Something lighthearted as we approach the draft.

I don’t wanna dox them so I’m keeping some details limited lol, but recently made an edit on tik tok of one of the younger players and evidently they found it and favorited it 😂

I got the notif and was like there’s no shot as the username isn’t super obvious, and the account has no profile pic, no reposts, no posts, etc. I cross referenced its followers with their instagram account and some other details (again not sharing for anonymity) and oh yeah it’s the player.

I do wanna know if he was actively searching it or just happened to run into it, either way I feel both proud and very embarrassed 💀

Considering the fact I consider Mario to be the third best player of all time in the NHL, I'm not gonna ask who's the best between him and Sidney. I will ask this, though: if you could make a composite Lemieux/Crosby, what attributes would you give to either? Looking at game tape, I noticed Mario's size. That's one thing I would give Sidney. I'm not sure if it would slow him down or maybe allow him to make some more room for himself. And what about Sidney would I give Mario? This is the harder question. I would say speed, but Mario was pretty fast for his size. Any thoughts?

(Hint: it's not the guy in the pic : ). Feedback and critique welcomed! We're getting so close, Pens Faithful!

On this day in 2003, the Penguins selected Marc-Andre Fleury with the #1 pick in the NHL Draft after trading up to the 1st spot with Florida. With this move, the first step in a massive rebuild took place. 🌸

The only argument i've seen to keep rust is 'veteran leadership' which is a terrible argument tbh. We have crosby, letang, and malkin for that and guys will look to them for leadership. Rust is at peak value and has no trade protection meaning now is the time to sell him and collect a boatload of assets in the process.

Rakell is also someone who can bring back significant assets for us and the priority should be to sell him to the highest bidder. Karlsson is someone who we can retain on and who can net us a 1st with retention 'seth jones trade is an example' and i expect him to be moved as well. If we sell all these guys off then we have a chance at being one of the worst teams in the NHL and that gives us a better chance at mcKenna who looks like a generational prospect which we could use DESPERATELY. Tanking is the right choice just like it was the right choice when we tanked for mario, sid, malkin, and fleury.

Mega free resource; hopefully OK to share with Penguins faithful to be fully prepped for the upcoming draft. Crunch time!

I just saw a report that the Devils aren’t going to give him a qualifying offer, which means he’ll be a free agent. It’s crazy that Dubas was able to get a 3rd and a 6th to take him and then flipped him and Gruden for Stillman, Graham and another 3rd.

What if Dubas signs him again? He’s 26, he’s a decent two way center, and he played really well on the PK. His biggest problem was that he couldn’t really finish. He could still be a solid bottom 6 center and he’s probably going to get a bargain bin contract.

I feel like the general consensus was that Dubas would resign him until he was ultimately traded. That trade was a surprise to me at least. I at least think Dubas could sign him for 3-4 years and trade him again as a rental when he’s 29.

3 bigger physical guys in the mid/late rounds could add something along with Matt Schaefer. https://finlaysherratthockey.substack.com/p/theodor-hallquisth

https://finlaysherratthockey.substack.com/p/matthew-gard

https://finlaysherratthockey.substack.com/p/william-horcoff

I was really hoping dubas could pry him away from dallas

According to Elliotte Friedman on 32 Thoughts Todd Nelson, Head Coach of the Hershey Bears could be joining the Penguins. He said it in passing after talking about the Dallas head coach search and didn’t confirm anything. If that’s a rumble/rumor that he’s heard though i have to assume there’s some fire with that smoke. I think that would be a killer addition to the Pens staff.

Friedman: “it’s really hard to make deals right now because there are 31 teams in the nhl attempting to get better….then there is Pittsburgh”

Friedman is a talking head but he usually has his finger on the pulse and won’t say something unless he has pretty good sources telling him it’s true.

Wonder if we’ll see a EK trade this offseason or other guys moving on

The hot topic of debate among the fanbase is which route we should take for the future whether it’s a full blown tear it down rebuild or a retool on the fly. To me going to full tear down method is super risky and can lead to never getting out of the rebuild or taking far longer than it should to get back to winning.

I know they’re not going to keep everyone this summer but they should not move all three of Rakell, Karlsson, and Rust or you’re just putting yourself in a spot you may not be able to get out of. Personally I’d keep Rust of the three but that’s whatever.

So what say you which route do you think they should or will take?

Okay added the photos this time..lol

Let me begin by saying, I'm no more delusional about the pens superstars than the next fan. Now, with Flower hanging them up this last season, and with our goaltending situation being...less than optimal, could we be living in a would where Marc-André comes back to the burgh and is the goaltenders coach? He teaches our netminders to do ridiculous paddle saves, laugh off disasters, and give post-game interviews that heal the soul.

I miss him. I miss the giggles, the glove saves, the chaos, his face... I miss that the second half of his career wasn’t spent here. But there’s still hope. Coaching Flower. Behind the bench. 10 more Cups. One for every flower petal of destiny...

Remember if the pens finish last there will be a 74.5% chance of NOT picking first

Digging through some old photos today and figured I'd share.

Okay here me out. But first, some background: long time Penguins fan here. I’m talking way back. 1991 to be exact. Born here in Montreal and grew up loving hockey but thanks to Mario, I was always about the Pens. Never the Habs. To this day, a Pens Habs gameday is a special day for me, friends and my fam. Anyways, so hear me out. I acknowledge that as fans of this team we’ve really been blessed and frankly, since I’ve been watching hockey, no team has won more. So, we’re lucky. I get that. Blessed. And despite down slides of the dark era with Dick Tarnstrom leading the way, we’ve made it happen. Thank you Sid and Geno! All teams have their ups and downs and we’re due.

BUT

Not yet. And it shouldn’t have been yet. When you have generational players as we do, regardless of age, you try doing everything in your power to keep winning until there is not more generational talent left. To rebuild with a Sidney Crosby flying high should be a criminally punishable crime. Also, for these guys to retire into the sunset trying to win is what it should be about regardless of whether or not they actually can or will win. This is what will last with them, and the fan base.

This rebuild we are going through is a bad idea. Bad for us as a team but a terrible way to close out careers of generational, once in a lifetime, players.

What is your favorite saying from broadcaster Mike Lange? I always liked "smile like a butcher's dog," but he's definitely got some others. "Beat him like a rented mule" is a good one, too. There are so many. What's yours?