Tomasino to PIT; 2027 4th rounder to NSH

[stonewizard51]

I don't have any opinion on Tomasino (I don't recall him standing out from any Pens/Preds games), but I'm ok with this sort of trade generally. I think Dubas is rebuilding but isn't committed to the idea of a "burn it all down and totally suck for 4-5 years" rebuild. I think he wants to see if he can do it quicker than that. So, if he can trade a good prospect like Yager for another good prospect like McGroarty when the latter is closer to NHL-ready, he will. Or if he can trade a 2027 4th for a guy like Tomasino, who is in a bad situation but is youngish and already has a bunch of points in the NHL (something that 4th rounder is unlikely to ever have), he will.

Thanks for that. That's where I am too.

[100565]

He is RFA so I like it. A 2027 4th round pick has <10% chance of making the NHL. Even if that pick was a hit, the player would most likely start their career in 2030.

[FLPensFan]

Glass
Beauvillier
Puljujarvi
Tomasino

Those are 4 former 1st round picks that Dubas has acquired. So far, Puljujarvi has met my expectations even if he appears to not meet Sullivan's. Beauvillier has done enough to maybe get a 3rd round pick in return at the deadline, which is all I could ask for. Glass hasn't done much of anything yet. At the most basic level, same draft 3 picks apart, Tomasino is a big upgrade over Sam Pouiln.

Rutherford was pretty good at picking up these former 1st rounders that didn't quite work out with other teams (Oleksiak and Ceci come to mind, but there were a bunch more).

Unfortunately, we missed out on some of the good ones like Nichuskin, Bennett, and Strome which were all moved or signed for relatively nothing and have gone on to flourish on their new teams.

Dubas will need to keep taking chances on players like this, especially when the cost to potential reward is low.

[KG]

If I had to guess where Tomasino will slot in...Looking at the lines in practice Sully had DOC-Hayes-Puustinen as the 3rd line. Knowing Sully he will just slot Tomasino in for Puustinen.

Top 6 is reserved for Sully's buddy's...And Anthony Beauvillier.

[Puck-Lurker]

I don't have any opinion on Tomasino (I don't recall him standing out from any Pens/Preds games), but I'm ok with this sort of trade generally. I think Dubas is rebuilding but isn't committed to the idea of a "burn it all down and totally suck for 4-5 years" rebuild. I think he wants to see if he can do it quicker than that. So, if he can trade a good prospect like Yager for another good prospect like McGroarty when the latter is closer to NHL-ready, he will. Or if he can trade a 2027 4th for a guy like Tomasino, who is in a bad situation but is youngish and already has a bunch of points in the NHL (something that 4th rounder is unlikely to ever have), he will.

Thanks for that. That's where I am too.

Not to criticise either of your posts which I am on the same page on but..

Totally suck is our current set of GPS coordinates

[Daniel]

Nothing not to like about this trade for the Pens. Only reason to not like it is if you are expecting something big that is gonna propel this team into the playoffs this season. That won’t happen unless some of the geezers are traded.

I don’t like or dislike the trade, it’s throwing spaghetti against the wall to see what sticks. He took a risk with Karlsson, but he really doesn’t take any risks. Doesn’t try to change up the status quo.

There’s nothing to dislike, but their’s also nothing to like about it. He’s just another bottom six guy that maybe or may not be an NHL capable player. Maybe if Dubas gets rid of the usual suspects, this might look better than it is, but it’s just bleh.

That's a fine outlook, but it's hard to argue they would have gotten a better player with the pick they gave up.

I agree that in the end it's Chad Ruhwedel for Philip Tomasino and if they went to a youth movement he might be a nice bottom 6. I just don't trust the organization that much. If they had the bottom 6 from McGroarty, Poulin, Ponomarev, Broz, Koivunen, etc. and you add in Tomasino and O'Connor, it's fine. If you have Tomasino to make the average age of the bottom 6 go from 33 to 32, eh. Or if he plays with Malkin or Crosby which is doubtful for anything longer than a game.

[Pens4Life]

Right now I would like to see :

Rakell - Crosby - Rust
Bunting - Malkin - Puljujarvi
Beauvillier - DOC - Tomasino
Nieto - Hayes - Acciari

[ahawk9]

Nieto-Hayes-Acciari could be called "The Mike Sull-loves-them line"

[FLPensFan]

Nieto-Hayes-Acciari could be called "The Mike Sull-loves-them line"

This is the 4th line at practice. I like to think of it is the "For Sale" line. Please!!!

Puljujarvi, Puustinen, and Glass the odd men out.

[dark_forces]

Right now I would like to see :

Rakell - Crosby - Rust
Bunting - Malkin - Puljujarvi
Beauvillier - DOC - Tomasino
Nieto - Hayes - Acciari

I like it. My alteration would be putting DOC back up on the left side with Crosby and move Tomasino to center and Rakell to RW on the third line.

DOC - Crosby - Rust
Bunting - Malkin - Puljujarvi
Beauvillier - Tomasino - Rakell
Nieto - Hayes - Acciari

[Pens4Life]

Well there we go! I knew f.... idiot moron Sullivan CANT wait to scratch Jesse!

Lines at practice :
Rakell-Crosby-Rust
Beauvillier-Malkin-Tomasino
Bunting-Lizotte-O'Connor
Nieto-Acciari-Hayes (he rotated in at center as well)

Pickering-Letang
Pettersson-Karlsson
Shea-St. Ivany
Graves-Grzelcyk

[Puck-Lurker]

Well there we go! I knew f.... idiot moron Sullivan CANT wait to scratch Jesse!

Lines at practice :
Rakell-Crosby-Rust
Beauvillier-Malkin-Tomasino
Bunting-Lizotte-O'Connor
Nieto-Acciari-Hayes (he rotated in at center as well)

Pickering-Letang
Pettersson-Karlsson
Shea-St. Ivany
Graves-Grzelcyk

Fire Sullivan and give me Jesse Perkele Puljujärvi!

Literally any other player, aside from Crosby, could have been scratched to make room for this bum, Tomasino.

[largegarlic]

I don't have any opinion on Tomasino (I don't recall him standing out from any Pens/Preds games), but I'm ok with this sort of trade generally. I think Dubas is rebuilding but isn't committed to the idea of a "burn it all down and totally suck for 4-5 years" rebuild. I think he wants to see if he can do it quicker than that. So, if he can trade a good prospect like Yager for another good prospect like McGroarty when the latter is closer to NHL-ready, he will. Or if he can trade a 2027 4th for a guy like Tomasino, who is in a bad situation but is youngish and already has a bunch of points in the NHL (something that 4th rounder is unlikely to ever have), he will.

Thanks for that. That's where I am too.

Not to criticise either of your posts which I am on the same page on but..

Totally suck is our current set of GPS coordinates

Yeah, I think we'll have to really suck a bit to get a few high-end pieces, but the question is can this total suckage be cut to 2-3 years instead of 4-5? Could we, say, draft in the top 5 this year and next to get two really good players and then build enough of a supporting cast to start the climb back up at that point?

[Daniel]

I don't have any opinion on Tomasino (I don't recall him standing out from any Pens/Preds games), but I'm ok with this sort of trade generally. I think Dubas is rebuilding but isn't committed to the idea of a "burn it all down and totally suck for 4-5 years" rebuild. I think he wants to see if he can do it quicker than that. So, if he can trade a good prospect like Yager for another good prospect like McGroarty when the latter is closer to NHL-ready, he will. Or if he can trade a 2027 4th for a guy like Tomasino, who is in a bad situation but is youngish and already has a bunch of points in the NHL (something that 4th rounder is unlikely to ever have), he will.

Thanks for that. That's where I am too.

Not to criticise either of your posts which I am on the same page on but..

Totally suck is our current set of GPS coordinates

Yeah, I think we'll have to really suck a bit to get a few high-end pieces, but the question is can this total suckage be cut to 2-3 years instead of 4-5? Could we, say, draft in the top 5 this year and next to get two really good players and then build enough of a supporting cast to start the climb back up at that point?

I think so. Modern sports has shown that a good organization can rebuild quickly with UFAs being younger, UDFAs and Europe can help. The key though is coaching. Sullivan isn't going to ever win a playoff series with the Penguins no matter how long he stays.

[Cow_Master66]

It's not going to be 4-5 years, and certainly not 2-3. We still have all the nostalgia contracts for 2-3 years. The rebuild won't even start (i.e. the teardown) until 2028.

[Daniel]

It's not going to be 4-5 years, and certainly not 2-3. We still have all the nostalgia contracts for 2-3 years. The rebuild won't even start (i.e. the teardown) until 2028.

If they do it right you never know but they have to commit and start soon. As in at the trade deadline. Here's the thing, 5 years won't be when they're ready to compete for a cup just ready to compete, more like 2007 Penguins, just on the verge, which is fine because once you're playoff competitive anything can happen. Especially with good goaltending, which the Penguins seem to have.

You need scoring, defense, goalies

The Penguins are really good at goalie and they'll be hitting their prime in 4-5 years.
For defense, they have Belliveau, Brunicke, Pickering that ought to get that jumpstarted. Not 100% certain with Belliveau but I think he can at leasts be an NHL defenseman. Not sure if anyone is Kris Letang in this group so we'll see.
Forwards is the one problem right now but I think they can easily fill up the bottom 6 with what they have and 1-2 top 5 finishes ought to get them young stars.

Over the next couple of years, they should be trading Rakell, Bunting, Hayes, Acciari, Rust, Pettersson, hopefully Karlsson, and Graves. If they can do that, they'll get at least 10 assets of various skill. If done right that could shave years off a long term rebuilding plan because you're right, if they wait until the nostalgia contracts are done, we might never see a Penguins cup in at least a decade.

After the 2025-26 season we might see only Crosby, Letang, Jarry left.

If done right, they can almost completely revamp the roster and lower the average age by 5-8 years. The issue isn't that they can't get a rebuild done in 3-5 years, it's if they want to and if they realize Sullivan isn't the coach for the next generation.

[Pens4Life]

I also think Chase Pietila can be solid bottom pair RHD coming to Pens, big physical D,went back to NCAA... This year drafted!

So they have few upcoming solid prospects to fill up D, with Pickering, Brunicke, Pietila, Pieniniemi, even St.Ivany can be probably just fine 3rd pair D as well.. Bellievue is already 22 and not really standing out in AHL. We are thiner on left side in next years than right actually, we drafted 4 RHD this year.

Forwards - also nice stack of promising guys like Broz, Koivunen, McGroarty, T.Howe, Ponomarev..

But Sullivan being here 4ever,even afterlife probably lol, I feel sorry for young guys...

[largegarlic]

It's not going to be 4-5 years, and certainly not 2-3. We still have all the nostalgia contracts for 2-3 years. The rebuild won't even start (i.e. the teardown) until 2028.

If they do it right you never know but they have to commit and start soon. As in at the trade deadline. Here's the thing, 5 years won't be when they're ready to compete for a cup just ready to compete, more like 2007 Penguins, just on the verge, which is fine because once you're playoff competitive anything can happen. Especially with good goaltending, which the Penguins seem to have.

You need scoring, defense, goalies

The Penguins are really good at goalie and they'll be hitting their prime in 4-5 years.
For defense, they have Belliveau, Brunicke, Pickering that ought to get that jumpstarted. Not 100% certain with Belliveau but I think he can at leasts be an NHL defenseman. Not sure if anyone is Kris Letang in this group so we'll see.
Forwards is the one problem right now but I think they can easily fill up the bottom 6 with what they have and 1-2 top 5 finishes ought to get them young stars.

Over the next couple of years, they should be trading Rakell, Bunting, Hayes, Acciari, Rust, Pettersson, hopefully Karlsson, and Graves. If they can do that, they'll get at least 10 assets of various skill. If done right that could shave years off a long term rebuilding plan because you're right, if they wait until the nostalgia contracts are done, we might never see a Penguins cup in at least a decade.

After the 2025-26 season we might see only Crosby, Letang, Jarry left.

If done right, they can almost completely revamp the roster and lower the average age by 5-8 years. The issue isn't that they can't get a rebuild done in 3-5 years, it's if they want to and if they realize Sullivan isn't the coach for the next generation.

Yeah, that's the optimistic scenario I can envision. The young guys we currently have in system can develop into a solid supporting cast, maybe a few being more than that. Then they grab some legit elite talent with a couple top 5 picks, get a few more talented if not elite players through shrewd trades/FA signings, and they could be a playoff team again, if not a true contender.

Of course, a lot has to go right for that to happen, and Dubas has to live up to his reputation. But I do think there's a path to doing it.

[Daniel]

It's not going to be 4-5 years, and certainly not 2-3. We still have all the nostalgia contracts for 2-3 years. The rebuild won't even start (i.e. the teardown) until 2028.

If they do it right you never know but they have to commit and start soon. As in at the trade deadline. Here's the thing, 5 years won't be when they're ready to compete for a cup just ready to compete, more like 2007 Penguins, just on the verge, which is fine because once you're playoff competitive anything can happen. Especially with good goaltending, which the Penguins seem to have.

You need scoring, defense, goalies

The Penguins are really good at goalie and they'll be hitting their prime in 4-5 years.
For defense, they have Belliveau, Brunicke, Pickering that ought to get that jumpstarted. Not 100% certain with Belliveau but I think he can at leasts be an NHL defenseman. Not sure if anyone is Kris Letang in this group so we'll see.
Forwards is the one problem right now but I think they can easily fill up the bottom 6 with what they have and 1-2 top 5 finishes ought to get them young stars.

Over the next couple of years, they should be trading Rakell, Bunting, Hayes, Acciari, Rust, Pettersson, hopefully Karlsson, and Graves. If they can do that, they'll get at least 10 assets of various skill. If done right that could shave years off a long term rebuilding plan because you're right, if they wait until the nostalgia contracts are done, we might never see a Penguins cup in at least a decade.

After the 2025-26 season we might see only Crosby, Letang, Jarry left.

If done right, they can almost completely revamp the roster and lower the average age by 5-8 years. The issue isn't that they can't get a rebuild done in 3-5 years, it's if they want to and if they realize Sullivan isn't the coach for the next generation.

Yeah, that's the optimistic scenario I can envision. The young guys we currently have in system can develop into a solid supporting cast, maybe a few being more than that. Then they grab some legit elite talent with a couple top 5 picks, get a few more talented if not elite players through shrewd trades/FA signings, and they could be a playoff team again, if not a true contender.

Of course, a lot has to go right for that to happen, and Dubas has to live up to his reputation. But I do think there's a path to doing it.

Why I started everything with if they do it right, lol. Leagues have changed a lot since Sid was drafted and it's easier to rebuild quickly. With younger players getting to UFA status, most teams within what $1m of the cap, can't quite remember a competent franchise can go from 1st overall to contender pretty quickly. Good cap space, good organization, good coaching, you can take a few years to build, get that one legit Sid replacement and contend. Since the cup is the hardest trophy in sports, I consider a rebuild done when they can go deep into the playoffs and be a contender, not necessarily winning the cup itself.

[FLPensFan]

Imagine as a start to a super quick rebuild:

1. Acquire Jiricek (not sure on the cost, preferably a prospect)
2. Trade MP for a 2026 1st, even if we have to retain or include another pick
3. Draft Schaefer
4. Offer sheet Wyatt Johnson to 7 year, 9.16M AAV contract (costing us 2026 1st, 2nd, and 3rd)
5. Dump 2-3 high contracts (the hard part)

Imagine going into next season with

Schaefer-Jiricek
Pickering-Brunicke
Graves/St.Ivany/Shea

As our defense. There would be considerable growing pains, and, you have to find a way to move the other 2 RHD elephants off the roster, but that's a look at how quick Dubas could potentially rebuild the defense, and pick up a top 6 center in Johnson. If they got a 2026 1st for Pettersson, then they would still have a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in 2026 from other teams.

They'd still have some issues on the wings because there isn't a ton of great top end wing talent on the market next year, and those that are UFAs are likely to be re-signed.

But, a quick rebuild is possible...just a lot of things would need to go right.

[Pruezy11881]

Imagine as a start to a super quick rebuild:

1. Acquire Jiricek (not sure on the cost, preferably a prospect)
2. Trade MP for a 2026 1st, even if we have to retain or include another pick
3. Draft Schaefer
4. Offer sheet Wyatt Johnson to 7 year, 9.16M AAV contract (costing us 2026 1st, 2nd, and 3rd)
5. Dump 2-3 high contracts (the hard part)

Imagine going into next season with

Schaefer-Jiricek
Pickering-Brunicke
Graves/St.Ivany/Shea

As our defense. There would be considerable growing pains, and, you have to find a way to move the other 2 RHD elephants off the roster, but that's a look at how quick Dubas could potentially rebuild the defense, and pick up a top 6 center in Johnson. If they got a 2026 1st for Pettersson, then they would still have a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in 2026 from other teams.

They'd still have some issues on the wings because there isn't a ton of great top end wing talent on the market next year, and those that are UFAs are likely to be re-signed.

But, a quick rebuild is possible...just a lot of things would need to go right.

Rumor out there that Josh Norris could be odd man out in Ottawa in an attempt to shake up the young core they have. Had to have surgeries on his shoulder the last couple years but prior to the initial injury he was producing quite well.

[Skatingpen]

Imagine as a start to a super quick rebuild:

1. Acquire Jiricek (not sure on the cost, preferably a prospect)
2. Trade MP for a 2026 1st, even if we have to retain or include another pick
3. Draft Schaefer
4. Offer sheet Wyatt Johnson to 7 year, 9.16M AAV contract (costing us 2026 1st, 2nd, and 3rd)
5. Dump 2-3 high contracts (the hard part)

Imagine going into next season with

Schaefer-Jiricek
Pickering-Brunicke
Graves/St.Ivany/Shea

As our defense. There would be considerable growing pains, and, you have to find a way to move the other 2 RHD elephants off the roster, but that's a look at how quick Dubas could potentially rebuild the defense, and pick up a top 6 center in Johnson. If they got a 2026 1st for Pettersson, then they would still have a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in 2026 from other teams.

They'd still have some issues on the wings because there isn't a ton of great top end wing talent on the market next year, and those that are UFAs are likely to be re-signed.

But, a quick rebuild is possible...just a lot of things would need to go right.

This would require a competent ownership.

[100565]

Imagine as a start to a super quick rebuild:

1. Acquire Jiricek (not sure on the cost, preferably a prospect)
2. Trade MP for a 2026 1st, even if we have to retain or include another pick
3. Draft Schaefer
4. Offer sheet Wyatt Johnson to 7 year, 9.16M AAV contract (costing us 2026 1st, 2nd, and 3rd)
5. Dump 2-3 high contracts (the hard part)

Imagine going into next season with

Schaefer-Jiricek
Pickering-Brunicke
Graves/St.Ivany/Shea

As our defense. There would be considerable growing pains, and, you have to find a way to move the other 2 RHD elephants off the roster, but that's a look at how quick Dubas could potentially rebuild the defense, and pick up a top 6 center in Johnson. If they got a 2026 1st for Pettersson, then they would still have a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in 2026 from other teams.

They'd still have some issues on the wings because there isn't a ton of great top end wing talent on the market next year, and those that are UFAs are likely to be re-signed.

But, a quick rebuild is possible...just a lot of things would need to go right.

No offense, but I hope they do not do this now. With 2 rookies and 2 1st year guys in top 4 D, I’d imagine the 2026 first round pick is top 10.

I prefer selecting top 10 this year. Then, top 5 next year. Hope for ping pong ball luck. Then, 26-27 maybe offer sheet someone.

[RonBurgundy]

4. Offer sheet Wyatt Johnson to 7 year, 9.16M AAV contract (costing us 2026 1st, 2nd, and 3rd)

Can we keep the cap space, the picks and just draft like Dallas?

[FLPensFan]

4. Offer sheet Wyatt Johnson to 7 year, 9.16M AAV contract (costing us 2026 1st, 2nd, and 3rd)

Can we keep the cap space, the picks and just draft like Dallas?