Good article, I don't agree with any of it though.

Semin is the perfect example of possession not meaning a whole lot. The guys hero chart looks amazing, he on the other hand is abysmal. A sniper getting paid 7 million to only score 2 goals, he isn't even worthy of a hockeybuzz article written about him.

And Lapierre brings more to the ice than Goc.

Rutherford didn't say anything though, this towns media still has a hard on for Staal and made it bigger than it should. IMO
- usethe1-2-2

No doubt the media blew it up, but when most GM's are asked about other teams players you normally hear a statement that shuts it down in no uncertain terms. I don't thing GMJR did that in this case. After years of listening to these guys (in any sport) you never hear a GM saying how his team "really misses" a player that's gone.

One thing is certain, Old Ruthy is a different breed.

The guys hero chart looks amazing
- stackthepads

Those hero charts are based on data back to 2012. The player he was between 2012 and signing his extension last year is not the player he is now.

Maybe as an exchange in cap dump... they give us Semin half off and we give them Sutter. Its a cap wash for both teams for next season, but Sutter comes off Carolina's books after that so they have a net gain of 3.5 mil for the next two seasons. Carolina could bank on a successful homecoming and we can bank on good ol' Russian chemistry.

In the grand scheme of things, I think this is a wash for the Pens. Gets Sutter off the books early, but brings in a guy at the same hit that is not guaranteed to pan out and has two more years of term. If I'm gonna have a guy who probably won't live up to his roll on this squad, I'd much rather gamble on Semin than Sutter, but its a longer gamble. All things considered I'd pass.

I saw someone mention goalies leaving their net....

I got my Pens fix yesterday by watching Pens/Flyers from '89. Hextall spent half the game 15 feet from his net. Mario had a hatty 7 mins into the game. Was 6 - 1 by the end of the first period. If the Pens ever need to motivate a tender to stay in their net, they just need to show them that game.

I don't think Mike Lang came up with his "Rented Mule" saying after this game, but "Hexy" undoubtedly was covered head to toe in whip marks.

Those hero charts are based on data back to 2012. The player he was between 2012 and signing his extension last year is not the player he is now.
- hardnosed

Oh, hes absolutely not worth 7 mil, hell, not even 4 or 5. But, at 3.5 mil and we trade Sutter for him... I think that is WELL worth the risk.

Or we can be just ludicrous and pretend we are trading Scuds and Sutter :D

No on Semin. Hes KHL bound if that garbage league continues to exist. We need more toughness, more grit, MORE MORE MORE!!!!!!!!! A 6'4 farm boy from Saskatoon, not a small enigmatic, over paid, under producing pansy from........................Russia.

No on Semin. Hes KHL bound if that garbage league continues to exist. We need more toughness, more grit, MORE MORE MORE!!!!!!!!! A 6'4 farm boy from Saskatoon, not a small enigmatic, over paid, under producing pansy from........................Russia.
- Grinder47

the team as constructed is pretty tough if you ask me. and most of they guys who could qualify as soft are just too good to take out of the lineup, except Sutter.

I'm all for toughness, but i'm just curious how exactly a lack of grit is what bothers you about the current team. all they've done since last season is add grit and toughness.

Jason Mackey actually has a good article from the trib about the team's transformation over the past year.

No on Semin. Hes KHL bound if that garbage league continues to exist. We need more toughness, more grit, MORE MORE MORE!!!!!!!!! A 6'4 farm boy from Saskatoon, not a small enigmatic, over paid, under producing pansy from........................Russia.
- Grinder47

POTD

POTD
- nbartley9

Pfft... no mention of bringing back Matt Cooke, breaking someone's clavicle, or urine balloons. You've gone soft in what appeases you bartley

the team as constructed is pretty tough if you ask me. and most of they guys who could qualify as soft are just too good to take out of the lineup, except Sutter.

I'm all for toughness, but i'm just curious how exactly a lack of grit is what bothers you about the current team. all they've done since last season is add grit and toughness.

Jason Mackey actually has a good article from the trib about the team's transformation over the past year.
- poopmouth

I Just wish hockey would go back to the late 80's early 90's where stars scored a million points, no instigator which actually made deterrents possible, and blood lots of blood.

Pfft... no mention of bringing back Matt Cooke, breaking someone's clavicle, or urine balloons. You've gone soft in what appeases you bartley
- Guile

Guile just doesn't like me.

I'm all for it. Nothing to say he's not a productive player. He's just not in the spotlight that he was with Washingtn and he's certainly overpaid. BUT there's a lot to like in terms of what he can do and the connection to Rutherford and Malkin stands out.

I Just wish hockey would go back to the late 80's early 90's where stars scored a million points, no instigator which actually made deterrents possible, and blood lots of blood.
- Grinder47

UFC? WWE? NASCAR? Hey... I know... Soccer! perfect sports for you to get your bloodlust satiated. Your a man out of time Grinder. Yo'd have been made for the games in Rome. You could have bet on how long it took the christians to die on the crosses in the arena!

UFC? WWE? NASCAR? Hey... I know... Soccer! perfect sports for you to get your bloodlust satiated. Your a man out of time Grinder. Yo'd have been made for the games in Rome. You could have bet on how long it took the christians to die on the crosses in the arena!
- ChrisMS

Now were talking!

I'm not sure on Semin. Semin has proven he is capable of producing albeit it's been a while. Not to mention maybe a change of scenery and playing with Malkin could get him going and just maybe raise Malkins game up another notch. On the downside he hasn't produced in a while and as someone mentioned he is not a typical playoff type player especially with the way they call the games in the playoffs.

What I do find interesting is some on here want to give Bennett a pass on how he's played when he has shown very little in the time he's been healthy. I understand he's had some injuries but I have seen nothing that leads me to believe he will be a top 6 forward. Many on here said he can't play on the 3rd or 4th lines so if he's not a top 6 guy then he should be trade bait and at least dangle him out there and see what he could bring. The more you play him and less he continues to show the less he will be worth. People on here talk about how soft Semin is but at least he's proven he can produce at a high level. Even if Bennett does start playing closer to a top 6 guy he's still in my opinion going to be as soft as some claim Semin is. With that being said I would look to bring Staal back rather than Semin but I think that's highly unlikely as well.

Those hero charts are based on data back to 2012. The player he was between 2012 and signing his extension last year is not the player he is now.
- hardnosed

Gunner had a point about the amount of goals scored being comparable to Perron this year prior to joining the Pens. But I agree with mose of you. Semin would be dirt cheap to trade for, but even at $3.5M I'm not that interested. Getting a top 6 winger for a final push for a cup run should not be going dumpster diving and hoping for a reclamation. Basing this soley off of the he looks on the Canes this year.

Not that we are likely to get him but just for example, I'd much rather have Zuccarello at $3.5M.

POTD
- nbartley9

U need to label that "bartly's POTD nomination" we have to vote from now on

Gunner had a point about the amount of goals scored being comparable to Perron this year prior to joining the Pens. But I agree with mose of you. Semin would be dirt cheap to trade for, but even at $3.5M I'm not that interested. Getting a top 6 winger for a final push for a cup run should not be going dumpster diving and hoping for a reclamation. Basing this soley off of the he looks on the Canes this year.

Not that we are likely to get him but just for example, I'd much rather have Zuccarello at $3.5M.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

I think he want's 5+. That's why the Rags are debating trading him now.

I think he want's 5+. That's why the Rags are debating trading him now.
- madmike71

Yeah in no way do I want Mats at 5-6 mil. Not worth it at all.

Question: Would Petry make up for the loss of either Martin or Ehrhoff when they leave? I've not seen him play at all.

Question: Would Petry make up for the loss of either Martin or Ehrhoff when they leave? I've not seen him play at all.
- errey12

I don't think he'd be a good fit here to replace martin/erhoff. At his age I'm sure he'll be looking for a longer deal than what Pitt wants to do. Moving forward Pitt needs a veteran who will only be here for a year or 2....which will be tough to find

I don't think he'd be a good fit here to replace martin/erhoff. At his age I'm sure he'll be looking for a longer deal than what Pitt wants to do. Moving forward Pitt needs a veteran who will only be here for a year or 2....which will be tough to find
- willi

Like Zidlicky or Hjeda?

Question: Would Petry make up for the loss of either Martin or Ehrhoff when they leave? I've not seen him play at all.
- errey12

He could. A big body with a right handed shot that also does some hitting and blocks his share of shots. He'll likely be cheaper too!

That said, signing him should wait 'till the offseason when we don't lose anything.

Rangers going hard for Yandle at a huge cost. After watching their game last night they could use him for sure, but that is a fast aging team.