After last night anyone still thinking BB is in the Pens future didn't watch in HD. He was bad. You would think being benched and having to do remedial training would have lighten a spark, it was more of a dud.
- sammy87

Bennett was in front of the net occupying two defenders on the Spaling goal. Was he great, no, but the whole line sucked (other than that goal of course).

Just saying in case most don't remember the play.

Flower's raise should not be a real factor here. Its nothing with the cap increase. Other things to scrunch your nose at money wise. Fluery is either going to be worth the money, or worth no where near it, no middle ground with him.
- Guile

But his raise is a factor. With the low cnd. dollar the cap may only raise 2-3 million... so say we sign one of Martin or Erhoff @ 5mil per season (Erhoffs current 4mil off the books) .. with both Dupuis and Perron on the roster that eats Erhoffs 4 million saving.. say we keep Comeau at 2.5... theres an extra 1.8 million on the cap.. Fluery is getting an extra 750,000 on the cap hit so add that so we're up 2.55mil already... swap Griess at 1M for Zatkoff at 600k..save 400k..so 2.15mil.. and thats assuming Downie, Lapierre and Adams are all replced dollar for dollar. Also, are Depres and BB out of entry level this season or next?? Because if its this year they'll both be due raises as well. (I miss cap geek)

Hanzel+Boedker-Sutter, BB, Harrington, Jarry
- sammy87

i would add even more from our side and still be fine with it.

you ready to give me simmonds for pouliot yet or what?
- stayinthefnnet

No, Pouliot gets you your wet dream, Matt Read.

Simmonds costs you Matta and AMac.

i would add even more from our side and still be fine with it.
- stayinthefnnet

A LOT more.

why would beau not even be at practice yesterday but actually play in yesterdays game?

maybe proving a point to a gm that he isnt injured? i cant think of any logical reason he wouldve missed practice let alone still been able to play yesterday...

After last night anyone still thinking BB is in the Pens future didn't watch in HD. He was bad. You would think being benched and having to do remedial training would have lighten a spark, it was more of a dud.
- sammy87

To be fair he was occupying 2 dmen in front of Mrazeck (spelling??) on the Spaling goal. The message was go to those areas and he went there a few times. Not saying he looked comfy at all doing it. Still thought he'd be shot from a cannon...

Bennett was in front of the net occupying two defenders on the Spaling goal. Was he great, no, but the whole line sucked (other than that goal of course).

Just saying in case most don't remember the play.
- madmike71

Just read this. You nailed it.

why would beau not even be at practice yesterday but actually play in yesterdays game?

maybe proving a point to a gm that he isnt injured? i cant think of any logical reason he wouldve missed practice let alone still been able to play yesterday...
- JLT168

He was at practice... ROFL

I don't see how all you guys can sit here and talk about Beau Bennett being a bust while simultaneously agreeing that Brandon Sutter is a steaming piece of hot poop. How can you expect a guy who's still very young and whose development has been stalled by injuries/having Tanner Glass play ahead of him to produce on a line with a guy who can't carry possession? Bennett was never projected to be a game breaker, so to expect him to cary a line centered by Sutter is extremely unrealistic. But you know what? He managed to do it at the beginning of the year, and he looked quite good with Geno during the brief stint they had together.

Judgement on Beau should be held until he has a solid sample size in the top 6, or at the very least given a more competent center than Sutter. Blake Comeau has done nothing to deserve a demotion, but the Kunitz-Malkin-Bennett line should be tried before we move into the playoffs. We know that the Malkin-Comeau duo works. Let's see what else does.

No, Pouliot gets you your wet dream, Matt Read.

Simmonds costs you Matta and AMac.
- jmatchett383

that wet dream has been more like a spurt of condensed milk this year...

and i like how Amac is automatically added to the pens side of the ledger there.

A LOT more.
- jmatchett383

yessir

He was at practice... ROFL
- Guile

i thought everyone was saying yesterday he wasnt there?

that wet dream has been more like a spurt of condensed milk this year...

and i like how Amac is automatically added to the pens side of the ledger there.
- stayinthefnnet

If healthy, Maata for Simmonds is a fair swap. But if we ever, EVER traded a player like Simmonds within the division, a far swap won't get it done, so you're either giving up way more or taking on that putrid contract.

P.S. Don't tell MJL what I said.

i thought everyone was saying yesterday he wasnt there?
- JLT168

He was, however, he was not on a line. He was used as the extra man.

But his raise is a factor. With the low cnd. dollar the cap may only raise 2-3 million... so say we sign one of Martin or Erhoff @ 5mil per season (Erhoffs current 4mil off the books) .. with both Dupuis and Perron on the roster that eats Erhoffs 4 million saving.. say we keep Comeau at 2.5... theres an extra 1.8 million on the cap.. Fluery is getting an extra 750,000 on the cap hit so add that so we're up 2.55mil already... swap Griess at 1M for Zatkoff at 600k..save 400k..so 2.15mil.. and thats assuming Downie, Lapierre and Adams are all replced dollar for dollar. Also, are Depres and BB out of entry level this season or next?? Because if its this year they'll both be due raises as well. (I miss cap geek)
- Willaged

Despres has one more year on what was basically an ELC extention. Beau is a RFA this summer. I think he'll get the same kind of treatment Despres got this past summer. A couple 100k raise for two or so years so he can prove he's worth an investment.

Despres has one more year on what was basically an ELC extention. Beau is a RFA this summer. I think he'll get the same kind of treatment Despres got this past summer. A couple 100k raise for two or so years so he can prove he's worth an investment.
- Victoro311

The Penguins have to walk a fine line with BB.

They are in "win now" mode, so they can't be worried about what the future holds, and have to be all in for this year. However, they can't be so short-sighted as to give up all of their quality young assets in case they don't win this year. So, do they basically try to sell as high as they can on Bennett's potential, or do they wait and hope that he can be a steady contributor while the window is still open?

The Penguins have to walk a fine line with BB.

They are in "win now" mode, so they can't be worried about what the future holds, and have to be all in for this year. However, they can't be so short-sighted as to give up all of their quality young assets in case they don't win this year. So, do they basically try to sell as high as they can on Bennett's potential, or do they wait and hope that he can be a steady contributor while the window is still open?
- jmatchett383

Bennett has no value right now due to previous injuries and his Sutter induced slump. Bennett has more value to this team by staying on the roster than any asset he would fetch in a trade. If he's involved in a trade that gets us an actual asset of value it would be as a throw in to compliment Sutter or a pick or something, and throw ins can be replaced by other throw ins. Would rather send a mid-round pick or a couple AHL prospects than Bennett.

Bennett has no value right now due to previous injuries and his Sutter induced slump. Bennett has more value to this team by staying on the roster than any asset he would fetch in a trade. If he's involved in a trade that gets us an actual asset of value it would be as a throw in to compliment Sutter or a pick or something, and throw ins can be replaced by other throw ins. Would rather send a mid-round pick or a couple AHL prospects than Bennett.
- Victoro311

That's completely valid. But my point was more on what BB will be. They can't continue to "wait and see" what he may become, because he may (or may not) become nothing more than a bottom-six winger. They need to either commit to him or cut ties and they need to do it fast.

That's completely valid. But my point was more on what BB will be. They can't continue to "wait and see" what he may become, because he may (or may not) become nothing more than a bottom-six winger. They need to either commit to him or cut ties and they need to do it fast.
- jmatchett383

You're absolutely right. What I meant by my post that I guess wasn't 100% clear is that we shouldn't cut ties with him because there's no point, so might as well go all in. Honestly, with the acquisition of Perron, the hopeful retention of Comeau, and the sooner rather than later (hopefully) additions of Kapanen and Sundqvist, its not imperative that Bennett develop into a top 6 guy anymore. If he's nothing more than a third liner, that's fine. Pay him accordingly, but keep him, dammit. He'll be inexpensive, add scoring to our bottom 6 that desperately needs to start producing. The way I see it, here are how our wingers moving forward line out:

Top 6

Kunitz
Perron
Hornqvist
Kapanen


Pinch Top 6

Dupuis
Comeau
Downie (if affordable)

Question Marks

Bennett
Sundqvist

That's seven guys that can play in the top 6 if called upon and Bennett could still turn into at least an in a pinch top 6 guy. We're finally starting to get depth, why (frank) that up by trading Bennett for scraps?

You're absolutely right. What I meant by my post that I guess wasn't 100% clear is that we shouldn't cut ties with him because there's no point, so might as well go all in. Honestly, with the acquisition of Perron, the hopeful retention of Comeau, and the sooner rather than later (hopefully) additions of Kapanen and Sundqvist, its not imperative that Bennett develop into a top 6 guy anymore. If he's nothing more than a third liner, that's fine. Pay him accordingly, but keep him, dammit. He'll be inexpensive, add scoring to our bottom 6 that desperately needs to start producing. The way I see it, here are how our wingers moving forward line out:

Top 6

Kunitz
Perron
Hornqvist
Kapanen


Pinch Top 6

Dupuis
Comeau
Downie (if affordable)

Question Marks

Bennett
Sundqvist

That's seven guys that can play in the top 6 if called upon and Bennett could still turn into at least an in a pinch top 6 guy. We're finally starting to get depth, why (frank) that up by trading Bennett for scraps?
- Victoro311

From what I hear, Dupuis may never play again. I don't think Downie is back next year, at least without a 100% increase.

I'm not in favor of trading BB for scraps, but I do think that he could be a guy to tip the scales on a trade to upgrade a position in the present. If you have to give up the future of BB, but including him in a deal improves your chances of winning in the future, you have to be open to it.

Edit: As highly-touted as he is, can we please let Kasperi Kapanen play an NHL game before penciling him in as a top-6 player?

You're absolutely right. What I meant by my post that I guess wasn't 100% clear is that we shouldn't cut ties with him because there's no point, so might as well go all in. Honestly, with the acquisition of Perron, the hopeful retention of Comeau, and the sooner rather than later (hopefully) additions of Kapanen and Sundqvist, its not imperative that Bennett develop into a top 6 guy anymore. If he's nothing more than a third liner, that's fine. Pay him accordingly, but keep him, dammit. He'll be inexpensive, add scoring to our bottom 6 that desperately needs to start producing. The way I see it, here are how our wingers moving forward line out:

Top 6

Kunitz
Perron
Hornqvist
Kapanen


Pinch Top 6

Dupuis
Comeau
Downie (if affordable)

Question Marks

Bennett
Sundqvist

That's seven guys that can play in the top 6 if called upon and Bennett could still turn into at least an in a pinch top 6 guy. We're finally starting to get depth, why (frank) that up by trading Bennett for scraps?
- Victoro311

Pens are still basically a 2 line team. Sutter is a gaping hole, BB has done nothing to prove he is anything close to top 6 material, last night was very un inspiring effort. They do need bottom 6 help, but what do you move? BB, Sutter, Scuds, Spaling, Harrington, Pouliott, Dumo are the only pieces the Pens can part with. If BB can bring back a better 3C then you do it. The dude was scratched last yr for Glass. New coach same story with BB.

Bennett has no value right now due to previous injuries and his Sutter induced slump. Bennett has more value to this team by staying on the roster than any asset he would fetch in a trade. If he's involved in a trade that gets us an actual asset of value it would be as a throw in to compliment Sutter or a pick or something, and throw ins can be replaced by other throw ins. Would rather send a mid-round pick or a couple AHL prospects than Bennett.
- Victoro311

The excuses for Bennet on this board are as mind boggling as those who want to bring back Jagr. Stop the excuses of his injuries. He simply hasn't shown much of anything to say he is a long term solution to our problem. And I'm a Denver University homer too ... the place where he played some games, but spent alot in the press box due to what else ... injuries.

Pens are still basically a 2 line team. Sutter is a gaping hole, BB has done nothing to prove he is anything close to top 6 material, last night was very un inspiring effort. They do need bottom 6 help, but what do you move? BB, Sutter, Scuds, Spaling, Harrington, Pouliott, Dumo are the only pieces the Pens can part with. If BB can bring back a better 3C then you do it. The dude was scratched last yr for Glass. New coach same story with BB.
- sammy87

I agree with this for the most part, but I'd make Pouliot nearly untouchable. It would have to be a heavy haul, and more than just a rental, to get him.

The excuses for Bennet on this board are as mind boggling as those who want to bring back Jagr. Stop the excuses of his injuries. He simply hasn't shown much of anything to say he is a long term solution to our problem. And I'm a Denver University homer too ... the place where he played some games, but spent alot in the press box due to what else ... injuries.
- Oneonta Penguin

Yep, I'm amused at the idea that Bennett sucks because Sutter.

And then we have to hear about "driving possession" and other BS, and how Sutter can't do that, but then he's the only guy on this, last year's, or the previous year's 3rd line that ever has the puck on his stick for longer than it takes to tip in a shot or commit a turnover.

"Drive possession." What a silly term.