Who plays fourth line center? and then who plays third line center when Malk/Sid are injured... like they are every single year.

Malkin isn't even back yet!

Every article seems to be guided to make Sutter Spalding dirt and Goc gold before we even see them play with current lines. We were spoiled with Staal now Sutter didn't 'fill' his shoes so he must not be worthy.

It is. Just guess I'm tired of it constantly over n over.

Anyways, glad we are only a week away from real games.
- kgrpitt

Both Sutter and Spaling will have good years. Ryan's viewpoint have always been through these advanced stats, which is perfectly fine by me. It's another way of looking at the players.

He also openly admits that these stats aren't fool proof in assessing a player. Something about being accurate the majority of the time. I've watched enough of Spaling in Nashville to know he brings more to the table than the stats offer, whether that was the system under Trotz or not will be figured shortly. I think he's gonna be a great addition. I also feel Sutter is a late developer. He started to do some of the little things late last season and into the playoffs that he hadn't done before.

For the love of watching the Pens in June, I hope to hell my thinking is accurate.

Stay away from Bobby Ryan please. I don't want anything to do with his UFA status next season.
- usethe1-2-2

I tend to agree. I would go after B. Ryan next year as a free agent, but I would not trade for him and risk him only being here a few months.

Here's my ranked list of who I would want in the unlikely scenario we could get one of them:

Kane, Marleau, Kuznetsov, Eberle, Perron, Tatar, Sharp, Erne.

Who plays fourth line center? and then who plays third line center when Malk/Sid are injured... like they are every single year.

Malkin isn't even back yet!
- WVPensFan22

Adams?......haha

Spaling has played center I think

Adams?......haha

Spaling has played center I think
- kgrpitt

Spaling/Sundqvist/Sill/Adams ?

Adams?......haha

Spaling has played center I think
- kgrpitt

Cannot wait until Adams contract is up...........

Spaling/Sundqvist/Sill/Adams ?
- YouMeAndDupuis9

The way GM spoke of him yesterday it seems he has the best shot at making the team from WB/S coming out of camp. Cant say I disagree because he has looked pretty good. Nothing over the top but showed solid play in most areas of the game.

The way GM spoke of him yesterday it seems he has the best shot at making the team from WB/S coming out of camp. Cant say I disagree because he has looked pretty good. Nothing over the top but showed solid play in most areas of the game.
- kgrpitt

He has to make this team because his contract with his swdish league team gives him an out clause for the NHL but not the AHL so if he's no playing in Pittsburgh he's headed home.

It's crazy to think that if the Penguins moved Fleury, Scuderi and Martin they would have almost 15 million in cap space and not really notice the loss of those players.

Every article seems to be guided to make Sutter Spalding dirt and Goc gold before we even see them play with current lines. We were spoiled with Staal now Sutter didn't 'fill' his shoes so he must not be worthy.

It is. Just guess I'm tired of it constantly over n over.

Anyways, glad we are only a week away from real games.
- kgrpitt

I'd love to know what the (frank) you've been reading or if you are even able to draw conclusions based on information given to you. I know for a fact that you cannot quote one time that Gunner has ever said Sutter was trash. Time and time again he's stated that Goc is just a better value due to his lower salary and ability to play on the same line in the same role.

It's crazy to think that if the Penguins moved Fleury, Scuderi and Martin they would have almost 15 million in cap space and not really notice the loss of those players.
- Dcoms

I think that they'd notice a loss with Martin. His minutes can be replaced by some youth, but guys like Despres, Dumoulin, Harrington, etc., are not Paul Martin yet.

I'm not against moving Martin at all, but that has to do with his contract situation, not him as a player. He has a lot of value to this team, especially true if there is an injury to Letang, Ehrhoff or Maatta.

Great write up gunner as always, but since Bartley hasn't posted yet I have to put out an :
F Sutter

I'd love to know what the (frank) you've been reading or if you are even able to draw conclusions based on information given to you. I know for a fact that you cannot quote one time that Gunner has ever said Sutter was trash. Time and time again he's stated that Goc is just a better value due to his lower salary and ability to play on the same line in the same role. Maybe you're just to confused by all these "hard" statistics even though understanding them isn't needed to enjoy Gunners posts or the conclusions he draws
- ImScore71

Ahhh That's it!! Stats confuse me. Phew, glad you helped me figure that out..

I enjoy his articles but not everyone has to agree. It's actually fun to debate things.

He has to make this team because his contract with his swdish league team gives him an out clause for the NHL but not the AHL so if he's no playing in Pittsburgh he's headed home.
- Dcoms

Interesting, I wasn't aware of that. Thanks for the clarification.

I have yet to read anything concrete about what Kapanen's options are if he does not stick with the NHL team. The premise that he can't play in the AHL is premature.

Edit:

His father is the owner of the team in Finland so I can't imagine he would be held back from the AHL if that is what the Penguins wanted to do.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KalPa

It's crazy to think that if the Penguins moved Fleury, Scuderi and Martin they would have almost 15 million in cap space and not really notice the loss of those players.
- Dcoms

15.7* including Adams haha.

Plus the cap should rise again next year. Not saying I have some master plan but the possibilities are endless.

I salivate thinking of the day Kunitz and Dupuis are on the third line with Bennett/Kapanen/Hornqvist/Awesome-mystery-winger-we-are-going-to-trade-for are in the top 6. Now THAT is depth haha.

Yes, Gunner, I saw your tweet and completely agree. Put in a claim for Mueller now that hes on waivers. That's "free" depth worth taking a chance on. I wanted to pick him up in FA actually.

Yes, Gunner, I saw your tweet and completely agree. Put in a claim for Mueller now that hes on waivers. That's "free" depth worth taking a chance on. I wanted to pick him up in FA actually.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Hell yeah. Always thought he would be decent. Sucks that concussions derailed him so much in his career.

Great write up gunner as always, but since Bartley hasn't posted yet I have to put out an :
F Sutter
- Bradlee3

Haha I was at lunch thanks though.




F Sutter

I tend to agree. I would go after B. Ryan next year as a free agent, but I would not trade for him and risk him only being here a few months.

Here's my ranked list of who I would want in the unlikely scenario we could get one of them:

Kane, Marleau, Kuznetsov, Eberle, Perron, Tatar, Sharp, Erne.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

In my opinion:

No Thank You Category:
- Marleau: Already 35 & signed for 3 more seasons (including this one) at $6.66M/yr.

Not Gonna Happen Category:
- Kuznetsov: 22yrs old & going to be a stud; no way Wash. lets him get away.
- Erne:19yrs old & no reason for Tampa to trade him. Also, he isn't NHL ready so wouldn't address the Top-6 F hole.

Would Really Be Nice, But Very Ulikely Category:
- Kane: Tons of skill, youg, & signed long-term at a reasonable Cap Hit.
- Eberle: Tons of skill, young, & signed long-term at areasonable Cap Hit.
- Tatar: Not really sure why Det. would move him. Younger player & signed to a reasonable contract.

Actually Could Happen Category
- Perron: Younger at age 26 & could become expendable in Edm. Plus, if Edm. continues to suck, someone has got to be moved for a Dman.
- Sharp: Older, but not too old. Chcago is going to have to move a big contract at somepoint w/ Kruger, Saad, & various s on D needing to be filled next offseason.

To all the people complaining: Ryan makes no bones about his belief that Sutter is expendable due to the superiority of Goc or that Spalling is somewhat mediocre. That being said, stats don't lie. He's a blogger, and part of blogging is opinion. This isn't a feature article that requires objectivity, but still for the most part, Ryan's stat analysis are pretty accurate and fair, if somewhat blunt.

The point that Sutter's drop off came during a switch in system and a lock out shortened year is an important one, though, like someone mentioned. Also, by the time Flats came to town TK was beginning to drop off, which is something I think few Pens (and Sharks) fans would disagree with. Kennedy and Cooke just weren't the same line mates as the Kennedy and Cooke that Staal had some years past.

I think Sutter could have an awesome season this year with improved and consistent linemates. Also think Spalling could still pan. Doesn't mean that the stats from years past don't tell a story that we should be worried about.

Mueller... Mueller... Mueller...

I wouldn't mind him at all for depth purpses. I think he could be another strong bottom six player at the right cost. The thing is we have little room to play with so someone has to go.

I have yet to read anything concrete about what Kapanen's options are if he does not stick with the NHL team. The premise that he can't play in the AHL is premature.

Edit:

His father is the owner of the team in Finland so I can't imagine he would be held back from the AHL if that is what the Penguins wanted to do.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KalPa
- Ryan_Wilson

And his uncle is the GM, so unless Kimmo Timonen and Scott Hartnell can stop it, I think you are right.

That being said, stats don't lie.
- Victoro311

Stats not only lie, they deceive.

This year is going to be fun for so many reasons, the one I am looking forward to the most is the fact that Johnston will not put all of his effort into trying to be the players buddy, cough Bylsma cough. He is going to hold everyone accountable, atleast from what I have heard about him that's what seems like he will try do to. This is going to really be different to what this team is used to, and I believe its going to have the biggest impact on Sutturd and Geno; and I think both players are going to handle it in different ways. I think its going to be the kick in the ass that Geno needs, and will greatly improve his mindset and play. Sutter is not going to have the same positive reaction, he will be delegated to the 4th line before Christmas.




F Sutter