So much for the doom and gloomers; saying he won't be ready before Christmas.
- Thunderbolt

Pouliot had a similar surgery at the same time (within a week, may have been before), and doesn't sound like he's even close yet. Seems like Mr Perfect is also a great healer.

Question.

What league has the new head coach been in?

Guy has been out of the league for 6 years. He says they were lucky he was available. That is a joke. He was probably 3rd or 4th choice. I don't buy that Rutherford "thought" he was headed to Vancouver.

Question.

What league has the new head coach been in?

Guy has been out of the league for 6 years. He says they were lucky he was available. That is a joke. He was probably 3rd or 4th choice. I don't buy that Rutherford "thought" he was headed to Vancouver.
- acpappas

He coached the Portland Winterhawks of the WHL for the last 4-5 years and was dominated the league.

Question.

What league has the new head coach been in?

Guy has been out of the league for 6 years. He says they were lucky he was available. That is a joke. He was probably 3rd or 4th choice. I don't buy that Rutherford "thought" he was headed to Vancouver.
- acpappas

He kicked ass in Portland, next question?

Question.

What league has the new head coach been in?

Guy has been out of the league for 6 years. He says they were lucky he was available. That is a joke. He was probably 3rd or 4th choice. I don't buy that Rutherford "thought" he was headed to Vancouver.
- acpappas

The GM and coaching search were awkward at best and a total clusterf*ck at worst. I think the Pens would easily have gotten their first choice had certain stipulations not been a part of it.

Asking potential coaches to take a 2 year deal while rumors are swirling around about Mike Babcock isn't exactly a wonderful environment when trying to attract a new coach. Then telling the new guy they've already hired his assistant (a guy he's never worked with). On top of all of this, they have like 10 GM's in training while the guy doing the hiring says he'll only be around for 2 or 3 years.

It's hard to believe they didn't have to dig into the Pee Wee ranks to find a guy.

Not the best offseason for the Pens. It'll be interesting to see how it all unfolds. Hopefully it's not another year wasted.

http://www.tsn.ca/franchisefaceoff/

Hey guys make sure you put your vote in for the best franchise player. Who am I voting for? The one who has cracked the 80 point mark at least once in his career!

arne was 33rd overall... not a chance that brings him in
- ChrisMS

Okay...so Despres or Dumoulin straight up for Erne or Sammy + a 2nd for him.

Tampa is loaded with young forwards and need defenseman. Sammy is literally no use to us but could be the "brian strait or ben lovejoy" for them...aka solid NHL regular. So he'd be the best young defenseman to part with, imo, plus a second round pick. That's more than fair value imo. By all means "overpay" by a bit if you have to...we simply have no need for all these defenseman.

EDIT - while were at it, lets steal Johansen away from CBJ since they can't get a deal. Letang for Johansen (then convert him to wing haha)

Pouliot had a similar surgery at the same time (within a week, may have been before), and doesn't sound like he's even close yet. Seems like Mr Perfect is also a great healer.
- cygnus41

http://prohockeytalk.nbcs...s-pouliots-ready-for-nhl/

Olli Maatta, who also underwent shoulder surgery in May, is about two weeks ahead of Pouliot in his recovery.

Not the best offseason for the Pens. It'll be interesting to see how it all unfolds. Hopefully it's not another year wasted.
- Topshelf Mountain

No it hasn't, but I like what I've read about HCMJ. It sounds like he does some things that this team has needed for years. I think Letang and Despres will be big beneficiaries. I'm not enamored with the top 6, but I think that will get fixed before the playoffs.

Still pretty positive about their chances.