8 hours ago, NHL HHOF said:

 

So far, they are still making the playoffs. They have to win all three of their remaining games, and Washington and Detroit have to keep losing.

Let's hope the Pens finish 23rd in the standings. Which I believe is the goal of management. The team wants an early tee time. 

35 minutes ago, NHL HHOF said:

 

Because they've got Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. They could win another Stanley Cup.

They could if they truly wanted to. I actually believe their goal is an early tee time. 

Pens need to finish 23rd in the standings to keep their 1st round pick. This also would guarantee their golf game start the moment game 82 ends. My question is why would they want to make the post season? 

On 3/23/2024 at 6:50 AM, NHL HHOF said:

Hopefully Detroit and Washington both make it into the playoffs this year, knock out Philadelphia to make it. I need both, Ovechkin and Kane in the playoffs this year in the east. Pittsburgh-Crosby-Malkin are not making it this year, but hopefully we don't have to wait another season for Malkin's 500th goal. Dallas Stars and Joe Pavelski will make it to the playoffs this year.

To be honest,I'm guessing around the 27/28 season before the Tuxedo Birds make it back to the post-season. I'm hoping the rebuild is quicker than that.

19 hours ago, Brewin Flames said:

Guentzel traded to Hurricanes by Penguins for Bunting, 2 draft picks

Has 52 points in 50 games; Pittsburgh also receives forward prospects Ponomarev, Koivunen, Lucius

© Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

ByNHL.com

@NHLdotcom

March 07, 2024

Jake Guentzel was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes by the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday for forward Michael Bunting, forward prospects Vasily Ponomarev and Ville Koivunen, the rights to forward Cruz Lucius, a conditional first-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, and a conditional fifth-round pick in the 2024 draft.

 

Carolina also received defenseman Ty Smith in the trade.

 

The first-round selection will become a second-round selection in the 2024 draft if Carolina does not advance to the Stanley Cup Final. Pittsburgh, which will retain 25 percent of Guentzel's salary, also won't receive the fifth-round pick unless the Hurricanes win the Cup.

 

Guentzel has 52 points (22 goals, 30 assists) in 50 games this season but hasn't played since Feb. 14 because of an upper-body injury. However, the 29-year-old forward is skating and is eligible to come off long-term injured reserve on Sunday.

 

Guentzel is in the final season of a five-year, $30 million contract ($6 million average annual value) he signed with Pittsburgh on Dec. 27, 2018, and can become an unrestricted free agent after the season.

 

“The decision to trade Jake Guentzel, with his contract set to expire this offseason, was one of the most difficult decisions that I have had to make in my time in management," Pittsburgh general manager Kyle Dubas said.

 

"In my first season with the Penguins, it has become quite clear why Jake means so much to his teammates, all Penguins staff and the City of Pittsburgh. Jake’s competitiveness, tenacity and spirit, combined with his talent, have produced some of the greatest moments of this era of Penguins hockey.

 

A born and bred Pittsburgh Penguin, Jake has become a pillar in the community and fan favorite for all the right reasons. We cannot thank Jake and his family enough for their contributions to the Penguins since he was drafted in 2013, and wish him our very best.”

 

 

Guentzel's name had been brought up in trade rumors since February, when Dubas said he could be dealt in order to add youth the Pittsburgh's roster, which is the oldest in the NHL (30.8).

 

"Obviously, we didn't do a good enough job handling a lot of that noise that's going on around the team," Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said following a 6-0 loss to the Washington Capitals on Thursday.

 

"Jake means an awful lot to these guys. When you win championships together, there's a certain bond there that's hard to put into words."

 

Selected by the Penguins in the third round (No. 77) of the 2013 NHL Draft, Guentzel has 466 points (219 goals, 247 assists) in 503 regular-season games. He also has 58 points (34 goals, 24 assists) in 58 Stanley Cup Playoff games, including helping the Penguins win the Stanley Cup in 2017.

 

"He's a great player, great teammate. A friend," Penguins captain Sidney Crosby said. "I think he did everything he possibly could in his time here. Just a privilege to play with him for the course of that time. Great memories. It was just a privilege, like I said."

 

Smith, who was selected by the New Jersey Devils in the first round (No. 17) of the 2018 NHL Draft, has 32 points (nine goals, 23 assists) in 51 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the AHL.

 

The 23-year-old has 47 points (eight goals, 39 assists) in 123 NHL games.

 

The Hurricanes (37-19-6), who defeated the Montreal Canadiens 4-1 on Thursday, are in second place in the Metropolitan Division, four points behind the New York Rangers.

 

“Jake is an elite goal-scorer and playmaker who has produced at a high level for his entire NHL career,” Hurricanes general manager Don Waddell said.

 

“Ty is a young, offensive-minded defenseman who will provide us with another reliable option on the blue line. We’re thrilled to bolster our lineup as we compete to bring the Stanley Cup back to Raleigh.”

 

Bunting has 36 points (13 goals, 23 assists) in 60 games this season, his first with the Hurricanes after signing a three-year, $13.5 million contract ($4.5 million AAV) on July 1.

 

Selected by the Arizona Coyotes in the fourth round (No. 117) of the 2014 NHL Draft, the 28-year-old forward has 162 points (70 goals, 92 assists) in 247 regular-season games with the Coyotes, Toronto Maple Leafs and Hurricanes. He also has five points (two goals, three assists) in 13 playoff games.

 

Ponomarev, who was selected by Carolina in the second round (No. 53) of the 2020 NHL Draft, has two points (one goal, one assist) in two NHL games this season. The 21-year-old also has 29 points (eight goals, 21 assists) in 41 American Hockey League games with Chicago and Tucson.

 

Koivunen, 20, was selected in the second round (No. 51) in the 2021 NHL Draft. He has 55 points (21 goals, 34 assists) in 57 games with Karpat in Liiga, Finland's top professional league.

 

Lucius, 19, was selected in the fourth round (No. 124) of the 2022 NHL Draft. He leads the University of Wisconsin with 31 points (12 goals, 19 assists) in 32 games as a sophomore.

 

The Penguins (28-25-8) are in danger of missing the playoffs for the second straight season after qualifying in each of the previous 16. They are currently eight points behind the Detroit Red Wings and Tampa Bay Lightning, who are tied for the first wild card into the playoffs from the Eastern Conference.

Always reading this type of post no matter the team!

53 minutes ago, Brewin Flames said:

UFA after the season ends...

Thanks! That tells me there is a chance he will come back. An outside chance, none the less, a chance!

2 hours ago, Brewin Flames said:

 

 

Scoop is that they are trying to get a 8 year deal in place before 3 pm....

I heard 9 million over 6 years. Pens offered 8.5 over 5 years. 

Is Guentzel a RFA?

5 hours ago, thegx.ca said:

...bail back over to Pittsburgh?

I was hoping that would happen! 

I would be pissed if I were the Canes tho.

On 2/26/2024 at 6:03 AM, RonJeremy said:

Jagr was there, they had to .

The team does not want to make the playoffs. I hoping Jagr could change that logic. 

I'm throughly surprised that Pittsburgh won this game. Especially when the don't really want to make the playoffs. 

12 hours ago, RonJeremy said:

You can say that about a lot of NHL teams. There are so many teams with much more talent than the Flyers who are totally underperforming this year. On paper we are a bottom ten team. We have Torts who gets the most out of the least and we have a bunch of other teams underachieving. That’s the only reason we are in a playoff spot. You also have  two defensemen who basically did nothing for their entire careers, that are having breakout seasons in their UFA contract years. Don’t be fooled this team has a long way to go in the rebuild.

I agree on the rebuild. The Penguins traded Nylander and a conditional 2026 6th round pick for Bernstein (sp). I not sure why Pittsburgh is trading away draft picks.

2 minutes ago, GratefulFlyers said:

Petersen has made a couple nice saves. The first 2 - a wide-open Crosby and a Rust perfect deflection - weren't soft goals by any stretch of the imagination. The PP goal - right or wrong I always cut goalies slack when their team is down a man.

 

The 4th goal was ... not good. I would say "deflating" but the Flyers don't seem to deflate this season. But now they need 3 in a row or at least 2.

 

 

I really surprised the Pens are winning! 4-3.

1 hour ago, RonJeremy said:

You can say that about a lot of NHL teams. There are so many teams with much more talent than the Flyers who are totally underperforming this year. On paper we are a bottom ten team. We have Torts who gets the most out of the least and we have a bunch of other teams underachieving. That’s the only reason we are in a playoff spot. You also have  two defensemen who basically did nothing for their entire careers, that are having breakout seasons in their UFA contract years. Don’t be fooled this team has a long way to go in the rebuild.

Yes I agree on the rebuild!  That's why I say they don't want to win. 

37 minutes ago, RonJeremy said:

I sense a loss coming. You had an emotional 2-1 loss to the Rangers at home, now your on the road ,back to back games against a rested team that needs the win alot more than the Flyers do. 

Your statement would make sense if the Penguins wanted to make the playoffs.  For some reason they rather play golf after game 82!

35 minutes ago, RonJeremy said:

I sense a loss coming. You had an emotional 2-1 loss to the Rangers at home, now your on the road ,back to back games against a rested team that needs the win alot more than the Flyers do. 

Pens don't want to win! Flyers 6-1. Pens score 1 if they are lucky.

Pens traded this years 1st rounder to obtain Eric Karlsson. (This pick is top 10 protected.)from San Jose. They will forfeit another year 1st rounder if they finish 23rd or lower. I suspect the Pens will trade Jake Guentzel to replace that years pick. Yet this organization is starting to really pissing me off. 

1 hour ago, IllaZilla said:

Unfortunately the Wild are committed to winning. They just don’t have the talent to do much. 
 

They’ll probably do just enough to get into the playoffs and then flame out. Or just miss the playoffs and get a 15-20 pick. Continue the cycle of mediocrity and the “Wait ‘til NEXT season!” mantra…

Pens just lost to the Islanders 5-4 in overtime. They are looking to get to one of the top 5 picks. The players want an early tee time. Like as soon as game 82 ends. 

Maybe the Wild, like the Penguins, are winning just enough to look like they're not trying to tank?

On 2/6/2024 at 8:26 AM, IllaZilla said:

 

I read that and it basically is the same thing they've been saying all year: We've got to play better. Well, duh.

Kris Letang said the Pens are not committed to winning. It sounds like the Wild are on the same path.

I'm hoping for a Wild win to help the Penguins finish at least 23rd in he leaguestandings

44 minutes ago, Alexandron said:

Special night for Fleury and for the Wild fans. Superb extremely difficult win against a very tough tem:

https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/minnesota-wild/news/inside-marc-andre-fleurys-special-night

 

Pens aren't as tough as you say! Maybe if they gave a hoot. Unfortunately for the Pens they don't care. 

On 2/9/2024 at 11:19 PM, Jimtown guy said:

Easy win? Nothing comes easy in the league 

Pens didn't want to win this game. It was a half assed effort. 

On 2/9/2024 at 11:21 PM, ClusterChuck said:

Exactly...We should have beaten Chicago easily with that mentality. But they didn't tank. Hawks came to play.

 

Pens should have paddle them opening night. When the team doesn't care why should try to win? 

On 2/9/2024 at 11:25 PM, ClusterChuck said:

One of the comments late in the 3rd on NHL66 side bar...
"All we are saying...Is give Pens a chance" 
The refs tried hard.

The Pens don't give a flying f....k.

10 hours ago, TropicalFruitGirl26 said:

And some more games that have gone final since my last post....

Hartford 1, New Jersey 0

Whalers-- With their throwback sweaters, they continue to scratch and claw towards the top of the Metro.
Devils-- Still just shy of the playoff line....and these win one, lose one games won't cut it

Tampa Bay 4, Columbus 2
Lightning-- Bolts continue to feed on the weak....
Blue Jackets-- With the exception of an angry Boone Jenner, looking to stay with the Hawks, Sharks, and Ducks for the lottery pick.

Ottawa 5, Toronto 3
Senators-- Trying to salvage some respect this season
Maple Leafs-- Still somewhat sleepy out of the break....

Philadelphia 3, Seattle 2
Flyers-- Determined to insert themselves in the playoff festivities....they don't want to go away.
Kraken-- Determined to insert themselves in the playoff festivities....they DO seem to be going away...

Winnipeg 2, Pittsburgh 1
Jets--- Oooo, look...a WIN...FINALLY! Can they resume plans for the SC parade in the streets of Winterpeg??
Penguins-- As per @notfondajane... "They just don't care!!"  

Finally someone is hearing what

I'm seeing. The Penguins ARE PISSING ME OFF BIG TIME.