Maybe you kick MAF to the curb because he's been incredibly unreliable come the most important time of the year. I mean, do you really know what player is going to show up this spring?

I'd argue Stempy is a better player than Spaling. Stempy actually has history of some decent offensive numbers. Spaling, not so much.

See, I'd accept the slight drop off in the bottom 6 to have my all world centers skating with players that actually belong in the top 6.
- madmike71

I'm seriously considering getting a Spaling jersey. I know this is preseason and we're all anxious to get at it, but the guy has that intangible game that has been missing for three seasons. To hell with the analytics for some guys, this whole advanced stat thing is going too far. And before I get jumped on, ask yourself this. Would the Pens have won in '09 without Talbot, Gill, and Scuds? Look at their Corsi and Fenwick and zone entry and zone exit and.....take your pick. Some guys have IT, and you need a couple of them to compete in this league.

Maybe you kick MAF to the curb because he's been incredibly unreliable come the most important time of the year. I mean, do you really know what player is going to show up this spring?
- madmike71

Fleury was very good in the playoffs last year. He earned another season.

I'd argue Stempy is a better player than Spaling. Stempy actually has history of some decent offensive numbers. Spaling, not so much.
- madmike71

But he wouldn't have been a top 6 upgrade (he's not better than the current top 6 options), and he's not an ideal 3rd liner. And past three seasons? Stempniak's had 35 goals, Spaling 32. Spaling's 26, Stempniak will be 32 by playoff time.

See, I'd accept the slight drop off in the bottom 6 to have my all world centers skating with players that actually belong in the top 6.
- madmike71

The best wingers in the world mean nothing if the team only has two competent lines, because the other team can devote its entire defensive scheme to those two lines.

I'm seriously considering getting a Spaling jersey. I know this is preseason and we're all anxious to get at it, but the guy has that intangible game that has been missing for three seasons. To hell with the analytics for some guys, this whole advanced stat thing is going too far. And before I get jumped on, ask yourself this. Would the Pens have won in '09 without Talbot, Gill, and Scuds? Look at their Corsi and Fenwick and zone entry and zone exit and.....take your pick. Some guys have IT, and you need a couple of them to compete in this league.
- Topshelf Mountain

Amen. Spaling does the right thing all the time. He's got some size, some skill, some speed, and a lot of heart. He'll stand in front of a Weber slapper on the PK and not blink, while having a whole lot more to offer than Glass. He's a skilled version of the heart and soul guy every team needs.

He makes about 450,000 more than Talbot. He makes less than Tyler Kennedy.

Fleury was very good in the playoffs last year. He earned another season.

But he wouldn't have been a top 6 upgrade (he's not better than the current top 6 options), and he's not an ideal 3rd liner. And past three seasons? Stempniak's had 35 goals, Spaling 32. Spaling's 26, Stempniak will be 32 by playoff time.

The best wingers in the world mean nothing if the team only has two competent lines, because the other team can devote its entire defensive scheme to those two lines.
- hardnosed

Was he? 2.4 with a .915 That's fairly pedestrian. Not to mention it was his first competent post season in 4 years. I don't blame him for another early exit, but let's be honest, he wasn't great by any means.


I don't want either Stempy or Spaling in the top 6, but Stempniak has outscored Spaling the last 3 years. So why is he less ideal than Spaling? If you say age, then tell me why it's ok for Sid to be skating between two 35 year old's?


I simply don't believe the drop-off would be as drastic as you think. I'd rather sacrifice a little in the bottom 6 to greatly improve the top 6....JMO.

Was he? 2.4 with a .915 That's fairly pedestrian. Not to mention it was his first competent post season in 4 years. I don't blame him for another early exit, but let's be honest, he wasn't great by any means.


I don't want either Stempy or Spaling in the top 6, but Stempniak has outscored Spaling the last 3 years. So why is he less ideal than Spaling? If you say age, then tell me why it's ok for Sid to be skating between two 35 year old's?


I simply don't believe the drop-off would be as drastic as you think. I'd rather sacrifice a little in the bottom 6 to greatly improve the top 6....JMO.
- madmike71

Mike, I'm going with upside and style of play. Spaling has never had Tocchet in his corner and the people surrounding him is incredibly different from Nashville. Stemps was pedestrian to me. He was/is the type of player you never notice doing anything great or terribly wrong. For the last four years the Pens have lived with that throughout the entire organization. I like the change with Spaling, and think the rest of ya'll will too after a bit.

Mike, I'm going with upside and style of play. Spaling has never had Tocchet in his corner and the people surrounding him is incredibly different from Nashville. Stemps was pedestrian to me. He was/is the type of player you never notice doing anything great or terribly wrong. For the last four years the Pens have lived with that throughout the entire organization. I like the change with Spaling, and think the rest of ya'll will too after a bit.
- Topshelf Mountain

I guess I should have been more clear... I'm not trying to demean Spaling or any of these players. What I am saying is I'm sick of not having quality top 6 wings. The thought of Dupuis and Spaling as top 6 players is nauseating to me. We can disagree about how they do it, but it's definitely time to do it.

Maybe Kappy will come in and help make this discussion moot.

I guess I should have been more clear... I'm not trying to demean Spaling or any of these players. What I am saying is I'm sick of not having quality top 6 wings. The thought of Dupuis and Spaling as top 6 players is nauseating to me. We can disagree about how they do it, but it's definitely time to do it.

Maybe Kappy will come in and help make this discussion moot.
- madmike71

Injury history is gonna dictate those two will be playing in the top six off and on throughout the year. Hopefully certain guys can step up and stay healthy before and during April, May, and all of June.

I also agree with you on needing to instill legitimate top six guys. Bennett is one and he freakishly got injured. Kappi might be another, same with Downie. But the bottom six had to be fixed before the top, come TDD you might be satisfied.

And are you using "moot" as an adjective, noun, or verb. Three very different meanings and I failed to understand the context.

Just to get things going a bit, here you go.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIXV0cir4-E

Spaling is so meh. He's not a bad player but he's so passive. It's enraging. Any offensive production he gets is from unforced mistakes from the opposition. He doesn't drive anything, he's like a robot that is in the "correct" position all the time. I've yet to see him even engage in a 50-50 battle. People think Sutter is bad for losing 50-50 battles, but at least he is involved and TRIES to win them.

Just to get things going a bit, here you go.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIXV0cir4-E
- powerhouse

I'd be willing to bet your still "recovering" from your hand injection.

And are you using "moot" as an adjective, noun, or verb. Three very different meanings and I failed to understand the context.
- Topshelf Mountain

Adjective. Modifying the noun "discussion". (2. of little or no practical value or meaning; purely academic.)

I'm saying if Kapanen can become a legit top 6 wing my argument for scrimping a little in the bottom 6 will be "of little or no practical value or meaning; purely academic."

I'd be willing to bet your still "recovering" from your hand injection.
- Topshelf Mountain

I have recovered pretty well but did play cards and drink some wine. Not too much though, feel fine this morning. Good call.

headed to Cooper's Rock State Forest to the 'overlook' for a wedding. Going to be brisk and windy. High of 54F, possibly. Not my idea of a wedding for comfort but then it's not my wedding. It's about 13 miles east of Morgantown, WV.

Spaling is so meh. He's not a bad player but he's so passive. It's enraging. Any offensive production he gets is from unforced mistakes from the opposition. He doesn't drive anything, he's like a robot that is in the "correct" position all the time. I've yet to see him even engage in a 50-50 battle. People think Sutter is bad for losing 50-50 battles, but at least he is involved and TRIES to win them.
- cygnus41

Being in the correct position is half the battle. Why do you think dupuis has been so successful with Sid? If spaling can do those little things right, he may fit well with malkin and Hornqvist