There will be a new blog tomorrow, schedule has been too busy this weekend.
- Ryan_Wilson

you're fired...


Jk jk. Doing a surprisingly good job writing articles with very little to write about

God, Ottawa is close to acquiring Hemsky. I have no idea why they would want him. He is utterly worthless.
- Oneonta Penguin

eh. i guess they have the cap space to burn and could use some skill. as long as they dont give up much to acquire him

With the kings defensive play, They can make scrivens look really good
- drummer829

Exactly and that is why I don't think Toronto won this deal. Bernier has been playing in front of a strong defensive team in his 50-game career or so. Now, Toronto employs the Pittsburgh defense. He will get shelled.

So trading nisk and glass opens up salary for signing dupuis, Cooke, and a little bit of letang. IMO you don't trade letang unless you have to. His speed will sorely be missed. With the pens so close to the cap, it's really hard to make any significant changes. Pens need tweaks, not an overhaul. Keep your core but find better supporting players. I truly think Letang not having a set D partner for the entire year hurt. Martin and Orpik were able to build chemistry throughout the year and knew where to be, Niskanen and letang were lost playing together. Sure letangs a star and shouldn't make those mistakes, and that's why you don't give him 7+ per season, but you can't deny the fact he also makes good plays. If you truly think the pens need a big change, then your delusional. The playoffs came down to executing, discipline, and matchups, not skill or physicality
- drummer829

Shero said changes were coming. To date, nothing. Same garbage coach; Fleury is said to be back ... Trading Niskanen, Glass doesn't do anything really except allow you to resign players that are here. Dupuis and Cooke are the two I want back. Sorry, after what I saw against Boston, the status quo doesn't work. We need to make a significant move. Letang is the card to use. He ISN'T the defensive player people think. He was maybe our third best for the year and that is by default.

I do think they need a big change. Nothing delusional about me champ. I don't like seeing 50% of our cap going to five players. Letang has played terrible hockey the last two play-off seasons. He to me is just as to blame as Fleury.

If you saw the Boston series and don't think we need to make one big change, you are delusional. We got outscored 12-2. That doesn't sit well with me. The one's who think status quo is for the best don't get it.

Trading Letang could net you a better defenseman on the defensive side; a first round pick and a forward prospect, something we don't have anything of - absent Bennett. Trading Niskanen doesn't do that champ.

@DarrenDreger: Some rumblings Phaneuf may be in play. Nonis says he will trade just about anyone, but says no one has called on the captain...yet. #TSN

I'd be fine if the pens wanted phaneuf.

@DarrenDreger: Some rumblings Phaneuf may be in play. Nonis says he will trade just about anyone, but says no one has called on the captain...yet. #TSN

I'd be fine if the pens wanted phaneuf.
- Genev21

Not at his current contract. Maybe when it expires.
He seemed to do ok against other teams top lines when I've watched him

@DarrenDreger: Some rumblings Phaneuf may be in play. Nonis says he will trade just about anyone, but says no one has called on the captain...yet. #TSN

I'd be fine if the pens wanted phaneuf.
- Genev21

Supposedly, Edmonton and Toronto are talking - a Gagner for Dion deal. That makes no sense for Toronto. Phaneuf is their opnly really competent blueliner.

I wouldn't be opposed to moving Neal, it won't happen but I'm not a fan.

I can't see letang to edm either. No way he signs an extension there.

Supposedly, Edmonton and Toronto are talking - a Gagner for Dion deal. That makes no sense for Toronto. Phaneuf is their opnly really competent blueliner.
- Oneonta Penguin

I'd do that in a heartbeat I I was Edmonton.

I'd do that in a heartbeat I I was Edmonton.
- Genev21

They should, but for some reason Edmonton fans think he isn't good enough for Gagner. They don't know my 10-year old son would be their best D man right now. They are fine with the status quo, same like a few on this board.

If I were Edmonton, I ask where do I sign. I have no idea why Toronto would do such a thing. Unload Phaneuf and its D is all the sudden Edmonton's.

They should, but for some reason Edmonton fans think he isn't good enough for Gagner. They don't know my 10-year old son would be their best D man right now. They are fine with the status quo, same like a few on this board.

If I were Edmonton, I ask where do I sign. I have no idea why Toronto would do such a thing. Unload Phaneuf and its D is all the sudden Edmonton's.
- Oneonta Penguin

Phaneuf would be great for them he's a great player and he brings a veteran presence that is lacking there. He would help big time in the defensive development of Schultz too.

Bernier's value is higher than Flower's. Which would you have - a backup with no confidence issues, or a starter that is solid in the regular season and then has severe confidence issues in the play-offs? It's not a hard choice. I do have questions regarding Bernier being the man though.
- Oneonta Penguin

I still think flower will get more if traded.. and I hope its not to minny bc they have nothing I want.. players or prospects...

I still think flower will get more if traded.. and I hope its not to minny bc they have nothing I want.. players or prospects...
- nh4442

Minnesota has some very good prospects. Granlund or Zucker wouldn't be bad at all. You are overrating Fleury. No one is giving up a ton for a goalie with a confidence problem.

Minnesota has some very good prospects. Granlund or Zucker wouldn't be bad at all. You are overrating Fleury. No one is giving up a ton for a goalie with a confidence problem.
- Oneonta Penguin

Minnesota just gave up quite a bit in the Pominville trade, they would be foolish to dip into their prospect pool again like that.

Minnesota just gave up quite a bit in the Pominville trade, they would be foolish to dip into their prospect pool again like that.
- Ryan_Wilson

I agree. Saying Minnesota doesn't have anyone isn't correct though. I don't think Minnesota needs Fleury, even though I bet he could succeed there without problem.

I wouldn't be opposed to moving Neal, it won't happen but I'm not a fan.

I can't see letang to edm either. No way he signs an extension there.
- sammy87

Honestly neither would I. He has a wicked shot, but I really don't like his lack of speed and lack of willing to forecheck. Maybe swapping Kunitz to the second line and Bennett to the first will work.

But who is a good steady defensive D man that could help on the back end if letang is traded. It would also be most likely to the west so it narrows down some choices. The only problem with trading letang right now is that our young defenders aren't ready to step in right now.

But what would be someone's ideal and realistic trade scenario

I agree. Saying Minnesota doesn't have anyone isn't correct though. I don't think Minnesota needs Fleury, even though I bet he could succeed there without problem.
- Oneonta Penguin

Let the Seto to Pitt rumors fly

Let the Seto to Pitt rumors fly
- drummer829

pass again on him. I wouldn't even trade a goalie with a confidence problem for him.

Honestly neither would I. He has a wicked shot, but I really don't like his lack of speed and lack of willing to forecheck. Maybe swapping Kunitz to the second line and Bennett to the first will work.

But who is a good steady defensive D man that could help on the back end if letang is traded. It would also be most likely to the west so it narrows down some choices. The only problem with trading letang right now is that our young defenders aren't ready to step in right now.

But what would be someone's ideal and realistic trade scenario
- drummer829

there is only one young D and that's despres... orpik, martin, murray, eaton, nisk and engels have all been around... burtuzzo and despres are the young guys..

orpik- martin
despres-nisk
murray-eaton/engels/burtuzzo

plus you have pouliot, maata, Harrington and others waiting for a chance...

Minnesota has some very good prospects. Granlund or Zucker wouldn't be bad at all. You are overrating Fleury. No one is giving up a ton for a goalie with a confidence problem.
- Oneonta Penguin

looking for wingers in prospects.. fill the void

there is only one young D and that's despres... orpik, martin, murray, eaton, nisk and engels have all been around... burtuzzo and despres are the young guys..

orpik- martin
despres-nisk
murray-eaton/engels/burtuzzo

plus you have pouliot, maata, Harrington and others waiting for a chance...
- nh4442

No way nisk stays. I just can't see him staying around at his cap hit as a 3rd pairing defenseman. If it was any defenseman who made more bone head moves than letang, it was Niskanen.

No way nisk stays. I just can't see him staying around at his cap hit as a 3rd pairing defenseman. If it was any defenseman who made more bone head moves than letang, it was Niskanen.
- drummer829

I agree but if letang goes nisk will probably stay, but if letang doesn't get traded I can see nisk being traded...

anyone see kuni being traded? last yr of contract, getting up their in age? had a great yr so his stock might be high.. gives more room to resign dupes and cooke and mayb even iggy... ya I know 50% of people don't want him back..

anyone see kuni being traded? last yr of contract, getting up their in age? had a great yr so his stock might be high.. gives more room to resign dupes and cooke and mayb even iggy... ya I know 50% of people don't want him back..
- nh4442

If Jarome Iginla was "Ben Smith" nobody would want him back based on his play.

I agree but if letang goes nisk will probably stay, but if letang doesn't get traded I can see nisk being traded...
- nh4442

I could see both going. I don't see any way niskanen is back next year he was that bad. The only question is letang and we all know the situation there.