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

I just dont know what Depres would fetch. Depres for for Yak?

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

I wonder what the legit price that it would take to acquire him would be? The best chance he would have would be playing with a guy like Datsyuk or Malkin, someone who could be a bit of a mentor to him.

I wonder what the legit price that it would take to acquire him would be? The best chance he would have would be playing with a guy like Datsyuk or Malkin, someone who could be a bit of a mentor to him.
- rival22

Or...Jagr in NJ maybe


But seriously an Eastern Conference team could use him. Anyone could find a use for him I think but it'd take defense and maybe a pick to get him. Edmonton will ask for too much I think.

I just dont know what Depres would fetch. Depres for for Yak?
- joescullz

He seems to be ending up like paajarvi. Looked to be a top 6 guy and then just tanked. I wouldn't waste a d prospect on him unless it's Ruopp or something. Much rather trade for a proven guy.

When I saw the blues trade Perron for paajarvi and a 2nd, I wished that the pens would of jumped on that deal.

He seems to be ending up like paajarvi. Looked to be a top 6 guy and then just tanked. I wouldn't waste a d prospect on him unless it's Ruopp or something. Much rather trade for a proven guy.

When I saw the blues trade Perron for paajarvi and a 2nd, I wished that the pens would of jumped on that deal.
- drummer829

This is EXACTLY what I said back when Paajarvi was traded and Yak started being called defensively irresponsible.

He has a lot of talent but they haven't utilized him properly. Again, it's their fault for taking him and playing him right away. They knew they needed defense.

He seems to be ending up like paajarvi. Looked to be a top 6 guy and then just tanked. I wouldn't waste a d prospect on him unless it's Ruopp or something. Much rather trade for a proven guy.

When I saw the blues trade Perron for paajarvi and a 2nd, I wished that the pens would of jumped on that deal.
- drummer829

I may be in the small group here.... but from what I have seen of Yakupov I believe he will be an effective goal scorer in the NHL. Moves dynamically, Great speed, great shot .... but he certainly is need a change of scenery and needs to learn how to play in a system. That being said.... the pens shouldn't trade for him.... but I believe he will be a good player f he doesn't run away from the NHL.

Or...Jagr in NJ maybe


But seriously an Eastern Conference team could use him. Anyone could find a use for him I think but it'd take defense and maybe a pick to get him. Edmonton will ask for too much I think.
- HopintheCordoba

That's the issue... If he was a #10 pick who was just rushed a bit and was struggling, he would command less in a trade. But the fact that he was first overall just falsely inflates his value or what Edmonton will want back from him.

Maaannnn I wish we could've gotten Mantha in this past draft. Too bad we didn't have a 1st to work with.


Nice pick by Detroit. Easy one too.

just curious but would nt trading Letang free up the cap space to sign all of Pitts URF. I know they have 14.5 mil in cap space... but trading letang would enable them to resign Jokinen, Niskenen and Orpik. (plus Sutter will get 3 to 4)... Kunitz -Crosby -Eberle would be the best line in hockey

just curious but would nt trading Letang free up the cap space to sign all of Pitts URF. I know they have 14.5 mil in cap space... but trading letang would enable them to resign Jokinen, Niskenen and Orpik. (plus Sutter will get 3 to 4)... Kunitz -Crosby -Eberle would be the best line in hockey
- Brianandr1

Don't forget Eberle makes about $6 million. Don't know if you're factoring that in. Again though, cap shouldn't be an issue regardless.

I can't see the Penguins trading Letang for the simple fact that he just signed a 8-yr extension. I don't think any team benfeits from having that reputation.

Also, I really hope the Penguins don't trade Despres. They could really use some size on the blueline & moving an NHL-ready 6-4, 215lbs Dman who is just 22yrs old just doesn't make a lot of sense to me.

I'd rather see them lose Engelland through waivers than ship either Letang or Despres out of town.

I can't see the Penguins trading Letang for the simple fact that he just signed a 8-yr extension. I don't think any team benfeits from having that reputation.

Also, I really hope the Penguins don't trade Despres. They could really use some size on the blueline & moving an NHL-ready 6-4, 215lbs Dman who is just 22yrs old just doesn't make a lot of sense to me.

I'd rather see them lose Engelland through waivers than ship either Letang or Despres out of town.
- s0rcerer1984

Do it, Ray


That just reads hilariously.

Letang
2014 1st round pick

For

Yakupov
Potter

Pittsburgh gets a RWer that can put up 40+ goals (you notice I didn't say could since he will be playing with Crosby or Malkin, lol) which more than makes up for losing Letangs production on an entry level deal no less and a depth defender for one of if not the best offensive defenseman in the league and a low 1st in a meh draft.

Edmonton gets the top defender they need and a top pick.

I'm pretty sure the deal would have to have other pieces attached to be even (with someone seriously overpaying) but I would love to see a Yakupov+ for Letang+ kind of deal.
- Steven_Dean

Why in the hell do we need to add a first? We have no use for Potter. This is a joke.

Just replace Egypt with Pittsburgh and Cameron with Despres

This question is not even a close decision to me. I trade the guy who will be making over 7 million per year; is all the sudden fragile and many of his gaffes due to careless play end up in the back of our net. Anyone who doesn't see this isn't paying attention.

Why in the hell do we need to add a first? We have no use for Potter. This is a joke.
- Oneonta Penguin

Exactly. He's laughing at us from under his bridge right now.

I may be in the small group here.... but from what I have seen of Yakupov I believe he will be an effective goal scorer in the NHL. Moves dynamically, Great speed, great shot .... but he certainly is need a change of scenery and needs to learn how to play in a system. That being said.... the pens shouldn't trade for him.... but I believe he will be a good player f he doesn't run away from the NHL.
- Genobuzz

I agree with you... I honestly can't say that I've seen him play more than a handful of games though, but he has all of the skill in the world. He had a good season last year, maybe it went to his head and he didn't have the off season that he needed and never could catch up this season. It might take being out of Edmonton, but a more focused off season, and some maturing, and he could be a star. If I'm Igor Larionov, I'm trying my best to get Yakupov hooked up with some veteran Russian NHL'ers this summer.

He could be a Tyler Seguin story... it just wasn't going to happen in Boston for him. It's a much smaller sample size, but Yak's numbers aren't far off of Seguin's in Boston.

This question is not even a close decision to me. I trade the guy who will be making over 7 million per year; is all the sudden fragile and many of his gaffes due to careless play end up in the back of our net. Anyone who doesn't see this isn't paying attention.
- Oneonta Penguin

And when he does play to his potential he is great. He may make some dumb plays, but he can also redeem himself and his speed on the backend helps a lot. Let him and scuds start gaining some chemistry again

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

i agree here. for as much as i female dog about him, i really like letang. that being said, it is hard to see how this isnt the right move on so many levels. what letang would be back would be tremendous. if you can add a star like eberle, or even a lesser but still quality good young forward and another asset, that solves pretty much the holy grail asset wise this team has been trying to acquire since hossa.

i am a huge believer in despres. for whatever reason, the team doesnt seem to be though. im not a pro scout by any means, but he just has everything you are looking for. that size and skating ability rarely come in the same person. that being said though, right now his value isnt nearly as high as his potential since he really hasnt been given an opportunity to showcase it much.

and as crazy as it would have been to say a year and a half ago, martin should NOT be moved under any circumstance. he is exactly what the pens need. and with the way contracts are, even if his isnt the cheapest, good luck replacing what he brings for much less

i agree here. for as much as i female dog about him, i really like letang. that being said, it is hard to see how this isnt the right move on so many levels. what letang would be back would be tremendous. if you can add a star like eberle, or even a lesser but still quality good young forward and another asset, that solves pretty much the holy grail asset wise this team has been trying to acquire since hossa.

i am a huge believer in despres. for whatever reason, the team doesnt seem to be though. im not a pro scout by any means, but he just has everything you are looking for. that size and skating ability rarely come in the same person. that being said though, right now his value isnt nearly as high as his potential since he really hasnt been given an opportunity to showcase it much.

and as crazy as it would have been to say a year and a half ago, martin should NOT be moved under any circumstance. he is exactly what the pens need. and with the way contracts are, even if his isnt the cheapest, good luck replacing what he brings for much less
- stayinthefnnet

Amen. Having said that, I still feel Shero doesn't rush anything and ends up not moving Letang. Martin is by far the best overall defensemen we have. I don't want to think about Despres being moved at all. I'll plug my ears.

And when he does play to his potential he is great. He may make some dumb plays, but he can also redeem himself and his speed on the backend helps a lot. Let him and scuds start gaining some chemistry again
- drummer829

honestly, letang is actually pretty damn good in his own end. if he could just learn to curb his mental errors with the puck, he would go right back to being a top 5 d man in the game. that being said, all things considered, especially with the way this team is constructed, losing him just seems to be the more logical route for a variety of reasons

Amen. Having said that, I still feel Shero doesn't rush anything and ends up not moving Letang. Martin is by far the best overall defensemen we have. I don't want to think about Despres being moved at all. I'll plug my ears.

- HopintheCordoba

i understand. i really dont want to imagine despres being moved either. but when it comes down to it, if management has already essentially made up their minds on him and if he doesnt fit or not, then it makes no sense to let him rot in the pressbox.

im all for stockpiling assets to a point, but it usually is for a purpose in mind. im not saying they should rush into anything based on being spurred on by injuries. but if they have the assets to deal from a position of strength to improve the team, its worth at least considering to me. but until then, i am in your boat and just dont want despres to be gone. i want him playing.

i understand. i really dont want to imagine despres being moved either. but when it comes down to it, if management has already essentially made up their minds on him and if he doesnt fit or not, then it makes no sense to let him rot in the pressbox. im all for stockpiling assets to a point, but it usually is for a purpose in mind. im not saying they should rush into anything based on being spurred on by injuries. but if they have the assets to deal from a position of strength to improve the team, its worth at least considering to me. but until then, i am in your boat and just dont want despres to be gone. i want him playing.
- stayinthefnnet

No question. I agree. I hate to say it but sitting him for Engelland or Bortuzzo is ridiculous but it reveals a bit about his view in the organization. I thought we were past that now. Especially with the players we have out of the lineup right now. I'm just hoping he plays and we can keep him. I see nothing but an arrow pointing up for him.

honestly, letang is actually pretty damn good in his own end. if he could just learn to curb his mental errors with the puck, he would go right back to being a top 5 d man in the game. that being said, all things considered, especially with the way this team is constructed, losing him just seems to be the more logical route for a variety of reasons
- stayinthefnnet

I do think he should be traded, but not now. There is no one to fill his role and minutes, and losing a player with that much post season experience can hurt. As much as I think maatta can fill letangs skates, he can't do it right now (especially after how maatta got undressed last night)

I do think he should be traded, but not now. There is no one to fill his role and minutes, and losing a player with that much post season experience can hurt. As much as I think maatta can fill letangs skates, he can't do it right now (especially after how maatta got undressed last night)
- drummer829

Letang could not only do that---but do it better!

Just kidding!

That was tough but overall he's been terrific. Again, I don't see Shero rushing into anything. He keeps Letang. Despres? I hope so but I have no idea.