lol, i think we may be a source now:

@FiveHoleRumors
I'm hearing/reading a plethora of rumors saying the Pens are looking at Kessel. Not sure if its true. I will try to make some phone calls

more like an apology for the neal/nisk for gogo trade
- nh4442

So James Neal and Matt Niskanen for Alex Goligoski and Carl Sneep...

nope... doesn't sound any better.

However, Carl Sneep is a point per game player in the NHL lol

lol, i think we may be a source now:

@FiveHoleRumors
I'm hearing/reading a plethora of rumors saying the Pens are looking at Kessel. Not sure if its true. I will try to make some phone calls
- cap1681

thats AWESOME!!!! everyone with a twitter account needs to tweet it but make sure #pens is in the tweet

someone posted harrington, matta and a 1st for kessel... i think thats too many d prospects.. i would replace one with lovejoy
- nh4442

Hell no.

I'd offer the Leafs one of the following deals for Kessel, but I'd also want a throw-in 3rd liner (ie, some sandpaper) or a 3rd round pick:

(i) Dumoulin + Lovejoy + 1st
(ii) Dumoulin + Bortuzzo + 2nd
(ii) Harrington + Lovejoy + 1st
(iii) Harrington + Bortuzzo + 2nd

I'd consider adding more if the deal if took place this summer after Shero had extended Malkin & Letang & Kessel had extended at a reasonable rate, but not Matta. I'd want to keep Despres, Morrow, Matta, & Pouliet in the Pens system unless the deal was a no-brainer, long-term solution. (ie, Bobby Ryan or something).

Whats wrong with harrington?

Hell no.

I'd offer the Leafs one of the following deals for Kessel, but I'd also want a throw-in 3rd liner (ie, some sandpaper) or a 3rd round pick:

(i) Dumoulin + Lovejoy + 1st
(ii) Dumoulin + Bortuzzo + 2nd
(ii) Harrington + Lovejoy + 1st
(iii) Harrington + Bortuzzo + 2nd

I'd consider adding more if the deal if took place this summer after Shero had extended Malkin & Letang & Kessel had extended at a reasonable rate, but not Matta. I'd want to keep Despres, Morrow, Matta, & Pouliet in the Pens system unless the deal was a no-brainer, long-term solution. (ie, Bobby Ryan or something).
- s0rcerer1984

not bad counters... i was thinking harrington would be untouchable bc isnt he our only true defensive defensemen like orpik while all the others ore off-dman or two way dman...

Hell no.

I'd offer the Leafs one of the following deals for Kessel, but I'd also want a throw-in 3rd liner (ie, some sandpaper) or a 3rd round pick:

(i) Dumoulin + Lovejoy + 1st
(ii) Dumoulin + Bortuzzo + 2nd
(ii) Harrington + Lovejoy + 1st
(iii) Harrington + Bortuzzo + 2nd

I'd consider adding more if the deal if took place this summer after Shero had extended Malkin & Letang & Kessel had extended at a reasonable rate, but not Matta. I'd want to keep Despres, Morrow, Matta, & Pouliet in the Pens system unless the deal was a no-brainer, long-term solution. (ie, Bobby Ryan or something).
- s0rcerer1984

How is Bobby Ryan a long-term solution and Kessel isn't? Both are the same age, with the same production. Ryan's contract is just one year longer than Kessel at pretty much the same cap hit.

not bad counters... i was thinking harrington would be untouchable bc isnt he our only true defensive defensemen like orpik while all the others ore off-dman or two way dman...
- nh4442

Yup

Whats wrong with harrington?
- IronCity

Nothing, as far as I know. His stock has significantly risen since the Pens drafted him in the 2nd-Round, 54th overall in 2011. Still, when you rank the D prospects the Pens have he is closer to the bottom of the list than the top.

Unlike Morrow & Pouliet, he doesn't posses elite O-zone talent. At 6'2", 205 he isn't small, but he isn't 6'4", 220 Despres either. And he just isn't as well-rounded on D and O as Matta is. Harrington is a great player for the Pens to have, but he has at least 4 good, young Dmen in front of him on the Pens roster, making him somewhat expendable.

Nothing, as far as I know. His stock has significantly risen since the Pens drafted him in the 2nd-Round, 54th overall in 2011. Still, when you rank the D prospects the Pens have he is closer to the bottom of the list than the top.

Unlike Morrow & Pouliet, he doesn't posses elite O-zone talent. At 6'2", 205 he isn't small, but he isn't 6'4", 220 Despres either. And he just isn't as well-rounded on D and O as Matta is. Harrington is a great player for the Pens to have, but he has at least 4 good, young Dmen in front of him on the Pens roster, making him somewhat expendable.
- s0rcerer1984

I think Domoulin is more of an untouchable then Harrington. Where the Penguins are deep in puck moving D prospects, they do not have many big, Defensive D-men in the system. Domoulin is that guy. He will be the next Brooks Orpik on this team.

How is Bobby Ryan a long-term solution and Kessel isn't? Both are the same age, with the same production. Ryan's contract is just one year longer than Kessel at pretty much the same cap hit.
- cap1681

Correct. 1-year longer, at a Cap Hit of $300K less.

I like Ryan over Kessel for a few reasons:

First, Letang and Malkin's contracts currently expire in the summer of 2014, as does Kessel's. Re-signing all 3 could be tricky. Ryan being signed for 1 extra year spaces out the big deal's Shero has to do, plus gives the Salary Cap some time to go up again from the 50/50 CBA split that will go into full effect in 2014.

Second, Ryan has shown an ability to produce with an elite C in Getzlaf and LW in Perry. If he can keep up with Getzlaf & Perry, he can keep up with Malkin and Neal.

Third, Kessel has been bitten by the injury bug here and there; nothing serious, but lowers his value just a tad in my eyes. Ryan is an iron-man missing 1 game in 3 years with the Ducks.

Lastly, I just like Ryan's physical game come playoff time much more than Kessel's finesse, perimeter game.

Vitale will make his presence known tonight
- jchst22

I hope so Joe. If you spent more time on the ice and less time here you would probably have some goals by now. I like your work ethic though.

Do you have a man crush on Joe Vitale?? That's the second straight gameday blog you posted about him.
- cap1681

2nd? More like 5th.

I seriously want to know what this posters affiliation is with Joe.

I think Domoulin is more of an untouchable then Harrington. Where the Penguins are deep in puck moving D prospects, they do not have many big, Defensive D-men in the system. Domoulin is that guy. He will be the next Brooks Orpik on this team.
- cap1681

What in gods name are you talking about? Harrington is a prototypical shutdown dman, where did you get puck mover?

Actually based on the rest of your post I can only assume you got the 2 of them mixed up.

Nothing, as far as I know. His stock has significantly risen since the Pens drafted him in the 2nd-Round, 54th overall in 2011. Still, when you rank the D prospects the Pens have he is closer to the bottom of the list than the top.

Unlike Morrow & Pouliet, he doesn't posses elite O-zone talent. At 6'2", 205 he isn't small, but he isn't 6'4", 220 Despres either. And he just isn't as well-rounded on D and O as Matta is. Harrington is a great player for the Pens to have, but he has at least 4 good, young Dmen in front of him on the Pens roster, making him somewhat expendable.
- s0rcerer1984

Harrington was one of the most consistent defenseman at the world juniors playing the shutdown role and finishing a +5 in the tourney. For what it's worth he was named the player of the game of one game for Canada. He is also a big shot blocker. I personally think he is the guy we need

Nothing, as far as I know. His stock has significantly risen since the Pens drafted him in the 2nd-Round, 54th overall in 2011. Still, when you rank the D prospects the Pens have he is closer to the bottom of the list than the top.

Unlike Morrow & Pouliet, he doesn't posses elite O-zone talent. At 6'2", 205 he isn't small, but he isn't 6'4", 220 Despres either. And he just isn't as well-rounded on D and O as Matta is. Harrington is a great player for the Pens to have, but he has at least 4 good, young Dmen in front of him on the Pens roster, making him somewhat expendable.
- s0rcerer1984

You dont need that many guys with elite offensive talent on the back end. I'd rather keep Harrington. He has a real chance to provide 3 years of quality defensive play off of an entry level contract. Very rare (and needed) in the Penguins predicament.

Correct. 1-year longer, at a Cap Hit of $300K less.

I like Ryan over Kessel for a few reasons:

First, Letang and Malkin's contracts currently expire in the summer of 2014, as does Kessel's. Re-signing all 3 could be tricky. Ryan being signed for 1 extra year spaces out the big deal's Shero has to do, plus gives the Salary Cap some time to go up again from the 50/50 CBA split that will go into full effect in 2014.

Second, Ryan has shown an ability to produce with an elite C in Getzlaf and LW in Perry. If he can keep up with Getzlaf & Perry, he can keep up with Malkin and Neal.

Third, Kessel has been bitten by the injury bug here and there; nothing serious, but lowers his value just a tad in my eyes. Ryan is an iron-man missing 1 game in 3 years with the Ducks.

Lastly, I just like Ryan's physical game come playoff time much more than Kessel's finesse, perimeter game.
- s0rcerer1984

Kessel hasn't missed a game since 09-10, so the injury prone this is a non-issue. I think the fact that Kessel have been able to produce without the benefits of a top tier C is a plus in his column. If he can put up 35+ goals playing with Tyler Bozak, what is he going to do with Crosby? Plus, i think Kessel's playing style meshes best with Crosby. Give Crosby a guy who can keep up with him speed wise, plus is a deadly finisher??

I would take either. I just think, while being a gamble, you would be able to get Kessel cheaper than Ryan.

What in gods name are you talking about? Harrington is a prototypical shutdown dman, where did you get puck mover?

Actually based on the rest of your post I can only assume you got the 2 of them mixed up.
- canadianpenfan

Yeah, mixed them up

Count me as being against trading for Kessel, but if somehow this rumor comes to fruition, I wonder if Phil's mom will come to the Consol and heckle Sid.

http://harleymae.livejour...30360.html?thread=5706936

Yeah, mixed them up
- cap1681

OK, sorry for snapping. I've been surly reading this blog for the past few days.



Dumoulin is bigger right now, this is how Hockey Futures sees it:


A big, talented defensemen and a proven winner at the NCAA level, Brian Dumoulin possesses the smooth skating stride of a player much smaller than 6'4, 219 pounds. Though not known as an overly physical player, Dumoulin possesses the strength, size, and balance to keep the front of the net clear of traffic. The defensemen is also an adept puck-mover with a hard point shot. Conducting himself with great confidence on and off the ice, Dumoulin possesses numerous traits which suggest he could develop into a reliable top-four defenseman in the NHL, most notably his ability to quickly retrieve the puck and move it up ice.



Harrington is a reliable two-way defenseman with phenomenal hockey IQ and on ice-awareness. The foundation of his game is centered on his strong, mobile skating ability and good awareness in his own zone. He is particularly adept winning 50/50 battles in the corner and quickly getting the puck out of the defensive zone. Harrington also has the vision and puck-skills to make good first passes and start the play up ice.

Harrington will return to the London Knights for the 2012-13 season where he will likely play top-pairing minutes. He ultimately projects as a safe and smart stay-at-home defenseman capable of making a good first pass and playing around 20 minutes a game.

Kessel hasn't missed a game since 09-10, so the injury prone this is a non-issue. I think the fact that Kessel have been able to produce without the benefits of a top tier C is a plus in his column. If he can put up 35+ goals playing with Tyler Bozak, what is he going to do with Crosby? Plus, i think Kessel's playing style meshes best with Crosby. Give Crosby a guy who can keep up with him speed wise, plus is a deadly finisher??

I would take either. I just think, while being a gamble, you would be able to get Kessel cheaper than Ryan.
- cap1681

As I said, I didn't think the injury-issue was big; only that I liked Ryan's iron-man status. Similar to Staal, you always know he'll be there.

And as far as Kessel being able to produce with lesser talent, that can either be a positive or negative. Kessel may not do as well when he isn't the focal of the O-line. Some guys do better in a secondary role (ie, Neal); some do better in a starring role (ie, Crosby, Malkin). Also, if they are a stand alone talent the player usually wants more money. Given that the Pens have two stand alone talent's in Crosby & Malkin, i'd rather get the cheaper secondary guys who can do almost as much.

Count me as being against trading for Kessel, but if somehow this rumor comes to fruition, I wonder if Phil's mom will come to the Consol and heckle Sid.

http://harleymae.livejour...30360.html?thread=5706936
- madmike71

One of my favorite Sid stories is the time that Phil Kessel's mom went right down to the glass and started heckling him before a face-off in the opponents' zone. She was calling Sid every nasty name in the book and telling him that he was overrated. Typically, Sid would win the face-off and set me up for a slap shot near the blueline. Not this time. Sid went up to me and said that he was going to win the face-off and take the puck himself and score. I just nodded my head.

Sure enough, the puck drops and Sid grabs possession. Within 2 seconds, the red light goes off and all Sid does is tip his hat to Mrs. Kessel. Just a classic Sid Crosby moment.



Awesome.

Count me as being against trading for Kessel, but if somehow this rumor comes to fruition, I wonder if Phil's mom will come to the Consol and heckle Sid.

http://harleymae.livejour...30360.html?thread=5706936
- madmike71

One of my favorite Sid stories is the time that Phil Kessel's mom went right down to the glass and started heckling him before a face-off in the opponents' zone. She was calling Sid every nasty name in the book and telling him that he was overrated. Typically, Sid would win the face-off and set me up for a slap shot near the blueline. Not this time. Sid went up to me and said that he was going to win the face-off and take the puck himself and score. I just nodded my head.

Sure enough, the puck drops and Sid grabs possession. Within 2 seconds, the red light goes off and all Sid does is tip his hat to Mrs. Kessel. Just a classic Sid Crosby moment.



Awesome.
- canadianpenfan

Thats great. What player wrote that?

Thats great. What player wrote that?
- kfinl170

Jack Johnson.