I think he's aware

- HopintheCordoba

I would hope so

Just curious cause you included maatta. Another perfect guy who shouldn't be moved. IMO Martin should at least be in the conversation with them
- ChrisMS

I included Maatta because he is a guy who has legitimately high trade value return. Martin's value to the Penguins far outweighs his return in a trade.

Maatta and Martin are not the style of defenders the Penguins should be moving, they are the style that they should be stockpiling.

In all honesty I agree, Ryan. I wish it wasn't the case but between the two of them Despres would be the one being moved. It makes little sense though because Letang being moved would go over just fine...as long as Despres plays and Martin is kept as the primary PP QB.

Despres has improved vastly and the frame that he has combined with his skating is hard to find everyday. I don't want to see that thrown away.

you're telling me the Pens wouldn't jump at the chance to add Yakupov?
- therealagent

For a reasonable price. Despres alone would be a gamble for both teams

I included Maatta because he is a guy who has legitimately high trade value return. Martin's value to the Penguins far outweighs his return in a trade.

Maatta and Martin are not the style of defenders the Penguins should be moving, they are the style that they should be stockpiling.
- Ryan_Wilson

No argument there, but I do think Martin could bring the tweener the pend could use as far as value. It will suck to lose all these guys but martin should be in the conversation. Keeping despres is part of that value. Again, I think despres makes most sense

You forgot to add the sarcastic font
- cap1681

Hey, I created the whole idea of the sarcastic font.

But Johnson is Crosby's BFF.

As for trading Letang for Yakupov I don't think that is the route the Penguins want to go with a Letang trade. Maybe a Despres and Harrington for Yakupov as their career paths are still unknown. And I am unsure if the Oilers are even entertaining the idea of trading Yakupov.

As I have been saying there seems to be some motion in Edmonton towards trading Eberle.

Curtis Lazar is going to be a Canadian folk hero.

Where was I...Oh right, Eberle. For some reason the media and fans around Edmonton have become much more open to the idea of trading Eberle to fill the gaping holes outside of the Oilers top 6 forwards. The idea is to get a defenseman who can actually play defense though.

In all honesty I agree, Ryan. I wish it wasn't the case but between the two of them Despres would be the one being moved. It makes little sense though because Letang being moved would go over just fine...as long as Despres plays and Martin is kept as the primary PP QB.

Despres has improved vastly and the frame that he has combined with his skating is hard to find everyday. I don't want to see that thrown away.
- HopintheCordoba

The oilers will trade one of Yakupov or Eberle and their 1st this year if they have any sense. This will let them turn the team around in one year.

I think they can send Ference back to Boston for a higher return than anywhere else.

They need a guy who can make the first pass which is where Letang comes in. Letang for Eberle might be fair enough.

The oilers will trade one of Yakupov or Eberle and their 1st this year if they have any sense. This will let them turn the team around in one year.

I think they can send Ference back to Boston for a higher return than anywhere else.

They need a guy who can make the first pass which is where Letang comes in. Letang for Eberle might be fair enough.
- therealagent

I'd be fine with it. I'm a big fan of Eberle(who isn't?). I just don't think it's going to happen.

Like someone said earlier, trading Letang after he signed an 8 year extension is a slap in the face IMO. Especially when the sticking point in the negotiations was the NTC. If Shero thought an 8 year commitment was earned by Letang, why would you trade him 6 months later?

On the flip side, he could bring a big return.

My only issue with trading Letang is that you have a relatively unknown player in Depres. At this point you know what you have with Letang but I'm still not sure what Depres ceiling could be.

Great write up gunner, I agree Letang should be moved , his return would be worth it while his loss would be doable for Pens defense. The Pens have to do something with their stockpile of D-men and the lack of forwards ( already mentioned earlier by someone but I agree) Shero is holding on to his D-men like his life depends on it. Needs to pull the trigger already , we NEED a forward soon, although we do keep winning , still he needs to do something.

As much as I would love to see Shero trade #58, its just not going to happen; at least not this year. Keep in mind Scuderi was specifically signed to be paired with Tanger; so that scuds could elevate letang's game like he did with Doughty in LA. Plus Shero isnt the type of GM to do a sign & trade anyways. As far as Depres goes, I wouldnt want to see him go because if his greatly improved 2-way play & his 6'4 frame. Plus with more experience in the NHL, he will only get better.

With that said i think Shero will go with trading #47 and getting a quality up and coming winger + 1st rd pick. If Ray were to trade #58, that's where we would see a blockbuster like Eberle.

Pouliot a little out of position and takes a bad penalty in the wjc game. I am worried about his defensive game

Man I hate European reffing.

I like Despres... we all like Despres, but let's face it.... there isn't room for all of our defensive prospects to have big roles here. Someone has to go.

Like Ryan said, Shero hasn't screwed up one of these defenseman trades yet. If the organization feels that Despres doesn't have the future that guys like Maatta, Dumoulin, Harrington, etc have, and he's the odd man out, then by all means move him if you can get a good return.

While Despres has a better pedigree than Goligoski, I'm not sure how much return he brings... 6'4" mobile defensmen with decent offensive skills don't grow on trees, but he is just so unproven.

As much as we rode Goligoski, he put up points. In his parts of three seasons with Pittsburgh (2008-09 through 2010-11), he had more points than guys like Bouwmeester and Jack Johnson (in less games), and a higher points per game average than Ryan Suter, Dion Phaneuf and Kris Letang in those seasons. He had the statistical resume of a top 4 offensive defensemen.

Man I hate European reffing.
- Ben37

some of these slovaks are embarrassing to watch.
Kolena is a drama queen. He looks like he gets shot each shift then comes back on the ice.

The polar opposite of the bruin with the broken leg killing a penalty.

Man I hate European reffing.
- Ben37

Also, I fear for team canada in the olympics. THe getlzaf and Perry line will probably get a penalty every time they step on the ice. Certainly makes a case for fast, high skill guys like taylor hall and matt duchesne

some of these slovaks are embarrassing to watch.
Kolena is a drama queen. He looks like he gets shot each shift then comes back on the ice.

The polar opposite of the bruin with the broken leg killing a penalty.
- Genobuzz

And that is what is happening. The Slovaks have recognized that they are being dominated 5 on 5, but they have a great PP so any time a Canadian so much as sneezes they are doing a pirouette and getting the call.

Despres should be the one to go. Shero will work his magic and make the deal work in our favor like he normally does. Letang at this moment gives the team a better chance to win, and to trade him before any prospect can step in and take his minutes is a huge risk

@mc79hockey
Meanwhile, in Edmonton.... RT @SUNdvandiest Yakupov to sit out in Phoenix. #Oilers

James Neal is still on pace for a 40 goal season if he keeps up his current scoring pace for the next 41 games... If he avoided playing on-ice wiffle ball and didn't knee guys in the head, he could be in the running for a 50+ goal season.

Funny that some of the people here were sick of him last year in the playoffs and wanted to get rid of him because he was a "one trick pony" and was only successful because he was playing with Malkin.

@mc79hockey
Meanwhile, in Edmonton.... RT @SUNdvandiest Yakupov to sit out in Phoenix. #Oilers
- Ryan_Wilson

Don't start this drama

@mc79hockey
Meanwhile, in Edmonton.... RT @SUNdvandiest Yakupov to sit out in Phoenix. #Oilers
- Ryan_Wilson

It's not entirely his fault. He needs to get out of there

Don't start this drama
- dbell646

I'm ending the drama. Why trade for an unknown commodity when there are so many other options out there?

It's not entirely his fault. He needs to get out of there
- drummer829

Agreed. He was a wasted pick for them. Should've picked defense straight up or traded down and picked up real fitting prospects.

I'm ending the drama. Why trade for an unknown commodity when there are so many other options out there?
- Ryan_Wilson

Cost could be low. Him sitting out just fuels trade speculation