GDT: Pens vs Blues (8PM EST)

[cygnus47]

Then they should have been way more proactive about getting usable current assets (not 2027 picks) if they wanted to do that. I keep hearing people say "they're rebuilding" but they're not seemingly doing that completely, but also nobody's really acquiring the kind of players we need to compete now. I just really still don't get how we're supposedly going to pull this off without hitting on some absolute gems in this draft who are a year out at max.

I don’t think it’s clear how deep we’re going until next deadline. If we dump EK and Raks this offseason and don’t replace them with great players we’re tanking for McKenna and DuPont. If we keep them and sign a couple quality guys…well then this was all very half-assed and pointless. Especially if sully sticks around.

I’m hoping we dump the guys and commit to sucking for a couple years but we’re at the crossroads now.

 

[Coastal Kev]

And for McGroarty and Koivunen I'm sincerely happy for them! But right now it's not what's best for the team concerning the draft. This could have taken place in next years pre season. You're in shouting distance to the end of the season and you do this? It's like having a headache and using a sledgehammer to try and correct it! It's lunacy!

The Pens are going to win the lottery and make all of the handwringing pointless in retrospect

 

[DesertedPenguin]

The Penguins shouldn't try to compete next year or even the year after with McKenna and Dupont available.

I hope Dubas stays patient. Play some kids next year and keep building.

I think praying for a lottery ticket is an unrealistic way to rebuild, especially considering there are likely to be multiple teams contending for the No. 1 pick. Are the Penguins really going to be the worst team in the league next year when they have Crosby?

McKenna is an unrealistic pipe dream.

 

[DesertedPenguin]

Then they should have been way more proactive about getting usable current assets (not 2027 picks) if they wanted to do that. I keep hearing people say "they're rebuilding" but they're not seemingly doing that completely, but also nobody's really acquiring the kind of players we need to compete now. I just really still don't get how we're supposedly going to pull this off without hitting on some absolute gems in this draft who are a year out at max.

I think you'll see the activity increase this summer to get current assets.

 

[Pancakes]

I think praying for a lottery ticket is an unrealistic way to rebuild, especially considering there are likely to be multiple teams contending for the No. 1 pick. Are the Penguins really going to be the worst team in the league next year when they have Crosby?

McKenna is an unrealistic pipe dream.

I just don't see a reason to speed run this. Leave spots for kids and don't sign a bunch of vets. Then let the team end up where they will. Don't strip it but don't try to go all in on competing either.

 

[Gurglesons]

OK. Look, it's more of an exercise that I'd like to see Dubas improve the defenseman depth this summer while still ideally trading Karlsson (and Rakell) for assets.

So a 26 year old defenseman who has some skill but who won't cost a ton as a UFA is ideal. There are other ways to do this, too - offer sheet for Hague, a trade for someone blocked, etc.

But I think there is a window to clear the runway a bit for developing prospects, get younger overall, add more assets, and actually improve the overall defense to help the young goalies. Because as much as I liked the initial Karlsson move, he and Letang going on adventures in their own zone coupled with Graves and Grzelcyk is just not going to help Blomqvist and Murashov.

If you're getting younger, the goal is to get players that are cheap and flippable or young enough to be impactful.

Perbix is a 26 year old version of Rutta. Like, conceptually great if you are trying to contend, but he's going to likely get 4 million and he doesn't do anything worthwhile enough to go above a 3rd pairing guy.

Timmins has more upside if he somehow doesn't get injured here.

I also wouldn't trade Karlsson until next year.

 

[cygnus47]

I just don't see a reason to speed run this. Leave spots for kids and don't sign a bunch of vets. Then let the team end up where they will. Don't strip it but don't try to go all in on competing either.

We’ve got a good combination of useless vets that will lose when they’re trying. Just convince Jarry that we’re trying to compete and we’re golden. It’s really just rakell and ek, plus Sid, that are providing genuine offense.

We still have the option of trading rakell and EK, signing like Kyle palmieri and letting the kids play. And we’d be bottom 2-3 for sure. It’s still an option and I hope Dubas takes it.