if letang accepts, you guys are gonna have about $19 mil (assuming the cap stays the same) to sign 7 forwards (including sutter), 4 dmen, and 1 backup goalie next offseason. you think you guys can do it?

it's a bit under 2 mil per player if you average it out...it's doable, but it's gonna be tough.

i think shero's logic is that you can stick a decent prospect or a player making $2 mil on either crosby or malkin's line and they'll pot 20+ goals. gonna be tough to get a solid top 6 or even top 4 defense though.
- rangerdanger94

We don't have decent forward prospects. We have Beau Bennett and that is it.

Where are your stats genius?
- powerhouse

Just another example of why an ignore button needs to be placed on this site.

Pierre LeBrun ‏@Real_ESPNLeBrun 5m
Hearing that Letang camp informed Penguins earlier tonight that they were turning down an 8-year contract offer worth around $56 million...



Loved ya Kris, have fun wherever you end up! Worked well for Staal. LMFAO.

Pierre LeBrun ‏@Real_ESPNLeBrun 28s
Also told that Letang camp counter-offered with a long-term deal which would pay less than $8 M (north of $7.5 M); Pens said too high

We don't have decent forward prospects. We have Beau Bennett and that is it.
- Oneonta Penguin

that's rough

do you guys consider letang a #1 defender? i know he's probably the 2nd best Dman offensively behind karlsson, but is he a #1 in the sense that he can play 25-30 mins a game and shut down another team's top line like a chara/suter/weber? what about paul martin?

not trolling, just wondering.

that's rough

do you guys consider letang a #1 defender? i know he's probably the 2nd best Dman offensively behind karlsson, but is he a #1 in the sense that he can play 25-30 mins a game and shut down another team's top line like a chara/suter/weber? what about paul martin?

not trolling, just wondering.
- rangerdanger94

He can play the minutes, but I wouldn't say he's a shutdown type. Maybe in a few years, he has the tools. Perhaps on a team with a more defensive structure but his production will suffer and the fans will not like his contract hit.

Wonder what he is thinking. The Penguins are where he fits best. IMO.

Pierre LeBrun ‏@Real_ESPNLeBrun 5m
Hearing that Letang camp informed Penguins earlier tonight that they were turning down an 8-year contract offer worth around $56 million...



Loved ya Kris, have fun wherever you end up! Worked well for Staal. LMFAO.

Pierre LeBrun ‏@Real_ESPNLeBrun 28s
Also told that Letang camp counter-offered with a long-term deal which would pay less than $8 M (north of $7.5 M); Pens said too high
- Sell My Monkey

Again, he didn't really want to stay in Pittsburgh as much as he claimed. If he truly did, we would have accepted that or even less.

if letang accepts, you guys are gonna have about $19 mil (assuming the cap stays the same) to sign 7 forwards (including sutter), 4 dmen, and 1 backup goalie next offseason. you think you guys can do it?

it's a bit under 2 mil per player if you average it out...it's doable, but it's gonna be tough.

i think shero's logic is that you can stick a decent prospect or a player making $2 mil on either crosby or malkin's line and they'll pot 20+ goals. gonna be tough to get a solid top 6 or even top 4 defense though.
- rangerdanger94

It's safe to say we'll always have good veteran players on our roster every year trying to get a shot at the cup. It's a good thing too.

He can play the minutes, but I wouldn't say he's a shutdown type. Maybe in a few years, he has the tools. Perhaps on a team with a more defensive structure but his production will suffer and the fans will not like his contract hit.

Wonder what he is thinking. The Penguins are where he fits best. IMO.
- Sell My Monkey

There are other places where he could fit. Toronto plays the same style almost; same with the Islanders

The Penguins have operated this way for years now. It works for them. Much better this way than looking for a way out of guys contracts 2 years from now.
- Deadstar

This is true. However it's debatable how well it's worked. It seems they're always looking to fill a hole on wing. It looks like Bennett will fill one void next year, but should Duper leave, they'll need to plug a new hole.

Off the top of my head, I can think of a few that were less than successful as a "value" top 6 forward.

This is true. However it's debatable how well it's worked. It seems they're always looking to fill a hole on wing. It looks like Bennett will fill one void next year, but should Duper leave, they'll need to plug a new hole.

Off the top of my head, I can think of a few that were less than successful as a "value" top 6 forward.
- madmike71

It's easier to add a piece like that at the deadline.

that's rough

do you guys consider letang a #1 defender? i know he's probably the 2nd best Dman offensively behind karlsson, but is he a #1 in the sense that he can play 25-30 mins a game and shut down another team's top line like a chara/suter/weber? what about paul martin?

not trolling, just wondering.
- rangerdanger94

First let me explain the unbalanced farm system. Shero has been collecting PMDs at the draft because he knows they have high value. He would trade off excess for forwards. Some should be ready in two years.

I'm not so sure he is even the #1 defender in Pittsburgh. Martin played better defensively than he did this year IMO. Letang is a gifted player, but he has some flaws. The system he plays in has flaws as well. He is a solid, not great defender. He is a Norris candidate IMO based on his offensive numbers though. Even if he is dealt, he will put up points. Only fools believe he gets points because he plays with Sid and Geno.

Again, he didn't really want to stay in Pittsburgh as much as he claimed. If he truly did, we would have accepted that or even less.
- Oneonta Penguin

Yep, that $500 K doesn't seem like that big of a deal, perhaps the room is not as tight as we are led to believe. Staal now Tanger.

It's not over but sure looks like he isn't on board.

Pierre LeBrun ‏@Real_ESPNLeBrun 5m
Hearing that Letang camp informed Penguins earlier tonight that they were turning down an 8-year contract offer worth around $56 million...



Loved ya Kris, have fun wherever you end up! Worked well for Staal. LMFAO.

Pierre LeBrun ‏@Real_ESPNLeBrun 28s
Also told that Letang camp counter-offered with a long-term deal which would pay less than $8 M (north of $7.5 M); Pens said too high
- Sell My Monkey

All I'm gonna say is...."It's not my call"

I'm disappointed. It's clear he's all about the money. Tough to see Kris go. Time to listen to offers around the league.

Yep, that $500 K doesn't seem like that big of a deal, perhaps the room is not as tight as we are led to believe. Staal now Tanger.

It's not over but sure looks like he isn't on board.
- Sell My Monkey

I wonder if it was the report about Toronto that pissed him off - thinking it was leaked or the potential to be traded after signing in a few years. Again, we have some holes to fill and that $7 million could be used wiser next year and beyond. Get a young Dman that is talented and cap friendly; a first round pick and a good forward prospect and be done with it.

This is true. However it's debatable how well it's worked. It seems they're always looking to fill a hole on wing. It looks like Bennett will fill one void next year, but should Duper leave, they'll need to plug a new hole.

Off the top of my head, I can think of a few that were less than successful as a "value" top 6 forward.
- madmike71

Time to start drafting some wingers. We have enough D. If we can get Anaheim or Toronto's pick we could add Rychel or Hartman.

First let me explain the unbalanced farm system. Shero has been collecting PMDs at the draft because he knows they have high value. He would trade off excess for forwards. Some should be ready in two years.

I'm not so sure he is even the #1 defender in Pittsburgh. Martin played better defensively than he did this year IMO. Letang is a gifted player, but he has some flaws. The system he plays in has flaws as well. He is a solid, not great defender. He is a Norris candidate IMO based on his offensive numbers though. Even if he is dealt, he will put up points. Only fools believe he gets points because he plays with Sid and Geno.
- Oneonta Penguin

The system allows Letang to do as he pleases. I have doubts other coaches will let Letang gamble in the offensive zone as much as Blysma.

??? What's up with the 3rd person thing
- Orpik44

Greatness comes in the first, second, and third person.

I wonder if it was the report about Toronto that pissed him off - thinking it was leaked or the potential to be traded after signing in a few years. Again, we have some holes to fill and that $7 million could be used wiser next year and beyond. Get a young Dman that is talented and cap friendly; a first round pick and a good forward prospect and be done with it.
- Oneonta Penguin

Although its not the flashy move, I'm all for suring up the top 4 D with quality shutdown guys. Don't care who, but Martin, Orpik, Despres are now our top 3. That won't get it done.

Would anyone really be surprised that Letang wants money 1st and foremost? You could kind of see this coming all along depending how well he played this year.

It's easier to add a piece like that at the deadline.
- Deadstar

Can't argue with that as long as it doesn't cost them any more Joe Morrow's. Billy G was the perfect example. The flip side is Ponikaravsky....can be pot luck with what you get. Although Poni didn't really cost them anything, but didn't provide anything either.

Shero was saying this year that the prices on players were sky high. It will be a problem in that strategy if the trend continues.

Would anyone really be surprised that Letang wants money 1st and foremost? You could kind of see this coming all along depending how well he played this year.
- Deadstar

I think I have been saying for quite a while that Letang would price himself out of Pittsburgh.

I think I have been saying for quite a while that Letang would price himself out of Pittsburgh.
- Ryan_Wilson

Yea it shouldnt be a surprise. Business is business. Moving him works best for both then do it.

TIOPS reporting that Letang wants 8mil with a full NTC. The Pens offer did not include a NTC. The NTC is a deal killer for the Pens.

Tanger is a goner... Shame, but can't blame either side.

insidepittsburghsports.com says letang has been doing some checking around the league and high on his list is toronto and gulp, the flyers. I would puke if I saw him in a flyer uniform

TIOPS reporting that Letang wants 8mil with a full NTC. The Pens offer did not include a NTC. The NTC is a deal killer for the Pens.

Tanger is a goner... Shame, but can't blame either side.
- madmike71

Like Deadstar said, business is business. Penguins are lucky to have the people in charge that they do. They understand asset management.