Stanley Cup

[Iceman]

A very entertaining final round so far. Both of the first 2 games went to overtimes.

It makes me realize how far the Penguins have to go though. They definitely need more size to compete.

[Green_Mountain]

Iceman what’s the plan for the Pens?

Personally I’d like to see them get rid of every veteran in the offseason except Sid. Create some cap space, sign some guys, let the kids play, and rebuild on the fly.

What say you?

[Iceman]

This will be Malkin's last year. Letang's contract runs through the 27-28 season and believe he will be here unless he requests a trade or retires, maybe after the 26-27 season when Crosby's contract is up.

Rust's no trade clause has expired so he and Rakell could be available for the right price. Moving Karlson would be ideal but finding a trade partner would be difficult due to his salary.

I'm interested in what style the new head coach will employ. Similar to the Steelers, I think they need a bit of a culture change and more young, hungry guys.

I think it's going to be a few more down years.

[Smarty1]

Iceman you are spot on. Dubas is still quite handcuffed by existing contracts (esp. Karlsson, Jarry and Letang) in terms of rebuilding the roster. These are guys whose salary far exceeds their productivity - a huge drag in a salary cap league. No other team is likely to take these guys (and Letang at least would have to waive his no trade clause to make it happen) unless the Pens retain a significant amount of their cap hit. Yes there probably is a market for Rakell and Rust, but who plays with Sid if you move one or both of them? Sid does get comfy with his line mates, you know. Not saying they shouldn’t or won’t move either of them (Guentzel is no longer a Penguin, after all), but it could get dicey.

Anyway, having a coach who doesn’t insist on playing a system that requires a roster that is among the fastest skating teams in the league might help. Maybe, just maybe, the new coach will put in a system that is a better fit for the actual Penguins, rather than what the Penguins imagine themselves still to be. It may yet take 2-3 years before they are playoff bound again.

[oldman2525]

Being reported mario and ron burchel are in talks to buy back the team

[bambino]

Originally Posted by oldman2525

Being reported mario and ron burchel are in talks to buy back the team

FSG was looking for a partner. Mario hates them, wants complete ownership. Hope it happens.

[Green_Mountain]

Originally Posted by Iceman

This will be Malkin's last year. Letang's contract runs through the 27-28 season and believe he will be here unless he requests a trade or retires, maybe after the 26-27 season when Crosby's contract is up.

Rust's no trade clause has expired so he and Rakell could be available for the right price. Moving Karlson would be ideal but finding a trade partner would be difficult due to his salary.

I'm interested in what style the new head coach will employ. Similar to the Steelers, I think they need a bit of a culture change and more young, hungry guys.

I think it's going to be a few more down years.

Agree that I don’t know how they get out of the Malkin, Letang, and Karlsson contracts via trade but it’s fun to pretend.

I’d sit Sid down and ask him if he wants out while they can something for him or if he wants to play his last couple years in a rebuild. I don’t think he’d want to leave.

[Iceman]

I think Crosby wants to be a "one jersey guy". I don't know that he would have signed a contract extension otherwise. I would venture a guess that he knows more about hockey than most of us and can see what the team is and what's going on in the rest of the league.

That being said it is only a 2 year extension and at that time he can reevaluate things. He could also request a trade at any time and I think he would be accommodated, but again I don't think he would.

Now back to the finals, these have been some of the best games in a while, series tied 2-2 with 3 overtime games. Looking forward to game 5 tonight.