Gotta think Despres would want a 1-way contract by now, no?
- YouMeAndDupuis9

If I'm Depres I'm taking a one year deal to prove myself under a different regime.

ping

pong?

What about spalling?
- dbell646

Spaling is pretty gritty, I like his style of play. The guy is not afraid of anything, he is the exact opposite of Sutturd. He is what I want out of a 3rd liner.

Do think the Pens have any interest Penner, Booth, or Del Zotto? Do you think there could be any interest at a decent contract for short term? Say a $1 million to $2 million contract for a year? Thoughts?

Yeah I think at the end of the day the reasons for the underwhelming reaction were

A) Hornqvist is not a dynamic goal scorer and played on a middling team with middling talent, thus his numbers didn't jump.

B) No one really knows who Nick Spalling is. You may have technically known who he is, but who can honestly say they watched the Preds enough to really know what he's going to bring to the table.

Once you think about it, though, you start to realize that Horny's playing style is going to be a phenomenal compliment to Geno, more so than Neal's was. Every maverick needs a trash man, and it's past time we got Malkin one.

When it comes to Spalling, I've gotten mixed reviews from Preds fans. Some say he's going to be a great third liner with some top 6 potential in a pinch. Others say that he's a bum. Remains to be seen I guess.

Bottom line, swapping out Neal for Horny was definitely the right move. The problem is that I can't bring myself to believe that Horny and Spaling was the best package that Neal's market value could bring back. Old Man Ruth must have really seen something in Spaling that allowed him to justify pulling the trigger on bringing Hornqvist over here.
- Victoro311

Spaling was used by Trotz as a third or fourth line grinder (which we had plenty of) primaraly as first or second unit penalty kill. Not really a hitter nor fighter. Will go into the corners and play in the crease like Hornqvist and get greasy deflected goals. No stupid penalties. Plays smart hockey. Not many points because of the lines he played on and a scoring challenged team. I think he is going to surprise you ...in a good way.

Spaling was used by Trotz as a third or fourth line grinder (which we had plenty of) primaraly as first or second unit penalty kill. Not really a hitter nor fighter. Will go into the corners and play in the crease like Hornqvist and get greasy deflected goals. No stupid penalties. Plays smart hockey. Not many points because of the lines he played on and a scoring challenged team. I think he is going to surprise you ...in a good way.
- wrister

This is true, but compared to Sutter he is Tie Domi. Also he will every once n a while lay someone out with a pretty nice hit. He has a lot more sand paper to his game than 90% of our bottom 6 had last year.

This is true, but compared to Sutter he is Tie Domi.
- nbartley9

Completely accurate. Sutter is very replaceable right now...if Spaling actually signs.

This is true, but compared to Sutter he is Tie Domi. Also he will every once n a while lay someone out with a pretty nice hit. He has a lot more sand paper to his game than 90% of our bottom 6 had last year.
- nbartley9

Your boy Madden is campaigning for Biz Nasty

This is true, but compared to Sutter he is Tie Domi. Also he will every once n a while lay someone out with a pretty nice hit. He has a lot more sand paper to his game than 90% of our bottom 6 had last year.
- nbartley9

Hits last year:

Spaling: 42
Sutter: 69

Career fights in the NHL:

Spaling: 0
Sutter: 4

Incidentally, Spaling is a Mennonite, which entails a commitment towards promoting peace.

Do think the Pens have any interest Penner, Booth, or Del Zotto? Do you think there could be any interest at a decent contract for short term? Say a $1 million to $2 million contract for a year? Thoughts?
- crebar

I've been thinking about some of these guys. No real interest in Del Zotto...just don't need more defenseman at this point. Penner and Booth both are a little intriguing at $1M. I think they could be decent additions but they are more "swing guys" on a team that already has a ton of those guys. I would look at Penner as a nice low risk option, although even $1M would be hard to fit under the cap right now.

I'd rather swing for the fence and trade for a guy like Marleau or a younger top 6 wing with less question marks.

Despres hasn't earned that type of money yet, it would be in his best interest to sign a one year deal and maybe in Pitts as well to see what he's got.
- nelson911

If engelland could get it, despres could double that

Hits last year:

Spaling: 42
Sutter: 69

Career fights in the NHL:

Spaling: 0
Sutter: 4

Incidentally, Spaling is a Mennonite, which entails a commitment towards promoting peace.
- hardnosed

Hits that the opponent actually felt last year:

Sutter: 0

*Fixed

If engelland could get it, despres could double that
- drummer829

That kind of logic is what had us overhyped for the Neal deal...

And am I the only one STILL thinking that the Engelland deal was a typo, or mistake when they sent the offer to him, and just could not take it back once he signed?

Hits that the opponent actually felt last year:

Sutter: 0

*Fixed
- YouMeAndDupuis9

You guys think that Sutter is being shopped, or is he merely just available for the right price?

That kind of logic is what had us overhyped for the Neal deal...

And am I the only one STILL thinking that the Engelland deal was a typo, or mistake when they sent the offer to him, and just could not take it back once he signed?
- Guile

Ha..no just a GM who values all the wrong things. They see Engelland and think, veteran leader, fighter/enforcer, position versatility and miss the fact that hes not that good.

You guys think that Sutter is being shopped, or is he merely just available for the right price?
- Jeropotato

I think his status RFA and his being perceived to have good value and our current top 6 wing depth makes some Pens fans wishful they can flip him for a young top 6 option.

You guys think that Sutter is being shopped, or is he merely just available for the right price?
- Jeropotato

Everyone is available for the right price.

With Sutter being a RFA the Penguins might be looking at trading him, if he is looking for to much of a payday.

Ha..no just a GM who values all the wrong things. They see Engelland and think, veteran leader, fighter/enforcer, position versatility and miss the fact that hes not that good.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

100% Bubba.

Your boy Madden is campaigning for Biz Nasty
- dbell646

So was I a month back, I would love to see him back on the 4th line.

So was I a month back, I would love to see him back on the 4th line.
- nbartley9

I know that's why I brought it up.

Hits last year:

Spaling: 42
Sutter: 69

Career fights in the NHL:

Spaling: 0
Sutter: 4

Incidentally, Spaling is a Mennonite, which entails a commitment towards promoting peace.
- hardnosed

Hmm that's pretty interesting.

Honestly what in the world are they counting as a hit, because literally I can not think of one time last year when I thought "wow Sutter actually hit someone" and trust me that; I would remember.

Hits last year:

Spaling: 42
Sutter: 69

Career fights in the NHL:

Spaling: 0
Sutter: 4

Incidentally, Spaling is a Mennonite, which entails a commitment towards promoting peace.
- hardnosed

Anyone compare this to the ice time?

Ha..no just a GM who values all the wrong things. They see Engelland and think, veteran leader, fighter/enforcer, position versatility and miss the fact that hes not that good.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

I don't know... On free agent day and everyone scrambling and talking all at once, I could see this happening. (choosing Craig Conroy, as hes the new asst GM).

Brad Treliving: "Hey Craig! Just got a call from Engelland's agent. Send over the paperwork 2.9 million errer.. eee years". (What Craig heard).

Craig Conroy: "How many years Brad?!"

Brad Treliving: "3 years! Pay the (frank) attention and send the contract now before someone else signs him!"

Not too long later...

Brad Treliving: "Craig... when I told you to send Engelland that contract, what did you hear?"

Craig Conroy: "2.9 million per year. Then I asked how many, you said 3 years. Whats up Brad?"

Brad Treliving: "(frank) me"