I think Briere's situation is very much relevant to the Penguins. He could definitely become an option depending on what happens. My guess is that he would come cheaper than normal because of the excess buyout money he would be receiving.
- Ryan_Wilson

I for one will be sorry to see Danny go and know he still has a lot left. It's just a big cap hit. The buyout money would not be much because the contract was extremely front loaded. I believe the Flyers would be responsible for $3.35M over 4 years or roughly $840,000 per year.

I for one will be sorry to see Danny go and know he still has a lot left. It's just a big cap hit. The buyout money would not be much because the contract was extremely front loaded. I believe the Flyers would be responsible for $3.35M over 4 years or $840,000 per year.
- BOSS_TWEED

Not too many guys have had the playoff success he has had since joining Philadelphia. Goal scoring machine come April, May, June.

I can see you're protecting M.Martin and Hamonic at all costs I'd love to get one of them on a deal.
- Orpik44

Yeah I really like them. They would never trade matt Martin since he's a fan favorite, player favorite and a perfect 4th liner. I just really like the Hamonic/Macdonald pairing and wouldn't wanna give that up.

And also, they would never trade Hamonic either, they love him

Not too many guys have had the playoff success he has had since joining Philadelphia. Goal scoring machine come April, May, June.
- Ryan_Wilson

I believe he leads the NHL in playoff goals since the last lockout (04-05).

Yeah I really like them. They would never trade matt Martin since he's a fan favorite, player favorite and a perfect 4th liner. I just really like the Hamonic/Macdonald pairing and wouldn't wanna give that up.

And also, they would never trade Hamonic either, they love him
- NYI44

What's up with de Haan? I thought he was supposed to be a good defenseman.

Strome, Niederreiter, Reinhart?

Went back and read all the blogs, great job Ryan.

As far as this one...

To replace Dupuis' production on the open market is going to cost alot more than keeping him. Plus he's been a loyal soldier that suits up every game. Give him a healthy raise that will keep him happy. I think if the Pens double his salary and give him 4 years he'll stay. I would rather go 3 years but if he signs for 3mill I have no problem giving him a 4th year.

If the Pens lose Dupuis they have more holes to fill than just his winger spot, the guy does it all.

The chances are almost 100% that Briere is bought out. Bryz has a better than 50% chance of being bought out. That would rise to 100% if they acquire a Bernier or something similar. Holmgren will undoubtedly take heat for signing Bryz but he was basically ordered at gunpoint to "Fix the goalie situation". More patience with Bob and a serviceable backup would obviously have been the way to go.

Sorry Pens fans - I realize this is your blog.
- BOSS_TWEED

No worries Boss. Second guessing the Flyers decisions is welcome in all blogs.

What's up with de Haan? I thought he was supposed to be a good defenseman.

Strome, Niederreiter, Reinhart?
- Orpik44

De Haan keeps on getting hurt, but if he can stay healthy, he is supposed to be a good defenseman. There is no chance that Garth would trade Strome, Nino and Reinhart. Those are the their top picks from 3 bad years. There's no way he's wasting the rebuild to trade for Letang. I can much sooner see a Grabner/Okposo trade, but lets face it,would the Isles ever do such a trade.

I believe he leads the NHL in playoff goals since the last lockout (04-05).
- BOSS_TWEED

I know one thing for sure, he has more playoff goals than Buffalo has had since he left.

Situation like this depends on what Dupui's motivations are. This will be his last NHL contract, he has a cup and he needs to think about his future. At 33 Pens probaly wont offer more than 2 yrs. Say he can get 2 yrs at 3mil thats 6mil. Another team will offer 3-4 yrs at 3-4mil. Thats 10mil he would be leaving behind if he stays in Pitt. Pens are my fav team and all, but Id take teh cash and set myself up for retirement.

That being said, he's always played with Sid, the Pens are still always trying to find a better winger for Crosby. Why keep him here at all?

De Haan keeps on getting hurt, but if he can stay healthy, he is supposed to be a good defenseman. There is no chance that Garth would trade Strome, Nino and Reinhart. Those are the their top picks from 3 bad years. There's no way he's wasting the rebuild to trade for Letang. I can much sooner see a Grabner/Okposo trade, but lets face it,would the Isles ever do such a trade.
- NYI44

Not a chance. There's also Kirill Kabanov. What a waste of a pick he was huh? The guy is just not good.

Situation like this depends on what Dupui's motivations are. This will be his last NHL contract, he has a cup and he needs to think about his future. At 33 Pens probaly wont offer more than 2 yrs. Say he can get 2 yrs at 3mil thats 6mil. Another team will offer 3-4 yrs at 3-4mil. Thats 10mil he would be leaving behind if he stays in Pitt. Pens are my fav team and all, but Id take teh cash and set myself up for retirement.

That being said, he's always played with Sid, the Pens are still always trying to find a better winger for Crosby. Why keep him here at all?
- sammy87

There are a lot of ways to answer that question.

Not a chance. There's also Kirill Kabanov. What a waste of a pick he was huh? The guy is just not good.
- Orpik44

We'll see if he becomes anything. They have had so many picks not every pick can be a good one. I would love to sign Dipuis, I think he would be great with JT. Also, they can offer him more money because they need to get to the cap floor.

We'll see if he becomes anything. They have had so many picks not every pick can be a good one. I would love to sign Dipuis, I think he would be great with JT. Also, they can offer him more money because they need to get to the cap floor.
- NYI44

Right now, he's probably a ECHL type of player. He's just not good in the AHL. He'll take his game back to Russia at some point...+ he's not a humble kid, at all.

Whatever happened to Nikita Filatov?...

There are a lot of ways to answer that question.
- cap1681

There defiently are. Dupuis is a 3rd line player that has done very well with Crosby. He wont take 3rd line money, and if he goes somewhere else he most likely wont put up the pts he has in Pitt. Pens have holes on O, and I think a lot of ppl think well if Crosby had an even better forward to play off imagine the possibilities. I like Dupuis, i can take him or leave him though.

Right now, he's probably a ECHL type of player. He's just not good in the AHL. He'll take his game back to Russia at some point...+ he's not a humble kid, at all.

Whatever happened to Nikita Filatov?...
- Orpik44

That I can definetly see happening. I honestly don't know much about Filatov

Has NH had an aneurysm reading this article?

Completely off topic:

If Colorado would have let O'Reilly walk, they would have the #1 and #6 picks in this deep draft.

No worries Boss. Second guessing the Flyers decisions is welcome in all blogs.
- canadianpenfan

More than glad to contribute to this time-honored endeavor!

Completely off topic:

If Colorado would have let O'Reilly walk, they would have the #1 and #6 picks in this deep draft.
- cap1681

Except maybe the #6 would have been a bit lower (factoring in O'Reilly's contributions).

Completely off topic:

If Colorado would have let O'Reilly walk, they would have the #1 and #6 picks in this deep draft.
- cap1681

And with the #6 pick they easily would have had a O'Reilly replacement in either Barkov, Lindholm, or Monahan.

Also how does Feester still have a GM job?

I for one will be sorry to see Danny go and know he still has a lot left. It's just a big cap hit. The buyout money would not be much because the contract was extremely front loaded. I believe the Flyers would be responsible for $3.35M over 4 years or roughly $840,000 per year.
- BOSS_TWEED

??????????

Ok... here are Dupuis numbers with and without Crosby.

2010-11
With Sid - 40 Games / .20 GPG / .25 APG / .45 PPG
Without - 41 Games / .22 GPG / .24 APG / .46 PPG

2011-12
With Sid - 22 Games / .50 GPG / .59 APG / 1.09 PPG
Without - 60 Games / .23 GPG / .35 APG / .58 PPG

2012-13
With Sid - 36 Games / .47 GPG / .25 APG / .72 PPG
Without - 12 Games / .25 GPG / .75 APG / 1.00 PPG

Over the last three seasons:
With Sid - 98 Games / .37 GPG / .33 APG / .69 PPG
Without - 113 Games / .23 GPG / .35 APG / .58 PPG

The 22 games in 2011-12 season throws it out of whack a little. If you take out that season and just use 2010-11 & 2012-13, he is dead even at .58 points per game with and without Sid.

Completely off topic:

If Colorado would have let O'Reilly walk, they would have the #1 and #6 picks in this deep draft.
- cap1681

I'm not sure which GM was a bigger retard - Feaster for issuing the offer sheet without realizing it would cost him a bunch, or Colorado matching. I would have let him go to Calgary.

Have to keep Dupes. He is a must. He seems like a nice bottle of wine - getting better with age. Too valuable on the PK, too valuable with Crosby. This is a poor free agent crop, so lose him, you aren't finding a quality replacement that can do what he does. Really, its not like we can make a trade either. Absent Letang, we don't have too many chips that can get a bunch in return.