level, if that.

Amazing that Forsberg was supposed to go top 3 and slipped dramatically when you see how all the players teams chose over him turned out. Pouliot ugh.
- Tojo.

Yup Pouliet at 8th....Forsberg at 11th haha...Trouba at 9th

We took Maatta at 22nd that draft as well....Matheson went 23rd, Schmaltz at 25th, Skjei at 28th

You can do this shoulda, coulda, woulda exercise for pretty much any team, in any draft...if anything it should just be a reminder that no matter how many picks you have, 1st round or later, it might not amount to much hahaha

Maatta was definitely serviceable and helped with cup run but he didnt get to the level it looked like he was progressing to. I was surprised he was on Finland at the Four Nations.

Yup Pouliet at 8th....Forsberg at 11th haha...Trouba at 9th

We took Maatta at 22nd that draft as well....Matheson went 23rd, Schmaltz at 25th, Skjei at 28th

You can do this shoulda, coulda, woulda exercise for pretty much any team, in any draft...if anything it should just be a reminder that no matter how many picks you have, 1st round or later, it might not amount to much hahaha

Maatta was definitely serviceable and helped with cup run but he didnt get to the level it looked like he was progressing to. I was surprised he was on Finland at the Four Nations.
- MattStrat

For sure. Forsberg was frustrating because everyone knew at the time he was sliding. Hindsight shows he shouldn't have.

Maata I believe was also supposed to go higher so a nice pick. Too bad injuries took away his top potential though he's still had a nice career.

Yohe said in his latest Q&A that while the Penguins would talk to Mitch Marner if he hits free agency, he doubts they would be a fit due to the timing of the Penguins process. He said a move like that would make sense 2-3 years down the road.
- SuperHenderson13

Agree with that. A little too early, but if he'll sign take it. They would be better making that move even a year later though when some of these prospects start to hopefully establish themselves. I don't expect much from our older group.

Agree with that. A little too early, but if he'll sign take it. They would be better making that move even a year later though when some of these prospects start to hopefully establish themselves. I don't expect much from our older group.
- Tojo.

3rd this. Any good UFAs or RFAs for next year? I think nuking it for 2 seasons (this and next) will go much further, especially with top picks, than a 1 year, shoddy rebuild.

Yohe said in his latest Q&A that while the Penguins would talk to Mitch Marner if he hits free agency, he doubts they would be a fit due to the timing of the Penguins process. He said a move like that would make sense 2-3 years down the road.
- SuperHenderson13

Respectfully disagree. If it was too early, Rackell should have been traded. Whats the point of keeping him if we were going to wait 2-3 years before getting serious.

You can't wait around and hope a 100 point winger will show up for you in free agency. You are going to get him for 7 years if you sign him. The more important thing is that having a guy like Marner to play with could extend Crosby's career. If the Pens totally bottom out, Sid could lose some level of interest.

Look at Washington, they were in a worse position than us and they just went out and took shots on guys. Dubois, Chuchryn, Strome... you just have to be willing to try something.

Dubas has an ego, and he is hearing everyone call him out as the worst GM in the league. I think he is about to do the right thing and take a swing at it this offseason. I dont think goes all in, but he is going to add talent this year. He has to.

Agree with that. A little too early, but if he'll sign take it. They would be better making that move even a year later though when some of these prospects start to hopefully establish themselves. I don't expect much from our older group.
- Tojo.

Right. It's going to be a 7 year deal for a guy who's still under 30. Works both short and long term. It fits with Dubas's plan of a short turn around with getting Sid a shot at a cup run or two. The downside is it probably keeps us out of another top 5 pick next season.

I don't like rushing a rebuild, but Marner is a great player. If you can get him, you do it.

Respectfully disagree. If it was too early, Rackell should have been traded. Whats the point of keeping him if we were going to wait 2-3 years before getting serious.

You can't wait around and hope a 100 point winger will show up for you in free agency. You are going to get him for 7 years if you sign him. The more important thing is that having a guy like Marner to play with could extend Crosby's career. If the Pens totally bottom out, Sid could lose some level of interest.

Look at Washington, they were in a worse position than us and they just went out and took shots on guys. Dubois, Chuchryn, Strome... you just have to be willing to try something.

Dubas has an ego, and he is hearing everyone call him out as the worst GM in the league. I think he is about to do the right thing and take a swing at it this offseason. I dont think goes all in, but he is going to add talent this year. He has to.
- MacPatty

So he’s going to trade 3 decent players for one bad player again? Don’t need to spend over league minimum on 3v3 specialists.

Right. It's going to be a 7 year deal for a guy who's still under 30. Works both short and long term. It fits with Dubas's plan of a short turn around with getting Sid a shot at a cup run or two. The downside is it probably keeps us out of another top 5 pick next season.

I don't like rushing a rebuild, but Marner is a great player. If you can get him, you do it.
- madmike71

For the most part, I think the talent gap between a top 5 and top 10 pick can be more than made up for with Marner.

I think most of the fanbase could be sold on subtly tanking next year. There is a generational talent. Even if you miss him if you're close you probably get a stronger prospect than you will this year, or at least have two to build around. And the system won't help much next year but could help a lot the year after.

After next season though the arrow should start pointing up if they do this right.

Personally, I think Yohe is crazy with that answer. I get the logic, but you cant say something like that makes sense 2-3 years down the road unless we get 2 really good prospects the next two years. Even then, how often do guys like Marner go to free agency who have such a connection to Dubas? If he's willing to sign, you sign him.

Dubas has said his goal is to get the team competitive before Crosby retires. I think telling Crosby we cant sign him a top tier winger and are 2-3 years away from that is counter to what Dubas has said.

Having said that, Marner would be great, but we need an answer in goal. We can put together a good team but it will fall apart if we have the goaltending we have.

Not trading Rak and Gryz doesn’t make sense if we’re not willing to take big swings this offseason. If the reports of EK wanting to stay and the FO entertaining keeping him are true, it makes even less sense. If we’re going to hold onto Rak and EK, we pretty much have to start turning this thing around next year or we’re just wasting seasons and assets. Dubas is smart enough to know that. If Marner is interested, I’d bet the farm we go after him.

We have some winners down in WBS right now and I think they’re not being called up because the FO sees keeping them together as a top 6 for a championship run is better for their development than coming into a loser at the tail end of the season. I think we’ll be pleasantly surprised by the contribution these kids will make on a team next year that has hit the reset button mentally and hopefully gets some reinforcements. I really think next year could be fun

Personally, I think Yohe is crazy with that answer. I get the logic, but you cant say something like that makes sense 2-3 years down the road unless we get 2 really good prospects the next two years. Even then, how often do guys like Marner go to free agency who have such a connection to Dubas? If he's willing to sign, you sign him.

Dubas has said his goal is to get the team competitive before Crosby retires. I think telling Crosby we cant sign him a top tier winger and are 2-3 years away from that is counter to what Dubas has said.

Having said that, Marner would be great, but we need an answer in goal. We can put together a good team but it will fall apart if we have the goaltending we have.
- SuperHenderson13

The team in front of a goalie has a lot to do with goalie starts/stats. Yes, there are some truly elite guys some season that stop almost everything, but the last time I checked Pens were like 5th worst overall in giving up quality chances against this season. Hard for a goalie stay even league average like that for a full season. None of this is to say the goalies havent been bad on their own as well. I mean, how many first shots, or first few shots, against have gone in this season? hahaha That alone impacts the players in front of them and their in game morale.

Not trading Rak and Gryz doesn’t make sense if we’re not willing to take big swings this offseason. If the reports of EK wanting to stay and the FO entertaining keeping him are true, it makes even less sense. If we’re going to hold onto Rak and EK, we pretty much have to start turning this thing around next year or we’re just wasting seasons and assets. Dubas is smart enough to know that. If Marner is interested, I’d bet the farm we go after him.

We have some winners down in WBS right now and I think they’re not being called up because the FO sees keeping them together as a top 6 for a championship run is better for their development than coming into a loser at the tail end of the season. I think we’ll be pleasantly surprised by the contribution these kids will make on a team next year that has hit the reset button mentally and hopefully gets some reinforcements. I really think next year could be fun
- Victoro311

..and I used to be accused of being the really optimistic one around here hahah....nah, I agree, the potential is there if the right moves are made, for sure.

..and I used to be accused of being the really optimistic one around here hahah....nah, I agree, the potential is there if the right moves are made, for sure.
- MattStrat

Haha I mean I’m fully braced for it to be another bad year and for our mediocre prospect pool to not bare fruit, but at the very least we have directional options this offseason.

I mostly just feel like I can see a vision after this deadline and that excites me.

If dubas could sign Marner and Tavares that would be cool. Pretty darn good top 6.

Rak - Sid - marner

Geno - Tavares - rust

The defence is still absolutely trash. We know what the right side will look like with Letang, ek, and Timmons. Left side though? Pickering, gryz, kolyochonok, and graves as the 7th. Yikes.

Yup Pouliet at 8th....Forsberg at 11th haha...Trouba at 9th

We took Maatta at 22nd that draft as well....Matheson went 23rd, Schmaltz at 25th, Skjei at 28th

You can do this shoulda, coulda, woulda exercise for pretty much any team, in any draft...if anything it should just be a reminder that no matter how many picks you have, 1st round or later, it might not amount to much hahaha

Maatta was definitely serviceable and helped with cup run but he didnt get to the level it looked like he was progressing to. I was surprised he was on Finland at the Four Nations.
- MattStrat

Ray Shero was a great GM, but his obsession with puck moving defensemen caused him to drop the ball on Forsberg. Amazing how Pittsburgh dropped the ball in not drafting him, and Washington dropped the ball by trading him for nothing.

But yea, that top 10 in the 2012 was remarkably poor. We picked a bad time to trade Staal. The 2013 Draft was pretty poor too besides MacKinnon and Barkov.

Jack Hughes is a pretty decent player and was a shoo=in when selected #1 overall. The question asked now is if his body is tough enough to handle the rigors of the NHL. Is it?

Matthew Schaefer is being compared Cale Maker by some of these FAKE hockey gurus. They may know more than the average hockey fans but really are like political pollsters who get paid to make predictions that given a little bit of time we all might be as accurate or inaccurate as Bob McKenzie or Central Scouting, McKeen's, Dobber, THN, TSN, and some those who charge a fee to get their FAKE GNUS, like The Athletic. They are basically no different than this site here.

The real question is what is their track record. Most of the lists and mock drafts are very similar… a opinion, more like a SWAG (Systematic Wild Ass Guess) stating what the order they'll be taken. THN at least measures the actual verses the prediction every 5 & 10 years. Maybe some others do as well.

In my very humble opinion, when you see players being injured at a young age, and carrying a small frame - the decision should be factored in if their body just may not be built to be smashed into by 200 pound plus players night after night.

Not many bodies are.

Jake Hughes is a prime example of a MR Unlucky or one of those who's body can't handle it. New Jersey has to wondering the same right now. Also, when the scouts are comparing Matthew Schaefer to Cale Maker wouldn't it be interesting to see where those same scouts predicted Cale Maker in the 2017 draft.

All that being said, my TOP 2, if on the board when it's our turn: Porter Martone and Roger McQueen. Prove me wrong! Hahaha

Jack Hughes is a pretty decent player and was a shoo=in when selected #1 overall. The question asked now is if his body is tough enough to handle the rigors of the NHL. Is it?

Matthew Schaefer is being compared Cale Maker by some of these FAKE hockey gurus. They may know more than the average hockey fans but really are like political pollsters who get paid to make predictions that given a little bit of time we all might be as accurate or inaccurate as Bob McKenzie or Central Scouting, McKeen's, Dobber, THN, TSN, and some those who charge a fee to get their FAKE GNUS, like The Athletic. They are basically no different than this site here.

The real question is what is their track record. Most of the lists and mock drafts are very similar… a opinion, more like a SWAG (Systematic Wild Ass Guess) stating what the order they'll be taken. THN at least measures the actual verses the prediction every 5 & 10 years. Maybe some others do as well.

In my very humble opinion, when you see players being injured at a young age, and carrying a small frame - the decision should be factored in if their body just may not be built to be smashed into by 200 pound plus players night after night.

Not many bodies are.

Jake Hughes is a prime example of a MR Unlucky or one of those who's body can't handle it. New Jersey has to wondering the same right now. Also, when the scouts are comparing Matthew Schaefer to Cale Maker wouldn't it be interesting to see where those same scouts predicted Cale Maker in the 2017 draft.

All that being said, my TOP 2, if on the board when it's our turn: Porter Martone and Roger McQueen. Prove me wrong! Hahaha
- sufi-judge

He was ranked in top 10 in pretty much all final 2017 rankings. Dobber had him 5th...most places 8th, 9th or 10th. Google is pretty easy to use...

Saying Bob McKenzie doesn't know his poop would be somewhat sacrilegious up this way hahaha

Ray Shero was a great GM, but his obsession with puck moving defensemen caused him to drop the ball on Forsberg. Amazing how Pittsburgh dropped the ball in not drafting him, and Washington dropped the ball by trading him for nothing.

But yea, that top 10 in the 2012 was remarkably poor. We picked a bad time to trade Staal. The 2013 Draft was pretty poor too besides MacKinnon and Barkov.

- SuperHenderson13

Yeah he was overboard with the two way puck moving d-men hahaha..I guess he wanted guys who'd eventually be getting the puck up to Sid and Geno efficiently.

If dubas could sign Marner and Tavares that would be cool. Pretty darn good top 6.

Rak - Sid - marner

Geno - Tavares - rust

The defence is still absolutely trash. We know what the right side will look like with Letang, ek, and Timmons. Left side though? Pickering, gryz, kolyochonok, and graves as the 7th. Yikes.
- 10inchTerror

Tavares should be a 3C/1st (or 2nd)PP guy now. That's why we get Zacha for 2C as well.

Tavares should be a 3C/1st (or 2nd)PP guy now. That's why we get Zacha for 2C as well.
- MattStrat

We already have 7 guys for the bottom 6 though for next year, but maybe we can trade them for somebody's good players.

Ray Shero was a great GM, but his obsession with puck moving defensemen caused him to drop the ball on Forsberg. Amazing how Pittsburgh dropped the ball in not drafting him, and Washington dropped the ball by trading him for nothing.

But yea, that top 10 in the 2012 was remarkably poor. We picked a bad time to trade Staal. The 2013 Draft was pretty poor too besides MacKinnon and Barkov.

- SuperHenderson13

The current obsession with “puck moving Defenseman” is killing the team.

Yeah he was overboard with the two way puck moving d-men hahaha..I guess he wanted guys who'd eventually be getting the puck up to Sid and Geno efficiently.
- MattStrat

Shero fell in love with the "value" of PMD's after his Goligoski trade for Neal and Niskanen. I remember him answering a question on why he chose Pouliot over a forward prospect (which we needed at the time). He cited that Neal/Goli trade and he can always use a PMD to trade for forwards. He thought they had higher value. Basically thinking two steps ahead.