2024-2025 Season Random Penguins Fodder

[FLPensFan]

Looks like I am still in a very small minority. No matter what I think should happen I can make zero changes to the team or to management. I will still watch every game like I have since the mid 70's and will continue to do so no matter what does or doesn't happen. Guess I'm just not negative enough but I have been through some very bad and some very good times. And hockey is still my favorite sport to watch.

Let's go Pens !!

Everybody has there opinions. As you said, nobody can do anything about how the team is run but the team. I'd love to be more positive about the team, but for me, I'm just not a fan of the current product and direction. I still turn on most games, but my attention span is waning. At some point, it'll snap back for me.

Go Penguins!

[dark_forces]

Looks like I am still in a very small minority. No matter what I think should happen I can make zero changes to the team or to management. I will still watch every game like I have since the mid 70's and will continue to do so no matter what does or doesn't happen. Guess I'm just not negative enough but I have been through some very bad and some very good times. And hockey is still my favorite sport to watch.

Let's go Pens !!

Everybody has there opinions. As you said, nobody can do anything about how the team is run but the team. I'd love to be more positive about the team, but for me, I'm just not a fan of the current product and direction. I still turn on most games, but my attention span is waning. At some point, it'll snap back for me.

Go Penguins!

You just have to believe that better days are coming. At least, it should be exciting to add younger players to the roster as they develop. Currently, they're not embarrassing like at the beginning of the year, so that's, at a minimum, something to hang your hat on.

[offsides]

Looks like I am still in a very small minority. No matter what I think should happen I can make zero changes to the team or to management. I will still watch every game like I have since the mid 70's and will continue to do so no matter what does or doesn't happen. Guess I'm just not negative enough but I have been through some very bad and some very good times. And hockey is still my favorite sport to watch.

Let's go Pens !!

Everybody has there opinions. As you said, nobody can do anything about how the team is run but the team. I'd love to be more positive about the team, but for me, I'm just not a fan of the current product and direction. I still turn on most games, but my attention span is waning. At some point, it'll snap back for me.

Go Penguins!

At least by reading yours and other posts I know what probably should happen but probably will not. I am sure making any changes will be very tough for Dubas. I sure wouldn't want his job. Looks like a tuff row to hoe ahead. And being retired I have plenty of free time to watch the Pens and other games.

Let's go Pens !!

[Dynasty1970]

I MUST START OFF THE NEW YEAR CORRECTLY…..

FIRE SULLY NOW!!!

[Sams_Dog]

The current state and direction of the team doesn't inspire, that's for sure. I was more interested in them when they were really rebuilding from about 2002-2006 than I am now because you could see the foundation being built and light was starting to be visible at the end of the tunnel. But the team looks like it's going to hang around the mushy middle for a few years before they start on a clear direction. Maybe that's the way it has to be with 87 still onboard. When he goes then they can make bigger changes. But I don't get very invested in the games right now and I see a lot of them in person because I work at PPG Paints Arena. I follow the team online still but don't watch every game on tv. I don't get too upset at all when they lose. The way I look at it we've been incredibly lucky for most of the last 35 years or so and if we have to go through a period of mediocrity then I can't complain too much. But at some point in the nest 2-3 years I will need to see real progress towards building a new competitive team or my interest will definitely start to drop.

[Pens4Life]

Looks like I am still in a very small minority. No matter what I think should happen I can make zero changes to the team or to management. I will still watch every game like I have since the mid 70's and will continue to do so no matter what does or doesn't happen. Guess I'm just not negative enough but I have been through some very bad and some very good times. And hockey is still my favorite sport to watch.

Let's go Pens !!

Everybody has there opinions. As you said, nobody can do anything about how the team is run but the team. I'd love to be more positive about the team, but for me, I'm just not a fan of the current product and direction. I still turn on most games, but my attention span is waning. At some point, it'll snap back for me.

Go Penguins!

You just have to believe that better days are coming. At least, it should be exciting to add younger players to the roster as they develop. Currently, they're not embarrassing like at the beginning of the year, so that's, at a minimum, something to hang your hat on.

But will they add more younger guys to roster? Or just sign more 29-32yrs old vets for bottom lines?!? I have zero trust in Sullivan and Dubas that they will give really solid chance to Broz, Koivunen, Ponomarev, Howe etc... Maybe something like they did to Jesse, sample of 15-20 games, even if they do good, they dont belong on roster, just because of something something Sully threw up..

[Puck-Lurker]

Looks like I am still in a very small minority. No matter what I think should happen I can make zero changes to the team or to management. I will still watch every game like I have since the mid 70's and will continue to do so no matter what does or doesn't happen. Guess I'm just not negative enough but I have been through some very bad and some very good times. And hockey is still my favorite sport to watch.

Let's go Pens !!

Everybody has there opinions. As you said, nobody can do anything about how the team is run but the team. I'd love to be more positive about the team, but for me, I'm just not a fan of the current product and direction. I still turn on most games, but my attention span is waning. At some point, it'll snap back for me.

Go Penguins!

You just have to believe that better days are coming. At least, it should be exciting to add younger players to the roster as they develop. Currently, they're not embarrassing like at the beginning of the year, so that's, at a minimum, something to hang your hat on.

But will they add more younger guys to roster? Or just sign more 29-32yrs old vets for bottom lines?!? I have zero trust in Sullivan and Dubas that they will give really solid chance to Broz, Koivunen, Ponomarev, Howe etc... Maybe something like they did to Jesse, sample of 15-20 games, even if they do good, they dont belong on roster, just because of something something Sully threw up..

No reason to stock up on veterans for next year. It would be a clear sign Dubas isn't serious about getting younger and developing talent.

[Daniel]

The current state and direction of the team doesn't inspire, that's for sure. I was more interested in them when they were really rebuilding from about 2002-2006 than I am now because you could see the foundation being built and light was starting to be visible at the end of the tunnel. But the team looks like it's going to hang around the mushy middle for a few years before they start on a clear direction. Maybe that's the way it has to be with 87 still onboard. When he goes then they can make bigger changes. But I don't get very invested in the games right now and I see a lot of them in person because I work at PPG Paints Arena. I follow the team online still but don't watch every game on tv. I don't get too upset at all when they lose. The way I look at it we've been incredibly lucky for most of the last 35 years or so and if we have to go through a period of mediocrity then I can't complain too much. But at some point in the nest 2-3 years I will need to see real progress towards building a new competitive team or my interest will definitely start to drop.

I'm the same way and feel I'll be long dead by the time this team goes through a Red Wings style rebuild (about 20 years). I'll pay attention and post here but watching just isn't fun anymore. Even with Sid, they can rebuild/retool, but it's the same pattern. Maybe a little better because of the Jake trade and Pickering getting a legit chance, but not much.

[KG]

The current state and direction of the team doesn't inspire, that's for sure. I was more interested in them when they were really rebuilding from about 2002-2006 than I am now because you could see the foundation being built and light was starting to be visible at the end of the tunnel. But the team looks like it's going to hang around the mushy middle for a few years before they start on a clear direction. Maybe that's the way it has to be with 87 still onboard. When he goes then they can make bigger changes. But I don't get very invested in the games right now and I see a lot of them in person because I work at PPG Paints Arena. I follow the team online still but don't watch every game on tv. I don't get too upset at all when they lose. The way I look at it we've been incredibly lucky for most of the last 35 years or so and if we have to go through a period of mediocrity then I can't complain too much. But at some point in the nest 2-3 years I will need to see real progress towards building a new competitive team or my interest will definitely start to drop.

I'm the same way and feel I'll be long dead by the time this team goes through a Red Wings style rebuild (about 20 years). I'll pay attention and post here but watching just isn't fun anymore. Even with Sid, they can rebuild/retool, but it's the same pattern. Maybe a little better because of the Jake trade and Pickering getting a legit chance, but not much.

After seeing the moves KD made this off-season, bringing in short term veterans, I always thought it was going to be a transition year where we trade many of our pending UFA's and acquire more young pieces and picks and next season we start to implement more youth into the lineup. Assuming the WBS players are ready. I would like to see McGroarty, Ponomarev, Koivunen, Broz, Blomqvist, Pickeringing all in the lineup next season if they are ready to contribute. I would expect/hope that KD will move out MP, Grzy, Beauv, Acciari, Nieto! maybe DOC, Lizotte, by the deadline to bring in some picks and open up some roster spots.

The team is still going to try to compete. They won't be bad enough to get a top 3 pick with the veterans we have, so KD is going to keep trying to thread the needle. Bring in younger players who need a change of scenery like he did with Glass and Tomasino and see if they can rebound.

They badly need a top line scoring winger. We never replaced Jake. Bunting is fine but we need someone else to play along Geno or Sid (not Beauvillier, DOC, Glassetc). Would be great if we had an above-average goalie too. This team under Sullivan will never play good enough defense to not need a strong goalie to cover up the mistakes.

[FLPensFan]

The current state and direction of the team doesn't inspire, that's for sure. I was more interested in them when they were really rebuilding from about 2002-2006 than I am now because you could see the foundation being built and light was starting to be visible at the end of the tunnel. But the team looks like it's going to hang around the mushy middle for a few years before they start on a clear direction. Maybe that's the way it has to be with 87 still onboard. When he goes then they can make bigger changes. But I don't get very invested in the games right now and I see a lot of them in person because I work at PPG Paints Arena. I follow the team online still but don't watch every game on tv. I don't get too upset at all when they lose. The way I look at it we've been incredibly lucky for most of the last 35 years or so and if we have to go through a period of mediocrity then I can't complain too much. But at some point in the nest 2-3 years I will need to see real progress towards building a new competitive team or my interest will definitely start to drop.

I'm the same way and feel I'll be long dead by the time this team goes through a Red Wings style rebuild (about 20 years). I'll pay attention and post here but watching just isn't fun anymore. Even with Sid, they can rebuild/retool, but it's the same pattern. Maybe a little better because of the Jake trade and Pickering getting a legit chance, but not much.

After seeing the moves KD made this off-season, bringing in short term veterans, I always thought it was going to be a transition year where we trade many of our pending UFA's and acquire more young pieces and picks and next season we start to implement more youth into the lineup. Assuming the WBS players are ready. I would like to see McGroarty, Ponomarev, Koivunen, Broz, Blomqvist, Pickeringing all in the lineup next season if they are ready to contribute. I would expect/hope that KD will move out MP, Grzy, Beauv, Acciari, Nieto! maybe DOC, Lizotte, by the deadline to bring in some picks and open up some roster spots.

The team is still going to try to compete. They won't be bad enough to get a top 3 pick with the veterans we have, so KD is going to keep trying to thread the needle. Bring in younger players who need a change of scenery like he did with Glass and Tomasino and see if they can rebound.

They badly need a top line scoring winger. We never replaced Jake. Bunting is fine but we need someone else to play along Geno or Sid (not Beauvillier, DOC, Glassetc). Would be great if we had an above-average goalie too. This team under Sullivan will never play good enough defense to not need a strong goalie to cover up the mistakes.

X-Crosby-Rust
X-Malkin-Tomasino
McGroarty-Broz-Koivunen
Ponomarev-Lizotte-Glass
x-Hayes, Bemstrom

At the deadline, I'd like to see MP and DOC moved for sure. Teams have reportedly asked about DOC. He'll be 27 this summer. I don't think he's going to suddenly improve into a top 6 winger. He's a 3rd line guy at best, who can step into the top 6 as an injury fill in. If there's a market...move him. I'd move Beauvillier, Grzelcyk, and Acciari if there is a market for them at the deadline...but not sure there will be.

Over the summer, I'd like to see if we move on from Rakell and Bunting for some picks and prospects. Even moving on from one would be a big help.

Then in UFA, go after a Boeser/Ehlers/Vatarno type of top 6 winger...sign em to a deal that you feel comfortable you can move on from in a few years.

On defense next year:

Pickering-Letang
POJ-Karlsson
Graves-Brunicke
x-Shea

Need to see if Brunicke continues to show well, but if he has another summer/training camp like he did last year, they shouldn't hold him back. UFA market, look at bringing back Codi Ceci, or maybe someone like a Nate Schmidt for the 3rd pairing. UFA defense is slim pickings, and so is our system, so this may continue to be an issue.

I don't expect all of these moves to be able to be pulled off, but some combination of these, and letting more kids play next year.

[Victor]

Montreal's rookie goalie Jakub Dobes had quite the debut, posting a shutout against the Panthers in Florida.

It seems like a lot of goalies can win a game at any given time. No need to have long contracts with them.

Not to mention, if the Penguins have one organizational development strength, it is goalies. A list of all Penguins drafted goalies in the cap era (plus Fleury in 2003)

--MAF, one of the winningest goalies in the NHL all-time
--Andy Chiodo, 2003 7th rounder - 8 NHL games, 100 or so AHL games, now a goalie coach for Penguins
--David Brown, 2004 8th rounder - MISS - 20 or so AHL games highest level
--Chad Johnson, 2006 5th round - just under 200 NHL games, none with Penguins
--Alexander Pechursky, 2008 5th round - MISS - one memorable NHL game; no other US professional experience
--Patrick Killeen, 2008 6th round - MISS - 7 AHL games, about 100 ECHL games
--Matt Murray, 2012 3rd round - 273 NHL games, 2 Cups
--Sean Maguire, 2012 4th round - MISS - 6 AHL games, about 50 ECHL games
--Tristan Jarry, 2013 2nd round - 273 NHL games and counting
--Filip Gustavsson, 2016 2nd round - 135 NHL games and counting
--Joel Blomqvist, 2020 2nd round - 8 NHL games, promising future
--Calle Clang, 2020 3rd round - dressed as backup TODAY for first NHL game
--Sergei Murashov, 2022 4th round - promising future.

That's a pretty good hit rate on goalies, with MAF, Johnson, Murray, Jarry, Gustavsson all being solid hits, and Blomqvist, Murashov, and maybe Clang close to proving themselves at NHL level.

Penguins right now have Larsson playing really well in WBS. Blomqvist has been ok in the AHL.
Murashov is 12-2 in the ECHL, plus 2-0 in AHL, with great numbers at both levels
Gauthier has 5 ECHL starts after starting injured, 3-2 but 1.62 GAA and .947 SV%

Penguins have 4 goalies 25 or under in their system right now, some (Larsson and Blomqvist) pushing for NHL work, and Mursahov and Gauthier should really both be at AHL level at this point.

Very interesting. Drafting Murray and Jarry in consecutive years is a pretty big hit, too bad it seems both of them already peaked.

Gustavsson is pretty solid - was he dealt in the Brassard trade?

Considering the all the misses with skaters (Pickering is looking very good, but is the first one drafted and developed by the organization since... a long time ago), drafting goalies is definitely a strength. It seems to work through multiple GMs, so maybe goalie scouts deserve some recognition?

[dark_forces]

The current state and direction of the team doesn't inspire, that's for sure. I was more interested in them when they were really rebuilding from about 2002-2006 than I am now because you could see the foundation being built and light was starting to be visible at the end of the tunnel. But the team looks like it's going to hang around the mushy middle for a few years before they start on a clear direction. Maybe that's the way it has to be with 87 still onboard. When he goes then they can make bigger changes. But I don't get very invested in the games right now and I see a lot of them in person because I work at PPG Paints Arena. I follow the team online still but don't watch every game on tv. I don't get too upset at all when they lose. The way I look at it we've been incredibly lucky for most of the last 35 years or so and if we have to go through a period of mediocrity then I can't complain too much. But at some point in the nest 2-3 years I will need to see real progress towards building a new competitive team or my interest will definitely start to drop.

I'm the same way and feel I'll be long dead by the time this team goes through a Red Wings style rebuild (about 20 years). I'll pay attention and post here but watching just isn't fun anymore. Even with Sid, they can rebuild/retool, but it's the same pattern. Maybe a little better because of the Jake trade and Pickering getting a legit chance, but not much.

After seeing the moves KD made this off-season, bringing in short term veterans, I always thought it was going to be a transition year where we trade many of our pending UFA's and acquire more young pieces and picks and next season we start to implement more youth into the lineup. Assuming the WBS players are ready. I would like to see McGroarty, Ponomarev, Koivunen, Broz, Blomqvist, Pickeringing all in the lineup next season if they are ready to contribute. I would expect/hope that KD will move out MP, Grzy, Beauv, Acciari, Nieto! maybe DOC, Lizotte, by the deadline to bring in some picks and open up some roster spots.

The team is still going to try to compete. They won't be bad enough to get a top 3 pick with the veterans we have, so KD is going to keep trying to thread the needle. Bring in younger players who need a change of scenery like he did with Glass and Tomasino and see if they can rebound.

They badly need a top line scoring winger. We never replaced Jake. Bunting is fine but we need someone else to play along Geno or Sid (not Beauvillier, DOC, Glassetc). Would be great if we had an above-average goalie too. This team under Sullivan will never play good enough defense to not need a strong goalie to cover up the mistakes.

X-Crosby-Rust
X-Malkin-Tomasino
McGroarty-Broz-Koivunen
Ponomarev-Lizotte-Glass
x-Hayes, Bemstrom

At the deadline, I'd like to see MP and DOC moved for sure. Teams have reportedly asked about DOC. He'll be 27 this summer. I don't think he's going to suddenly improve into a top 6 winger. He's a 3rd line guy at best, who can step into the top 6 as an injury fill in. If there's a market...move him. I'd move Beauvillier, Grzelcyk, and Acciari if there is a market for them at the deadline...but not sure there will be.

Over the summer, I'd like to see if we move on from Rakell and Bunting for some picks and prospects. Even moving on from one would be a big help.

Then in UFA, go after a Boeser/Ehlers/Vatarno type of top 6 winger...sign em to a deal that you feel comfortable you can move on from in a few years.

On defense next year:

Pickering-Letang
POJ-Karlsson
Graves-Brunicke
x-Shea

Need to see if Brunicke continues to show well, but if he has another summer/training camp like he did last year, they shouldn't hold him back. UFA market, look at bringing back Codi Ceci, or maybe someone like a Nate Schmidt for the 3rd pairing. UFA defense is slim pickings, and so is our system, so this may continue to be an issue.

I don't expect all of these moves to be able to be pulled off, but some combination of these, and letting more kids play next year.

I love these detailed posts. Since he's under contract, I wouldn't just give away Rakell. He's not ancient and we need more players like him. By the same token, I don't see Bunting going anywhere—at least not this year. He's not old, provides some jam and if you deal O'Connor, you'd want to keep Bunting.
I don't know if I like POJ as a top 4 defenseman. I would look to sign a left shot D who would be able to beat out POJ as a partner for Karlsson/Letang. As for the rest of your prospective roster.

[KG]

Montreal's rookie goalie Jakub Dobes had quite the debut, posting a shutout against the Panthers in Florida.

It seems like a lot of goalies can win a game at any given time. No need to have long contracts with them.

Not to mention, if the Penguins have one organizational development strength, it is goalies. A list of all Penguins drafted goalies in the cap era (plus Fleury in 2003)

--MAF, one of the winningest goalies in the NHL all-time
--Andy Chiodo, 2003 7th rounder - 8 NHL games, 100 or so AHL games, now a goalie coach for Penguins
--David Brown, 2004 8th rounder - MISS - 20 or so AHL games highest level
--Chad Johnson, 2006 5th round - just under 200 NHL games, none with Penguins
--Alexander Pechursky, 2008 5th round - MISS - one memorable NHL game; no other US professional experience
--Patrick Killeen, 2008 6th round - MISS - 7 AHL games, about 100 ECHL games
--Matt Murray, 2012 3rd round - 273 NHL games, 2 Cups
--Sean Maguire, 2012 4th round - MISS - 6 AHL games, about 50 ECHL games
--Tristan Jarry, 2013 2nd round - 273 NHL games and counting
--Filip Gustavsson, 2016 2nd round - 135 NHL games and counting
--Joel Blomqvist, 2020 2nd round - 8 NHL games, promising future
--Calle Clang, 2020 3rd round - dressed as backup TODAY for first NHL game
--Sergei Murashov, 2022 4th round - promising future.

That's a pretty good hit rate on goalies, with MAF, Johnson, Murray, Jarry, Gustavsson all being solid hits, and Blomqvist, Murashov, and maybe Clang close to proving themselves at NHL level.

Penguins right now have Larsson playing really well in WBS. Blomqvist has been ok in the AHL.
Murashov is 12-2 in the ECHL, plus 2-0 in AHL, with great numbers at both levels
Gauthier has 5 ECHL starts after starting injured, 3-2 but 1.62 GAA and .947 SV%

Penguins have 4 goalies 25 or under in their system right now, some (Larsson and Blomqvist) pushing for NHL work, and Mursahov and Gauthier should really both be at AHL level at this point.

Very interesting. Drafting Murray and Jarry in consecutive years is a pretty big hit, too bad it seems both of them already peaked.

Gustavsson is pretty solid - was he dealt in the Brassard trade?

Considering the all the misses with skaters (Pickering is looking very good, but is the first one drafted and developed by the organization since... a long time ago), drafting goalies is definitely a strength. It seems to work through multiple GMs, so maybe goalie scouts deserve some recognition?

Speaking of Murashov. He seems to be on a real run at Wheeling.

[Victor]

The current state and direction of the team doesn't inspire, that's for sure. I was more interested in them when they were really rebuilding from about 2002-2006 than I am now because you could see the foundation being built and light was starting to be visible at the end of the tunnel. But the team looks like it's going to hang around the mushy middle for a few years before they start on a clear direction. Maybe that's the way it has to be with 87 still onboard. When he goes then they can make bigger changes. But I don't get very invested in the games right now and I see a lot of them in person because I work at PPG Paints Arena. I follow the team online still but don't watch every game on tv. I don't get too upset at all when they lose. The way I look at it we've been incredibly lucky for most of the last 35 years or so and if we have to go through a period of mediocrity then I can't complain too much. But at some point in the nest 2-3 years I will need to see real progress towards building a new competitive team or my interest will definitely start to drop.

I'm the same way and feel I'll be long dead by the time this team goes through a Red Wings style rebuild (about 20 years). I'll pay attention and post here but watching just isn't fun anymore. Even with Sid, they can rebuild/retool, but it's the same pattern. Maybe a little better because of the Jake trade and Pickering getting a legit chance, but not much.

After seeing the moves KD made this off-season, bringing in short term veterans, I always thought it was going to be a transition year where we trade many of our pending UFA's and acquire more young pieces and picks and next season we start to implement more youth into the lineup. Assuming the WBS players are ready. I would like to see McGroarty, Ponomarev, Koivunen, Broz, Blomqvist, Pickeringing all in the lineup next season if they are ready to contribute. I would expect/hope that KD will move out MP, Grzy, Beauv, Acciari, Nieto! maybe DOC, Lizotte, by the deadline to bring in some picks and open up some roster spots.

The team is still going to try to compete. They won't be bad enough to get a top 3 pick with the veterans we have, so KD is going to keep trying to thread the needle. Bring in younger players who need a change of scenery like he did with Glass and Tomasino and see if they can rebound.

They badly need a top line scoring winger. We never replaced Jake. Bunting is fine but we need someone else to play along Geno or Sid (not Beauvillier, DOC, Glassetc). Would be great if we had an above-average goalie too. This team under Sullivan will never play good enough defense to not need a strong goalie to cover up the mistakes.

X-Crosby-Rust
X-Malkin-Tomasino
McGroarty-Broz-Koivunen
Ponomarev-Lizotte-Glass
x-Hayes, Bemstrom

At the deadline, I'd like to see MP and DOC moved for sure. Teams have reportedly asked about DOC. He'll be 27 this summer. I don't think he's going to suddenly improve into a top 6 winger. He's a 3rd line guy at best, who can step into the top 6 as an injury fill in. If there's a market...move him. I'd move Beauvillier, Grzelcyk, and Acciari if there is a market for them at the deadline...but not sure there will be.

Over the summer, I'd like to see if we move on from Rakell and Bunting for some picks and prospects. Even moving on from one would be a big help.

Then in UFA, go after a Boeser/Ehlers/Vatarno type of top 6 winger...sign em to a deal that you feel comfortable you can move on from in a few years.

On defense next year:

Pickering-Letang
POJ-Karlsson
Graves-Brunicke
x-Shea

Need to see if Brunicke continues to show well, but if he has another summer/training camp like he did last year, they shouldn't hold him back. UFA market, look at bringing back Codi Ceci, or maybe someone like a Nate Schmidt for the 3rd pairing. UFA defense is slim pickings, and so is our system, so this may continue to be an issue.

I don't expect all of these moves to be able to be pulled off, but some combination of these, and letting more kids play next year.

UFA forwards should not be plentiful as well this year. I was taking a look at who could end up testing the market and other than big names like Marner and Rantanen, there aren't a lot of options. Then there is the Boeser/Ehlers tier with other older guys like Tavares, Marchand, Duchene and Giroux. Even Granlund should generate some interest with the numbers he's putting in SJ...

From the players you mentioned, I like both Ehlers and Vatrano. Boeser is a RW and his "game away from the puck" probably is not a fit with Sullivan. I could dream about them signing Sam Bennett and maybe using Malkin more as a winger in his final year. I'd welcome another Lizotte-type UFA signing to help developing the prospects, but I find very unlikely that Sully will dress a team with 4 rookies in the bottom 6.

[Victor]

Montreal's rookie goalie Jakub Dobes had quite the debut, posting a shutout against the Panthers in Florida.

It seems like a lot of goalies can win a game at any given time. No need to have long contracts with them.

Not to mention, if the Penguins have one organizational development strength, it is goalies. A list of all Penguins drafted goalies in the cap era (plus Fleury in 2003)

--MAF, one of the winningest goalies in the NHL all-time
--Andy Chiodo, 2003 7th rounder - 8 NHL games, 100 or so AHL games, now a goalie coach for Penguins
--David Brown, 2004 8th rounder - MISS - 20 or so AHL games highest level
--Chad Johnson, 2006 5th round - just under 200 NHL games, none with Penguins
--Alexander Pechursky, 2008 5th round - MISS - one memorable NHL game; no other US professional experience
--Patrick Killeen, 2008 6th round - MISS - 7 AHL games, about 100 ECHL games
--Matt Murray, 2012 3rd round - 273 NHL games, 2 Cups
--Sean Maguire, 2012 4th round - MISS - 6 AHL games, about 50 ECHL games
--Tristan Jarry, 2013 2nd round - 273 NHL games and counting
--Filip Gustavsson, 2016 2nd round - 135 NHL games and counting
--Joel Blomqvist, 2020 2nd round - 8 NHL games, promising future
--Calle Clang, 2020 3rd round - dressed as backup TODAY for first NHL game
--Sergei Murashov, 2022 4th round - promising future.

That's a pretty good hit rate on goalies, with MAF, Johnson, Murray, Jarry, Gustavsson all being solid hits, and Blomqvist, Murashov, and maybe Clang close to proving themselves at NHL level.

Penguins right now have Larsson playing really well in WBS. Blomqvist has been ok in the AHL.
Murashov is 12-2 in the ECHL, plus 2-0 in AHL, with great numbers at both levels
Gauthier has 5 ECHL starts after starting injured, 3-2 but 1.62 GAA and .947 SV%

Penguins have 4 goalies 25 or under in their system right now, some (Larsson and Blomqvist) pushing for NHL work, and Mursahov and Gauthier should really both be at AHL level at this point.

Very interesting. Drafting Murray and Jarry in consecutive years is a pretty big hit, too bad it seems both of them already peaked.

Gustavsson is pretty solid - was he dealt in the Brassard trade?

Considering the all the misses with skaters (Pickering is looking very good, but is the first one drafted and developed by the organization since... a long time ago), drafting goalies is definitely a strength. It seems to work through multiple GMs, so maybe goalie scouts deserve some recognition?

Speaking of Murashov. He seems to be on a real run at Wheeling.

I'm really excited about Murashov. He seems solid at every level he's played so far.

[Puck-Lurker]

Penguins have drafted decent or promising goalies for a while. Whatever they get wrong, that's one position they draft really well

Gustavson was traded along with Cole and a 1st for Brassard, also swapped 3rd rounders and traded some flotsam. Certainly didn't work out that trade.

I don't imagine drafting goalies is easy, with skaters you might get a clearer picture of how good they'll be.

Jarry was a decent hit but should've been left to rot when he became UFA last time around. No point entering a dead end street expecting something. This was one area that should have been moneyballed. I can already hear someone typing no one else was available... Not buying it, there are always a horde of 2nd and 3rd string goalies you can take a chance on. Sign a couple and work it out in camp, if it doesn't stick, cheap contracts don't hurt nearly as much as the lunacy that is Jarry's deal.

[Daniel]

The current state and direction of the team doesn't inspire, that's for sure. I was more interested in them when they were really rebuilding from about 2002-2006 than I am now because you could see the foundation being built and light was starting to be visible at the end of the tunnel. But the team looks like it's going to hang around the mushy middle for a few years before they start on a clear direction. Maybe that's the way it has to be with 87 still onboard. When he goes then they can make bigger changes. But I don't get very invested in the games right now and I see a lot of them in person because I work at PPG Paints Arena. I follow the team online still but don't watch every game on tv. I don't get too upset at all when they lose. The way I look at it we've been incredibly lucky for most of the last 35 years or so and if we have to go through a period of mediocrity then I can't complain too much. But at some point in the nest 2-3 years I will need to see real progress towards building a new competitive team or my interest will definitely start to drop.

I'm the same way and feel I'll be long dead by the time this team goes through a Red Wings style rebuild (about 20 years). I'll pay attention and post here but watching just isn't fun anymore. Even with Sid, they can rebuild/retool, but it's the same pattern. Maybe a little better because of the Jake trade and Pickering getting a legit chance, but not much.

After seeing the moves KD made this off-season, bringing in short term veterans, I always thought it was going to be a transition year where we trade many of our pending UFA's and acquire more young pieces and picks and next season we start to implement more youth into the lineup. Assuming the WBS players are ready. I would like to see McGroarty, Ponomarev, Koivunen, Broz, Blomqvist, Pickeringing all in the lineup next season if they are ready to contribute. I would expect/hope that KD will move out MP, Grzy, Beauv, Acciari, Nieto! maybe DOC, Lizotte, by the deadline to bring in some picks and open up some roster spots.

The team is still going to try to compete. They won't be bad enough to get a top 3 pick with the veterans we have, so KD is going to keep trying to thread the needle. Bring in younger players who need a change of scenery like he did with Glass and Tomasino and see if they can rebound.

They badly need a top line scoring winger. We never replaced Jake. Bunting is fine but we need someone else to play along Geno or Sid (not Beauvillier, DOC, Glassetc). Would be great if we had an above-average goalie too. This team under Sullivan will never play good enough defense to not need a strong goalie to cover up the mistakes.

I don't mind the moneyball approach and thought it was good. The problem, like every year, is that they overdo it with the fringe veterans. Instead of getting 2-3 they 5-6. The only difference is KD brought in fringe 23-25 year olds rather than fringe 33-35 year olds. Glass and Tomasino is fine, but no need for Beau, Nieto, Acciari or Gryzlzyk (or whatever) on this years roster.

[KG]

The current state and direction of the team doesn't inspire, that's for sure. I was more interested in them when they were really rebuilding from about 2002-2006 than I am now because you could see the foundation being built and light was starting to be visible at the end of the tunnel. But the team looks like it's going to hang around the mushy middle for a few years before they start on a clear direction. Maybe that's the way it has to be with 87 still onboard. When he goes then they can make bigger changes. But I don't get very invested in the games right now and I see a lot of them in person because I work at PPG Paints Arena. I follow the team online still but don't watch every game on tv. I don't get too upset at all when they lose. The way I look at it we've been incredibly lucky for most of the last 35 years or so and if we have to go through a period of mediocrity then I can't complain too much. But at some point in the nest 2-3 years I will need to see real progress towards building a new competitive team or my interest will definitely start to drop.

I'm the same way and feel I'll be long dead by the time this team goes through a Red Wings style rebuild (about 20 years). I'll pay attention and post here but watching just isn't fun anymore. Even with Sid, they can rebuild/retool, but it's the same pattern. Maybe a little better because of the Jake trade and Pickering getting a legit chance, but not much.

After seeing the moves KD made this off-season, bringing in short term veterans, I always thought it was going to be a transition year where we trade many of our pending UFA's and acquire more young pieces and picks and next season we start to implement more youth into the lineup. Assuming the WBS players are ready. I would like to see McGroarty, Ponomarev, Koivunen, Broz, Blomqvist, Pickeringing all in the lineup next season if they are ready to contribute. I would expect/hope that KD will move out MP, Grzy, Beauv, Acciari, Nieto! maybe DOC, Lizotte, by the deadline to bring in some picks and open up some roster spots.

The team is still going to try to compete. They won't be bad enough to get a top 3 pick with the veterans we have, so KD is going to keep trying to thread the needle. Bring in younger players who need a change of scenery like he did with Glass and Tomasino and see if they can rebound.

They badly need a top line scoring winger. We never replaced Jake. Bunting is fine but we need someone else to play along Geno or Sid (not Beauvillier, DOC, Glassetc). Would be great if we had an above-average goalie too. This team under Sullivan will never play good enough defense to not need a strong goalie to cover up the mistakes.

I don't mind the moneyball approach and thought it was good. The problem, like every year, is that they overdo it with the fringe veterans. Instead of getting 2-3 they 5-6. The only difference is KD brought in fringe 23-25 year olds rather than fringe 33-35 year olds. Glass and Tomasino is fine, but no need for Beau, Nieto, Acciari or Gryzlzyk (or whatever) on this years roster.

Agreed. Way too many older veterans have been brought in. Hopefully this will be the last year of that and the kids get a real opportunity next season.

[Daniel]

The current state and direction of the team doesn't inspire, that's for sure. I was more interested in them when they were really rebuilding from about 2002-2006 than I am now because you could see the foundation being built and light was starting to be visible at the end of the tunnel. But the team looks like it's going to hang around the mushy middle for a few years before they start on a clear direction. Maybe that's the way it has to be with 87 still onboard. When he goes then they can make bigger changes. But I don't get very invested in the games right now and I see a lot of them in person because I work at PPG Paints Arena. I follow the team online still but don't watch every game on tv. I don't get too upset at all when they lose. The way I look at it we've been incredibly lucky for most of the last 35 years or so and if we have to go through a period of mediocrity then I can't complain too much. But at some point in the nest 2-3 years I will need to see real progress towards building a new competitive team or my interest will definitely start to drop.

I'm the same way and feel I'll be long dead by the time this team goes through a Red Wings style rebuild (about 20 years). I'll pay attention and post here but watching just isn't fun anymore. Even with Sid, they can rebuild/retool, but it's the same pattern. Maybe a little better because of the Jake trade and Pickering getting a legit chance, but not much.

After seeing the moves KD made this off-season, bringing in short term veterans, I always thought it was going to be a transition year where we trade many of our pending UFA's and acquire more young pieces and picks and next season we start to implement more youth into the lineup. Assuming the WBS players are ready. I would like to see McGroarty, Ponomarev, Koivunen, Broz, Blomqvist, Pickeringing all in the lineup next season if they are ready to contribute. I would expect/hope that KD will move out MP, Grzy, Beauv, Acciari, Nieto! maybe DOC, Lizotte, by the deadline to bring in some picks and open up some roster spots.

The team is still going to try to compete. They won't be bad enough to get a top 3 pick with the veterans we have, so KD is going to keep trying to thread the needle. Bring in younger players who need a change of scenery like he did with Glass and Tomasino and see if they can rebound.

They badly need a top line scoring winger. We never replaced Jake. Bunting is fine but we need someone else to play along Geno or Sid (not Beauvillier, DOC, Glassetc). Would be great if we had an above-average goalie too. This team under Sullivan will never play good enough defense to not need a strong goalie to cover up the mistakes.

I don't mind the moneyball approach and thought it was good. The problem, like every year, is that they overdo it with the fringe veterans. Instead of getting 2-3 they 5-6. The only difference is KD brought in fringe 23-25 year olds rather than fringe 33-35 year olds. Glass and Tomasino is fine, but no need for Beau, Nieto, Acciari or Gryzlzyk (or whatever) on this years roster.

Agreed. Way too many older veterans have been brought in. Hopefully this will be the last year of that and the kids get a real opportunity next season.

Now that WBS seems to have a good coach who seems to be developing players we might see an influx next year. Huge reason I want a top 5 finish. Get a blue chip NHL ready forward, add in 3-5 from WBS and go for that one last cup.

[Pens4Life]

I dont think Rakell get moved..

Pettersson very likely, but I really hope Karlsson as well..

Karlsson, Pettersson, Jarry, Hayes, Acciari, Nieto, Graves, Gryz

All should be on trade block! But with Sullivan here..eeeeeh

[FLPensFan]

I'm the same way and feel I'll be long dead by the time this team goes through a Red Wings style rebuild (about 20 years). I'll pay attention and post here but watching just isn't fun anymore. Even with Sid, they can rebuild/retool, but it's the same pattern. Maybe a little better because of the Jake trade and Pickering getting a legit chance, but not much.

After seeing the moves KD made this off-season, bringing in short term veterans, I always thought it was going to be a transition year where we trade many of our pending UFA's and acquire more young pieces and picks and next season we start to implement more youth into the lineup. Assuming the WBS players are ready. I would like to see McGroarty, Ponomarev, Koivunen, Broz, Blomqvist, Pickeringing all in the lineup next season if they are ready to contribute. I would expect/hope that KD will move out MP, Grzy, Beauv, Acciari, Nieto! maybe DOC, Lizotte, by the deadline to bring in some picks and open up some roster spots.

The team is still going to try to compete. They won't be bad enough to get a top 3 pick with the veterans we have, so KD is going to keep trying to thread the needle. Bring in younger players who need a change of scenery like he did with Glass and Tomasino and see if they can rebound.

They badly need a top line scoring winger. We never replaced Jake. Bunting is fine but we need someone else to play along Geno or Sid (not Beauvillier, DOC, Glassetc). Would be great if we had an above-average goalie too. This team under Sullivan will never play good enough defense to not need a strong goalie to cover up the mistakes.

I don't mind the moneyball approach and thought it was good. The problem, like every year, is that they overdo it with the fringe veterans. Instead of getting 2-3 they 5-6. The only difference is KD brought in fringe 23-25 year olds rather than fringe 33-35 year olds. Glass and Tomasino is fine, but no need for Beau, Nieto, Acciari or Gryzlzyk (or whatever) on this years roster.

Agreed. Way too many older veterans have been brought in. Hopefully this will be the last year of that and the kids get a real opportunity next season.

Now that WBS seems to have a good coach who seems to be developing players we might see an influx next year. Huge reason I want a top 5 finish. Get a blue chip NHL ready forward, add in 3-5 from WBS and go for that one last cup.

Ponomarev was seen as NHL ready heading into this season. He should be here next year.
Broz has played extremely well so far, halfway through the season. He should be getting a look.
Ditto for Koivunen.
Blomqvist needs to be given at least a backup role next year.
Poulin, Gruden, and Puustinen are still under contract next year. They could the injury callup fillers.
Long shot on Brunicke, but he should AT LEAST get a 9 game look if he plays like he did this summer.
McGroarty should get another look next season.

It's not top end talent, but there is some potential strong 3rd line talent in that group. I need to pay a little more attention to Broz to see if he PKs at all, because, well, you know....

[FLPensFan]

More specifics from Sullivan on Puljujarvi, from DK Feed Link

"We feel like we've got a really good handle on his game," Sullivan said of Puljujarvi. "Jesse and I have had a number of conversations throughout his time in Pittsburgh, and I've tried to define what the expectations are for Jesse in his game, when he goes in every night, how we're trying to deploy him in the role that he plays on our team in order to help the Penguins be successful."

Sullivan acknowledged Puljujarvi has played "extremely well" at times, but added there needs to be "an element of conscientious play," too.

"That's where Jesse and I have had points of contention," Sullivan said. "And a lot of it just boils down to details. You know, positioning in the defensive zone, what you're supposed to do off faceoffs, rush coverage when you're tracking back, what our rules are, awareness and recognition away from the puck, things of that nature."
===============================================

To be fair to Sullivan, that's a pretty good description of what he's not doing that numbers aren't going to show. He didn't mention anything about PK. It's more about playing the right way within the system and being where he is supposed to be, so that he meshes with what the other guys are doing on the ice, being where they are supposed to be. That probably goes deeper into a system level of things that I'm not going to pick out just watching JP on TV and how he's playing.

[KG]

More specifics from Sullivan on Puljujarvi, from DK Feed Link

"We feel like we've got a really good handle on his game," Sullivan said of Puljujarvi. "Jesse and I have had a number of conversations throughout his time in Pittsburgh, and I've tried to define what the expectations are for Jesse in his game, when he goes in every night, how we're trying to deploy him in the role that he plays on our team in order to help the Penguins be successful."

Sullivan acknowledged Puljujarvi has played "extremely well" at times, but added there needs to be "an element of conscientious play," too.

"That's where Jesse and I have had points of contention," Sullivan said. "And a lot of it just boils down to details. You know, positioning in the defensive zone, what you're supposed to do off faceoffs, rush coverage when you're tracking back, what our rules are, awareness and recognition away from the puck, things of that nature."
===============================================

To be fair to Sullivan, that's a pretty good description of what he's not doing that numbers aren't going to show. He didn't mention anything about PK. It's more about playing the right way within the system and being where he is supposed to be, so that he meshes with what the other guys are doing on the ice, being where they are supposed to be. That probably goes deeper into a system level of things that I'm not going to pick out just watching JP on TV and how he's playing.

So in other words, in Sullivan's mind, Puljujarvi's offensive ability is outweighed by his defensive deficiencies. Yet Nieto's defensive abilities far outweigh his serious offensive deficiencies. I don't know but I'll take Puljujarvi over Nieto every day of the week.

[EndO FanEra]

After seeing the moves KD made this off-season, bringing in short term veterans, I always thought it was going to be a transition year where we trade many of our pending UFA's and acquire more young pieces and picks and next season we start to implement more youth into the lineup. Assuming the WBS players are ready. I would like to see McGroarty, Ponomarev, Koivunen, Broz, Blomqvist, Pickeringing all in the lineup next season if they are ready to contribute. I would expect/hope that KD will move out MP, Grzy, Beauv, Acciari, Nieto! maybe DOC, Lizotte, by the deadline to bring in some picks and open up some roster spots.

The team is still going to try to compete. They won't be bad enough to get a top 3 pick with the veterans we have, so KD is going to keep trying to thread the needle. Bring in younger players who need a change of scenery like he did with Glass and Tomasino and see if they can rebound.

They badly need a top line scoring winger. We never replaced Jake. Bunting is fine but we need someone else to play along Geno or Sid (not Beauvillier, DOC, Glassetc). Would be great if we had an above-average goalie too. This team under Sullivan will never play good enough defense to not need a strong goalie to cover up the mistakes.

I don't mind the moneyball approach and thought it was good. The problem, like every year, is that they overdo it with the fringe veterans. Instead of getting 2-3 they 5-6. The only difference is KD brought in fringe 23-25 year olds rather than fringe 33-35 year olds. Glass and Tomasino is fine, but no need for Beau, Nieto, Acciari or Gryzlzyk (or whatever) on this years roster.

Agreed. Way too many older veterans have been brought in. Hopefully this will be the last year of that and the kids get a real opportunity next season.

Now that WBS seems to have a good coach who seems to be developing players we might see an influx next year. Huge reason I want a top 5 finish. Get a blue chip NHL ready forward, add in 3-5 from WBS and go for that one last cup.

Ponomarev was seen as NHL ready heading into this season. He should be here next year.
Broz has played extremely well so far, halfway through the season. He should be getting a look.
Ditto for Koivunen.
Blomqvist needs to be given at least a backup role next year.
Poulin, Gruden, and Puustinen are still under contract next year. They could the injury callup fillers.
Long shot on Brunicke, but he should AT LEAST get a 9 game look if he plays like he did this summer.
McGroarty should get another look next season.

It's not top end talent, but there is some potential strong 3rd line talent in that group. I need to pay a little more attention to Broz to see if he PKs at all, because, well, you know....

That's the thing though. Was he? Is he? I know Dubas said that, but he's played a whopping 3 games so far this season. My guess is that it is more on Sully than on KD, but then again, if KD keeps stocking the roster with veteran PK specialist, what does he think is going to happen? I haven't really been that impressed with Ponomarev when he's been in the lineup, but it's not like there's much to go off of.

Ponomarev should have at least had a 10 game stint by now, same with a few of Koivunen, Broz, Koppanen, Puustinen, Bemstrom, Gruden, Poulin, McGroarty. Maybe not 10 games for all of them, but there should be 1 or two open spots in the bottom 6 and we should be rotating some of these guys in for 4/5 game stretches. I still can't believe this isn't happening (unless they're all borderline busts and don't deserve NHL time).

Now is the time to see what we have with some of them. If we struggle and lose a few more games, oh well. We can afford to lose a little for once, for the betterment of the long-term plan. Instead, it's like we're in a stuck time warp and back to pushing for one more desperate run at a cup with the core (which is never going to happen this year).

I, for one, am starting to get impatient. I'd like to see some roster movement, and I'm not talking about injury call-ups that may or may not get playing time. We know what this roster is/isn't capable of as currently constructed. I'd rather see what some of those younger players are/aren't capable of during the second half of this season, so that we get a feel for what we have to work with next off-season. If 2 or 3 of them show real potential, or if none of them do, it may help guide the way we proceed in the off-season. But without knowing, we're looking at 10-12 guys with NHL potential that are not going to have a spot. I'd rather start finding out sooner rather than later, who is part of the future and who is not.

[Ericf]

More specifics from Sullivan on Puljujarvi, from DK Feed Link

"We feel like we've got a really good handle on his game," Sullivan said of Puljujarvi. "Jesse and I have had a number of conversations throughout his time in Pittsburgh, and I've tried to define what the expectations are for Jesse in his game, when he goes in every night, how we're trying to deploy him in the role that he plays on our team in order to help the Penguins be successful."

Sullivan acknowledged Puljujarvi has played "extremely well" at times, but added there needs to be "an element of conscientious play," too.

"That's where Jesse and I have had points of contention," Sullivan said. "And a lot of it just boils down to details. You know, positioning in the defensive zone, what you're supposed to do off faceoffs, rush coverage when you're tracking back, what our rules are, awareness and recognition away from the puck, things of that nature."
===============================================

To be fair to Sullivan, that's a pretty good description of what he's not doing that numbers aren't going to show. He didn't mention anything about PK. It's more about playing the right way within the system and being where he is supposed to be, so that he meshes with what the other guys are doing on the ice, being where they are supposed to be. That probably goes deeper into a system level of things that I'm not going to pick out just watching JP on TV and how he's playing.

So in other words, in Sullivan's mind, Puljujarvi's offensive ability is outweighed by his defensive deficiencies. Yet Nieto's defensive abilities far outweigh his serious offensive deficiencies. I don't know but I'll take Puljujarvi over Nieto every day of the week.

That’s correct. It’s ironic to me that the only time Sullivan ever won anything he employed offense only players, like Kessel. This team has a number of players on the top two lines for whom defense is optional much of the time in the regular season, or it is too difficult to play those hard minutes consistently. Can’t he try Puljujarvi next to Geno for a handful of games? No worse than Bunting’s cherry picking many games or Rust and Sid’s lazy back checking much of the time