Cow_Master66 wrote: Mon Apr 07, 2025 9:20 pm
Victor wrote: Sun Apr 06, 2025 9:09 pm
Cow_Master66 wrote: Sun Apr 06, 2025 8:36 pm
I hope they don’t trade that pick for anything unless it’s for more picks in the next 2-3 drafts.
I'd say that's very unlikely. Dubas wants to make this team better soon. Unless there's something in the shape of one of the trades with STL, 2nd 2025 and 5th 2026 for 2nd 2026 and 3rd 2025, I'd expect to either bring players in for picks, like the Tomasino and Timmins/Dewar trades, or younger players that are closer to NHL ready, similalrly to the McGroarty-Yager deal.
I agree, I think Dubas is under pressure to turn it around quickly and open some extra magical 2-3 year window with Crosby still playing at a high level. I personally hate the thought this personally, but I do think this is the approach they will take. I think that’s why they didn’t move Rackell, didn’t ask Rust to waive his NTC, etc.
To dovetail in the football analogy that was used above, this team doesn’t have great wingers, great D, good goaltending, etc. They have a bunch of dudes that are at the end of the line. Some are already past the line, yet still playing 20 minutes a night.
They could have turned it around quickly if they could have parted ways with some familiar faces, but they opted not to. It was a dumb way to do business, but I accepted it as a fan, knowing this franchise was pushing back a true rebuild 3 extra years.
The problem is now, if what we believe Dubas is looking to do is true, run the risk of pushing the next truly competitive window out even further. Because, in order to really try to win another cup in the next 3 years, they would have to trade what little assets they have in terms of picks and prospects. Take Mushy for example….a potential superstar goalie, would almost certainly have to be moved. Certainly all your high picks would be gone.
I just think the risk of mortgaging yet again to try for a cup with a team that depends on so many guys 35+ years old, is totally unrealistic.
Rant over….i do think this is the route they will go though, so let’s enjoy the ride I suppose.
A couple of thoughts and comments here:
--We have 18 picks over the first 3 rounds of the next 3 drafts. We have plenty of draft capital right now.
--McGroarty, Koivunen, Pieniniemi, Brunicke, and Murashov should be our current untouchables. If the Penguins feel they need to move Broz, Pickering, Blomqvist, Howe, etc to help upgrade the team with an under 25 year old player, I don't have a problem with that.
--It's early, and I'm sure some of it is the first 3-5 game adrenaline jump, but RMG and Koivunen are greatly impressing, and showing traits of being able to handle top 6 roles moving forward. It's not just "oh, McGroarty has a goal and some assists, he's great." Watch him closely. He rarely goes above the dots in the offensive zone, and if he does, it is usually just to move and reposition himself. He is the complete opposite of a perimeter player. He's always in the dirty areas. I don't see issues with his skating, his IQ is very high, and he's very good defensively. At a minimum, I think he's Rust 2.0.
--I think we need to be reminded of how spoiled we are as Penguins fans....Lemieux-->Jagr--Sid/Geno. Dynasty for about 5 years in the early 90s, dynasty for most of the Sid and Geno era. The chances of this team rebuilding and immediately getting another player in the 66/68/87/71 realm are actually pretty slim, and so are the chances of building another dynasty. I think Penguins fans are going to have to get used to more having 5-8 year windows, and relying more on overall team concept than a generational talent.
--Expanding on the last point, I think as long as Sid is a 20 point, 60-70 point player, he may continue playing. Right now, I think he outlives the extension he just signed. Maybe he goes to a year by year status after that. Malkin I believe retires next season, as he's clearly declining. Letang, I think he gets traded before his contract ends. So, I think very soon, Sid will be the only one of the core left. And, with RMG and Koivunen exceeding my expectations or cautious optimism, this team might not be that far away from being annually competitive. This is why I keep hammering top 6 centers and top pairing d-men. This is why I started the poll about McTavish, because getting a young 2C would be a big add for this team. You could leave Sid with Rakell and Rust, and put McTavish with RMG and Koivunen. Get some good tweeners to play with Malkin next year on the 3rd line...so if any of the top 6 wingers are injured we have adequate replacements....not someone like Cody Glass or Connor Dewar. Remaking the defense will be a bit tougher.