Ryan Wilson: It is time for acceptance It is time for acceptance

Is this team really worse than last season? I'm not totally convinced of that. Again, I don't think they make playoffs but I also don't think there has been much of any downgrading happened. Smith gone leaves a bit of a middle six winger hole....but they still have cap space and are probably going to make more moves, yet.

Is this team really worse than last season? I'm not totally convinced of that. Again, I don't think they make playoffs but I also don't think there has been much of any downgrading happened. Smith gone leaves a bit of a middle six winger hole....but they still have cap space and are probably going to make more moves, yet.
- MattStrat

I posted yesterday that assuming they get a 1LW they will be about the same as last year, should be able to hang in the WC race until the end, most likely miss out but should still be an entertaining year of hockey -- unless Sid gets hurt, then they're going to really suck.

Players signed for the 2026-27 season: Rust, Rak, EK, Letang, Jarry, Graves, St Ivany. That's it. For 2027-28 it's Rust, Rak, Letang, Graves, Jarry.

If they can also find a way to trade Rak, Graves, and Jarry by then, it could be Sid, Rust, Letang, and a completely new team (possibly with Pets, DOC, and St.I extended), with a ton of money to spend and hopefully some young guys coming up.

Dubas has 6 years left on his deal, I'm sure he's looking at this timeline and thinking he needs to build a true contender by the late 2020s, and that getting young guys and picks now and letting the clock run out on most of the bad contracts is the path forward.

Hopefully the Pens fans just get to chant BOKO! a lot next year. Just give him 8 minutes a night and free reign to cause legit danger on the ice for the opposing team. I know this isn’t going to happen by the way.

The truth remains, the roster as presently constructed is still not terrible. The slightest bit of improvement on the Power Play combined with only league average goalie play in the 2nd half provides cautious optimism. Another Cup run is obviously non-existent but they will still be competitive next year.

In the meantime you move out what you can and obtain futures.

Malkin needs his role reduced somehow someway.

Is this team really worse than last season? I'm not totally convinced of that. Again, I don't think they make playoffs but I also don't think there has been much of any downgrading happened. Smith gone leaves a bit of a middle six winger hole....but they still have cap space and are probably going to make more moves, yet.

I agree. Everyone kept saying an average PP would have put them in 2nd or 3rd in the Metro. This team should be similar 5v5 so any PP improvement should help.

The looming cloud is Sid and Geno staying healthy for a 3rd consecutive year.

The truth remains, the roster as presently constructed is still not terrible. The slightest bit of improvement on the Power Play combined with only league average goalie play in the 2nd half provides cautious optimism. Another Cup run is obviously non-existent but they will still be competitive next year.

In the meantime you move out what you can and obtain futures.

Malkin needs his role reduced somehow someway.
- Weisenheimer

One of the better 2Cs in the league who had a rotating door of wingers last year who couldn't finish needs his role reduced lol

I posted yesterday that assuming they get a 1LW they will be about the same as last year, should be able to hang in the WC race until the end, most likely miss out but should still be an entertaining year of hockey -- unless Sid gets hurt, then they're going to really suck.
- MickV

You know, I have been half way wondering if us signing a pile more centers could be a signal that they might move Geno to Sid's LW. I know it isnt going to happen but I'd love to at least see those two figure out a way to gel and light it up for a year or two.

We could just run Crosby-Hayes-Eller- Lizotte at Center. Every line beyond the 1st would suck, but hey, that might be the point...

One of the better 2Cs in the league who had a rotating door of wingers last year who couldn't finish needs his role reduced lol
- j.boyd919

I've been hard on Geno but you are definitely correct on how he has had a mess of wingers and it has been years since he has had some consistent talent to play with. I would like to see Geno pushed to the 2nd powerplay, but then again a) we have less talent than we had a year ago and b) maybe Quinn can find a creative way to utilize everyone on the powerplay.

One reason I occasionally suggest moving Malkin to the wing is to free him up from defensive responsibilities and let him blow the zone like Edmonton does when they pair Drai and McDavid. While I'd prefer to have Geno on Sid's wing if they did switch it up, you could even make the case that having Geno play LW and letting Hayes take the defensive responsibilities would be a good match.

I'd rather go Geno-Hayes-Rackell than DOC-Geno-Rackell.

One of the better 2Cs in the league who had a rotating door of wingers last year who couldn't finish needs his role reduced lol
- j.boyd919

Its a situation where his 5 on 5 production was great but to the eyes of many he didnt look the best on the ice while obtaining those numbers hahaha. With a league average PP he's probably around a point per game again, last season. He had 18 more PP points the season before last....

I posted yesterday that assuming they get a 1LW they will be about the same as last year, should be able to hang in the WC race until the end, most likely miss out but should still be an entertaining year of hockey -- unless Sid gets hurt, then they're going to really suck.
- MickV

Yeah, I agree. I was plenty entertained most games last season. There really was only a few games that were really bad ie the Leafs game they lost 7-0 and the night they found out Jake was traded vs the Caps....lost 6-0 I believe.

One of the better 2Cs in the league who had a rotating door of wingers last year who couldn't finish needs his role reduced lol
- j.boyd919

Agree to disagree; he's slowed down a lot and doesn't have the Geno jump he used to, no fault of his own, aging is inevitable. He's never been great defensively so as he ages it doesn't get covered up as much. I still think he is valuable, and hopefully retires a Pen but I just feel in an optimal setting he is on the Wing.

So I know I am disconnected with reality and in a state of Penguins quasi depression... but, I remain hopeful a move out of left field surprises us all.

Looking at teams that probably still have work left to do, Ottawa is really interesting. I can't believe that we couldnt have offered them more than they got for Chuchryn but they have a number of question marks across their organization.

They have a cap connundrum with only $4.5M in cap space left and Shane Pinto remaining unsigned. Feels to me like the stars could be aligning for that Karlsson trade. I don't necessarily want it but given we are not looking to make a real run at things, Karlsson could welcome a change of scenery and Dubas could look at it as an opportunity to get younger and acquire assets.

Karlsson, Eller (1/2 ret) & Puljujarvi for Norris, Jensen, Joseph, 2027 1st & 2025 3rd.

Not saying I like it, but I could see something goofy like this coming together.

Its a situation where his 5 on 5 production was great but to the eyes of many he didnt look the best on the ice while obtaining those numbers hahaha. With a league average PP he's probably around a point per game again, last season. He had 18 more PP points the season before last....
- MattStrat

He was setting up chances like the elite playmaker he is all season and his linemates could finish poop.

My-totally-serious-plan-to-fix-the-Penguins

1) Trade for Zegras
2) Playout this season as is
3) Sign Marner

Zegras-Crosby-Rust
Bunting-Malkin-Marner

I am taking no questions at this time.

At the end of the day, it doesnt matter who the Penguins sign. This season will ultimately be based on how healthy and well our core 4 guys are and then how the next 3-4 players behind them play.

I dont think Crosby will slow down anytime soon. We are still probably 2-3 years away from that. I hope we can get 1 or 2 more years out of Malkin.

Beyond that, its how the powerplay and goaltending are that will judge this season. With league average both last year, this team plays in the playoffs. If we get similar seasons from our core, league average of each is probably enough to keep us in the conversation again.

I personally am not worried about crosby leaving. I find it interesting he didnt sign on the first day possible, but I still think something would have to go crazy wrong for him to leave.

Is this team really worse than last season? I'm not totally convinced of that. Again, I don't think they make playoffs but I also don't think there has been much of any downgrading happened. Smith gone leaves a bit of a middle six winger hole....but they still have cap space and are probably going to make more moves, yet.
- MattStrat

Yes. They lost a top line scorer and haven’t replaced him.

23/24 5v5 goal differential

Malkin +9
Crosby +3

Maybe it’s Sid that needs to move to wing

Yes. They lost a top line scorer and haven’t replaced him.
- Feds91Stammer

I get that. Perhaps I should have reworded something along the lines of is this team worse than than the one that finished last season? They lost Jake to injury on February 15th and he never played for them again. They had their best stretch of wins/loses long after he was gone.

I get that. Perhaps I should have reworded something along the lines of is this team worse than than the one that finished last season? They lost Jake to injury on February 15th and he never played for them again. They had their best stretch of wins/loses long after he was gone.
- MattStrat

This line of thinking is why Sabres and Sens fans cling to hope every off season.

This line of thinking is why Sabres and Sens fans cling to hope every off season.
- Feds91Stammer

What is the line of thinking? Hope? in that same paragraph you responded to I said I didnt think they would make the playoffs haha

What is the line of thinking? Hope? in that same paragraph you responded to I said I didnt think they would make the playoffs haha
- MattStrat

Having their best stretch late in the season. Just giving you poop but the Sens and Sabres fans have been like this for a while. Like look how good they played once the games were essentially meaningless. Next year is our year.

Having their best stretch late in the season. Just giving you poop but the Sens and Sabres fans have been like this for a while. Like look how good they played once the games were essentially meaningless. Next year is our year.
- Feds91Stammer

To be fair Ive actually had those thoughts about those two teams some offseasons, as well haha.. think they're going to be better/make playoffs the upcoming season. Really thought Sabres were going to be in a WC spot, or at least challenging much more for one, last season. Thought the Red Wings would too and was right....they were so close ...all of those come from behind wins in the last few weeks.