Yeah it’s like for ottawa. For them to take the next step, guys like Pinto, Greig need to become top 6 guys and a guy like Sanderson needs to become a top pair guy this year

Cat is a very good complimentary scorer. He can't carry a team. But he can score goals and help you win games. But don't expect him to be a Tkachuk brother or a Kucherov.

I think whether or not the Pens actually make the playoffs will really depend on what kind of year Karlsson has. And frankly, he almost certainly isn’t putting up the campaign he did last year, but is a lot more likely to revert back to his form the past 6 years.

I mean, Pittsburgh can forget about a top 2 divisional seed, and I am hard pressed to say they are better than the Rangers, even with the faulty system in play for the Rangers. Shesterkin will drag the Rangers into the playoffs kicking and screaming, like he has the past couple of years. Florida has to survive the start of year injuries, but even with a not so great start last season, they still managed to squeak in ahead of Pittsburgh. The Sabres chances are going to entirely depend on if Levi is truly ready or not. Boston still has the dcore and the goaltending to make it in, and they are still in comfortably even if they lose 20 more games this year. The Isles haven’t made any changes except getting older, so they are a toss up, and going with my gut, I would bet on the Isles before the Pens. The Jackets are going to be a lot more competitive this year, but health is their biggest question if they are to challenge for a WC spot. Teams like Detroit and Ottawa should also be in the mix, but they are the long shots in terms of challenging for a WC spot.

The Pens added a strong DFD in Graves (Dumoulin replacement) and a strong OFD in Karlsson (Letang insurance), with Zucker being replaced by Smith. Sure their bottom 6 is a lot better than what is was, their goaltending situation isn’t great. I’m still not sold on Jarry, and if he gets injured, Ned is already likely to be eaten alive being this roster, more games will just hurt the Pens chances further. Not to mention, the Pens are still one of the oldest teams in the league. All in all, the outlook isn’t great for the Pens, and I think the Karlsson trade is what will put them into a rebuild. I mean, Syd isn’t exactly a kid anymore, same with Malkin, and Letang has already suffered 2 strokes. The time is coming and it’s coming quite fast.

I thought he could at least carry the 2nd line 5v5 and he couldn’t do that. Batherson said he was still feeling the effect of the high ankle sprain from the previous year and Pinto was a rookie who was overmatched at 2C but still skilled enough to have been a 3rd line guy. But he couldn’t do that. And his defence was even worse.

I think they aren't better than the Rangers, but I would still think they make the playoffs. Crosby Malkin Karlsson and Letang will carry the offensive side of things and the bottom six will be good at shutting down other teams lines

Ottawa isn’t a long shot not at all. They missed by 6pts with brutal goaltending and key longterm injuries . And they fixed their depth this year. Provided they get average goaltending , they are right in the WC spots

It's much easier to develop that quality depth when the big studs like Tkachuk, Stutzle and Sanderson are already in place. Plus it doesn't hurt to have a very good Claude Giroux who doesn't seem to be aging.

Norris getting injured killed the Sens playoff chances last season.

Absolutely . They need his 2 way play and pushing pinto back to be a 3C . And his shooting helps too

I think the forward depth and Shesterkin give the Rangers the edge. The more I think about it though - the edge keeps getting smaller. The Penguins were only 6 points back at the deadline last year with 3 games in hand. Rags got Kane and Tarasenko, Pens got Granlund - and the rest is history lol. And comparing current rosters to pre-deadline rosters from last season - the Pens definitely improved more.