Exactly.

Side note, just heard on the radio (not sure of how true it is though, but thought it was interesting).

ANA is apparently willing to trade Ryan + 26th for Letang, UNSIGNED, with 1st round picks in 2014 and 2015 IF he is signed or traded. PITT apparently isn't very high on Ryan though...

VAN is apparently prepared to offer Edler + Jenssen + 24 ++ for a SIGNED Letang

SJ apparently very interested, but unsure what the return could be. They speculated
Vlasic + 20 + Hertl ++ conditional on him signing, but who knows...

In any event, the bidding will truly be insane. You know at least 2-3 GMs will believe Letang can (and probably will) make them an immediate threat at the cup and as a result will overpay for him, especially if it's giving up picks.
- mventres

Hrmmm Bobby Ryan and 3 first round picks.... I think I take that deal if Letang is humming and hawwwwing

Really.... all those deals are good, but Letang has to force the pens hand in order to do it

To be honest ,how would fans of the team aquiring him view him .He left a cup contending team to chase the cash ,seems kinda russian to me
- top shelf 15

Agreed, seems quite prima donna. Letang isn't worth more than Karrlson, and you being a Sens fan might be inclined to agree.

Outstanding value on Kunitz extension.

I know Shero said in an interview that if Letang doesn't sign an extension doesn't mean he will be traded by Sunday but I think this will be resolved by then one way or the other. He'll either be a Penguin for many years or we will be hearing about a big trade on June 30th.

Personally I still want him to resign. He's a terrific talent. However, if he rejects the rumored offers that I've read then Shero should do what he did with Staal. I'm tempting to hope they would keep for one more run with him on the team but Shero pulled off a terrific trade with the Canes and he should be able to accomplish that if he trades Tanger.

Hrmmm Bobby Ryan and 3 first round picks.... I think I take that deal if Letang is humming and hawwwwing

Really.... all those deals are good, but Letang has to force the pens hand in order to do it
- nelson911

Wait, you're being offered Ryan and 3 1sts?! Oh my god If I was Pittsburgh I'd be laughing straight to the bank

You are missing the point champ. Status quo means the same darn team that is coming back, absent the guys that came in like Iginla, Murray, Morrow. There seems like there are no improvements coming.
- Oneonta Penguin

Its the same core of players that won a cup in 2009. Bottom line is that they need to play better to win and when I say THEY I mean 87-71-58-29. Shero isn't going to completely revamp the team from top to bottom. The stars need to play better. Period, end of discussion.

Wait, you're being offered Ryan and 3 1sts?! Oh my god If I was Pittsburgh I'd be laughing straight to the bank
- TomKlassen

No credible source so it's probably not true... Just a "heard it on the radio"

I think every Gm would take that deal if they were in pens position of upcoming d men

Exactly.

Side note, just heard on the radio (not sure of how true it is though, but thought it was interesting).

ANA is apparently willing to trade Ryan + 26th for Letang, UNSIGNED, with 1st round picks in 2014 and 2015 IF he is signed or traded. PITT apparently isn't very high on Ryan though...

VAN is apparently prepared to offer Edler + Jenssen + 24 ++ for a SIGNED Letang

SJ apparently very interested, but unsure what the return could be. They speculated
Vlasic + 20 + Hertl ++ conditional on him signing, but who knows...

In any event, the bidding will truly be insane. You know at least 2-3 GMs will believe Letang can (and probably will) make them an immediate threat at the cup and as a result will overpay for him, especially if it's giving up picks.
- mventres

ANA - Ryan and Sbisa (picks would likely be late first rounders)
VAN - no
SJ - no, thank you

Its the same core of players that won a cup in 2009. Bottom line is that they need to play better to win and when I say THEY I mean 87-71-58-29. Shero isn't going to completely revamp the team from top to bottom. The stars need to play better. Period, end of discussion.
- Emperor Filonius

This right here Pittsburgh has a great core its not the issue ,the older supporting pieces becoming too expensive is.You dont trash the core to save a support piece

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out which way I'm headed. Shero said changes were coming insinuating something significant was going to happen ... well, same coach is back; same train wreck of a goalie in the play-offs is back; really the only trade asset we have besides James Neal in Letang, who will be getting north of 7 million (not worth it in the cap situation for Pittsburgh, especially when you look at his flaws) could very well be back ...

Where are the improvements aside from installing Bennett and Despres? I don't see any coming at this rate. The free agent market is terrible and the only way to get something good to fix our flaws is through trade.
- Oneonta Penguin

Getting meaningful contributions from 2 highly touted first round picks is significant in my book. And as noted, the draft isn't even here yet and its not yet July...and the discussion about Letang is far from over. Its way too early to say Shero is settling for the status quo.

This right here Pittsburgh has a great core its not the issue ,the older supporting pieces becoming too expensive is.You dont trash the core to save a support piece
- top shelf 15

I agree that the core doesn't need to change, but when none of the 3 stars on that list gets a point against Boston, and when the goalie on that list doesn't see the ice aside from mop up duty, its safe to say it doesn't matter what support pieces you have if the core can't play better. I believe they can.

I agree that the core doesn't need to change, but when none of the 3 stars on that list gets a point against Boston, and when the goalie on that list doesn't see the ice aside from mop up duty, its safe to say it doesn't matter what support pieces you have if the core can't play better. I believe they can.
- Emperor Filonius

Putting in younger faster legs can do wonders for an already established team like Pittsburgh,the goaltending is the real concern somebody needs to sit down with fluery and make sure he understands what is required of him night in and night out

Gunner, killer statistical analysis and brings some objective sanity to this conversation. I would not sign him for more than six, no way. Hate to let him go but his ability to learn is horrible. Year after year we keep hoping but he f*cks around with the puck almost daring others to take it, which they do far too regularly. I am tired of his mental errors and wonder if he isn't a head case!

Was his brain damaged with the hits he took the year before? I know he suffers from migraines and maybe those or the meds he takes to combat them affect his judgment. In any case if a defensinve defenseman can be acquired to replace him I say go for it!!! Please!!!

Putting in younger faster legs can do wonders for an already established team like Pittsburgh,the goaltending is the real concern somebody needs to sit down with fluery and make sure he understands what is required of him night in and night out

- top shelf 15

Agreed.

Exactly.

Side note, just heard on the radio (not sure of how true it is though, but thought it was interesting).

ANA is apparently willing to trade Ryan + 26th for Letang, UNSIGNED, with 1st round picks in 2014 and 2015 IF he is signed or traded. PITT apparently isn't very high on Ryan though...

VAN is apparently prepared to offer Edler + Jenssen + 24 ++ for a SIGNED Letang

SJ apparently very interested, but unsure what the return could be. They speculated
Vlasic + 20 + Hertl ++ conditional on him signing, but who knows...

In any event, the bidding will truly be insane. You know at least 2-3 GMs will believe Letang can (and probably will) make them an immediate threat at the cup and as a result will overpay for him, especially if it's giving up picks.
- mventres

mventres, those are pretty good deals. Vlasic from SJ is also a good return, Edler too.
I'd probably gor for Bobby Ryan with a signed Letang. The return would be insane. I can see Letang signing there with fellow canadiens Getzlaf/Perry.

If Shero is giving him 7 mil a year, he must know something about the cap next year. If the cap is 70 mil next year going forward, 7 mil for Letang is doable.
- cap1681

I don't think he can afford a guessing game relative to the cap. If I'm not mistaken, they really don't get the figure until after the trade deadline for the following year - or even later.

Any news on twitter????

Anxiety growing.....

Any news on twitter????

Anxiety growing.....
- Orpik44

My anxiety level peaked when Ray said DB will be back. Now I'm just numb.

Just making sure that horse is good and dead...

My anxiety level peaked when Ray said DB will be back. Now I'm just numb.

Just making sure that horse is good and dead...
- madmike71

This is Rob Rossi writing:

However, Toronto has emerged as a potential destination if there is a breaking point with the Penguins, the sources said.

To trade Letang, the Penguins would seek the return of an NHL-ready player under contract, at least one top prospect and a potential first-round draft pick, the sources said.

He's sounding more and more like HockeyyInsiderr each day

This is Rob Rossi writing:

However, Toronto has emerged as a potential destination if there is a breaking point with the Penguins, the sources said.

To trade Letang, the Penguins would seek the return of an NHL-ready player under contract, at least one top prospect and a potential first-round draft pick, the sources said.

He's sounding more and more like HockeyyInsiderr each day
- Orpik44

Hockeyyinsiderr doesn't even update his own website let alone tweet much anymore. Must be stuck in summer school.

Where do you go for your hockey rumors besides TIOPS, spectorshockey for news links, and TSN? Any twitter accounts worth following?

Where do you go for your hockey rumors besides TIOPS, spectorshockey for news links, and TSN? Any twitter accounts worth following?
- errey12

Gunner Staal is worth a follow.

Gunner Staal is worth a follow.
- Ben37

I've heard that...

Gunner, killer statistical analysis and brings some objective sanity to this conversation. I would not sign him for more than six, no way. Hate to let him go but his ability to learn is horrible. Year after year we keep hoping but he f*cks around with the puck almost daring others to take it, which they do far too regularly. I am tired of his mental errors and wonder if he isn't a head case!

Was his brain damaged with the hits he took the year before? I know he suffers from migraines and maybe those or the meds he takes to combat them affect his judgment. In any case if a defensinve defenseman can be acquired to replace him I say go for it!!! Please!!!
- powerhouse

by "objective sanity" you mean he obviously puts forth his opinion of the matter and supports it by using cherry-picked stats? Ever heard the expression "Don't piss on my leg and tell me it's raining?"

I'd imagine that the 7M per deal has a gap in the movement clause for the 2014 trade deadline and/or off-season. That way we can have him for 3.5M this year and if we're limited by the cap or he hasn't proven he's worth the new contract, he gets traded with an 8 year extension to someone that can.

That would be smart anyway.

I'd imagine that the 7M per deal has a gap in the movement clause for the 2014 trade deadline and/or off-season. That way we can have him for 3.5M this year and if we're limited by the cap or he hasn't proven he's worth the new contract, he gets traded with an 8 year extension to someone that can.

That would be smart anyway.
- cygnus41

I think the sticking point is the NMC/NTC. You can be sure Letang wants to control where he plays his prime years and I can't blame him. He's not signing for 8 years to find himself playing in Florida for 7.