2024-2025 Season Random Penguins Fodder

[Puck-Lurker]

Two sports hernia surgeries, an adductor repair and a bone infection... Woof... That's some medical baggage. Got to appreciate how he fought his way to recovery at least. If some of that talent he was picked for and that mentality can mix and he stays healthy..

Lots of ifs and probably not going to amount to anything, but it doesn't cost.

[KG]

Friedman just tweeted that McGorarty is being traded to the Pens??

[Toke]

Friedman just tweeted that McGorarty is being traded to the Pens??

Nice grab if it so....

[FLPensFan]

Friedman just tweeted that McGorarty is being traded to the Pens??

Nice grab if it so....

For those that don't realize...McGroarty is generally considered a better prospect than Yager, so HUGE add. My question will be, does he play on NHL roster this year, because I am hearing that was his issue with Winnipeg. He thought he was NHL ready, and Winnipeg did not. Rumored another team was going to acquire him this offseason (Carolina, I think) and again, the NHL playing time became an issue.

I would think someone off the NHL roster like a DOC or Puustinen could go out in this deal. Would be surprised if a Pickering or other high end prospect went out, too.

[Pensfan4life8771]

Yeager is going to Jets. I don’t follow this trade.

[FLPensFan]

Yeager is going to Jets. I don’t follow this trade.

McGroarty is seen as closer to NHL ready. In general consensus, McGroarty was seen as a slightly better prospect than Yager. One report I saw had McGroarty ranked 38th to Yager ranked 50th.

The question now is, does McGroarty leave Michigan, sign a deal, and make the Penguins team. Supposedly main reason he wanted out of Winnipeg was because he felt he was NHL ready now. 20 years old, 6'1", 205lbs.

[Toke]

Not thrilled.....don't like giving Yager up.

[FLPensFan]

Not thrilled.....don't like giving Yager up.

McGroarty is considered a better prospect. This was essentially both teams swapping their top prospects, with Pittsburgh getting the more NHL ready player. McGroarty should push for an NHL spot this year, and if he doesn't make the team out of camp, he's 20...so he can go play in WBS.

Yager was seen as being at least a year or two away due to his size. Won't have that issue with McGroarty. Skating is seen as his biggest issue, but the USNDT coach says McGroarty has worked on it and it isn't as big of an issue as other make it out to be. McGroarty is never going to be a burner, but as long as he has average skating, he'll be fine.

We'll see at camp.

[Puck-Lurker]

Not thrilled.....don't like giving Yager up.

McGroarty is considered a better prospect. This was essentially both teams swapping their top prospects, with Pittsburgh getting the more NHL ready player. McGroarty should push for an NHL spot this year, and if he doesn't make the team out of camp, he's 20...so he can go play in WBS.

Yager was seen as being at least a year or two away due to his size. Won't have that issue with McGroarty. Skating is seen as his biggest issue, but the USNDT coach says McGroarty has worked on it and it isn't as big of an issue as other make it out to be. McGroarty is never going to be a burner, but as long as he has average skating, he'll be fine.

We'll see at camp.

Agreed.

It's like that time we had that blockbuster trade with a 2nd and 5th for a 2nd and 3rd. Slight upgrade, but we'll have to see. If he can play at center and stay at center, he doesn't have to have blistering speed.

EDIT: No idea why my brain told me McGroarty is a center, he's a winger.

[KG]

I will say one thing I like Dubas has done is he is clearly bringing in some players that have an edge to their game and makes the team tougher to play against. Bunting, McGoraty, drafting Howe.

Good to see the Pens employ some physical pests again.

[BigMcK]

Sully: yeah, I don't want to go fifteen rounds, KD, the lineup card is mine, and that's all.
KD: That lineup card is definitely yours. I'm just saying you can't start xxx on the line.
Sully: Well, I am starting him on the fourth line.
KD: I don't think so. He plays for Detroit now.
Sully: You *traded* xxx?
KD: Yeah. And xxx, xxx, Pust... are all being sent down.
Sully: You are outside your mind.
KD: Yeah. Cuckoo.

[Pruezy11881]

https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburg ... your-peril

I think this a pretty good write-up/summary for the team so far. There will probably be some other factors that play into the team, but this isn't all doom and gloom, as far as the article goes.

[Antonio]

Replace the coach and I would be excited at seeing what can unfold because I do agree that the potential for some interesting breaks is there on paper. Sullivan still here means none of the most major structural issues will change. They have changed the entire roster damn near already 2+ times in the last 5 years so, a third set of changes will be the key? Change the REAL ISSUE and then let us see how things unfold. I am so tired of the notion that THIS TIME the changes on the ice will make a difference. Sure. **** the **** behind the bench already.

[Pens4Life]

https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburg ... your-peril

I think this a pretty good write-up/summary for the team so far. There will probably be some other factors that play into the team, but this isn't all doom and gloom, as far as the article goes.

Yeah, well I hate losing Eller, just because we got Hayes (still uuugh) and Glass, but its kinda obvious now - that Eller, Acciari, Nieto should be shopped.. Nieto a bit harder as he is out long term,but maybe some team will act on it.. if we can get 3-4 picks for those guys ,great..

Opening night roster I would like to see (as for now) :
McGroarty - Crosby - Rust
Bunting - Malkin - Rakell
DOC - Hayes - Puustinen (not great tho)
Beauvillier - Glass - Puljujarvi
x - Lizotte, Poulin

Graves - Letang (lets see if Graves can rebound)
Pettersson - Karlsson
Grzelyck - St.Ivany
x - Aho

I dont want to see two small D together on 1st pair, Letang with Aho or Grzelyck.. not a fan of adding both in FA, I wish Dubas would pick up on bigger defender,not two small ones.
Maybe Knyzhov can surprise and have huge camp and we can waive some LH defender and sent him to AHL. He is big guy, stay at home D 6'3 - 223

[FLPensFan]

Friedman reporting Askarov getting traded to San Jose

Celebrini, Smith, Eklund, and Askarov is a pretty good foundation to build on.

EDIT: Full details from Seravalli

[FLPensFan]

https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburg ... your-peril

I think this a pretty good write-up/summary for the team so far. There will probably be some other factors that play into the team, but this isn't all doom and gloom, as far as the article goes.

Yeah, well I hate losing Eller, just because we got Hayes (still uuugh) and Glass, but its kinda obvious now - that Eller, Acciari, Nieto should be shopped.. Nieto a bit harder as he is out long term,but maybe some team will act on it.. if we can get 3-4 picks for those guys ,great..

Opening night roster I would like to see (as for now) :
McGroarty - Crosby - Rust
Bunting - Malkin - Rakell
DOC - Hayes - Puustinen (not great tho)
Beauvillier - Glass - Puljujarvi
x - Lizotte, Poulin

Graves - Letang (lets see if Graves can rebound)
Pettersson - Karlsson
Grzelyck - St.Ivany
x - Aho

I dont want to see two small D together on 1st pair, Letang with Aho or Grzelyck.. not a fan of adding both in FA, I wish Dubas would pick up on bigger defender,not two small ones.
Maybe Knyzhov can surprise and have huge camp and we can waive some LH defender and sent him to AHL. He is big guy, stay at home D 6'3 - 223

I don't think Eller will go anywhere. From what I've seen on and off the ice, if the core wasn't around, Eller would easily be captain of this team. That's how much of an impact he's had. If they can get a good pick back for him, maybe they move him, but Acciari, then Hayes, then Eller would be my order of who got shipped out.

Camp battles...
--first line LW between DOC, McGroarty and maybe someone like Beauvillier.
--Entire bottom 6. Guys like Poulin, Gruden, and Bemstrom seem to have almost no shot. The others are going to have to battle for spots.
--I think Grzelcyk will get first crack with Letang.
--Aho will get the 7th d-man spot by default, sending Shea to AHL; may become a more heated battle if Ludvig is fully ready for camp.

Also, last snippet I heard around the goalies are that Blomqvist and Murashov are going to be the 1A and 1B in WBS, meaning Larsson and Gauthier may get short end of the stick.

[Puck-Lurker]

I don't think Eller will go anywhere. From what I've seen on and off the ice, if the core wasn't around, Eller would easily be captain of this team. That's how much of an impact he's had. If they can get a good pick back for him, maybe they move him, but Acciari, then Hayes, then Eller would be my order of who got shipped out.

Camp battles...
--first line LW between DOC, McGroarty and maybe someone like Beauvillier.
--Entire bottom 6. Guys like Poulin, Gruden, and Bemstrom seem to have almost no shot. The others are going to have to battle for spots.
--I think Grzelcyk will get first crack with Letang.
--Aho will get the 7th d-man spot by default, sending Shea to AHL; may become a more heated battle if Ludvig is fully ready for camp.

Also, last snippet I heard around the goalies are that Blomqvist and Murashov are going to be the 1A and 1B in WBS, meaning Larsson and Gauthier may get short end of the stick.

Good points.

People in the org love Eller and for good reason. He had a nice season and by all accounts a great personality. He does his job, with whatever wingers are assigned to him, on whatever line he needs to be, without any sulking or complaining. I don't think they're in any hurry to move him, but there's room to do so. I think he'll be the 3C option this year over Hayes.

--LW1, figure that'll be an 80% chance for DOC or something. It's his job to lose. He started fitting in well with Sid and Rust at the end. He's fast, gets in on the forecheck and comes up with more pucks than he has any right to.
--I'll have to both disagree and agree with that. For one part, it's entirely possible one of these just shifts up a gear and forces their way onto the roster. Marino anyone? But I don't think they will. I'm figuring all those start in the AHL and that's fine. Can't wait for the board meltdown when Poulin gets waived.
--I think Graves/Letang will happen, but I'd prefer Grzelcyk/Letang to start off. Shelter Graves for a while and build him back up -- give Quinn some time to "fix" him.
--Shea like Gruden, Bemström, no chance and straight to WBS. He's a depth option and there's no real reason to keep him up.
--I'd love for Pickering to contend for NHL ice. If he can impress during camp and Ludvig isn't back yet, we might carry him as an 8th defenceman. But that's a fringe case and only interesting if he actually gets to play.. fat chance.
--I know Jarry/Ned will be the tandem, but I strongly feel it should be Ned/Jarry. Keep Ned as the 1A for a while. Jarry will play better if the spotlight's off him. The team responds better to Ned in net anyway and it's not like they are hugely different.
--Acciari will play I fear and I think he just should be scratched without giving it a second thought. Playing him will be Sully being Sully.

[dark_forces]

https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburg ... your-peril

I think this a pretty good write-up/summary for the team so far. There will probably be some other factors that play into the team, but this isn't all doom and gloom, as far as the article goes.

Yeah, well I hate losing Eller, just because we got Hayes (still uuugh) and Glass, but its kinda obvious now - that Eller, Acciari, Nieto should be shopped.. Nieto a bit harder as he is out long term,but maybe some team will act on it.. if we can get 3-4 picks for those guys ,great..

Opening night roster I would like to see (as for now) :
McGroarty - Crosby - Rust
Bunting - Malkin - Rakell
DOC - Hayes - Puustinen (not great tho)
Beauvillier - Glass - Puljujarvi
x - Lizotte, Poulin

Graves - Letang (lets see if Graves can rebound)
Pettersson - Karlsson
Grzelyck - St.Ivany
x - Aho

I dont want to see two small D together on 1st pair, Letang with Aho or Grzelyck.. not a fan of adding both in FA, I wish Dubas would pick up on bigger defender,not two small ones.
Maybe Knyzhov can surprise and have huge camp and we can waive some LH defender and sent him to AHL. He is big guy, stay at home D 6'3 - 223

I don't think Eller will go anywhere. From what I've seen on and off the ice, if the core wasn't around, Eller would easily be captain of this team. That's how much of an impact he's had. If they can get a good pick back for him, maybe they move him, but Acciari, then Hayes, then Eller would be my order of who got shipped out.

Camp battles...
--first line LW between DOC, McGroarty and maybe someone like Beauvillier.
--Entire bottom 6. Guys like Poulin, Gruden, and Bemstrom seem to have almost no shot. The others are going to have to battle for spots.
--I think Grzelcyk will get first crack with Letang.
--Aho will get the 7th d-man spot by default, sending Shea to AHL; may become a more heated battle if Ludvig is fully ready for camp.

Also, last snippet I heard around the goalies are that Blomqvist and Murashov are going to be the 1A and 1B in WBS, meaning Larsson and Gauthier may get short end of the stick.

I think we'll still see the top two lines remain from last season. I just don't see another LW option knocking DOC off the Crosby line.
The bottom six is where this camp will be interesting. I'll take a stab.

McGroarty/Beauvillier-Hayes-Glass
(from everything I've read about Hayes, they say he has good on ice vision and can distribute. You put him with some speed and finishing ability and it's at least an average 3rd line.) If Beauvillier can't beat out McGroarty, I think he's probably relegated to 13th forward status.

Lizotte-Eller-Acciari
(You've got a very good, responsible centerman and two bangers who will battle along the boards/go to the net.
I also think we pretty much know the defense pairings and the goalie tandem.)
I really wanted to put Puustinen here instead of Acciari, but unless there's a deal, I don't see it happening.

[Puck-Lurker]

I think we'll still see the top two lines remain from last season. I just don't see another LW option knocking DOC off the Crosby line.
The bottom six is where this camp will be interesting. I'll take a stab.

McGroarty/Beauvillier-Hayes-Glass
(from everything I've read about Hayes, they say he has good on ice vision and can distribute. You put him with some speed and finishing ability and it's at least an average 3rd line.) If Beauvillier can't beat out McGroarty, I think he's probably relegated to 13th forward status.

Lizotte-Eller-Acciari
(You've got a very good, responsible centerman and two bangers who will battle along the boards/go to the net.
I also think we pretty much know the defense pairings and the goalie tandem.)
I really wanted to put Puustinen here instead of Acciari, but unless there's a deal, I don't see it happening.

That's the fun for this camp. DK pointed out how from all the line combinations that were requested from viewers, most pretty much everyone agreed on the top 6 as being the same as the end of last season. And then every bottom 6 was different, not one the same.


26 days until camp and I can't wait.

[Pens4Life]

https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburg ... your-peril

I think this a pretty good write-up/summary for the team so far. There will probably be some other factors that play into the team, but this isn't all doom and gloom, as far as the article goes.

Yeah, well I hate losing Eller, just because we got Hayes (still uuugh) and Glass, but its kinda obvious now - that Eller, Acciari, Nieto should be shopped.. Nieto a bit harder as he is out long term,but maybe some team will act on it.. if we can get 3-4 picks for those guys ,great..

Opening night roster I would like to see (as for now) :
McGroarty - Crosby - Rust
Bunting - Malkin - Rakell
DOC - Hayes - Puustinen (not great tho)
Beauvillier - Glass - Puljujarvi
x - Lizotte, Poulin

Graves - Letang (lets see if Graves can rebound)
Pettersson - Karlsson
Grzelyck - St.Ivany
x - Aho

I dont want to see two small D together on 1st pair, Letang with Aho or Grzelyck.. not a fan of adding both in FA, I wish Dubas would pick up on bigger defender,not two small ones.
Maybe Knyzhov can surprise and have huge camp and we can waive some LH defender and sent him to AHL. He is big guy, stay at home D 6'3 - 223

I don't think Eller will go anywhere. From what I've seen on and off the ice, if the core wasn't around, Eller would easily be captain of this team. That's how much of an impact he's had. If they can get a good pick back for him, maybe they move him, but Acciari, then Hayes, then Eller would be my order of who got shipped out.

Camp battles...
--first line LW between DOC, McGroarty and maybe someone like Beauvillier.
--Entire bottom 6. Guys like Poulin, Gruden, and Bemstrom seem to have almost no shot. The others are going to have to battle for spots.
--I think Grzelcyk will get first crack with Letang.
--Aho will get the 7th d-man spot by default, sending Shea to AHL; may become a more heated battle if Ludvig is fully ready for camp.

Also, last snippet I heard around the goalies are that Blomqvist and Murashov are going to be the 1A and 1B in WBS, meaning Larsson and Gauthier may get short end of the stick.

I think we'll still see the top two lines remain from last season. I just don't see another LW option knocking DOC off the Crosby line.
The bottom six is where this camp will be interesting. I'll take a stab.

McGroarty/Beauvillier-Hayes-Glass
(from everything I've read about Hayes, they say he has good on ice vision and can distribute. You put him with some speed and finishing ability and it's at least an average 3rd line.) If Beauvillier can't beat out McGroarty, I think he's probably relegated to 13th forward status.

Lizotte-Eller-Acciari
(You've got a very good, responsible centerman and two bangers who will battle along the boards/go to the net.
I also think we pretty much know the defense pairings and the goalie tandem.)
I really wanted to put Puustinen here instead of Acciari, but unless there's a deal, I don't see it happening.

I wouldnt mind that 4th line.. Acciari can be effective RW, but Sully used him as center all along.. Puus aint 4th liner anyway, he is 3rd liner or sometimes used as 2nd line plug in for short periods of time.. I also wouldnt mind if DOC stays with Sid and McGro starts the season as 3rd liner with Eller and Beauvillier, I think both guys can play either wing basically.

Bottom six will be interesting battle for sure.. but Dubas needs to make some more moves, we have too much vets already for bottom lines. As I said earlier, If I have to choose 3 out of 5 between Eller, Hayes, Glass, Lizotte and Acciari, I'm picking Eller 100%, then followed with Glass and Acciari, just because of Lizotte small size.

[KG]

This article from the Athletic ranks the Pens 26th overall for prospects. The author doesn't even have McGroraty at the #1 prospect lol. He has Pickering 1 and McG 2.

Can't say I've seen anyone else have that opinion. There are ways to get around the paywall...

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/563313 ... ings-2024/

[FLPensFan]

This article from the Athletic ranks the Pens 26th overall for prospects. The author doesn't even have McGroraty at the #1 prospect lol. He has Pickering 1 and McG 2.

Can't say I've seen anyone else have that opinion. There are ways to get around the paywall...

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/563313 ... ings-2024/

Pronman has been doing this for awhile, but his draft rankings have been very up and down the last few years...sometimes pretty spot on, other times far out in left field. Overall, neither Pronman or Wheeler are very high on either of the Penguins goalie prospects.

[BigMcK]

The Penguins are hiring a Business Intelligence Analyst. Check the team website for details. Get paid for doing what you love.

[FLPensFan]

Apparently, Nick Robertson isn't backing down from his trade demands, and appears he has zero intentions of signing any contract with Toronto. Kingerski claims that Robertson was thought of very highly by Dubas. Kingerski threw out a couple of ideas, which, I was really too fond of, which were:

--Trade Glass (50% retained) to Toronto for nothing, then Pittsburgh offer sheets Robertson for 2M. Toronto gets Glass at 50% retained and a 2025 3rd (this just sounds like too much to me).
--Kingerski also talked about a sign and trade, where Toronto signs Robertson to a 3 year, 2M AAV contract, then trades him to Pittsburgh for a player. Maybe.

Toronto's problem is cap space. They currently have a 21 man roster and only 875K in cap space. People like to blame Dubas there, but, with such a top heavy roster for Tavares, Marner, Nylander, and Matthews...they have only Matthew Knies, Pontus Holmberg, and Joseph Woll under 1M AAV. They are paying to many bottom 6ers 1-3M.

Dubas could look to explore a 3 team trade. Nashville currently shows as having only 19 players and 3M in cap space.
--Dubas trades Puustinen and Acciari 50% retained to Nashville for Tampa's 2025 2nd round pick. (which will be a late 2nd)
--Dubas trades Poulin and MIN 2025 3rd round pick to Toronto for Robertson's rights.
--Dubas then signs Robertson for 2 years, 1.75M AAV

The Penguins clear out some roster spots, sending 3 players out and bringing one back, plus we add a 2nd round pick in the 2025 draft. I signed Robertson to 1.75M because if it is pushed to 2M, Penguins end up just short of being able to field a 23 man roster. 1.75M gives them a little over 800K in cap space before adding a 23rd player.

X-Crosby-Rust
Bunting-Malkin-Rakell
X-Eller-X
X-Hayes-X

You have 5 spots to dole out between DOC, McGroarty, Robertson, Beauvillier, Lizotte, Puljujarvi, and Glass. That's a lot more youth fighting for jobs, clearing Acciari from the picture. Poulin hasn't done anything to date, and a betting man would likely say McGroarty and Robertson are hands down going to be a better player. Same thing with Puustinen. You hate to lose those young guys, but, if we are upgrading in terms of age and skill, I don't have a problem with it.

Anyways, I don't think it will happen...but that would be my path to adding Nick Robertson to this roster.

[Antonio]

I so wish retention, NMC, and NTC all became a thing of the past.