see my next post.. either or

keeping him will be awesome but then we have to get rid of some guys like iggy, dupuis cooke possibility... with keeping him do u get rid of fluery and go afte a cheaper goalie and a 1st?

losing him will provide a 1st as well as some other assests but if shero gets a top 10 pick, he will go after best avail instead of drafting what he needs.. ie young wingers...
- nh4442

Iggy is gone regardless of Letang. No big shakes either on that one.

We already are the most hated team. So, people would blow a gasket if Colorado traded the top overall pick to Pittsburgh for an established all-star and Norris Trophy finalist that isn't over the age of 30? It's not like Pittsburgh is trading Matt Niskanen for the top overall pick.
- Oneonta Penguin

like you mentioned earlier, that is the point that is the most glaring to me. there is no long term solution for goaltender on this team as of now. as much as i love him, i feel as though fleury is done. regular season record means absolutely nothing for this team anymore. they could put virtually anyone in net and make the post season.

i dont know if this hartzell kid will become anything, so you certainly cant bank on it. i honestly wouldnt have a huge problem with the fleury/vokoun split and then voukoun in the playoffs again, as he really wasnt the problem in the postseason. but you have no idea if he can hold up another year, he is getting up there.

there really arent options out there other than bernier who impress me, and granted i understand my opinion on bernier is largely hunch based.

this team will still have a large window for at least the next five years. they need to figure something out between the pipes.

we never got to see him and sid connect... he was used horribly all around. I wouldn't be surprised if he said no to a deal with Bylsma as the coach...

but what ever.. anyont think if we cant keep cooke they will go after clutterbuck?

like you mentioned earlier, that is the point that is the most glaring to me. there is no long term solution for goaltender on this team as of now. as much as i love him, i feel as though fleury is done. regular season record means absolutely nothing for this team anymore. they could put virtually anyone in net and make the post season.

i dont know if this hartzell kid will become anything, so you certainly cant bank on it. i honestly wouldnt have a huge problem with the fleury/vokoun split and then voukoun in the playoffs again, as he really wasnt the problem in the postseason. but you have no idea if he can hold up another year, he is getting up there.

there really arent options out there other than bernier who impress me, and granted i understand my opinion on bernier is largely hunch based.

this team will still have a large window for at least the next five years. they need to figure something out between the pipes.
- stayinthefnnet

I see ur point and agree... but whats funny is flower isn't even in top 20 in stats for goalies... he lets in goals and the pens have to match it and score more.. so even his regular season stats arnt that good...

and as I say that, if he gets traded I want a 1st lol

we never got to see him and sid connect... he was used horribly all around. I wouldn't be surprised if he said no to a deal with Bylsma as the coach...

but what ever.. anyont think if we cant keep cooke they will go after clutterbuck?
- nh4442

Clutterbuck may cost a little more, but he is young, and would fit into this team really well. Would have to get his rights from Minny or offer sheet him though, as he is an RFA

Edit: We can't offer sheet him because we don't have a second round pick next year.

I see ur point and agree... but whats funny is flower isn't even in top 20 in stats for goalies... he lets in goals and the pens have to match it and score more.. so even his regular season stats arnt that good...

and as I say that, if he gets traded I want a 1st lol
- nh4442

true. but im still a believer of the notion that stats do not tell the story about fleury. in the regular season, he is more than adequate. however, once the pressure of the postseason is on he is laughable anymore.

haha yeah, i dont know how you can condemn him to that level and then expect a first rounder for him. i still defend his ability a little bit, and i dont think any return for him would even come close to that

like you mentioned earlier, that is the point that is the most glaring to me. there is no long term solution for goaltender on this team as of now. as much as i love him, i feel as though fleury is done. regular season record means absolutely nothing for this team anymore. they could put virtually anyone in net and make the post season.

i dont know if this hartzell kid will become anything, so you certainly cant bank on it. i honestly wouldnt have a huge problem with the fleury/vokoun split and then voukoun in the playoffs again, as he really wasnt the problem in the postseason. but you have no idea if he can hold up another year, he is getting up there.

there really arent options out there other than bernier who impress me, and granted i understand my opinion on bernier is largely hunch based.

this team will still have a large window for at least the next five years. they need to figure something out between the pipes.
- stayinthefnnet

I'm sure they will address it... Next year we have Vokoun, who has proven to be a solid playoff goalie. Best case scenario is that MAF gets his head out of his a$$ and plays competently in the playoffs. Worse case is that Vokoun takes the role as playoff starter.

After next year though, they really have to figure something out. Whether Hartzell is a legitimate NHL goalie, or they address it via trade or free agency, unless Fleury somehow rebounds, we will have a new look in the crease in 2014-15.

I'm sure they will address it... Next year we have Vokoun, who has proven to be a solid playoff goalie. Best case scenario is that MAF gets his head out of his a$$ and plays competently in the playoffs. Worse case is that Vokoun takes the role as playoff starter.

After next year though, they really have to figure something out. Whether Hartzell is a legitimate NHL goalie, or they address it via trade or free agency, unless Fleury somehow rebounds, we will have a new look in the crease in 2014-15.
- rival22

Bylsma has already said flower will be in net in playoffs and we wont need vokun... he did this publicly as well as Bennett top 6 and despres top 4.. so if we don't see this im calling for his head!!!

we also cant offer sheet bernier bc we don't have a second... they think he will want 3.3 for 3-4yrs

I'm sure they will address it... Next year we have Vokoun, who has proven to be a solid playoff goalie. Best case scenario is that MAF gets his head out of his a$$ and plays competently in the playoffs. Worse case is that Vokoun takes the role as playoff starter.

After next year though, they really have to figure something out. Whether Hartzell is a legitimate NHL goalie, or they address it via trade or free agency, unless Fleury somehow rebounds, we will have a new look in the crease in 2014-15.
- rival22

yeah. i just worry about voukons age. goalies can give physically in a hurry.

Not surprising......Datsyuk signs a 3 year extension with the Red Wings
- cap1681

Ted Kulfan ‏@tkulfan
Datsyuk's agent Gary Greenstin says 3 year deal worth $23 million: $10 million first year: 7.5 2nd year; 5.5 3rd year. Cap hit is 7.5 mil

yeah. i just worry about voukons age. goalies can give physically in a hurry.
- stayinthefnnet

Yeah... thankfully Fleury can take the load during the season though.

It's not like Vokoun can really get any slower lol.

Yeah... thankfully Fleury can take the load during the season though.

It's not like Vokoun can really get any slower lol.
- rival22

haha fair enough. i just wish they could do a brain transplant between the two of them. boom. vezina contender.

letang and fleury to Colorado for the 1st, 2nd, player and prospect

go after drouin, and best player in 2nd

letang and fleury to Colorado for the 1st, 2nd, player and prospect

go after drouin, and best player in 2nd
- nh4442

i still think id go mackinnon if we were in that situation

Clutterbuck may cost a little more, but he is young, and would fit into this team really well. Would have to get his rights from Minny or offer sheet him though, as he is an RFA

Edit: We can't offer sheet him because we don't have a second round pick next year.
- cap1681

Clutterbuck would indeed be a good fit...I still like COL as a potential Letang destination, if so I would be interested in Steve Downie as part of the return. Finally, I think people may be over-estimating the D return Shero would expect. PITT has Martin, Niskanen and Despres who can move the puck pretty well. Martin can handle PP1 time. It's not the best D, but at some point the kids gotta play...Englland/Bortuzzo are 5-7 guys, so I would be interested in picking up a true shut down D to play top minutes (easier said than done).

Martin - NEED
Niskanen - England
Despres - Orpik
Bortuzzo

If we can get 1st overall pick in a deal with Letang (signed), wow. I would turn that around and pick up call up CGY and ask for their 3 1sts, Giordano and Glencross, or DAL in exchange for Eriksson, Dillon, 1st and 2nd.

like you mentioned earlier, that is the point that is the most glaring to me. there is no long term solution for goaltender on this team as of now. as much as i love him, i feel as though fleury is done. regular season record means absolutely nothing for this team anymore. they could put virtually anyone in net and make the post season.

i dont know if this hartzell kid will become anything, so you certainly cant bank on it. i honestly wouldnt have a huge problem with the fleury/vokoun split and then voukoun in the playoffs again, as he really wasnt the problem in the postseason. but you have no idea if he can hold up another year, he is getting up there.

there really arent options out there other than bernier who impress me, and granted i understand my opinion on bernier is largely hunch based.

this team will still have a large window for at least the next five years. they need to figure something out between the pipes.
- stayinthefnnet

We have discussed this too many times as a fan base on this board. It takes a certain type of goalie to succeed here. I'm sure Brodeur's or The King's numbers WOULDN'T look as sexy if they played in Pittsburgh. The system put alot on the goalie. Let's face it, back in the day, NJ's system made a goalie look very good. Our system could make a good goalie look average at best.

I saw Hartzell play in nets at Qpac for three years. He was a darn good goalie in college. Whether he makes it on the bigger stage is up for debate. I thought he was a better goalie during his career than Ben Scrivens was at Cornell. Who knows? This kid could be Ryan Miller, or former Minnesota All-American and Hobey Baker finalist bust Robb Stauber.

You look at our farm system. We have a load of talented D prospects, but few options at forward and even fewer in the net.

true. but im still a believer of the notion that stats do not tell the story about fleury. in the regular season, he is more than adequate. however, once the pressure of the postseason is on he is laughable anymore.

haha yeah, i dont know how you can condemn him to that level and then expect a first rounder for him. i still defend his ability a little bit, and i dont think any return for him would even come close to that
- stayinthefnnet

You throw the goalie stat numbers out the window in Pittsburgh.

Bylsma has already said flower will be in net in playoffs and we wont need vokun... he did this publicly as well as Bennett top 6 and despres top 4.. so if we don't see this im calling for his head!!!

we also cant offer sheet bernier bc we don't have a second... they think he will want 3.3 for 3-4yrs
- nh4442

People fighting for Bernier are going to be disappointed IMO.

People fighting for Bernier are going to be disappointed IMO.
- Oneonta Penguin

Agreed, and I don't say that as a slight to Bernier either.

You throw the goalie stat numbers out the window in Pittsburgh.
- Oneonta Penguin

exactly. far too many people forget this. however, one thing they need to b able to instill is confidence in the team in front of them that they will be able to make the saves necessary to win. and there were times when fleurys save percentage was relatively pedestrian, but that mindset was there, both for him and the team. now, it is not.

People fighting for Bernier are going to be disappointed IMO.
- Oneonta Penguin

i think we typically see eye to eye on most topics, but this is one where i differ a little. if the price was manageable asset wise to acquire him, i think it is worth the risk for the team who does

Agreed, and I don't say that as a slight to Bernier either.
- BulliesPhan87

Not a slight, but I think people are overrating him as a long term viable option - one that will do great things.

Iggy is gone regardless of Letang. No big shakes either on that one.
- Oneonta Penguin

If they don't sign Dupuis Iginla comes back into play.

If they don't sign Dupuis Iginla comes back into play.
- Ryan_Wilson

that is a depressing thought

Not a slight, but I think people are overrating him as a long term viable option - one that will do great things.
- Oneonta Penguin

He reminds me of both Raask and Schnider. Behind implanted starters, but have shown flashes of greatness in the few starts he gets. Difference for Bernier is that he is behind a young guy who isn't going anywhere in the next few years.