If Winnik is not kept here, that trade will be REALLY bad... but if hes resigned, then we traded a 2nd rounder for what is a solid 3rd line player.

Same with the Perron trade in theory... a 1st rounder for 2 years (or more) in a top 6 winger.
- Guile

I agree that Winnik should be retained. He hasn't looked good in his current role, but he was very good on the 3rd line where he belongs. Like many, I want a shutdown 3rd line that can take away opponents' top lines instead of having 87/71 out there.

Injuries won't go away, without Letang coming back, we're humoring ourselves for the cup run.

Don't get me wrong, I want to win as long as possible, but this team can only run on fumes for so long.
- Guile

Don't f-ing dare steal my humor today; yesterday turned into a solo-drinking marathon after the Donatello news.

If they can win the series, which just got much harder, they could go on a run. Getting Pouliot back would help. Anyone think there might be some roster juggling before Game 4?
- jmatchett383

That'd be nice... Malkin has regressed with the back injury, which really stings since they had reports out before the game he was a lot healthier.

I'd try what we did to start the season, move Sutter to the 2nd line (I'd prefer Winnik there, and Sutter keeping the 3rd line intact with Spaling replacing Winnik) and have Malkin take the left wing.

And of course, Wilson out, and FARNHAM IN! God do we want Farnham up.

Don't f-ing dare steal my humor today; yesterday turned into a solo-drinking marathon after the Donatello news.
- Topshelf Mountain

Ummm... I apologize? Nah, (frank) you buddy!

I wonder if JR planned on trading despres from the beginning. Rather than a 1st for Perron, I think despres and a 2nd could have gotten it done. I'd think with the oilers need for D they'd do that

if he wants "leadership" from his GM, maybe Rossi should start pushing Tocchet for GM. I mean, he totes got the team pumped behind the bench, right? #intentcity
- BulliesPhan87

According to Dejan, this stuff happens all the time. Tempers flare. It's the nature of the sport, especially in the playoffs. But any self-respecting journalist will not write about this. Their job is to write about the team, not themselves. Rossi looks like a freaking amateur who got his feelings hurt and felt the need to write about in an article that should have been only about the team.

I wonder if JR planned on trading despres from the beginning. Rather than a 1st for Perron, I think despres and a 2nd could have gotten it done. I'd think with the oilers need for D they'd do that
- drummer829

Not enough cap room in that deal... that would have been contingent on whatever the supposed Martin deal was going to be.

I agree that Winnik should be retained. He hasn't looked good in his current role, but he was very good on the 3rd line where he belongs. Like many, I want a shutdown 3rd line that can take away opponents' top lines instead of having 87/71 out there.
- jfkst1

Big and fast. Two traits this team needs to keep (and add).....not let go.

Couple of things:
1) my phone really isn't compatable with this new site setup

B) even with injuries JR could have done more at deadline then sending our 2 top grit D away for 2 average players ( I like Cole and his age and cap)

3) I'm getting pissed with all of our players being injured.. Now kap is injured in wbs.. Wtf is it a curse or something

D) I keep saying let the youth play. I would rather have Wilson Megna rust/ebbett as our 4th line all yr then some of these guys.. They would have learned a lot through the season and taken less penalties and could have scored more the. What our 4th line scored.

5) even tho ufa this yr sucks and we have no good picks in this yes deep draft... Pens need to let some of these guys walk.. Anyway martin would stay for 4mil/2-3yr deal?? Anyway pens can trade him to Minny at draft for a 3rd or 4th?
- nh4442

Would you do it? You're last pro contract would you take a $12mil deal or a $25mil deal? Its not that hard of a choice.

According to Dejan, this stuff happens all the time. Tempers flare. It's the nature of the sport, especially in the playoffs. But any self-respecting journalist will not write about this. Their job is to write about the team, not themselves. Rossi looks like a freaking amateur who got his feelings hurt and felt the need to write about in an article that should have been only about the team.
- chimpira

Well, Rossi got the write up he wanted, so I guess he's getting the last laugh here.

I guess the Rags troll from yesterday will peek his head in soon to tell us how the Rags KILLED the Pens. Absolutely annihilated.

Well, Rossi got the write up he wanted, so I guess he's getting the last laugh here.
- BulliesPhan87

But if I was running that newspaper, I would fire Rossi for putting that article out there.

I guess the Rags troll from yesterday will peek his head in soon to tell us how the Rags KILLED the Pens. Absolutely annihilated.
- chimpira

He already did last night, while being convinced Yandle didn't interfere Crosby... but hey, there is the rulebook, and even the Rag's blogger Jan throwing his hands up in the air at the non calls that gave them the goals. This series is just a cluster(frank) of poop from every angle.

According to Dejan, this stuff happens all the time. Tempers flare. It's the nature of the sport, especially in the playoffs. But any self-respecting journalist will not write about this. Their job is to write about the team, not themselves. Rossi looks like a freaking amateur who got his feelings hurt and felt the need to write about in an article that should have been only about the team.
- chimpira

Yeah he will lost locker access by spilling all the beans. I think a few yrs ago Shelly Anderson got booted from the locker by trying to create a goalie controversy. I know Rossi got booted from beat writer, but not exactly sure the whole story.

Rossi definitely a dusche. But he is also accurate more often than not. And isn't afraid to cross normal media boundaries. He's like a bad guy wrestler turned decent to good hockey reporter.

Would you do it? You're last pro contract would you take a $12mil deal or a $25mil deal? Its not that hard of a choice.
- sammy87

I bet Martin will take a hometown discount, like Duper did. I am not sure what that discount will be, but it's definitely not 50%

Well, Rossi got the write up he wanted, so I guess he's getting the last laugh here.
- BulliesPhan87

Except that every one is laughing at Rossi not Old Ruthy. It's almost effortless his ability to make himself the story......and butt of jokes at the same time.

I still think there's something systematically wrong with the medical & strength/conditioning staff in this organization, mixed with the style of play & the types of players asked to play that style. Some things are fluky, some things are preventable. Some things can be prevented by having either a system that is designed to protect the Pens small-ish roster from the physical impact of playing against larger teams or having a physically larger team that can absorb that impact. Little changes from body positioning to positioning on the ice before making plays.

But maybe I'm crazy too. 1 or 2 years with bad luck with injuries is 1 thing. This has been going on for a half-decade now.

I still think there's something systematically wrong with the medical & strength/conditioning staff in this organization, mixed with the style of play & the types of players asked to play that style. Some things are fluky, some things are preventable. Some things can be prevented by having either a system that is designed to protect the Pens small-ish roster from the physical impact of playing against larger teams or having a physically larger team that can absorb that impact. Little changes from body positioning to positioning on the ice before making plays.

But maybe I'm crazy too. 1 or 2 years with bad luck with injuries is 1 thing. This has been going on for a half-decade now.
- ScienceJesus

Agree. IMO, the medical/training/conditioning staff needs to be fired. Just remember the whole mumps debacle. WTF?

I still think there's something systematically wrong with the medical & strength/conditioning staff in this organization, mixed with the style of play & the types of players asked to play that style. Some things are fluky, some things are preventable. Some things can be prevented by having either a system that is designed to protect the Pens small-ish roster from the physical impact of playing against larger teams or having a physically larger team that can absorb that impact. Little changes from body positioning to positioning on the ice before making plays.

But maybe I'm crazy too. 1 or 2 years with bad luck with injuries is 1 thing. This has been going on for a half-decade now.
- ScienceJesus

Yeah, we've brought that up a few times... but we cleaned house after the last Crosby head injury screw up. Can't hire an entire inept staff twice in a row?

Also, this team needs a spark from guys like Rust & especially Farnham. Some guys that are willing to go balls-out from start to finish. Can't be any more useless than Wilson was last night.

Agree. IMO, the medical/training/conditioning staff needs to be fired. Just remember the whole mumps debacle. WTF?
- chimpira

The mumps, and bringing Maata and Ehrhoff back too soon.

I still think there's something systematically wrong with the medical & strength/conditioning staff in this organization, mixed with the style of play & the types of players asked to play that style. Some things are fluky, some things are preventable. Some things can be prevented by having either a system that is designed to protect the Pens small-ish roster from the physical impact of playing against larger teams or having a physically larger team that can absorb that impact. Little changes from body positioning to positioning on the ice before making plays.

But maybe I'm crazy too. 1 or 2 years with bad luck with injuries is 1 thing. This has been going on for a half-decade now.
- ScienceJesus

The core of the team, Crosby, Malkin, Letang, and with the exeception of Fleury, are all injury prone. Maatta and Pouliot are also not looking like Ironmen so far. And you're right, doesn't matter how good a roster is if the lineup is never healthy. 6 years is either outrageously bad luck or something is wrong with their process.

But if I was running that newspaper, I would fire Rossi for putting that article out there.
- chimpira

Why... the article alone has generated more talk about a trib article than there has been in awhile. Rossi just cemented his place in that paper. It's interesting... both Rossi and Dejan are complete jack-asses. But Rossi's feels like a act or personna he has created to create attention and sell himself and his paper. Dejan just comes off as a snot.

Yeah, we've brought that up a few times... but we cleaned house after the last Crosby head injury screw up. Can't hire an entire inept staff twice in a row?
- Guile

Maybe? Maybe not? I really have no idea. Or maybe the Crosby mis-diagnosis was the only real mistake of the previous group & we hired inept people instead? I really don't have a clue. I just know that we're long past the point where it could be chalked up to "bad luck" when it comes to injuries & well into "someone is legitimately screwing up" territory.