Age, injuries, playing with Crosby are factors. And my whole argument on Dupuis was that he wasn't looking all that good before the injury when he was demoted off of that line.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

and after he left kunitz and crosby went downhill. find an affordable replacement that is better then I'll listen, but no option is better without giving up precious resources. he is the best option to start with the top line at this time

I would definitely judge him if he were Selannne.
- Topshelf Mountain

alfredson?

And when Dupuis is on the first line, that means Kapenen is out of the picture and you have weakened the bottom 6 significantly. Again, I just think it would be better to strategize for top 6 help. I'm not against the wait and see approach.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

if kapanan blows competition out of the water and makes the coach demote dupius by his play then thats a great thing for the oranization. doubtful. and still think BB should be the one on the third line if kaperi shines

and after he left kunitz and crosby went downhill. find an affordable replacement that is better then I'll listen, but no option is better without giving up precious resources. he is the best option to start with the top line at this time
- ChrisMS

Yes, they were playing with Brian Gibbons.

I like that there are some legitimate call up options in WBS this year. Both offense and defense. Defense is obvious. But I think there are plenty of forwards that could be a nice injury replacement in the bottom 6. Don't see anyone in the top 6 besides Kapenen though. Zlobin is probably the next closest.

I actually kind of wish they would televise AHL games from time to time. I would watch it. But I'm a looney bird.

Yes, they were playing with Brian Gibbons.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

gibbons

stemp never really showed the quality play either. duper was more than good enough and unless the pens give up some valuable assets, which they dont have many of, he is the man to start the season with.

Post the 09' roster and you will notice Dupes is on the 4th line. Yet everyone wants him on the 1st with Crosby and expect that line to be awesome in the playoffs.....Never happened.
- sammy87

I already posted that because there was NO top 6 winger (that you are looking for) with Malkin OR Crosby.

Hossa was on the loser that year.

Talbot scored two goals in game 7 against the Red Wings.

A 3rd/4th line guy plugged in with Geno.

Wanting him on the 1st line...no..not really.

Saying we don't need to find a guy for that spot (Dupuis' before his injury) right now...PRETTY MUCH MY POINT SINCE DAY 1.

Oh and among all the Dupuis talk today, I just want to say that I love the guy. Locker room stuff is way overblown, imo, but any void left by Nisky and Orpik...there aren't many leaders better than Dupuis. Guy has worked his tail off and had a much better career than anyone could have imagined.

If I had to try to predict how he comes back. I would bet that he continues to defy age and probability. I really hope he makes a strong comeback BUT his regression last season BEFORE the injury makes me think he is best suited as one hell of a third liner.

Post the 09' roster and you will notice Dupes is on the 4th line. Yet everyone wants him on the 1st with Crosby and expect that line to be awesome in the playoffs.....Never happened.
- sammy87

He's improved since 2009. And that line had plenty of success in the 2013 playoffs.

Interesting stat, playoff even strength goals:

Duper, 2013: 7
Bobby Ryan, entire career: 8

Ian Altenbaugh ‏@IanAltenbaugh 6m
Kapanen is substantially better than most of the other prospects here. Puck seems to follow his stick. Skating, anticipating, hands all good.

Well, there's Sid's winger...haha

Based on people who are covering the developmental camp, Kapanen is showing how good he is. Ian Altenbaugh, who writes for hockeysfuture.com, says he is substantially better than most of the other prospects

He's improved since 2009. And that line had plenty of success in the 2013 playoffs.

Interesting stat, playoff even strength goals:

Duper, 2013: 7
Bobby Ryan, entire career: 8
- hardnosed

Max Talbot...2 goals in game 7...3rd/4th liner playing up with Malkin. Check his ice time in games 6 and 7...22 minutes. Those are top line minutes. 2 minutes short handed in each game...19 minutes ES.

What more do we really have to say about this?

A guy like Dupuis CAN play that role and we CAN win with him (or someone like him if he has lost a step or doesn't show the same game) in that spot.

What more do we really have to say about this?

- icedog97

Great question. While we're trying to figure that out, what would it take to get Stamkos out of TB? How about Martin, Scuderi, Kapanen, Pouliot, Fleury, Farnham, Steigy and a pick?!? /sarcasm

Anyone know what TIOPS is saying about Letang?



Just curious.

Based on people who are covering the developmental camp, Kapanen is showing how good he is. Ian Altenbaugh, who writes for hockeysfuture.com, says he is substantially better than most of the other prospects
- cap1681

Also heard Sheary=gibbons 2.0

This team, currently constructed, is a major contender. There's zero rebuilding about it.

Also heard Sheary=gibbons 2.0
- drummer829

I went to 3-4 WBS playoff games and I was very impressed with Zlobin and Sheary....

For a guy who made the jump from college hockey directly to the AHL playoffs on an amateur tryout, he really amazed me..... I loved Gibbons but I think calling Sheary Gibbons 2.0 is under estimating his potential offensive upside from the 20 games he played under playoff conditions.

I went to 3-4 WBS playoff games and I was very impressed with Zlobin and Sheary....

For a guy who made the jump from college hockey directly to the AHL playoffs on an amateur tryout, he really amazed me..... I loved Gibbons but I think calling Sheary Gibbons 2.0 is under estimating his potential offensive upside from the 20 games he played under playoff conditions.
- Yonk1216

His size (or lack there of) will be his hindrance.

Anyone know what TIOPS is saying about Letang?



Just curious.
- LeaderofthePAEK

Saying that the rumors about Letang and Habs is bunk.

Great question. While we're trying to figure that out, what would it take to get Stamkos out of TB? How about Martin, Scuderi, Kapanen, Pouliot, Fleury, Farnham, Steigy and a pick?!? /sarcasm
- hardnosed

Don't really see why I have to be mocked for hoping that Rutherford has a back up plan in the scenario that Duper's injury has taken a toll on him, as I feel as I have been civil for the majority of the debate.

Regardless, glad to hear that about Kapanen. If he really wows and proves to be a viable in house insurance policy a lot of my stress will be relieved. Hopefully he ends up being a steal. Still upset we didn't get Ho-Sang though, and more upset he went to the Dirty Ders.

His size (or lack there of) will be his hindrance.
- cap1681

Very possible but he's 5'9".... still taller than Mats Zucarello, Marty St Louis.... as tall as Mike Cammalleri and an inch shorter than Patrick Kane.

I'm in now way making comparisons to any of those players but you can catch lightning in a very small bottle and if they guy has a nose for the net, he could be a 20 goal guy in the NHL in a few years.

I'd rather take my chances with him than with another 6'+ cast off like Taylor Pyatt this coming season.

Saying that the rumors about Letang and Habs is bunk.
- madmike71

Verified yesterday when Ek threw another hail mary.

I went to 3-4 WBS playoff games and I was very impressed with Zlobin and Sheary....

For a guy who made the jump from college hockey directly to the AHL playoffs on an amateur tryout, he really amazed me..... I loved Gibbons but I think calling Sheary Gibbons 2.0 is under estimating his potential offensive upside from the 20 games he played under playoff conditions.
- Yonk1216

Sheary is very much Gibbons 2.0

Max Talbot...2 goals in game 7...3rd/4th liner playing up with Malkin. Check his ice time in games 6 and 7...22 minutes. Those are top line minutes. 2 minutes short handed in each game...19 minutes ES.

What more do we really have to say about this?

A guy like Dupuis CAN play that role and we CAN win with him (or someone like him if he has lost a step or doesn't show the same game) in that spot.
- icedog97

Talbot played up due to Sykoras injury. Which is fine, he stepped up when needed, but he is by no means a top 6 talent.

Same goes for Dupes. Should be on the 3rd but is fully capable of playing top 6 when need for a short time.

Don't really see why I have to be mocked for hoping that Rutherford has a back up plan in the scenario that Duper's injury has taken a toll on him, as I feel as I have been civil for the majority of the debate.

- Victoro311

I wasn't mocking you at all...it's not like you're the only poster on this board (and among other teams) that puts forth outlandish trade scenarios.

My comment had much more to do with the fact that this topic has been hashed out to death. First it was Kulemin. Then he re-signed and it was Kane for a while. Now all of the sudden it's Ryan.

I get that folks like to think that constructing a team is easy, and that trades are easy to make. In reality, trades aren't all that common, and as has been stated multiple times, the Penguins aren't sitting on a bunch of tradeable assets or cap space to make these kinds of moves.