2024-2025 Season Random Penguins Fodder

[Wyopen]

Exactly, Pens SHOULD NOT add any players via free agency on forward lines, but that wont happen probably.. especially if we trade out Acciari, Nieto gone anyway, soo Sully will want his PK vets.

"Dream" scenario :
Acciari, Hayes, Heinen should be gone for late picks or AHL middler.. get Hallander back for 3rd line C, re-sign Tomasino and Dewar, thats 9 guys on F, leave 4 spots open for competition :
Koivunen, Broz, McGroarty, Ponomarev, A.Hayes, Poulin

Rakell - Crosby - Rust
Novak - Malkin - Tomasino
McGroarty - Hallander - Koivunen
Dewar - Lizotte - A.Hayes
x - Ponomarev
Broz - I would leave one more season in AHL mostly.

Defense : EK65 traded with 3M retention (someone coming back I assume, hope its just high prospect and draft picks, but unlikely)
Re-sign Timmins, dont want Gryz back, but again unlikely.. I could see him returning on 2yrs 3M per deal.

Pickering - Letang
Grzelyck - Timmins
Kolyachonok - Shea
x - St.Ivany
Brunicke probably stays one more year in juniors, or need one more season in AHL..

Goalies - trade urgently one, with retention if possible, get Larsson up for backup.. Murashov and Blomquist battle out in AHL for no.1

As I stated previously, I don’t think EK65 will be traded. I think the games in Sweden will temper that. I know it’s a stupid reason but stupid has happened before.

[Pens4Life]

Exactly, Pens SHOULD NOT add any players via free agency on forward lines, but that wont happen probably.. especially if we trade out Acciari, Nieto gone anyway, soo Sully will want his PK vets.

"Dream" scenario :
Acciari, Hayes, Heinen should be gone for late picks or AHL middler.. get Hallander back for 3rd line C, re-sign Tomasino and Dewar, thats 9 guys on F, leave 4 spots open for competition :
Koivunen, Broz, McGroarty, Ponomarev, A.Hayes, Poulin

Rakell - Crosby - Rust
Novak - Malkin - Tomasino
McGroarty - Hallander - Koivunen
Dewar - Lizotte - A.Hayes
x - Ponomarev
Broz - I would leave one more season in AHL mostly.

Defense : EK65 traded with 3M retention (someone coming back I assume, hope its just high prospect and draft picks, but unlikely)
Re-sign Timmins, dont want Gryz back, but again unlikely.. I could see him returning on 2yrs 3M per deal.

Pickering - Letang
Grzelyck - Timmins
Kolyachonok - Shea
x - St.Ivany
Brunicke probably stays one more year in juniors, or need one more season in AHL..

Goalies - trade urgently one, with retention if possible, get Larsson up for backup.. Murashov and Blomquist battle out in AHL for no.1

As I stated previously, I don’t think EK65 will be traded. I think the games in Sweden will temper that. I know it’s a stupid reason but stupid has happened before.

Rakell, Hallander, Larsson are all Swedes, also potential draft pick Frondell and Eklund are from Sweden.

[100565]

I think there is more than 80% chance EK is traded before opening day.

I think there is less than 1% chance either Frondell or Eklund play in NHL during 25-26 season. Maybe 5% chance either play in 26-27, too. If the Pens ended up drafting either, I wouldn't be shocked to see either traded before playing for single Pens game in the NHL.

[100565]

I like the idea of sending the second round pick from WAS and one of MIN or OTT third round picks (or less depending on cost) to Montreal for our original 2nd round pick back.

Then offer sheet someone (Mavrik Bourque maybe, but there are other players on cap ceiling teams) with contract between $2.3-$4.6 mil level which would cost our 2nd

[FLPensFan]

I think there is more than 80% chance EK is traded before opening day.

I think there is less than 1% chance either Frondell or Eklund play in NHL during 25-26 season. Maybe 5% chance either play in 26-27, too. If the Pens ended up drafting either, I wouldn't be shocked to see either traded before playing for single Pens game in the NHL.

I would tend to agree with your statements on EK65, chances of really any top 10 players playing in the NHL the next 2 seasons (maybe Schaefer the exception), and the chances that we flip a good 1st round player to someone else ala Yager for McGroarty.

[Southern Fan]

I think there is more than 80% chance EK is traded before opening day.

I think there is less than 1% chance either Frondell or Eklund play in NHL during 25-26 season. Maybe 5% chance either play in 26-27, too. If the Pens ended up drafting either, I wouldn't be shocked to see either traded before playing for single Pens game in the NHL.

I would tend to agree with your statements on EK65, chances of really any top 10 players playing in the NHL the next 2 seasons (maybe Schaefer the exception), and the chances that we flip a good 1st round player to someone else ala Yager for McGroarty.

Are any teams in a cap ceiling issue next year with the cap going up? Seems like the extra $8 million is a “gat out of jail free” card for any team mismanaging their cap.

[DelPen]

Exactly, Pens SHOULD NOT add any players via free agency on forward lines, but that wont happen probably.. especially if we trade out Acciari, Nieto gone anyway, soo Sully will want his PK vets.

"Dream" scenario :
Acciari, Hayes, Heinen should be gone for late picks or AHL middler.. get Hallander back for 3rd line C, re-sign Tomasino and Dewar, thats 9 guys on F, leave 4 spots open for competition :
Koivunen, Broz, McGroarty, Ponomarev, A.Hayes, Poulin

Rakell - Crosby - Rust
Novak - Malkin - Tomasino
McGroarty - Hallander - Koivunen
Dewar - Lizotte - A.Hayes
x - Ponomarev
Broz - I would leave one more season in AHL mostly.

Defense : EK65 traded with 3M retention (someone coming back I assume, hope its just high prospect and draft picks, but unlikely)
Re-sign Timmins, dont want Gryz back, but again unlikely.. I could see him returning on 2yrs 3M per deal.

Pickering - Letang
Grzelyck - Timmins
Kolyachonok - Shea
x - St.Ivany
Brunicke probably stays one more year in juniors, or need one more season in AHL..

Goalies - trade urgently one, with retention if possible, get Larsson up for backup.. Murashov and Blomquist battle out in AHL for no.1

As I stated previously, I don’t think EK65 will be traded. I think the games in Sweden will temper that. I know it’s a stupid reason but stupid has happened before.

Trade him to Nashville, problem solved.

[pekkasteele]

WE might as well just keep the team intact until next years trade deadline, we are winning to much now to get a good pick, so keep all the oldies (+1 year older next season) and keep Sully so we REALLY suck that year, trade Rakell, EK and everyting we have to get more picks in -26, and ours as high as possible, THEN fire sully. I know I should be happy that we are winning some games now but I really can't, we are f*kn with the long term future of the team. And since we seems to not get a top pick this year, we need more next year or it will not be enough.

[Michael74]

WE might as well just keep the team intact until next years trade deadline, we are winning to much now to get a good pick, so keep all the oldies (+1 year older next season) and keep Sully so we REALLY suck that year, trade Rakell, EK and everyting we have to get more picks in -26, and ours as high as possible, THEN fire sully. I know I should be happy that we are winning some games now but I really can't, we are f*kn with the long term future of the team. And since we seems to not get a top pick this year, we need more next year or it will not be enough.

We need to lose the next two in REG, if not this could get bad.

[Puck-Lurker]

I am happy to win games full stop.

Yeah drafts are cool. Picks are nice. Doesn't stop me wanting to win and feeling good about won games.

[offsides]

I am happy to win games full stop.

Yeah drafts are cool. Picks are nice. Doesn't stop me wanting to win and feeling good about won games.

[Michael74]

I am happy to win games full stop.

Yeah drafts are cool. Picks are nice. Doesn't stop me wanting to win and feeling good about won games.

[Puck-Lurker]

I am happy to win games full stop.

Yeah drafts are cool. Picks are nice. Doesn't stop me wanting to win and feeling good about won games.

Pens just should scout that much better.

[Michael74]

I am happy to win games full stop.

Yeah drafts are cool. Picks are nice. Doesn't stop me wanting to win and feeling good about won games.

Pens just should scout that much better.

That's a ridiculous statement. You're not gonna get the same quality (in most cases) drafting 10th OA instead of say 5th OA.

[FLPensFan]

Murashov breaks Matt Murray's WBS record for longest winning streak at the start of their AHL career. Murashov is now 10-0-0 on the season.

[Michael74]

Murashov breaks Matt Murray's WBS record for longest winning streak at the start of their AHL career. Murashov is now 10-0-0 on the season.

[largegarlic]

Murashov breaks Matt Murray's WBS record for longest winning streak at the start of their AHL career. Murashov is now 10-0-0 on the season.

This is maybe obvious at this point, but I listened to Yohe on Madden's show last week, and he said the organization is really starting to believe that Murashov is the real deal. Yohe thinks the plan is for him to be the starter in WBS next season, maybe getting a cup of coffee in the NHL when there are injuries, and then graduate permanently for the 26-27 season. But he also said that he's improving so fast that he wouldn't be surprised if Murashov were the best goalie in camp going into next season.

[Pens4Life]

Thats my hope for Murashov no.1 next season in AHL, gets 10-15 NHL games, then 2026-2027 he is seriously contender for NHL no.1

[Puck-Lurker]

I am happy to win games full stop.

Yeah drafts are cool. Picks are nice. Doesn't stop me wanting to win and feeling good about won games.

Pens just should scout that much better.

That's a ridiculous statement. You're not gonna get the same quality (in most cases) drafting 10th OA instead of say 5th OA.

That's a quite narrow as a view.

Many players drafted outside the top 5 are better than #5 each year. What you're referring to is draft odds, chances a player does X or Y relative to draft position historically.

Scouting is something you do to improve on the odds. Better scouting, better odds to improve on said historical odds. The math's fairly straightforward.

This view of I want my team to lose is what I find bizarre and ridiculous. I'm not a supporter of the Penguins roster 4 years from now with not a care for any of the time from now to then.. I'm a Penguins supporter period.

[thehockeyguru]

Does anyone have a list of signed prospects who will be joining Wheeling / WBS next season?

By the looks of it could be quite a few new faces on the blue line. Pietila already joined WBS and I'm guessing Pieniniemi and Harding make the jump too?

[Michael74]

Pens just should scout that much better.

That's a ridiculous statement. You're not gonna get the same quality (in most cases) drafting 10th OA instead of say 5th OA.

That's a quite narrow as a view.

Many players drafted outside the top 5 are better than #5 each year. What you're referring to is draft odds, chances a player does X or Y relative to draft position historically.

Scouting is something you do to improve on the odds. Better scouting, better odds to improve on said historical odds. The math's fairly straightforward.

This view of I want my team to lose is what I find bizarre and ridiculous. I'm not a supporter of the Penguins roster 4 years from now with not a care for any of the time from now to then.. I'm a Penguins supporter period.

I'm looking at the big picture, you're just looking at the here and now, that's a narrow view and perspective that helps absolutely no one. Not now and not then.

This team isn't going to make the playoffs ok. So, if we're not making the playoffs the best course of action is to accrue as many high picks as possible, draft effectively and develop well. But you need some cornerstone pieces if you are to be a successful franchise. THIS team of all teams has had such players. Without players like Mario, Jagr, Geno or Sid we don't even have a team in PIT! You gotta start somewhere. And while there's no world beater in this draft necessarily, you could draft your best prospect in possibly decades IF you don't win meaningless games now.

There's not ONE GM or scouting department that would choose a later pick over an earlier one. Every draft has different quality and depth. This draft according to the experts falls off dramatically after 7 OA or 8 OA. I'd prefer we not go below that. It's the difference between taking a pragmatic approach as opposed to being a fanboi and being idealistic wanting to win games now that in the scheme of things help us in no way possible.

[Puck-Lurker]

Pens just should scout that much better.

That's a ridiculous statement. You're not gonna get the same quality (in most cases) drafting 10th OA instead of say 5th OA.

That's a quite narrow as a view.

Many players drafted outside the top 5 are better than #5 each year. What you're referring to is draft odds, chances a player does X or Y relative to draft position historically.

Scouting is something you do to improve on the odds. Better scouting, better odds to improve on said historical odds. The math's fairly straightforward.

This view of I want my team to lose is what I find bizarre and ridiculous. I'm not a supporter of the Penguins roster 4 years from now with not a care for any of the time from now to then.. I'm a Penguins supporter period.

I'm looking at the big picture, you're just looking at the hear and now, that's a narrow view and perspective that helps absolutely no one. Not now and not then.

This team isn't going to make the playoffs ok. So, if we're not making the playoffs the best course of action is to accrue as many high picks as possible, draft effectively and develop well. But you need some cornerstone pieces if you are to be a successful franchise. THIS team of all teams has had such players. Without players like Mario, Jagr, Geno or Sid we don't even have a team in PIT! You gotta start somewhere. And while there's no world beater in this draft necessarily, you could draft your best prospect in possibly decades IF you don't win meaningless games now.

Caring for the here and now is not mutually exclusive with caring for the long term future. I hope you will understand that I care for both, not just one or the other.

I can't wake up and think 'its such a shame the Penguins beat the BJs 6-3'. If Pens lose, I can still shrug and figure at least Crosby got a point and our drafting position is improved. Not feeling bad for a loss much this season, is wildly different from being annoyed your team won a game.

Yeah they don't matter. Neither does the preseason. Still want Pens to win, past present and future. I don't feel that position needs defending among fans.

[ahawk9]

RE: goalie situation. Although nearly all of us would like to see Jarry moved, I think Ned is the most realistic goalie to go this summer. He's signed for only 1 more year, and he's been pretty good overall. Someone will take him. Jarry might just be stuck here for the foreseeable future.

[EndO FanEra]

Pens just should scout that much better.

That's a ridiculous statement. You're not gonna get the same quality (in most cases) drafting 10th OA instead of say 5th OA.

That's a quite narrow as a view.

Many players drafted outside the top 5 are better than #5 each year. What you're referring to is draft odds, chances a player does X or Y relative to draft position historically.

Scouting is something you do to improve on the odds. Better scouting, better odds to improve on said historical odds. The math's fairly straightforward.

This view of I want my team to lose is what I find bizarre and ridiculous. I'm not a supporter of the Penguins roster 4 years from now with not a care for any of the time from now to then.. I'm a Penguins supporter period.

I'm looking at the big picture, you're just looking at the hear and now, that's a narrow view and perspective that helps absolutely no one. Not now and not then.

This team isn't going to make the playoffs ok. So, if we're not making the playoffs the best course of action is to accrue as many high picks as possible, draft effectively and develop well. But you need some cornerstone pieces if you are to be a successful franchise. THIS team of all teams has had such players. Without players like Mario, Jagr, Geno or Sid we don't even have a team in PIT! You gotta start somewhere. And while there's no world beater in this draft necessarily, you could draft your best prospect in possibly decades IF you don't win meaningless games now.

Caring for the here and now is not mutually exclusive with caring for the long term future. I hope you will understand that I care for both, not just one or the other.

I can't wake up and think 'its such a shame the Penguins beat the BJs 6-3'. If Pens lose, I can still shrug and figure at least Crosby got a point and our drafting position is improved. Not feeling bad for a loss much this season, is wildly different from being annoyed your team won a game.

Yeah they don't matter. Neither does the preseason. Still want Pens to win, past present and future. I don't feel that position needs defending among fans.

I can see both sides of the argument here, but I tend to lean towards M74 's line of thinking on this one. I don't ever really want the Pens to be drafting in the top 10 because that means the team isn't very good. But, unfortunately, that's where we are. We've actually been bad enough to draft in/near the top 10 at times over the past few years, but for some reason we have a knack for winning meaningless games in March/April.

We've already locked ourselves out of a playoff spot, and the end of the Crosby era is closer than ever. Now is the time to maximize this (hopefully rare) opportunity to draft the highest pick possible. By most accounts, there is a significant drop off after those top 5/6 players in this year's draft. Yes, drafting it a total gamble, but you can greatly increase your odds by how high you draft.

Every Pens win from here on out will decrease their chances of drafting higher end talent and/or being competitive for the future. We've all suffered through some infuriating, idiotic, clown-show hockey with this team over the past few years. I will gladly sit through 10 more losses in order to draft top 5 rather than 8-12. I'm still rooting for the players to play well and for Sid to get his points, but I just want the opposition to have one more goal on the board when the horn sounds. It's what's best for the team in the long run, IMO.

[BurghThing]

Jarry can be Murs backup next year