Penguin's offseason 2022 edition

[Pabst]

They have to move Zucker, right?

[Orangesteel]

Rakell resigns 6 years $30m

I like this.

[Louis Lipps Service]

Rakell resigns 6 years $30m

I like this.

Same. Although I can’t imagine Geno is happy about it.

I also don’t particularly care if Geno isn’t happy about it, haha.

Would have loved to have him back, don’t get me wrong, but not at a cost that handicaps the team going forward. And he seems intent on playing hardball.

[daikyu]

This is where I am. I would like Geno to be back but at a reasonable number. Of the triplets he has been the weakest link the last few years and the most easily replaceable. Not saying easily replaceable just easier than Sid or Letang.

Rakell resigns 6 years $30m

I like this.

Same. Although I can’t imagine Geno is happy about it.

I also don’t particularly care if Geno isn’t happy about it, haha.

Would have loved to have him back, don’t get me wrong, but not at a cost that handicaps the team going forward. And he seems intent on playing hardball.

[fractalsteel]

They have to move Zucker, right?

Or a D guy.

Going to be a long 24 hours.

Happily, the fools/Penguin fans that think that Carter fills the second C line are starting to come around.

I'll puke if Hextall replaces 71 with 28( and kicks us in the nuts with a 6 year deal).

[Pabst]

They have to move Zucker, right?

Or a D guy.

Going to be a long 24 hours.

Happily, the fools/Penguin fans that think that Carter fills the second C line are starting to come around.

I'll puke if Hextall replaces 71 with 28( and kicks us in the nuts with a 6 year deal).

Hadn't heard about that possibility, but that would be......something.

I think/hope it's a near certainty that a defenseman gets moved. The only ones I'd say are off limits are Letang, Marino, and Ruh (only because moving him would be pointless).

I'd much rather have Heinen or ERod over Zucker at this point. Word is Heinen wanted $3m and the Pens didn't bite.

[fractalsteel]

They have to move Zucker, right?

Or a D guy.

Going to be a long 24 hours.

Happily, the fools/Penguin fans that think that Carter fills the second C line are starting to come around.

I'll puke if Hextall replaces 71 with 28( and kicks us in the nuts with a 6 year deal).

Hadn't heard about that possibility, but that would be......something.

I think/hope it's a near certainty that a defenseman gets moved. The only ones I'd say are off limits are Letang, Marino, and Ruh (only because moving him would be pointless).

I'd much rather have Heinen or ERod over Zucker at this point. Word is Heinen wanted $3m and the Pens didn't bite.

The know-it-alls-know-nothing haven't run with the Giroux rumors. Mostly that has germinated from various Pens message boards.

Speaking of mb's I see captainfantastik posting on Pensburgh. He hasn't been around here in a few years.

I keep seeing Petterssons name involved in trade talks.

I wonder how Sid and cop/ass grabber would get along if Hextall signs the former Flyer?

[Pabst]

I honestly can't see any scenario where the Pens go after Giroux. As you said, it just sounds like message board fodder.


I also keep seeing Pettersson's name, but it's all from the perspective of the Pens' wanting to get rid of him (as opposed to other teams being interested). POJ is an interesting name as well - could be a throw in for someone who wants to take Zucker.


Jumping over to the Caps - it sounds like they are going all-in for Darcy Kuemper, and I am all for it. He's injury prone, 32 years old, and he's going to command at least a $6m/year.
Their fans are in a panic because Wilson is out thru December, Oshie is getting old/banged up, and Backstrom is being held together with bubble gum and duct tape. Oh yeah....Ovie will be 37 in September, and he noticeably faded in the 2nd half of last season. Signing Kuemper handcuffs their ability to get any depth.

[fractalsteel]

Yeah, it looks like Friedman has or is about to push past Petterssen. Making him expendable though I don't see it as such so much.


New rumor is Detroit might make a solid pitch for Malkin. They have the $$$ space and some good young talent. Problem would be that they are a few years away from being a cup contender.

[Ice]

I'm warming to the idea of Giroux if Miller (trade) or Trocheck (FA) are strikeouts. Could Horvat be pulled out of Vancouver? Not likely. Good to see Burke (interview) says they're not going to be held hostage while Malkin plays Hamlet tomorrow. Going to be an interesting day, for sure.

They'll need to move an LD (Pett or Dumo) to make room for POJ. Time to shit or get off the pot there, and if it unblocks POJ and nets cap or player to keep upgrading forward, more power to em.

[Pabst]

Malkin back.

4 years at 6.1m

[Ice]

Or, alternatively, it could end up being a pretty boring day tomorrow

[fractalsteel]

The big question now...are there rattlesnakes in Wisconsin?

[Pabst]

https://twitter.com/MarkMaddenX/status/ ... 2828529665

Your regular reminder that Mark Madden is a fat-ass know-nothing piece of shit.

[Pabst]

OK, Pens signings:

3rd string goalie Dustin Tokarski for $700k

Here's a big one - Jan Rutta for $2.75m/year. Does this mean Marino is getting moved? Rutta is a right shot Defenseman.

[Ice]

Mentioned in the FA thread, Rutta has left me a little confused.

[Pabst]

Mentioned in the FA thread, Rutta has left me a little confused.

A buddy of mine said the Pens have been trying to move one of Marino or Pettersson all day.

As i type: Josh Archibald signed to a 1 year, league minimum deal.

[Ice]

Mentioned in the FA thread, Rutta has left me a little confused.

A buddy of mine said the Pens have been trying to move one of Marino or Pettersson all day.

As i type: Josh Archibald signed to a 1 year, league minimum deal.

Josh Archibald... the excitement continues Meanwhile, the rest of the Metro not exactly standing pat.

[Louis Lipps Service]

https://twitter.com/MarkMaddenX/status/ ... 2828529665

Your regular reminder that Mark Madden is a fat-ass know-nothing piece of shit.

I’m at the point where I generally lose respect for people who listen to Madden. I used to at least make exceptions if that person understood the “heel” persona Madden pushes and only listened for entertainment, but that’s not even acceptable anymore.

For a guy that loves to brag about his supposed IQ, it’s amazing how much he brings down the collective IQ of his listeners/followers.

He’s the Nickelback of radio personalities

[Ice]

Anybody who has to brag about their IQ... probably got their chest crapped on in a deck hockey game at some point. Unless of course they work in a bank.

[Pabst]

Marino to NJ for Ty Smith and a 3rd.

Clears up about $3.5m in cap, but the Pens are still overloaded with defensemen. More moves to come?

[fractalsteel]

Matheson to Montreal for Petry and some other dude. And a pick.

[fractalsteel]

4 million in cap space is nice but I'm going to need some time to think about what Hextal did today.
Probably not done with moves

[Ice]

Another day, another defenseman... when are we going to address scoring depth at wing? Or are we really counting on all our aging, injury prone players to stay healthy for a full season and playoff?

[fractalsteel]

Another day, another defenseman... when are we going to address scoring depth at wing? Or are we really counting on all our aging, injury prone players to stay healthy for a full season and playoff?

Hex isn't done.
I believe Smith is exempt from waivers so you can send him off to WBS to get some seasoning. One problem solved. Poehling was a former first rounder on a terrible team/organization so maybe the Pens think they can get something out of him. Both players add youth and talent to weak cupboard.

[Ice]

His press conference seemed to rule out another move, but I'm hopeful.

[fractalsteel]

Ryan Poehling

Haven't found much good about him.
Had a hat trick his first NHL game and he never really stood out again.
Has good size and is good in the corners.
Puck handling is suspect.
Energetic
Might be better on the wing.

One scout said "has not shown anything useful at the NHL level." Ouch

[Pabst]

To simplify the moves from the weekend.....

In:
Jeff Petry
Ty Smith
Ryan Poehling
Third Round Pick
$1.4m in Cap Space

Out:
John Marino
Mike Matheson
Fourth Round Pick


Petry got off to a horrid start last season (0 G, 2 A through 28 games) but finished with 25 points in his last 40. The bonus is that he can eat big minutes - he's averaged over 22 min/game over his career. I'm guessing he pairs with Pettersson on the 2nd line?

Matheson was so damn inconsistent that I don't think we're going to miss him.

Big question now is what happens with the bottom pairing. Rutta, Ruh, and Friedman are all RH shots. POJ and Ty Smith are both Lefties.
Smith can be buried at WBS, so he'll stay. One of Ruhwedel, Friedman, or POJ has to get moved......or maybe they (finally) trade Pettersson? Who knows.


Over to the Forwards:
Guentzel - Crosby - Rust
Zucker - Malkin - Rakell
????? - Carter - Kapanen
????? - Blueger - McGinn

I guess we now have O'Connor, Zohorna, Poehling, Caggiula, and Archibald fighting for the last two bottom 6 winger spots. I'd love to see Zohorna on the 3rd line. He's been good enough to earn a shot. Yes, he's played limited/sheltered minutes, but he's been really damn good in those limited minutes. O'Connor seems like the natural fit on the 4th line. I genuinely have no idea what Archibald brings to the table. I'll be honest and say I know nothing about Poehling.

Hopefully the plan is for Puustinen to keep developing at WBS and jump into Zucker's spot next season.

[Ice]

Zohorna is my WBS forward of choice... tiny sample size, but lots to like on tape in that sample, and via the eye test physically. Nylander can get a shot, too. O'Connor has certainly shown he can eat 4th line minutes. God, but that McGinn contract looks like an albatross right now for a 4th liner. Archibald? Head scratcher.

Defense? Said it before, I'd really like to see POJ get a for real shot this season, particularly since Smith has 2 way flexibility.

To paraphrase the late, great Tony Sirico, "I guess you could call that a FA period."

[Pabst]

Zohorna is my WBS forward of choice... tiny sample size, but lots to like on tape in that sample, and via the eye test physically. Nylander can get a shot, too. O'Connor has certainly shown he can eat 4th line minutes. God, but that McGinn contract looks like an albatross right now for a 4th liner. Archibald? Head scratcher.

Defense? Said it before, I'd really like to see POJ get a for real shot this season, particularly since Smith has 2 way flexibility.

To paraphrase the late, great Tony Sirico, "I guess you could call that a FA period."

Not sure I get the McGinn hate.

He's a quality bottom 6 player, and a $2.75m cap hit for 3 more years won't kill you. It's a average/slightly below average bang-for-your-buck.