Rare is me to propose trades or throw names out there ...but here goes..

Thoughts on acquiring ...Phil Kessel. TML have already said they would have to take back a bad contract (Scuderi, Kunitz) in order to move him.

I don't think it will happen, I am not one that hates Kessel's game. His game is what it is...he scores goals
- Tiogadog

Not sure why they would need to take on a bad contract. I understand that with Phaneuf. I think it is much more likely they get a below market value trade for him.

RW, you're losing credibility by the day. Beginning of the season you loved this roster, loved MJ, it was a stat geeks wet dream. Now you want to rinse wash and repeat by trying to find and replace bottom 6 plugs. They might be food for a 1/3 of the season (COmeau) but eventually flame out. Sure you can trade Sutter but it would be a 1 for 1 swap. Chorney has replaced Dumo and Harrington on teh D prospect depth pool. If Rust, WIlson, Farnham were any good they would not have traded a 2nd for WInnik. Everyone here thinks that Kuni, Sutter, Perron are all going to be the rebuild. THey're not. If your 9.5million dollar man isnt scoring goals and hurt all the time, what are you paying him to do? Skate around in nice circles and lose the puck? Beat 2 guys but not the 3rd? Thats what your getting now.

I completely agree with your assessment, but the difference is, you change the style of play the blueline is playing and you have no idea what that does to the game. You open up the transition game more and you open up more chances for holes to develop in your own end. I read somewhere that the Pens Coaching staff made it simple for the Dmen, don't play the game beyond 2 options. Leave the offense to Crosby and Malkin, everyone chip in to collapse and play more defensive hockey. But thats a double edged sword. Your offense would be substantially better if you had your blueliners back, but your style of play would be completely different to opening up the game. I'm not predicting how things would have turned out, I'm just saying the game would have been played completely different and don't rule out the chance that Rangers would not have scored much more either, and the game turning into a battle between Hank and MAF.
- xcheckmajor

Fair. I see where you're coming from and you're right. Its just a shame that this isn't what happened. Both teams playing to their strengths where the better man wins. Would have been much more fun to watch. Damn shame we had to waste this solid playoff performance by Flower on a year where we couldn't play our own brand of hockey and had to rely on luck rather than actually being the better team. Just a bad taste in my mouth in general.

RW, you're losing credibility by the day. Beginning of the season you loved this roster, loved MJ, it was a stat geeks wet dream. Now you want to rinse wash and repeat by trying to find and replace bottom 6 plugs. They might be food for a 1/3 of the season (COmeau) but eventually flame out. Sure you can trade Sutter but it would be a 1 for 1 swap. Chorney has replaced Dumo and Harrington on teh D prospect depth pool. If Rust, WIlson, Farnham were any good they would not have traded a 2nd for WInnik. Everyone here thinks that Kuni, Sutter, Perron are all going to be the rebuild. THey're not. If your 9.5million dollar man isnt scoring goals and hurt all the time, what are you paying him to do? Skate around in nice circles and lose the puck? Beat 2 guys but not the 3rd? Thats what your getting now.
- sammy87

Ownership won't trade Malkin.

I know we wont do this, but its still fun, would anyone do malkin for jordan staal and justin faulk? maybe receive an additional low pick? I guess I doubt carolina does that though...plus im sure geno has no interest in going there...
- JLT168

Yeaaaaah no.

Fair. I see where you're coming from and you're right. Its just a shame that this isn't what happened. Both teams playing to their strengths where the better man wins. Would have been much more fun to watch. Damn shame we had to waste this solid playoff performance by Flower on a year where we couldn't play our own brand of hockey and had to rely on luck rather than actually being the better team. Just a bad taste in my mouth in general.
- Victoro311

The Penguins aren't in as bad a spot as many think. They still have the absolute best player in hockey, a good goaltender and a decent defense when fully healthy.

Malkin would fetch a ton from a team looking to make a splash. The team needs to do something though. This formula has run it's course.

Ownership won't trade Malkin.
- jfkst1

Then well be having the same conversation next year.

Rare is me to propose trades or throw names out there ...but here goes..

Thoughts on acquiring ...Phil Kessel. TML have already said they would have to take back a bad contract (Scuderi, Kunitz) in order to move him.

I don't think it will happen, I am not one that hates Kessel's game. His game is what it is...he scores goals
- Tiogadog

I love Phil! We don't have the assets to get him though nor the cap space to take on his contract. In order to get Kessel, Toronto would have to retain a good bit of his cap and accept a pretty terrible package in return. Combine that with the fact that we really just don't need him and I'd go as far as to say that Phil Kessel is a top 10 least likely players to be a Penguin next year.

As I have said, you have struggled against a team with depth issues and not a talented defense. Your power play has been embarrassingly bad too boot. If you were playing a better team this series, you would be down 3-1. I have yet to see any evidence you are winning anything after this round.
- Oneonta Penguin

Stop, all your own blogger ever talked about is how the Pens top 2 players salivate at the site of the Ranger D-men. Now the Penguins are untalented? Give me a break. Instead of focusing on how the injuries have effected you why not take a look at your captain? Who's game is he lifting?

Then well be having the same conversation next year.
- sammy87

Damn straight we will. This conversation isn't worth having because Malkin ain't moving regardless of what side of the argument you're on. The teams that have the assets to trade for him are teams that he will never wave his NTC to go to. We've stopped the trade Scuderi conversation. Can we please stop the trade Malkin conversation too? He's even less likely to be moved than Scuds.

Agreed. There should be zero controversy around him after this year. Honestly, I think he is a large reason that these games are competitive as they are. Not trying to sound smug...
- SMSB

Yep, completely agreed.

Marijuana

The Penguins aren't in as bad a spot as many think. They still have the absolute best player in hockey, a good goaltender and a decent defense when fully healthy.

Malkin would fetch a ton from a team looking to make a splash. The team needs to do something though. This formula has run it's course.
- MidnightMarauder

Anytime that you have two of the Top 5 players in the world on your roster, you have a solid base to build on, and you're always going to be a contender. But, when those same guys take up 25% percent of your salary cap, you need to either grow young players that can play effective hockey on entry level contracts, or do well on the free agency scrapheap. I don't think the Pens are going anywhere even if this series ends badly for them (which it looks like it will). I think they will get healthy and be right back in the mix next year. I think the question is whether management can skillfully fill in the roster with competent players on bargain deals or an entry level deals.

The Pens don't have much in the system right now, so they should be looking heavily at the college free agency route to get younger. Zach Hyman from Michigan would be a good add for the Pens/

While I know it's old news by now, Rossi is not the first media member that has been cussed out by Rutherford.

He used to do it all the time to a writer in Raleigh that was (and continues to be) very critical of the team and the organization as a whole.

Difference is nobody in Raleigh had the audacity to write about it. It was just something that happened when a guy was under a lot of stress and not really wanting to get grilled at that point in time.

As an off season target, what about Matt Beleskey? I'm sure he'll be due a raise and I'm not sure if Anaheim can afford him

Teams change their games to suit their opponents - in any sport. You guys have been shown to be weak against what this AHL D has provided & I'm sure a full NHL D will do the same & expose you better when they have the puck.

You guys must admit that this series - not yet over, has been far from impressive. I would even say you would be disappointed. There was certainly 'a lot' of relief in the comments in your thread. What does that say?
- Aussiepenguin

Your goalie has all by himself kept these games close. As we all know, good goaltending can make or break a team. I think he has been your best player which is good and bad.

Rare is me to propose trades or throw names out there ...but here goes..

Thoughts on acquiring ...Phil Kessel. TML have already said they would have to take back a bad contract (Scuderi, Kunitz) in order to move him.

I don't think it will happen, I am not one that hates Kessel's game. His game is what it is...he scores goals
- Tiogadog

I love the idea of bringing in Kessel. But at what cost? There is no package we could create that would be enticing enough for Toronto to take... it would likely include sending out more 1st round picks, pouliot, kapenan, and more...

Then well be having the same conversation next year.
- sammy87

Then why don't you propose trades for Adams and Scuderi while you're at it? It's a pointless endeavor cause ownership has said it won't happen.

Your goalie has all by himself kept these games close. As we all know, good goaltending can make or break a team. I think he has been your best player which is good and bad.
- Blueshirts4ever

I'll tell you what it is: it's a goddamn shame. After years of criticism, Flower finally turns it around (started to last year and completed the process this year) and it happens to be during a season where we just had no shot of making any legitimate push due to a depleted blue line. Right now I feel for Fleury more than anyone else on this team except for maybe Letang who has suffered more concussions than any one person should. I feel for him more than Malkin who was forced to come back too early and is now playing injured and I feel for him more than our d men who have been overworked. Fleury deserves to be heralded for his performance, but he won't because no one cares about the team that got bounced in the first round.

My penis is bigger than yours.
- jmatchett383

Then why don't you propose trades for Adams and Scuderi while you're at it? It's a pointless endeavor cause ownership has said it won't happen.
- jfkst1

If I'm Burkle Im asking why are we looking at another GM in as many years? Why didnt any coaches want to be here and we had to go to the WHL? Why another early playoff exit? Why are there always so many injuries? Why has the season ticket waiting list gone down? Why do we get few national broadcasts?

But yeah after answering all those questions keeping the same old formula together and bringing in next years Lee Stempniak to fill holes sounds like a brilliant idea!

As an off season target, what about Matt Beleskey? I'm sure he'll be due a raise and I'm not sure if Anaheim can afford him
- gershall13

He'll be 27 years old and just hit 20 goals for the first time. Steer clear.

The Penguins aren't in as bad a spot as many think. They still have the absolute best player in hockey, a good goaltender and a decent defense when fully healthy.

Malkin would fetch a ton from a team looking to make a splash. The team needs to do something though. This formula has run it's course.
- MidnightMarauder

Formula isnt working? they were the best team in the league until the injuries. Highest winning %. The injuries are not the GM or couches fault. This non winning formula could be up 3 games to 1 or none on the Rags despite the injuries. The games have been that close.

I do agree with your first paragraph though.

If I'm Burkle Im asking why are we looking at another GM in as many years? Why didnt any coaches want to be here and we had to go to the WHL? Why another early playoff exit? Why are there always so many injuries? Why has the season ticket waiting list gone down? Why do we get few national broadcasts?

But yeah after answering all those questions keeping the same old formula together and bringing in next years Lee Stempniak to fill holes sounds like a brilliant idea!
- sammy87

Wasn't there a report that JR didn't want a tenured coach and rather would have found the "next Jon Cooper"?

Marijuana
- znagle