Makes more sense to have a scorched earth approach, mid-late first-rounders and college FA's are unlikely to net true difference makers. Rather spend a few years hurting than being stuck in mediocrity. Far from a sure bet at producing another contender again though.
- abasin

Not for making a true contender. Just to keep the boys in the top 8 till Sid geno and letang retire


Edit - I 100% agree with doing what we need to do so Sid and co never miss a playoff till they retire. Then do whatever. Pitt might not be here without Sid and we might not have the last 3 cups without the trio

Honestly, in the Sid/Geno era. Gonchar is probably the only big free agent to sign here. And that was like in 2005.
- 668710

That's incredible if that's the only significant FA during the last 15 years. Granted, it's more often than not better to stay away from FA given the contracts that are usually handed out, but still. This is also during a stretch when the Pens were perennial contenders and Crosby is one of the best at pumping up wingers' numbers.

That's incredible if that's the only significant FA during the last 15 years. Granted, it's more often than not better to stay away from FA given the contracts that are usually handed out, but still. This is also during a stretch when the Pens were perennial contenders and Crosby is one of the best at pumping up wingers' numbers.
- Hockey66

It’s been this way for 30 years. Even with Mario here, and Jagr what big Free Agent signed here? It’s always been acquisitions via drafting and trades

All the BS about guys taking a “Crosby Discount”. Even Hossa came here, took a look around and left. I’ll take the 3 cups but he could have been the perfect career winger for Sid

Seriously, I’ve never been to Pittsburgh, Is it a dump? No night life? Too many bible thumpers?

Doesn’t seem to attract the young guys or the settle down guys with families

That's incredible if that's the only significant FA during the last 15 years. Granted, it's more often than not better to stay away from FA given the contracts that are usually handed out, but still. This is also during a stretch when the Pens were perennial contenders and Crosby is one of the best at pumping up wingers' numbers.
- Hockey66

It really is, I looked it up. Gonch is by far the best. I never really thought about it haha. We always trade for our good players.

It’s been this way for 30 years. Even with Mario here, what big Free Agent signed here?

All the BS about guys taking a “Crosby Discount”. Even Hossa came here, took a look around and left. I’ll take the 3 cups but he could have been the perfect career winger for Sid

Seriously, I’ve never been to Pittsburgh, Is it a dump? No night life? Too many bible thumpers?

Doesn’t seem to attract the young guys or the settle down guys with families
- RoloTahmasee

Pittsburgh isn't bad, it's got a solid night life and cool thing's to do. I'd say it's middle of the pack, it's definitely not terrible but not the best.

There's also the expansion draft to consider. Not sure if we'll be able to shed any salary there, but here's what it looks like now:

1. Crosby
2. Malkin
3. Guentzel
4. Zucker
5. Rust
6. Kapanen
7. McCann
------------
Tanev
Lafferty

1. Letang
2. Dumo
3. Petts / Matheson
------------
Petts / Matheson
Riikola
Ruh

DeSmith
- Hockey66

Yeah you're right. That's another possibility to dump salary.

PS Blueger is probably around that line as well.

It really is, I looked it up. Gonch is by far the best. I never really thought about it haha. We always trade for our good players.
- 668710

Paul Martin was a decent signing at the time but didn’t pan out great. But he’s the only one of any worth I can think of

Yeah you're right. That's another possibility to dump salary.

PS Blueger is probably around that line as well.
- Tojo.

Yea Blue will be left unprotected, but most likely not taken.

I agree with overpaying for Kapanen. That was a huge mistake when GMs knew the cap wasnt moving and lots of teams needed to offload contracts. Instead of sending a 1st for Kapanen, you trade for Tyler Johnson with 2 mil retained and a 2nd round pick for an AHL player.

Im ok with the Hornqvist trade as taking Matheson was probably the only way to move Hornqvist. There’s also no way of knowing which free agents genuinely had interest in coming to Pittsburgh. JR could had called Smith, Fast, and Namestikov moments after FA started and they simply said they didn’t want to come here.
- drummer829

They actually do have the cap space to do this. Not sure if either side is interested in those terms.

Paul Martin was a decent signing at the time but didn’t pan out great. But he’s the only one of any worth I can think of
- jchst22

Shero honestly of all the Pens GMs probably has the most "biggest" free agent signings. Gonchar, Sykora, Martin worked well then the others like Palffy, Michalek didn't work out so well. Well Palffy was awesome, but he just like disappeared lol

I'll get blasted for this, but I also got blasted for suggesting the Pens trade Kessel after the 2nd cup while he still had value...

Pens should trade Dumo now. I love the guy and he is on a fair contract but his perceived value is that of a borderline top pair and he is due for regression.

Send him to the Jets with Sceivour for Roslovic, Niku and a pick. This opens up another $2M in cap space. Sign Hoffman or Dadonov with that.

Jake-Sid-Kap
Hoffman-Malkin-Rust
McCann-Roslovic-Zucker
Erod-Blueger-Jank

Petts-Letang
Mattheson-Marino
Niku-Ruh/Rik

I only suggest this because they currently aren't close to a winning team. I'd rather take a gamble than flame out again.
- MacPatty

I think some of you are reading too much into a couple of playoff meltdowns. This wasn't a team that barely snuck in the playoffs.

Why, because they're too old? I thought Dallas was, yet they made it to the final. After Sid, Malkin, and Letang, the only guys over 30 are Sceviour and Ruhwedel who may not even be everyday players.

Because they looked awful in the playoffs? How many teams have been buried for that and gone on to win? How'd Tampa look last year?

This roster has some holes as most do, but it doesn't stink.

Yeah you're right. That's another possibility to dump salary.

PS Blueger is probably around that line as well.
- Tojo.

I didn't include any RFAs, but good call on Blueger - he seems the most likely to go given the importance of centers and none of those other players are especially enticing. So I guess we might not be shedding any salary in the expansion draft after all.

I think some of you are reading too much into a couple of playoff meltdowns. This wasn't a team that barely snuck in the playoffs.

Why, because they're too old? I thought Dallas was, yet they made it to the final. After Sid, Malkin, and Letang, the only guys over 30 are Sceviour and Ruhwedel who may not even be everyday players.

Because they looked awful in the playoffs? How many teams have been buried for that and gone on to win? How'd Tampa look last year?

This roster has some holes as most do, but it doesn't stink.
- Tojo.

You could add STL from two years ago, too, who were left for dead mid-season. I think Boston is the new team to beat. I'm trying to stay optimistic but I just don't think we have the horses to compete with the big boys.

It’s been this way for 30 years. Even with Mario here, and Jagr what big Free Agent signed here? It’s always been acquisitions via drafting and trades

All the BS about guys taking a “Crosby Discount”. Even Hossa came here, took a look around and left. I’ll take the 3 cups but he could have been the perfect career winger for Sid

Seriously, I’ve never been to Pittsburgh, Is it a dump? No night life? Too many bible thumpers?

Doesn’t seem to attract the young guys or the settle down guys with families
- RoloTahmasee

Not a FA but jagr basically chose to come to Pitt.

Not a FA but jagr basically chose to come to Pitt.
- 10inchTerror

Straka and Lang were free agents back in the day haha

Would you take a look at Matt Martin for 4th line grit?

Sorry if this was brought up already.

Would you take a look at Matt Martin for 4th line grit?

Sorry if this was brought up already.
- Doogs

I honestly didn't even know he was a free agent, he'll stay with the Isle anyways

Would you take a look at Matt Martin for 4th line grit?

Sorry if this was brought up already.
- Doogs

For a mil I’d take him over Zar

For a mil I’d take him over Zar
- 10inchTerror

1.25 Million

Overpay him a little so RW can rant about it constantly

A lot of guys want a chance to be Top 6 material when they sign their deals. They most likely won’t get that in Pittsburgh. We are pretty much set there.

1.25 Million

Overpay him a little so RW can rant about it constantly
- TheGame316

Lol absolutely I’d take him if we didn’t have Sceviour (which Florida fans talk very well about)

The only two moves that I'm not a fan of are bringing on Sceviour...I just think he's a wasted spot...maybe he'll prove me wrong, and trading Bjugstad. I'd much rather have Nick at 4 mil (2 mil more on books) than Sceviour or E Rod.

Agree with your general point, but Tanev has negative trade value and it will only get worse as time goes on and I think 2022 will be too late for the big 3. I could be wrong and I hope I am.
- Hockey66

I don't agree with that. I think Tanev has positive trade value, and it will get probably better for about 2 years. I think he is as (almost) good as Rust and if they give him more favorable play time, which i think they will have to this year since they are much less deep at forward, he can easily be a 50pt player. I get Rust was a PPG player this year, but i think he slightly over performed. (hope im wrong about that part).

It’s been this way for 30 years. Even with Mario here, and Jagr what big Free Agent signed here? It’s always been acquisitions via drafting and trades

All the BS about guys taking a “Crosby Discount”. Even Hossa came here, took a look around and left. I’ll take the 3 cups but he could have been the perfect career winger for Sid

Seriously, I’ve never been to Pittsburgh, Is it a dump? No night life? Too many bible thumpers?

Doesn’t seem to attract the young guys or the settle down guys with families
- RoloTahmasee

From a guy that considers himself agnostic, wtf is wrong with Bible thumpers?

You got Kessel for a song and won some cups. Sometimes you’re the bat and sometimes you’re the ball.