If Sid is averaging 1.5 PPG with Kunitz and dupuis, why on earth would you move kuni or duper down to the 3rd line. Unless the pens make a trade for an obvious top 6 guy, Kunitz and dupuis aren't going anywhere. Kunitz had a legitimate shot at the rocket Richard last year and dupuis is putting up career numbers in his mid 30's. the chemistry of those 3 is just phenomenal
- drummer829

Not this season or anywhere in the near future. But most hockey players in their mid and definitely late 30's decline. At some point Kunitz and Dupuis aren't likely going to be able to keep up playing with Sid. I just can't foresee a top line of Crosby and two 37 year old wingers in a few years, can you?

Not this season or anywhere in the near future. But most hockey players in their mid and definitely late 30's decline. At some point Kunitz and Dupuis aren't likely going to be able to keep up playing with Sid. I just can't foresee a top line of Crosby and two 37 year old wingers in a few years, can you?
- rival22

sid will be 30 and probably a step slower right?

sid will be 30 and probably a step slower right?
- dbell646

Blasphemy! He will never age!

You're telling me that you would take engelland and Niskanen over Murray?
- drummer829

Those are my only two choices? I dont want murray on this team, especially starting out. A need for a player like him may arise later, but putting $1.5 mill towards him now is a waste.

Blasphemy! He will never age!
- Ryan_Wilson

Is he still Sid the Kid at 26?

Is he still Sid the Kid at 26?
- dbell646

I'm not sure how that moniker is going to play out. Something tells me it will never go away.

I'm not sure how that moniker is going to play out.
- Ryan_Wilson

Guess when he loses his virginity he may just be Sid.

Is he still Sid the Kid at 26?
- dbell646

Depends how much older than him you are.

Blasphemy! He will never age!
- Ryan_Wilson

He's part cyborg, so you might be right.

You're telling me that you would take engelland and Niskanen over Murray?
- drummer829

I'd rather have Bortuzzo than Murray...

This one is for you Madcap:

@IgorEronko
Belarus TV-channel ONT reports Mikhail Grabovski will sign contract with #Caps today

@SWhyno
Grabovski's agent says he hopes to have resolution by weekend or shortly after. Short-term deal has always been preference.

I think it would be a terrific move for the Capitals.
- Ryan_Wilson

you mean a terrific move for the metropolitan division... another player with questionable attitude problems for the caps... should be considered a win for the pens!

Not this season or anywhere in the near future. But most hockey players in their mid and definitely late 30's decline. At some point Kunitz and Dupuis aren't likely going to be able to keep up playing with Sid. I just can't foresee a top line of Crosby and two 37 year old wingers in a few years, can you?
- rival22

Billy Guerin or Gary Roberts?

Billy Guerin or Gary Roberts?
- drummer829

I agree with rival in that the pens winger situation could, could, get dicey in a couple seasons. It depends largely on the cap continuing to rise... if it keeps going up over the next few years then the pens might be able to afford to replace dupuis and/or kunitz up top and use those guys more sparingly as 2nd / 3rd liners. a top six of crosby / bennett / malkin / neal and two younger fa or draft picks and a third line of dupius/kunitz/sutter would be tops! of course the cap would have to rise significantly... though the pens defense aught to be less of a cap hit with some young elc hitting the ice in the next 2-3 years....

I'd rather have Bortuzzo than Murray...
- ChrisMS

Well...for $1.5M I'd have loved to see Murray back with this team. Nobody on this team could bring what he brought. Off course the signing of Scuderi helped a lot on the decision of letting him go IMO. Engelland and Bortuzzo are worse than Murray (that's why they make less than half of what Douglas makes)

Well...for $1.5M I'd have loved to see Murray back with this team. Nobody on this team could bring what he brought. Off course the signing of Scuderi helped a lot on the decision of letting him go IMO. Engelland and Bortuzzo are worse than Murray (that's why they make less than half of what Douglas makes)
- Orpik44

murray played decent... but he only had to play a shortened season... Bortuzzo is young and can play a rougher game... my statemtn wasn't meant to be taken as bortuzzo is better than murray... it was taking into account that 1.5 for murray would have necessitated moving englynd and nisk and leave us with zero cap room... murray at 1.5 is a luxury the pens can't afford is all

Couldn't the Pens terminate either Kunitz or Duper is they have a really horrible season? Do you think they save it for MAF?

Couldn't the Pens terminate either Kunitz or Duper is they have a really horrible season? Do you think they save it for MAF?
- Thorny

I hope MAF can play better next playoffs so we don't have to use the buyout on him.

Looking from outside, the Pens roster is very thin compared to what they had in the playoffs. We definitely can try to be faster but I still think we are a worse team.

Couldn't the Pens terminate either Kunitz or Duper is they have a really horrible season? Do you think they save it for MAF?
- Thorny

dont see the pens using a buy out for anyone... not really the way they do business... I'd be suprised if they couldn't find a taker next off season in a trade with the cap expected to rise, if it came to that.

murray played decent... but he only had to play a shortened season... Bortuzzo is young and can play a rougher game... my statemtn wasn't meant to be taken as bortuzzo is better than murray... it was taking into account that 1.5 for murray would have necessitated moving englynd and nisk and leave us with zero cap room... murray at 1.5 is a luxury the pens can't afford is all
- ChrisMS

True enough. Hopefully we'll see Despres and Bortuzzo getting a lot of ice time next season.

Anyone see Harrington, Maatta or Dumoulin getting a chance to stick in the big league?

True enough. Hopefully we'll see Despres and Bortuzzo getting a lot of ice time next season.

Anyone see Harrington, Maatta or Dumoulin getting a chance to stick in the big league?
- Orpik44

probably better for them all to get top 4 minutes in ahl... use as call ups for injuries. if orpik or nisk get traded then the pens have a top 7 set... if an injury occurs then call up the troops.

murray played decent... but he only had to play a shortened season... Bortuzzo is young and can play a rougher game... my statemtn wasn't meant to be taken as bortuzzo is better than murray... it was taking into account that 1.5 for murray would have necessitated moving englynd and nisk and leave us with zero cap room... murray at 1.5 is a luxury the pens can't afford is all
- ChrisMS

I do agree that bortuzzo needs to be given a chance. I just don't see how Niskanen can be on the team as a 6th defenseman with a 2.4 mil cap hit

I do agree that bortuzzo needs to be given a chance. I just don't see how Niskanen can be on the team as a 6th defenseman with a 2.4 mil cap hit
- drummer829

It would certainly be a luxury. but either orpik or nisk has to go to get under the salery cap, so worrying about paying a 6th d man 2.4 mil isn't going to be a problem

Couldn't the Pens terminate either Kunitz or Duper is they have a really horrible season? Do you think they save it for MAF?
- Thorny

You can't use a compliance buyout for Kunitz or Dupuis, and there is absolutely nothing in their careers to indicate that either of them will have a horrible season.

True enough. Hopefully we'll see Despres and Bortuzzo getting a lot of ice time next season.

Anyone see Harrington, Maatta or Dumoulin getting a chance to stick in the big league?
- Orpik44

I don't think Maatta is eligible for the AHL, so he is going back to junior.

Harrington and especially Dumoulin will likely get some NHL time. This season should be different than last season where the defensemen were relatively healthy. More injuries in an 82 game season.

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