Niskanen will not be missed at all on the PP. Ehrhoff and his cannon from the point will quickly make you forget about Nisky. The PP will be better this year with Ehrhoff at the point.
- cap1681

Ehrhoff is such a great signing it isn't even funny. People forgot how good he can be when he disappeared into the abyss in Buffalo.

Ehrhoff is such a great signing it isn't even funny. People forgot how good he can be when he disappeared into the abyss in Buffalo.
- Ryan_Wilson

It's going to bring back memories of the PP when Gonchar was the QB of it. Can't wait to see Ehrhoff teeing off passes right in his wheelhouse from Crosby.

i really hope we dont trade letang. we would be selling low with the whole stroke thing. but forget about the stroke. the dude is a beast. he looked fantastic in the playoffs save for the first game or two. if we move him and martin then we really only have scuderi as a our leader for our young guys. and all of us feel the same about scuderi, let him go please.

i really dont think there is any merit to the idea of trading letang, i agree with who ever said that it was prob leaked by montreal to put some heat on suban. and when i say leaked by montreal, they asked about him, we said no, the put it out there so that pk would hear.
- pensfan024

I give you he looked fantastic in one game versus Columbus, the game where he got the empty netter at the end to cement the victory. But, he didn't standout. He looked terrible in the previous play-off seasons, which people want to casually forget. They want to ship every player that has had terrible numbers out of town in the play-offs but give him a pass. He was bad in 2013 play-offs and horrid the previous season.

Is it selling low if JR somehow manages to get Patches from Montreal? I beg to differ. You have a fragile/injured plagued defenseman known for huge puck moving gaffes (have nothing to do with the system). Granted, he is talented and could benefit from a new system. That said, a new system doesn't make him less fragile. I'm not one who wants to see a 7.25M blueliner sitting in the pressbox 30 games per year due to various ailments/injuries.

It depends on what comes back. JR isn't moving both Martin and Letang. He can't afford to do that.

I give you he looked fantastic in one game versus Columbus, the game where he got the empty netter at the end to cement the victory. But, he didn't standout. He looked terrible in the previous play-off seasons, which people want to casually forget. They want to ship every player that has had terrible numbers out of town in the play-offs but give him a pass. He was bad in 2013 play-offs and horrid the previous season.

Is it selling low if JR somehow manages to get Patches from Montreal? I beg to differ. You have a fragile/injured plagued defenseman known for huge puck moving gaffes (have nothing to do with the system). Granted, he is talented and could benefit from a new system. That said, a new system doesn't make him less fragile. I'm not one who wants to see a 7.25M blueliner sitting in the pressbox 30 games per year due to various ailments/injuries.

It depends on what comes back. JR isn't moving both Martin and Letang. He can't afford to do that.
- Oneonta Penguin

I think Letang does way, way better this year with the puck support and gets back to 50-60 points even if he doesn't get much 1st unit powerplay time. His defensive game will be better if we also have more consistent back pressure. Between him, Martin, Ehrhoff, Maatta and Despres we have a lot of potency from the back. If Johnston comes through with his breakout "options" thing, this years team will be much more enjoyable to watch in the D-zone, and our mobility and skill will shine.

I give you he looked fantastic in one game versus Columbus, the game where he got the empty netter at the end to cement the victory. But, he didn't standout. He looked terrible in the previous play-off seasons, which people want to casually forget. They want to ship every player that has had terrible numbers out of town in the play-offs but give him a pass. He was bad in 2013 play-offs and horrid the previous season.

Is it selling low if JR somehow manages to get Patches from Montreal? I beg to differ. You have a fragile/injured plagued defenseman known for huge puck moving gaffes (have nothing to do with the system). Granted, he is talented and could benefit from a new system. That said, a new system doesn't make him less fragile. I'm not one who wants to see a 7.25M blueliner sitting in the pressbox 30 games per year due to various ailments/injuries.

It depends on what comes back. JR isn't moving both Martin and Letang. He can't afford to do that.
- Oneonta Penguin

I'm pretty sure We all got it by now. You hate Letang/french players.

Just saw Edler might get traded.

Ehrhoff > Edler , before I forget..

It's going to bring back memories of the PP when Gonchar was the QB of it. Can't wait to see Ehrhoff teeing off passes right in his wheelhouse from Crosby.
- cap1681

That is a great point.

Edit: Although I don't want Sid on the left side. That will always burn me up.

Ehrhoff is such a great signing it isn't even funny. People forgot how good he can be when he disappeared into the abyss in Buffalo.
- Ryan_Wilson

Erhoff is a top 10 defense man in the league in my opinion. His numbers while in Buffalo are so outrageous. This year is a steal, however I don't think his extension will be. 5 years at 5 million is low to me.

Erhoff is a top 10 defense man in the league in my opinion. His numbers while in Buffalo are so outrageous. This year is a steal, however I don't think his extension will be. 5 years at 5 million is low to me.
- GirouxForTheShow

Based on the numbers this year alone, I agree. If Brooks Orpik can get Duncan Keith $$$, no chance Ehrhoff gets less than that.

Kasperi Kapanen

skating 5/5
ice Q 4/5
Hands 4/5
Shot 3/5
Compete level 4/5

Projection: two way player.
comparable: Patrick Sharp

Sounds good!
- Orpik44

Yes it does. Unfortunately thats about what every draft picked was rated in the first round haha, so who knows. Strange his shot is rated so low. Jesse Marshall of Faceoff Factor said that was his greatest attribute.

Based on the numbers this year alone, I agree. If Brooks Orpik can get Duncan Keith $$$, no chance Ehrhoff gets less than that.
- Oneonta Penguin

Perhaps $$$ is not all tha Ehrhoff is thinking about now. He will receive a lot of cash from Buffalo for the next 5 years or so. I could see a discount If he likes Pittsburgh.

They want to ship every player that has had terrible numbers out of town in the play-offs but give him a pass. He was bad in 2013 play-offs and horrid the previous season.

- Oneonta Penguin

Selective memory. Letang had 16 points in 15 games in the 2013 playoffs, and was playing very well until he and the rest of the team collapsed against the Bruins.

Erhoff is a top 10 defense man in the league in my opinion. His numbers while in Buffalo are so outrageous. This year is a steal, however I don't think his extension will be. 5 years at 5 million is low to me.
- GirouxForTheShow

He could have taken that cash this offseason though, instead he signed a lowball one-year deal, so his priorities might be different.

And I believe the Sabres still owe him $12 mil?!?

Selective memory. Letang had 16 points in 15 games in the 2013 playoffs, and was playing very well until he and the rest of the team collapsed against the Bruins.
- hardnosed

UMMM ... once MAF was pulled in the Islander series, he almost single handed lost that series alone because of his carelessness with the puck. I suggest you pop in that tape and watch that series again. His gaffes were legendary. He wasn't good against Ottawa either. Your definition of playing very well is questionable. Defensively, he was garbage. He collapsed defensively in the first round.

UMMM ... once MAF was pulled in the Islander series, he almost single handed lost that series alone because of his carelessness with the puck. I suggest you pop in that tape and watch that series again. His gaffes were legendary.
- Oneonta Penguin

He had a legendary gaffe or two, and he wasn't alone. But in between he played well. He was on the ice for 6 goals against total (ES/PP/SH) in that series.

UMMM ... once MAF was pulled in the Islander series, he almost single handed lost that series alone because of his carelessness with the puck. I suggest you pop in that tape and watch that series again. His gaffes were legendary. He wasn't good against Ottawa either. Your definition of playing very well is questionable. Defensively, he was garbage. He collapsed defensively in the first round.
- Oneonta Penguin

Yeah but if we're crucifying players for gaffes, we have a large roster to go through.

He had a legendary gaffe or two, and he wasn't alone. But in between he played well. He was on the ice for 6 goals against total (ES/PP/SH) in that series.
- hardnosed

I'm a Big Letang fan so I might be biased. He's an awesome Talent that had a few tough games. He'll Rebound for those poor performances.

Letang is a Top 10-15 d-man when healthy.

Yeah but if we're crucifying players for gaffes, we have a large roster to go through.
- Ben37

Niskanen and Orpik were far worse throughout those playoffs. Didn't seem to affect the market for them much this offseason.

Niskanen and Orpik were far worse throughout those playoffs. Didn't seem to affect the market for them much this offseason.
- hardnosed

That's what most people forget in terms of Letang. They are so angry that he doesn't always reach his potential and has giveaways. Well at least that comes with offensive upside and occasional complete domination. The Scuderi's, Orpik's, etc of the world somehow get a free pass. Everytime one of those puck mufflers throw one "high off the glass" its nothing more than a turnover.

And no, I'm not pointing out you guys. Most of you are intelligent enough to see this. But the point is we shouldn't be so blind in regards to Letang. It's the classic storyline...Letang creates 3 scoring chances, and allows 2 scoring chances. Orpik creates 0 scoring chances, and allows 2 scoring chances. Who had the better positive impact on the game?

I'm a Big Letang fan so I might be biased. He's an awesome Talent that had a few tough games. He'll Rebound for those poor performances.

Letang is a Top 10-15 d-man when healthy.
- Orpik44

Letang has been the least of the Pens issues the past few years. I love how everyone wants to move Letang for a F but still think a bunch of 20 yr olds will hold down the fort in front of MAF. That and with PM likely out the door next year I think moving Letang is highly unlikely. Everyone acts like he was the only bad D man the past few yrs, but Orpik has been awful for atleast 2 yrs maybe 3, Scuds sucks, Nisk was horrible other than last season, and PM is a solid average D man, hes no Lidstom. Despress couldn't make the team over Scuds, he has a lot to prove and the rest of the prospects are just that.

Be curious to see if there is a dip in production and possession with letang out of the line up. I can't believe how people talk about him. When you log a ton of minutes you have a ton of opportunities to make mistakes. The only ones ever talked about are the few that end up in the net. Every player has costly gaffes at some point. He's a good player

UMMM ... once MAF was pulled in the Islander series, he almost single handed lost that series alone because of his carelessness with the puck. I suggest you pop in that tape and watch that series again. His gaffes were legendary. He wasn't good against Ottawa either. Your definition of playing very well is questionable. Defensively, he was garbage. He collapsed defensively in the first round.
- Oneonta Penguin

Why is this guy even in a beer league let alone the NHL?

That is a great point.

Edit: Although I don't want Sid on the left side. That will always burn me up.
- Ryan_Wilson

I think when you use the umbrella set up you need a right shot on the left side. Crosby is certainly talented enough to be the setup man on that side but I hope we find a better option.

I've always thought Letang's struggles had a lot to do with poor puck support. Of all the players on this team, Letang is the guy I'm most looking forward to watching under a new coach.

I've always thought Letang's struggles had a lot to do with poor puck support. Of all the players on this team, Letang is the guy I'm most looking forward to watching under a new coach.
- madmike71

I too am looking forward to seeing Letang this coming season. I just get tired of reading the same stuff over and over by this guy. I find it hard to believe that if Letang was half as bad as this guy wants you to believe that he would still be getting paid to play hockey.