DK's Daily Shot of Penguins: Geno to wing?

[@kyledee87]

I think that Sid and Geno finishing their careers on a line together seems like a perfect way for them to go out.

[@ericafranklin180]

Glad you responded to my question, DK. Dubas came in late last year and I think he tried to fulfill what Sullivan wanted out of his bottom six because Sullivan was already on record saying what he wanted. Sullivan loves vets lol. Did Sullivan have a say in individual players? Who knows. You say he didn’t, fine. But who played Acciari as a center when his best years were at wing? Is that on Dubas too? Did Sullivan get the best out these players? Bringing in 30+ year olds, two of whom spent a lot of time with injuries, was a huge mistake and one that should be equally placed at Sullivan’s feet. The coaching job last season wasn’t good. The attempts to play youth in the bottom six was too little too late. Puustinen having his minutes reduced during his first call up when he’s playing well and then ultimately returned to Wilkes. Is that on Dubas too? This coach has failed during the last six seasons with his third GM now. At what point, does he share in any blame for the failed seasons?

[@PuckMike]

Agree. Love your point about Dubas coming in late last year and fulfilling Sully’s vision. I think everyone’s missing that point and also think Dubas knows that Sully mislead him a bit…hence why Dubas said later in the season “we need to get younger.” Sully probably cringed hearing that. Everyone’s afraid to blame Sully. Appreciated your question.

[@dzidziolus]

I agree with your take on Sullivan, but I think Sullivan and the management are equally responsible for the situation the team is in. The previous managements set much higher standards and would have never kept the coach if he had missed the playoffs two years in a row.

[@bishop7979]

I remember acari himself saying something in an interview early in the season he plays a different game at center than at wing. You want to get the most out of him you plan on the 4th line being eller with acari on his right and plan to build a more offensive oriented 3rd line. Also continuing to put rust with sid and rakell or smith with Geno is on Sullivan. Rust and Geno play incredibly well together and rakell produces with sid and with not with Geno. If they keep Geno at center, that line needs to be blunting Geno rust to get the most from the second line. Sid could play with O'Connor and rakell and still be a productive first line.

[@michaelpaul7989]

Sullivan has more lives than a cat. Any other coach the talent level on that team would’ve been fired already based on the fact that they haven’t won a playoff series since 2018 and two consecutive seasons not making the playoffs.

[@Wyant1]

Obviously, a coach with a couple of Stanley Cups on his resume earns a longer leash. But, you do make a number of fair points about Sullivan. I'm not sure that Dubas has full authority on firing Sullivan yet, and I suspect that Rierden was a sacrificial lamb. I believe that because you're absolutely right about the coaching not being good enough this year. You can go from winning 2 Stanley Cups all the way to worst PP and most SHGA in the league. Honestly, the same goes for Karlsson, winning a Norris to this, but he can't be fired, or traded for that matter. It's known that FSG likes Mike because of the Boston ties. He won't be around for an opportunity to miss the playoffs for a 4th year in a row, I can assure you of that, however.

[@michaelpaul7989]

I think they should try Drew O’Connor playing center. He can play the position. He played center with the Wilkes Barre Scranton Penguins. He played well with Geno, might not hurt to try it!

[@2bNIKEt1]

Id like to hear DKs thoughts on this considering he already embedded in the idea of DOC and Sid being on the same line next year. I think DOC could be a great center considering the age issue with Lars. But there's the question of Sids line..interested to see how this offseason goes

[@geerthermans1771]

The way I see it they should definately anticipate to move Geno to the wing. Not necessarily right away, but at the moment he falls back to that midseason form. So yes, a strong, young two-way center woud be a welcome addition.

[@jerryyeager1307]

J1Q DK, Awesome, your answer for me was spot on. Carter is retired, I wish him the best. For me this is a open window to make a solid move. Young, strong and fast one thousand percent !! I would love to here no come back wins or these guys are all over the place ! Of course I mean in the right places. Thank you DK for your time here. Grrrreat one !

[@sctvfan1313]

1967-R-us podcast.... f'ing hilarious lololo

[@EnglishFuture-xg1gw]

it was you guys who hired their loser gm so shut it. enjoy. lol

[@humanbeingmaybe2890]

Acciari gave up his body blocking shots etc and then everyone blames him for always being hurt. Wow

[@Wyant1]

If that's the route you want to go, Elias Lindholm starts to make a lot of sense, hoping that he can reclaim 80 point form, or at least push towards 70 and get Geno close to 80. As a RH shot, it might not be a bad idea. The team definitely needs a RH on PP1. Sean Monahan, Chandler Stephenson, maybe, with Geno as a winger. Hadn't really given much thought to the idea of 'upgrading' at 2C, but it's definitely worth considering given that you're not going to replace Jarry in FA, but you can definitely get an upgrade over Carter with a new 3C, and maybe even a new 2C. I'm hoping to see Eller, Acciari, and a youngster on the 4th line, probably first shot going to Puljujarvi, then Gruden, just for the sake of having some bounce on that line.

[@ClimbyDan]

Lastly, Lindholm only makes 4.85m. Obviously he is due for a raise. But I think you could land him for 8m AAV or possibly less. Id be thrilled with this. Maybe Dubas could talk him into more of a bridge contract too and sign him for 3 or 4 years. So he can get one more nice contract in before hanging em up (With him potentially taking a step up in Pittsburgh & helping Geno reinvent himself)

[@mike2081]

Hey DK. What do you do with Bunting if you move Geno to left wing? Is he able to slide across to the other side? Could Geno play the off wing instead? I think he might be better suited for that since it would be easier for him to get his onetimer off. What are your thoughts?

[@ericafranklin180]

Geno will never be moved to wing as long as Sullivan is the coach. Sullivan wants speedy wingers who get on the forecheck. They need a new system if they want him on wing. Rather than move him to wing, they should move his minutes to third line center minutes. He’s already playing ore defensive responsibilities as he did last season

[@borisslager1906]

What free agent should the penguins sign to improve the team? Second line center, specifically

[@BennyOkay]

i always hope Geno and Sid would ride into the sunset on the same line (2nd or 3rd) while some younger stars elevate to top 6 rolls

[@ScottPykare]

That would work IF they get a center who is great. Maybe as you said, they could be targeting someone who knows? I do also feel with Geno's age, less responsibility is a good thing all around but mostly for the team as a whole. Just my opinion.

[@bishop7979]

If you move him from center, a move that should be made at this point, you've got Lindholm and chandler stephenson avail in free agency but id be curious if vegas would trade william karrlsson at this point. Their center depth, with guys with contacts is eichel, hertl, karlsson, roy. It might be time for them to move karlsson to open that capnspace to fill spots elsewhere on the roster. He would be my first target. Dream outcome. Vegas needs wingers, smith never wanted to leave and is a one year deal at a slighly lower cap hit then karlsson. Swap em.

[@brandonconnelly6562]

I don't think they need to move him to wing. I think they just need to find him some steady wingers that can produce Riley Smith was just not that guy

[@militant_daisies]

id like to see geno moved to the western conference

[@FlavorCountryUSA]

If Geno to wing you need to aquire someone like a Chandler Stephenson. He might be harder to play against than Lindholm and might be cheaper.

[@FlavorCountryUSA]

And if you can also get Domi at 3rd line Center. Now we’re talking. Doc Sid Rust Bunt CS Malkin Pust Domi Rakel Noel Lars Jesse Try and find takers for Smith. No one’s taking on Rakel, Graves or Acciari’s Cap and term.

[@benjaminperez7328]

Geno would want to be on Sid’s wing. The team would put Geno on Sid’s wing……. And he would slow Sid down to the point of detriment. Take your medicine and keep him at 2C……he ain’t gonna retire.

[@ethanmcclelland4872]

Maple leafs fans, explain yourselves

[@ClimbyDan]

I wondered as soon as the Canucks got eliminated... if we could go make a run at Lindholm and move Geno to the wing. Even though it doesn't sound super sexy on paper. I could see it pay divendends. And just imagine Geno being on Sid's wing at times. My goodness could that give Geno a boost. (Of course this is all fun and games as you mentioned)

[@ClimbyDan]

Also. Call me crazy but I'm 100% behind the youth movement. If you can't find a Jared McCann type guy back when GMJR found him. I would love to see the Pens sign or trade for a bonafide 2C (maybe that young guy isn't quite at that ceiling yet but is potentially promising as a 2C in the near future). So... call me crazy. I'd much rather get a guy like this. Much rather figure out our 2C for the next 3 to 5 years. Or even a guy like Lindholm could fit in really nicely (if you can't find a young center with upside). I think being able to roll 3 lines again. A legit 3 line attack with legitimate upside. I think if you find a future 2C you really make this team way more dynamic. Then say paying Jake an 11 million AAV for the next 6 or 7 years. With what we've been seeing with Malkin. I think having a young center of this pedigree (along with Bunting, Pussty, DOC, and others). Could help Geno even more. Geno even spoke about changing up his game. What better way to do that. Then helping lift the responsibility on his shoulders of being a 1A , 1B Center on this team with Sid. I'd love to see what Geno has left in the tank if he had less defensive responsibility and got to play Wing.

[@neithermanc1]

move geno to the wing, then kyle works out a deal for his buddy mitch to come to the pens and center line 2 lol

[@99baji99]

If Ovnchicken and Stamkos can just stand on the dot and bomb away why can't Geno.

[@EnglishFuture-xg1gw]

Do you mean to say that trading a first-round pick away for a 34-year-old offensive defenceman who can't play defence and paying him $10 million might not of been a good idea when you have an aging i.e.38-year-old centre? You see this is what I said about two bus from the very first press conference in Pittsburgh when the reporter asked him about Sidney Crosby's contract and he didn't know what it was and he had no plan for replacing the core three or managing them in the future. It was obvious that he didn't know what he was doing. so here you are with three ageing players, and no money to replace them Being a GM and is not about spreadsheets and filling holes in reactionary way. It's about thinking ahead and planning for the future. And that is something that do this did not do in Toronto and he's not doing for you now. So what will he do? He will plug that horse with a PTO or an ahl player or some free agent, which there is no money for.

[@gregtallica1441]

Hell no to Geno on the wing. You want him bringing the puck out of the defensive zone? Wingers need speed to get past defensemen, absolutely not. He's a turnover machine. No!!!!

[@PuckMike]

Carter is to Sully as Sully is to DK. Love the show, lifelong Penguins fan. But man, the defense of Sully is so obvious… especially countered with the quick attack of Dubas after less than a year.

[@DKPS_Penguins]

Dubas had a bad year. He was criticized within that year. Nothing 'quick' about it. I'm not into honeymoons. He wasn't hired with a one-year mulligan. - Dejan

[@vanoful]

What is the point of having one of the slowest winger in the leagues?

[@jojosaute]

The issue is the penalties that come from having defensive responsibility.

[@vanoful]

most of his penalties comes from o and n zone, because he gets mad and stupid. I don’t think he would not be penalized same way at the wing, and by the way, wingers are defensively responsible this days if you want to win something big

[@jojosaute]

@vanoful I think he's constantly reaching hooking and holding after give aways where ever they come at. But neutral zone is key to team defense.

[@vanoful]

@@jojosaute he also loves tripping😅

[@EnglishFuture-xg1gw]

wait you just called me annoying? i'm a patron of yours ru mad? Really can't believe the rudeness. I've been following the pens since 1980, yes back when Carlyle was a player. I loved Mario as i am a canadian. I also have friends in Pittsburgh. I'm here because i'm a hockey fan and i like strategy and i'm interested to watch dubas at work. sorry for being annoying. good day to you sir. you just lost a loyal listener.

[@davidr4271]

Now you'll have more time to genuflect to your Wendel Clark statue.

[@EnglishFuture-xg1gw]

@@davidr4271There is always time for that. no cup but he was the warrior you never had.

[@hockeyfreak043]

Thats cause Toronto people just gossip. Then they take it back to that place an spead stuff..thats all that team an place is good for..ha ha ha ha ha ha lol lmfao