And would take up all the cap space that was freed from Dupuis. I don't think he is good enough to be the only acquisition/put us over the top for a cup run. Just my opinion.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

They're unlikely to get a "put us over the top" kind of player. It's just not out there, and if it were, it would cost a lot.

Depth is what they need - their pairs are still intact. And they've kind of got 11 guys at forward right now who aren't going anywhere. So they really only need one guy, and Stafford is a guy who is available, fits, and wouldn't require a future-killing package to get.

Was looking at CapGeek today and found my two top choices for Dupuis fill-in's. Both guys make the same as Duper (3.75), both are UFA at seasons end, both are current on teams already out of the playoff race, and both plays play a solid 2-way game which will be missed without Pascal.

Antoine Vermette
Nick Foligno


I know, doesn't take your breath away but I'd think either of those guys would fill in admirably for #9, and neither would break the bank to acquire. I'd think Doumilin or Samuelson plus a decent pick 2nd or 3rd rounder.

Last time the Sabres were competitive, he scored 30 goals. I think playing with guys like Malkin or Crosby, he would flourish.
- cap1681

And even the most inconsistent players usually up their game a bit in a contract year. He's smart enough to know that a good few months, especially in the playoffs could get him paid this summer with the weak forward class.

Last time the Sabres were competitive, he scored 30 goals. I think playing with guys like Malkin or Crosby, he would flourish.
- cap1681

I do, too.

And even the most inconsistent players usually up their game a bit in a contract year. He's smart enough to know that a good few months, especially in the playoffs could get him paid this summer with the weak forward class.
- rival22

Exactly.

And even the most inconsistent players usually up their game a bit in a contract year. He's smart enough to know that a good few months, especially in the playoffs could get him paid this summer with the weak forward class.
- rival22

Yep. If he can't get motivated to go tear it up with Crosby for 6 months and then cash in again next summer, nothing can motivate him.

Which is another point as to why GM's aren't going to be in a rush to trade young forwards to the Penguins. You run the risk of trading Nino or Jurco (just bringing up those names because they're names I see) to the Penguins, they score like crazy with Crosby or Malkin, and then you look like an idiot for trading Nino or Jurco.

They're unlikely to get a "put us over the top" kind of player. It's just not out there, and if it were, it would cost a lot.

Depth is what they need - their pairs are still intact. And they've kind of got 11 guys at forward right now who aren't going anywhere. So they really only need one guy, and Stafford is a guy who is available, fits, and wouldn't require a future-killing package to get.
- hardnosed

I understand your rationale. But if Stafford's cost is Dumoulin and a 2nd, why not try that same package for someone like Jurco, Rattie?

I do, too.
- hardnosed

That logic is overplayed. Well he's inconsistent and overpriced, but hey we have Sid and Geno so maybe he will do ok.

Was looking at CapGeek today and found my two top choices for Dupuis fill-in's. Both guys make the same as Duper (3.75), both are UFA at seasons end, both are current on teams already out of the playoff race, and both plays play a solid 2-way game which will be missed without Pascal.

Antoine Vermette
Nick Foligno


I know, doesn't take your breath away but I'd think either of those guys would fill in admirably for #9, and neither would break the bank to acquire. I'd think Doumilin or Samuelson plus a decent pick 2nd or 3rd rounder.
- Willaged

We really dont have any to entice Arizona to trade Vermette, they want more offense.

Foligno would be nice but I dont see CBJ trading him in-division when they have no reason to get rid of him in the first place.

They're unlikely to get a "put us over the top" kind of player. It's just not out there, and if it were, it would cost a lot.

Depth is what they need - their pairs are still intact. And they've kind of got 11 guys at forward right now who aren't going anywhere. So they really only need one guy, and Stafford is a guy who is available, fits, and wouldn't require a future-killing package to get.
- hardnosed

To be fair, they have those "over the top" type of players already on their roster. They just need true compliments not just servicable players.

Same fascination with Gibbons, had a few good shifts but the rest of his time was forgettable but for whatever reason everyone only remembers 1 or 2 flashes and think that deserves top line icetime with PP time.
- sammy87

Honestly, I don't recall seeing a single flash out of him. He was a step above yet another one of the midgets from the AHL that couldn't play at an NHL level sure, but I wouldn't want to repeat that this time around. There's a number of much less mediocre options out there. Maybe a guy that can have more impact than just breathing on the bench & ice.

Yep. If he can't get motivated to go tear it up with Crosby for 6 months and then cash in again next summer, nothing can motivate him.

Which is another point as to why GM's aren't going to be in a rush to trade young forwards to the Penguins. You run the risk of trading Nino or Jurco (just bringing up those names because they're names I see) to the Penguins, they score like crazy with Crosby or Malkin, and then you look like an idiot for trading Nino or Jurco.
- hardnosed

Does that really matter? Maybe they look really smart because they got the defensive help they needed to make their team better.

We really dont have any to entice Arizona to trade Vermette, they want more offense.

Foligno would be nice but I dont see CBJ trading him in-division when they have no reason to get rid of him in the first place.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

I agree with you Arizona comment, they already have a deep young defense core. But CLB does have reason to trade Foligno.. He's a UFA this summer, if they get the feeling he will not resign and are well out of the playoff picture you deal him and get assists in return. If they deem this season a lost cause an in division trade doesn't really matter either, can't burn a team that's already out of it. And he'll be off to the highest bidder in 15-16.

I agree with you Arizona comment, they already have a deep young defense core. But CLB does have reason to trade Foligno.. He's a UFA this summer, if they get the feeling he will not resign and are well out of the playoff picture you deal him and get assists in return. If they deem this season a lost cause an in division trade doesn't really matter either, can't burn a team that's already out of it. And he'll be off to the highest bidder in 15-16.
- Willaged

True. I guess its just a matter of whether or not they think they will re-sign him and both teams are comfortable dealing in-division. Kind of like Martin, that was the main reason we initially felt ok dealing him, because we had the feeling he wouldnt be back next year anyway.

I understand your rationale. But if Stafford's cost is Dumoulin and a 2nd, why not try that same package for someone like Jurco, Rattie?
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Sure, try it. I just don't think it will happen. If the Wings or Blues want to give up on talented young wingers, they'd most likely want something back that can improve their teams immediately, which the Penguins can't provide in a trade.

The Blues have D prospects. Schmalz was a first rounder in 2012, Vanelli was a 2nd rounder in 2013. They don't need another D prospect.

The Red Wings have Oullet up already (former 2nd), and Sproul in the pipeline (another 2nd rounder). Plus they love Marchenko. They don't need another D prospect.

Buffalo also has D prospects, but they're in asset management mode, which means they want young talent in bulk, both to rebuild and as trading chips.

I agree with you Arizona comment, they already have a deep young defense core. But CLB does have reason to trade Foligno.. He's a UFA this summer, if they get the feeling he will not resign and are well out of the playoff picture you deal him and get assists in return. If they deem this season a lost cause an in division trade doesn't really matter either, can't burn a team that's already out of it. And he'll be off to the highest bidder in 15-16.
- Willaged

Vermette is over 30 and IMO that should be an automatic no deal. + he's just a rental. I would think about a 1st and mid prospect for Boedker.

That logic is overplayed. Well he's inconsistent and overpriced, but hey we have Sid and Geno so maybe he will do ok.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

I think it's pretty sound. Crosby especially has shown that he can elevate the play of those around him. No reason to believe that Stafford would be any different, and no reason to believe that playing for a contender for the first time since 2006 would fail to motivate him.

Does that really matter? Maybe they look really smart because they got the defensive help they needed to make their team better.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

It certainly matters, GM's don't want to look bad. Craig Patrick's rep took a huge hit after the Naslund for Stoyanov trade.

It certainly matters, GM's don't want to look bad. Craig Patrick's rep took a huge hit after the Naslund for Stoyanov trade.
- hardnosed

My point was wins and losses is more important than feeling like you "helped" the other team. If the Pens won the cup with Iginla, Murray, and Morrow...no one would ever complain about whether or not we "won" the trade.

No on rental vet players... sid geno letang have done more then most vets and should be looked at as vets in locker room

No on rentals except jags. Sorry want him to win a cup here and retire...

No on players who are inconsistent. I want young guys who give 100%. If we can't get them via trades then get them via ufa or draft..

This team has a lot of trade chips that can help the team not just this yr but the next few..

And for (frank)s sake hurry up and bring megna up for sill.. He hasn't show anyone anything except he is able to quickly move to different positions on the bench.. we need our 4th line to be able to play more than 3 mins a game and have chances to score just not be a shutdown line... ( watch now sill will get a point tonight lol)

I think it's pretty sound. Crosby especially has shown that he can elevate the play of those around him. No reason to believe that Stafford would be any different, and no reason to believe that playing for a contender for the first time since 2006 would fail to motivate him.
- hardnosed

But when do we start targeting people to elevate Sid and Geno instead of the other way around? I know what your thinking....yes Sid and Geno are already very good...but we've lost a lot of playoff rounds because our stars were shut down and the team couldnt effing score. Aim to bring the best out in them, not to have them bring the best out in mediocre players.

1 goal, 3 assists, 4 points for Beau Bennett over these two games against the Dirty Ders. Take that to Vegas.

I won't be watching, as it is my last home football weekend at South Bend as a student, but I'll be following closely on my phone. Lets go Pens!

Vermette is over 30 and IMO that should be an automatic no deal. + he's just a rental. I would think about a 1st and mid prospect for Boedker.
- sammy87

Problem is teams rarely deal quality young guys who are signed for a few season, unless you're getting the same quality in return. If I'm GMJR I'm not moving pouliot, Harrington or our first. In Dupuis we lost leadership, a solid PK'er, a good 2-way guy (allows Malkin/Crosby) to focus a bit more offensively knowing Duper is there to cover them. Vermette fills all of those voids, he's only 32, not done by any means, and the fact he is a rental is a benefit for us. Cheap price to acquire him (not having to deal any above mentioned pieces) and his cap is gone next season should Duper decide to return. If Duper doesn't come back we can still attempt to resign him if he was a good fit on the team.

Same fascination with Gibbons, had a few good shifts but the rest of his time was forgettable but for whatever reason everyone only remembers 1 or 2 flashes and think that deserves top line icetime with PP time.
- sammy87

come now... even us Gibbsters wanted him back as a 4th liner who could pot maybe 8-10 with a few shortys thrown in. the blow was seeing him go to columbus on a 2-way

But when do we start targeting people to elevate Sid and Geno instead of the other way around? I know what your thinking....yes Sid and Geno are already very good...but we've lost a lot of playoff rounds because our stars were shut down and the team couldnt effing score. Aim to bring the best out in them, not to have them bring the best out in mediocre players.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

In a perfect world I would have loved to retain Hossa and sign Parise a couple years ago, but those moves are easier said than done when those centers who need wingers are making 18 mil between them.

None of the names being thrown around do that, unless we're talking about 6 mil a year guys like Kane and Eberle. And getting those guys would be prohibitive in terms of cost and are simply unlikely to happen.