Quoting: pharrow
I really like the idea of the penguins signing TVR. I don't know if they will, I have this felling a lot of teams are going to offer him a contract and the penguins will be priced out.
It's hard to say at this point. There are so many teams with defense needs and a lot of these guys aren't worth what they might get in an offer. I don't want to be paying another 3rd pairing defense man 3+ million again. I fear that's what he'll get as someone will put him in a 2nd pairing. But I do like the idea. Him and Zadorov are like my ideal bottom pair. But COL isn't going to give him up for nothing and I don't think they can afford to spend a ton on a 3rd pairing guy if the cap is flat and they know they have to pay Marino the next year.
They definitely need a RW and there are so many options this year. I'm really wishing that they get a CBO and take Hornqvists 5+ million and get a real RW to go with Rust.
My big thing on a lot of them is their age though. Smith will be 31 to start next year. Dadonov will be 32 next march. Hoffman will be 31 in November. I don't really want the old man team in the league even if these guys got something in the tank. Namestnikov wil lbe 27 but he's probably not as good as some of those other guys but maybe he'd be cheaper. My big thing on RW is how long do they wait on their young guys. I mean, the need is desperate if you ask me. Simon and Sheary aren't top line guys. Hornqvist isn't a top line guy. This year they basically got Rust and Tanev as the only 2 there that really fit in and are capable. They have to change that if they want to really challenge for a cup. Something needs to be done.
It's a good team though. We'd be lucky if this was the team in 2 years.
What do you think on Murray? You think they trade him? I don't know, I think they use him as bait at the expansion draft and this time unlike with MAF they don't get taken to the cleaners.
I mean if you look at the forwards. You got the two top lines and McCann, Which would mean you give up your 3C and Tanev or a role player. And then you got the top 4 protected and everyone else available. They have to move a goalie but maybe they make it work. Last expansion draft they were in a bind with MAF and the cap. If they go into it this year not in a bind I think they have more leverage. They cut a deal on a goalie whichever one doesn't win the nod next season.
When do you see the JJ trade happening? Is that before the season starts or after?
I think if they have to move him before the season it might cost them. But if they wait till after they get like a 4th or 5th round pick if they can move him.
There is going to be one big game of musical chairs of defense men this year. I think there are like 30 some defense men who are UFA that are worth signing. That's gonna be crazy to watch.
One guy under the radar I think is Carson Soucy. He's a UFA and did a pretty solid job for the wild this year.
Part 1
1. Wow, that’s a lot to respond to. Thanks for being thorough. 👍
2. I’m not adamant on Dmen the pens get, as long as it’s not JJ 2.0. TVR Seems like a nice option. Stick tap to
@mhockey91 . I think he mentioned him first. I agree, though, 3 Mil max For a 5-6 D. Hopefully Riikola or PO Joseph can earn the coaches trust because I think one of them is capable of handling the 13-16 min a night responsibilities.
3. They definitely need a RW. They have since Kessel left. Sid and Geno aren’t getting any younger and need a strong supporting cast(especially wingers) if we are going to win another Cup. The reason my go to is Craig smith is I think of him as Brandon Tanev 2.0+20-goal offence. I get he’s older but maybe if he’ll take a 1-2 year deal he’s worth looking at. Hopefully GMJR doesn’t give him 6 yrs. like Tanev, knock on wood. If it is possible to buyout Hörnqvist this offseason, I would do it in a heartbeat, and don’t get me wrong, I love hornqvist. He’s been a valuable contributor to this team. I would even consider bringing him back if he would take 700K considering he’s getting all his money anyway. Maybe it as a starter but as a bottom 6 who rotated in and out depending on the team we’re facing, depending on whether we need some grit. But on the other hand, Hörnqvist had technically never fit the mood of he stereotypical Pens player under Sully. He has tenacity, but not much speed. 5.3M isn’t great for a guy that’s habitually injured every year for 10-20 games.
If I can quote myself, “Sheary and Simon should be banished to the cold, dark basement of the bottom-6 for the rest of their careers.” I just sort of have the feeling that Sid will get one of them UNLESS GMJR pulls some magic and gets Sully another top-6 wing. You hear that, GMJR?