Arvidson and ekholm hell yeah

Did he say who he heard this from? Bettman just said otherwise like two days ago.
- Rinosaur

I can't stand him, but he talks a lot of Pens. He has a bunch of connections with the Pens. Who knows...

The premise of Maddens comments are completely logical. The NHL needs fans in the seats or they lose money. Other major sports make most of their cash from TV.

I can't stand him, but he talks a lot of Pens. He has a bunch of connections with the Pens. Who knows...

The premise of Maddens comments are completely logical. The NHL needs fans in the seats or they lose money. Other major sports make most of their cash from TV.
- madmike71

Bettman stated they are considering beginning the season with no fans.

Bettman stated they are considering beginning the season with no fans.
- Rinosaur

I hope so. I'll believe it when I see it.

Bryan Rust for Palmieri + Wood.

Rust + Pettersson for Arvidsson/Bonino + Ekholm

Rust for Virtanen

Rust + Murray + something for Montour + Reinhart
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Lol wut

Bettman stated they are considering beginning the season with no fans.
- Rinosaur

They will need to negoiate with the government what it would take to get fans in the arenas before they start the season. They cant afford to start the season without fans in the hopes that sooner or later the government will let them bring fans in. They cannot afford to pay players while not getting ticket revenue.

I would be very interested to know what the health of certain NHL teams are. Financially, we as a league are in much better shape than years past, but this is still a big ask given the circumstances. The good thing is we have cash coming in with Seattle's expansion fee and hopefully a new TV deal.

There’s no way this is true. You have a solid top 4 or dumo, letang, Pettersson, and Marino. Not only that but Johnson is still here and Rikola and Ruhd were resigned. Not to mention decent prospects of POJ and Maniscalco who could play at sometime this year or next.
- drummer829

I hope you are right, but this is according to "multiple team and league sources."

I don't think it's hyperbolic to say that this could be the final nail in the window coffin if this comes to pass. Chris Tanev is definitely not worth anything above $3M and more than 2 years. He's an injury-prone 4/5. I'm not a fan of Petts (at least not yet) and I would take him any day of the week over Tanev. As much as I would rather have a vet in the 3RD position, I would rather leave the spot open and hope that Maniscalco can fill it than sign Tanev.

"Christopher Tanev is seeking a raise on the $4.45 million he counted against the cap on his last contract"

This better not be the FA JR was talking about. This combined with Rust on the trade block feels like Chiarelli territory.

Lol wut
- Feds91Stammer

You are the most predictable human being alive.... Ok maybe palmer is first... then you

I hope you are right, but this is according to "multiple team and league sources."

I don't think it's hyperbolic to say that this could be the final nail in the window coffin if this comes to pass. Chris Tanev is definitely not worth anything above $3M and more than 2 years. He's an injury-prone 4/5. I'm not a fan of Petts (at least not yet) and I would take him any day of the week over Tanev. As much as I would rather have a vet in the 3RD position, I would rather leave the spot open and hope that Maniscalco can fill it than sign Tanev.

"Christopher Tanev is seeking a raise on the $4.45 million he counted against the cap on his last contract"

This better not be the FA JR was talking about. This combined with Rust on the trade block feels like Chiarelli territory.
- Hockey66

I'm surprised to see you bring him up since you don't like counting on rookies who haven't played in the NHL.

I think the big thing that makes Maniscalco different from Marino is Marino was very polished defensively. He really just needed about 20 games to adjust to the skill difference of NHL players and then was rock solid.

Maniscalco sounds like a more offensive oriented player and that's harder for teams to trust so some AHL time could be good as it is with most players. Maybe he surprises, I'm not as confident talking about new prospects as ones that have been in the system for a while and I've gotten to follow them. I wouldn't be counting on him at all this year though.

The prospects I'd be shocked if we don't see at sone point are POJ, Angelo, and Miletic. O'Connor might have a good chance to earn a call up as he'll probably be the most talented forward in WBS. I think Poulin makes it, but that's just a projection and not being AHL eligible hurts. Maniscalco would be more of a surprise in year one, though he's really intriguing long-term.

I can't stand him, but he talks a lot of Pens. He has a bunch of connections with the Pens. Who knows...

The premise of Maddens comments are completely logical. The NHL needs fans in the seats or they lose money. Other major sports make most of their cash from TV.
- madmike71

LOL exactly how I feel. Madden's act does nothing for me, but I listen to him all the time anyways because I know it's always a lot of hockey talk.

I firmly believe the Pens need to add a RD, but Tanev isn't the right choice. I would go a cheaper option like Koekkoek or TVR, no need to spend big money. But if they did, Shattenkirk or DeMelo would be much better investments.

EDIT- Strahlman is a buyout candidate and though he's not what he once was, if he can be had cheap he's another guy I'd look at for 3rd pair.

I'm surprised to see you bring him up since you don't like counting on rookies who haven't played in the NHL.

I think the big thing that makes Maniscalco different from Marino is Marino was very polished defensively. He really just needed about 20 games to adjust to the skill difference of NHL players and then was rock solid.

Maniscalco sounds like a more offensive oriented player and that's harder for teams to trust so some AHL time could be good as it is with most players. Maybe he surprises, I'm not as confident talking about new prospects as ones that have been in the system for a while and I've gotten to follow them. I wouldn't be counting on him at all this year though.

The prospects I'd be shocked if we don't see at sone point are POJ, Angelo, and Miletic. O'Connor might have a good chance to earn a call up as he'll probably be the most talented forward in WBS. I think Poulin makes it, but that's just a projection and not being AHL eligible hurts. Maniscalco would be more of a surprise in year one, though he's really intriguing long-term.
- Tojo.

It has everything to do with how much I don't want to sign Tanev because he is aging, injury-prone, provides no offense, and will likely be way overpaid for what he is. I don't know anything about Maniscalco and I have no doubt that what you say about him is accurate - I just think Tanev would be another JJ-type signing. Yeah, I said it.

I firmly believe the Pens need to add a RD, but Tanev isn't the right choice. I would go a cheaper option like Koekkoek or TVR, no need to spend big money. But if they did, Shattenkirk or DeMelo would be much better investments.
- Tojo.

Totally agree with this. Getting the 3rd line sorted out should be priority #1. If there is anything left over after that is done, then focus on 3RD.

The other thing about Tanev is that he is a zero on offense. How many more zeroes does JR want on the least offensive defense corps in the league? We have an aging Letang and ... Marino to provide offense from the blueline? That is pathetic.

The Tanev stuff is scary only because I could see JR giving him 2-3 too many years at $2-3M aav too much.

JR is a terrible negotiator because he is so predictable. He locks on someone he wants and then negotiates against himself until he has a deql.

I have kept faith in him but it is severely slipping. Just remember, if JJ convinced JR he was worth $3M for 5 years after a number of bad years, what will Tanev get from him considering he is actually a decent player.

This is the year to be patient above all others. There are lots of RD and forward depth options available on the market. Shed salary if/when you can and wait.

You will end up with some hungry guys who will sign cheap 1-2 year deals to rebuild their value waiting for teams to rebalance to the flat cap over the next couple years.

I dont know if JR has any patience to pull it off.

This is the year to be patient above all others. There are lots of RD and forward depth options available on the market. Shed salary if/when you can and wait.

You will end up with some hungry guys who will sign cheap 1-2 year deals to rebuild their value waiting for teams to rebalance to the flat cap over the next couple years.

I dont know if JR has any patience to pull it off.
- MacPatty

JR reminds me of the guy in fantasy sports who is always trading even if he doesn't need to.

I mean....if he signs Tanev for around 5 mill he's going to have a 8+ mill 3rd pair again in a season with a flat cap and reports of the team wanting to spend less. As much as it seems like a JR move there's some factors making me not quite as worried about it....still a bit weary though.

If by the slim chance he ever rid of JJ I'd be fine with a Rikky-Tanev 3rd pair....it would still be a 6 millish cap hit though...if Tanev does indeed get a raise. Does he deserve he raise?

it GMJR does this transaction he has gone into biden level dementia. Penguins need to get younger, chippier, faster, not old, slow, overpaid. We already have too many of those players now and we traded away picks now have a roster of re-treads that other NHL teams can skate circles around.

GMJR please learn from your past failures (reaves, brassard, kahun, etc)

I mean....if he signs Tanev for around 5 mill he's going to have a 8+ mill 3rd pair again in a season with a flat cap and reports of the team wanting to spend less. As much as it seems like a JR move there's some factors making me not quite as worried about it....still a bit weary though.

If by the slim chance he ever rid of JJ I'd be fine with a Rikky-Tanev 3rd pair....it would still be a 6 millish cap hit though...if Tanev does indeed get a raise. Does he deserve he raise?
- MattStrat

I think JR knows how bad Johnson is. His one quote of saying something along the lines of "Maybe he's not as good as I think he is. Maybe. But he's not as bad as people think he is." I think this is closest thing to an admission as you'll get. You combine that with him on record of saying he just needs to be paired with the right guy? He's basically now made an RD his priority because he knows JJ is junk and has to prop him up.

Unfortunately, we are seeing that JR is pretty poor at evaluating defensemen. He seems to still think it's the late 90's. Look at the guys he fixates on: JJ, Gudbranson and now Tanev. Now, I was actually content with Gudbranson's play here, but that along with how he finished in Anaheim was probably the best hockey he's played since the beginnig of his career.

I said before that spending anything more than a player worth $1/$1.5M next to JJ is pissing money away, but if you're going to overpay at least overpay for someone who is still goo at hockey. Instead of moving JJ to fix the problem, he's going to make it worse by putting a bandaid on a on gun shot.

I mean....if he signs Tanev for around 5 mill he's going to have a 8+ mill 3rd pair again in a season with a flat cap and reports of the team wanting to spend less. As much as it seems like a JR move there's some factors making me not quite as worried about it....still a bit weary though.

If by the slim chance he ever rid of JJ I'd be fine with a Rikky-Tanev 3rd pair....it would still be a 6 millish cap hit though...if Tanev does indeed get a raise. Does he deserve he raise?
- MattStrat

Uh, no. I don't want him for $3M. His underlying numbers are terrible, he provides no offense, and he is injury-prone.

If, by some miracle, we are rid of JJ and turn that money into Tanev, there will be no money for other acquisitions, so get used to the third line of Simon - McCann - Horny not scoring and we all know the fourth line isn't going to score. And our defense isn't going to score. I'm getting nervous.

I think JR knows how bad Johnson is. His one quote of saying something along the lines of "Maybe he's not as good as I think he is. Maybe. But he's not as bad as people think he is." I think this is closest thing to an admission as you'll get. You combine that with him on record of saying he just needs to be paired with the right guy? He's basically now made an RD his priority because he knows JJ is junk and has to prop him up.

Unfortunately, we are seeing that JR is pretty poor at evaluating defensemen. He seems to still think it's the late 90's. Look at the guys he fixates on: JJ, Gudbranson and now Tanev. Now, I was actually content with Gudbranson's play here, but that along with how he finished in Anaheim was probably the best hockey he's played since the beginnig of his career.

I said before spending anything more than a player worth $1/$1.5M next to JJ is pissing money away, but if you're going to overpay at least overpay for someone who is still goo at hockey. Instead of moving JJ to fix the problem, he's going to make it worse by putting a bandaid on a on gun shot.
- Rinosaur

Yeah I agree with all of that but I will say, if you were fine with Guds play, you probably would be with Tanev's too.

Yeah I agree with all of that but I will say, if you were fine with Guds play, you probably would be with Tanev's too.
- MattStrat

I don't think you can really compare the two players, but by that same token I wasn't ok with the combined salary on the 3rd pair. Someone still needed to go.

EDIT: I was fine with Gudbranson's play, but I didn't think he was the type you overpay to help JJ.

I don't think you can really compare the two players, but by that same token I wasn't ok with the combined salary on the 3rd pair. Someone still needed to go.

EDIT: I was fine with Gudbranson's play, but I didn't think he was the type you overpay to help JJ.
- Rinosaur

See, personally I dont really care about dollar amounts for anyone if the on ice product is good and works more often than not. JJ greatly hinders that no matter what else is done though. In my mind I just cant see JR having a 8+ mill 3rd pair again in times like these. Ive been wrong before though...

See, personally I dont really care about dollar amounts for anyone if the on ice product is good and works more often than not. JJ greatly hinders that no matter what else is done though. In my mind I just cant see JR having a 8+ mill 3rd pair again in times like these. Ive been wrong before though...
- MattStrat

You should care about the dollar amounts.

See, personally I dont really care about dollar amounts for anyone if the on ice product is good and works more often than not. JJ greatly hinders that no matter what else is done though. In my mind I just cant see JR having a 8+ mill 3rd pair again in times like these. Ive been wrong before though...
- MattStrat

You should. More money for chumps like Tanev at 3RD means less money for other areas of need in the lineup. You can find players who do what Tanev does for $1.5M-$2M.