He makes 1.3 Mil
- cap1681

Hedberg is still sitting out there, would probably only ask for the minimum and would be an upgrade IMO

Marty Biron on waivers... pens take a shot?

Biron > Zatkoff. Biron is a hell of a good guy too from everything I have ever heard here in WNY
- Ryan_Wilson

Zatkoff was horrible. Biron looks like he is struggling as well though.

Zatkoff was horrible. Biron looks like he is struggling as well though.
- powerhouse

Lundqvist looks like he is struggling too. That leads me to believe that it is a NYR team problem.

I haven't seen much of Maata at all, other than the game against Buffalo (even then, I didn't really notice him, I was too busy watching my own team's ineptitude), but all this talk about entry-level deals, "earning his spot", etc. should be irrelevant. There should only be one question asked: "Do I have a better team with Maata in the lineup every night?" If the answer is yes, you keep him in Pittsburgh. If the answer is no, you send him back down to juniors. Don't over think it.

He makes 1.3 Mil
- cap1681

That's a lot when your cap space is measure by the $10,000s. Zatkoff makes below league minimum. I wouldnt mind Biron here, but I doubt it happens.

I haven't seen much of Maata at all, other than the game against Buffalo (even then, I didn't really notice him, I was too busy watching my own team's ineptitude), but all this talk about entry-level deals, "earning his spot", etc. should be irrelevant. There should only be one question asked: "Do I have a better team with Maata in the lineup every night?" If the answer is yes, you keep him in Pittsburgh. If the answer is no, you send him back down to juniors. Don't over think it.
- buffalofan19

He makes them better, in my opinion. I think he is better than every option the Penguins have for the bottom pairing and on some nights he might be better than some of the top 4 guys.

The earning his spot point from my perspective just means that he has been better than the other options.

As for not noticing him in the game, exactly the point. He is a steady customer.

Lundqvist looks like he is struggling too. That leads me to believe that it is a NYR team problem.
- Ryan_Wilson

Chances hank isn't a ranger next year?

Here is the future I see in my head, regardless of what happens with Maatta.

Next season, Orpik is left to walk and Bortuzzo fills his role, and Maatta takes over Niskanen's "jack of all trades" role.

The following season Maatta takes over Paul Martin's top 4 role.

Sound good?

Biron might be ok if the Zatkoff experiment continues to be bad. His salary is an issue though..

Hedberg would be cheaper, but he looked BAD at times last season.

Chances hank isn't a ranger next year?
- Genev21

It will be interesting... And at the money/term that he's going to command, who knows if keeping him is even the best thing for the Rangers long term. Short term it would really hurt if he walks though.

It will be interesting... And at the money/term that he's going to command, who knows if keeping him is even the best thing for the Rangers long term. Short term it would really hurt if he walks though.
- rival22

I don't think spending huge $ on goalies is a wise investment.

Lundqvist looks like he is struggling too. That leads me to believe that it is a NYR team problem.
- Ryan_Wilson

Problem is we are talking 1.5 mil for Biron or Theadore.

I don't think spending huge $ on goalies is a wise investment.
- Ryan_Wilson

The problem with big$ is some teams are willing to pay it or the talent walks. If you don't have a plan B, you get stuck with a big salary. We have seen it a good bit. (Philly)

Tiops reported that the Pens asking price for Nisky was a first rounder during the off-season. Omark and a 3rd isn't going to cut it especially after his hot start. I'm inclined to believe they'll sign him to a new contract rather than move him.
- madmike71

pass on Omark. He couldn't stick with a horrid Edmonton team for a reason. You won't get a first for Nisky now, especially from Edmonton. They will have a top 5 pick.

Marty Biron on waivers... pens take a shot?
- ChrisMS

I would take a shot based on the names out there and the fact we NEED a backup.

It will be interesting... And at the money/term that he's going to command, who knows if keeping him is even the best thing for the Rangers long term. Short term it would really hurt if he walks though.
- rival22

I'm not sure if the pens can/would be players for him but it would be interesting if fleury falls short again and is traded/bought out there's 5 mil in cap space and the cap will be going up a fair amount next year but I'm going to assume malkin and letang's extensions kicking in would take us out of a bid for him.

I'm not sure if the pens can/would be players for him but it would be interesting if fleury falls short again and is traded/bought out there's 5 mil in cap space and the cap will be going up a fair amount next year but I'm going to assume malkin and letang's extensions kicking in would take us out of a bid for him.
- Genev21

Somebody is going to give Lundqvist 7-8M per year. Most likely the Rangers.

I'm not sure if the pens can/would be players for him but it would be interesting if fleury falls short again and is traded/bought out there's 5 mil in cap space and the cap will be going up a fair amount next year but I'm going to assume malkin and letang's extensions kicking in would take us out of a bid for him.
- Genev21

Philly would offer a max cap deal. And trade everyone after the fact to try to make it work.

I'm not sure if the pens can/would be players for him but it would be interesting if fleury falls short again and is traded/bought out there's 5 mil in cap space and the cap will be going up a fair amount next year but I'm going to assume malkin and letang's extensions kicking in would take us out of a bid for him.
- Genev21

The problem is that as a UFA, Hank is getting 7 years at $7+ mil from someone, right? I don't want Pens going anywhere near that.

He makes them better, in my opinion. I think he is better than every option the Penguins have for the bottom pairing and on some nights he might be better than some of the top 4 guys.

The earning his spot point from my perspective just means that he has been better than the other options.

As for not noticing him in the game, exactly the point. He is a steady customer.
- Ryan_Wilson

another thing to remember is that players like maata and bennett are the reason the pens could afford to give letang/crosby/malkin the deals they did. The pens had to count that a couple of rookies made the team and will continue to do so in the coming years. If a player like Maata is even equal to a veteran in play, the pens should keep him around despite the expected up and downs of a rookie

with cap going up would you rather have fluery at 5 mil or hank at 7? I'd bring up another rookie if it meant freeing that money up for a goalie like hank. pipe dream though...

with cap going up would you rather have fluery at 5 mil or hank at 7? I'd bring up another rookie if it meant freeing that money up for a goalie like hank. pipe dream though...
- ChrisMS

The term scares me though... While a lot of elite goalies have continued to play well into their late 30's, being locked into that cap hit scares the hell out of me if his play goes downhill.

I think you are absolutely right! In my opinion the best way to further develop Maata is if he stays in the NHL. Sure, he would dominate in Juniors and he would play major minutes and gain even more confidence.

But as you have mentioned in your blog, the Pens would have been better off to play guys like Despres, Bennett and Bortuzzo last year and for me the time is now for those guys plus Maata.

Personally, I would still trade Niskanen, this is the best decision, not only from the business side. Remember, Shero probably will have to get a goalie at some point this season. Engelland comes cheap and is a nice depth guy to have because of his fighting ability. I don´t believe it would enough to trade Engelland with our tight cap.

The term scares me though... While a lot of elite goalies have continued to play well into their late 30's, being locked into that cap hit scares the hell out of me if his play goes downhill.
- rival22

To me all indications with him are he wants to win and it isn't about money. That's why I don't think he's already signed on in NY he has to be sold on the changes they made and are going to make.

Will we ever see Despress again?

Glad to hear some of the D prospects are working out. I expect Orpik to be gone after his deal. I would also love to see Moose back in Pitt. Why not? Move Nisk for a bag of pucks if you have to.