Ryan Wilson: Penguins lock in their Jarry insurance Penguins lock in their Jarry insurance

I like the signing and the cap hit. Hopefully we can find a raker for Jarry.

You know you're not a contender when: Signing your average backup goalie is a key offseason move.

Good start to the off-season. Even if it is just a backup goalie signing, it's one less thing to worry about and gives us a viable possibility to trade Jarry. I'm sad it's not a Fleury/Ned tandem.

I like Ned, seems like a good guy who all the guys loved playing with. Solid outcome for everyone.

You know you're not a contender when: Signing your average backup goalie is a key offseason move.
- MickV

We need about 5 moves to gives us a chance to compete for the playoffs this year. This wasn't a big one, but still important.

Pens currently have a little over 9M with 12 F, 6 D, 2G. POJ unsigned would give them a full defense. Poulin, Ponomarev, Koivunen, Gruden could potentially compete for an open forward spot (which could be temporarily filling Nieto).

Good shape to just add a player or 2 especially if they can a taker for Smith or another contract because the roster is pretty full (though the same team that missed the playoffs minus Jake, Carter and Ruhwedel and adding Bunting and St. Ivany).

Pens currently have a little over 9M with 12 F, 6 D, 2G. POJ unsigned would give them a full defense. Poulin, Ponomarev, Koivunen, Gruden could potentially compete for an open forward spot (which could be temporarily filling Nieto).

Good shape to just add a player or 2 especially if they can a taker for Smith or another contract because the roster is pretty full (though the same team that missed the playoffs minus Jake, Carter and Ruhwedel and adding Bunting and St. Ivany).
- Tojo.

Yeah, still gotta replace Carter. Doubt they’ve even been in the mix at the end without him eating all the poopty minutes and his intangibles and veteran presence.

Pens currently have a little over 9M with 12 F, 6 D, 2G. POJ unsigned would give them a full defense. Poulin, Ponomarev, Koivunen, Gruden could potentially compete for an open forward spot (which could be temporarily filling Nieto).

Good shape to just add a player or 2 especially if they can a taker for Smith or another contract because the roster is pretty full (though the same team that missed the playoffs minus Jake, Carter and Ruhwedel and adding Bunting and St. Ivany).
- Tojo.

I actually agree with MacPatty that Laine should be the Pens no. 1 target this offseason. Having an actual threatening RH shot on the PP is going to open up a lot more for that PP, we can talk all day about how Rakell or Rust should be able to do it, but they just can't and history shows that. They should really be trying to move smith, and acquire Laine.

If they can move Smith's 5m, Acquire Laine's 8.7m, and sign POJ for under 2m, they would definitely have some money left over for the middle of the roster.

Duclair, Foegle, Domi, Lindholm, etc. could possibly be options.

And then use the money afterwards for the bargain bin depth options.

The D is pretty much already locked unless they trade Graves but they should head into the season with:

Petts-EK
POJ-Letang
Graves-St. Ivany/Ludvig/whoever
whoever

If they can commit to the guys you mentioned fighting for spots, that would at least let them build a younger/hungrier bottom 6 I'd hope.

Duclair-Sid-Rust
Bunting-Geno-Rakell
DOC-Eller-Laine

isn't the worst top 9

Do you guys ever listen to the locked on Pens podcast? They are so gung ho on a 3C, 2LD.

We are spending just under $7M next year on Graves + Petry + JJ.

I actually agree with MacPatty that Laine should be the Pens no. 1 target this offseason. Having an actual threatening RH shot on the PP is going to open up a lot more for that PP, we can talk all day about how Rakell or Rust should be able to do it, but they just can't and history shows that. They should really be trying to move smith, and acquire Laine.

If they can move Smith's 5m, Acquire Laine's 8.7m, and sign POJ for under 2m, they would definitely have some money left over for the middle of the roster.

Duclair, Foegle, Domi, Lindholm, etc. could possibly be options.

And then use the money afterwards for the bargain bin depth options.

The D is pretty much already locked unless they trade Graves but they should head into the season with:

Petts-EK
POJ-Letang
Graves-St. Ivany/Ludvig/whoever
whoever

If they can commit to the guys you mentioned fighting for spots, that would at least let them build a younger/hungrier bottom 6 I'd hope.

Duclair-Sid-Rust
Bunting-Geno-Rakell
DOC-Eller-Laine

isn't the worst top 9

Do you guys ever listen to the locked on Pens podcast? They are so gung ho on a 3C, 2LD.
- j.boyd919

Needs more Tatar

We are spending just under $7M next year on Graves + Petry + JJ.
- MickV

Spending just over 11m for Crosby, JJ, and Petry.

Spending just over 11m for Crosby, JJ, and Petry.
- Feds91Stammer

Spending 10 million on EK is the worst part.

I actually agree with MacPatty that Laine should be the Pens no. 1 target this offseason. Having an actual threatening RH shot on the PP is going to open up a lot more for that PP, we can talk all day about how Rakell or Rust should be able to do it, but they just can't and history shows that. They should really be trying to move smith, and acquire Laine.

If they can move Smith's 5m, Acquire Laine's 8.7m, and sign POJ for under 2m, they would definitely have some money left over for the middle of the roster.

Duclair, Foegle, Domi, Lindholm, etc. could possibly be options.

And then use the money afterwards for the bargain bin depth options.

The D is pretty much already locked unless they trade Graves but they should head into the season with:

Petts-EK
POJ-Letang
Graves-St. Ivany/Ludvig/whoever
whoever

If they can commit to the guys you mentioned fighting for spots, that would at least let them build a younger/hungrier bottom 6 I'd hope.

Duclair-Sid-Rust
Bunting-Geno-Rakell
DOC-Eller-Laine

isn't the worst top 9

Do you guys ever listen to the locked on Pens podcast? They are so gung ho on a 3C, 2LD.
- j.boyd919

I don't listen to that podcast.

I agree with you that unless they can trade Graves, which would be a miracle, the D is Petts-EK, POJ-Letang, Graves/Ludwig-St.Ivany.

They definitely need a top-6 forward and a top-9 forward, one has to be a RH shot who is good on the PP, and one should be able to play C (the RH PP guy and C could be the same guy) since if Sid or Geno gets hurt and has to miss more than a few games they're in serious trouble with C depth atm.

Spending just over 11m for Crosby, JJ, and Petry.
- Feds91Stammer

When you put it that way it sounds like a good deal.

We are spending just under $7M next year on Graves + Petry + JJ.
- MickV

I posted this because it's baffling that 3 straight GMs shot themselves in the foot trying to find a 2nd-pair D.

I don't listen to that podcast.

I agree with you that unless they can trade Graves, which would be a miracle, the D is Petts-EK, POJ-Letang, Graves/Ludwig-St.Ivany.

They definitely need a top-6 forward and a top-9 forward, one has to be a RH shot who is good on the PP, and one should be able to play C (the RH PP guy and C could be the same guy) since if Sid or Geno gets hurt and has to miss more than a few games they're in serious trouble with C depth atm.
- MickV

The podcast was pitching Ross Colton as a potential trade target for 3C but I don't see Colorado giving him away for cheap.

That DOC-Eller-Laine line mentioned above seems like it has potential to be an HBK 2.0 line.

As for Jarry, I don’t think this is the year he’s traded. Maybe they’ll look to get him a “bounce back” year and give Blomqvist another year in the AHL with a few call ups. I’d assume next offseason Jarry is moved unless Blomqvist and Ned poop the bed, while Jarry is in Vezina consideration.

The podcast was pitching Ross Colton as a potential trade target for 3C but I don't see Colorado giving him away for cheap.
- j.boyd919

Do the Pens have literally anything to offer that the Avs would want?

I actually agree with MacPatty that Laine should be the Pens no. 1 target this offseason. Having an actual threatening RH shot on the PP is going to open up a lot more for that PP, we can talk all day about how Rakell or Rust should be able to do it, but they just can't and history shows that. They should really be trying to move smith, and acquire Laine.

If they can move Smith's 5m, Acquire Laine's 8.7m, and sign POJ for under 2m, they would definitely have some money left over for the middle of the roster.

Duclair, Foegle, Domi, Lindholm, etc. could possibly be options.

And then use the money afterwards for the bargain bin depth options.

The D is pretty much already locked unless they trade Graves but they should head into the season with:

Petts-EK
POJ-Letang
Graves-St. Ivany/Ludvig/whoever
whoever

If they can commit to the guys you mentioned fighting for spots, that would at least let them build a younger/hungrier bottom 6 I'd hope.

Duclair-Sid-Rust
Bunting-Geno-Rakell
DOC-Eller-Laine

isn't the worst top 9

Do you guys ever listen to the locked on Pens podcast? They are so gung ho on a 3C, 2LD.
- j.boyd919

Well that doesnt happen often... the stars are aligning... get it done Dubas.

Here is what the pitch should be to Laine:

1. Off wing shooting spot on the top PP being fed passes by Karlsson & Crosby.

2. No need to feel the pressure as the top star for the next few years. Crosby, Malkin, Letang, Karlsson all can carry media burden.

3. Two years out from next contract. Team can give him time to get his game back on the 3rd line to start out this year and take advantage of easier matchups (basically the Kessel role).

4. Malkin contract expires the same year as Laine. We will have funds for an extension and could serve as a transition point to Laine taking his mantle and having a chance to establish himself as a Pens all time great.

5. Further to this, Kessel went from a kind of enigmatic half star prior to winning cups with the Pens and gained somewhat of a legendary status through his success with the team and not having to be "the guy". If Laine puts the Pens over the top all of the noise earlier in his career disappears.

He only has a 10 team no trade list so he would only have so much control over his destination, but his agent is being allowed to work on the trade which could direct a trade toward a specific suitor.

Laine ($2M retained) & Provorov (1/2 retained) for POJ, Smith (they can retain & flip for a 2nd), Accari, & both of our 2024 2nd round picks. Thats a super heavy price to pay but I think it gives us a good shot at competing this year.

We had our previous argument on here about who was more vital Horny or Kessel to the PP. If we add Laine and keep Bunting on the top PP we potentially could have 2 of the missing pieces to a very successful PP next season. I think upgrading that 2nd LHD spot needs to happen as well.

I would definitely do a trade for Laine & Provorov.

We had our previous argument on here about who was more vital Horny or Kessel to the PP. If we add Laine and keep Bunting on the top PP we potentially could have 2 of the missing pieces to a very successful PP next season. I think upgrading that 2nd LHD spot needs to happen as well.
- 123Kid

I think they both Kessel and Horny played important roles. Bunting would be ok in that net front position, not Horny level but could be effective there.

Laine in the Kessel role would be amazing. Kessel was a better passer and had a very deceiving release but Laine can bomb one timers in addition to having a great, quick release snapper.

The big question on the PP for me is Malkin. Is having him in that up top role really effective? He just seems very predictable there and while he can hammer the puck pretty good still, he just isnt that great at finding holes to get shots through. Cant help but think a guy like Gostisbehere or even OEL would be a better option there (not that I think it makes sense for us to go for one of them).

I think they both Kessel and Horny played important roles. Bunting would be ok in that net front position, not Horny level but could be effective there.

Laine in the Kessel role would be amazing. Kessel was a better passer and had a very deceiving release but Laine can bomb one timers in addition to having a great, quick release snapper.

The big question on the PP for me is Malkin. Is having him in that up top role really effective? He just seems very predictable there and while he can hammer the puck pretty good still, he just isnt that great at finding holes to get shots through. Cant help but think a guy like Gostisbehere or even OEL would be a better option there (not that I think it makes sense for us to go for one of them).
- MacPatty

Geno shouldn't be up top, he should be on the RW half wall. EK should be up top distributing.

I think with Malkin slowing down he needs to be moved from the top position on the PP. I agree that we need a LHD to shoot or at least be proficient in passing on the PP to help open things up.

I posted this because it's baffling that 3 straight GMs shot themselves in the foot trying to find a 2nd-pair D.
- MickV

The truly baffling one was Hextall moving Marino and Matheson because he thought Petry would be an upgrade. They already had a solid 2nd pair with Pettersson behind them, but traded it for a guy they retained on a year later and a reclamation project that never really got out of the AHL.