Apparently PITT isn't so high on Ryan. He's more likely gone to PHILLY. Who knows for sure...

The more I think about this, the more a deal w/COL makes most sense of who has pieces PITT would like, and who would want to overpay for Letang...I can easily see a 1st overall for Letang deal, and PITT turns around to trade the pick to a team like DAL for Erikson + Dillon + 10th...
- mventres

If the pens manage the first pick I'd rather them just take jones.

What if Iginla made the right decision? #historywillbemade #becauseitsthecup
- TylerSeguin19

If iginla picked Boston they would have been a worse team. He doesn't have it anymore. You should be happy.

I think you overestimate. Historically 11th overall isn't a star player. Period. Is it possible, sure, but not likely. Same for 2nd round. Look at the stats.

Dillon is a piece of a puzzle. He is a one dimensional D-man (although he's very good at it, so far). Erikson is good yes, but is he Stamkos? Kane? Crosby/Malkin? Ovi? Not even close...he's not even the best player on the team (Benn)!

Mac is unproven yes. However, look over the past few years at the #1 pick and take into account all the scouts/etc...is it possible he will suck? Sure. I doubt it though, as does nearly everybody else.

Simply stated. You can't build a team around Erikson. He's got 3-5 years left before he starts to decline. And you just can't build around a stay at home d-man...
- mventres

you make it sound like players like Ericksson and Dillon grow on trees. Those are two pieces Dallas needs to keep instead of throwing them away, along with a premium pick at 11 and then a second round pick in a deep draft. You underestimate, make that grossly underestimate what can be had in the second round, let alone the 11th pick in this strong draft.

No, you can't build around either one as a single player. However together, you can. Everyone thought Alexander Daigle was going to be a can't miss prospect too. Food for thought. This is something Dallas shouldn't entertain doing.

Making them add to Ericksson, Dillon, the 11th pick is mind boggling.

If iginla picked Boston they would have been a worse team. He doesn't have it anymore. You should be happy.
- Genev21

does that mean we would have gotten jagr?

If the pens manage the first pick I'd rather them just take jones.
- Genev21

I'm a big fan of Jones. Think he is going to be the best player in this draft and have the best career. That said, with our D prospects, our shortage of forward prospects - we would need to take a forward.

you make it sound like players like Ericksson and Dillon grow on trees. Those are two pieces Dallas needs to keep instead of throwing them away, along with a premium pick at 11 and then a second round pick in a deep draft. You underestimate, make that grossly underestimate what can be had in the second round, let alone the 11th pick in this strong draft.

No, you can't build around either one as a single player. However together, you can. Everyone thought Alexander Daigle was going to be a can't miss prospect too. Food for thought. This is something Dallas shouldn't entertain doing.

Making them add to Ericksson, Dillon, the 11th pick is mind boggling.
- Oneonta Penguin

We shall see what #1 is worth, as it's increasingly likely (seemingly) that it will get moved...

Rob Rossi ‏@RobRossi_Trib 3m
#TribHKY Shero set to crunch numbers after hearing from agent Letang wants to stay with #pens http://triblive.com/mobil...53-96/letang-shero-hughes …
- nh4442

Please God no...just move him. Get rid of him. Ever heard of a player getting FASTER as he gets older? It doesn't happen. Soon, he won't be able to catch ANYONE after yet more and more of his defensive lapses. And seriously, getting rid of Letang will vastly improve the stats of Fleury, Vokoun, or anyone the Penguins decide to put in the net with him not passing it to the other team in the slot right in front of the Penguins goaltender anymore. And maybe, just maybe whoever takes his place will learn to cover his guy in the defensive zone instead of standing around with his pecker in his hand not able to see through his girlie haircut?

We shall see what #1 is worth, as it's increasingly likely (seemingly) that it will get moved...
- mventres

I'm not sure it will get moved. If Colorado keeps it and chooses anyone else but Jones, its a dumb move. Colorado needs a young Dman. Erik Johnson is a joke. They have a nice young collection of forwards. No one is going to give up the stud Dman they want or need. Dmen are at a premium.

In your scenario ... to equate it to the Pens ... you would be asking Shero to give up Neal, a 22-year old Orpik, your original first round pick and a second to move up 10 spots. That isn't worth it to me.

does that mean we would have gotten jagr?
- nh4442

No that ship had sailed. He doesn't exactly have the greatest relationship with the organization anymore and I really think he wants to come back but I guess it wouldn't have really mattered he didn't have a NTC.

Please God no...just move him. Get rid of him. Ever heard of a player getting FASTER as he gets older? It doesn't happen. Soon, he won't be able to catch ANYONE after yet more and more of his defensive lapses. And seriously, getting rid of Letang will vastly improve the stats of Fleury, Vokoun, or anyone the Penguins decide to put in the net with him not passing it to the other team in the slot right in front of the Penguins goaltender anymore. And maybe, just maybe whoever takes his place will learn to cover his guy in the defensive zone instead of standing around with his pecker in his hand not able to see through his girlie haircut?
- Kineada

I don't know how they can manage to do it unless Letang takes a major discount - 5.5 ish. This is one of the best chips you have in the coming years that can add a high pick, a top prospect that can fortify your farm system's short comings (goalie and forward) and a young NHL player. I don't think Letang gets better either under this system. Just my opinion.

Please God no...just move him. Get rid of him. Ever heard of a player getting FASTER as he gets older? It doesn't happen. Soon, he won't be able to catch ANYONE after yet more and more of his defensive lapses. And seriously, getting rid of Letang will vastly improve the stats of Fleury, Vokoun, or anyone the Penguins decide to put in the net with him not passing it to the other team in the slot right in front of the Penguins goaltender anymore. And maybe, just maybe whoever takes his place will learn to cover his guy in the defensive zone instead of standing around with his pecker in his hand not able to see through his girlie haircut?
- Kineada

Hell no. For the right price, Letang is a keeper.

I could get used to it for 6-8 more years

I'm a big fan of Jones. Think he is going to be the best player in this draft and have the best career. That said, with our D prospects, our shortage of forward prospects - we would need to take a forward.
- Oneonta Penguin

My opinion in the draft is always take the guy you think is going to end up being the best player regardless of position because by the time most of them will be playing for their NHL teams there could be 2 seasons that pass. Who knows how holes will be filled by trades and free agency so take the guy who you think will e the net and to me that is no question in this draft jones is going to be a force. If he somehow landed on the pens I think there is no way he could flop.

I'm not sure it will get moved. If Colorado keeps it and chooses anyone else but Jones, its a dumb move. Colorado needs a young Dman. Erik Johnson is a joke. They have a nice young collection of forwards. No one is going to give up the stud Dman they want or need. Dmen are at a premium.

In your scenario ... to equate it to the Pens ... you would be asking Shero to give up Neal, a 22-year old Orpik, your original first round pick and a second to move up 10 spots. That isn't worth it to me.
- Oneonta Penguin

It wouldn't be Neal, Erikson is older...but hypothetically, if it was Erikson + Orpik + 10 for Stamkos would you do it?

Please God no...just move him. Get rid of him. Ever heard of a player getting FASTER as he gets older? It doesn't happen. Soon, he won't be able to catch ANYONE after yet more and more of his defensive lapses. And seriously, getting rid of Letang will vastly improve the stats of Fleury, Vokoun, or anyone the Penguins decide to put in the net with him not passing it to the other team in the slot right in front of the Penguins goaltender anymore. And maybe, just maybe whoever takes his place will learn to cover his guy in the defensive zone instead of standing around with his pecker in his hand not able to see through his girlie haircut?
- Kineada

You can talk about his poor play all you want but don't mention his hair that is a glorious mane.

I'm not sure it will get moved. If Colorado keeps it and chooses anyone else but Jones, its a dumb move.

In your scenario ... to equate it to the Pens ... you would be asking Shero to give up Neal, a 22-year old Orpik, your original first round pick and a second to move up 10 spots. That isn't worth it to me.
- Oneonta Penguin

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=425825

If this report is true, Sakic has already said the Av's aren't taking Jones.

Regardless, an unsigned Letang is not bringing back the #1 pick. Letang is not going to sign a long term deal with an unattractive team/market. Even though Letang is not an UFA, his situation is very much like an UFA. The acquiring team will have to be damn certain he'll sign a long term deal with them, if not, the return for Letang is really going to disappoint some people around here.

I still think there's only 10 or less teams that are legit destinations. Unfortunately a couple are in our division.

Hell no. For the right price, Letang is a keeper.

I could get used to it for 6-8 more years
- Orpik44

He's the exact opposite of a keeper. His defensive play is lax, he readily admits that he relies on his speed to make up for his poor defensive decision making. Do you really think that mindset is going to see him into his later years?

Do you really believe Letang will be a Norris candidate in his late thirties/early forties like Lidstrom was?

Get rid of him NOW while he has some value (IF he has value, I don't know that GMs are as blind and naive as the average hockey writer or fan). Don't even let him take the ice next season. There's more or close-enough Letangs coming through the system for the Penguins.

You can talk about his poor play all you want but don't mention his hair that is a glorious mane.
- Genev21

$6M per for 8 years?Please make it happen.

You can talk about his poor play all you want but don't mention his hair that is a glorious mane.
- Genev21

Glorious mane? Not like it's a mullet. Dude needs a haircut BAD.

It wouldn't be Neal, Erikson is older...but hypothetically, if it was Erikson + Orpik + 10 for Stamkos would you do it?
- mventres

Neal is two years younger, but the comparison is the same. Erikson takes the same jump Neal took if traded to the Pens and becomes a 35-40-goal scorer.

MacKinnon isn't Stamkos, so take that little comment away.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=425825

If this report is true, Sakic has already said the Av's aren't taking Jones.

Regardless, an unsigned Letang is not bringing back the #1 pick. Letang is not going to sign a long term deal with an unattractive team/market. Even though Letang is not an UFA, his situation is very much like an UFA. The acquiring team will have to be damn certain he'll sign a long term deal with them, if not, the return for Letang is really going to disappoint some people around here.

I still think there's only 10 or less teams that are legit destinations. Unfortunately a couple are in our division.
- madmike71

JMO, Joe is posturing. He is a fool if he takes anyone else.

I agree, a pending free agent in Letang isn't bringing back the top overall pick. I don't see a destination in the top 10 that Letang would resign with. The team with the 11th pick is a different story.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=425825

If this report is true, Sakic has already said the Av's aren't taking Jones.

Regardless, an unsigned Letang is not bringing back the #1 pick. Letang is not going to sign a long term deal with an unattractive team/market. Even though Letang is not an UFA, his situation is very much like an UFA. The acquiring team will have to be damn certain he'll sign a long term deal with them, if not, the return for Letang is really going to disappoint some people around here.

I still think there's only 10 or less teams that are legit destinations. Unfortunately a couple are in our division.
- madmike71

Hopefully we get a team to pay top dollar without thy guarantee and try to convince him to stay kinda like the islanders do with all their players cause nobody wants to be an islander upon first arrival. Or like Dwight Howard in basketball.

- Orpik44

He's the exact opposite of a keeper. His defensive play is lax, he readily admits that he relies on his speed to make up for his poor defensive decision making. Do you really think that mindset is going to see him into his later years?

Do you really believe Letang will be a Norris candidate in his late thirties/early forties like Lidstrom was?

Get rid of him NOW while he has some value (IF he has value, I don't know that GMs are as blind and naive as the average hockey writer or fan). Don't even let him take the ice next season. There's more or close-enough Letangs coming through the system for the Penguins.
- Kineada

Letang will be 34 after his deal ends IF he signs for 8 years. He's not perfect but is a very good d-man. Some of you forgot how good he can be on the defensive side, one on one. He can take anyone. He's a hard worker and is always in top shape...he's a competitor and the best physically talented d-man in the whole NHL. He can work on his deficiencies to minimize it.

Dupuis, Cooke are examples of what Letang's shape will be when he's 34.

Glorious mane? Not like it's a mullet. Dude needs a haircut BAD.
- Kineada

A mullet is short on top his is just long and straight u need to get your flow game up. Gorgeous lettuce on that head.

Letang will be 34 after his deal ends IF he signs for 8 years. He's not perfect but is a very good d-man. Some of you forgot how good he can be on the defensive side, one on one. He can take anyone. He's a hard worker and is always in top shape...he's a competitor and the best physically talented d-man in the whole NHL. He can work on his deficiencies to minimize it.

Dupuis, Cooke are examples of what Letang's shape will be when he's 34.
- Orpik44

Are we discussing Kristopher Letang here? Because I've watched him night in, night out for the past several years, and he's anything but good on the defensive side. Poor coverage of his check in his zone, a habit of looking for home-run passes that quite often end up on the sticks of the opposition (often in prime scoring position), and until recently, a tendency to miss the net SO bad that a breakout for the other team ensued.

Is it that Letang we're both talking about?