True. I forgot the Yotes retained half his contract. I retract my previous position and say that's definitely fair. His next contract will probably be a 7 mil + cap hit though. I don't want that.
- Victoro311

Yea he's gonna make bank. Gonna be interesting to see if the Rangers can keep him.

That's the biggest thing. If J.Staal isn't there, you have to put either Crosby or Malkin out against stiffer competition. They can't feast on favourable match-ups anymore like they did because you no longer have a third guy who can dominate possession against elite talent and not feel a ton of pressure to score.

Jordan Staal is the best in the league at what he does. I don't know that $6 million is the right number for him, but it's certainly no less than $5 mill.
- BINGO!

Which is another reason why Sutter should be traded. Even for those that like him, the Penguins needs a shutdown 3C that can matchup against the opponent's top lines.

Which is another reason why Sutter should be traded. Even for those that like him, the Penguins needs a shutdown 3C that can matchup against the opponent's top lines.
- jfkst1

Sutter is a scoring winger. I don't know why it's taken people so long to figure this out. The guy plays his best hockey streaking down the wing. It's literally his only move.

Yea he's gonna make bank. Gonna be interesting to see if the Rangers can keep him.
- rangerdanger94

Can't sign him..He is a rental. We got Staal, Girardi, McD (4.5mill..Great contract) signed long term. Klein will get his $$$ in a few as well. Don't see NYR affording him..no?

Which is another reason why Sutter should be traded. Even for those that like him, the Penguins needs a shutdown 3C that can matchup against the opponent's top lines.
- jfkst1

Yeah but what can you move him for that helps the team. Are there any shutdown 3C's available?

Final game of this disaster of a penguin season...I can see the Rangers having a big blowout game tonight...is there even a point of watching it? Probably not I'll save myself the misery and watch the Montreal game and hope somehow pittsburgh can escape with a win

Sutter is a scoring winger. I don't know why it's taken people so long to figure this out. The guy plays his best hockey streaking down the wing. It's literally his only move.
- BINGO!

No idea why Winnik hasn't been implemented as the 3C and Sutter moved to RW yet. He's not a great facilitator and he's abysmal on the boards. He's a pretty good PKer and has a shot. If he's gonna be on this team, play to his strengths and put him on the right side. Let Winnik drive the possession while he gets in position to rip his wrister and then get back on defense. The chances of us getting back into this series are slim to none, so let's go with a goofy lineup

Kunitz-Crosby-Hornqvist
Perron-Malkin-Downie
Comeau-Winnik-Sutter
Spaling-Lapierre-Wilson

Wy not?

EDIT: Or move Sutter to Malkin's right and roll Comeau-Winnik-Downie. Sutter's done ok on Geno's wing before.

Sutter is a scoring winger. I don't know why it's taken people so long to figure this out. The guy plays his best hockey streaking down the wing. It's literally his only move.
- BINGO!

I'm probably partial because I absolutely despise the way he plays the game, but I still don't understand how his inability to win board battles or his pathetic playmaking can be overcome. I'm sure some GMs will overlook that fact since he can finish, but like you said, that is all his game is. I also find it amazingly overlooked that every single forward that plays with him is less productive than when playing without him. That's players ranging from Malkin to Glass. The Pens forward depth has been an issue the moment he arrived.

Yeah but what can you move him for that helps the team. Are there any shutdown 3C's available?
- sammy87

Soderberg would be the best one. He's excellent defensively. Fehr is also a big physical 3C that can matchup with any line. Santorelli is less defensively adept, but another option. Bottom line is that Sutter cannot be allowed to walk for nothing and he is going to be getting a major raise so I don't see how they don't trade him to a team that wants him as a 2C.

Final game of this disaster of a penguin season...I can see the Rangers having a big blowout game tonight...is there even a point of watching it? Probably not I'll save myself the misery and watch the Montreal game and hope somehow pittsburgh can escape with a win
- jeremy087

It's all a conspiracy to get this series to 7 games so that NHL and both teams will make more $$$. Plus it will have the last year's drama in reverse story as the wounded Penguins overcome adversity and win 3 straight against the President's Trophy Winners NY Rangers.

PENS in 7!!

BTW, didn't McDonough touch the President's Trophy?? I thought I saw him fondle it gently. That spells doom for the Rangers.

I'm probably partial because I absolutely despise the way he plays the game, but I still don't understand how his inability to win board battles or his pathetic playmaking can be overcome. I'm sure some GMs will overlook that fact since he can finish, but like you said, that is all his game is. I also find it amazingly overlooked that every single forward that plays with him is less productive than when playing without him. That's players ranging from Malkin to Glass. The Pens forward depth has been an issue the moment he arrived.
- jfkst1

He did okay playing center for E.Staal the handful of times the Canes tried it, but that was more a product of Staal and Samsonov being pretty good with the puck than anything.

I dunno. He's what happens when people think Brad Boyes is a shutdown center.

No idea why Winnik hasn't been implemented as the 3C and Sutter moved to RW yet. He's not a great facilitator and he's abysmal on the boards. He's a pretty good PKer and has a shot. If he's gonna be on this team, play to his strengths and put him on the right side. Let Winnik drive the possession while he gets in position to rip his wrister and then get back on defense. The chances of us getting back into this series are slim to none, so let's go with a goofy lineup

Kunitz-Crosby-Hornqvist
Perron-Malkin-Downie
Comeau-Winnik-Sutter
Spaling-Lapierre-Wilson

Wy not?

EDIT: Or move Sutter to Malkin's right and roll Comeau-Winnik-Downie. Sutter's done ok on Geno's wing before.
- Victoro311

Thats pretty much the same roster today just players switched around. The same roster that even when healthy can't score very well.

Soderberg would be the best one. He's excellent defensively. Fehr is also a big physical 3C that can matchup with any line. Santorelli is less defensively adept, but another option. Bottom line is that Sutter cannot be allowed to walk for nothing and he is going to be getting a major raise so I don't see how they don't trade him to a team that wants him as a 2C.
- jfkst1

I think he actually is a pretty good 2C and will go somewhere. But....he is a rental next year and someone will give him a raise. But just say EDM in a trade scenario, no way he resigns there so they shouldn't have interest in him.

Thats pretty much the same roster today just players switched around. The same roster that even when healthy can't score very well.
- sammy87

It is the exact same roster today because I'm talking about today and what Johnston should do with the lines tonight. I'm not talking about the roster moving forward. That's a pretty beat conversation that will become far more interesting as the draft and free agency approach.

http://thehockeywriters.com/jim-rutherfords-future-penguins/

Interesting piece on the Pens and their future.
- sammy87

Management is a joke.

It is the exact same roster today because I'm talking about today and what Johnston should do with the lines tonight. I'm not talking about the roster moving forward. That's a pretty beat conversation that will become far more interesting as the draft and free agency approach.
- Victoro311

Ah, makes sense. They gotta try something different. Not sure if getting Downie more engaged is good or not.

Management is a joke.
- acdc1206

Yup, I dont see things getting much better anytime soon.

Ah, makes sense. They gotta try something different. Not sure if getting Downie more engaged is good or not.
- sammy87

The second line needs some sort of spark plug. Downie and Sutter are the two best options as far as offensive skill. One of them needs to be 2RW. Comeau's been playing great in the bottom 6. Don't curtail his production by playing him out of place in the top 6. Spaling and Winnik are non-options. There's a 99% chance we lose this series. Let's at least try to fight for it and make a radical change to our lines that isn't moving Kunitz back and fourth from the second and first line.

Yea he's gonna make bank. Gonna be interesting to see if the Rangers can keep him.
- rangerdanger94

You guys are in an enviable position on the blue line. You have a very good top four signed for a couple years and that gives you room to develop some young guys and play them at the NHL level in a reduced role.

We need to get younger fast and unfortunately that means our young D are going to have to produce quickly or it will be another disappointing season on the horizon.

I think he actually is a pretty good 2C and will go somewhere. But....he is a rental next year and someone will give him a raise. But just say EDM in a trade scenario, no way he resigns there so they shouldn't have interest in him.
- sammy87

The team policy should be no rentals with trade value should be allowed to walk except in rare cases. This is not one of those cases. I agree that accommodating where he would be more likely to re-sign would be best for return value.

Final game of this disaster of a penguin season...I can see the Rangers having a big blowout game tonight...is there even a point of watching it? Probably not I'll save myself the misery and watch the Montreal game and hope somehow pittsburgh can escape with a win
- jeremy087

I feel the exact same way, they've given me no reason to expect anything more

though, just like a train wreck, its hard to look away...

The comeback starts in t-minus 10 1/2 hours! LGP!

F all the negative Pittsburgh fans!
- kgrpitt

(frank) yeah! Time for a comeback! LGP!

9-1-1 against the Penguins in the last 11 games against them
- rangerdanger94

Every streak has to start somewhere.

Management is a joke.
- acdc1206

http://thehockeywriters.c...herfords-future-penguins/

From the article...

"This series has featured the most determined version of Crosby we’ve seen in years but also the most visibly frustrated…at his own teammates. Crosby went intentionally offside in Game 1 after not receiving a pass from Rob Scuderi. He quit on a powerplay and casually glided to the bench in Game 3 after Patric Hornqvist shot a puck from the goal-line. Crosby wanted this series badly but isn’t thrilled with the lack of talent around him. Embarrassing teammates and pouting in playoff games doesn’t win points in the locker room though."

Did anyone see the NHIC pregame video with the Sid/Scuderi incident? That was pretty bad on Sid's part. When you see your captain do something like that, I don't see how you wouldn't lose some respect for him.

Forwards left on board...

2006 Toews & Backstrom → staal (@ least they didn't pick kessel)
2006 Lucic
- out_of_market[139] & Kulemin [99] → carl sneep [D]
2006 Clutterbuck [81] →brian strait [D]
2007 Max Pacioretty [144] → angelo espisito
2007 Wayne Simmonds [139] → kevin veillieux
2008 Cam Atkinson [59] → alexander perchurski [G]
2009 Ryan O’reilly [90] → simon despres [D]
2009 Mike Hoffman [30] → nick petersen & alex velischek [D]
2010 Kevin Hayes [17] & Brock Nelsen [34] & Tyler Tofoli [37]→ beau bennett
2011 Saad [52] & Jenner [25] → joe morrow [D]
2011 Kucherov [37] → harrington [D]
2012 Filip Forsberg [26]→ d. pouliot [D]

Not even counting goals [G] from Toews or Backstrom because of the significant cap issues that would have occurred. As far the other guys who were on the board, that's 1100+ career goals. Not a bad roster either. Outside of the top 5-10 picks of R1, the NHL draft is really a crap shoot. I'm sure (in HINDSIGHT) other teams have similar lists.

You are right. Any team can make a list like that of players they passed up on the draft. But problem is a lot of those guys were the top ranked player left and the Pens passed them over, not like a suprise player 5 years later. I superficially remember watching the morrow draft on TSN and Bob Mckenzie saying Pittsburgh would take SAAD, best play available and was a Pittsburgh native, it was a sure thing... Nope, morrow. Same with the Poliout pick... We NEEDED offensive depth already at this point... Forsberg was ranked 4th or 5th I think... He feel to us, and we still took a D MAN!!! and finally the Staal draft... We already had Malkin and Crosby and at the time Toews was listed as a winger and was ranked above Staal.... Yet we went for Staal purely based on size..... Ah well, atleast we got 1 cup out of it all.