Post-Game Talk: Emporer Penguins take the crown from the Kings

[Peat]

To state the obvious - unless someone calls with a big swinging dick "I want my player now here's the picks if you don't like it I'm doing a deal today with someone else" offer - they've got ample time to sort out whether there is a hot streak or an unexpected reversal of fortune.

I also suspect that Dubas is going to keep looking for bargains until the deadline hits regardless of the results. The question is less whether you're open to acquiring potential long term fits at the right price, it's whether you're going to keep your own rentals rather than selling them or buy short term boosts.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

I feel like it would be REALLY quite stupid at this point to hold on to some of these guys that they have so desperately helped claw their way back to near-respectability but what do I know.

 

[ncm7772]

My not watching has helped the team the past couple weeks.

 

[Pancakes]

To state the obvious - unless someone calls with a big swinging dick "I want my player now here's the picks if you don't like it I'm doing a deal today with someone else" offer - they've got ample time to sort out whether there is a hot streak or an unexpected reversal of fortune.

I also suspect that Dubas is going to keep looking for bargains until the deadline hits regardless of the results. The question is less whether you're open to acquiring potential long term fits at the right price, it's whether you're going to keep your own rentals rather than selling them or buy short term boosts.

MP being hurt kinda forces Dubas to wait anyways. That's the main trade chip and I doubt someone is scrambling to get that done now with him week to week.

Rakell has an 8 team no trade and is playing so well right now that there's no way they'll trade him unless someone put out an outrageous offer. Probably not even then. I could see him getting dealt in the off season though pending how the rest of the season goes.

The rest of the UFAs we have likely have little to no trade value. DOC might have had some last year but I can't see him having a whole lot now. And guys like Beauvillier or Grizlick are only getting late picks at best.

 

[IcedCapp]

I hope they don't buy, either.

Though for Malkin's sake I kind wish they would at least a little bit. That second line is brutal and I actually dunno how much is on Malkin for being old, slow and mostly-bad these days. I just can't agree re: Toms. I think he's kind of a nothing. Though I definitely don't mind the attempt.

I'm not sold on either of the top-2 lines, though I know they'll never remove Rust from Sid's hip. (I feel like, even if it's producing, they are on the ice for a ton of goals against). I wouldn't be opposed to moving pieces for Geno's line, but you're moving Bunting out in the process, yes?

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

I'm not sold on either of the top-2 lines, though I know they'll never remove Rust from Sid's hip. (I feel like, even if it's producing, they are on the ice for a ton of goals against). I wouldn't be opposed to moving pieces for Geno's line, but you're moving Bunting out in the process, yes?

Yes. Gladly. Current little streak notwithstanding. In fact it is best done ASAP before he slides back into the toilet.

I know everyone seems to love that top line. I don't get why, either. I would prefer to split up Rust and Raks and place one of each on each top line then scrape together whatever you can as a third wheel for each to best compliment that configuration. At least for now until if/when something better can be figured.

You are right that the WHOLE top six is wonky and frankly has been a long, long time.

EDIT: In the end... gun to head... I probably don't pull the trigger on any deal involving anything better than "decent" futures for the sake of Malkin. At this rate I'm not even confident he finishes out his deal. Don't see the point in trading quality assets for his sake at this point, really. They should have maybe done that years ago. But it sucks watching the guy try the best he is capable of at this point in time and get very little tangible help nearly every night.

 

[BusinessGoose]

My not watching has helped the team the past couple weeks.

You know your task for the rest of the year

 

[IcedCapp]

You know your task for the rest of the year

stream every game on every device he owns?

Yes. Gladly. Current little streak notwithstanding. In fact it is best done ASAP before he slides back into the toilet.

I know everyone seems to love that top line. I don't get why, either. I would prefer to split up Rust and Raks and place one of each on each top line then scrape together whatever you can as a third wheel for each to best compliment that configuration. At least for now until if/when something better can be figured.

You are right that the WHOLE top six is wonky and frankly has been a long, long time.

EDIT: In the end... gun to head... I probably don't pull the trigger on any deal involving anything better than "decent" futures for the sake of Malkin. At this rate I'm not even confident he finishes out his deal. Don't see the point in trading quality assets for his sake at this point, really. They should have maybe done that years ago. But it sucks watching the guy try the best he is capable of at this point in time and get very little tangible help nearly every night.

I could have seen us approach Letang and Malkin about moving if the team just continued to be one of the two-worst in the league, but if they continue to do this "will they/won't they" foreplay shit with the playoffs, I can see everyone riding off into the mediocrity sunset while saying, 'dang we were always 1 point out, what coulda been!'

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

I could have seen us approach Letang and Malkin about moving if the team just continued to be one of the two-worst in the league, but if they continue to do this "will they/won't they" foreplay shit with the playoffs, I can see everyone riding off into the mediocrity sunset while saying, 'dang we were always 1 point out, what coulda been!'

Indeed. It's a REAL jackass, shit-or-get-off-the-pot way of doing things. But I'm told this is a plan to be taken seriously or something.

I would have been fine with either approach (with some caveats) but this in between stuff sucks and really, really was entirely avoidable with just a little bit of sack and a willingness to take some hard cuts at the ball in either direction. Safe is death and this team has been mega safe from the B2B onward.