Don't ever underestimate anyone

- HopintheCordoba

Especially him !

I misspelled it on purpose btw guys

No you won't, Ehrhoff will make you forget pretty quick.
- Ryan_Wilson

OK, here's hoping you are right, Gunner. I know I am looking forward to this season more so than in quite a while. Just the anticipation of a retooled lineup and coaching staff. I am ready and anxious to get this season started. Just hope we can avoid the major injury bug, for once!

Scuds will be back playing like top 4 player. He is on the "Martin 1 year" plan!

Edit: anyone on iPhone having problems when on this site it randomly jumps to the (frank)ing ap store for cookie jam? Annoying is an understatement.

OK, here's hoping you are right, Gunner. I know I am looking forward to this season more so than in quite a while. Just the anticipation of a retooled lineup and coaching staff. I am ready and anxious to get this season started. Just hope we can avoid the major injury bug, for once!
- powerhouse

I hope Spaling, Sutter and Downie can play their ass off. I am expecting good things out of those three.

And yes. Ehrhoff will be a very good replacement for Niskanen. I think he's a better player too.

OK, here's hoping you are right, Gunner. I know I am looking forward to this season more so than in quite a while. Just the anticipation of a retooled lineup and coaching staff. I am ready and anxious to get this season started. Just hope we can avoid the major injury bug, for once!
- powerhouse

I would think with the shorter passes and mass skating in of the puck, that would lend itself to less injuries. A lot less dump and chase=a lot less awkward runs into the boards, imo.

Interesting numbers.

Shows a lot we already knew (ie, Scuderi can't clear the zone to save his life), but a few things at least I didn't know.

First, Bortuzzo is a great good value at $600K. At least equal to Engelland & numbers no worse than Orpik, albeit playing against lesser competition than Orpik. Really liking Bortz more and more as a 6/7th Dman coming into the season. Bit of a older player at 25 compared to some of the kids & seasoned in the AHL; good qualities for a guy who may go a week or two between games at times.

Second, didn't expect Maatta's numbers be below average. Still, as a 19yr old kid who was forced to jump into a Top-2 role when injuries decimated the Dcorp, I can't really blast him too much. Maatta is going to be very good, but I hope he gets brought along slowly prior to being pushed into a Top-2 or Top-4 role he isn't ready for.

Third, Despres and Dumoulin (in his limited time) look pretty good. Add in Maata & hopefully you have a really solid 5/6 pairing w/ the best of the three playing a Top-4 role w/ Ehrhoff. The Cap value of 3 NHL Dman at a total value of $2.6M/yr is insane of they can "play above the line" in their given roles.

I hope Spaling, Sutter and Downie can play their ass off. I am expecting good things out of those three.

And yes. Ehrhoff will be a very good replacement for Niskanen. I think he's a better player too.
- Barnaby36

Yah, Matt Niskanen's best season as a pro is pretty much Ehrhoff's average. He is a great point man on the powerplay and will prove to be a good value. Surprisingly strong shot as well.

Yah, Matt Niskanen's best season as a pro is pretty much Ehrhoff's average. He is a great point man on the powerplay and will prove to be a good value. Surprisingly strong shot as well.
- usethe1-2-2

Please. I miss Gonchar's slap shots. Hopefully Ehrhoff will score a few on the PP.

I hope Spaling, Sutter and Downie can play their ass off. I am expecting good things out of those three.

And yes. Ehrhoff will be a very good replacement for Niskanen. I think he's a better player too.
- Barnaby36

You can add Goc and Comeau to that list as well. I could really like a 3rd like of Spaling-Sutter-Downie & a 4th line of Comeau-Goc-Megna.

Also, most of them are 6'1" & above, w/ Downie being the smurf at 5'11". I always prefer speed & willingness to hit compared to overall height/weight.

Please. I miss Gonchar's slap shots. Hopefully Ehrhoff will score a few on the PP.
- Barnaby36

He should. I bet Malkin has a big year on the power play too, taking Neal's spot on the halfwall.

So....which Pens are made available for the expansion draft of 2017?

Letang to dump the contract?

Fleury assuming we resign him and he doesn't deliver a Cup?

Sutter?

Any of the young D?

So....which Pens are made available for the expansion draft of 2017?

Letang to dump the contract?

Fleury assuming we resign him and he doesn't deliver a Cup?

Sutter?

Any of the young D?
- 87_71_11_29

What is the official keepers? 9 forwards, 4 d and a goalie?

What is the official keepers? 9 forwards, 4 d and a goalie?
- usethe1-2-2

Sounds about right.

So some dude is re watching every game last season to come to the conclusion that Scuderi sucks, Letang is still better than what everyone here thinks, PM and Nisk were pretty good, Maata fell apart, and we still don't have a read on Despress?

What is the official keepers? 9 forwards, 4 d and a goalie?
- usethe1-2-2

Rules from last expansion draft via wiki:

26 of the 28 teams existing in the league at the time of the draft were each allowed to protect either one goaltender, five defensemen, and nine forwards or two goaltenders, three defensemen, and seven forwards. The Atlanta Thrashers and Nashville Predators had their entire rosters protected, as they were the two newest franchises in the league, only being in existence for one and two years respectively.

For teams protecting only one goaltender, there was no experience requirement for those left unprotected. For teams protecting two goaltenders, each goaltender left unprotected must have appeared in either 10 NHL games in the 1999–2000 season or 25 games in the 1998–99 season and 1999–2000 seasons combined. A goaltender had to be in net for at least 31 minutes in each game for the game to be counted against these totals.

At least one defenceman left unprotected by each team had to have appeared in at least 40 games in the 1999–2000 season or 70 games in the 1998–99 season and 1999–2000 seasons combined. At least two forwards left unprotected by each team had to have met the same requirements.

52 players were chosen in the draft, two from each participating franchise. Only one goaltender or one defenseman could be selected from each franchise. Both the Blue Jackets and the Wild were to use their first 24 selections on three goaltenders, eight defensemen, and thirteen forwards. The final two picks for each team could be any position.

Apparently 1st and 2nd year Pros are blanket exempt as well. So Maatta, Pouliet, Kapanen, Harrington, & Jarry are all not elgible.

Mine would be, if it happened today:
9F: Malkin, Crosby, Hornquvist, Kunitz, Dupuis, Sutter, Spaling, Bennett, ?????
5D: Letang, Martin, Ehrhoff, Despres, Dumoulin
1G: Fleury

Not sure an expansion draft in the future would have the same rules, though. The Cap has really changed since 2000. Long-term, guarenteed contracts as well as NTC/NMC clauses really would seem to have altered the balance of it all. I mean, Pittsburgh would jump at the oppurtunity to leave Scuderi (who has a NTC) exposed. Same for Carolina w/ Ward or the Flyers with LeCavalier, but would the NHLPA allow a blanket waiving for all NTC/NMC clauses? Seems complicated.

A new coach and a new system will change these numbers for sure. I can't wait to see Despres better utilized. Will miss Niskanen on the PP though. Question is, who will be in net moving forward? Here is some information that shows Rutherford likes Fleury but not sign him right now kind of love.

http://sports.yahoo.com/b...--like-him-170213728.html
- powerhouse

Despres will probably be utilized nicely in the press box. Screwed himself taking a 1 way deal now he can't even be sent down.

Despres will probably be utilized nicely in the press box. Screwed himself taking a 1 way deal now he can't even be sent down.
- Grinder47

It makes no sense to keep Depres off the ice this year from the GM or coaches point of view. He is either going to increase his value (to us or somebody else) or play to the value of contract he signed.

Most people assume the former...in which case he then becomes more marketable should the Penguins choose to deal him or they keep him - which softens the blow on D if they move someone like Martin for a forward.

BTW...bored again last night
http://nambut.sportsblog....airs_beat_three_of_a.html

Rules from last expansion draft via wiki:



Apparently 1st and 2nd year Pros are blanket exempt as well. So Maatta, Pouliet, Kapanen, Harrington, & Jarry are all not elgible.

Mine would be, if it happened today:
9F: Malkin, Crosby, Hornquvist, Kunitz, Dupuis, Sutter, Spaling, Bennett, ?????
5D: Letang, Martin, Ehrhoff, Despres, Dumoulin
1G: Fleury

Not sure an expansion draft in the future would have the same rules, though. The Cap has really changed since 2000. Long-term, guarenteed contracts as well as NTC/NMC clauses really would seem to have altered the balance of it all. I mean, Pittsburgh would jump at the oppurtunity to leave Scuderi (who has a NTC) exposed. Same for Carolina w/ Ward or the Flyers with LeCavalier, but would the NHLPA allow a blanket waiving for all NTC/NMC clauses? Seems complicated.
- s0rcerer1984

Yeah who knows what the rules will be.

But, they have to stock 4 full teams within, I imagine, 2 years. Unlikely they roll out 4 new teams in a single season.

Rules from last expansion draft via wiki:



Apparently 1st and 2nd year Pros are blanket exempt as well. So Maatta, Pouliet, Kapanen, Harrington, & Jarry are all not elgible.

Mine would be, if it happened today:
9F: Malkin, Crosby, Hornquvist, Kunitz, Dupuis, Sutter, Spaling, Bennett, ?????
5D: Letang, Martin, Ehrhoff, Despres, Dumoulin
1G: Fleury

Not sure an expansion draft in the future would have the same rules, though. The Cap has really changed since 2000. Long-term, guarenteed contracts as well as NTC/NMC clauses really would seem to have altered the balance of it all. I mean, Pittsburgh would jump at the oppurtunity to leave Scuderi (who has a NTC) exposed. Same for Carolina w/ Ward or the Flyers with LeCavalier, but would the NHLPA allow a blanket waiving for all NTC/NMC clauses? Seems complicated.
- s0rcerer1984

Btw a side note to expansion...

It will bring in increased revenue causing the cap to artificially inflate. Salaries will escalate as a result.

Rinse, wash, repeat.

And we have just formed the genesis of the next lockout ladies and gents.

You can add Goc and Comeau to that list as well. I could really like a 3rd like of Spaling-Sutter-Downie & a 4th line of Comeau-Goc-Megna.

Also, most of them are 6'1" & above, w/ Downie being the smurf at 5'11". I always prefer speed & willingness to hit compared to overall height/weight.
- s0rcerer1984

Thank you. I was making this exact point yesterday. I'm ok knowing we don't have any 6' 4" 220 lb players as long as we are aggressive and are willing to hit a little.

So some dude is re watching every game last season to come to the conclusion that Scuderi sucks, Letang is still better than what everyone here thinks, PM and Nisk were pretty good, Maata fell apart, and we still don't have a read on Despress?
- sammy87

There's only one reason to do something so stupid.

Gotta jump on the "NHL teams are hiring guys off the street for their analytics department who don't have real jobs and have nothing better to do than rewatch 2400 games in the hopes that some team will notice and give them an NHL job, but there are a gazillion guys out there doing it so you might as well play the lottery if that's what you're pinning your hopes on " bandwagon.

There's only one reason to do something so stupid.

Gotta jump on the "NHL teams are hiring guys off the street for their analytics department who don't have real jobs and have nothing better to do than rewatch 2400 games in the hopes that some team will notice and give them an NHL job, but there are a gazillion guys out there doing it so you might as well play the lottery if that's what you're pinning your hopes on " bandwagon.
- grand-magus

Seriously.

I still look at the A's with stats. They took slightly above average players and made a slightly above average team that didn't win anything. Runs win games! who would have thought?

These are the charts that got engelland 2.9 mil for 3 years. His agent printed these out and showed it to every team

Thank you. I was making this exact point yesterday. I'm ok knowing we don't have any 6' 4" 220 lb players as long as we are aggressive and are willing to hit a little.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

I was trying to comment on this as well yesterday when someone brought up the "big" bodied guys on other teams who have won the cup and a lot of them are just guys who play like a big guy. I think Holmstrom was one of the names mentioned and he was barely 6 foot 200lbs.

It is a mentality and a willingness, something Tocchet can really help with. You have guys in the minors who play this style as well. Payerl is a big guy who plays big. Uher is not a huge guy, but plays stout tough hockey. Goc is underrated in his physicallity and tough play. Comeau can be a tough guy in a bottom six role. We all know Downie.

Should be a fun year, definitely some growing pains along the way, but there is some good promise.