It's easy to replace a Norris-caliber defenseman??? If you move Malkin, you don't have to replace your Art Ross-caliber center because you already have the "replacement" in Crosby.
- jmatchett383

I didn't say it was "easy to replace a Norris-caliber defensemen." But it's also not easy to find 40 goal scorers that are 25 and signed for 5 years at $5 million.

The Pens really have no elite forwards in their system... Someone might emerge as a top 6 winger, but right now we have a few high pedigree offensive defensmen on the way. Who knows if they pan out, but we are in a better position to replace that type of player internally than a 40 goal scorer.

And Malkin isn't going anywhere. Hopefully Letang isn't but if he wants to go to UFA and chase the money, he can go. I wouldn't pay him $7.5 million regardless of other options.

I didn't say it was "easy to replace a Norris-caliber defensemen." But it's also not easy to find 40 goal scorers that are 25 and signed for 5 years at $5 million.

The Pens really have no elite forwards in their system... Someone might emerge as a top 6 winger, but right now we have a few high pedigree offensive defensmen on the way. Who knows if they pan out, but we are in a better position to replace that type of player internally than a 40 goal scorer.

And Malkin isn't going anywhere. Hopefully Letang isn't but if he wants to go to UFA and chase the money, he can go. I wouldn't pay him $7.5 million regardless of other options.
- rival22

So you'd prefer to keep a top-line winger over a proven Norris-caliber defenseman because you have good defensive prospects?

morning lines...

14-87-9
12-71-18

The bottom two remain unchanged. Those two lines got immediately better when Iginla and Kunitz were switched. Can't have too much of that!

no idea about the D-pairings

Bottom line, is that no matter what we think, none of it has any impact on what happens this summer. So, we might as well enjoy all 3 of them, a hopefully watch a long playoff run.

If (HUGE IF) they win the Cup, I'd be fine with trading or resigning just about anyone lol.

The end of the finals, draft and UFA period all happen in like a week's time. I'll probably still be drunk.

So you'd prefer to keep a top-line winger over a proven Norris-caliber defenseman because you have good defensive prospects?
- jmatchett383

I think what he is getting at is that yes, it would be difficult to replace a Norris-caliber defenseman, but the Penguins have guys in their system that, if they pan out, can do that. The Pens have no depth at the top 6 position in the system.

So you'd prefer to keep a top-line winger over a proven Norris-caliber defenseman because you have good defensive prospects?
- jmatchett383

Like I said, for moving Letang, it all comes down to the salary he wants. If he signs for $6-$6.5 million (Karlsson money), then we keep all 3 and live happily ever after. If he and his agent want to test the waters and chase the BIG money (Suter/Weber money) that will probably be out there, you move him. Malkin & Neal have no bearing on that part, I don't want this team overpaying for Letang.

Then he's not getting resigned, because he could probably make $7.5M on the market. Which to me makes zero sense. He gets criticized, but he's an unbelievably talented player who is the backbone of the team. I'd rather see them ship off a guy like Niskanen, Neal, or Kunitz to free up the cap for him.
- jmatchett383

We have a lot of money coming off the books. Shero will have to make a decision. If he wants to keep Letang he can. Guy like Paul Martin and his 5 mil cap hit can be traded easily probably for descent return after the season he had. With a bunch of blue chip d prospects you would be looking to replace guys more like martin and orpik rather than Letang.

I think what he is getting at is that yes, it would be difficult to replace a Norris-caliber defenseman, but the Penguins have guys in their system that, if they pan out, can do that. The Pens have no depth at the top 6 position in the system.
- cap1681

Those can be addressed via free agency or trades (see: Neal, Iginla, Kunitz, Dupuis). All acquired in TDL trades. It's much harder to replace Norris-caliber defenseman. They are the #1 most sought-after commodity right now (after the big 4 of Crosby, Malkin, OV, Stamkos). They have several (3 to my count) defenseman in their system who appear to have high NHL upside. But the jump from good NHL defensemen and Norris defensemen is huge.

We have a lot of money coming off the books. Shero will have to make a decision. If he wants to keep Letang he can. Guy like Paul Martin and his 5 mil cap hit can be traded easily probably for descent return after the season he had. With a bunch of blue chip d prospects you would be looking to replace guys more like martin and orpik rather than Letang.
- dbell646

That's a valid option as well. If you have all of these young defense prospects, maybe you move a Niskanen, Orpik, or Martin, keep Letang, and hope 2-3 of them pan out. Probably the best bet.

Sweet, more Malkin and Letang trade talk on gameday.

Have fun.

Sweet, more Malkin and Letang trade talk on gameday.

Have fun.
- canadianpenfan

Sorry, carried over from yesterday.
Not so much really trade talk as much as organizational depth and value.

Sweet, more Malkin and Letang trade talk on gameday.

Have fun.
- canadianpenfan

Here.....

What do you think of HCDB putting Iginla back on Malkin's line in practice yesterday??

Here.....

What do you think of HCDB putting Iginla back on Malkin's line in practice yesterday??
- cap1681

Love it. He even put him on the proper side.

Love it. He even put him on the proper side.
- canadianpenfan

I just thought Kunitz on Malkin's line really lets Geno play his game better. Sid has proven that he can play with anybody. Malkin needs that type of player to free up pucks in the corner and cause havoc behind the net, like Kunitz does.

Sweet, more Malkin and Letang trade talk on gameday.

Have fun.
- canadianpenfan

Wait there's a game today?

I just thought Kunitz on Malkin's line really lets Geno play his game better. Sid has proven that he can play with anybody. Malkin needs that type of player to free up pucks in the corner and cause havoc behind the net, like Kunitz does.
- cap1681

But sid didn't score last game

Here.....

What do you think of HCDB putting Iginla back on Malkin's line in practice yesterday??
- cap1681

I dont get it...Geno has finally got it going and Sid has been just fine without Kunitz. I think both lines are better with Kunitz rather than Iginla, but I think it benefits the sum of the top 2 lines to have Kunitz with the 2nd.

But sid didn't score last game
- dbell646

I love people's arguments (not yours, figured you were being sarcastic) that since Sid didn't register a point, he was held in check. Sid was all over the ice in game 1, and if it wasn't for a few great saves by Anderson, he would have changed that. Plus, Sid deserves an assist on Kunitz's goal for that sick backhand pass while being pressured by 2 Sens.

I love people's arguments (not yours, figured you were being sarcastic) that since Sid didn't register a point, he was held in check. Sid was all over the ice in game 1, and if it wasn't for a few great saves by Anderson, he would have changed that. Plus, Sid deserves an assist on Kunitz's goal for that sick backhand pass while being pressured by 2 Sens.
- cap1681

You talk like he's good or something. He's no Richard Tarnstrom or Jan Hrdina.

I love people's arguments (not yours, figured you were being sarcastic) that since Sid didn't register a point, he was held in check. Sid was all over the ice in game 1, and if it wasn't for a few great saves by Anderson, he would have changed that. Plus, Sid deserves an assist on Kunitz's goal for that sick backhand pass while being pressured by 2 Sens.
- cap1681

I don't understand the move myself but I'm trusting bylsma this season. Maybe he saw something who knows.

Neal can play up and down the lineup (and apparently on both wings), and not sure why you'd need a sniper to play down in the lineup anyway? But the bigger point is that he's a 25 year old 40 goal scorer and signed for the next 5 years.

If you move him, in a couple years you are left with Bennett being the only viable top 6 winger (if he continues to develop like he is). Kunitz and Dupuis either won't be here, or won't be nearly as productive as they are in a couple seasons.

I want Letang back at the right price, but organizationally, he's the easiest one replaced out of the the three you named.
- rival22

Very good points about Neal. For many years we were absolutely begging for a goal scoring winger. Now that they have a young 40 goal scorer, thanks to a steal of a trade, at a real reasonable contract some think they can get someone better and would like to see him possibly moved in a trade. Incredible. Neal does have his flaws, and isn't immune to legitimate criticism at times, but it boggles my mind how unsatisfied some people can get with proven productive players on this team. Ask any fan if they would like to have Neal on their team and the answer would be unanimous.

As far as the game tonight I hope the Pens learned from there last series that they just can't step on the ice for Game 2 and think they'll win. Take it to them tonight and go to Ottawa up two.

You talk like he's good or something. He's no Richard Tarnstrom or Jan Hrdina.
- jmatchett383

Yeah, he's no Rico Fata

If you are as bored as I am today waiting for Game #2, here are two articles by two awesome writers about Fleury and Vokoun.


The Fleury piece by Sean Conboy is a bit dated, the interview was done in March, but you can see why everyone loves this guy and roots for him:

http://www.pittsburghmaga...ury-Has-Something-to-Say/

Here's Bruce Arthur on Vokoun... Since the first inverview I saw with Vokoun, I've loved him and his approach to the game and to life. There is no other way to say it, but he just "gets it".

http://sports.nationalpos...lvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

If you are as bored as I am today waiting for Game #2, here are two articles by two awesome writers about Fleury and Vokoun.


The Fleury piece by Sean Conboy is a bit dated, the interview was done in March, but you can see why everyone loves this guy and roots for him:

http://www.pittsburghmaga...ury-Has-Something-to-Say/

Here's Bruce Arthur on Vokoun... Since the first inverview I saw with Vokoun, I've loved him and his approach to the game and to life. There is no other way to say it, but he just "gets it".

http://sports.nationalpos...lvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
- rival22

Complete opposite from Bryz

Very good points about Neal. For many years we were absolutely begging for a goal scoring winger. Now that they have a young 40 goal scorer, thanks to a steal of a trade, at a real reasonable contract some think they can get someone better and would like to see him possibly moved in a trade. Incredible. Neal does have his flaws, and isn't immune to legitimate criticism at times, but it boggles my mind how unsatisfied some people can get with proven productive players on this team. Ask any fan if they would like to have Neal on their team and the answer would be unanimous.

As far as the game tonight I hope the Pens learned from there last series that they just can't step on the ice for Game 2 and think they'll win. Take it to them tonight and go to Ottawa up two.
- acdc1206

Absolutely! Neal's contract is fantastic. I know he's a little one dimensional, but he is one of my favorite Pens. I'd only be okay with trading him if we basically robbed the other GM.