Love affair accusations aside, Gibbons has half the cap hit (going off of Spaling's previous cap hit), so if the numbers say Gibbons was the better role player it makes sense to prefer him.

But that's all tangential, my point is hyperbolizing about Crosby doesn't hold water. What three players of equal cap hit to Crosby would make the team better than having Sid?


We don't know if they'd beat him, but that doesn't mean you can't form an opinion based on the numbers. Maybe it all seems repetitive, but there isn't really much to write about in the summer. Gotta take what you can get, y'know?
- BulliesPhan87

kind of like the almost always true statement that the team that gets the BEST player in the trade usually wins the trade.

its like historic man living off slated meat all winter praying for spring! Oh OCT, where art thou!?!?

I can't respond to this I don't understand half the words
- dbell646

I cant respond to you not responding to this.... wait....

I cant respond to you not responding to this.... wait....
- ChrisMS

I see what you did there

I can't respond to this I don't understand half the words
- dbell646

I'll simplify: name three players, with a total cap hit similar to Crosby's, who would make the Penguins better than they are with Crosby.

EDIT: Why is a Flyers fan the one arguing the invaluable presence of Crosby?

I'm not sure you would throw in a 2nd rounder....

but if you guys want to win a cup this year, you want Paul Martin on your team. He is a rock steady top pairing defenseman. I'm assuming Ritchie is expendable based on your team depth up front...but I will leave that analysis to a Stars fan
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Ritchie and Nichushkin are the future on RW. We really have no need for Martin either.
Cole doesn't belong in the top 9. He was scratched half the playoffs. I wouldn't be surprised to see Ritchie get a look on the top line to start the year.

kind of like the almost always true statement that the team that gets the BEST player in the trade usually wins the trade.

its like historic man living off slated meat all winter praying for spring! Oh OCT, where art thou!?!?
- ChrisMS

Optical coherence tomography? Ontario College of Teachers?

I'll simplify: name three players, with a total cap hit similar to Crosby's, who would make the Penguins better than they are with Crosby.
- BulliesPhan87

Stempniak, Gibbons, and Hemsky we would actually have a few million to acquire some more players. My point is Spalling didn't prevent us from signing either of those players.

Stempniak, Gibbons, and Hemsky we would actually have a few million to acquire some more players
- dbell646

Translation: You're right, username BulliesPhan87. I concede to your astute deconstruction of my rhetorical proposition, as well as your superior usage of vocabulary at even strength.

(pls don't hate me, jplay)

My point is Spalling didn't prevent us from signing either of those players.
- dbell646

My point is that the comparison didn't make any sense. Arguing the replacement value of role players is infinitely more reasonable than replacing literally the best player in the world.

Spaling, Goc, and Sutter is a little redundant to me. I still think Sutter should be trade bait while his value is it's highest.

Ritchie and Nichushkin are the future on RW. We really have no need for Martin either.
Cole doesn't belong in the top 9. He was scratched half the playoffs. I wouldn't be surprised to see Ritchie get a look on the top line to start the year.
- NoobasaurusRex

Hence the "random". I just looked at teams who seemed deep at forward and thin on defense, and were looking to contend for a cup. A full year of a top 2 defenseman is worth a high forward prospect.

I was concerned that Spaling cost us in a few areas. I would've been fine with taking Hornqvist and a pick instead. We're looking at $6.4M or so in space but that'll be shrinking soon. The other thing to consider is that the FA pool is essentially down to just the low price longshot types. Having said that, I wouldn't mind trying to get Setoguchi or Mueller in for really cheap. I'm also okay with letting a few young guys try to fight for spots as well.
- HopintheCordoba

Martin to MIN for Niedereitter + 4th (turns into a 2nd if MIN goes to final 4 or Martin resigns)

Works for both teams: fixes PIT cap and top 6 winger problems, gets something for Martin who is gone at the end of the year anyway. MIN improves a D that desperately can use a guy like Martin to play #2/3.

So we are 3rd on the list in the Hayes sweepstakes because Fitzgerald is a cousin. #46
http://www.cbc.ca/sports-...on-free-agent-frenzy.html

So we are 3rd on the list in the Hayes sweepstakes because Fitzgerald is a cousin. #46
http://www.cbc.ca/sports-...on-free-agent-frenzy.html
- dbell646

The Pens would have to offer up an opportunity to compete for a top 6 spot to lure him here. It would be a gamble, but he's got potential.

The Pens would have to offer up an opportunity to compete for a top 6 spot to lure him here. It would be a gamble, but he's got potential.
- cap1681

One thing pens can definitely do

The Pens would have to offer up an opportunity to compete for a top 6 spot to lure him here. It would be a gamble, but he's got potential.
- cap1681

Not exactly a log jam in the top 6. 2 legit top 6 forwards and one is 34

One thing pens can definitely do
- ChrisMS

It would be risky putting a 22 Y/O kid who's hasn't played a game of professional hockey into our top 6. I like the idea of signing him, but think he is looking for NHL playing time right away, and i would rather see him play a year in the AHL.

It would be risky putting a 22 Y/O kid who's hasn't played a game of professional hockey into our top 6. I like the idea of signing him, but think he is looking for NHL playing time right away, and i would rather see him play a year in the AHL.
- cap1681

We can't guarantee he will play there but he has an opportunity to play thee. He'd have to earn it. Probably why he won't sign here

Hence the "random". I just looked at teams who seemed deep at forward and thin on defense, and were looking to contend for a cup. A full year of a top 2 defenseman is worth a high forward prospect.
- cap1681

No thanks. Bad trade for us.

I think it is funny that everyone here assumes that any player that player with the Pens last season truly wanted to come back.

I mean let's be realistic, if you were a player on the bottom six and know that you are going to be in the top six somewhere else, you are going to go there. It is a set up for the next payday. They get a small, top six role, do a little damage and go to the next team making more money.

If you are a Gibbons type player, you know you are never going to stay in the top six. It just isn't happening.

So, in other words, just because we didn't sign guys, doesn't mean we didn't want them back. Maybe they didn't want to come back.

New GM, new Coach, new style of play. That might have made the decision for them.

It would be risky putting a 22 Y/O kid who's hasn't played a game of professional hockey into our top 6. I like the idea of signing him, but think he is looking for NHL playing time right away, and i would rather see him play a year in the AHL.
- cap1681

No more risky than putting Kapanen in that spot though. I know Kap was playing against men and Hayes was just playing NCAA. But Hayes is way bigger and 5 years older.

That said, Hayes isn't that exciting for me. I'd be more than happy to pick him up on a decent 2-way free agent contract. But I wouldn't give up a significant asset for him (like a 2nd rd pick).

No more risky than putting Kapanen in that spot though. I know Kap was playing against men and Hayes was just playing NCAA. But Hayes is way bigger and 5 years older.

That said, Hayes isn't that exciting for me. I'd be more than happy to pick him up on a decent 2-way free agent contract. But I wouldn't give up a significant asset for him (like a 2nd rd pick).
- YouMeAndDupuis9

I don't think you need to if he doesn't sign in like a month he becomes an FA

I don't think you need to if he doesn't sign in like a month he becomes an FA
- dbell646

Right. I just mean if the Hawks want to get ahead of the curve and get something for him, they could shop his rights I believe.

Right. I just mean if the Hawks want to get ahead of the curve and get something for him, they could shop his rights I believe.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

They could I guess

I think it is funny that everyone here assumes that any player that player with the Pens last season truly wanted to come back.

I mean let's be realistic, if you were a player on the bottom six and know that you are going to be in the top six somewhere else, you are going to go there. It is a set up for the next payday. They get a small, top six role, do a little damage and go to the next team making more money.

If you are a Gibbons type player, you know you are never going to stay in the top six. It just isn't happening.

So, in other words, just because we didn't sign guys, doesn't mean we didn't want them back. Maybe they didn't want to come back.

New GM, new Coach, new style of play. That might have made the decision for them.
- toad268

+1

This has been a stranger than normal offseason and that plays into it. Some guys getting paid way more than they should and some guys making a million or less who should be paid more.

As far as Gibbons, I could see him in a top six role with the right linemates. He doesn't suck and his speed is fully capable of that role.