Two conference finals, 1-8 record.
- Gunner Staal

I've been saying for a bit now that they need to make some changes. Couture should be taking over at some point. They have a solid group and they should have been able to do more than that for sure. Still, a dominant regular season team for a long time. No easy thing to be so consistent.

Morrow in tonight. Hope Geno plays. I think the chemistry will be easy for that line. Morrow is going to play a similar role to Kunitz. You know what he's going to do and where he is going to be. Murray is a more physical version of Gill. He's certainly not going to win a foot race but he hits clears the net and will drop the gloves. We have enough puck moving dmen to join the rush. I'd pair him with Despres IMO. Remember how good Gill was for Letangs development? Eaton should play with Letang and obviously Martin Orpik. That leaves 3 dmen scratched. I'm sure one is going in a minor trade here or maybe Nisk for some of the picks we just lost.

Morrow in tonight. Hope Geno plays. I think the chemistry will be easy for that line. Morrow is going to play a similar role to Kunitz. You know what he's going to do and where he is going to be. Murray is a more physical version of Gill. He's certainly not going to win a foot race but he hits clears the net and will drop the gloves. We have enough puck moving dmen to join the rush. I'd pair him with Despres IMO. Remember how good Gill was for Letangs development? Eaton should play with Letang and obviously Martin Orpik. That leaves 3 dmen scratched. I'm sure one is going in a minor trade here or maybe Nisk for some of the picks we just lost.
- dbell646

I don't get the need to deal Niskanen for picks at this juncture. If you are dealing a Dman - Engelland or Bortuzzo for a fifth or sixth.

I don't get the need to deal Niskanen for picks at this juncture. If you are dealing a Dman - Engelland or Bortuzzo for a fifth or sixth.
- Oneonta Penguin

Well because I believe Nisk is a very good defenseman and deserves to play I just don't think he deserves to play over the 6 guys I mentioned. His value is much higher. Nisk would be great to keep around for depth purposes I just don't think it's fair to him. However I'm sure they send Despres down and move one of the guys you mentioned.

Well because I believe Nisk is a very good defenseman and deserves to play I just don't think he deserves to play over the 6 guys I mentioned. His value is much higher. Nisk would be great to keep around for depth purposes I just don't think it's fair to him. However I'm sure they send Despres down and move one of the guys you mentioned.
- dbell646

If he doesn't deserve to play over the guys you mentioned, he doesn't fetch as high of a value as you are thinking. He has been steady and has a healthy cap hit for next year. If you plan to resign Murray, which I'm not sure Shero does, then you trade him in the offseason.

Well because I believe Nisk is a very good defenseman and deserves to play I just don't think he deserves to play over the 6 guys I mentioned. His value is much higher. Nisk would be great to keep around for depth purposes I just don't think it's fair to him. However I'm sure they send Despres down and move one of the guys you mentioned.
- dbell646

From TIOPS....

Shero said he envisions all 9 D being on the roster after the April 3rd deadline when rosters expand.

IMO, If Nisk was part of deal for a needed player, I wouldn't have minded him being traded. If you're talking of dealing him for picks, you can do that after the season. Injuries play such a huge role in a deep playoff run.......the more depth the better.

There is no need to deal anyone from the roster this season. Depending on what happens with Murray in the summer, and Letang and anything else, maybe you move Niskanen then if the deal is right. But going into the playoffs with him and Despres as your 6/7 guys, it is a great situation have.

There is no need to deal anyone from the roster this season. Depending on what happens with Murray in the summer, and Letang and anything else, maybe you move Niskanen then if the deal is right. But going into the playoffs with him and Despres as your 6/7 guys, it is a great situation have.
- rival22

I don't think Murray will be resigned. From what I got on the press conference and his wording with respect to Murray - "this was the price for a rental defenseman", I think Ray has already made up his mind. Of course, it could be changed depending on how he plays, but ...

There is no need to deal anyone from the roster this season. Depending on what happens with Murray in the summer, and Letang and anything else, maybe you move Niskanen then if the deal is right. But going into the playoffs with him and Despres as your 6/7 guys, it is a great situation have.
- rival22

Really? I'm not a rocket scientist but if Letang and Geno come back we are over 23 man roster.
Would put us at 25 I believe. So yes we have to do something.

From TIOPS....

Shero said he envisions all 9 D being on the roster after the April 3rd deadline when rosters expand.

IMO, If Nisk was part of deal for a needed player, I wouldn't have minded him being traded. If you're talking of dealing him for picks, you can do that after the season. Injuries play such a huge role in a deep playoff run.......the more depth the better.
- madmike71

Guess he intends to send Bennett and Despres down until afterward

If he doesn't deserve to play over the guys you mentioned, he doesn't fetch as high of a value as you are thinking. He has been steady and has a healthy cap hit for next year. If you plan to resign Murray, which I'm not sure Shero does, then you trade him in the offseason.
- Oneonta Penguin

Well I would say that Despres Letang and Martin all play the same role which put 3 very talented guys in front of him. The other 3 are more of defensive defenseman which Nisk isn't. Wouldn't say those 3 are better than him they just fill a different role. I would be willing to bet with his cap hit his value is fairly descent around the league.

Guess he intends to send Bennett and Despres down until afterward
- dbell646

Yeah, send them down for a week and call them back up after deadline.

Anyone know if they are sent down, do they need to physically report? I'm just thinking that you don't really want them to get hurt playing in the AHL this weekend, could they just stay and practice with the NHL club?

Yeah, send them down for a week and call them back up after deadline.

Anyone know if they are sent down, do they need to physically report? I'm just thinking that you don't really want them to get hurt playing in the AHL this weekend, could they just stay and practice with the NHL club?
- rival22

I think they have to physically report. Probably just scratch them down there.

Well I would say that Despres Letang and Martin all play the same role which put 3 very talented guys in front of him. The other 3 are more of defensive defenseman which Nisk isn't. Wouldn't say those 3 are better than him they just fill a different role. I would be willing to bet with his cap hit his value is fairly descent around the league.
- dbell646

I just think Despres can be a defensive defenseman and puck mover at the same time. He has all the tools to do that. Personally, I wouldn't trade Niskanen. I like the guy and think he's important to this team.

I'd rather (and probably would) trade Engelland (1st option) or Bortuzzo + for a 4th line guy who will take faceoffs and be tough on the forecheck.

I just think Despres can be a defensive defenseman and puck mover at the same time. He has all the tools to do that. Personally, I wouldn't trade Niskanen. I like the guy and think he's important to this team.

I'd rather (and probably would) trade Engelland (1st option) or Bortuzzo + for a 4th line guy who will take faceoffs and be tough on the forecheck.
- Orpik44

He's top 6 somewhere but I don't believe it's here. Not real interested in having a $2 million 7th defenseman.

Pens Inside Scoop ‏@PensInsideScoop 1h
Malkin not skating in a line. Letang working on 4th D-pair with Bortuzzo #Pens -SK

Looks like both might be out tonight again... Get healthy boys!

The cap coming down is only an issue for next year. Next year is the lowest cap number allowed in the new CBA, it can never go lower. And as we all know, it will continue to climb after that.
- Gunner Staal

Isn't it supposed to stay at 64 mil for 2 years after that too

He's top 6 somewhere but I don't believe it's here. Not real interested in having a $2 million 7th defenseman.
- dbell646

Except he's a top-6 defenseman here already.

I love Despres and believe he is the future of our blueline, but our D going into the playoffs is in all likelihood going to be the following:

Orpik - Martin
Eaton - Letang
Murray - Niskanen

Despres/Engelland

Yes it's true that Despres is likely already the 2nd/3rd most talented defensemen on the roster and I'd hate to see him sit, but come playoff-time, the pairings will likely be what was noted above.

Pens Inside Scoop ‏@PensInsideScoop 1h
Malkin not skating in a line. Letang working on 4th D-pair with Bortuzzo #Pens -SK

Looks like both might be out tonight again... Get healthy boys!
- rival22

I really believe we won't see either one until the trade deadline, just keep them on IR and they will be healthy and we won't have to send anyone down. When the rosters expand that day, they both come off and don't have to send anyone to WBS. Now, if another trade occurs then, well.... But I think these guys will be getting an extra week to get rest/healthy

Except he's a top-6 defenseman here already.

I love Despres and believe he is the future of our blueline, but our D going into the playoffs is in all likelihood going to be the following:

Orpik - Martin
Eaton - Letang
Murray - Niskanen

Despres/Engelland

Yes it's true that Despres is likely already the 2nd/3rd most talented defensemen on the roster and I'd hate to see him sit, but come playoff-time, the pairings will likely be what was noted above.
- ursomp71

...and may I say, nothing wrong about that It's good to have defensemen that we trust. This is a solid lineup.

Just one thing: Boyle played alongside Murray the last couple years so don't be surprised to see a Murray/Letang pairing. Eaton/Niskanen have been good together..

Pens Inside Scoop ‏@PensInsideScoop 1h
Malkin not skating in a line. Letang working on 4th D-pair with Bortuzzo #Pens -SK

Looks like both might be out tonight again... Get healthy boys!
- rival22

Letang getting 1st PP time though.

Letang getting 1st PP time though.
- Gunner Staal

Yeah, saw that too... Hopefully he's in.

Letang getting 1st PP time though.
- Gunner Staal

Maybe Bortuzzo is in?

...and may I say, nothing wrong about that It's good to have defensemen that we trust. This is a solid lineup.

Just one thing: Boyle played alongside Murray the last couple years so don't be surprised to see a Murray/Letang pairing. Eaton/Niskanen have been good together..
- Orpik44

I can't see him playing with Letang. Any pairing with Letang will get a lot of 5-on-5 minutes, and I don't think that you want Murray with anymore than 3rd pairing minutes at 5-on-5 (plus a lot of PK).

I can't see him playing with Letang. Any pairing with Letang will get a lot of 5-on-5 minutes, and I don't think that you want Murray with anymore than 3rd pairing minutes at 5-on-5 (plus a lot of PK).
- rival22

He will be with Eaton IMO.