Most likely they don't have the rights to the WBS games. Plus they would need to sell advertising during the game and then figure out how that profit is split, which then takes away from Root's overall revenue. I am sure the spots during women's field hockey are not worth a lot, but whatever they are relieving, they aren't splitting it with anyone else.

The other question is do WBS even have TV broadcasts? I know they have radio partners, as I have heard the games before, but I honestly don't know how many games the broadcast, if any. Have you tried funding any info on the web about streaming the games? That might be an option.

As a fan I would love to see some games on Root too, but it's just not going to happen.
- crebar

Root actually does pick up a game or two during the season. But that is literally it.....just a game or two. I just happened to think of it when I was walking past the Root studio and they were broadcasting field hockey. I mean, there couldn't have been 10 people watching that last night. I do realize it's a business decision and I guess they don't feel it's worth it.

I know you can buy the streams through the AHL, but I'm not interested in doing that.

NO...Vanek underperforms all the time. The only big name F's worth moving Letang for would be someone like Kane, Kane, Perry, Ryan, Eberle, etc....Having 87 and 71, you don't need the top of the line F's, you need a Honrquest level player with them. Martin will be gone by next season that leaves Letang and Ehroff (if he resigns) as your top vet d men, Maata is still learing, with Bortz holding down the fort. It's a good situation defensively for the Pens. They have plenty of D prospects and centers that can be moved.
- sammy87

Vanek does have a tendency to disappear (although "all the time" is a bit harsh). But I'm a bit surprised you'd move Letang for E. Kane (assuming he's one of the Kane's you listed) or Eberle. I think Winnipeg or Edmonton would jump at the idea.

Also, who are the "plenty of centers" that they could move (that have value)?

Vanek does have a tendency to disappear (although "all the time" is a bit harsh). But I'm a bit surprised you'd move Letang for E. Kane (assuming he's one of the Kane's you listed) or Eberle. I think Winnipeg or Edmonton would jump at the idea.

Also, who are the "plenty of centers" that they could move (that have value)?
- jmatchett383

Letang is the Pens best D man. I don't really think you can move him to be honest and it would have to be a star F to make it happen. That being said, most teams barely have any "stars" Pens have 87, 71 and 58, I just don't think making a major move for a star level F is necessary, or it would even work out.

not sure about a wifi DVD player, but I get HD (on par with cable broadcasts) on my chromecast
- BulliesPhan87

Yeah I have Direct TV which I barely use and to get NHLN is an upgraded package, or I can get center ice. I need to learn more about HULU and other streaming services, wife and I watch about 5-8 shows and sports and movies. I just feel like I piss money away every month at Direct TV.

Letang is the Pens best D man. I don't really think you can move him to be honest and it would have to be a star F to make it happen. That being said, most teams barely have any "stars" Pens have 87, 71 and 58, I just don't think making a major move for a star level F is necessary, or it would even work out.
- sammy87

Fair enough. I like Letang, always have (except for, well, certain aspects of his game, not his skill). I'd be hesitant to move him unless it brought in a high-level player (like Patrick Sharp). If that's the case, you save a little money on the cap in the short term, and you can theoretically resign Martin for less than you'd be paying Letang. Not saying that trade specifically would happen, but if you can move Letang for a top-line player making less than him, that lets you extend Martin which brings you a slight downgrade on the defense (could be swung by young D development) while significantly strengthening the forwards.

Just a thought.

Pouliot will play tonight.

Pouliot will play tonight.
- Ryan_Wilson

WBS or Pitt?

WBS or Pitt?
- jmatchett383

Is that question rhetorical?

Unless he can "factor out" Scuderi I really don't see Pouliot as an "x factor". I am not sure what JR will do but I really don't think it makes sense to pull any kind of big trade, unless he can dupe someone into taking Scuderi (and if he can he would rank up there with the salesman in the Far Side cartoon who sold refrigerators to Eskimos). The Pens are in a "win now" phase, not in a rebuilding phase and thus it doesn't make sense to trade Martin. Besides that, his play so far as been better than Ehrhoff's. Usually players play best in their contract years, too (Orpik last year was an exception).


- PghPens668771

I would disagree with that. Martin really hasn't looked that sharp.

What will LA give us for Scuderi, that's the $3.4 million dollar question?

I would disagree with that. Martin really hasn't looked that sharp.

What will LA give us for Scuderi, that's the $3.4 million dollar question?
- YouMeAndDupuis9

I'd take nothing for him... or whatever they need to keep under the cap, as long as its not a longer contract length than his :D

Fair enough. I like Letang, always have (except for, well, certain aspects of his game, not his skill). I'd be hesitant to move him unless it brought in a high-level player (like Patrick Sharp). If that's the case, you save a little money on the cap in the short term, and you can theoretically resign Martin for less than you'd be paying Letang. Not saying that trade specifically would happen, but if you can move Letang for a top-line player making less than him, that lets you extend Martin which brings you a slight downgrade on the defense (could be swung by young D development) while significantly strengthening the forwards.

Just a thought.
- jmatchett383

I wouldn't even move him for Sharp, Pens need to get younger up front. Letang is only like 27? I just never saw how moving Letang makes the team any better.

I wouldn't even move him for Sharp, Pens need to get younger up front. Letang is only like 27? I just never saw how moving Letang makes the team any better.
- sammy87

For Sharp? I'd start to consider Letang moves honestly. Love the Letang, but Sharp is a very top end winger.

Is that question rhetorical?
- Guile

Just making sure they didn't recall him.

For Sharp? I'd start to consider Letang moves honestly. Love the Letang, but Sharp is a very top end winger.
- Guile

Maybe Martin for Sharp. Letang would be a really dumb move.

I wouldn't even move him for Sharp, Pens need to get younger up front. Letang is only like 27? I just never saw how moving Letang makes the team any better.
- sammy87

Moving any player short of Crosby (and to a slightly lesser degree, Malkin) for a better player(s) makes the team better, especially when you deal from a position of relative strength to fill a position of relative weakness, and also especially if it saves you money on the cap and allows you to sign/resign players you'd otherwise be unable to.

For Sharp? I'd start to consider Letang moves honestly. Love the Letang, but Sharp is a very top end winger.
- Guile

He's 32 and wont be top end very long. Then next year you are down Martin, Letang on D?

He's 32 and wont be top end very long. Then next year you are down Martin, Letang on D?
- sammy87

As I said, with the $$ you'd save, you could theoretically resign Martin.'

Just using Sharp as an example of a top-end player you could deal Letang for.

Pouliot will play tonight.
- Ryan_Wilson

Woohoo... I'll let you all know how he looks. Interested to see him, Harrington and Dea tonight.

Just hate that we have so many talented defenseman "rotting" in the minors. Sure they are learning and developing with big minutes so its not a terrible situation. But with Scuderi roadblocking them, it just pisses me off.

I think by January, Pouliot will be recalled and Ehrhoff re-signed. Then Martin gets traded to LA, DAL, SJ, ANA, or MIN.

I know many of you don't think this way but the combination of Pouliot/Harrington/Dumoulin playing in place of Martin PLUS a solid top6/top9 forward is better for the team than Martin by himself. Just my $.02

As I said, with the $$ you'd save, you could theoretically resign Martin.'

Just using Sharp as an example of a top-end player you could deal Letang for.
- jmatchett383

Yeah but you will resign Martin close to what Letang makes and Martin will be 34 next year. If I were JR I let Martin walk if that's the scenario.

Just hate that we have so many talented defenseman "rotting" in the minors. Sure they are learning and developing with big minutes so its not a terrible situation. But with Scuderi roadblocking them, it just pisses me off.

I think by January, Pouliot will be recalled and Ehrhoff re-signed. Then Martin gets traded to LA, DAL, SJ, ANA, or MIN.

I know many of you don't think this way but the combination of Pouliot/Harrington/Dumoulin playing in place of Martin PLUS a solid top6/top9 forward is better for the team than Martin by himself. Just my $.02
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Martin isn't flashy or anything, but he's about as steady as they come. You're putting a lot of faith in players with little experience (in Pouliot, 1 game so far) for a "win now" team. I'm not saying you're wrong, but it's far from coclusive that it would improve them.

Just hate that we have so many talented defenseman "rotting" in the minors. Sure they are learning and developing with big minutes so its not a terrible situation. But with Scuderi roadblocking them, it just pisses me off.

I think by January, Pouliot will be recalled and Ehrhoff re-signed. Then Martin gets traded to LA, DAL, SJ, ANA, or MIN.

I know many of you don't think this way but the combination of Pouliot/Harrington/Dumoulin playing in place of Martin PLUS a solid top6/top9 forward is better for the team than Martin by himself. Just my $.02
- YouMeAndDupuis9

I agree. Then tell Scuds they either buy him out and his career is over at that point, or accept a trade to anywhere NHL.

Moving any player short of Crosby (and to a slightly lesser degree, Malkin) for a better player(s) makes the team better, especially when you deal from a position of relative strength to fill a position of relative weakness, and also especially if it saves you money on the cap and allows you to sign/resign players you'd otherwise be unable to.
- jmatchett383

You just dont trade a Norris candidate defenseman in his prime locked up long term (whos contract really is not bad over the long run) for an aging winger. Especially, when you can utilize other assets to address your weakness, even if its not a "star" player.

Martin isn't flashy or anything, but he's about as steady as they come. You're putting a lot of faith in players with little experience (in Pouliot, 1 game so far) for a "win now" team. I'm not saying you're wrong, but it's far from coclusive that it would improve them.
- jmatchett383

Letang and Ehroff will be vets, Maata will have 2 full seasons under his belt, Scuds is old and a vet, Bortz has 3 years experience I think? Not too bad IMO.

Yeah but you will resign Martin close to what Letang makes and Martin will be 34 next year. If I were JR I let Martin walk if that's the scenario.
- sammy87

Well, I doubt Martin makes a $2.25M raise, maybe a $0.5M raise. You have good points when you factor in age. I'm not saying either player has to be moved, and personally, unless a no-brainer came along, I wouldn't move either one. And when I say no brainer, I mean stupid overpayment (say, JvR for Luke Schenn stupid). Uf you're trying to win now, I'd keep the best defense together that I could and bank of my forwards being relatively healthy going into the postseason.