The only time he put up decent 5-on-5 numbers was when he played with Vanek and Pommer. So did Luke Adam.

You hardly see any PP specialists anymore, and there is a reason for that. You don't see good teams with defensive liabilities.
- Slump Buster

luke adam didn't put up "good numbers". He had a 15-20 game stretch where he was getting some points. Cody has a lot more GP with the points to back it up. Everyone on the island said Moulson was an extreme liability on D. Yet lots of teams wanted him last year at the deadline. Vanek is also a big liability on D. I dont agree at all with you saying you dont see good teams with d liabilities. I'm sure just about every team in the NHL has at least one guy like that.

How reliable is that blog and its "sources?"


- Der Kaiser

Murray did say he received a call for a player he never expected in his interview thursday

Murray did say he received a call for a player he never expected in his interview thursday
- homiedclown

Maybe Moulson or Gionta! haha

I don't think you're understanding what I'm saying. Buying him out takes away any risk. So i get why they would do that. But I personally think he is a decent forward that is having a terrible season on one of the worst put together teams ever.
- Smittyx36

with horrible coaching

Sure, it's possible. Nobody questions his talent. Why take the risk? That says nothing of his defense and he certainly doesn't fit the type of player we want on the team. The buyout window is closing and it costs almost nothing to get rid of him. It just isn't worth the risk.
- Slump Buster

I get the feeling a buyout won't happen. He's got talent. We've seen it. He's in Nolan's dog house, but that doesn't mean he's not a good player. Just because Pegula has money, doesn't mean he just wants to keep paying players to not play here anymore. Between the Leino and Ehrhoff buyouts last year, I get the feeling we won't see one for a while. Pegula doesn't have unlimited resources. He can't afford to just keep buying players out.

Maybe Moulson or Gionta! haha
- Smittyx36

moulson and gionta have more trade value IMO


at first glance when I heard the interview, I was thinking benoit or lindback


coho was an afterthought

the last 4 months of the 2013-14 season, Coho put up 25 points in the last 38 games

W/O Vanek or Pommer on the team


just saying

moulson and gionta have more trade value IMO


at first glance when I heard the interview, I was thinking benoit or lindback


coho was an afterthought
- homiedclown

I was thinking maybe a team looking to aquire a player back that we got from them...something like Hodgson to Van, Stewie to St. Louis or something..

Only way you are getting Malkin IMO is moving the Sabres 1st this year and that's something I wouldn't do.

It would probably cost our 1st one of Risto or Zadorov and probably Girgensons for Malkin...pass
- Stripes77

There is always a way around giving up too much. Pittsburgh is in cap hell with 3 players making 50% of their team salary. Someone trading for Malkin would do them a favour, and allow them to build depth for once since they drafted Crisby.

You move our other late 1st, a 2nd or two, maybe another later round pick and one of Risto, Zads, Pysyk with a forward prospect. So let's say, a late 1st, this years and next years 2nd round picks, with Zadorov (who still might bolt for the KHL, IMO this situation is getting super sketchy and he might have already hit his ceiling) and Baptiste.

We would have to move multiple high-end pieces to get him. You're talking a top D prospect (Pysyk or Zads), a high-end forward prospect (Girgs or Reinhart) and probably more. Since we would be tearing apart our future core I don't see it happening.
- Slump Buster

Our future core hasn't won a Stanley cup or an Art Ross. Zadorov situation gets sketchier by the day and he was already projected to be near his ceiling at 19. His value isn't going to get higher. We have Pysyk, McCabe, Bogo, Risto as a top 4 thereafter, a plethora of draft picks, and a legit 1st line going forward for the next few years.

There is always a way around giving up too much. Pittsburgh is in cap hell with 3 players making 50% of their team salary. Someone trading for Malkin would do them a favour, and allow them to build depth for once since they drafted Crisby.

You move our other late 1st, a 2nd or two, maybe another later round pick and one of Risto, Zads, Pysyk with a forward prospect. So let's say, a late 1st, this years and next years 2nd round picks, with Zadorov (who still might bolt for the KHL, IMO this situation is getting super sketchy and he might have already hit his ceiling) and Baptiste.



Our future core hasn't won a Stanley cup or an Art Ross. Zadorov situation gets sketchier by the day and he was already projected to be near his ceiling at 19. His value isn't going to get higher. We have Pysyk, McCabe, Bogo, Risto as a top 4 thereafter, a plethora of draft picks, and a legit 1st line going forward for the next few years.
- DynamicThreads

I'd love Malkin, but I would love Kessel as well

I have a feeling that the posters on this board would female dog less over Malkin's contract even though it's 1.5 mil more per year and Malkin is older and gets injured more often.

There is always a way around giving up too much. Pittsburgh is in cap hell with 3 players making 50% of their team salary. Someone trading for Malkin would do them a favour, and allow them to build depth for once since they drafted Crisby.

You move our other late 1st, a 2nd or two, maybe another later round pick and one of Risto, Zads, Pysyk with a forward prospect. So let's say, a late 1st, this years and next years 2nd round picks, with Zadorov (who still might bolt for the KHL, IMO this situation is getting super sketchy and he might have already hit his ceiling) and Baptiste.



Our future core hasn't won a Stanley cup or an Art Ross. Zadorov situation gets sketchier by the day and he was already projected to be near his ceiling at 19.His value isn't going to get higher. We have Pysyk, McCabe, Bogo, Risto, as a top 4 thereafter, a plethora of draft picks, and a legit 1st line going forward for the next few years.
- DynamicThreads

I'm not sure where you're seeing that. When he was drafted he was considered a project, if you will. They thought he had just started to show what he was capable of very late that season. He's also a defenseman and they are notorious for taking a long time to fully develop.

One thing that I kind of find disturbing, if the Bruins trade happens and the sabres get back Subban then what does that say about Murray?

Trades leaking out 24 hours or more before the deal is finalized

Maybe it's the internet today but I like it when trades come out of right field and we are caught off guard when we hear it announced

I'm not sure where you're seeing that. When he was drafted he was considered a project, if you will. They thought he had just started to show what he was capable of very late that season. He's also a defenseman and they are notorious for taking a long time to fully develop.
- HonkFortheGoose

McCabe or Big Z, there is only room for 1 on this team because Risto and pysyk are going to be really good

I'd love Malkin, but I would love Kessel as well

I have a feeling that the posters on this board would female dog less over Malkin's contract even though it's 1.5 mil more per year and Malkin is older and gets injured more often.
- homiedclown

Kessel is a wanger, hasn't won a scoring title or a cup (traded before Boston won theirs amirite?). Or crap for that matter.

I really don't think its even close between the two and Malkin has been mostly healthy the past couple years anyway. I think its completely worth giving up a sketchy Defenseman, an unproven (at the pro level) prospect, a late or next year's 1st and a couple other later round picks, assuming Pittsburgh doesn't want to grape us hard to literally do them a favor. They aren't winning crap-all if they don't address their depth.

McCabe or Big Z, there is only room for 1 on this team because Risto and pysyk are going to be really good
- homiedclown

Seems it'll most likely be big Z...although Murray mentioned he's going to be "here for a long time" in his interview

Reading back a few pages and digesting what an utter disgrace Murray is to the league and the game of hockey, it couldn't be any more clear now.

Pysyk does belong up with the big club and Nolan is 100% right, but , this is what Murray has been doing to Nolan all season long which is only setting up Teddy for failure. But the smart GM's and owners of the league know better just like I do about Murray and to not put much of any of this circus freak show in the lap of Nolan.

Murray is an embarrassment to the integrity of the sport (a game) !

What a great lesson for kids to learn.

Reading back a few pages and digesting what an utter disgrace Murray is to the league and the game of hockey, it couldn't be any more clear now.

Pysyk does belong up with the big club and Nolan is 100% right, but , this is what Murray has been doing to Nolan all season long which is only setting up Teddy for failure. But the smart GM's and owners of the league know better just like I do about Murray and to not put much of any of this circus freak show in the lap of Nolan.

Murray is an embarrassment to the integrity of the sport (a game) !

What a great lesson for kids to learn.
- BuffaloHardHat

You have no idea what Murray's doing Hat! Give him some friggin time for Christ sakes! (There are players that can't go down, contracts, etc....)

He is moving players like a chess match, let it play out at least. Been a year and the guy is making bold moves for the future of the organization. You have to leave your love of Nolan at the door for now.

Kessel is a wanger, hasn't won a scoring title or a cup (traded before Boston won theirs amirite?). Or crap for that matter.

I really don't think its even close between the two and Malkin has been mostly healthy the past couple years anyway. I think its completely worth giving up a sketchy Defenseman, an unproven (at the pro level) prospect, a late or next year's 1st and a couple other later round picks, assuming Pittsburgh doesn't want to grape us hard to literally do them a favor. They aren't winning crap-all if they don't address their depth.
- DynamicThreads

Honestly it depends on where they draft, going after a center or winger for that last big piece

Malkin has Crosby, if Kessel had a player close to their talent, his numbers would be closer to Ovi or Stamkos


The fact Stamkos put up insane numbers with crap on the team for years is what amazes me the most

I'm not sure where you're seeing that. When he was drafted he was considered a project, if you will. They thought he had just started to show what he was capable of very late that season. He's also a defenseman and they are notorious for taking a long time to fully develop.
- HonkFortheGoose

Just the way I interpreted it. Everything I read about him was full of "if he develops, watch out"; "if he reaches his potential"; "if he fully develops", etc...

But the basic consensus was he was already at the very least, a physical, large, quality top-6 guy. I like what I have seen from every other D prospect we have so far and IMO, looks and sounds a lot like McNabb. Of all our prospects, I'd say he's the biggest risk (although I admit, highest reward "if" he fully develops; I've heard him compared to Chara, even) but also the highest value as of right now. If you trade him to land a legit #1 center in his prime you do it all day.

Reading back a few pages and digesting what an utter disgrace Murray is to the league and the game of hockey, it couldn't be any more clear now.

Pysyk does belong up with the big club and Nolan is 100% right, but , this is what Murray has been doing to Nolan all season long which is only setting up Teddy for failure. But the smart GM's and owners of the league know better just like I do about Murray and to not put much of any of this circus freak show in the lap of Nolan.

Murray is an embarrassment to the integrity of the sport (a game) !

What a great lesson for kids to learn.
- BuffaloHardHat

Max 2.0

give it a rest man

Honestly it depends on where they draft, going after a center or winger for that last big piece

Malkin has Crosby, if Kessel had a player close to their talent, his numbers would be closer to Ovi or Stamkos


The fact Stamkos put up insane numbers with crap on the team for years is what amazes me the most
- homiedclown

Um. That year Crisby was out for the whole Season, Malkin won the Art Ross, Hart and Ted Lindsey awards. Just sayin'.

Reading back a few pages and digesting what an utter disgrace Murray is to the league and the game of hockey, it couldn't be any more clear now.

Pysyk does belong up with the big club and Nolan is 100% right, but , this is what Murray has been doing to Nolan all season long which is only setting up Teddy for failure. But the smart GM's and owners of the league know better just like I do about Murray and to not put much of any of this circus freak show in the lap of Nolan.

Murray is an embarrassment to the integrity of the sport (a game) !

What a great lesson for kids to learn.
- BuffaloHardHat

Actually, they planned to have Pysyk here this season. His injury in training camp and the Zadorov situation changed that. Pysyk was waiver eligible, so he ended up a victim of the numbers. It's the same thing now. There are only so many roster spots. I think you're reading way too much into it. It's up to Murray to manage the roster spots. It's Nolan's job to work with what the GM provides.

Just the way I interpreted it. Everything I read about him was full of "if he develops, watch out"; "if he reaches his potential"; "if he fully develops", etc...

But the basic consensus was he was already at the very least, a physical, large, quality top-6 guy. I like what I have seen from every other D prospect we have so far and IMO, looks and sounds a lot like McNabb. Of all our prospects, I'd say he's the biggest risk (although I admit, highest reward "if" he fully develops; I've heard him compared to Chara, even) but also the highest value as of right now. If you trade him to land a legit #1 center in his prime you do it all day.
- DynamicThreads

All of those phrases suggest that he's going to continue to get better not that he's already hit his ceiling. I think he's already improved a bunch even since Development camp. He was looking to make the big hit then instead of worrying about his defensive responsibilities. He's not doing that anywhere near as frequently now.

Um. That year Crisby was out for the whole Season, Malkin won the Art Ross, Hart and Ted Lindsey awards. Just sayin'.
- DynamicThreads

http://espn.go.com/nhl/te.../2012/pittsburgh-penguins

still had a descent roster w/o crosby though

Actually, they planned to have Pysyk here this season. His injury in training camp and the Zadorov situation changed that. Pysyk was waiver eligible, so he ended up a victim of the numbers. It's the same thing now. There are only so many roster spots. I think you're reading way too much into it. It's up to Murray to manage the roster spots. It's Nolan's job to work with what the GM provides.
- HonkFortheGoose

If anything Nolan should shut up and not question the roster in public. But Nolan never does anything wrong and Murray is a joke.