HA right, I think he almost has a massive give away on the front door. You learn that in Squirts! But yeah he deserves his spot.

According to Eklund, the Pens were never close to Kesler.
- sammy87

Not hard to see that. A lot of rumors that they wanted Maatta and a few other pieces(pick(s) and or prospects)

That just simply wasn't going to happen. Not with cheaper alternatives and the ability to try to keep the blue line afloat.

That was a rough moment but aside from that he's been very steady as of late. Carried the biscuit well. We need a lot of that right now. Clearly we can't afford to sit him and I think that he's going to keep improving. He's even gotten a bit more physical along the boards when able. Very satisfied with his effort.
- HopintheCordoba

I loved that he brought out the ol hip check...You just don't see that too often anymore. I cant really say my opinion of him. I haven't been able to see to many games this yr.

That was a rough moment but aside from that he's been very steady as of late. Carried the biscuit well. We need a lot of that right now. Clearly we can't afford to sit him and I think that he's going to keep improving. He's even gotten a bit more physical along the boards when able. Very satisfied with his effort.
- HopintheCordoba

He's been okay in the last few games, but a play like that shows why he isn't ahead of Bortuzzo or Engo in the depth chart. Never mind the likes of Letang, Scuds, Martin, Orpik, Nisk or Olli "Future Lidstrom" Maatta.

- BulliesPhan87

I don't care who you are, that right there is funny.

He's been okay in the last few games, but a play like that shows why he isn't ahead of Bortuzzo or Engo in the depth chart. Never mind the likes of Letang, Scuds, Martin, Orpik, Nisk or Olli "Future Lidstrom" Maatta.
- Ben37

No one disputes what you are saying. He has the size and raw talent to be a force as a defensive player. It's hard to become a professional anything until someone believes in you and you get the chance to prove yourself. BTW, Letang cuts in front of the net regularly.

So ... Calgary 5, Anaheim 0 with 17:12 left in the second. Anyone see a problem with this?

Not hard to see that. A lot of rumors that they wanted Maatta and a few other pieces(pick(s) and or prospects)

That just simply wasn't going to happen. Not with cheaper alternatives and the ability to try to keep the blue line afloat.
- HopintheCordoba

I did hear from a pretty connected guy in Pittsburgh that Shero indeed made one final call for Kesler and asked Gillis what it would take. The response " a pick and Maatta". That ended that. Maybe that was Gillis' way of saying he isn't going anywhere just yet and knew Shero wouldn't bite at that.

If Vancouver wants to deal him, it will at the draft when more teams will be involved and a bidding war can escalate. Pittsburgh was the only team willing to give a forward in the NHL right now as part of a package. Vancouver didn't want Sutter.

People need to face facts here. While we have some assets, we don't have enough to get someone like Kesler away from Vancouver. We don't have ANY forward prospects that project as top six forwards. That is one of our problems with the system.

So ... Calgary 5, Anaheim 0 with 17:12 left in the second. Anyone see a problem with this?
- Oneonta Penguin

It's a real head scratcher.

It's a real head scratcher.
- powerhouse

The Stempy effect in Cow Town? Lee couldn't buy a goal there this year

No one disputes what you are saying. He has the size and raw talent to be a force as a defensive player. It's hard to become a professional anything until someone believes in you and you get the chance to prove yourself. BTW, Letang cuts in front of the net regularly.
- powerhouse

The problem is that the players mentioned have either been playing better than him, or have career merit that far exceed's Despres potential.

If he was on a younger team, say the Oiler's he wouldn't be fighting to get into the lineup. But he is one a team where 5 spots are filled by guys who would be on any NHL team and he has to fight for his time with two other players who are bringing aspects that Despres doesn't.

I know lots of NHL defensemen who regularly cut in front of the net. But they don't do it when they are pressured by two forecheckers.

The problem is that the players mentioned have either been playing better than him, or have career merit that far exceed's Despres potential.

If he was on a younger team, say the Oiler's he wouldn't be fighting to get into the lineup. But he is one a team where 5 spots are filled by guys who would be on any NHL team and he has to fight for his time with two other players who are bringing aspects that Despres doesn't.

I know lots of NHL defensemen who regularly cut in front of the net. But they don't do it when they are pressured by two forecheckers.
- Ben37

I have had employees that had talent and I would hang in there with them. Injuries off and on have created opportunities. I saw him and still see him as a piece of the missing puzzle with his size and skill. I would see him as someone to have patience with realizing the need for a player just like him. The choice of him is my opinion on who I see potential in for playoffs against punishing players. A future Murray but a MUCH better skater.

I'm not the coach so I just get to complain. And BTW, Letang make more mistakes than anyone on the team and never sits, just sayin.'

The problem is that the players mentioned have either been playing better than him, or have career merit that far exceed's Despres potential. If he was on a younger team, say the Oiler's he wouldn't be fighting to get into the lineup. But he is one a team where 5 spots are filled by guys who would be on any NHL team and he has to fight for his time with two other players who are bringing aspects that Despres doesn't.

I know lots of NHL defensemen who regularly cut in front of the net. But they don't do it when they are pressured by two forecheckers.
- Ben37

There's only one way to change that. Give him the minutes and let him go. At this point there's no choice. He hasn't been bad.

Orpik and/or Niskanen are possibly gone next year. We don't have Letang for likely the rest of the year. Martin is gone another few weeks. The more time he gets during this stretch and the playoffs the better off he and the team will be.

Chances are that if he continues on the way he has that he could earn himself a permanent spot. One play like that isn't enough to make me send him to the press box. Especially with Letang and Martin out.

It will be interesting to see if Bylsma puts Engelland in this weekend over Despres.

I get the idea of dressing him against the Flyers, but put him on wing and leave Despres in there.

It will be interesting to see if Bylsma puts Engelland in this weekend over Despres.

I get the idea of dressing him against the Flyers, but put him on wing and leave Despres in there.
- rival22

Are the Flyers a big rough and tough team? I don't view them as that. I know things will get chippy because of who's involved in the game. I'd like to have Engelland as 4th line wing as well I just can't see who's spot he would take. They aren't sitting Adams we know that. Vitale would be the likely guy with Glass moving up to the 3rd line. All I know is I'd play Despres every game until Martin is back. He's a guy your going to need on that blue line next year. Especially if you're looking to add some forward depth this offseason.

A nice interview with Geno about the olympics and his relationship with OV. He seems really down about the olympics. I wonder if all the Russians are feeling this way? http://sports.yahoo.com/b...x-ovechkin-193827235.html

A nice interview with Geno about the olympics and his relationship with OV. He seems really down about the olympics. I wonder if all the Russians are feeling this way? http://sports.yahoo.com/b...x-ovechkin-193827235.html
- dbell646

Very interesting. The bit about his chemistry with Ovechkin was obvious to everyone but their coach I'd say. His answer about desire for the game is telling too. Hopefully he can get over the disappointment. Can't be easy.