2017 free agency thread

Postby **Jim** » Thu Jul 13, 2017 12:41 pm

...Like a real dislike between Phil and Geno and Tocchet was a key to keeping it together.

Was that because every time Kessel got a breakaway Malkin would take an idiotic hooking or slashing call?

Postby **slappybrown** » Thu Jul 13, 2017 7:32 pm

I would be surprised if the Pens traded Kessel, but I would not be shocked. That said, I think the rumor is bunk.

Edit: Actually, I would be shocked. Back-to-back Cups, why make drastic - and needless - changes?

I could see a midseason trade of Kessel. It's pretty easy to see the team looking extremely flat and frustrated somewhere between December and February and needing a major spark. You can probably see the Penguins' window closing in 5-6 years, you have to make a play for the cup every season.

In the 5 cups the Pens have, there have been three major mid-season trades that propelled them to the championship with big names going other way (Cullen, Zalapski, Recchi, Whitney, etc)

This is a bad take IMO

Postby **shmenguin** » Thu Jul 13, 2017 7:36 pm

I agree. None of this makes any sense. Not even the casual theories like TL's

We just won 2 cups, Malkin just led the playoffs in scoring and Kessel should have won the Conn Smythe last year.

...but they aren't friends so screw it. Let's trade him for...someone else who isn't Malkin's friend.

Postby **NTP66** » Thu Jul 13, 2017 7:43 pm

But, but...

Postby **Jim** » Thu Jul 13, 2017 7:47 pm

He is probably saying, "what do you mean I don't shoot enough? None of these **** shoot!"

Postby **meow** » Thu Jul 13, 2017 8:00 pm

"You have to move the puck!" Then some gibberish I can't make out

Postby **NTP66** » Fri Jul 14, 2017 7:20 am

At the end of the day, I want somebody as passionate about his play like Kessel over some schmuck who just shrugs his shoulders.

Postby **Troy Loney** » Fri Jul 14, 2017 8:48 am

I would be surprised if the Pens traded Kessel, but I would not be shocked. That said, I think the rumor is bunk.

Edit: Actually, I would be shocked. Back-to-back Cups, why make drastic - and needless - changes?

I could see a midseason trade of Kessel. It's pretty easy to see the team looking extremely flat and frustrated somewhere between December and February and needing a major spark. You can probably see the Penguins' window closing in 5-6 years, you have to make a play for the cup every season.

In the 5 cups the Pens have, there have been three major mid-season trades that propelled them to the championship with big names going other way (Cullen, Zalapski, Recchi, Whitney, etc)
This is a bad take IMO

It's a hypothetical, and I would only think it applies if they are in a similar situation that they were at in 2008-09 where they were out of the playoff picture past the halfway mark of the season.

Postby **shmenguin** » Fri Jul 14, 2017 10:05 am

Brian Boyle at 2x2.75...would you people have taken that deal? Not saying it was ever a possibility. Just wondering.

YouTube · Postby **mikey** » Fri Jul 14, 2017 10:09 am

Boyle's skating prevents him from being a reliable 3C in this league. More of a 4C. Career arc dictated by skating limitations. Converted from natural position of defense to make it as a pro.

Postby **Pavel Bure** » Fri Jul 14, 2017 11:25 am

Boyle's skating prevents him from being a reliable 3C in this league. More of a 4C. Career arc dictated by skating limitations. Converted from natural position of defense to make it as a pro.

Yeah it's unfortunate but if he did have that better skating some team might have kept him at D or tried to make him a power forward. Oh well.