I'm all for Michalek but not for Hemsky. For that money the Pens have a better shot at Matt Moulson. Moulson is a proven goal scorer. Hemsky isn't. Moulson had 4 consecutive 30+ goal seasons on Long Island. Hemsky has yet to crack that mark and they are both 30 years old. If the Pens sign Moulson, Michalek, and Kulemin the lines would be:

Moulson Crosby Hornqvist
Kulemin Malkin Michalek
Kunitz Sutter Dupuis (HUGE UPGRADE TO THIS LINE)
Megna Spaling Bennett

I'd also trade Scuderi now and then Martin at the deadline. Martin is opting to be a free agent next off season. Trade him at the deadline for something. As for Scuderi, fine any way to dump that deal and truly go for youth on the backend. The Pens should be fine.

Matin Letang
Dumoulin Despres
Harrington Bortuzzo
Maatta Pouliot (until they heal)
Samuelsson

This roster would look a heck of a lot better this way.
- scorpioking3

Yeah, the salary cap is a real thing though. So keep dreaming.

Mediocre defensemen get traded for hauls every deadline. Somebody will pony up.
- Ryan_Wilson

Yes. If we can acquire Ehrhoff, we could easily return a top 6 forward (of any age) or at minimum a top prospect for Martin, IMO. Shero showed exactly how valuable good defenseman can be. The return we get for Martin is icing on the cake as anything is better than letting him walk for nothing. But I still believe he could net us something pretty useful.

All Bouwmeester got was a first round pick and two mediocre prospects. And that was with more than a year left on his deal. Martin's max value is probably a second rounder and a b-level prospect. Less if he won't waive his NTC for certain teams, and even less if it's this summer and Pittsburgh HAS to trade him for cap reasons.

Do you have any examples of mediocre defensemen you think teams got hauls for, that are in a comparable situation to Martin contract & age wise?
- Antilles

But Martin is not mediocre...

Yes. If we can acquire Ehrhoff, we could easily return a top 6 forward (of any age) or at minimum a top prospect for Martin, IMO. Shero showed exactly how valuable good defenseman can be. The return we get for Martin is icing on the cake as anything is better than letting him walk for nothing. But I still believe he could net us something pretty useful.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Martin for Okposo!

14-87-Okposo
BB-71-PH
9-Sutter-Spalling
Vitale-Goc-Adams

I'm all for Michalek but not for Hemsky. For that money the Pens have a better shot at Matt Moulson. Moulson is a proven goal scorer. Hemsky isn't. Moulson had 4 consecutive 30+ goal seasons on Long Island. Hemsky has yet to crack that mark and they are both 30 years old. If the Pens sign Moulson, Michalek, and Kulemin the lines would be:

Moulson Crosby Hornqvist
Kulemin Malkin Michalek
Kunitz Sutter Dupuis (HUGE UPGRADE TO THIS LINE)
Megna Spaling Bennett

I'd also trade Scuderi now and then Martin at the deadline. Martin is opting to be a free agent next off season. Trade him at the deadline for something. As for Scuderi, fine any way to dump that deal and truly go for youth on the backend. The Pens should be fine.

Matin Letang
Dumoulin Despres
Harrington Bortuzzo
Maatta Pouliot (until they heal)
Samuelsson

This roster would look a heck of a lot better this way.
- scorpioking3

Haha...I mean yes this team would be quite good, just not realistic with the cap. That third line is makes me drool though. Bennett on the 4th? Martin at the deadline simply doesn't work. We need to shed his salary now and replace him with a cheaper option OR a younger/longer term option at the same price. If Martin is on our team at the deadline, we will need him for the playoffs.

If only we had one (ONE!!) more top 9 forward who's on his ELC, we could make something like this work...instead we have to overpay in the FA market...

Martin for Okposo!

14-87-Okposo
BB-71-PH
9-Sutter-Spalling
Vitale-Goc-Adams
- sammy87

If Martin had 5 yrs left on his deal, NYI might consider it haha. Thats a pipe dream. Even if it was Martin+ I dont think there's a deal to be made there. But I would sure be happy about it.

Maybe someone more like Cogliano? Established, solid roster player...

EDIT: then Sutter can go bye-bye

He couldn't make it in Buffalo!?!
- Topshelf Mountain

Nobody could make it in Buffalo. I'm not interested in a reclamation project of another midget, but it's hard to judge him based on production with that team.

But Martin is not mediocre...
- YouMeAndDupuis9

So? He said mediocre defensemen get a haul, I asked for examples.

People need to get out of their heads that Martin will get a big return. Most likely a pick and a mid level prospect. If Martin was 27 instead of 33, the return would be higher.

So? He said mediocre defensemen get a haul, I asked for examples.
- Antilles

Sorry just sounded like you were relating that to Martin. Just thinking recent Pen's trades...Doug Murray got 2 second rounders. Goligoski got Neal and Niskanen. Ryan Whitney got Kunitz and Tangradi.

People need to get out of their heads that Martin will get a big return. Most likely a pick and a mid level prospect. If Martin was 27 instead of 33, the return would be higher.
- cap1681

This.

Martin's value to other teams is not equal to what it is for the Pens.

Thoughts on TJ Galardi as a low - cost 3rd/4th line option? Could be worth a look.

Thoughts on TJ Galardi as a low - cost 3rd/4th line option? Could be worth a look.
- s0rcerer1984

He's not a bad choice, not sure he brings much more than a guy like Megna though. There are some other options out there even cheaper.

Like the bottom 6 options. Santorelli scares me a little because he hasn't played a full season in 4 years. If he can remain healthy, he would be a great addition
- cap1681

Santorelli was great in Vancouver.... but like you said health was a factor. I was a half season ticket holder for the Canucks... and he was very good at making offensive plays for the Nucks. I hope the Pens pick him up.

Yeah, the salary cap is a real thing though. So keep dreaming.
- Rawrski8771

I lawled... but who doesn't love turning off the salary cap in NHL 14 franchise mode


To be on topic... Kulemin, Moss, and Vrbata seem like the best to get that would be realistically obtainable without too much cap fidgeting or trade luck.
Would love the pricier Hemsky or Michalek, but I don't see JR landing them.

dont know if it has been talked about but would anyone consider Josh Gorges from MTL via trade? dont know if we are on his list and i havent seen him lately but he is signed to a reasonable amount. trade for him and then trade martin?

dont know if it has been talked about but would anyone consider Josh Gorges from MTL via trade? dont know if we are on his list and i havent seen him lately but he is signed to a reasonable amount. trade for him and then trade martin?
- SuperHenderson13

I wouldn't want him just because he's annoying to listen to, he may be good in the locker room, I think he sounds so fake in his so called leadership.

Lets give our young guys a chance.

dont know if it has been talked about but would anyone consider Josh Gorges from MTL via trade? dont know if we are on his list and i havent seen him lately but he is signed to a reasonable amount. trade for him and then trade martin?
- SuperHenderson13

He is a player who is propped up by Subban

Douglas Murray for two 2nd round picks?
- Orpik44

One of the worst deals Shero ever made. Sounds corny to say, but Murray was basically a healthy scratch in SJ and wasn't going to be resigned. This was the deal that just kept giving. A second rounder in this draft would have been nice to have.

I liked wat I seen from d.Moore when he played against us. Seemed like he played a solid game and showed grit. 1 mil for a 2 way center? How old is he?

Wow no goalies??


Hemsky kuli moss

Hornqvist sid hemsky
Kuni geno kuli
Bennet sutter dupes
Megna spaling moss
Adams
- nh4442

So, we are sitting at 14 signed, not including Despres and sutter numbers and need nine players to sign with 14.6 million to play with. There is little chance you can fit those three you mentioned in there. If you did, Hemsky would probably command north of 4 million; Kulemin at 3.5; Moss at 750K ... that is 8.25 and that doesn't include probably 1.25 for Despres and 3.5 for Sutter. That brings you to 13 million ... 1.6 million to play with for the final three spots?

To me, Kulemin is a third line guy, NOT someone you put with Geno. His skill set is that of a third liner. His 30-goal season was a fluke instead of the norm.

Hemsky will be too expensive and has warts. Sure, he looks flashy and appealing when watching him due to talent, but he is one of the biggest enigmas in the league today. Risky choice.

For the people that want to trade Paul Martin to the Wild for Granlund ... that isn't realistic at all. No chance that happens. You might be able to pry someone like a Justin Fontaine out of them and a second round pick. If you want Granlund ... add Bennett and a high pick to Martin and you might have a chance.

This.

Martin's value to other teams is not equal to what it is for the Pens.
- Incredible Malk

Have said that about Martin, Kunitz, Dupes.

I liked wat I seen from d.Moore when he played against us. Seemed like he played a solid game and showed grit. 1 mil for a 2 way center? How old is he?
- nateca44

I cant confirm but I dont think he and Sid got along during his stint here.

I cant confirm but I dont think he and Sid got along during his stint here.
- Incredible Malk

wow!! Makes sense I guess. I figured he would be a cheap 4th line center

Kulemin and Pouliot are two definite targets. Both would be nice gets.

http://triblive.com/sport...ree-kulemin#axzz35uOBsZEU