32 Thoughts about how the Pens can extend the window beyond 2 years

Initial Creation Date: Oct 12, 2020

Published: Oct 12, 2020 at 7:14

Team: 2022-23 Pittsburgh Penguins

32 Thoughts about this team...LOL

1-As I begin this, the pens have only 4 forwards, 3 defensemen, and 1 goalie under contract.
GMJR has assembled this team with a 2 year window--and LOADS of cap space after that.
this is really good because it gives us a top-10 team in the league on paper for the next 2 years, but then it places us at a crossroads. whether the pens keep trying to compete or not will depend on the team's performance in the next 2 years.
2-for the sake of this team I will assume the team can regain the "hard to play against" mentality with youth, speed, and tenacity. in this case the team would actually be able to extend the window IF IF IF--the PERFECT moves are made.

3-WSH resigned Nick Backstrom for way too much for way too long. if I had to guess they will do that with OVI as well. the capitals window I think is barely open after losing holtby. Schultz was awful with PIT and I don't think he makes their blue line better at all.
4-my point to bringing up Washington is PIT can go down the same road if they choose to overpay Geno and Tanger. if they get what they are getting now just for sentimentality's sake, PIT will be old and awful alot quicker.
5-87/71/58 cannot carry this team. they need a great young supporting cast. this has started to be assembled in the last couple years with Guentzel, McCann, Kapanen, jarry, Pettersson, marino, and maybe PO Joseph and Poulin. more needs to be done for this team to have any shot at contending for a playoff spot.
6-I think Geno and Tanger are alot more reasonable and would take discounts to want to see if they can pull off another playoff run. Letang and Malkin take 3 year deals to finish their contracts with Sid and at that point my guess is Geno plays in the KHL and Sid plays till he's 42 lol jk. BTW how cool would it be to see Alex Letang and Nikita Malkin playing for the pens in 2035??

7- I am making several assumptions below regarding pens players. matheson isn't very good as a penguin and is a huge waste of $$. he is sent to Seattle.
8-Jarry becomes a legit #1NHL goalie
9-At least 3 pens prospects or young players (current picks or future ones/acquired by trade/college FA) are able to contribute at an NHL level. for sake of relevance I used Joseph, Maniscalco, and Poulin.
10-Pettersson and Marino continue developing into a top D-pair.

11-Notes: I used Blomqvist, Lee, and O'Connor (who GMJR always calls "O'Sullivan" and it drives me crazy) as placeholders for whoever is the inexpensive extras. I think between the two G prospects drafted and desmith plus FA PIT can find a good backup for Jarry.

12-so as I mentioned earlier, matheson gets moved to Seattle for cap reasons and bc he stinks.
(as an aside, I'm hoping for the best and I think there is a legitimate shot he can revive his career in Pittsburgh.)

13-What the Pittsburgh Penguins would have to have happen (to compete for a cup) is acquire a superstar to supplement the aging core. the New York Islanders have (I think) one of the oldest rosters in the NHL currently. like seriously name me their good players and ages. now add 2. IDK if this will happen but I'd love to see it. I don't care what Barzal costs--either contract $$ or prospects and picks.

14-Rust and Marino get raises as well as Joseph, Blueger, and ZAR if they deserve it.

15-I don't think the Bergeron thing will happen but the pens need a two way #3C. Bergeron isn't the best option bc he's old and will prob finish in boston.

16-Jesper Bratt IDK much about. I just needed a cheaper wing option.

17-I kept ZAR-Blueger-Tanev together but IDK if that line will stick. I hope it does.

18-The team has a good mix of speed (Barzal, Rust, Kapanen, Tanev), tenacity/physicality (Tanev, ZAR, Bleuger, Poulin) , A superstar (Barzal), scoring (Guentzel, rust, Barzal) and a veteran presence (Sid, Geno, Bergeron) for forwards.
19-On D, The well-balanced but older Letang-Dumo pairing, Marino ( I think can be a #1) and Pettersson (hopefully is more like Dumoulin than Maatta), and a youngsters pairing (or other players) of Joseph who can fly and the well rounded college D Maniscalco.
20-jarry has the net. no murray fighting for playing time. no Fleury so no fans bellowing for the backup to play hopefully. no pressure--but we want a cup. Backup--}whoever is competent.

21-coaches===is sully still the coach?? IDK maybe. if sully, velucci, and rierden are still coaches that prob means the team has had success.

22-this team kind of factors in this, but all Stanley cup winning teams have some young kids come out of nowhere and perform at a high level and get them over the top. the pens had it in 2016/17. Tampa had some young studs. anyone hear of Binnington? someone not even mentioned or even known about will have to make an impact.

23-I put the cap up only 1 mil. when it goes up finally and how much IDK but I hope NHL revenues recover.

24-I don't have Coleman in the starting lineup but I like him as a bottom-6 flexible forward who can bring intensity. look at how he helped Tampa.

25-random thought--Sid and Geno are I think 100% hall of famers. what about Letang. I say yes, but he's not loaded with hardware except cups...bergeron probably as well.

26-PP options. (PP1---Sid down low, Geno right half wall, letang at the point, BARZAL IN THE LEFT CIRCLE FINALLY A RH SHOT!!!, Guentzel high slot or rover.)
27-PP2---Bergeron and Poulin down low around the net/netfront sometimes/slot sometimes. the around the horn Joseph, Kapanen, and rust.

28-PK options--ZAR, blueger, tanev, Bergeron of course but also--rust, Kapanen--and for fun throw out Sid and Barzal bc why not?--bc I don't want Barzal taking a shot off the instep... what is it sully? -"[barzal is] week to week with a lower body injury"...

29-How many assets can this team get selling off players when the core retires???
30-is any of this even semi-realistic? how does this team do? can this team compete for a cup?
31-I have barely mentioned Jesper Bratt. someone give me a scouting report on him please!
32-i'm running out....so.....Happy Thanksgiving!