With the 14th overall selection in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, the Pittsburgh Penguins select…

[molon labe]

absolutely disagree with this premise! You've lost all sense of reality and reason. Just because other teams didn't draft well doesn't mean we are going to end up in the same predicament. Sid and Geno had very good years and they still couldn't win. To try and resurrect them at their age is just insanity! You need to learn that the party is over. And if you don't learn that now, then the rebuild will take even longer. The last few seasons of The Sid and Geno era are already gone. They ain't going to do s***! And to be clear they haven't done s*** for 5 years running.

I can't believe after the last five f****** years that some of you are holding on to this f****** core! How many years do they have to lose in the first round, or miss the playoffs all together for you guys to get the f****** message?

Idk how you can say I've lost sense of reality or reason with a take like this, lol.

The core may have gotten older but are producing almost as best as they ever have relative to cost. Geno potting 80+ at 6m is absurdly good. Sid still outperforming most 1st lines in the league.... Idk what the heck you're smoking.

The last 5 years is entirely on 3 things: coaching, depth, and goaltending. You can fix all 3 in a single Summer.

 

[Ryder71]

Idk how you can say I've lost sense of reality or reason with a take like this, lol.

The core may have gotten older but are producing almost as best as they ever have relative to cost. Geno potting 80+ at 6m is absurdly good. Sid still outperforming most 1st lines in the league.... Idk what the heck you're smoking.

The last 5 years is entirely on 3 things: coaching, depth, and goaltending. You can fix all 3 in a single Summer.

Because you're not realistic. They're getting older, their play will surely diminish. We had them healthy the entire season. When was the last time that happened? Not likely to happen again. And there's no guarantee we're going to surround them with quality Talent up and down the lineup. Those years, or I should say their final years are wasted. We're not going to be a contender you just need to move on and start over. I'm not sure what goaltender you want to bring in, what other areas of quality and depth you want to utilize, but the minor league system is almost non-existent, in our defense is Hit or Miss at best. Our power play left a lot to be desired as well. I'm not sure why you're holding on to this, it's ridiculous! Again no playoff series wins since 20 18. And the coaching staff hasn't largely been changed, Sullivan will be here until he wants out. So I'm not sure what miraculously is going to change when our two best players are going to be 37 and 36 years old respectively. That's just insane!

 

[Ryder71]

if The Pens make the pick, they need to stop with these “safe” prospects…go for talent, particularly shooting talent since our finishing is terrible….good team development can make the player a better defensive player but they can’t do much to help his release…a good skater and shooting talent please…we need some excitement

If? They sure as hell better make the pick or even try to move up if they can. The whole point of this year was to be in this position to get a good draft pick. Anyone who follows his team knows they had no chance this season. Or at least should know that.

 

[Pancakes]

Even if you wanted to blow up this team there's no way to do it. It's full of guys with NTCs who are old and who want to stay here.

That doesn't mean a rebuild can't still happen though. Look at Chicago. Kane and Toews stayed there for years and didn't want to leave and Chicago has still sucked ass the past few years. It didn't take Kane or Toews leaving for the tank to start.

Crosby/Malkin/Letang haven't declined enough for us to tank yet but if their play falls off enough then we will tank even if they're here.

Basically, the rebuild (when it comes) will be dictated by the play of Crosby, Malkin, and Letang.

 

[spfan]

The first post is updated.

Colby Barlow
“Barlow is an intriguing prospect and another very safe pick. He's one of the top goalscorers in the draft but also is one of the most mature and pro level two way players as well. His shot is 2nd only behind Bedard IMO. His passing is nearly non existent but he doesn't try and force plays with it and creates opportunities for himself with his high octane energy and physicality. He doesn't drive the play but he drives himself and doesn't need any playmaker on his line to produce. His skating isn't amazing but is good enough and his high energy play is a boon in and of itself. Has definite leadership qualities and was named captain at 17 for multiple teams. Mostly needs to work on puck handling and skating as his hands can leave something to be desired. He isn't a super creative player and sometimes tries to do too much with the puck and can't use his hands effectively to pull it off. If he can learn and improve on these two assets he'll be an even more complete player than he already is and have very high upside as the only thing he's really missing to be an NHL goal scoring threat is a combination of these tools. Projects as goalscoring #1W. Likely PP specialist and two way winger.”

I think Barlow is the pick.

Some scouts really don't like him, but many have him in the 10 range. And with his size, I think he for sure is taken before 14th overall. It's the type of player GM's covet.

We're going to take the smallest puck moving defenseman available

We took Pickering last year who is not small at all.

 

[spfan]

wow the rankings are all over the place. one has will smith at 5 another 19 barlow at 11 another 28
edit; normally that means that everyone is very close. But that far of a spread is nuts.

Barlow is kind of divisive. Smith is a consensus 5-10 pick.

 

[Ulf5]

Scott Wheeler's preliminary top 64 ranking for the 2023 NHL Draft

This year's draft class has a real chance to challenge 2015 as the best age group Scott Wheeler has scouted to date.

theathletic.com

 

[Gurglesons]

I honestly don’t see how any franchise can say they are win now and justify keeping this pick.

Hopefully we end up with a better player than Kapanen.

 

[Pancakes]

I honestly don’t see how any franchise can say they are win now and justify keeping this pick.

Hopefully we end up with a better player than Kapanen.

Yeah I don't see how either. There have been some good players taken in this slot but they aren't gonna make the team for like 3 years or so.

Even if we hit a home run and get a Charlie Mcavoy (the best player drafted in this slot recently) does that really make the slightest bit of difference for our ability to compete 3 years from now? I don't think it does.

I wouldn't give the pick away but it should be seriously considered as a trade chip.

 

[Andy99]

As I’ve said before, they shouldnt make this pick unless they get 4OA with their 1.5% chance lol…should be traded for a really good goalie or top notch (younger) forward who‘s a good finisher …

 

[Ragamuffin Gunner]

IMO, if we win one of the lotteries we pick at 4 or 5. If not then you have to trade it.

This would be a great draft to find the next Robertson, Robert Thomas, Kyrou, or Point.

Hopefully, we can find a gem with our 2nd round pi....nevermind.

 

[Goalie_Bob]

Draft Lottery is May 8th. Plenty of time to get the result and then make a deal. The issue is going to be if the Pens have a front office by then. To be honest, they better by mid May.

 

[Gurglesons]

IMO, if we win one of the lotteries we pick at 4 or 5. If not then you have to trade it.


Hopefully, we can find a gem with our 2nd round pi....nevermind.

Think that’s the feel I get too.

 

[The Old Master]

As I’ve said before, they shouldnt make this pick unless they get 4OA with their 1.5% chance lol…should be traded for a really good goalie or top notch (younger) forward who‘s a good finisher …

i think this is what got us to where we are today. it sounds good but making it work is not easy. the best is using the draft to fill in around our core, but we have failed at it for so long we dug ourselves in to a hole. it's time to go back to building through the draft not trying to outdo other gm's in a trade. there aren't enough gm. jr's out there.

 

[Allie Kitsune]

Just someone who has the potential to be more than just a 4C or a slow-skating Defenseman with injury concerns.

 

[The Old Master]

IMO, if we win one of the lotteries we pick at 4 or 5. If not then you have to trade it.

the way the players after the top 3 are scattered, we could be getting that player at 14

 

[PensandCaps]

Yeah I don't see how either. There have been some good players taken in this slot but they aren't gonna make the team for like 3 years or so.

Even if we hit a home run and get a Charlie Mcavoy (the best player drafted in this slot recently) does that really make the slightest bit of difference for our ability to compete 3 years from now? I don't think it does.

I wouldn't give the pick away but it should be seriously considered as a trade chip.

Lots of picks after 10 make the NHL in a year or two. Wouldn't say 3 years.

Mercer was picked 18th, joined the Devils next year.


You can find win now players in the slot if you are good at drafting.

And this is a deep draft, you will be able to get an impact player who will be here soon.

 

[HandshakeLine]

Yeah, an advantage incidentally of drafting a Euro would be we don't have to adhere to their junior eligibility rules and we could put them in WB/S and bring them up as needed.

 

[Andy99]

i think this is what got us to where we are today. it sounds good but making it work is not easy. the best is using the draft to fill in around our core, but we have failed at it for so long we dug ourselves in to a hole. it's time to go back to building through the draft not trying to outdo other gm's in a trade. there aren't enough gm. jr's out there.

Doubtful you’re going to get a core player at#14.. unlucky to draft Jack Hughes there

Yeah, an advantage incidentally of drafting a Euro would be we don't have to adhere to their junior eligibility rules and we could put them in WB/S and bring them up as needed.

Disadvantage: our coach lol

 

[Pancakes]

Lots of picks after 10 make the NHL in a year or two. Wouldn't say 3 years.

Mercer was picked 18th, joined the Devils next year.


You can find win now players in the slot if you are good at drafting.

And this is a deep draft, you will be able to get an impact player who will be here soon.

I dunno about lots. There's a few exceptions but I feel like it's rare.

 

[The Old Master]

Doubtful you’re going to get a core player at#14..

maybe not but it's possible. and it's a better chance than trying to win one in a trade
edit; and cheaper

 

[Andy99]

maybe not but it's possible. and it's a better chance than trying to win one in a trade
edit; and cheaper

We have core players right now…they’re old…we’re not realistically going to replace them until we suck bad enough to get some top five picks in the draft…I’d rather trade it depending on who’s available…obvious you don’t want to trade for someone who’s not all that great lol

 

[PensandCaps]

I dunno about lots. There's a few exceptions but I feel like it's rare.

I feel like there's more than a few showing up in the NHL in two years or less from the 10-30 slot. Do I trust us to draft the right guy? lol no.

 

[PensandCaps]

Doubtful you’re going to get a core player at#14.. unlucky to draft Jack Hughes there


Disadvantage: our coach lol

Aho, Kucherov, Slavin, Benn, Fox, Etc.


There is so much talent out there that just needs to be found. Really really sucks not
having a high 2nd round pick in this draft. Now we have to give away another pick to get rid of that mistake.

 

[gdsmack267]

With the 46th selection the Penguins select Mikael Granlund