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Just an update on the fantasy hockey front:
Currently we have 8 teams out of a potential 14 for the league. If you would like to join the league please send me a message and I will provide you the information. The only request that I make for people interested is that they keep up with their team if they join the league. It is never fun to play in a league where there are a couple of GM’s who don’t update their roster or submit a full lineup.
The draft is set for Monday night at 9:30 PM
I also recommend joining the Hockeybuzz Super League, it is very fun trying to construct your roster within the limitations of the salary cap on a weekly basis.
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The Penguins have already hit the ice for their last practice session at West Point and some important roster decisions should be forthcoming.
The Penguins will have to be cap compliant by tomorrow as mandated by the CBA. Depending on the report, the Penguins are right around the neighborhood of being 1M over the cap right now.
Some things to look out for will be if the Penguins use the LTIR tag on Tomas Vokoun or Kris Letang. By tagging those players on LTIR the Penguins would receive some temporary cap relief which would allow them to be cap compliant. The negative of the LTIR distinction is obvious, that means that the player tagged will be out long term (at least 10 games). Tomas Vokoun has a better chance to be given the LTIR tag, but as of right now it is too early to say if Kris Letang is also a candidate for that distinction.
If Tomas Vokoun is not given the LTIR tag, that would be very encouraging for his timetable to return to hockey.
Kris Letang being out long term is certainly irreplaceable. In a prior blog I highlighted just how much of a positive influence Letang was on the Crosby line.
It was pretty significant.
The Penguins clearly have interest in Chuck Kobasew and I think it is a matter of the two parties agreeing upon a dollar amount. Kobasew has done well with his time in training camp and when you combine that with the fact D’Agostini has been missing for a good portion of camp, he was able to make the best of his opportunity.
The decision to not trade Matt Niskanen could prove to be a wise one with the potential Kris Letang injury. Niskanen did not shine in his top 4 role in the playoffs, but that doesn’t mean that he isn’t a good option to fill in to start the regular season.
Simon Despres will more than likely be sent down to WB/S but as I have said before, that is because of the technicality of waivers and how he does not have to “clear” to be sent down.
Letang’s injury also opens the door for the Penguins to potentially keep up top defense prospect Olli Maatta. Maatta has turned a lot of heads during training camp and it would be a nice opportunity for the Penguins to give him a cup of coffee.
Unfortunately for Olli Maatta he will have to play another year of juniors this year. It is clear that he has graduated from the junior level of hockey. The longer the Penguins can keep him at a level above junior hockey, the better.
The fourth line questions will also be answered in the coming days. Will Tanner Glass be traded or sent to WB/S?
Did Dustin Jeffrey make enough of an impact to potentially supplant Joe Vitale as the 4th line center?
What would you do if you had the decision?
Are these the opening night line combo/D pairings?
Former Penguin Andrew Ferrence has been named captain of the Edmonton Oilers.
For those of you like me out there, enjoy the finale tonight, bittersweet, *single tear*
RIP Breaking Bad
Thanks for reading!
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