I will always be confused on why it is so difficult for very talented centers to adjust to playing wing. The X’s and O’s of playing wing are some of the most simplistic in all of sport.

From what I saw from Geno, he seems to "don't care" about playing wing. I'd say the willingness to battle on the boards...none.
- Orpik44

I don't agree with that at all.

Dupuis will not be coming at a bargain if he leaves Pittsburgh. If he was willing to take less he would just stay.
- Ryan_Wilson

well not a bargain per se, but not an overpay. You know, fair value, which you don't often get on the FA market. You're right though, the only sorts of things the Oilers could offer Dupuis over staying in Pittsburgh are expanded leadership role, NMC, longer contract years. We wouldn't really be a player if he's interested in a lot of money.

I don't agree with that at all.
- Ryan_Wilson

I think it's because a center is more of a roamer, he goes further up and further down and further side-to-side that a winger does. Compared to a center, a winger basically skates circle-to-circle in a straight line (again, compared to a center). When you take away that ability to roam, it restricts the player when he used to more room.

Still holding out on the thought that Letang doesn't sign here. His departure opens up a lot of opportunities after the next year.

What's the flood situation in Alberta?
- errey12

In Calgary the water is gone but the destruction is pretty bad. The entire city is chipping in and the turnaround so far is nothing short of remarkable. The Saddledome/Stampede Grounds is on track for the opening of Stampede later this week by all accounts, which is just amazing.

I spent all last week helping neighbors dig out. I got off way lucky but alot of them can't say the same.

High River is still under water, they got hammered. The town name is pretty ironic now.

I hope things are okay on your end CPF. I couldn't believe what I saw on the news.
- acdc1206

Thanks dood.

I think it's because a center is more of a roamer, he goes further up and further down and further side-to-side that a winger does. Compared to a center, a winger basically skates circle-to-circle in a straight line (again, compared to a center). When you take away that ability to roam, it restricts the player when he used to more room.
- jmatchett383

That I can totally agree with. I totally understand why a center would be a better center than a winger. My problem is that I don't understand how a center could play the winger position "poorly" like Briere did.

I have updated the blog. It seems that the Penguins intend to contact Scuderi's agent if he makes it to free agency.

That is one of the things that has been at the top of my wish list for a long time.

I have updated the blog. It seems that the Penguins intend to contact Scuderi's agent if he makes it to free agency.

That is one of the things that has been at the top of my wish list for a long time.
- Ryan_Wilson

Yes please.

I have updated the blog. It seems that the Penguins intend to contact Scuderi's agent if he makes it to free agency.

That is one of the things that has been at the top of my wish list for a long time.
- Ryan_Wilson

That would definitely solve some issues. I would have to think though if they end up signing him, Dupuis and perhaps Cooke are both gone. Although tha may be the case anyway.

That I can totally agree with. I totally understand why a center would be a better center than a winger. My problem is that I don't understand how a center could play the winger position "poorly" like Briere did.
- Ryan_Wilson

Poorly is a relative term. Offensively, he's about 50x better at center. Defensively...you don't want him at center, ever.

I also think it can be a mental thing. You know, kinda being down that you're not the center when that's what you want. Not exactly sulking, but not being as confident since it's not a position you're used to having to play.

That would definitely solve some issues. I would have to think though if they end up signing him, Dupuis and perhaps Cooke are both gone. Although tha may be the case anyway.
- kfinl170

Scuderi is probably Shero's biggest regret (hindsight of course). Just look at how he helped with Drew Doughty. He is absolutely the kind of d man they have been searching for since, well, he left.

Poorly is a relative term. Offensively, he's about 50x better at center. Defensively...you don't want him at center, ever.

I also think it can be a mental thing. You know, kinda being down that you're not the center when that's what you want. Not exactly sulking, but not being as confident since it's not a position you're used to having to play.
- jmatchett383

Do you get the impression that if Briere entered a situation fully knowing he was a winger that those potential issues would change?

Scuderi is probably Shero's biggest regret (hindsight of course). Just look at how he helped with Drew Doughty. He is absolutely the kind of d man they have been searching for since, well, he left.
- Ryan_Wilson

If he and Letang are both on the roster next year they play together, no question about it.

You dont need to replace Cooke's scoring and edge. You need to replace his pk minutes.

and NOOOOOOOOOOO with the Setoguchi rumors again. Make it stop.
- Deadstar

Rather a certain Oiler to be inserted back into the mix?

That would definitely solve some issues. I would have to think though if they end up signing him, Dupuis and perhaps Cooke are both gone. Although tha may be the case anyway.
- kfinl170

I think Cooke is back. I think the distance between him and Shero has to do with years, not $.

Scuderi is probably Shero's biggest regret (hindsight of course). Just look at how he helped with Drew Doughty. He is absolutely the kind of d man they have been searching for since, well, he left.
- Ryan_Wilson

Completely agree. I was sitting in the upper corner section of the Pens end at Mellon when he blocked the shot into a wide open net in Game 6 of the '09 finals. He has been sorely missed.

Here is a hypothetical question. Would you sign him if it meant moving on from both Cooke and Dupuis?

I am not sure I have the answer to that.

I don't want anything to do with Briere. Also been away a while but I really don't want anything to do with Letang at that price either. I'm just glad Shero won't do it with the full NTC. Pretty clear that the intention is too ship his ass out of town before his extension kicks in.

Also a little worried Duper isn't signed yet. I,m hoping it's Shero waiting for a decision from Letang's camp and not Duper looking elsewhere.
- canadianpenfan

Glad to see you didn't wash away, sir. How was that afternoon golf match?

Do you get the impression that if Briere entered a situation fully knowing he was a winger that those potential issues would change?
- Ryan_Wilson

Maybe, but I think if he could slot in as a #2C, it would be more attractive to him than being a #1RW/LW. He's got $$, and he's still getting $3M this year, so it's more about a situation he likes than money.

Glad to see you didn't wash away, sir. How was that afternoon golf match?
- BulliesPhan87

We were the only ones on the course it was raining so bad.

But i started Birdie, Par, Par so i wanted to play. Even so we could only get through 9 because it was just to wet and windy.

Supposed to be 28c on Thursday when I go though.

It's hotter than a poophouse rat in a wool sock here right now.

We were the only ones on the course it was raining so bad.

But i started Birdie, Par, Par so i wanted to play. Even so we could only get through 9 because it was just to wet and windy.

Supposed to be 28c on Thursday when I go though.

It's hotter than a poophouse rat in a wool sock here right now.
- canadianpenfan

I don't agree with that at all.
- Ryan_Wilson

You also didn't agree Neal was playing one dimensional hockey most nights. We have our differences in opinion. That's the beauty of it

Maybe, but I think if he could slot in as a #2C, it would be more attractive to him than being a #1RW/LW. He's got $$, and he's still getting $3M this year, so it's more about a situation he likes than money.
- jmatchett383

Can you imagine Briere as the 2C in front of Fleury?

We were the only ones on the course it was raining so bad.

But i started Birdie, Par, Par so i wanted to play. Even so we could only get through 9 because it was just to wet and windy.

Supposed to be 28c on Thursday when I go though.

It's hotter than a poophouse rat in a wool sock here right now.
- canadianpenfan

See I am opposite, start bad and begin to get better once the beer starts to flow. . . . I think I get better would probably be more of an accurate way of describing it.

- Ryan_Wilson

Believe me I wanted to. I was in a zone with the 5 iron.

You also didn't agree Neal was playing one dimensional hockey most nights. We have our differences in opinion. That's the beauty of it
- Orpik44

People said the same thing about him when he first arrived and it couldnt have been further from the truth.