Spaling wasn't signed. He was an RFA, so if they wanted rid of him so bad, they could have just not resigned him.
- PensFan1103

Ah, gotcha. So he was just an RFA and they traded his rights?

Its still Florida
- Guile

It's never "Still Florida"! It's (frank)ing Mellanby and Vanbiesbrouck and stupid (frank)ing rats!

Ah, gotcha. So he was just an RFA and they traded his rights?
- jmatchett383

Yeah

Yeah
- PensFan1103

Fair enough. Well, there goes that possibility.

Fair enough. Well, there goes that possibility.
- jmatchett383

The feeling was that he could be an effective depth forward. Had versatility because he could play center or wing. But his numbers were inflated because of PP/PK time he'd never see here. He hasn't really been that great on any line. Hasn't embarrased himself but he's not really good at one particular thing like someone else mentioned.

Maybe on the 4th line he's an upgrade over what we've had the past couple seasons. He's definitely better than Adams or Sill but so are Wilson, Rust, Sheary(can't be called up for some reason) and Zlobin(injured).

It made some sense but the expense hurts in many ways. Getting any mid pick or simply trying to pry a forward prospect would've been better. Hindsight.

I guess we have ourselves a remedial play guy for $2.2M....

The feeling was that he could be an effective depth forward. Maybe on the 4th line he's an upgrade over what we've had the past couple seasons. He's definitely better than Adams or Sill but so are Wilson, Rust, Sheary(can't be called up for some reason) and Zlobin(injured).

It made some sense but the expense hurts in many ways. Getting any mid pick or simply trying to pry a forward prospect would've been better. Hindsight.
- HopintheCordoba

I didn't follow the reports, was at the draft and far too wrapped up. Was a 2nd/3rd rounder a possible replacement in the deal?

I work in energy. TX, ND, OK, CO, WY, MT, UT, NM, and PA have all seen huge revenue growths due to energy. THere are currently over $10billion in pipeline projects planned in Ohio. Ohio isnt even in the top 10 for energy states.

Most analysts believe this will be a 8-16 month drop in crude prices and they will be back to the $80 dollar range. Either way, there are thousands and thousands of jobs associated with energy that also effect thousands of others indirectly. Energy has been the strongest industry since the recession outside of government. Short term cheap oil isnt that big of a deal, long term it will have drastic effects. Eventually hitting the Pens with a lower cap rise and a crappier team.
- sammy87

Maybe we just disagree, but I view 8-16 month drop in prices is significant enough to blow large holes in State budgets, cause layoffs in the tens of thousands of employees, & result in cuts to other Gov't services. To me, I would consider this something that is worthwhile to try to avoid, if at all possible.

I'm not saying that energy sectors are bad things by any means. I just would rather not live in a State (or have a job) that relies on it to such an extent that rises & falls with the price of a barrel of oil or a cubic foot of natural gas. Sooner or later the income form an energy sector fluctuates and if a State isn't prepared for the consequences, it can be brutal. If you are a skilled worker (ie, an engineer), you'll be fine. If you aren't that lucky, you can lose your job & watch the local cummunuity crumble around you as the tax revenue dries up.

I didn't follow the reports, was at the draft and far too wrapped up. Was a 2nd/3rd rounder a possible replacement in the deal?
- jmatchett383

I really don't think that came up. Not then anyway. Most of the talk was that this was a great move considering NSH needed to get a scorer of Neal's ilk and that we needed to change up the style in which we played while getting depth. I had seen him and didn't think it was quite the move needed but it all rode on the contract. I would think that a pick like that would be great. They chose 11th overall I think...

Ah, gotcha. So he was just an RFA and they traded his rights?
- jmatchett383

I think Nashville had already tenderd Spaling at $2.1M or something when he was traded, but not 100% sure on that.

I really don't think that came up. Most of the talk was that this was a great move considering NSH needed to get a scorer of Neal's ilk and that we needed to change up the style in which we played while getting depth. I had seen him and didn't think it was quite the move needed. I would think that a pick like that would be great. They chose 11th overall I think...
- HopintheCordoba

I'm just guessing that Hornqvist + 11th wasn't on the table.

I'm just guessing that Hornqvist + 11th wasn't on the table.
- jmatchett383

Oh no of course not. But it would have meant a decent spot in the subsequent rounds for us. Maybe even leverage for something else if we wanted. Whatever.

Hornquvist did indeed light it up at first, but a lot of that was on the PP. I still think he's been a solid addition to the Pens & an improvement over what Neal brought on a nightly basis. Perron looks great & is indeed very skilled. Really, really, really hope he will be re-signed as it would give the Pens three top-6 W's under the age of 29 (Perron, Hornquvist, Bennett).

I've said this before, but I really think the Penguins 2nd Cup window is only really beginning to open this season. Crosby. Letang, Fleury, and Malkin have been off their ELC/RFA deals for a few years, but the Penguins are slowly getting an infusion of talent on ELC/RFA value deals into their roster - Despres, Maatta, Bennett are all NHL contributors right now; Pouliot could be, but too soon to tell. Harrington & Dumoulin don't look that far off to me either. That allows for a lot of UFA spending on the rest of the roster (ie, more Downie, Comeau, & Goc type players and less of Glass, Pyatt, & Asham). Most of the Top-6 looks set going forward (Crosby, Malkin, Hornquvist, Perron, & Bennett) as does a portion of the Top-4 D (Letang, Maatta, Despres); Haven't been able to say that in quite a while.

- s0rcerer1984

I agree with you. Hornqvist and Perron are two great core type wingers for the rest of Geno and Sids prime. Kapanen and Bennett will be in that mix as well in the future. Next year, assuming pretty good health, it should be our best shot at the cup.

Not that I am writing off this year at all. I really think we are a contender this year. It's easy to get frustrated and think same old Pengiuns everytime we lose. But this roster is much better than last years. Geno and Fleury are having good seasons. Crosby has wingers. Surprise bargain bin guys like Downie and Comeau strengthening the bottom 6.

Are we perfect? No. Can we overcome the losses of Maatta and Dupuis? Maybe. Can we compete for a cup? Absolutely.

Oh no of course not. But it would have meant a decent spot in the subsequent rounds for us
- HopintheCordoba

Odds are 50/50 that a guy at 41st becomes an NHL/AHL player immediately. Since the Penguins are looking to win now, I'm guessing they preferred a guy like Spaling over a mid-round pick.

Odds are 50/50 that a guy at 41st becomes an NHL/AHL player immediately. Since the Penguins are looking to win now, I'm guessing they preferred a guy like Spaling over a mid-round pick.
- jmatchett383

I agree. Like I said, knowing the NHL depth for the bottom 6 available and Sutter/Goc, JR was hedging his bets. Hindisight again comes into play when there were a few guys out there that could be attained for less than Spaling was given that also fit better. So far it's one of his only moves we can question but it's not the worst thing in the world. We don't quite know if NSH was willing to part with any other forwards either. NHL ready anyways.

Odds are 50/50 that a guy at 41st becomes an NHL/AHL player immediately. Since the Penguins are looking to win now, I'm guessing they preferred a guy like Spaling over a mid-round pick.
- jmatchett383

That seems optimistic to me. I haven't done the research to support this, but I don't think eve 50% of the prior drafts 1st rounders are in the NHL/AHL due to their age.

Still, would have rather had Hornquvist + a 2nd and retained Stempniak.

Odds are 50/50 that a guy at 41st becomes an NHL/AHL player immediately. Since the Penguins are looking to win now, I'm guessing they preferred a guy like Spaling over a mid-round pick.
- jmatchett383

I said from day one that he was a good pickup for us. When used on the bottom six as a depth guy I believe the value is there for the price.

He was also a second round pick that took five years to establish himself in the NHL; that second round pick everyone was wanting at the time likely wouldn't show up till Malkin and Crosby are thirty, and as we've learned today thirty is apparently when you start to die.

Spaling for Bergenheim. Get it done.

That seems optimistic to me. I haven't done the research to support this, but I don't think eve 50% of the prior drafts 1st rounders are in the NHL/AHL due to their age.

Still, would have rather had Hornquvist + a 2nd and retained Stempniak.
- s0rcerer1984

Yeah, I should have rewrote that. I meant to say 50/50 he becomes and NHL player (ever) and then rethought it since the Pens window is now. Two thoughts in one. My bad.

Spaling for Bergenheim. Get it done.
- usethe1-2-2

Seems like a lateral move.

Yeah, I should have rewrote that. I meant to say 50/50 he becomes and NHL player (ever) and then rethought it since the Pens window is now. Two thoughts in one. My bad.
- jmatchett383

Yeah. That sounds much more correct.

I get the 'win now' approach, but a 2nd round talent just seems to have more value than Spaling to me.

Spaling for Bergenheim. Get it done.
- usethe1-2-2

Good luck...I tried that one but no one went for it.

I think it makes a lot of sense. We get the slightly better player, who is a UFA. Cats get the younger, more versatile guy they can hang onto for a while.

Seems like a lateral move.
- jmatchett383

I think he plays a more physical style and has better hands. Better puck possession type player IMO.

Good luck...I tried that one but no one went for it.

I think it makes a lot of sense. We get the slightly better player, who is a UFA. Cats get the younger, more versatile guy they can hang onto for a while.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

My exact thought process on this

Just saw this fancy new pie chart.... check it...

http://iguana.cs.toronto.edu/

"NHL: Player Chemistry
Analytics even Bruins fans can understand

This chart show which players have the best offensive chemistry. Hover over to display the goal production between two players. A thicker line indicates more goals. A line that is thicker at one end indicates that player scores more of the goals when those two connect."

F