Ryan Wilson: Win Now Mode May Force A Tough Trade Decision Win Now Mode May Force A Tough Trade Decision

This is insane to think about when the problem first and foremost is personnel decisions. We know Hornqvist works well with Crosby. We know Hornqvist is mediocre with Malkin. We know Perron produced when the Perron-Crosby-Hornqvist line was healthy. So before we call our LWs too weak to function and our top 6 in need of a shake up via trade, let's shake it up from the inside first instead.

I've watched (and as a gambler, bet) quite a few PITT games. I can only imagine how frustrated you guys are with sooo much talent up front. But it really looks like you don't have the D with any ability to get them the puck in stride or transition.

IF moving Hornqvist or any forward, I wouldn't think getting Marchand or any other forward back, but I'd think you're number 1 and 2 target would be puck moving defenceman

Lets not panic yet. We're only 7 games into the season. Plent of hockey yet to play. If they are playing like they are now at the 1/2 way point, then I would say make a few moves i.e. Coaching, players etc..

Has anyone brought this up: what is the Pens identity? Does anyone really know what kind of team they are. They always talk about puck posession, but i dont see it. Are they a skilled team, puck posession team, heavy team???

I've watched (and as a gambler, bet) quite a few PITT games. I can only imagine how frustrated you guys are with sooo much talent up front. But it really looks like you don't have the D with any ability to get them the puck in stride or transition.

IF moving Hornqvist or any forward, I wouldn't think getting Marchand or any other forward back, but I'd think you're number 1 and 2 target would be puck moving defenceman
- PatShart

How about Tom Gilbert?

I would tend to agree with the previous poster that it would make much more sense to trade Hornqvist for a serviceable defender vs a player like Marchand.

Their fwd corps is not their main issue here...the fact they they have a mostly AHL calibre defense is (that may be a bit harsh but you get the point)

Well from a fan perspective this stings less than a Dupuis trade which is where I thought you'd go with this. Still don't like it. Why not at least TRY Hornqvist at LW? I know people are going to say "Oh they tried to get Iginla to play his off wing and that didn't work"! But is at least trying it really worse than what we're getting now? I dunno I think they need to make some roster moves internally before looking to the trade market.

That will never happen. I also don't think Marchand is the better player either. And shouldn't even be considered until the Pens try some internal changes first.

Change the damn lines up already. 87/72 and 71/81. Get Scuderi the hell out of the lineup. Give Dupuis a chance in the top 6. He looked better last game than Kunitz has all season.

Trade malkin


Deadline day


To the habs

I would tend to agree with the previous poster that it would make much more sense to trade Hornqvist for a serviceable defender vs a player like Marchand.

Their fwd corps is not their main issue here...the fact they they have a mostly AHL calibre defense is (that may be a bit harsh but you get the point)
- Joel_Eh

The defense and goaltending have been fine. The team is 5th in GA/G and 10th in SA/G. Whereas they are 29th in GF/G.

Hornquist would probably be a great fit in Detroit. Hornquist for Mantha?

Before making anymore trades.... They gotta at least try shuffling the lines a little bit... If we are really deep at RW... It wouldn't hurt to try Sprong or Bennett (if ever healthy) on the right side

I meant try them on the left side

How about we sit Scuds and call up DP or Clendening? Either are light years ahead of that anchor. Also move Maatta with Letang as well as Hornqvist with Sid and Perron.

Way too soon to be dealing Horny away. I agree that a shake up is needed. Perron, Sid, and Horny played very well together last year. Why not give that line a chance before we start trading for other aging wingers? If they were winless I might agree a little more but pump the brakes for now.

Not going to lie, I love trade ideas.

I agree with other posters, my first thought was we need to try him with Sid again or even try him on the left side. Hornqvist could be wearing an "A" but he also needs to produce more than he is right now.

Hornqvist for Shattenkirk

Not going to lie, I love trade ideas.

I agree with other posters, my first thought was we need to try him with Sid again or even try him on the left side. Hornqvist could be wearing an "A" but he also needs to produce more than he is right now.

Hornqvist for Shattenkirk
- YouMeAndDupuis9

That one I would do immediately. STL would be idiots to make that deal though.

Hornquist would probably be a great fit in Detroit. Hornquist for Mantha?
- habfanforever

Isn't he a RW? I would love me some Mantha though.

7 games in....lets shuffle the lines around a bit first.

I just read some of the responses to my post in the last blog. My biggest concern as well is how they play when they face in-game adversity. They lose life when something goes wrong. It should be the other way around. When they get scored on they should battle harder. This trend carries forward from last year.

Something to keep in mind is how often teams really pick up steam in the 2nd half of the season. It happens every year and these teams usually do damage in the playoffs. There is so much hockey left to be played.

Remember that 12th in the east in February of 2009 ended up being a championship season.

Bring up DP and Clendening.

Mantha is a RW and there's no chance the Wings trade him for Horny.

Before making anymore trades.... They gotta at least try shuffling the lines a little bit... If we are really deep at RW... It wouldn't hurt to try Sprong or Bennett (if ever healthy) on the right side
- Kunit

Bennett has been tried and failed at LW. You know who hasn't been tried and failed there? Hornqvist. Right now what I would give a shot is putting Hornqvist on Sidney or Evgeni's left and sticking Danny Sprong on that line's right. Then the other line gets either Dupuis or Perron to go with Kessel on the right. If try that for the next few games until Sprong's tryout is up. If it doesn't work, then Sprong gets sent back down to Juniors and you reunite the Perron-Crosby-Hornqvist line and stick The Phil with Malkin. But right now, this very instant, Kunitz-Crosby-Kessel Perron-Makin-Hornqivst isn't (frank)ing working and MJ is a (frank)in moron if these line combos stay in tact for next game.

Trade malkin


Deadline day


To the habs
- munky123

With that can of worms open, hypothetically speaking now, what would it take from MTL to get Malkin? Plekanec, Scherbak, Andrighetto and a 1st?

Not going to lie, I love trade ideas.

I agree with other posters, my first thought was we need to try him with Sid again or even try him on the left side. Hornqvist could be wearing an "A" but he also needs to produce more than he is right now.

Hornqvist for Shattenkirk
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Ok now that's a Hornqvist trade is actually entertain. Another legit #1 right handed d? I'm all for that. Our defense would go from shambles to elite over night. I think Maatta might be playing himself out of a massive Klefbom like contract so managing a d core of Letang, Shattenkirk, Maatta and Pouliot over the next four or five seasons may actually be doable.

That one I would do immediately. STL would be idiots to make that deal though.
- jfkst1

Probably, but who knows...he's been rumored to be on the block for some reason. Plus if that happened, I'd probably be okay seeing what kind of forward Pouliot could fetch.

Someone like Big Buff more realistic?

If I traded Hornqvist for a forward....I would go after someone like Drouin.