>“We always have the plan, Josh. But the plan, it won’t change. It’ll be to continue to do the things that we’ve done. From the beginning of the year to now. We’ve added four NHL players to the roster, with going back to Stuart Skinner and Brett Kulak and then Egor Chinakhov and then Ilya Solovyov. We’re always, out primary focus is trying to find players, in their mid-20’s, not necessarily the standard rental fare that get a lot of publicity during this time, which I totally understand and I get. If we get a little closer to the deadline and the team continues to play the way that it has I think we’re not opposed to looking at anything. But our goal every day, even when it’s not as obvious to the outside is to always be trying to improve the team and better the team and some deals it’s a little bit more obvious than others they can cause people to scratch their head. But I think with where we’re at, we’re continuing to want to support the group with pieces that can be a benefit to the team now but also continue to grow with this group as we do that.
>So the plan won’t truly change. We’re going to explore every possibility and turn every page and flip over every stone we can to try to continue to move the program along and just continue to commit to that process that we have been really for the last two years since the deadline in 2024. But the group has played extremely well. Different guys are taking advantage of their opportunity. If we have an opportunity and we see a fir for a player, we won’t hesitate to bring them in and get them rolling.”
As he damn well should be
Insightful article, thanks for sharing.
I completely agree with its point about blue line being the most likely spot to improve. Chemistry is rolling right now up top, so adding another solid player on our D is the biggest glaring area for improvement.
With everyone healthy we have 5 solid defenseman, adding a 6th completes our blue line and adds depth for potential/inevitable injuries.
At this rate the Pens will go from the oldest team in the league, to one who gets carded when they go to a movie theatre to watch an R-rated film.
Its great to have a GM whose sole focuss isn’t just “win now”. When it’s great, it’s great (See Rutherford for 2016/17 back to back). That has it’s drawbacks for the future.
Striking that balance, is the important thing. Strike while the iron is hot of course, but don’t sell out the future when it’s not a sure thing. Remember Iginla, Morrow etc
Of course we all want Sid, Geno and Kris to get as many Lord Stanley’s as possible. They have 3 now, no point in selling Kindle etc down the river for those (amazing) guys.
IMO 2016 was executed perfectly. It had been 7 years since 87 71 58 29 saw what was reasonably theirs to win and GMJR took care of the rest. 2017 was just as beautiful but we all know how tough it is to go B2B. I don’t think anyone expected that until the Washington series was on.
As for now, getting younger and finding the Kindals and Chinakovs of the world is absolutely the right way to do it. The big guys aside from Malkin may call it quits sooner rather than later at any point. In any event, it should be a run back half of the season.
the team is in a tough spot. No matter how good the pieces around the core are, you simply cannot replace Crosby/Letang/Malkin via free agency when they do retire. So no matter what, when they start to retire or fade for real this team will have some problems as there is not a lot of top end talent. Even with Sid and Geno, we don’t have a single forward in the top 20 for points scored. No it hasn’t matter as much this year, but if we’re trying to go from bubble playoff team to true contender, they still need big upgrades in the lineup.
7 comments
>“We always have the plan, Josh. But the plan, it won’t change. It’ll be to continue to do the things that we’ve done. From the beginning of the year to now. We’ve added four NHL players to the roster, with going back to Stuart Skinner and Brett Kulak and then Egor Chinakhov and then Ilya Solovyov. We’re always, out primary focus is trying to find players, in their mid-20’s, not necessarily the standard rental fare that get a lot of publicity during this time, which I totally understand and I get. If we get a little closer to the deadline and the team continues to play the way that it has I think we’re not opposed to looking at anything. But our goal every day, even when it’s not as obvious to the outside is to always be trying to improve the team and better the team and some deals it’s a little bit more obvious than others they can cause people to scratch their head. But I think with where we’re at, we’re continuing to want to support the group with pieces that can be a benefit to the team now but also continue to grow with this group as we do that.
>So the plan won’t truly change. We’re going to explore every possibility and turn every page and flip over every stone we can to try to continue to move the program along and just continue to commit to that process that we have been really for the last two years since the deadline in 2024. But the group has played extremely well. Different guys are taking advantage of their opportunity. If we have an opportunity and we see a fir for a player, we won’t hesitate to bring them in and get them rolling.”
As he damn well should be
Insightful article, thanks for sharing.
I completely agree with its point about blue line being the most likely spot to improve. Chemistry is rolling right now up top, so adding another solid player on our D is the biggest glaring area for improvement.
With everyone healthy we have 5 solid defenseman, adding a 6th completes our blue line and adds depth for potential/inevitable injuries.
At this rate the Pens will go from the oldest team in the league, to one who gets carded when they go to a movie theatre to watch an R-rated film.
Its great to have a GM whose sole focuss isn’t just “win now”. When it’s great, it’s great (See Rutherford for 2016/17 back to back). That has it’s drawbacks for the future.
Striking that balance, is the important thing. Strike while the iron is hot of course, but don’t sell out the future when it’s not a sure thing. Remember Iginla, Morrow etc
Of course we all want Sid, Geno and Kris to get as many Lord Stanley’s as possible. They have 3 now, no point in selling Kindle etc down the river for those (amazing) guys.
IMO 2016 was executed perfectly. It had been 7 years since 87 71 58 29 saw what was reasonably theirs to win and GMJR took care of the rest. 2017 was just as beautiful but we all know how tough it is to go B2B. I don’t think anyone expected that until the Washington series was on.
As for now, getting younger and finding the Kindals and Chinakovs of the world is absolutely the right way to do it. The big guys aside from Malkin may call it quits sooner rather than later at any point. In any event, it should be a run back half of the season.
the team is in a tough spot. No matter how good the pieces around the core are, you simply cannot replace Crosby/Letang/Malkin via free agency when they do retire. So no matter what, when they start to retire or fade for real this team will have some problems as there is not a lot of top end talent. Even with Sid and Geno, we don’t have a single forward in the top 20 for points scored. No it hasn’t matter as much this year, but if we’re trying to go from bubble playoff team to true contender, they still need big upgrades in the lineup.