What would it take to get Ladd or Wheeler do you think?
- YouMeAndDupuis9

One's a captain locked up for two years on a great contract, and the other is locked up long term on a pretty good contract. Both are going to be near impossible to get. Not impossible like Kane, but it'll be tough. Peg will probably want Bennett in any deal, high end D prospect, one of our goalie prospects, and a 1st.

Yikes.

Josh Yohe ‏@JoshYohe_Trib 50m

Spoke with Rutherford earlier today: Said Sutter deal "should be done soon." Called Spaling "very useful." Isn't worried about cap situation
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Sign and trade? He would be a more attractive trade option if teams knew the dollars and terms.

One's a captain locked up for two years on a great contract, and the other is locked up long term on a pretty good contract. Both are going to be near impossible to get. Not impossible like Kane, but it'll be tough. Peg will probably want Bennett in any deal, high end D prospect, one of our goalie prospects, and a 1st.
- Victoro311

I think it would be easier to get Kane out of the Peg than Ladd or Wheeler.

Sign and trade? He would be a more attractive trade option if teams knew the dollars and terms.
- PittsPens

I wonder if a sign and trade wasnt in the books all along. I have no idea why Sutter wouldn't apply for Arbitration thats just plain dumb on his part. Maybe they've talked about it and he is receptive to moving on. Afterall he probably sees himself as a 2C and obviously he will never get that job here. It probably makes more sense for him to go to a team where he can at least compete for the 2C job, his stats will be higher and that will translate into a better payout after this deal.

They could be using one of Sheros old tricks to let the fan base hear that he wants 5+ million so it softens the blow of him being traded.

I think it would be easier to get Kane out of the Peg than Ladd or Wheeler.
- stackthepads

I don't think so. I think Wheeler is the easiest, and then Ladd and Kane are about even. Wheeler's contract is good now, but he's 27 and is locked in at 5.6 mil for the next 5 years. He'll be slowing down by then and 5.6 may not look as good. Not saying he still won't be a good contract, but there's at least a slight chance he won't be.

Ladd and Kane's contracts are currently about equally good, but Kane's is longer term and he hasn't hit his ceiling yet. Ladd, on the other hand, is the captain and teams don't like trading away their captains unless the captain is on a bad contract, or there's an obvious changing of the guard in place like in TB with Stammer. I'd say they're about even in difficulty to pry away from the Peg with Kane having the slight advantage due to monster upside and the length of his deal.

Haha so basically the same as they rate Kunitz. Impressive.

Seriously, though, seems like plenty of true hockey people think hes no better than Craig Adams. Spaling is not a big hitter, not very fast, mediocre hands, etc. Not that I'm saying his salary is a problem because of this...I guess I just don't see his "upside".

Any of the guys that don't excel at at least one aspect I tend to think less of in terms of upside (D'Agostini, Kobasew, *ahem* Sutter).
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Dupes is an 84 too! I mena c'mon EA give Kunie an 85 at least lol

He may not excel at any one thing but on the flip side perhaps he doesn't suck at any one thing. Glass could hit for sure but that was it.

I see Spailing being less of a detriment in all aspects of the game and more of a person you don't worry about being on the ice.

I wonder if a sign and trade wasnt in the books all along. I have no idea why Sutter wouldn't apply for Arbitration thats just plain dumb on his part. Maybe they've talked about it and he is receptive to moving on. Afterall he probably sees himself as a 2C and obviously he will never get that job here. It probably makes more sense for him to go to a team where he can at least compete for the 2C job, his stats will be higher and that will translate into a better payout after this deal.

They could be using one of Sheros old tricks to let the fan base hear that he wants 5+ million so it softens the blow of him being traded.
- stackthepads

I was listening to Madden today. He says Sutter has said he'd like to return to Carolina. It was kind of known that Sutter was shocked about getting moved from Carolina and he wasn't exactly thrilled at the time.

I don't understand the no arbitration either unless he felt his case was weak to begin with.

I was listening to Madden today. He says Sutter has said he'd like to return to Carolina. It was kind of known that Sutter was shocked about getting moved from Carolina and he wasn't exactly thrilled at the time.

I don't understand the no arbitration either unless he felt his case was weak to begin with.
- madmike71

Carolina has like 8 centers... Maybe theyre collecting them.

Carolina has like 8 centers... Maybe theyre collecting them.
- stackthepads

Um....Yeah, don't look at the way Ek lists them. He has Skinner and Gerbe listed as centers among others. According to Ek they only have 3 wings on the team.

Carolina has like 8 centers... Maybe theyre collecting them.
- stackthepads

If Carolina is the place He'd like to go I'd target Tlusty or Skinner. Both could work in our top 6. I know Skinner would cost a lot more.

Carolina could also theoretically experiment with putting Eric on wing. Some Pens fans like to look back at the 2003 draft and ask what ifs and tell fictional stories about Eric Staal on Crosby's wing (which is dumb because if we got Eric we probably wouldn't have been bad enough to get Crosby), so why not try it with the brothers Staal? Sutter is an average 3C due to his peasant size, but with some luck, maybe he can break out somewhat in a more offensively minded 2C roll.

A top 6 of:

Skinner-Jordan-Eric
Tlutsy-Sutter-Semin

is not ideal and is kinda weak down the middle, but there is some firepower there. Put together a solid bottom six, sign Marc Staal during the offseason to shore up a promising defense and you could have at least a fringe contender there.

There is also the draw of being able to roll out Eric Staal 1C, Jordan Staal2C, Brandon Sutter 3C, Brody Sutter 4C. Four centers, two dynasties.

Hop what do you expect for Sutter's contract? I was thinking 2 years, $3.2M per.
- Barnaby36

A bridge contract like that makes sense...unless they want to make it 3. I'd say anything under $3.5M is decent. His line should be sufficiently upgraded.

Carolina could also theoretically experiment with putting Eric on wing. Some Pens fans like to look back at the 2003 draft and ask what ifs and tell fictional stories about Eric Staal on Crosby's wing (which is dumb because if we got Eric we probably wouldn't have been bad enough to get Crosby), so why not try it with the brothers Staal? Sutter is an average 3C due to his peasant size, but with some luck, maybe he can break out somewhat in a more offensively minded 2C roll.

A top 6 of:

Skinner-Jordan-Eric
Tlutsy-Sutter-Semin

is not ideal and is kinda weak down the middle, but there is some firepower there. Put together a solid bottom six, sign Marc Staal during the offseason to shore up a promising defense and you could have at least a fringe contender there.

There is also the draw of being able to roll out Eric Staal 1C, Jordan Staal2C, Brandon Sutter 3C, Brody Sutter 4C. Four centers, two dynasties.
- Victoro311

Any chance Carolina would be looking to deal Eric? I think I remembered hearing that a while back. Trading for Eric would be a great way to really stick it to those guys and Jordan.

Any chance Carolina would be looking to deal Eric? I think I remembered hearing that a while back. Trading for Eric would be a great way to really stick it to those guys and Jordan.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Eric Staal is one of my favorite players. I'd be thrilled If we acquired him. What would it cost to bring him to Pitt? I bet Sutter/Martin/Pouliot/Pick.

Eric Staal is one of my favorite players. I'd be thrilled If we acquired him. What would it cost to bring him to Pitt? I bet Sutter/Martin/Pouliot/Pick.
- Barnaby36

Pouliot, sutter, 1st (same for Jordan), plus some extra.

Eric Staal is one of my favorite players. I'd be thrilled If we acquired him. What would it cost to bring him to Pitt? I bet Sutter/Martin/Pouliot/Pick.
- Barnaby36

I always counted him among those couple guys that seem like they would score 50 goals next to Sid. Prob unrealistic but I think he'd be very good on the wing with a star center. That said, I wouldn't give up more than the jordan staal trade to get him. He is already 29 years old. Not old....but old enough to be cautious with how many assets we give up.

Pouliot, sutter, 1st (same for Jordan), plus some extra.
- drummer829

The more I think about it, the more it would kill me to trade pouliot before he ever plays a game here. He could be truly special and fits so perfect into this system (obviously with Johnston here). And just entertainment factor.

The more I think about it, the more it would kill me to trade pouliot before he ever plays a game here. He could be truly special and fits so perfect into this system (obviously with Johnston here). And just entertainment factor.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

I really want to see him here, BUT if letang rejuvenates his game to his old Norris candidate self, is pouliot really needed? Don't forget maatta can also provide offense as can despres. Pouliot could be flipped for quite a nice return

I really want to see him here, BUT if letang rejuvenates his game to his old Norris candidate self, is pouliot really needed? Don't forget maatta can also provide offense as can despres. Pouliot could be flipped for quite a nice return
- drummer829

I guess you're right. For all we know, Pouliot could be better than Letang (esp. on the powerplay). If Pouliot hypothetically came in and played as good as Maatta, would you still be ok moving him? Or would you explore moving Letang instead?

I guess you're right. For all we know, Pouliot could be better than Letang (esp. on the powerplay). If Pouliot hypothetically came in and played as good as Maatta, would you still be ok moving him? Or would you explore moving Letang instead?
- YouMeAndDupuis9

I would for sure explore trading letang. Save a butt load of cap space. Id then resign Ehrhoff to a 5 year extension to give maatta and pouliot proper time to develop and not to put too much pressure on them. Letang also could fetch a nice return by himself. Although he had a "down" season, there's 20 or so teams where he would be the #1 dman

Interesting inside take from DK --

Anyone who thought the Capitals overpaid for Matt Niskanen, Brooks Orpik or both, know this: Both were offered more money by other teams, Niskanen by the Red Wings, Orpik by the Avalanche. The common denominator in bringing them together in Washington was Todd Reirden, their defensive coach in Pittsburgh. Really popular figure with all those guys. Worked his tail off.

Know who will miss Reirden most? Kris Letang.

I would for sure explore trading letang. Save a butt load of cap space. Id then resign Ehrhoff to a 5 year extension to give maatta and pouliot proper time to develop and not to put too much pressure on them. Letang also could fetch a nice return by himself. Although he had a "down" season, there's 20 or so teams where he would be the #1 dman
- drummer829

Yea, I've pretty much been in the "don't trade Letang camp" for a while now. If he rebounds and/or proves he can stay healthy, and guys like Pouliot, Ehrhoff, Maatta, etc are proving to be as good as advertised, then I would certainly reconsider trading Letang for a nice haul.

Interesting inside take from DK --

Anyone who thought the Capitals overpaid for Matt Niskanen, Brooks Orpik or both, know this: Both were offered more money by other teams, Niskanen by the Red Wings, Orpik by the Avalanche. The common denominator in bringing them together in Washington was Todd Reirden, their defensive coach in Pittsburgh. Really popular figure with all those guys. Worked his tail off.

Know who will miss Reirden most? Kris Letang.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

My take on this, by the way, I really can’t believe that someone offered to pay Nisk/Orpik MORE money, that’s insane. If Red Wings or Avs are that desperate for defense, let’s float out some of our defenseman/defensive prospects and find a top 6 wing/top 6 wing prospect asap.

I guess you're right. For all we know, Pouliot could be better than Letang (esp. on the powerplay). If Pouliot hypothetically came in and played as good as Maatta, would you still be ok moving him? Or would you explore moving Letang instead?
- YouMeAndDupuis9

I'd explore trading both and see what package I like better. Letang has a serious health history that will hurt his trade value for his entire career at this point, and on top of that some teams that would want him may find it difficult to work him into their cap. Plus, his limited NTC is gonna make him a female dog to move to a team that has the cap space and is willing to give up the assets that we want because those teams are likely not prime time contenders.

Combine the above with the fact that Pouliot is super, super young. Just think of the ransom we can already get for Olli Maatta due to his level of play and maturity at such a young age. We'd be able to get even more for Pouliot if he had a similar season to Maatta because his ceiling is even higher.

I'm a big proponent of trading Pouliot, whether it be in a package for a stud forward, or straight up for a forward prospect of equal caliber. We have too many blue chip D prospects, and I think Letang's contract is reasonable enough under an expanding cap to make him expendable. If Pouliot can net us the better package I think we need to do some thinking in order to decide if the cap relief we'd get from dealing Letang instead is worth the downgrade in assets we get back.

I'd explore trading both and see what package I like better. Letang has a serious health history that will hurt his trade value for his entire career at this point, and on top of that some teams that would want him may find it difficult to work him into their cap. Plus, his limited NTC is gonna make him a female dog to move to a team that has the cap space and is willing to give up the assets that we want because those teams are likely not prime time contenders.

Combine the above with the fact that Pouliot is super, super young. Just think of the ransom we can already get for Olli Maatta due to his level of play and maturity at such a young age. We'd be able to get even more for Pouliot if he had a similar season to Maatta because his ceiling is even higher.

I'm a big proponent of trading Pouliot, whether it be in a package for a stud forward, or straight up for a forward prospect of equal caliber. We have too many blue chip D prospects, and I think Letang's contract is reasonable enough under an expanding cap to make him expendable. If Pouliot can net us the better package I think we need to do some thinking in order to decide if the cap relief we'd get from dealing Letang instead is worth the downgrade in assets we get back.
- Victoro311

Just for kicks, who would you consider an equal caliber forward prospect?