Random thoughts about the Penguins heading into the offseason and draft...
-Right now, it looks like PIT would have the #8-ish pick in the draft should the elect to keep any pick within the top-10 instead of sending it to SJS. This is my personal stance, and i could be wrong, but i'm so risk averse that i'd rather give up the #8-10 pick this year in a weaker draft as i don't see things markedly improving next year and i don't want to give SJS a lottery pick or top-5 one next year.
-We collectively need to stop making a ACGMs trading Graves, Acciari, Rakell, etc for random 4-7 round picks as if that will happen... those kinds of trades are super rare and this is not SC champ reilly smith coming off consecutive great seasons for a 3rd bc PIT had cap space and VGK did not... totally diff with long deals and underperforming players... if we are moving guys with term and $, then we will have to take $ back. period. full stop. that's just how it works. so unless dubas pulls off miracles, let's assume we'll have to take back players of similar caliber, $, and term back in any potential deal.
-Geno is not moving to wing, while it may be a good idea, sullivan and geno are not thinking about that and PIT doesn't even have good centre depth anyway like who is the #2/3/4 C next years that compare with other playoff teams...i rest my case. while im on this tangent, EK and letang are ALSO NOT moving to wing... come on guys...
-Sullivan does not hate younger players. we will continue to see more under-25 guys come up and play, POJ and DOC were just the start last year, then Ludvig, Puustinen, Puljijarvi, St. Ivany, Poulin, and it will continue into next year with Ponomarev, Blomqvist, Pickering, Koivinen, Yager, etc... and that's just a start...
-to my last point, PIT is not going to go into FA and sign a bunch of 30+ year olds to 3-5 year deals. it's simply not going to happen. Dubas is a big splash guy. he will fill in the bottom-6 and bottom D pair and scratches and WBS with a bunch of young guys with energy and speed willing to block a shot with their face. Any big FA deal in the next few years will be a big splash top of the lineup guy, See john tavares or the leafies younger players or EK65... any FA activity will be 1-2 year deals for bounceback candidates or guys we will look to flip at the TDL for (again) younger players, etc...
-None of Sid, Geno, or Tanger (i'd even throw sully in there for the next year and a half at least) are getting moved unless they want to. should be simple enough, but alot of fans decide to shut off their brains like they're in the other half of PA, jk lol i jest, i jest.....
In conclusion, the roadmap forward is clear. things will not be great for a while, prob 10 years tbh... but it's been a great run.. the Pittsburgh Penguins are undeniably the NHL's most successful franchise in the last 30-ish years, and the league's brightest stars have shone over PIT for decades now. Let's be thankful for all we've had, and also still complain when we don't win the NHL's draft lottery the first year we become eligible in the last 20 years lol
Let me know all your thoughts down below everyone!
Why does Sid not want to move to a Canadian team and bring the cup back to Canada instead of cellaring it up for 3 seasons?
As a Canadian, part of me would love that, but i think there is a 95% chance at least he is a career penguins. there has been zero indication he has ever had any other intentions.
Dubas signed a 7 year deal for a reason. We all know that its over for the Pens and what a great two decades its been. But the organization clearly set out a plan with the core and Dubas coming in as GM. Two years trying to strike gold with Sid and the core and 5 years to build again, hence the 7 years. Its year one of that. Expect a quiet offseason with short term deals to some Vets and younger players looking for a shot. They will be keeping all draft picks moving FWD. After next season the Pens will likely be making similar moves that Montreal has been making.
Is this the best thing for the organization? Maybe, the best thing might be trading their best assets now for a massive return and advancing the rebuild several years but none of us realistically expect that.
Dubas signed a 7 year deal for a reason. We all know that its over for the Pens and what a great two decades its been. But the organization clearly set out a plan with the core and Dubas coming in as GM. Two years trying to strike gold with Sid and the core and 5 years to build again, hence the 7 years. Its year one of that. Expect a quiet offseason with short term deals to some Vets and younger players looking for a shot. They will be keeping all draft picks moving FWD. After next season the Pens will likely be making similar moves that Montreal has been making.
Is this the best thing for the organization? Maybe, the best thing might be trading their best assets now for a massive return and advancing the rebuild several years but none of us realistically expect that.
Why does Sid not want to move to a Canadian team and bring the cup back to Canada instead of cellaring it up for 3 seasons?
Because he has won everything and he views his legacy more through following in Mario's footsteps and finishing his career having only played for Pittsburgh. He's the type of player that would rather captain the next generation of guys and teach them the ways than go ring chasing.
He'll sign an extension this summer and all of this nonsense can go to rest.
McDavid, Connor
$250,000)
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