Well i have watched Johnson play and he would be an upgrade on this team. Period.
Johnson>Engo,Niskanen and Eaton
- nbartley9

I'm sorry, but those 3 don't even equal Jack Johnsons salary. JJ would be a good 4 or 5 dman on this team, but not by giving up a future 2 or 3 d-man, and definately not at 4.3 million a year.

The fact they claimed him might tell you about the status of some of their blueliners, including Staal.
- Oneonta Penguin

With that kind of contract and the way he's playing this season I wouldn't claim him. I'd bring someone cheaper without a doubt.

Well i have watched Johnson play and he would be an upgrade on this team. Period.
Johnson>Engo,Niskanen and Eaton
- nbartley9

Johnson isn't a need. Niskanen blows JJ away defensively. It isn't close. How many puck movers does Pittsburgh need? So, you think he is an upgrade of our THIRD D-PAIRING GUYS?

I'm sorry, but those 3 don't even equal Jack Johnsons salary. JJ would be a good 4 or 5 dman on this team, but not by giving up a future 2 or 3 d-man, and definately not at 4.3 million a year.
- cap1681

That is correct a good #4 Dman. I am not saying that it would be the trade i would make. Thats besides the fact that Dreger already shot it down today. The only point i am arguing is that he would be an upgrade on our blueline.

Letang-Martin
Orpik-Johnson
Despres-Niskanen,Engo

Thats an upgraded D, its very easy to see.

Johnson isn't a need. Niskanen blows JJ away defensively. It isn't close. How many puck movers does Pittsburgh need? So, you think he is an upgrade of our THIRD D-PAIRING GUYS?
- Oneonta Penguin

Upgrade your second pair=upgrades your 3rd pairing, so yeah.

Too many smart asses that claim to know everything on this board.

Upgrade your second pair=upgrades your 3rd pairing, so yeah.
- nbartley9

So, you would be willing to give up part of the future - probably a prime D prospect, or Despres and a first (that would be the price), for an upgrade on your third D pairing. He isn't an upgrade on the second D pair. Despres is better than him right now. Defensively, he isn't an upgrade at all. He sucks.

That is correct a good #4 Dman. I am not saying that it would be the trade i would make. Thats besides the fact that Dreger already shot it down today. The only point i am arguing is that he would be an upgrade on our blueline.

Letang-Martin
Orpik-Johnson
Despres-Niskanen,Engo

Thats an upgraded D, its very easy to see.
- nbartley9

JJ is overrated but still is a good player....but if we were to bring him we'd probably have to send Orpik the other way to sweeten the deal. I'm a big Orpik fan but he's been fricking slow/doesn't move, makes me and everyone mad

Too many smart asses that claim to know everything on this board.
- Orpik44

I dont claim I just know everything... biggg difference

So, you would be willing to give up part of the future - probably a prime D prospect, or Despres and a first (that would be the price), for an upgrade on your third D pairing. He isn't an upgrade on the second D pair. Despres is better than him right now. Defensively, he isn't an upgrade at all. He sucks.
- Oneonta Penguin

Why do people listen to Madden? He knows less about hockey than my 10-year old son.
- Oneonta Penguin

Mark does know hockey.... he's a blowhard former professional wrestling announcer, but he knows and loves the sport of hockey. That is more than most Pittsburgh sports personalities.

But just because he knows hockey well, doesn't me he's always right, just like none of us are always right.

One thing about Mark, he knows how to get reaction, and on sports radio, reaction means ratings. His opinions get further and further out there on slow news days, but that is how he gets listeners.

Maybe he does think Jack Johnson would be good here, if that's the case, I disagree. But maybe he knows that no one else thinks that, so he'll stir the pot and take the unpopular view.

JJ is overrated but still is a good player....but if we were to bring him we'd probably have to send Orpik the other way to sweeten the deal. I'm a big Orpik fan but he's been fricking slow/doesn't move, makes me and everyone mad
- Orpik44

You need a physical element on this blueline. While Orpik is slower, he still hits. No one else absent Engelland and maybe Bortuzzo brings that. Letang doesn't; nor Niskanen; nor Despres; nor Martin.

Why would Columbus want Orpik to begin with? They need to hold onto Johnson. If they deal him, they are looking for a first and a prime D prospect, not a veteran who is slowing down.

So, you would be willing to give up part of the future - probably a prime D prospect, or Despres and a first (that would be the price), for an upgrade on your third D pairing. He isn't an upgrade on the second D pair. Despres is better than him right now. Defensively, he isn't an upgrade at all. He sucks.
- Oneonta Penguin

I dont know what else to say other than your wrong. I would never ever trade Despres for Johnson, in that aspect your right. But to try and make the case that he is bad in his own end is incorrect. Johnson plays just fine in his own end and is above average in front of the net. Defensively he is an upgrade over Niskanen Eaton and Engelland. Not to mention every couple of games EXPLODES someone at the blueline.

i am totally on board for sending out a defensive propsect or two for the right return. as someone said before, any more than 2 of them shipped out though absolutely decimates the farm system. these puck moving d men are one of the best commodities in the game, and having a nice little pool of them puts the team in a good position to either groom letangs replacement if need be or to trade them down the line. there needs to be some sort of urgency for this team to win now, although barring health catastrophes this team should be in serious contention year in and year out for the next 5 years at least.

I dont claim I just know everything... biggg difference
- nh4442

Clever some people talk with air of superiority/know everything, that's what I was talking about...you clearly know nothing

i fail to see how jack johnson necessarily helps this team. obviously if the cost is despres, that is a no brainer to decline. but even if it isnt, he sure as hell isnt going to come free. even if you take out the acquisition cost factor, i still have a hard time seeing what he would really bring to the team. yeah he has some flashy offensive ability from time to time, but that is the exact opposite of what this team needs to add on the back end. then add in the fact that he makes a good chunk of change to boot. i just really cant see him making a positive impact. if we want to move some pieces for a d man, id rather try and pry scuderi out of los angelis (not that i see them wanting to move him)

i am totally on board for sending out a defensive propsect or two for the right return. as someone said before, any more than 2 of them shipped out though absolutely decimates the farm system. these puck moving d men are one of the best commodities in the game, and having a nice little pool of them puts the team in a good position to either groom letangs replacement if need be or to trade them down the line. there needs to be some sort of urgency for this team to win now, although barring health catastrophes this team should be in serious contention year in and year out for the next 5 years at least.
- stayinthefnnet

I truely believe that Shero is waiting to see if Letang resigns this summer before he starts trading some of these prospects. If Letang signs for 6 or 8 years, he can afford to trade away a couple of them to get a top 6 forward or a stay at home defenseman. If Letang isn't going to sign, don't be surprised to see Shero shopping him at the draft like he did with Staal.

So, you would be willing to give up part of the future - probably a prime D prospect, or Despres and a first (that would be the price), for an upgrade on your third D pairing. He isn't an upgrade on the second D pair. Despres is better than him right now. Defensively, he isn't an upgrade at all. He sucks.
- Oneonta Penguin

It makes no sense on virtually every level. If the Pens are going to cough up 7mil or so for Letang, this team needs some of these younger players/prospects to come in and contribute at lower salaries. I would be stunned if they brought in a player with that kind of a contract before they start negotiations with Geno and Letang.

You need a physical element on this blueline. While Orpik is slower, he still hits. No one else absent Engelland and maybe Bortuzzo brings that. Letang doesn't; nor Niskanen; nor Despres; nor Martin.

Why would Columbus want Orpik to begin with? They need to hold onto Johnson. If they deal him, they are looking for a first and a prime D prospect, not a veteran who is slowing down.
- Oneonta Penguin

"sweeten the deal" (means something else goes the other way). They would have their reasons if they wanted to trade JJ and bring back Orpik (he'll be a free agent, clear cap space...). Not saying we would trade Orpik just showing that you have to think/read/think again before attacking as if it were a non sense. Jesus.

I truely believe that Shero is waiting to see if Letang resigns this summer before he starts trading some of these prospects. If Letang signs for 6 or 8 years, he can afford to trade away a couple of them to get a top 6 forward or a stay at home defenseman. If Letang isn't going to sign, don't be surprised to see Shero shopping him at the draft like he did with Staal.
- cap1681

yeah i really cant blame him. there is a lot of logic in that. if letang is to be in this for the long haul, it greatly reduces the need for a morrow or pouliott to become that kind of guy. moving them now would only probably make negotiations harder as it would only make letang even more necessary to keep. if the team wants to specify on what they believe to be their top 3 or 5 prospects and have them be off limits right now i am fine with that. however, id be all for the team moving whoever they deem to be in the next tier, be it maata or domoulin or whoever, if there is a decent deal available now

I truely believe that Shero is waiting to see if Letang resigns this summer before he starts trading some of these prospects. If Letang signs for 6 or 8 years, he can afford to trade away a couple of them to get a top 6 forward or a stay at home defenseman. If Letang isn't going to sign, don't be surprised to see Shero shopping him at the draft like he did with Staal.
- cap1681

and for the record, if thats how it goes down with letang then so be it. id rather have shero cut the crap, offer him his best deal that he can, and he either takes it or then you move him as quickly as possible to ensure the best return. you absolutely cannot have letang walk for nothing.

Clever some people talk with air of superiority/know everything, that's what I was talking about...you clearly know nothing
- Orpik44

I run my NHL 13 team like I run my high school team I coach... I balance out the lines... and trade pplayers for who I want


now if only we were able to trade the kids between the school district... that would be sweet

Guys just because someone has a different opinion doesn't mean you should be so rude. keep it clean or I'll ban your ass.

Guys just because someone has a different opinion doesn't mean you should be so rude. keep it clean or I'll ban your ass.
- dbell646

Canadian?

and for the record, if thats how it goes down with letang then so be it. id rather have shero cut the crap, offer him his best deal that he can, and he either takes it or then you move him as quickly as possible to ensure the best return. you absolutely cannot have letang walk for nothing.
- stayinthefnnet

Yeah, if he doesn't sign, Shero should be able to get a huge return for him. I think every GM in the NHL will put together a package to offer the Pens. Granted, the Penguins will most likely not get the best player in the trade.