Confirmed with Link: Mikael Granlund for a 2nd Round pick

[AjaxTelamon]

Yeah, the half assed approach to giving our legacy players the support they need to actually contend was never going to work.

I thought Hextall might be nibbling around the edges the last couple years and really go for it this deadline, but he's clueless. Rakell was a nice add, but this team isn't doing anything with that calibre of player being the main addition.

The supporting cast outside of Guentzel is the definition of "mid", and I can't for the life of me figure out why we're prioritizing Pickering/Poulin level draft picks over maximizing this core in its sunset years. Guys like Bertuzzi, Chychrun, and ROR who could fill useful roles here were available at prices we could afford. If I were Malkin, I'd be wondering why I took a discount just so the Pens could add overpaid vets who don't address team needs.

Yeah, if you look at the history of these players and this team, JR had to add Phil Kessel, at very close to his prime, to Sid, Geno and Letang, also very close to their primes. They needed that third scorer to provide balance in the post season so other teams couldn't focus in on Sid and Geno.

So now they don't need that third big gun? And he doesn't need to be close to his prime, he can be in decline too?

This whole thing has been one big mid fest for GMRH.

 

[Dessloch]

Early days, but how you all feeling about this addition after seeing the lad in action for a couple of games?

 

[Andy99]

Early days, but how you all feeling about this addition after seeing the lad in action for a couple of games?

He’s not really going to help us…

 

[Gurglesons]

Early days, but how you all feeling about this addition after seeing the lad in action for a couple of games?

He’s not a defensive specialist who should be on PP2 so from day one this deal made no sense given Sullivan’s usage.

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

He’s not a defensive specialist who should be on PP2 so from day one this deal made no sense given Sullivan’s usage.

It's like Hextall and Sullivan didn't even bother to talk about any acquisitions and how they'd be utilized before they were acquired.

As soon as Sullivan opened his stupid mouth and said, "naturally, I'm going to play him with Carter as a defensive shutdown player" Hextall should have never went through with the Granlund addition.

 

[MeinerEiner]

It's like Hextall and Sullivan didn't even bother to talk about any acquisitions and how they'd be utilized before they were acquired.

As soon as Sullivan opened his stupid mouth and said, "naturally, I'm going to play him with Carter as a defensive shutdown player" Hextall should have never went through with the Granlund addition.

I have that feeling that Hextall and Sullivan are in a fight about has more power in this organization. Every move they make seems like Hextall is trying to got in a direction and then Sullivan just says "Nope, I'm using this guy the way I want to."

Seems there's no communication between these two and that hurts this team.

 

[pistolpete11]

I have that feeling that Hextall and Sullivan are in a fight about has more power in this organization. Every move they make seems like Hextall is trying to got in a direction and then Sullivan just says "Nope, I'm using this guy the way I want to."

Seems there's no communication between these two and that hurts this team.

Hmmmm I seem to remember this happening with the last GM, too....

Oh well, it probably won't be an issue with the next GM.

 

[MeinerEiner]

Hmmmm I seem to remember this happening with the last GM, too....

Oh well, it probably won't be an issue with the next GM.

Because Sullivan is going to be the next GM?!

 

[eXile3]

I have that feeling that Hextall and Sullivan are in a fight about has more power in this organization. Every move they make seems like Hextall is trying to got in a direction and then Sullivan just says "Nope, I'm using this guy the way I want to."

Seems there's no communication between these two and that hurts this team.

I don’t think its that complicated. I think it’s just two incompetent idiots making bad decisions.

 

[pistolpete11]

Because Sullivan is going to be the next GM?!

Please don't do that to me.

 

[Night Shift]

Must say Chychrun is looking pretty good for Ottawa

 

[Flying Dego]

He’s not a defensive specialist who should be on PP2 so from day one this deal made no sense given Sullivan’s usage.

This move is the highlight of Hextall and Sullivan. Hextall is frantically trying to appease by changing anything he can without much sense of direction at all...

Sullivan sees the pickup, scoffs, then plants his butt in the opposite role that stifles any chance of success.

It's a power flex. As much as I rag on Sullivan he's not this dumb. It's arrogance

 

[Ragamuffin Gunner]

The fact that Hex gave up a 2nd and didn't get any salary retained is an abomination.

 

[Zbynek]

Must say Chychrun is looking pretty good for Ottawa

Amazing what happens when you cough up the price for a top-2 guy.

The fact that Hex gave up a 2nd and didn't get any salary retained is an abomination.

The only thing worse is how we only held onto our 1st and Hextall thinks that's a win. While giving up the rest of this years draft picks to become the league's oldest team

 

[Typhoon]

How have you liked Granlund so far?

 

[Empoleon8771]

How have you liked Granlund so far?

He's been solid overall but he's not worth $5 million. If he was making $3.5 million, I think people would be very happy with him.

 

[Gurglesons]

How have you liked Granlund so far?

I want to, but he's been even worse than the scouting reports were on him.

Soft, defensively liable, barely can set up offensive situations anymore. Hopefully he finds his footing otherwise this is gonna look bad.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

Aggressively mediocre.

Not entirely his fault, though.

 

[Buddy Bizarre]

How have you liked Granlund so far?

I'd characterize it as "TBD". He's being moved to 3C bc all our other centers suck (Carter) or are injured. Seems like he's uncomfortable there, plus hard to acclimate to a new team.

He'd probably flourish at wing with Malkin and to get some PP1 time, but we have a moron for a coach.

 

[Gurglesons]

Aggressively mediocre.

Not entirely his fault, though.

wtf.

 

[Turin]

He’s playing in a role he’s never played in so that’s pretty dumb. But he’s been ok imo, not a good PKer though.

 

[Dennis Reynolds]

Aggressively mediocre.

Not entirely his fault, though.

Absolutely nothing about Granlund is aggressive.

 

[dogthateats]

I feel like Head Coach Michael Sullivan probably asked him if it would be ok if he called him Michael or Mike Granlund

 

[Flying Dego]

View attachment 668350

wtf.

Ya that sub 30% OZone start is hilarious...again we set these acquisitions up to flounder. Then we got hosed on a trade and they look aces elsewhere.

So strange. Can't begin to understand why this magical thing reoccurs?

 

[ColePens]

Early days, but how you all feeling about this addition after seeing the lad in action for a couple of games?

I mean it's like 3-5 games... but he looks like Kap 2.0. A more expensive Kapanen.

But also this is MASSIVELY unfair. It does take time to adjust. I always say this no matter what - give it room to breathe. Let's see what happens after 20+ games.