I had the same surgery as well. It was brutal, never want to deal with that again. I thought I was doing better at one point, unloaded the dishwasher and had my hand out at 90 degrees with 2 plates, completely collapsed and broke the plates. I was in so much pain.
- sammy87

I have 2 little kids so I've been putting my surgery off for a few years now. I'm sure I'll regret that decision some where down the line.

Canucks vs penguins in the cup miller vs flower sedins twins last shot at a cup sid and geno takes it away

Canucks vs penguins in the cup
- Palmer117

YO FLERZ R TEH SUCKZ

I LIKE PUNCTUATION AND CAPITALIZATION!

If it's for a forward, then why does it have to be at the TDL? Like I said, a "traditional" TDL deal is giving a contending team a roster player for future help. But the only people that will want Martin as a pending UFA will be contending teams, and I doubt a contending team will be willing to fork over a top-6 forward to get him.
- jmatchett383

that puts pens in a non-traditional tdl deal as well... it would be one contender with forward surplus needing d hitting up an opposite team. tdl is due to needing to see if one of the other youngin's is ready for top 4 minutes. if not, pens obviously keep martin

Martin dumlion and a first for bobby ryan. Be Kuntiz Crosby horny 2nd line ryan sutter Malkin
- Palmer117

you know he sesigned in ott right?

that puts pens in a non-traditional tdl deal as well... it would be one contender with forward surplus needing d hitting up an opposite team. tdl is due to needing to see if one of the other youngin's is ready for top 4 minutes. if not, pens obviously keep martin
- ChrisMS

I just think the Pens have more need for Martin that for a top-6 forward (assuming no long-term injuries). Playoffs of recent years have shown that a deep, solid defense is paramount. As long as Sid and Geno are healthy, the offense shouldn't be a problem.

I just think the Pens have more need for Martin that for a top-6 forward (assuming no long-term injuries). Playoffs of recent years have shown that a deep, solid defense is paramount. As long as Sid and Geno are healthy, the offense shouldn't be a problem.
- jmatchett383

could be.pens look good now without bennett. with him? might not need help at all. but if one of the kid-d's steps up and makes martin a luxury, why not see if another forward could be received. particularly if a young top 9 comes back who could develop into a top 6 with geno and sid. one example, LA wants to make another run, feels they could benifit from a top 4 d-man. pearson, toffoli, zykov, etc. they have a surplus of young top 9. maybe a deal is to be had there. ANA is another good example. surplus of young forwards... etem was playing on 4th line other day.

I just think the Pens have more need for Martin that for a top-6 forward (assuming no long-term injuries). Playoffs of recent years have shown that a deep, solid defense is paramount. As long as Sid and Geno are healthy, the offense shouldn't be a problem.
- jmatchett383

If it was something stupid good like Martin for E. Kane, I think it makes sense. Otherwise, I agree.

could be.pens look good now without bennett. with him? might not need help at all. but if one of the kid-d's steps up and makes martin a luxury, why not see if another forward could be received. particularly if a young top 9 comes back who could develop into a top 6 with geno and sid. one example, LA wants to make another run, feels they could benifit from a top 4 d-man. pearson, toffoli, zykov, etc. they have a surplus of young top 9. maybe a deal is to be had there. ANA is another good example. surplus of young forwards... etem was playing on 4th line other day.
- ChrisMS

I'd still keep him. Those kid defenders, outside of Maata, have no playoff experience whatsoever. Playoffs are a whole different beast, and being able to roll out 3 pairs consistently is a luxury most teams would kill for. I just think that any return for a player like Martin, apart from a ridiculous overpayment, is not worth what he can bring.

Just say no to Bobby Ryan. No.

Ok, now try it, No Bobbly Ryan to the Pens. Rinse, lather, repeat.

If it was something stupid good like Martin for E. Kane, I think it makes sense. Otherwise, I agree.
- BulliesPhan87

and an UFA wont bring that kind of return. but as our esteemed blogger brings up, do the pens risk losing martin like they did orpik/nisk, for nothing.

Just say no to Bobby Ryan. No.

Ok, now try it, No Bobbly Ryan to the Pens. Rinse, lather, repeat.
- powerhouse

That's what Ottawa should have done when they saw his demands to stay there.

I'd still keep him. Those kid defenders, outside of Maata, have no playoff experience whatsoever. Playoffs are a whole different beast, and being able to roll out 3 pairs consistently is a luxury most teams would kill for. I just think that any return for a player like Martin, apart from a ridiculous overpayment, is not worth what he can bring.
- jmatchett383

despres/pouliot/doumalin would have to show reasonable chance they would handle top 4 role. d-depth could lead us to a cup... but our offnsive depth could be tested with an injury or 2

and an UFA wont bring that kind of return. but as our esteemed blogger brings up, do the pens risk losing martin like they did orpik/nisk, for nothing.
- ChrisMS

Orpik was terrible, so moving him would have been a plus. As for Niskanen, they decided to keep him because their window is now. And that's a whole different situation, trading a player to get future players compared to trading a player to improve the team now. They kept Niskanen because they wanted to win last year, and they took a shot. If they want to move Martin because they think they have a better shot at winning now, that's one thing. But if you move him solely because he's a UFA, then you're basically limiting your chance of winning now.

and an UFA wont bring that kind of return. but as our esteemed blogger brings up, do the pens risk losing martin like they did orpik/nisk, for nothing.
- ChrisMS

I think you move Martin only if you feel Harrington and Despress are ready to step up and assume a larger role. Keeping Martin helps the team this year, but he also could return a rental top 6. Orpik had been garbage for at least 2 years he wasn't getting anything in return and the Pens D was just as bad w or w/o him.

Either way, Martin will be gone next year.

Just say no to Bobby Ryan. No.

Ok, now try it, No Bobbly Ryan to the Pens. Rinse, lather, repeat.
- powerhouse

I'm telling you, the deal i want to see happen is Martin+ to the Kings for Justin Williams. Both in the last year of their contract and both are the same age. The Kings were looking for a defenseman in the offseason. That would be a hell of a hockey trade.

I'm telling you, the deal i want to see happen is Martin+ to the Kings for Justin Williams. Both in the last year of their contract and both are the same age. The Kings were looking for a defenseman in the offseason. That would be a hell of a hockey trade.
- cap1681

Now see, THAT is a fairly good straight-up hockey trade (if you take away the "+"). Still, the kids would have to really show that they can handle it, otherwise you're weakening your D substantially.

and an UFA wont bring that kind of return. but as our esteemed blogger brings up, do the pens risk losing martin like they did orpik/nisk, for nothing.
- ChrisMS

I would answer yes. The Penguins are a team that should be all in on the cup, and I think part of that is keeping Martin.

That's what Ottawa should have done when they saw his demands to stay there.
- jmatchett383

Honestly, I don't think it was a bad move for them. They've been losing talent, they had to stem the bleeding at some point. Of course, if Malnyk doesn't get used to opening the purse strings I don't think it'll matter either way.

Honestly, I don't think it was a bad move for them. They've been losing talent, they had to stem the bleeding at some point. Of course, if Malnyk doesn't get used to opening the purse strings I don't think it'll matter either way.
- BulliesPhan87

Part of that is bad trades and poor asset management. They should never have made the Ryan trade to begin with, and they were counting on an older goalie to not regress going forward. I'm not saying to give up hope and/or tank, but overpaying a maybe top-line winger isn't the solution for them.

Now see, THAT is a fairly good straight-up hockey trade (if you take away the "+"). Still, the kids would have to really show that they can handle it, otherwise you're weakening your D substantially.
- jmatchett383

I could see this being a trade that happens sooner rather then at the deadline. The Penguins would want time for the kids to go through their growing pains in the regular season.

Part of that is bad trades and poor asset management. They should never have made the Ryan trade to begin with, and they were counting on an older goalie to not regress going forward. I'm not saying to give up hope and/or tank, but overpaying a maybe top-line winger isn't the solution for them.
- jmatchett383

Part of it is showing a commitment to competing. They let Alfy go (which left a big stink imo, hence the "need" to go get Ryan), followed by Spezza asking for a ticket out. It seems to me like they were becoming an unattractive landing spot.

I'm not saying it's an outstanding signing, or that they haven't made mistakes recently. But showing they're willing to pay big bucks to keep a player like Ryan (despite his warts) shows they're not willing to just let the talent seep away.

I'm just glad he won't be (one of many) clogging up our cap picture.

Now see, THAT is a fairly good straight-up hockey trade (if you take away the "+"). Still, the kids would have to really show that they can handle it, otherwise you're weakening your D substantially.
- jmatchett383

this is what I was saying for the past several pages!

this is what I was saying for the past several pages!
- ChrisMS

Which is fine...but now you're counting on a lot of fairly unproven players to be the backbone of your defense on the way to a Cup, and you've gotten a player who may/may not mesh well, not to mention you're disrupting chemistry (see: Iginla, Jarome). So that's a lot of eggs all in one basket.

I could see this being a trade that happens sooner rather then at the deadline. The Penguins would want time for the kids to go through their growing pains in the regular season.
- cap1681

What happens if you make that trade early and the kids can't handle it? You've just wasted a year on the Sid/Geno train.