2024-2025 Season Random Penguins Fodder

[Puck-Lurker]

If your have a selection of players, a top 4 of whatever.. and you have one name to add...

Make a top 5. Seriously.

And no, Ovechkin doesn't make it a top 6. Great player, but a tier lower.

[Victor]

Not exactly Pens related. Gabriel Landeskog has been sent to the AHL on a conditioning assignment. I'm not sure if he plays in the playoffs for Colorado. He last played a NHL game almost 3 years ago when they won the cup. It would be a boost for the Avs though.

https://x.com/Avalanche/status/1909984196598149123

[KG]

Listened to the final GM show of the season. KD mentioned on several occasions that we have several holes on defense, specifically on the left side.

He mentioned finding a partner for EK to get the best out of him, and to replace MP. KD was also asked about Timmins. He spoke very highly on him, so expect him back.

I would expect his priority this off season would be to revamp the defense. Preferably via trade with the amount of draft picks we have, and then free agency.

X- Karlsson
X- Letang
Pickering-Timmins

Would be my guess as to how KD is viewing the D going into the off season.

[thehockeyguru]

Listened to the final GM show of the season. KD mentioned on several occasions that we have several holes on defense, specifically on the left side.

He mentioned finding a partner for EK to get the best out of him, and to replace MP. KD was also asked about Timmins. He spoke very highly on him, so expect him back.

I would expect his priority this off season would be to revamp the defense. Preferably via trade with the amount of draft picks we have, and then free agency.

X- Karlsson
X- Letang
Pickering-Timmins

Would be my guess as to how KD is viewing the D going into the off season.

I like Ryan Lindgren.

They have to do something with Graves

[Pitts]

Listened to the final GM show of the season. KD mentioned on several occasions that we have several holes on defense, specifically on the left side.

He mentioned finding a partner for EK to get the best out of him, and to replace MP. KD was also asked about Timmins. He spoke very highly on him, so expect him back.

I would expect his priority this off season would be to revamp the defense. Preferably via trade with the amount of draft picks we have, and then free agency.

X- Karlsson
X- Letang
Pickering-Timmins

Would be my guess as to how KD is viewing the D going into the off season.

I like Ryan Lindgren.

They have to do something with Graves

They need to be thinking trade Erik Karlsson. Period.

[FLPensFan]

Listened to the final GM show of the season. KD mentioned on several occasions that we have several holes on defense, specifically on the left side.

He mentioned finding a partner for EK to get the best out of him, and to replace MP. KD was also asked about Timmins. He spoke very highly on him, so expect him back.

I would expect his priority this off season would be to revamp the defense. Preferably via trade with the amount of draft picks we have, and then free agency.

X- Karlsson
X- Letang
Pickering-Timmins

Would be my guess as to how KD is viewing the D going into the off season.

I like Ryan Lindgren.

They have to do something with Graves

They need to be thinking trade Erik Karlsson. Period.

One of EK or Letang need to go. I really don't care which, but both of them here isn't working. And if they are going to keep EK65 over Letang, then they need to let him play his game.

X-Letang/Karlsson
X-Timmins
Pickering-Brunicke

That's what I would like to see.

[dark_forces]

Listened to the final GM show of the season. KD mentioned on several occasions that we have several holes on defense, specifically on the left side.

He mentioned finding a partner for EK to get the best out of him, and to replace MP. KD was also asked about Timmins. He spoke very highly on him, so expect him back.

I would expect his priority this off season would be to revamp the defense. Preferably via trade with the amount of draft picks we have, and then free agency.

X- Karlsson
X- Letang
Pickering-Timmins

Would be my guess as to how KD is viewing the D going into the off season.

I like Ryan Lindgren.

They have to do something with Graves

They need to be thinking trade Erik Karlsson. Period.

One of EK or Letang need to go. I really don't care which, but both of them here isn't working. And if they are going to keep EK65 over Letang, then they need to let him play his game.

X-Letang/Karlsson
X-Timmins
Pickering-Brunicke

That's what I would like to see.

I have a sneaking suspicion they'll re-sign Grzelcyk at a comparable price tag for another year. They'll cite his work on the PP and say that playing him lower in the lineup will allow him to contribute more effectively. This is not what I'd do, but what I think will happen. Remember, there evidently was little interest in him at the trade deadline, which makes me think they'll also be lukewarm interest come July 1st.

[Antonio]

Can't keep EK and Sullivan. I think the latter is a big problem for the former.

[Puck-Lurker]

Listened to the final GM show of the season. KD mentioned on several occasions that we have several holes on defense, specifically on the left side.

He mentioned finding a partner for EK to get the best out of him, and to replace MP. KD was also asked about Timmins. He spoke very highly on him, so expect him back.

I would expect his priority this off season would be to revamp the defense. Preferably via trade with the amount of draft picks we have, and then free agency.

X- Karlsson
X- Letang
Pickering-Timmins

Would be my guess as to how KD is viewing the D going into the off season.

I like Ryan Lindgren.

They have to do something with Graves

They need to be thinking trade Erik Karlsson. Period.

One of EK or Letang need to go. I really don't care which, but both of them here isn't working. And if they are going to keep EK65 over Letang, then they need to let him play his game.

X-Letang/Karlsson
X-Timmins
Pickering-Brunicke

That's what I would like to see.

I have a sneaking suspicion they'll re-sign Grzelcyk at a comparable price tag for another year. They'll cite his work on the PP and say that playing him lower in the lineup will allow him to contribute more effectively. This is not what I'd do, but what I think will happen. Remember, there evidently was little interest in him at the trade deadline, which makes me think they'll also be lukewarm interest come July 1st.

We don't have a defensive partner to cover for his shortcomings. That's the problem. In fact, we've had to rely on Grzelcyk to cover for Letang and Karlsson's shortcomings all season. Which hasn't been pretty.

Won't complain if the contract is below 3M, for a year or whatever. But I would be far from thrilled. Got a boat full of 3rd pairing guys and worse, plus Letang and Karlsson thinking they still got it.

Id take a seriously long look at trying to trade for a late 20s 2nd pair LHD in some kind of deal with Karlsson going out. Or Letang. Then maybe circle back to Grz if need be. He won't go anywhere.

[Pitts]

I like Ryan Lindgren.

They have to do something with Graves

They need to be thinking trade Erik Karlsson. Period.

One of EK or Letang need to go. I really don't care which, but both of them here isn't working. And if they are going to keep EK65 over Letang, then they need to let him play his game.

X-Letang/Karlsson
X-Timmins
Pickering-Brunicke

That's what I would like to see.

I have a sneaking suspicion they'll re-sign Grzelcyk at a comparable price tag for another year. They'll cite his work on the PP and say that playing him lower in the lineup will allow him to contribute more effectively. This is not what I'd do, but what I think will happen. Remember, there evidently was little interest in him at the trade deadline, which makes me think they'll also be lukewarm interest come July 1st.

We don't have a defensive partner to cover for his shortcomings. That's the problem. In fact, we've had to rely on Grzelcyk to cover for Letang and Karlsson's shortcomings all season. Which hasn't been pretty.

Won't complain if the contract is below 3M, for a year or whatever. But I would be far from thrilled. Got a boat full of 3rd pairing guys and worse, plus Letang and Karlsson thinking they still got it.

Id take a seriously long look at trying to trade for a late 20s 2nd pair LHD in some kind of deal with Karlsson going out. Or Letang. Then maybe circle back to Grz if need be. He won't go anywhere.

Am I strange for thinking Grzelcyk hasn't really been much of a problem this year? IDK, he's been ok for the money.

[KG]

Just Sid being Sid. Dude is a stud.

[FLPensFan]

Am I strange for thinking Grzelcyk hasn't really been much of a problem this year? IDK, he's been ok for the money.

Has he been horrible, no. But the problem with Grzelcyk, same as Letang and Karlsson, is, when you're asked what you like about the players game, it's almost always going to be their offensive ability.

Puck moving and offense from the back end is key in today's NHL. The Penguins problem is, they are apparently horrible at finding guys that have that offensive ability while still being able to play sound defense.

Defensively, Grzelcyk is below average, Letang is declining, Karlsson...lololz, Graves...yikes! Defense needs a severe overhaul that it is starting to sound like it will not get (keep hearing Letang and Karlsson will be back next year).

[Daniel]

Am I strange for thinking Grzelcyk hasn't really been much of a problem this year? IDK, he's been ok for the money.

Has he been horrible, no. But the problem with Grzelcyk, same as Letang and Karlsson, is, when you're asked what you like about the players game, it's almost always going to be their offensive ability.

Puck moving and offense from the back end is key in today's NHL. The Penguins problem is, they are apparently horrible at finding guys that have that offensive ability while still being able to play sound defense.

Defensively, Grzelcyk is below average, Letang is declining, Karlsson...lololz, Graves...yikes! Defense needs a severe overhaul that it is starting to sound like it will not get (keep hearing Letang and Karlsson will be back next year).

Maybe they need to go old school and do the LW lock to cover for Letang and Karlsson.

[FLPensFan]

A few odds and ends this morning:

--Read that Bemstrom, Puustinen, and Ponomarev are being recalled. I'd assume one is for McGroarty, but the rest...sounds like we are starting to get a lot of injuries down this last stretch.

--Friedman had a report in his 32 thoughts that Tampa 2022 1st rounder (31st overall) Isaac Howard is returning to Michigan. It also sounds like Tampa and Howard aren't close in terms of potential plans and usage for Howard, enough that he's returning to NCAA instead of turning pro. If Howard doesn't sign by end of August next year, he becomes a UFA. ***There are some thoughts floating out there that the Penguins should take a run at him in a trade. This is sounding a bit like another McGroarty situation....Michigan is a good hockey school, and a lot of the kids coming out of there think they are further along in their development than the NHL teams that drafted them. I wouldn't give up a 1st for Howard, but a 2nd and a mid-prospect...like maybe Tanner Howe, yeah, I'd do it.

[KG]

Might not be a popular opinion, but I wouldn't mind bringing back Dumo to play with Letang on the 2nd pairing next season. Dumo would be good to have around with Pickering too.

And if we are keeping EK around, then we need to spend a good amount to find a shutdown 1LD type. Easier said than done.

[KG]

Wes Crosby
@OtherNHLCrosby
Vasily Ponomarev, Emil Bemstrom and Valtteri Puustinen have been recalled on an emergency basis from WBS

[Admin]

[KG]

Damn. Wonder if this means that McG is out for the AHL playoffs too? Hopefully not.

[Puck-Lurker]

Am I strange for thinking Grzelcyk hasn't really been much of a problem this year? IDK, he's been ok for the money.

Has he been horrible, no. But the problem with Grzelcyk, same as Letang and Karlsson, is, when you're asked what you like about the players game, it's almost always going to be their offensive ability.

Puck moving and offense from the back end is key in today's NHL. The Penguins problem is, they are apparently horrible at finding guys that have that offensive ability while still being able to play sound defense.

Defensively, Grzelcyk is below average, Letang is declining, Karlsson...lololz, Graves...yikes! Defense needs a severe overhaul that it is starting to sound like it will not get (keep hearing Letang and Karlsson will be back next year).

Maybe they need to go old school and do the LW lock to cover for Letang and Karlsson.

When it comes to Graves, I propose putting 3 LWs out there to cover for him. If we get called for playing 8 Vs 5, Graves can serve the bench minor. Win-win

[largegarlic]

Am I strange for thinking Grzelcyk hasn't really been much of a problem this year? IDK, he's been ok for the money.

Has he been horrible, no. But the problem with Grzelcyk, same as Letang and Karlsson, is, when you're asked what you like about the players game, it's almost always going to be their offensive ability.

Puck moving and offense from the back end is key in today's NHL. The Penguins problem is, they are apparently horrible at finding guys that have that offensive ability while still being able to play sound defense.

Defensively, Grzelcyk is below average, Letang is declining, Karlsson...lololz, Graves...yikes! Defense needs a severe overhaul that it is starting to sound like it will not get (keep hearing Letang and Karlsson will be back next year).

That's my issue too. Any of Grzelcyk, Letang, and Karlsson wouldn't be bad depending on how the rest of the d-corp is structured, but when they're very suspect defensively, and the complementary guys are also very suspect defensively, it's a really bad mix that they have to radically change before they can be competitive.

[FLPensFan]

Damn. Wonder if this means that McG is out for the AHL playoffs too? Hopefully not.

I think if he's out with a broken foot, that would usually be 6 week turnaround time. Maybe it's lessened to 4 weeks "cuz playoffs." All these recalls are really going to hurt WBS though. They are 4 points behind Charlotte for 2nd with a game in hand. They need all the points they can get to move into 2nd for a first round bye.

[Southern Fan]

Damn. Wonder if this means that McG is out for the AHL playoffs too? Hopefully not.

I think if he's out with a broken foot, that would usually be 6 week turnaround time. Maybe it's lessened to 4 weeks "cuz playoffs." All these recalls are really going to hurt WBS though. They are 4 points behind Charlotte for 2nd with a game in hand. They need all the points they can get to move into 2nd for a first round bye.

The AHL goalies are going to have to steal games in the playoffs for a deep run. I think they aren’t catching Charlotte so that means a 3 game series and then probably a full series with Charlotte. Sounds like McG wouldn’t see those two series.

[Southern Fan]

Damn. Wonder if this means that McG is out for the AHL playoffs too? Hopefully not.

Interesting fourth line with all WBS guys at practice today. Funny if they actually produce as a unit.

[Pitts]

Damn. Wonder if this means that McG is out for the AHL playoffs too? Hopefully not.

WBS has to be steaming mad at this point!

EDIT: from a DK article:

Sullivan did say McGroarty has a chance to recover and rejoin Wilkes Barre/Scranton if they play deep enough into the AHL playoffs.

[KG]

Devils coming off of giving up a 7 spot to the Bruins. Would expect them to take it to us tonight. Lose with pride boys.