Rierden can only work with them if they stay up here and play and Bylsma never wanted them up here.

As for the Goligoski part, he was his coach for half a season before Bylsma joined the big club.
- usethe1-2-2

Byslma coached the defense as an assistant at WBS the first year AG was in WBS.

So, Bylsma is Gogo's position coach for a year, then his head coach both at WBS and the NHL during Gogo's second professional season, then for the entirety of the next year, and the first 60 games of the next before Gogo got traded. But Byslma had no hand in developing him?

So basically, the Penguins have employed young defensemen like Maatta, Niskanen, Letang, Goligoski, etc. over Bylsma's tenure, but for whatever reason he's not allowed to get credit for developing them because reasons.

If he builds off his WBS playoff performance and comes into camp in shape and ready to work, they've handled it perfectly.

If not, then the only mishandling that occurred would be drafting him despite the rumors in the first place, or not trading him early on at the first signs of laziness or being a malcontent.
- hardnosed

That was another thing that was wrongly reported. Despres did not come into camp out of shape last season like Rossi reported, he was sick and was given time off early on to get healthier.

I understand he isn't the perfect prospect, but he is a guy you work with and groom. Let him make his mistakes but let him learn from them and you don't learn from the press box every other game.

using Rossi as a source for an argument

That was another thing that was wrongly reported. Despres did not come into camp out of shape last season like Rossi reported, he was sick and was given time off early on to get healthier.

I understand he isn't the perfect prospect, but he is a guy you work with and groom. Let him make his mistakes but let him learn from them and you don't learn from the press box every other game.
- usethe1-2-2

See, and I agree with that theoretically, and if it were other prospects sitting in favor of Engelland I'd have had a problem with it. I'm typically in favor of talented youth over middling veterans.

But it just makes more sense to me that all the rumors about Despres (that had him slide on draft day) are true than to believe that Byslma simply didn't like him, or favored him for a "pet."

And their treatment of him has fit with the idea that he needs to learn how to work harder and be a pro, that's why Hynes mentioned maturity.

So basically, the Penguins have employed young defensemen like Maatta, Niskanen, Letang, Goligoski, etc. over Bylsma's tenure, but for whatever reason he's not allowed to get credit for developing them because reasons.
- hardnosed

Maatta is the exception with his maturity being so high the coaches didn't have a choice but to play him.
Goligoski really only played two seasons here, one other half season, and never really evolved as a player. He was traded before the Pens ever worked with him on evolving his game.
Niskanen was a pet project that was on his way out of the organization before an injury occurred and he had a career year to make the staff look good.

Kulimen got over 16 mill Grabovski over 20, both 4 year term from Isles

Islanders are good again.

using Rossi as a source for an argument
- Thorny

The Penguins have had no problem correcting Rossi's reports in the past. They did not object to him printing that Despres had bad off-ice work habits and sulked last year.

And cranial flatulence or not, Rossi has more access to the team than you or I.

Per lebrun "Isles sign Kulemin 4 yrs/$16.75 M and Grabovski 4 yrs / $20 M"

Islanders are good again.
- Ryan_Wilson

As long as Halak can hold it together between the pipes yes they are.

Per lebrun "Isles sign Kulemin 4 yrs/$16.75 M and Grabovski 4 yrs / $20 M"
- usethe1-2-2

Grabo might be worth that much, Kulemin certainly isn't.

Time for more Pens nerd rage since JR didn't get Kulemin

Grabo might be worth that much, Kulemin certainly isn't.
- hardnosed

Neither are worth that much, but the Isles needed talent and they have to overpay for it. Either way, the isles put themselves in contention for the last wild card spot in the Metro

Time for more Pens nerd rage since JR didn't get Kulemin
- Reverend Killtaker

Would have liked him, but not for 4M. Good on GMJR for not overpaying.

Panic

Panic
- dbell646

Why?

The Penguins have had no problem correcting Rossi's reports in the past. They did not object to him printing that Despres had bad off-ice work habits and sulked last year.

And cranial flatulence or not, Rossi has more access to the team than you or I.
- hardnosed

Just because he has more access, doesn't mean he is correct. You tell anyone that Rossi is your source and you will get laughed at.

Islanders are good again.
- Ryan_Wilson

The Isles were pretty good two years ago. Was last year an anomaly? I think so.

Per lebrun "Isles sign Kulemin 4 yrs/$16.75 M and Grabovski 4 yrs / $20 M"
- usethe1-2-2

Huge overpayment, IMO. Glad we didn't get them. Next!

So, at this point who is playing on Geno's wing? Downie?

So, at this point who is playing on Geno's wing? Downie?
- Francois Leroux

Right now

Kunitz-Crosby-Dupuis
Bennett-Malkin-Hornqvist

Right now

Kunitz-Crosby-Dupuis
Bennett-Malkin-Hornqvist
- cap1681

A long way to go until the puck drops, but I don't think that's a cup winning top six IMO.

I'm really pissed we lost the chance to get Kulemin AND Grabovski.

What now? The only way I see us getting a good Top 6 is through trades.

Winnipeg....I'm looking at Wheeler, Kane and Ladd.

A long way to go until the puck drops, but I don't think that's a cup winning top six IMO.
- madmike71

I concur.

As much as I used to love Kuny he looks like he lost a step and who know's how Duper is going to be after surgery.

I'm really pissed we lost the chance to get Kulemin AND Grabovski.

What now? The only way I see us getting a good Top 6 is through trades.

Winnipeg....I'm looking at Wheeler, Kane and Ladd.
- Orpik44

I would take any of the three.

I know Kane could be a punk but I really like his grit. His skill is also nice as well though!