i hope scuderi isnt out long. if he is back quickly, there is a log jam at D but who goes? Not even a mention of calling up despres either. i am not a fan of the 4th line but it is what it is right now. what is wrong with neal? do you need engelland and bortuzzo? do you need jeffrey and vitale? not that they are equal players but dont they play similar roles on this team?

yes, isles just got better.

Marginally. Paid quite the cost to gain in an area that wasn't a pressing need.

I'll have more on it tomorrow on the other site
- Ryan_Wilson

I agree he wasn't a pressing need. Vanek is an enigma, but he has the skill and speed to damage there. That said, the Islanders should have gone after Miller instead of Vanek. He was more of a pressing need.

Marginally. Paid quite the cost to gain in an area that wasn't a pressing need.

I'll have more on it tomorrow on the other site
- Ryan_Wilson

Starting to feel like the team is held together with rubber bands and glue. Scuds will be missed. Hope they call up Despres, could be a moment for him to shine.

Starting to feel like the team is held together with rubber bands and glue. Scuds will be missed. Hope they call up Despres, could be a moment for him to shine.
- powerhouse

I don't think Despres gets the call. Bortuzzo is the next guy up. Still have Engo around for emergencies.

Bortuzzo has played very well so far. Better than I expected.

I don't think Despres gets the call. Bortuzzo is the next guy up. Still have Engo around for emergencies.

Bortuzzo has played very well so far. Better than I expected.
- madmike71

I'd even wager that Dumoulin would get the call first.

I'd even wager that Dumoulin would get the call first.
- Ryan_Wilson

You might be right. We need the Reverend to give us a report on how things are shaping up in WB.

I will say this.... I don't think Despres has completely gotten a fair shake from this management team. He played very well through part of the season last year and yet HCDB seemed quick to criticize at a few mistakes. Maatta has played well too, but he's made some noticeable mistakes and I have yet to hear a discouraging word......and he's gotten a jersey every night.

It's been rumored that a personality conflict is part of the equation. Who knows. One thing I do know is there are experienced players on this team that are making brutal mistakes and they never miss a shift.

You might be right. We need the Reverend to give us a report on how things are shaping up in WB.

I will say this.... I don't think Despres has completely gotten a fair shake from this management team. He played very well through part of the season last year and yet HCDB seemed quick to criticize at a few mistakes. Maatta has played well too, but he's made some noticeable mistakes and I have yet to hear a discouraging word......and he's gotten a jersey every night.

It's been rumored that a personality conflict is part of the equation. Who knows. One thing I do know is there are experienced players on this team that are making brutal mistakes and they never miss a shift.
- madmike71

I cant give a complete update as I have missed the last game or two being that I am on assignment in Ohio for a month or so.

As far as the first 3 or 4 games plus preseason...Dumolin over Depres for a callup is an easy call. Sadly when the Pens played the Phantoms a week or so ago, Depres was coming up gimpy alot....not a good sign. He has also looked out of place at times. As an AHL player I would say its not a big deal, but as an NHL player which he should be, he has looked incompetent.

Megna, Conner, and Harry Z. were called up deservingly as they were flying for the baby pens, however that doesnt always translate to the NHL which was the case.

For the first time in 4 or so seasons, I am actually really excited about our team, we finally have personality on this team which makes for exciting hockey. I know alot of talk from this board has been about Adam Payrel and Uher, but those guys have such a tendency to disappear at times and shine at others, often resulting in being healthy scratches due to lack of consistency.

As far as call ups, I def. see Dumolin going up and if Vitale were moved, Zach Sill could fit the bill, but a one game stint wont be enough. Another name in a log jam of org D-Men is Brenden Mikkelson. Again, may not be a long term call up, but hes got experience, leadership, and solid play so far this season but could be a good call-up if the injury plague continues.

I cant give a complete update as I have missed the last game or two being that I am on assignment in Ohio for a month or so.

As far as the first 3 or 4 games plus preseason...Dumolin over Depres for a callup is an easy call. Sadly when the Pens played the Phantoms a week or so ago, Depres was coming up gimpy alot....not a good sign. He has also looked out of place at times. As an AHL player I would say its not a big deal, but as an NHL player which he should be, he has looked incompetent.

Megna, Conner, and Harry Z. were called up deservingly as they were flying for the baby pens, however that doesnt always translate to the NHL which was the case.

For the first time in 4 or so seasons, I am actually really excited about our team, we finally have personality on this team which makes for exciting hockey. I know alot of talk from this board has been about Adam Payrel and Uher, but those guys have such a tendency to disappear at times and shine at others, often resulting in being healthy scratches due to lack of consistency.

As far as call ups, I def. see Dumolin going up and if Vitale were moved, Zach Sill could fit the bill, but a one game stint wont be enough. Another name in a log jam of org D-Men is Brenden Mikkelson. Again, may not be a long term call up, but hes got experience, leadership, and solid play so far this season but could be a good call-up if the injury plague continues.
- Reverend Killtaker

Amazing regression on Despres part. When the season opened last year it could be argued he was worthy of a top 4 spot.

I liked Sill. He looked like he had NHL speed. He really didn't get many minutes to show what he has. Unfortunately the Pens are over-flowing with 4th liners.....he'll be waiting awhile.

Hopefully more clarity on Scuderi today.

Hopefully more clarity on Scuderi today.
- Deadstar

The Pens will be announcing he has a "body injury".

Let's hope it's weeks and not months.

The Pens will be announcing he has a "body injury".

Let's hope it's weeks and not months.
- madmike71

Yea that's pretty much what I expect.

Marginally. Paid quite the cost to gain in an area that wasn't a pressing need.

I'll have more on it tomorrow on the other site
- Ryan_Wilson

The Islanders gave up their first two picks, and a 30 goal scorer who has great chemistry with their franchise center, and who also is someone who is probably easier to re-sign, for a 40 goal scorer with unproven chemistry and who will likely either walk or need to be overpaid to stay.

I just don't see like an extra 10 goals being worth that at all. Garth Snow has done a good job with this team, but this was a bad move.

The Islanders gave up their first two picks, and a 30 goal scorer who has great chemistry with their franchise center, and who also is someone who is probably easier to re-sign, for a 40 goal scorer with unproven chemistry and who will likely either walk or need to be overpaid to stay.

I just don't see like an extra 10 goals being worth that at all. Garth Snow has done a good job with this team, but this was a bad move.
- rival22

Yep, I am putting the finishing touches on my elaborated thoughts on that deal.

The Sabres aren't in the clear either and its because draft picks are only as good as the person making them.

I still fully expect the Penguins to win this conference by AT LEAST 10 points.

I liked the idea of the Isles making a move like this. Going for Vanek for the assets plus the eventual overpay to try to keep him seems a bit misguided.

I liked the idea of the Isles making a move like this. Going for Vanek for the assets plus the eventual overpay to try to keep him seems a bit misguided.
- Deadstar

It does not address a need of theirs and it only marginally improves the area in which Vanek helps.

It really was a poor move for the Islanders. They either watch him walk as a rental, or like you said, overpay for the ending of Vanek's prime as well as his twilight years.

Yep, I am putting the finishing touches on my elaborated thoughts on that deal.

The Sabres aren't in the clear either and its because draft picks are only as good as the person making them.
- Ryan_Wilson

Very true...

Is Buffalo's scouting department as poopty as it was before Pegula? I remember hearing things about them not even having scouts to cover some areas and not paying for the ones they do have to make repeat visits and stuff.

Very true...

Is Buffalo's scouting department as poopty as it was before Pegula? I remember hearing things about them not even having scouts to cover some areas and not paying for the ones they do have to make repeat visits and stuff.
- rival22

They've hired scouts. They no longer rely on YouTube to evaluate players prior to the draft.

Regardless of the winners and losers in that deal, It's a little refreshing to see teams make a major deal this time year......or any other time that is not the deadline.

I know it wont happen, but I'd love to see Moulson find his way back to the Pens. He's been a Penguin killer over the years.

They've hired scouts. They no longer rely on YouTube to evaluate players prior to the draft.
- akane13

Headed to the game tonight?

Regardless of the winners and losers in that deal, It's a little refreshing to see teams make a major deal this time year......or any other time that is not the deadline.

I know it wont happen, but I'd love to see Moulson find his way back to the Pens. He's been a Penguin killer over the years.
- madmike71

I'm sure he's available. Buffalo will be valuing picks over players

Very true...

Is Buffalo's scouting department as poopty as it was before Pegula? I remember hearing things about them not even having scouts to cover some areas and not paying for the ones they do have to make repeat visits and stuff.
- rival22

For a while there under the Golisano ownership group the Sabres relied 100% on video scouting. That has since been changed although the results seem to be similar.

For a while there under the Golisano ownership group the Sabres relied 100% on video scouting. That has since been changed although the results seem to be similar.
- Ryan_Wilson

Also doesnt help when they are completley mishandled like Grigorenko.

Regardless of the winners and losers in that deal, It's a little refreshing to see teams make a major deal this time year......or any other time that is not the deadline.

I know it wont happen, but I'd love to see Moulson find his way back to the Pens. He's been a Penguin killer over the years.
- madmike71

He is not afraid to go to the net for the dirty goals. Gotta like that in a player.

Also doesnt help when they are completley mishandled like Grigorenko.
- Deadstar

CHL transfer agreement screws a player like him but that doesn't mean his own team's handling of him has to doubly screw him over.

Sabres are a mess and it starts at top.