I guess if what Madden is saying is true and Maatta is done for the year. Then Pouliot is going down so that a lesser guy can come up and sit in the press box and the Pens then roll with:
Letang - Martin
Ehrhoff - Bortuzzo
Scuderi - Despres

I guess if what Madden is saying is true and Maatta is done for the year. Then Pouliot is going down so that a lesser guy can come up and sit in the press box and the Pens then roll with:
Letang - Martin
Ehrhoff - Bortuzzo
Scuderi - Despres
- PensFan1103

Rolling with Scuderi and/or Bortuzzo when you have the upside in the system like Harrington, Pouliot or even Dumoulin just feels ridiculous. This is the time to let these kids play. Especially if Maatta is indeed out for the year. I hope neither are the case and I'll believe it when the team says it, but if he's out they need to get those guys in. There's plenty of time to get them games.

I don't see Scuderi or Bortuzzo showing me something I have already seen. We know what they can do. Meh. Maybe you don't see Scuderi pushed out(which is ridiculous) but there's no excuse to push Bortuzzo into the lineup.

Rolling with Scuderi and/or Bortuzzo when you have the upside in the system like Harrington, Pouliot or even Dumoulin just feels ridiculous. This is the time to let these kids play. Especially if Maatta is indeed out for the year. I hope neither are the case and I'll believe it when the team says it, but if he's out they need to get those guys in. There's plenty of time to get them games.

I don't see Scuderi or Bortuzzo showing me something I have already seen. We know what they can do. Meh. Maybe you don't see Scuderi pushed out(which is ridiculous) but there's no excuse to push Bortuzzo into the lineup.
- HopintheCordoba

Yeah, I would have rather seen Pouliot or Harrington inserted into the starting 6 with Bortuzzo or Scuderi riding the bench. But it seems they will go the other way. I like Bortuzzo's physicality, especially in the playoffs, so I would sit Scuderi personally, but the team does not seem to be of the same opinion.

Yeah, I would have rather seen Pouliot or Harrington inserted into the starting 6 with Bortuzzo or Scuderi riding the bench. But it seems they will go the other way. I like Bortuzzo's physicality, especially in the playoffs, so I would sit Scuderi personally, but the team does not seem to be of the same opinion.
- PensFan1103

We will more than likely see them back up at some point in the season. I'm also guessing we will call up one or two during the playoffs as well

Rolling with Scuderi and/or Bortuzzo when you have the upside in the system like Harrington, Pouliot or even Dumoulin just feels ridiculous. This is the time to let these kids play. Especially if Maatta is indeed out for the year. I hope neither are the case and I'll believe it when the team says it, but if he's out they need to get those guys in. There's plenty of time to get them games.

I don't see Scuderi or Bortuzzo showing me something I have already seen. We know what they can do. Meh.
- HopintheCordoba

Is it me or has Bortuzzo not looked good since the Jagr hit and the subsequent ass kicking by TooToo? Looks tentative and lost at times. I'm def not confident if both of those guys are in my starting playoff roster....especially Bortz if he keeps playing like this.

Where is the Maatta talk generating from?

He's been on the ice every day it seems with Mike Kadar and participating in whatever workouts he can. Not a sure fire sign he's coming back because its the shoulder and you can work out and skate with it, but it is something.

I don't know how accurate it is but according to nhlnumbers.com they have $859K in space now. The point though is that deadline deals are much easier to manage when it comes to cap space.
- Feds91Stammer

Seems that site has more than Dupuis on LTIR, which before it went down, Capgeek only had Dupuis on LTIR. I remember reading something that the Penguins are one of the only, if not the only, teams that does not release who is on LTIR to the media. So it would seem that who is on LTIR would be a guess, but it seems nhlnumbers.com assumes Scott Wilson is on it as well. If Maatta is done, then we get any difference in cap space between him and his replacement as well, which will help cap wise.

Where is the Maatta talk generating from?

He's been on the ice every day it seems with Mike Kadar and participating in whatever workouts he can. Not a sure fire sign he's coming back because its the shoulder and you can work out and skate with it, but it is something.
- HopintheCordoba

Madden has been reporting on the radio today that he was told today that Maatta is done for the season. Obviously take with a grain of salt, but he seems pretty resolute about it.

Is it me or has Bortuzzo not looked good since the Jagr hit and the subsequent ass kicking by TooToo? Looks tentative and lost at times. I'm def not confident if both of those guys are in my starting playoff roster....especially Bortz if he keeps playing like this.
- madmike71

I see the insistence to play Scuderi and I don't get it. We most likely don't see him moved, but having him as a 7th instead of Bortuzzo at this time seems better. Maybe give him games to keep the lineup fresh. Bortuzzo just doesn't offer what Pouliot can. He takes away from what Ehrhoff is doing at times. He's just a known quantity and he's not going to be more than what he is. I'm not so sure it was the beating he took but the fact that he's just a limited talent.

Not a bad thing to evaluate what you have in the system long term and think of playoff spots now. These guys are likely taking 1-2 spots next year. They're both ready to play and learn on the fly. AHL isn't offering them that much in terms of further development.

Where is the Maatta talk generating from?

He's been on the ice every day it seems with Mike Kadar and participating in whatever workouts he can. Not a sure fire sign he's coming back because its the shoulder and you can work out and skate with it, but it is something.
- HopintheCordoba

Madden came on the air today saying he's been told Maatta is LIKELY done for the year. Take it fwiw.

Johnston did say the other day that his progress has slowed quite a bit and he's not close.

Madden has been reporting on the radio today that he was told today that Maatta is done for the season. Obviously take with a grain of salt, but he seems pretty resolute about it.
- PensFan1103

Pretty much anything he says should have that tagged to it

Pretty much anything he says should have that tagged to it

- HopintheCordoba

Yeah, but between this and what he said last week about the Kings/Pens Williams/Martin deal being on the table, he seems more certain about this.

Yeah, but between this and what he said last week about the Kings/Pens Williams/Martin deal being on the table, he seems more certain about this.
- PensFan1103

I would be too. The audience isn't privy to Maatta's medical progress. Probably won't be either. Not unless there's something positive coming.

When it comes to that trade talk, it was discussed back in Sept/Oct given the Voynov situation. It makes no sense now though because of the issues at forward the Kings have and now the Maatta talk. Likely the Penguins just eat it. That's fine. I won't complain about having Martin around.

I would be too. The audience isn't privy to Maatta's medical progress. Probably won't be either. Not unless there's something positive coming.

When it comes to that trade talk, it was discussed back in Sept/Oct given the Voynov situation. It makes no sense now though because of the issues at forward the Kings have and now the Maatta talk. Likely the Penguins just eat it. That's fine. I won't complain about having Martin around.
- HopintheCordoba

I just can't see them trading Martin and having a playoff defense comprised of 3 of the following.... Bortz,Scuds,Dumo,Pouliot,Harrington. Especially if those young guys don't get significant NHL time.

Where is the Maatta talk generating from?

He's been on the ice every day it seems with Mike Kadar and participating in whatever workouts he can. Not a sure fire sign he's coming back because its the shoulder and you can work out and skate with it, but it is something.
- HopintheCordoba

I think skating and his shoulder rehab are two totally different things. He's probably just skating (and working out everything else) to stay in shape during rehab, so if the rehab goes well, he'll be close to game shape when cleared.

He wasn't even talking about hockey. He was taking a jab at Steeler fans and it just sounded so manufactured. Sort of trying to emulate Madden, but coming across like a Chinese Rolex.

It was pathetic.... That's all I'm saying. There's virtually nothing about him or his columns/opinions that I remotely respect.
- madmike71

I have felt that way as well for a long time. He is intellectually challenged to say the least.

I guess if what Madden is saying is true and Maatta is done for the year. Then Pouliot is going down so that a lesser guy can come up and sit in the press box and the Pens then roll with:
Letang - Martin
Ehrhoff - Bortuzzo
Scuderi - Despres
- PensFan1103

I've been waiting for this. If Maata can't come back, take Martin out for the aforementioned Williams deal and that D-corp isn't playoff ready. We'd lose, quickly. Martin leaving doesn't solve a thing....the forwards are perfectly fine when healthy.

I think skating and his shoulder rehab are two totally different things. He's probably just skating (and working out everything else) to stay in shape during rehab, so if the rehab goes well, he'll be close to game shape when cleared.
- rival22

That's what I'm getting it. By no means an indicator he is back this year, but not a definitive answer that he isn't either. If there's Johnston saying he needs more time, fine. I just don't think Madden should matter much unless the medical staff and the FO are saying it.

With that said, we should probably be looking at the team with him not available. Makes them evaluate for that possibility. Can't see Martin moved if that's the case. Should definitely not be pushing players into spots they shouldn't be playing because he may be back in the near future. Play the best.

Molinari reporting the same thing on Maatta...

just do whats best for the kid long term....that's my only reaction...

I've been waiting for this. If Maata can't come back, take Martin out for the aforementioned Williams deal and that D-corp isn't playoff ready. We'd lose, quickly. Martin leaving doesn't solve a thing....the forwards are perfectly fine when healthy.
- Topshelf Mountain

Agreed. Even if they were concerned about a rental, that could probably happen with a defensive prospect and maybe a conditional. Not talking about a name, but just someone to give them another option in the bottom 6. If they feel like Perron helps push the lineup into shape I'd have to agree.

How does that prove he's wrong? He reported the team would have interest. He was right about that. He may have made an assumption the player did, but who wouldn't? If Ehrhoff says he'd rather let things play out, that makes sense. His $ go up after the season/playoffs. Price could be high for any team, not just he Penguins. He could still re-sign after the season. That's his hand. Doesn't mean the interest Friedman reported wasn't valid.

Friedman is usually very reliable. I don't think this is anything more than the player knowing he can parlay a big deal after a good run in the PS with any of the 30 teams.
- HopintheCordoba

He was throwing dookie at a wall to see if it would stick.

And where has it been reported that the team has tried to re-sign him? I haven't seen anything like that.

Point was that many took it as gospel, and then the telephone game begins. So, his report gets posted here in a headline as: "Ehrhoff Extension Likely In January."

That's how this game works these days. Somebody posts conjecture, it gets hopped on given the 1 hour news cycle, and suddenly misinformation is king. Kind of like Malkin/Adams II last Friday - folks took that up and ran with it until Yohe went on the radio and basically said that folks were overblowing his report.

Clickbait.

Where is the Maatta talk generating from?
- HopintheCordoba

It's coming from Madden, who I trust about as much as I can throw him, which is not at all because he's fat.

Perfect example of sourceless conjecture being recycled as fact.

I'm not a doctor, I don't play one on TV, and I didn't stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night, but if he's out for the year, I'd think that rehab instead of surgery would be a bad idea.

He was throwing dookie at a wall to see if it would stick.

And where has it been reported that the team has tried to re-sign him? I haven't seen anything like that.

Point was that many took it as gospel, and then the telephone game begins. So, his report gets posted here in a headline as: "Ehrhoff Extension Likely In January."

That's how this game works these days. Somebody posts conjecture, it gets hopped on given the 1 hour news cycle, and suddenly misinformation is king. Kind of like Malkin/Adams II last Friday - folks took that up and ran with it until Yohe went on the radio and basically said that folks were overblowing his report.

Clickbait.
- hardnosed

I just don't see that. He's one of the most consistent sources. There are a few out there that do that all year and that's fine. Whatever. I tend to trust that if he is saying it, there are legitimate whispers. On the contrary, neither side(player or team) has to say anything. Even if it were just obvious signs pointing in that direction, it seems totally fine to put it out for public consumption.

Most of us look at the Martin deal and the youth coming up and probably think "He's a great insurance policy if he can be retained" so I don't see the harm in the reports. Things change.

Not that it matters because it's probably mooot but it's still January last time I checked.

I'll wait for the Pens' announcement, but Madden while he's a blowhard and an idiot on the radio, he does have relationships with the organization. If I was at 50/50 Maatta coming back, I'm at best 25/75 now.

Well, Molinari reporting it lends more credence.

http://www.post-gazette.c...ason/stories/201501120173

But I'm still not going to be sold on it until a paid employee of the team says it's true.