2024-2025 Season Random Penguins Fodder

[Wyopen]

I thought the reason McGroarty left Winnipeg was because he’d be stuck in the AHL. Why would he accept AHL Penguins?

[Ericf]

I thought the reason McGroarty left Winnipeg was because he’d be stuck in the AHL. Why would he accept AHL Penguins?

Both he and the Jets refuted that. He also said he was not promised anything in coming to the Pens and knew he had to work for a NHL job. I don’t think that speculation was true

[Antonio]

I mean unless the kid is a total mess, what do we seriously have to lose by playing him on the 3rd line and letting him learn and get experience over a Glass, or Beauvillier, etc. Is that going to be the season ending difference? Are the assured Stanley Cup hopes going to be dashed by him replacing a stalwart difference maker like Lizotte or Acciari?

[Puck-Lurker]

I mean unless the kid is a total mess, what do we seriously have to lose by playing him on the 3rd line and letting him learn and get experience over a Glass, or Beauvillier, etc. Is that going to be the season ending difference? Are the assured Stanley Cup hopes going to be dashed by him replacing a stalwart difference maker like Lizotte or Acciari?

He has zero pro hockey experience. Wouldn't be a bad idea to give him a month or two in Wilkes-Barre.

Should he play over Beavilier, Glass, Lizotte, or Acciari? Maybe, no, maybe and oh yes definitely -- depending on whether people suck or not when put in a Penguins jersey at camp. Too early to tell.

The way I see it, we have a top six that's pretty much set. Behind that, Eller/Hayes are your 3C/4C in whatever order. That leaves four wing positions and about ten guys that'll battle for it; in order of salary:
Glass, Acciari, Lizotte, Beauvilier, McGroarty, Puljujärvi, Puustinen, Bemström, Gruden, Poulin. (Edit: I just realised Nieto might be healthy to start the season, but that shouldn't matter)

McGroarty would need to beat out six guys for a spot. I mean, it's possible, but maybe not likely. It does no good for him to sit in the Juuso Riikola Memorial Seat in the press box and test the nachos. I'd rather he play in the A, than get scratched. I figure in camp, some of the newer acquisitions will get the nod, being more experienced they may have a better showing than McG, they start the season and get some rope to show us what they've got. They are either prove it deals, or inherited contracts that count as salvage projects. Regardless there's a whole bunch of guys that'll want and can take your job if you fail, is the thinking. I don't expect him to start in Pittsburgh, I expect him to get a call up somewhere in November.

( I guess if you really want to push it, you can add Koivunen, Ponomarev and maybe Broz, I don't think the Penguins will play them before injuries come up.)

And I'd waive Acciari in a heartbeat. Sullivan won't


I think we should fire Sullivan though.

[Daniel]

I mean unless the kid is a total mess, what do we seriously have to lose by playing him on the 3rd line and letting him learn and get experience over a Glass, or Beauvillier, etc. Is that going to be the season ending difference? Are the assured Stanley Cup hopes going to be dashed by him replacing a stalwart difference maker like Lizotte or Acciari?

Haven’t we been saying this for years? Only the random NHL scrub has changed.

[Puck-Lurker]

I mean unless the kid is a total mess, what do we seriously have to lose by playing him on the 3rd line and letting him learn and get experience over a Glass, or Beauvillier, etc. Is that going to be the season ending difference? Are the assured Stanley Cup hopes going to be dashed by him replacing a stalwart difference maker like Lizotte or Acciari?

Haven’t we been saying this for years? Only the random NHL scrub has changed.

If he's good enough to outplay these guys and get on the roster, good! Play the guy.

If he's close, but not there yet, a few weeks in the A won't hurt him. Build him up and get him a running start. I don't want him to (A) start in the NHL in whatever role, unused to pro hockey make a ton of mistakes in the spotlight, lose his confidence and go out like yet another dude who got 10 games and proceeded to be total suck. Nor am I interested in (B) putting him in a fourth line role, or (C) a press box assignment while he is carried on the roster.

Realistically, the org will play the new acquisitions that will have a step on McGroarty -- for now. He should be one of the very first callups. When activated to the NHL roster, should make the lineup to supplant whatever "shrub" was there. What will annoy me, is that they'll either play the new "shrubs" too long, or still trust in some of the old "shrubs" from last season (looking at you, #55! )

I really, really so hope this kid just catches fire in camp and just bumps people down behind him. He potentially brings so much we need.


What I would *really* really love to see... the players that stink it up during the season getting unceremoniously waived to Wilkes. Guys like Ponomarev, Koivunen getting their coffee and running with it. Not sure how realistic any of that is.

[Daniel]

I mean unless the kid is a total mess, what do we seriously have to lose by playing him on the 3rd line and letting him learn and get experience over a Glass, or Beauvillier, etc. Is that going to be the season ending difference? Are the assured Stanley Cup hopes going to be dashed by him replacing a stalwart difference maker like Lizotte or Acciari?

Haven’t we been saying this for years? Only the random NHL scrub has changed.

If he's good enough to outplay these guys and get on the roster, good! Play the guy.

If he's close, but not there yet, a few weeks in the A won't hurt him. Build him up and get him a running start. I don't want him to (A) start in the NHL in whatever role, unused to pro hockey make a ton of mistakes in the spotlight, lose his confidence and go out like yet another dude who got 10 games and proceeded to be total suck. Nor am I interested in (B) putting him in a fourth line role, or (C) a press box assignment while he is carried on the roster.

Realistically, the org will play the new acquisitions that will have a step on McGroarty -- for now. He should be one of the very first callups. When activated to the NHL roster, should make the lineup to supplant whatever "shrub" was there. What will annoy me, is that they'll either play the new "shrubs" too long, or still trust in some of the old "shrubs" from last season (looking at you, #55! )

I really, really so hope this kid just catches fire in camp and just bumps people down behind him. He potentially brings so much we need.


What I would *really* really love to see... the players that stink it up during the season getting unceremoniously waived to Wilkes. Guys like Ponomarev, Koivunen getting their coffee and running with it. Not sure how realistic any of that is.

Not that realistic judging by the last several years. Like every recent season, the Penguins have 23 plus about 6 random NHL scrubs THEN any young player. McGroarty will have to outplay about a dozen players to the point that Sullivan has no choice but to play him. Even then, he’ll prefer the over 30 over 100 NHL games guy who can play the PK. Funny how PK seems to be the requirement for young players, yet it’s always mediocre.

[Puck-Lurker]

I mean unless the kid is a total mess, what do we seriously have to lose by playing him on the 3rd line and letting him learn and get experience over a Glass, or Beauvillier, etc. Is that going to be the season ending difference? Are the assured Stanley Cup hopes going to be dashed by him replacing a stalwart difference maker like Lizotte or Acciari?

Haven’t we been saying this for years? Only the random NHL scrub has changed.

If he's good enough to outplay these guys and get on the roster, good! Play the guy.

If he's close, but not there yet, a few weeks in the A won't hurt him. Build him up and get him a running start. I don't want him to (A) start in the NHL in whatever role, unused to pro hockey make a ton of mistakes in the spotlight, lose his confidence and go out like yet another dude who got 10 games and proceeded to be total suck. Nor am I interested in (B) putting him in a fourth line role, or (C) a press box assignment while he is carried on the roster.

Realistically, the org will play the new acquisitions that will have a step on McGroarty -- for now. He should be one of the very first callups. When activated to the NHL roster, should make the lineup to supplant whatever "shrub" was there. What will annoy me, is that they'll either play the new "shrubs" too long, or still trust in some of the old "shrubs" from last season (looking at you, #55! )

I really, really so hope this kid just catches fire in camp and just bumps people down behind him. He potentially brings so much we need.


What I would *really* really love to see... the players that stink it up during the season getting unceremoniously waived to Wilkes. Guys like Ponomarev, Koivunen getting their coffee and running with it. Not sure how realistic any of that is.

Not that realistic judging by the last several years. Like every recent season, the Penguins have 23 plus about 6 random NHL scrubs THEN any young player. McGroarty will have to outplay about a dozen players to the point that Sullivan has no choice but to play him. Even then, he’ll prefer the over 30 over 100 NHL games guy who can play the PK. Funny how PK seems to be the requirement for young players, yet it’s always mediocre.

He continues that trend, even Dubas should fire him.

[FLPensFan]

I thought the reason McGroarty left Winnipeg was because he’d be stuck in the AHL. Why would he accept AHL Penguins?

Both he and the Jets refuted that. He also said he was not promised anything in coming to the Pens and knew he had to work for a NHL job. I don’t think that speculation was true

Can you show me where McGroarty and/or the Jets refuted the the AHL issue? I've never heard either say that. I heard McGroarty say the only thing he's been promised to date was a spot at the rookie tournament, but beyond that, nothing was promised.

But, the national reports for month have been that McGroarty requested a trade because he thought he was ready for NHL time and Winnipeg disagreed or did not offer him anything of the sort. McGroarty saw his Michigan teammate and linemate Frank Nazar playing in Chicago at the end of last year, and McGroarty's other former teammate Adam Fantilli playing for Columbus. McGroarty felt that he was ready to compete at the NHL level as well. In addition, rumors were that he saw how Jets W/C Cole Perfetti was treated last year (healthy scratched about a dozen times towards the end of the season; health scratch for first 4 of 5 playoff games), plus a reduction of ice time after putting up 19 goals, 38 points in 71 games...McGroarty was worried about how he would be treated if he did finally make the roster.

While I've never once heard a rumor publicly about not wanting to play in the city of Winnipeg, for a young, US born player...that's probably one of the last places you'd want to play. Edmonton and Calgary may be cold and such, but those cities are much larger than Winnipeg. Winnipeg is said to be a great place to visit, but living there for a good part of the year, I often here there just isn't much too do or the weather makes you not want to both going out for whatever little there is to do there.

I don't think McGroarty is close to Fantilli's level, but McGroarty and Nazar had very similar numbers at Michigan last year. Nazar is a smaller player and uses his speed, but in the end is projected to be a bottom 6 NHL player. McGroarty is rated a little higher than him, considered more middle 6.

I don't have a problem with McGroarty requesting a trade if he and Winnipeg weren't on the same page about his path to the NHL. I also don't have a problem with McGroarty starting in the AHL "IF" he either doesn't show enough in camp and the rookie tourney "OR" if there is something for him to actually learn and improve at the AHL level first. But if he's playing high end hockey and making a difference in games/camp/scrimmages, even if it isn't scoring, he shouldn't be jettison'd to the AHL because he has exemption or because we really want a good look at Noel Acciari.

[Antonio]

I mean unless the kid is a total mess, what do we seriously have to lose by playing him on the 3rd line and letting him learn and get experience over a Glass, or Beauvillier, etc. Is that going to be the season ending difference? Are the assured Stanley Cup hopes going to be dashed by him replacing a stalwart difference maker like Lizotte or Acciari?

Haven’t we been saying this for years? Only the random NHL scrub has changed.

If he's good enough to outplay these guys and get on the roster, good! Play the guy.

If he's close, but not there yet, a few weeks in the A won't hurt him. Build him up and get him a running start. I don't want him to (A) start in the NHL in whatever role, unused to pro hockey make a ton of mistakes in the spotlight, lose his confidence and go out like yet another dude who got 10 games and proceeded to be total suck. Nor am I interested in (B) putting him in a fourth line role, or (C) a press box assignment while he is carried on the roster.

Realistically, the org will play the new acquisitions that will have a step on McGroarty -- for now. He should be one of the very first callups. When activated to the NHL roster, should make the lineup to supplant whatever "shrub" was there. What will annoy me, is that they'll either play the new "shrubs" too long, or still trust in some of the old "shrubs" from last season (looking at you, #55! )

I really, really so hope this kid just catches fire in camp and just bumps people down behind him. He potentially brings so much we need.


What I would *really* really love to see... the players that stink it up during the season getting unceremoniously waived to Wilkes. Guys like Ponomarev, Koivunen getting their coffee and running with it. Not sure how realistic any of that is.

Not that realistic judging by the last several years. Like every recent season, the Penguins have 23 plus about 6 random NHL scrubs THEN any young player. McGroarty will have to outplay about a dozen players to the point that Sullivan has no choice but to play him. Even then, he’ll prefer the over 30 over 100 NHL games guy who can play the PK. Funny how PK seems to be the requirement for young players, yet it’s always mediocre.

QFT. The bolded part being the most true with Sullivan...he only gives players a genuine chance when he gets forced to. We need to replace KD with Billy Beane so they can Moneyball him if they are not going to do the plainly obvious and necessary thing and fire him.

[Ericf]

I thought the reason McGroarty left Winnipeg was because he’d be stuck in the AHL. Why would he accept AHL Penguins?

Both he and the Jets refuted that. He also said he was not promised anything in coming to the Pens and knew he had to work for a NHL job. I don’t think that speculation was true

Can you show me where McGroarty and/or the Jets refuted the the AHL issue? I've never heard either say that. I heard McGroarty say the only thing he's been promised to date was a spot at the rookie tournament, but beyond that, nothing was promised.

But, the national reports for month have been that McGroarty requested a trade because he thought he was ready for NHL time and Winnipeg disagreed or did not offer him anything of the sort. McGroarty saw his Michigan teammate and linemate Frank Nazar playing in Chicago at the end of last year, and McGroarty's other former teammate Adam Fantilli playing for Columbus. McGroarty felt that he was ready to compete at the NHL level as well. In addition, rumors were that he saw how Jets W/C Cole Perfetti was treated last year (healthy scratched about a dozen times towards the end of the season; health scratch for first 4 of 5 playoff games), plus a reduction of ice time after putting up 19 goals, 38 points in 71 games...McGroarty was worried about how he would be treated if he did finally make the roster.

While I've never once heard a rumor publicly about not wanting to play in the city of Winnipeg, for a young, US born player...that's probably one of the last places you'd want to play. Edmonton and Calgary may be cold and such, but those cities are much larger than Winnipeg. Winnipeg is said to be a great place to visit, but living there for a good part of the year, I often here there just isn't much too do or the weather makes you not want to both going out for whatever little there is to do there.

I don't think McGroarty is close to Fantilli's level, but McGroarty and Nazar had very similar numbers at Michigan last year. Nazar is a smaller player and uses his speed, but in the end is projected to be a bottom 6 NHL player. McGroarty is rated a little higher than him, considered more middle 6.

I don't have a problem with McGroarty requesting a trade if he and Winnipeg weren't on the same page about his path to the NHL. I also don't have a problem with McGroarty starting in the AHL "IF" he either doesn't show enough in camp and the rookie tourney "OR" if there is something for him to actually learn and improve at the AHL level first. But if he's playing high end hockey and making a difference in games/camp/scrimmages, even if it isn't scoring, he shouldn't be jettison'd to the AHL because he has exemption or because we really want a good look at Noel Acciari.

https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/je ... rty-trade/

I mean I took articles like this as basically refuting it. McGroaty basically said he didn’t feel right in a Jets jersey and didnt give a further explanation. The rumors regarding him not wanting to play in the AHL is just media speculation . Neither McGroaty’s camp nor the Jets organization has ever said that had any bearing on his decision. It makes more sense to me that he wouldn’t want to play in Canada and Winnipeg, a boring town, as a young man and an American

[Pens4Life]

We can ALL hope that Sullivan maybe realized some things in his stubborn head last season and he must insert some fresh young blood into team. If not and he wastes few more months of the season for young talent, results are average, he should be sacked.
Dubas should make the call, not Sully's Boston buddies.
But also Dubas should be working his ass off to offload Acciari, Nieto.. I feel kinda bad for Noel as he would be much better for us as right winger,but Sullivan wasted his true value as center, but now we need to give younger guys a chance.

Also when camp starts I hope some young guys really step up and Hayes is overperformed by Eller and Glass and he is traded for late pick.. but thats very unlikely. Hayes due to poor skating and slower speed is still odd fit for Pens and I dont think HC likes it. Maybe he surprises me with his other contributions for the team, big body net presence, experiance, leadership.. lets see

One other thing for me on this roster is, Puustinen - if he can outplay Rakell, then put RR on tradeblock, if that not possible, I cant see a fit for Puus on bottom lines,where we need more physical and a bit bigger guys.

Thats why my preffered outcome and starting lines for new season would be ;

DOC - Crosby - Rust
Bunting - Malkin - Rakell
McGroarty - Eller - Beauvillier
Poulin - Glass - Puljujarvi
x - Hayes, Lizotte (contract wise almost impossible to see these two scratched for Poulin and Puljujarvi,but as I said my preffered starting lineup, at least 10 games experiment), Glass over Hayes because he is RH C..

Likely out : Acciari, Nieto, Puustinen, Hayes??

Which of our younger players can be claimed on waivers if sent down, Poulin and who else?

[Puck-Lurker]

We can ALL hope that Sullivan maybe realized some things in his stubborn head last season and he must insert some fresh young blood into team. If not and he wastes few more months of the season for young talent, results are average, he should be sacked.
Dubas should make the call, not Sully's Boston buddies.
But also Dubas should be working his ass off to offload Acciari, Nieto.. I feel kinda bad for Noel as he would be much better for us as right winger,but Sullivan wasted his true value as center, but now we need to give younger guys a chance.

Also when camp starts I hope some young guys really step up and Hayes is overperformed by Eller and Glass and he is traded for late pick.. but thats very unlikely. Hayes due to poor skating and slower speed is still odd fit for Pens and I dont think HC likes it. Maybe he surprises me with his other contributions for the team, big body net presence, experiance, leadership.. lets see

One other thing for me on this roster is, Puustinen - if he can outplay Rakell, then put RR on tradeblock, if that not possible, I cant see a fit for Puus on bottom lines,where we need more physical and a bit bigger guys.

Thats why my preffered outcome and starting lines for new season would be ;

DOC - Crosby - Rust
Bunting - Malkin - Rakell
McGroarty - Eller - Beauvillier
Poulin - Glass - Puljujarvi
x - Hayes, Lizotte (contract wise almost impossible to see these two scratched for Poulin and Puljujarvi,but as I said my preffered starting lineup, at least 10 games experiment), Glass over Hayes because he is RH C..

Likely out : Acciari, Nieto, Puustinen, Hayes??

Which of our younger players can be claimed on waivers if sent down, Poulin and who else?

Who do we define as younger players? Kinda depends where you draw the line.

Poulin, Gruden, Puustinen, Puljujärvi, Bemström, Ludvig, Kral.. all need to clear waivers.


So.. pretty much just Poulin to worry about, maybe one of the Finns. I'd be all for younger guys getting a shot, some of the younger veterans off the lineup, the older vets waived.. That would be ideal, so Sullivan won't want that.

[FLPensFan]

We can ALL hope that Sullivan maybe realized some things in his stubborn head last season and he must insert some fresh young blood into team. If not and he wastes few more months of the season for young talent, results are average, he should be sacked.
Dubas should make the call, not Sully's Boston buddies.
But also Dubas should be working his ass off to offload Acciari, Nieto.. I feel kinda bad for Noel as he would be much better for us as right winger,but Sullivan wasted his true value as center, but now we need to give younger guys a chance.

Also when camp starts I hope some young guys really step up and Hayes is overperformed by Eller and Glass and he is traded for late pick.. but thats very unlikely. Hayes due to poor skating and slower speed is still odd fit for Pens and I dont think HC likes it. Maybe he surprises me with his other contributions for the team, big body net presence, experiance, leadership.. lets see

One other thing for me on this roster is, Puustinen - if he can outplay Rakell, then put RR on tradeblock, if that not possible, I cant see a fit for Puus on bottom lines,where we need more physical and a bit bigger guys.

Thats why my preffered outcome and starting lines for new season would be ;

DOC - Crosby - Rust
Bunting - Malkin - Rakell
McGroarty - Eller - Beauvillier
Poulin - Glass - Puljujarvi
x - Hayes, Lizotte (contract wise almost impossible to see these two scratched for Poulin and Puljujarvi,but as I said my preffered starting lineup, at least 10 games experiment), Glass over Hayes because he is RH C..

Likely out : Acciari, Nieto, Puustinen, Hayes??

Which of our younger players can be claimed on waivers if sent down, Poulin and who else?

Who do we define as younger players? Kinda depends where you draw the line.

Poulin, Gruden, Puustinen, Puljujärvi, Bemström, Ludvig, Kral.. all need to clear waivers.


So.. pretty much just Poulin to worry about, maybe one of the Finns. I'd be all for younger guys getting a shot, some of the younger veterans off the lineup, the older vets waived.. That would be ideal, so Sullivan won't want that.

If Sullivan still can't do that at this point in the team's makeup, Dubas needs to take a hard look at what is going on, and I'm hoping that some local reporters out there will be bold enough to question Dubas and Sullivan as to why goes like Poulin, Puustinen, Puljujarvi, etc are sitting for Eller, Hayes, Acciari and Nieto.

I think Sullivan is stale and needs to go, and have for a few years, but, if he can't give more chances to youth, he's not the right guy for this job and needs to go.

[ahawk9]

Totally agree! It's not like they are a wily vet away from a deep playoff run. The results may be about the same with the young guys vs. the old ones, so why not see what you have as an organization in flux? Giving them a shot either lets a team know that it's time to move on from young (young-ish in some cases) players, or it lets them know they have someone who can be a solid contributor on the cheap. It sets up an organization to make a solid plan. But if these guys are given 6 minutes of ice time a night and are benched after one mistake, then who's to say what you really have?

[KG]

We can ALL hope that Sullivan maybe realized some things in his stubborn head last season and he must insert some fresh young blood into team. If not and he wastes few more months of the season for young talent, results are average, he should be sacked.
Dubas should make the call, not Sully's Boston buddies.
But also Dubas should be working his ass off to offload Acciari, Nieto.. I feel kinda bad for Noel as he would be much better for us as right winger,but Sullivan wasted his true value as center, but now we need to give younger guys a chance.

Also when camp starts I hope some young guys really step up and Hayes is overperformed by Eller and Glass and he is traded for late pick.. but thats very unlikely. Hayes due to poor skating and slower speed is still odd fit for Pens and I dont think HC likes it. Maybe he surprises me with his other contributions for the team, big body net presence, experiance, leadership.. lets see

One other thing for me on this roster is, Puustinen - if he can outplay Rakell, then put RR on tradeblock, if that not possible, I cant see a fit for Puus on bottom lines,where we need more physical and a bit bigger guys.

Thats why my preffered outcome and starting lines for new season would be ;

DOC - Crosby - Rust
Bunting - Malkin - Rakell
McGroarty - Eller - Beauvillier
Poulin - Glass - Puljujarvi
x - Hayes, Lizotte (contract wise almost impossible to see these two scratched for Poulin and Puljujarvi,but as I said my preffered starting lineup, at least 10 games experiment), Glass over Hayes because he is RH C..

Likely out : Acciari, Nieto, Puustinen, Hayes??

Which of our younger players can be claimed on waivers if sent down, Poulin and who else?

Who do we define as younger players? Kinda depends where you draw the line.

Poulin, Gruden, Puustinen, Puljujärvi, Bemström, Ludvig, Kral.. all need to clear waivers.


So.. pretty much just Poulin to worry about, maybe one of the Finns. I'd be all for younger guys getting a shot, some of the younger veterans off the lineup, the older vets waived.. That would be ideal, so Sullivan won't want that.

If Sullivan still can't do that at this point in the team's makeup, Dubas needs to take a hard look at what is going on, and I'm hoping that some local reporters out there will be bold enough to question Dubas and Sullivan as to why goes like Poulin, Puustinen, Puljujarvi, etc are sitting for Eller, Hayes, Acciari and Nieto.

I think Sullivan is stale and needs to go, and have for a few years, but, if he can't give more chances to youth, he's not the right guy for this job and needs to go.

Seeing the moves that KD has done, Sullivan has to see that the plan is to start implementing newer, younger blood into the lineup. The team is clearly transitioning, I'm sure KD and Sullivan have discussed this plan many times this off-season. And while Sullivan may not like it, he will have to fall in line with the plan, or KD will bring in someone else for a much cheaper salary. I just wish we would move out a veteran or 2 from the bottom six so we can see some more kids. I really think Ponomarev can be a solid 4C this season and potentially 3C in the near future. But he doesn't have much of a chance with the way the roster is currently constructed.

[Puck-Lurker]

There's vets and there's vets.

I will be okay with Eller as 4C in the Matt Cullen role. He's still a pretty good, solid centre. By all reports very easy to get along with, doesn't mope or complain if you put him in just about any role. Just a model kinda guy to have in your bottom six and a big part in Denmark making it to the Olympics.

You can definitely have one player like that in your bottom six and it'll be a help for the young guys. I'd be cool with Ponomarev putting Hayes out of a job, though.

[FLPensFan]

There's vets and there's vets.

I will be okay with Eller as 4C in the Matt Cullen role. He's still a pretty good, solid centre. By all reports very easy to get along with, doesn't mope or complain if you put him in just about any role. Just a model kinda guy to have in your bottom six and a big part in Denmark making it to the Olympics.

You can definitely have one player like that in your bottom six and it'll be a help for the young guys. I'd be cool with Ponomarev putting Hayes out of a job, though.

I'm ok with Eller, but, I also don't expect a duplication of last year...which is why 4th line would be good for him. Hayes is here and I'm ok seeing what he has even though his skating is not good. I'm even a little OK with Acciari IF he can't be traded and IF he isn't an 82 game player. I don't think Nieto should be sniffing an NHL job on this team at all at this point. Sorry. He showed nothing before he was injured, he's easily buried in the AHL, and we have too many young players needing spots for Nieto to be taking one.

[ahawk9]

Eller at this point reminds me of Matt Cullen when he came in. The difference is that Cullen was one older guy helping guide the young team, and he was contributing offensively and defensively and on special teams, and Eller - while doing those things - is one of many older guys. I love what Eller did last year, and I feel he'll remain pretty consistent this year, but I also think he would fetch something halfway decent from a team looking for the Cullen type guy to get them over the top.

[ahawk9]

Also, Nieto should be buried, Acciari - who is fine for what he does, if he stays healthy - and Eller should be traded, although they may want to hold on to Eller until the deadline. Hayes I believe they are stuck with. Plus, he may just plod along and be effective. The other guys on 1-year contracts could be trade fodder as the year progresses.

[Antonio]

If we could get a decent return for Eller I would move him in a heartbeat. I'd take a third. If you offered me a second I would pack his bags and put my foot in his ass as I kicked him out the door. It's not like we don't have plenty of replacement players for him and he isn't putting us over the top of anything.

[KG]

Eller at this point reminds me of Matt Cullen when he came in. The difference is that Cullen was one older guy helping guide the young team, and he was contributing offensively and defensively and on special teams, and Eller - while doing those things - is one of many older guys. I love what Eller did last year, and I feel he'll remain pretty consistent this year, but I also think he would fetch something halfway decent from a team looking for the Cullen type guy to get them over the top.

If we believe the rumors from last season at the deadline, KD was actively trying to move Eller but couldn't find a deal that made sense. If we can't move Eller now because most teams don't have the cap space to take on a full year of his contract now, then they will move him closer to the deadline when more teams have the cap space.

Pens only have 1 retention slot left. I would hold onto that to see how the MP discussions go. If they decide to trade him they should retain 50% to get the best value back in a trade. MP at $2mill will have a lot of teams calling.

[Puck-Lurker]

There's vets and there's vets.

I will be okay with Eller as 4C in the Matt Cullen role. He's still a pretty good, solid centre. By all reports very easy to get along with, doesn't mope or complain if you put him in just about any role. Just a model kinda guy to have in your bottom six and a big part in Denmark making it to the Olympics.

You can definitely have one player like that in your bottom six and it'll be a help for the young guys. I'd be cool with Ponomarev putting Hayes out of a job, though.

I'm ok with Eller, but, I also don't expect a duplication of last year...which is why 4th line would be good for him. Hayes is here and I'm ok seeing what he has even though his skating is not good. I'm even a little OK with Acciari IF he can't be traded and IF he isn't an 82 game player. I don't think Nieto should be sniffing an NHL job on this team at all at this point. Sorry. He showed nothing before he was injured, he's easily buried in the AHL, and we have too many young players needing spots for Nieto to be taking one.

Personally, I'd ask Nieto to investigate housing options in West Virginia somewhere near Wheeling perhaps.

I will lose my #@€& if he gets any consideration over literally anyone. He's like... #21F at absolute BEST on any depth chart I could think of. Maybe even lower if I include guys in the WHL and AHL pickups I haven't looked into yet. Word has been though, that he's likely played his last game as a Penguin, he's not going to get much consideration if any. Anyone in the league wants this guy for free, send him for a bag of dirty pucks.

I am also not okay with Acciari as anything but an extra. I figure he gets 4th line duty, but eh... I'm just not enthused. There's some potential but he's old and I'd rather see someone else. I'd even prefer if Gruden gets some room at his expense and I'm not a Gruden fan. Fully expect him to start the season on the roster because Sullivan.

[Antonio]

Well in that case, I would be fully prepared to be looking for your **** after you misplace it, if I were you.

[KG]

Here's a random question for Yinz. Why is it that some people pronounce Wilkes Berry and others say Wilkes Bear...

Inquiring minds want to know...