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....