Pittsburgh Penguins

[havanablast21]

I bet we’ve seen the best of Karlsson. And Dubas only managed to get $1.5M returned by the sharks?! Sounds like “we can and we will” happening in Pittsburgh now.

[rataylor22]

As a Pens fan, I have not supported the continued rebuild at the expense of the future. However, I do think the biggest barrier to postseason success has been an abysmal bottom 6 and poor or injured goaltending.

So in addition to Karlsson, Dubas improved the bottom six with Acciari, Eller, Nieto, etc. so I wouldn't be surprised if the Pens do some damage for another year or two.

The odds are against them at their ages but they have 3 first ballot and 1 close HOFer on their roster now with some gas in the tank.

Never understand this thinking. The post Crosby/Malkin era Pens are going to be bad for a long time. Starting a weak effort rebuild a few years earlier isn’t going to change that. Plus Crosby is not Kane/Toews. Near impossible for the Penguins to be really bad as long as Crosby is at this level. Going all in for maybe another run is absolutely the right call, even if it doesn’t have a high probability of a cup.

[jdreed3184]

Never understand this thinking. The post Crosby/Malkin era Pens are going to be bad for a long time. Starting a weak effort rebuild a few years earlier isn’t going to change that. Plus Crosby is not Kane/Toews. Near impossible for the Penguins to be really bad as long as Crosby is at this level. Going all in for maybe another run is absolutely the right call, even if it doesn’t have a high probability of a cup.

I mean, I'm happy that they're at least all in on whatever direction they go with (in this case, a win-now direction) and I'm optimistic, based on Dubas' moves, that they're giving themselves improved chances to execute this direction as best as possible.

My dissatisfaction is that I think the Pens could have been more competitive this year or the inevitable rebuild could be more successful if the Pens had not misread their competitiveness between 2019 and 2023 and mismanaged assets accordingly (and I'm not even talking about Malkin, Crosby, Letang which I think they've done just fine). I'm talking expansion decisions (McCann, Tanev, etc.), poor signings/trades (Johnson, Carter, Gudbranson, Granlund, Petry, etc.), holding assets beyond their sell-high date (Dumoulin, Rust, etc).

The Crosby/Malkin era will be sooo long (20ish years) that I think it could have been possible to commit to a soft rebuild in years 14-16 in order to give Crosby/Malkin a better chance to win in years 17-19. And possibly set Pittsburgh up for a less painful recovery once they retire.

I'm rooting for them to win now since that's what they've committed to but the last 4 years haven't instilled a lot of confidence.

[metaldude26]

Some promising Guentzel news:

Josh Yohe
@JoshYohe_PGH
·
Sep 21
Pretty encouraging that Guentzel is already skating. Sullivan seems pleased with his progress.

*

Josh Yohe
@JoshYohe_PGH
·
Sep 21
Sullivan says it’s a fair assessment that Guentzel will miss approximately the first five games of the season. Were that the case, he would be due to return around Oct. 24 against Dallas, give or take a few days.

*

Considering what we experienced with Marchand and McAvoy returning way earlier it might be worthwhile simply treating this like Guentzel is in for his normal season.

[pmorrow]

https://twitter.com/penguins/status/1708638692816949563

[4T2]

https://twitter.com/penguins/status/1708638692816949563

Haha that was great!

My 8 year old is so stoked to watch Crosby play in person tonight!

[Dr.Brad]

If what I saw from ice level tonight is who this team honestly is?? Awful. I’m THRILLED that I didn’t renew my full-season tickets after 17 years. I don’t believe there was a single aspect of this game where the Penguins excelled.

If I went to a car dealer, and Charlize Theron was my salesperson, they fed me lobster, and gave away free service and auto upgrades…. but then the car’s engine was a lemon? Same idea - - All the glitz in the arena can’t blow away the stink of the product on the ice.

[Axeman33]

If what I saw from ice level tonight is who this team honestly is?? Awful. I’m THRILLED that I didn’t renew my full-season tickets after 17 years. I don’t believe there was a single aspect of this game where the Penguins excelled.

If I went to a car dealer, and Charlize Theron was my salesperson, they fed me lobster, and gave away free service and auto upgrades…. but then the car’s engine was a lemon? Same idea - - All the glitz in the arena can’t blow away the stink of the product on the ice.

To be fair, they were playing what many consider to be one of the top teams in the East. No one expects the Penguins to be competitive against those caliber of teams.

[rataylor22]

To be fair, they were playing what many consider to be one of the top teams in the East. No one expects the Penguins to be competitive against those caliber of teams.

Adult teams should be competitive against every opponent. Competitive doesn't mean winning.

[hockeyrobot]

I threw some money on their points under 90.5. Basically a lock....

[Feenom]

They looked horrible after the first 8-10 minutes. Patterson played a terrible defensive game. Jarry was left out to dry on most goals. Team back checking and team defense was lacking for majority of the game. Going to be a long year in the Steel city on ice.

[hockeyrobot]

I threw some money on their points under 90.5. Basically a lock....

Jinxed it.

[rataylor22]

http://https://x.com/pensinsidescoop...929097576?s=46

Malkin on teaming up with Crosby for their milestones��: "I’m the only assist to him on 500 and he's the only assist to me. It's crazy. Sometimes I do not understand how this works. But this is a great story for me and him. We probably deserve that, to share this night together."

This. This right here is why you didn’t break up Sid-Malkin-Letang in pursuit of a slightly shorter rebuild timeline. This kind of legacy is generational. Some teams have never even had one player like this, let alone two.

Wouldn’t want it any other way than these guys to be career penguins.

[Grapes]

http://https://x.com/pensinsidescoop...929097576?s=46



This. This right here is why you didn’t break up Sid-Malkin-Letang in pursuit of a slightly shorter rebuild timeline. This kind of legacy is generational. Some teams have never even had one player like this, let alone two.

Wouldn’t want it any other way than these guys to be career penguins.

Total agree. A great trivia question as well. It has been a wonderful ride following their careers.

[jdreed3184]

It was such a special night - love that Malkin is so aware of their connection and legacy together.