The Pens would actually get some cap relief in the Kane trade discussed. Trading Martin (5M) and Sutter (3+M) for Kane (5.25M) would leave enough money for Kulemin.
- cap1681

That is true. But then you get into the question of player development. The reason why Beau is still a question mark is not just due to injuries. We keep getting guys like Morrow and Stempniak to take his spot on the roster when maybe BB is the better option in the first place. At some point, player development will suffer and any potential he had will wither away.

Would just rather see what 19's got for just one season than sign a fringe top 6 guy like Kulemin.

The plan right now is to fill that gaping hole with Kulemin, a move that can only be made possible cap wise with a move or having one of our RFA (Sutter) agree to a deal that he probably won't find favorable. That's fine. Not my ideal but fine.
- Victoro311

I don't think Kulemin is in the FO's plans. I think it's 95% fan and media matchmaking. I'm sure JR kicked the tires, but he should be doing that with any and all options.

For those in favor of Kulemin, his one season of top 6 level productivity (2010 when he scored 30) included a 17.3% shooting percentage. Totally anomalous year given his 11% career shooting percentage. Kulemin is neither the kind of puck carrier or the kind of sniper needed to compliment Malkin and presumably Hornqvist on that line.

Brandon Sutter proved to be more than an average third line player once he was given some competent wingers. Ryan Kesler would have struggled with Pyatt and Glass, or Megna on his wing. I guess he would be average too. Disagree with the average comment. He isn't great, but he isn't average with right material with him. If Sutter is average, I guess our third and fourth line players suck.
- Oneonta Penguin

You know what helped his game even more than his wingers, was the fact that he actually looked like he gave a crap; which he doesn't. He only played well in the playoffs because of his contract year. The guy is a cancer, he had Cooke and Kennedy and looked disinterested; the guy has no heart. I can not freaking wait until he destroys some other team.

I agree 100%. I have no clue what Kane's character is like, to me that's a non factor. But I do know that he is a top F talent in the league buried in the Peg. Bringing him to Pitt would be nice and all, but when you have Kane, 87, 71 that's a lot of chiefs and type A's which usually doesn't work well. See the AV's team that had Sakic, Forsberg, Kariya, Teemu.

If 87 can make Dupes a top wing, Kane is not necessary. I think there are better/cheaper options out there we are not considering.
- sammy87

Also see Chicago the last 5 years. They've won two cups

Once again, Paul Martin is not going to approve a trade to Winnipeg.

A Martin trade for Patrick Kane is imminently more plausible than a Martin trade for Evander Kane.

Once again, Paul Martin is not going to approve a trade to Winnipeg.

A Martin trade for Patrick Kane is imminently more plausible than a Martin trade for Evander Kane.
- hardnosed

But he's taking his buddy Suttsy with him!

Pretty ignorant of you to continue to say black athletes with an exuberant personality must have character issues too. I think Kane has a problem and it has been reported by various people too. I guess they are lying? Got it.
- Oneonta Penguin

I've never said that. Don't put words in my mouth. I've actually argued the opposite, Evander Kane being the most recent and frequent example.

That is true. But then you get into the question of player development. The reason why Beau is still a question mark is not just due to injuries. We keep getting guys like Morrow and Stempniak to take his spot on the roster when maybe BB is the better option in the first place. At some point, player development will suffer and any potential he had will wither away.

Would just rather see what 19's got for just one season than sign a fringe top 6 guy like Kulemin.
- Victoro311

BB needs to prove he can stay healthy and place some consistant hockey. Better to have him slotted in on the third if he is gonna get hurt than the top 6. Easier to replace a bottom 6 than a top 6.

Also see Chicago the last 5 years. They've won two cups
- cap1681

Yeah and we will see what happens with Kane's deal. My guess is Kane bails for UFA and cash's in. Toews will be a hawk for life.

The only reason I don't think that would happen, is a team would be taking Martin, with 1 year left, and 2 RFAs... seems like risky deal for them to take. I assume they'd want a different prospect as a kicker, or a 2nd or 3rd round pick (in how I value Kane).
- Guile

Why would Wpg acquire Martin and/or Sutter and give up an asset in Kane who they have locked up long-term?

This makes no sense.

Once again, Paul Martin is not going to approve a trade to Winnipeg.

A Martin trade for Patrick Kane is imminently more plausible than a Martin trade for Evander Kane.
- hardnosed

He has a limited NTC, which we don't know the details to.

Once again, Paul Martin is not going to approve a trade to Winnipeg.

A Martin trade for Patrick Kane is imminently more plausible than a Martin trade for Evander Kane.
- hardnosed

This

I've never said that. Don't put words in my mouth. I've actually argued the opposite, Evander Kane being the most recent and frequent example.
- Ryan_Wilson

So I have an HTML parser blocking certain idiots on this site so I don't have to view their BS. I had to turn it off to see who this comment was directed towards.

No surprise....

To Ek and webmaster...please get the ability to block posts from certain members.

So when is day 2 going to kick off? Barely anything so far... and its past noon now.

Why would Wpg acquire Martin and/or Sutter and give up an asset in Kane who they have locked up long-term?

This makes no sense.
- 87_71_11_29

No one in their right mind thinks that just Martin and Sutter would bring back Kane. But if you add a defensive prospect (which we have plenty of), and a draft pick, it gets more intriguing.

He has a limited NTC, which we don't know the details to.
- cap1681

Even if it's a weak one (unlikely), like 8 teams he can't be traded to, Winnipeg is extremely likely to be on that list.

He has a limited NTC, which we don't know the details to.
- cap1681

Sutter, nor Martin is going anywhere. Martin could possibly be dealt at the deadline, but definitely not now. We need him with Maatta and Pouliot not available until at least Christmas. The d pairings will look like this until Maatta returns:

martin/letang
Scuderi/ehrhoff
Depres/bortuzzo

No one in their right mind thinks that just Martin and Sutter would bring back Kane. But if you add a defensive prospect (which we have plenty of), and a draft pick, it gets more intriguing.
- cap1681

I still dont thing Wpg pulls the trigger on that. Only way would be if they negotiated deals with Sutter and Martin prior to the trade and that aint happening.

Think about it. They move their best player, approaching his prime, locked up long term, for 2 FA's to be and a prospect?

Why would Wpg acquire Martin and/or Sutter and give up an asset in Kane who they have locked up long-term?

This makes no sense.
- 87_71_11_29

I acknowledge its a pipe dream, but its been my pipe dream for about 3 years now. Its hard to let it go

Even if it's a weak one (unlikely), like 8 teams he can't be traded to, Winnipeg is extremely likely to be on that list.
- hardnosed

Good thing the NHL put a team there! Every player that has a limited NTC has peg on that list.

I've never said that. Don't put words in my mouth. I've actually argued the opposite, Evander Kane being the most recent and frequent example.
- Ryan_Wilson

I think he was having trouble reading his sarcasm detector

Sutter, nor Martin is going anywhere. Martin could possibly be dealt at the deadline, but definitely not now. We need him with Maatta and Pouliot not available until at least Christmas. The d pairings will look like this until Maatta returns:

martin/letang
Scuderi/ehrhoff
Depres/bortuzzo
- joescullz

This is what I've been thinking as well.

I wouldn't be surprised to have this be their roster moving forward and then change as needed.

Good post.

I acknowledge its a pipe dream, but its been my pipe dream for about 3 years now. Its hard to let it go
- Victoro311

Walk away dude. Just walk away...

This is what I've been thinking as well.

I wouldn't be surprised to have this be their roster moving forward and then change as needed.

Good post.
- 87_71_11_29

they'll still sign at least one more forward... my hope is Gibbons...

they'll still sign at least one more forward... my hope is Gibbons...
- ChrisMS

Understood. I think it will be Gibbons or some other player of similar, low-cost ilk. Not Kulemin.

I think they have an offer into Kulemin now that is lower than expected, say $3 mill. I think he's thinking that over as he was expecting more closer to 3.5 or even 4.

If he accepts, they then move onto moving out another salary.