NFT: Looks like the Penguins are the team to beat

otherwise the Penguins depth might be dreadful and be their downfall (again).

play together unless it's a power play unit.

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Looks like a better version of the same broken model they've been using the last 5 years or so.

Not going to win a Cup with Kris Letang as your best d-man.

They'll put up a 100pt regular season and lose in the 2nd rd.

manages to add players like Kessel while paying Crosby, Malkin, Letang, Fleury. I know Toronto ate some of his salary, but still...

Pittsburgh will be probably be a challenger for the President's Trophy, but I don't know about them when the teams play more defensively in the playoffs.

Doesnt win in the playoffs, and Malkin cant stay healthy. I dont see them getting to the ECF without significant adds.

I mean, look at them. With Crosby and Malkin and a cap that hasnt gone up in years, you'd think that they'd be struggling like the Bruins, Rangers, Blackhawks, and Kings (see Richards) to deal with a cap crunch. Yet they have draft so poorly in the post-bottoming out era that they have no middle tier of guys to pay. This isnt the NBA -- your 4 best players dont determine whether you win it all.

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5 guys and no defensive depth. Will they score? Yes, but I expect many 6-5 games against them.

However, that division has added some talent and Columbus is looking very tough. Good thing the Isles re-signed Hickey.

5th best team in the Metropolitan division. Maybe 4th best if the Capital regress.

a harder time scoring than people think when they are buried in their own zone for most of the game because their weak D can't clear the puck and can't gain clean entry into the other team's zone.

His draft year, and likely cost him the #1 spot.

He's actually done quite well in the post-season. 13 goals and eight assists in 22 games.

In comment 12352937 I love liverwurst said:

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Probably, I'd guess they put Kessel and Malkin together on the 2nd line. Malkin isn't afraid to go in the corners and do the dirty work.

keep Crosby with Kunitz and TBD maybe Hornquist

before the acquired Butch Goring and developed a legit 2nd line?

I think Kunitz is going to hit a sharp decline soon. Started last year.

In comment 12352994 arcarsenal said:

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I think Kunitz is going to hit a sharp decline soon. Started last year.

He's 35 years old, wouldn't be a surprise.

Maybe they get Pascal Dupuis back. Another ancient but effective veteran. If his blood clot is treatable he'd be a nice pickup.

nice to see Comeau go out west. He 's Lundqvist's kryptonite.

to sign 6 forwards, a 7th DMan and a backup goalie

The roster they currently have won't be their opening day roster. I dont know if they buy-out DuPuis to give themselves the necessary space or what (then they'd have $9 million to sign 9 players with) -- teams also need to give themselves a little room under the cap so they can deal with injuries too.

But they certainly can't add anymore decent FAs given how tight they're up against it right now. And they wont be able to sign Perron next offseason either - especially with Lovejoy and Maata due big raises next year.

They certainly got better yesterday, but i'm interested to see how a terrible defensive forward plays on a team with a very young, inexperienced Defense (albeit some of these young kids are fairly well touted... we didnt have to see Maata last postseason)

I still think the Rangers are the best team in the Metro, but after what we've seen in the past week with Hagelin and Talbot given away at far less than full value versus CBJ and Pittsburgh improving themselves... that 'best team' is by a cunt hair now.

will be shoveling Primanti Bros down his gullet every chance he gets. That, plus the fact that Yinz chicks are diabolically ugly, will lead to his unhappiness and Yinz fans' trying to run him out of town in a wheelbarrow.

In comment 12352988 Victor in CT said:

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before the acquired Butch Goring and developed a legit 2nd line?

Victor, you're a smart guy (being a fellow Sachem grad and all), but you're surely not equating a Kessel-Crosby-Malkin line with one of the greatest first lines in NHL history in 9-19-22?

As also raised in above posts, the Pens have major issues on defense to contend with. They'll score a lot but give up a ton.

In comment 12353574 pganut said:

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In comment 12352988 Victor in CT said: Quote: before the acquired Butch Goring and developed a legit 2nd line? Victor, you're a smart guy (being a fellow Sachem grad and all), but you're surely not equating a Kessel-Crosby-Malkin line with one of the greatest first lines in NHL history in 9-19-22? As also raised in above posts, the Pens have major issues on defense to contend with. They'll score a lot but give up a ton.

The point is, one line, no matter how great, can't win on its own.

Is a little over-hyped, don't you think?. Didn't he have cancer, medication caused him to swell? Everyone called him fat. I always thought he got a bum wrap on that personally

only Sather retired earlier....how do you trade Carl Hagelin???