Ryan Wilson: Will Sid be ready for Canada? + Penguins make another player cut Will Sid be ready for Canada? + Penguins make another player cut

If the psychological approach to the game could be there while the teams best players are in the lineup that would be nice.

Glad Sid is going to give it a go. He deserves to make the decision for himself instead of the Penguins. Playing for Team Canada always seems like a big deal to him.

If the psychological approach to the game could be there while the teams best players are in the lineup that would be nice.
- Grinder47

I thought you wanted Nieto to play.

Boyd's point is accurate... "what are their strenghts", but I agree they'd be better off playing low event trapping hockey like Marshall suggests. Should have flipped that switch a few years ago at minimum (probably longer). That's how you know Sullivan is long past his sell-by date. He has all the data but can't get his brain around making changes.

IMO, they don't have the pieces to be a good team regardless of the system. Part of that is age of the stars and part of that is bad players. A coaching/system change would have helped them a few years ago. It's futile now.
- madmike71

Couldn't agree more. The Pens did the right thing going all in while the core was in their prime. Individual moves weren't always good, but the philosophy was right. Now Malkin and Letang have lost quite a bit. Sid is doing amazing still even if he lost a step. I don't think a coaching change or anything really fixes the team. It wouldn't hurt though.

I thought you wanted Nieto to play.
- Tojo.

Over DOC. Yes everytime. There’s 30 players in the coast better than him.

Not sure what the JP situation was. Seems like a better option than pretty much everyone on the fourth line. I liked watching him play for a bit player

Couldn't agree more. The Pens did the right thing going all in while the core was in their prime. Individual moves weren't always good, but the philosophy was right. Now Malkin and Letang have lost quite a bit. Sid is doing amazing still even if he lost a step. I don't think a coaching change or anything really fixes the team. It wouldn't hurt though.
- Tojo.

me saying "strengths" probably wasnt the right word. But my point was this team cannot skate well enough to forecheck. We'd be better off jamming up the neutral zone if we actually wanted to win. I dont think the organization actually wants to play or win like that hence why nothing has been done about it.

Over DOC. Yes everytime. There’s 30 players in the coast better than him.
- Grinder47

DOC isn't on the roster anymore. Nieto is, but if you are serious about dressing your best lineup, he shouldn't be in it.

me saying "strengths" probably wasnt the right word. But my point was this team cannot skate well enough to forecheck. We'd be better off jamming up the neutral zone if we actually wanted to win. I dont think the organization actually wants to play or win like that hence why nothing has been done about it.
- SuperHenderson13

Oh I agree there, I think we all do, as far as them not having the right personnel for our system. I don't think it's to tank, I just think the coach is either incredibly stubborn or doesn't have a plan B.

Not sure what the JP situation was. Seems like a better option than pretty much everyone on the fourth line. I liked watching him play for a bit player
- Victoro311

He didn't kill penalties. I'd put money on that being it. Just another way Sully is predictable.

DOC isn't on the roster anymore. Nieto is, but if you are serious about dressing your best lineup, he shouldn't be in it.
- Tojo.

Who is better fit for 4th line minutes and PK? And what proof do you have besides you think they could be good at it? To be clear I’ve only ever mentioned Nieto as a more viable NHL option than Drew O Connor who is undoubtedly the worst player in NHL history.

me saying "strengths" probably wasnt the right word. But my point was this team cannot skate well enough to forecheck. We'd be better off jamming up the neutral zone if we actually wanted to win. I dont think the organization actually wants to play or win like that hence why nothing has been done about it.
- SuperHenderson13

They just forechecked perfectly for two games in a row. You guys are all wrong about everything all the time and just keep patting yourselves on the back about it.

Who is better fit for 4th line minutes and PK? And what proof do you have besides you think they could be good at it? To be clear I’ve only ever mentioned Nieto as a more viable NHL option than Drew O Connor who is undoubtedly the worst player in NHL history.
- Grinder47

Nah.

He didn't kill penalties. I'd put money on that being it. Just another way Sully is predictable.
- Tojo.

In the case of JP, I don't think it is just Sully. Every other team could have signed him, we were not able to trade him and he has passed through waivers and no one wanted him.

I would rather have been playing him over Nieto, but nothing he did really made me feel like he was going to do much with a bigger chance. I also would rather see Bemstrom, Koivunen or Ponomorev come up.

Maybe a team will pick him up for playoff depth. It was worth a shot, but I think he is going to be a better fit for the KHL.

Beau and Hayes are examples of players who get better when the puck touches their stick a little more. With a fully healthy lineup Hayes should play with Malkin. Dude still has hands and smarts.

Trade of the day:

Rackell, Beauvillier, Gryzelyk & 2025 5th to Detroit for Tarasenko, Bergeren, Gustafsson, 2025 1st & 2025 3rd.

We almost got Tarasenko in the offseason, he has not been good for Detroit. He could be a nice top 6 winger for us next year if we are building a competitive team, or just an asset to flip next season. This would potentially give us 3 top 20 picks this season. So we could either trade the NY and Detroit picks to have two top 10 shots or trade those for a young NHLer like Cousins or Power from Buffalo. I also like Bergeren as a buy low shot on a guy with some offensive upside, Dubas MO.

I think Detroit REALLY wants to make the playoffs and have a chance at winning a series. After this trade, I could totally see them giving Washington a run for their money.

Side note, Kypreos says Ottawa is considering a Karlsson reunion as I have predicted. That could be really interesting!

In the case of JP, I don't think it is just Sully. Every other team could have signed him, we were not able to trade him and he has passed through waivers and no one wanted him.

I would rather have been playing him over Nieto, but nothing he did really made me feel like he was going to do much with a bigger chance. I also would rather see Bemstrom, Koivunen or Ponomorev come up.

Maybe a team will pick him up for playoff depth. It was worth a shot, but I think he is going to be a better fit for the KHL.
- MacPatty

That comment of mine was more directed to why we didn't play him on our fourth line. As far as other teams were concerned, I'm not going through every roster, but I'd bet most have a better lineup than ours. And when it comes to Pulj, many of us like him, but he's a fringe player at best. Probably wasn't worth the waiver claim to the few teams who could add him without waiving someone themselves and havingenough spare roster spots before the TDL.

Trade of the day:

Rackell, Beauvillier, Gryzelyk & 2025 5th to Detroit for Tarasenko, Bergeren, Gustafsson, 2025 1st & 2025 3rd.

We almost got Tarasenko in the offseason, he has not been good for Detroit. He could be a nice top 6 winger for us next year if we are building a competitive team, or just an asset to flip next season. This would potentially give us 3 top 20 picks this season. So we could either trade the NY and Detroit picks to have two top 10 shots or trade those for a young NHLer like Cousins or Power from Buffalo. I also like Bergeren as a buy low shot on a guy with some offensive upside, Dubas MO.

I think Detroit REALLY wants to make the playoffs and have a chance at winning a series. After this trade, I could totally see them giving Washington a run for their money.

Side note, Kypreos says Ottawa is considering a Karlsson reunion as I have predicted. That could be really interesting!
- MacPatty

huh?

That comment of mine was more directed to why we didn't play him on our fourth line. As far as other teams were concerned, I'm not going through every roster, but I'd bet most have a better lineup than ours. And when it comes to Pulj, many of us like him, but he's a fringe player at best. Probably wasn't worth the waiver claim to the few teams who could add him without waiving someone themselves and havingenough spare roster spots before the TDL.
- Tojo.

Yeah like it doesn’t really matter. This team sucks so having a slightly better fourth line isn’t changing anything. If we were better then maybe I’d be more upset

huh?
- BINGO!

Don't worry, Carolina is still in the chase for Karlsson. This probably gets it done:

Karlsson, Glass (1/2 ret) & 2x 2025 3rds for Burns, Kotepkanemi & Car 2025 1st.

Beau and Hayes are examples of players who get better when the puck touches their stick a little more. With a fully healthy lineup Hayes should play with Malkin. Dude still has hands and smarts.
- Grinder47

Sure, they get better, but their better still is not even close to good enough for top 6.

Systems, meh, there isn't a system that this group could play with the goaltending they've had and get much better results.

Side note, Kypreos says Ottawa is considering a Karlsson reunion as I have predicted. That could be really interesting!
- MacPatty

I saw that as well. They do make a lot of sense because Karlsson would waiver his NTC to go back. They do have some nice younger players and prospects that we might have an interest in. Also they could trade a contract or two and make the cap hit work (even though I see us retaining a bit 1-3 million). Definitely see Norris being an option with his ability to play PK being someone of interest or Pinto. Norris probably due to his cap hit would probably make more sense from Ottawa's standpoint. I think Jensen/Zub would also be in the deal to allow us to get a RHD. Probably another player added from Pittsburgh or a pick. Then maybe a prospect and or pick from Ottawa and I could see that being the deal. I could definitely see it being a great deal for both sides. Karlsson I think will be rejuvenated on his old team.