GDT: Free Agency Day 1: You're from Boston? Come on down

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

Beauvillier blows and is yet another boring player to watch slog around out there all next year.

But at 1.whatever million for a year who cares. I've come around on the idea that we should just get used to Kent Manderville Dark Era style adds.

 

[Empoleon8771]

No it’s not lol. They are literally contradicting one another. That’s not a solid direction at all

No they are not. It would be contradictory directions if they were doing what the Capitals were doing, where they're both selling off pieces and trading picks for win-now help.

Selling off pieces gradually while keeping the core together is not "contradicting one another".

 

[HandshakeLine]

why would that happen

Because the next Pensblog will need clicks.

 

[Tom Hanks]

Alright that’s a wrap, see everyone in October.

You didn’t specify a year.

 

[The Great Mighty Poo]

I like Bunting. He’s fun to watch, tries hard, loves the game.

He produces consistently too.

Nice guy also BTW.

 

[DesertedPenguin]

There's going to be a point this year where Malkin is hurt on IR and Bunting is skating super f-ing hard to crash the net but he will be being centered by Kevin Hayes at the time and Hayes will still be near the blueline trying to catch up to Bunting

So, like Carter? Or a loafing Brassard? Or a battered Bjugstad?

Like, I hear you....but the Pens haven't exactly had the best center depth for some time now.

 

[Gurglesons]

Any direction is a direction, Emp. Even a death spiral is a direction by the literal definition of the word.

I can't imagine being Sidney Crosby and seeing this direction lol.

 

[HandshakeLine]

I like Bunting. He’s fun to watch, tries hard, loves the game.

He produces consistently too.

I like him too. I am also reasonably certain all the same things were said about Rackell.

 

[Nakawick]

I wonder what Crosby thinks of this. I still don't think he leaves but when the cold hard reality hits him in the face on the ice maybe he changes his mind

I think this could be his last season in Pittsburgh if they miss the playoffs.

 

[TimmyD]

No they are not. It would be contradictory directions if they were doing what the Capitals were doing, where they're both selling off pieces and trading picks for win-now help.

Selling off pieces gradually while keeping the core together is not "contradicting one another".

The GM has literally said they are trying to do both. He is going to spend to the cap to try and compete. They absolutely believe they brought in pieces to help win now in Hayes and Beauvillier

 

[End of Line]

Now that the first couple hours have passed the worst deals signed that come to mind are:

1. Zadorov
2. Tanev
3. Stephenson
4. Monahan

 

[Goodleaf]

CBJ has 4 D and 12F signed, and still havent signed Marchenko, Sillinger, and Johnson. Is there any shot of Graves for Laine before they inevitably sign POJ?

 

[The Old Master]

Don’t have a problem with Grezlyk and Beauvillier getting one year deals. Both should be fighting for their NHL lives next season, which should help stave off a small bit of the complacency that has run rampant for a while.

and if one dose well we can flip him at the deadline

 

[DesertedPenguin]

I think this could be his last season in Pittsburgh if they miss the playoffs.

He'll be signed before the summer is over.

 

[molon labe]

100% Bunting and Petts need to go, at the deadline at latest. Those are wasted assets if you don't do that.
Jarry should have been traded this summer, with the goalie buyer market so thin. We gotta hope Rust has another good season, so when his NMC expires next year, he has value.
Ned can go if he has a strong year. That'll be an enticing contract. Just roll AHL goalies.
Puustinen and DOC as well, if they're good this year. They're gonna be old by the time the Pens are ready to contend, so there's no point in keeping them.
Cycle everything out for futures that do actually line up with the Pens timeline.

The PMD market is also both bare, and fire. We're wasting a good opportunity with EK. Maybe they think he's one of the few that might sell some tickets.

I bring him up only because I don't think Geno would waive, nor Letang, nor Sid. But we have 1 retention spot left this year and then that goes back to 3 next year.

Petts absolutely should be sold. 1 year left and a solid addition to any club - should be pretty easy and low hanging fruit.

 

[rdd8771]

I wouldn't blame Sid if he said see you later I'm going to chase one more cup. This team is gonna be horrible. Nothing has changed since last year and everybody is a year older.

 

[HandshakeLine]

The GM has literally said they are trying to do both. He is going to spend to the cap to try and compete. They absolutely believe they brought in pieces to help win now in Hayes and Beauvillier

The bigger problem again isn't Hayes or Beauvillier. It's that the management and coaching staff get the distinct impression that they don't think these are rebuilding moves; they think they're competing moves.

 

[eXile3]

Puustinen was older. Koivunen also has a higher pedigree as a former second round pick.

Being older is a good point. Their draft position stopped mattering the day after they were drafted.

 

[Pancakes]

He'll be signed before the summer is over.

I think he will sign too. I don't think he'll be happy when they suck ass for the final three years of his career but he'll quietly deal with it and then retire.

 

[Malkinstheman]

Now that the first couple hours have passed the worst deals signed that come to mind are:

1. Zadorov
2. Tanev
3. Stephenson
4. Monahan

I think Montour might be number 1. That deal is going to be an albatross 2 years in

 

[Empoleon8771]

I really don't understand how people are confused about the plan going forward with the Penguins. It seems super clear:

1. Make rebuilding type of moves with selling off players and taking on bad deals for assets.
2. Go after short term UFAs that can either bounce back and help the team or be traded for assets at the deadline.
3. Keep the core together until they retire or want to be traded.
4. If they're in playoff contention in a given year, don't sell off assets but don't buy either.

That's literally what every rebuilding team does.

The GM has literally said they are trying to do both. He is going to spend to the cap to try and compete. They absolutely believe they brought in pieces to help win now in Hayes and Beauvillier

You're looking at team directions with no nuance. The options are not just "blow it up and try to lose" or "go all in and try to win".

 

[TimmyD]

The bigger problem again isn't Hayes or Beauvillier. It's that the management and coaching staff get the distinct impression that they don't think these are rebuilding moves; they think they're competing moves.

Agreed. That’s the point I was trying to make. They view those moves as helping the team compete now

 

[SEALBound]

We are absolutely in the direction that is "compete now as best we can, build for tomorrow". Evidence: 2nd with Hayes. 2nd + 5th for Smith. Trade Jake for a haul. Sign low term fill ins.

If anything, it's the people whining about "direction" and "plans" that have no idea what they want. They are like cranky toddlers throwing tantrums that need a nap.

 

[Empoleon8771]

The bigger problem again isn't Hayes or Beauvillier. It's that the management and coaching staff get the distinct impression that they don't think these are rebuilding moves; they think they're competing moves.

How is adding Hayes or Beauvillier even remotely a "competing move"?

They got a 2nd for taking on Hayes. Beauvillier is on a 1 year deal that they'll flip for assets at the deadline if he has a decent year.

This is literally what rebuilding teams do.

 

[eXile3]

I’m not getting worked up over 1 year deals. They’re easy to walk away from.