JR saying he doesn't want to tie up the club with one-way deals should've given this away. There's no room for another question mark.
- Topshelf Mountain

The way it works for these KHL defectors is they get a 2 year, two way ELC. Would have been perfect.

The way it works for these KHL defectors is they get a 2 year, two way ELC. Would have been perfect.
- Victoro311

This is a one-way $925k contract. If he doesn't make the team out of camp, he's going back to the KHL and won't count against Chicago's cap. I think it might count against their max roster transactions (50) but I'm not even sure on that. It's a win/win for Chicago.

Interesting tidbits:


http://insidepittsburghsp...ays-tiopsdailyfive/72992/

Baby Pens dominated the Crunch, Murray allowed 3 goals in 3 games and the middle game was a shutout. Kapanan with points in each game. Tonight was the first night they played with the cavalry arriving in Pouly, Dumo, Oskar, Wilson and Chorney. With their defense and goaltending they should be a force to be reckoned with. I think the consolation for Penguins fans this year is the Calder cup which signifies a lot better future than we are given credit for. If this team wins the Calder its a very good sign that we need to promote some players next year. I can't believe Murray usurped Zatkoff for the starting gig. Have to wonder if the orders came from up top because they want Murray to play with the big club next year.

Baby Pens dominated the Crunch, Murray allowed 3 goals in 3 games and the middle game was a shutout. Kapanan with points in each game. Tonight was the first night they played with the cavalry arriving in Pouly, Dumo, Oskar, Wilson and Chorney. With their defense and goaltending they should be a force to be reckoned with. I think the consolation for Penguins fans this year is the Calder cup which signifies a lot better future than we are given credit for. If this team wins the Calder its a very good sign that we need to promote some players next year. I can't believe Murray usurped Zatkoff for the starting gig. Have to wonder if the orders came from up top because they want Murray to play with the big club next year.
- Dcoms

Why would Murray be in the NHL next year? To play 15 games as fleurys back up? You don't let a young talented goalie sit for that long. Leave him in the ahl and start every night and prove this year wasn't a fluke

Baby Pens dominated the Crunch, Murray allowed 3 goals in 3 games and the middle game was a shutout. Kapanan with points in each game. Tonight was the first night they played with the cavalry arriving in Pouly, Dumo, Oskar, Wilson and Chorney. With their defense and goaltending they should be a force to be reckoned with. I think the consolation for Penguins fans this year is the Calder cup which signifies a lot better future than we are given credit for. If this team wins the Calder its a very good sign that we need to promote some players next year. I can't believe Murray usurped Zatkoff for the starting gig. Have to wonder if the orders came from up top because they want Murray to play with the big club next year.
- Dcoms

Sundqvist was a healthy scratch.

Sundqvist was a healthy scratch.
- drummer829

Not surprised. He just got there. He will play eventually though.

So the red wings haven't been very dominant in the playoffs since 09. Their window is closing way faster and harder than the pens. They truly are a team who could use Malkin. They have decent prospects, but no one to replace zetterberg and datsyuk. They're still desperately searching for another lidstrom like player.

Not surprised. He just got there. He will play eventually though.
- Victoro311

No use in rushing him in after 2 days of practice, especially how the baby pens have been playing. Give him some time to get used to the smaller rinks and the system.

JR saying he doesn't want to tie up the club with one-way deals should've given this away. There's no room for another question mark.
- Topshelf Mountain

I took that as a comment about veterans blocking younger guys, specifically defenseman. We dont exactly have talented young top 6 forwards to be "blocking"

Why would Murray be in the NHL next year? To play 15 games as fleurys back up? You don't let a young talented goalie sit for that long. Leave him in the ahl and start every night and prove this year wasn't a fluke
- jchst22

yup. im fine with him getting a cup of coffee start, but i want him in the AHL getting to be the man. zatkoff will be okay for the 15 games hell play behind fleury.

Sundqvist was a healthy scratch.
- drummer829

Oskar the grouch gets a lot of love on these boards...but I really have a feeling this kid could be our Adam Lowry. In that comparison...less physical but better puck handler. He looked very good in preseason last year and just as good in youtube clips from his Swedish team.

Can't wait to see what he does with the baby pens next few games.

I really have no problem "handing" him a 4th line spot.

Oskar the grouch gets a lot of love on these boards...but I really have a feeling this kid could be our Adam Lowry. In that comparison...less physical but better puck handler. He looked very good in preseason last year and just as good in youtube clips from his Swedish team.

Can't wait to see what he does with the baby pens next few games.

I really have no problem "handing" him a 4th line spot.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Especially since the 4th line has had non-NHL caliber players like Adams, Sill, Lapierre, and Farnham on it last season. He couldn't be worse than any of them.

Oskar the grouch gets a lot of love on these boards...but I really have a feeling this kid could be our Adam Lowry. In that comparison...less physical but better puck handler. He looked very good in preseason last year and just as good in youtube clips from his Swedish team.

Can't wait to see what he does with the baby pens next few games.

I really have no problem "handing" him a 4th line spot.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

im down with "handing" him a fourth line spot, as long as there is at least one pretty competent NHLer on that line with him, such as Winnik or Comeau. but yeah, i think its a fairly low risk venture there as far as to the product on the ice at the NHL level. it cant be much worse than one lead by adams.

its the suggestion that should we move sutter, that he can come in and be penciled in at 3rd C is where i think is unfair and unrealistic.

im down with "handing" him a fourth line spot, as long as there is at least one pretty competent NHLer on that line with him, such as Winnik or Comeau. but yeah, i think its a fairly low risk venture there as far as to the product on the ice at the NHL level. it cant be much worse than one lead by adams.

its the suggestion that should we move sutter, that he can come in and be penciled in at 3rd C is where i think is unfair and unrealistic.
- stayinthefnnet

Not saying he can be penciled in, but its not unrealistic to say he's a potential option. If we have enough potential options, the likelihood that one pans out hits almost 100% and Sutter can be moved. That's why I say resign Winnik. Maybe sign a UFA. Between Winnik, Spaling, Sundqvist, and the UFA, there should be someone that can handle the 3C. Ship Sutter for picks/prospects to restock the cupboard.

Not saying he can be penciled in, but its not unrealistic to say he's a potential option. If we have enough potential options, the likelihood that one pans out hits almost 100% and Sutter can be moved. That's why I say resign Winnik. Maybe sign a UFA. Between Winnik, Spaling, Sundqvist, and the UFA, there should be someone that can handle the 3C. Ship Sutter for picks/prospects to restock the cupboard.
- Victoro311

this is moot if sund comes in and is a monster right away, but i think thats not likely or fair to expect, but.

winnik is a nice player. spaling is a competent fourth liner paid a million per too much. those are nice guys to have. but if one of them is expected to be the third line center, then its going to need to be a very defensive oriented third line that provides very little secondary scoring. in that case, there is going to need to be some kind of splash that provides malkin with a proper toy to get the second line going again.

this is moot if sund comes in and is a monster right away, but i think thats not likely or fair to expect, but.

winnik is a nice player. spaling is a competent fourth liner paid a million per too much. those are nice guys to have. but if one of them is expected to be the third line center, then its going to need to be a very defensive oriented third line that provides very little secondary scoring. in that case, there is going to need to be some kind of splash that provides malkin with a proper toy to get the second line going again.
- stayinthefnnet

Would rather the third line be like that anyways. If we can put together a third line that is beastly defensively and still drives possession, then it opens up the ability to give Sid and Malkin very favorable zone starts, which will increase the top two lines offensive output. Its better than having a third line that lives and dies by Brandon Sutter, cus as it stands the third line does nothing unless Sutter gets a breakaway down the right side, which I see as being close to worthless.

im down with "handing" him a fourth line spot, as long as there is at least one pretty competent NHLer on that line with him, such as Winnik or Comeau. but yeah, i think its a fairly low risk venture there as far as to the product on the ice at the NHL level. it cant be much worse than one lead by adams.

its the suggestion that should we move sutter, that he can come in and be penciled in at 3rd C is where i think is unfair and unrealistic.
- stayinthefnnet

Winnik-Sundqvist-Comeau would be an awesome 4th line. Won't score a ton but very responsible possession type players that can shut the other team down, and Im sure could still score more than what we've seen from the 4th line in the past. I really think we can fill out the bottom 2 lines if we make a few good decisions.

Just dont know what to do about the top 6. JR said its likely to come from trades. You dont get quality top 6 for scrubs so I assume Sutter, BB, defenseman are what we are trading from to acquire said top 6 wing.

Winnik-Sundqvist-Comeau would be an awesome 4th line. Won't score a ton but very responsible possession type players that can shut the other team down, and Im sure could still score more than what we've seen from the 4th line in the past. I really think we can fill out the bottom 2 lines if we make a few good decisions.

Just dont know what to do about the top 6. JR said its likely to come from trades. You dont get quality top 6 for scrubs so I assume Sutter, BB, defenseman are what we are trading from to acquire said top 6 wing.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

i cant see it being feasible cap wise, but yeah. that forth line would be an absolute wet dream. and i think having those 2 guys with him would make things really easy for sundqvist to transition and find his game. 2 reliable vets with him. comeau with decent enough hands. winnik to help out board wise and positionally.

id LOVE that.

i just think comeau prices himself out. and winnik, who knows. maybe his bad finish keeps him reasonable. but yeah man. if they can afford it and get it in under 5 mil for the whole line, that fourth line could be perfect.

top 6? who knows. im intrigued in frolik if he can be had reasonably. i doubt it. id be for pairing sutter and harrington together to see what it gets, but who knows what it could net. and then it leaves the issue of replacing sutter. however, if it brings in something decent, id worry about that after. the second line is the main priority.

ESPN interview with Rutherford

"We don’t have any interest in that," Rutherford told ESPN.com when asked about trading Malkin. "Our core players are Sid and Geno, and Letang and Fleury and Hornqvist. And we feel very strong about that core. But we have to continue to have complementary pieces to those players in order to have a better chance to play into June."

Still, healthy or not, I ask again, is it prudent to have a model where, if my math is correct, about 44 percent of the team’s salary cap is tied up by its top four players (Sidney Crosby, Malkin, Letang and Marc-Andre Fleury)?

Easier said than done, I know, trading a star player and getting fair return, especially one like Malkin who has a no-trade clause.

No matter, because Rutherford is not going there with his top-four players. They’re staying put, he said.

"I’m comfortable with our core and we’re going to continue to go with them," said the GM.
"These are four impact players that we need. Hopefully I can do a better job of finding the proper complementary pieces to go with them."

"We are an organization that’s fortunate that we have some good young players that are ready to play. So we’re going to have to factor that in," said the GM. "We’re going to have to factor in the cap. We’re also going to have to do what’s been tried here for a few years but add one or two wingers, at least one each for Sid and Geno that are good fits for them. Good skilled wingers. That’s going to be the toughest part. Because I don’t think those guys are available in free agency."

That means the trade route and Rutherford certainly isn’t shy about making deals.

But he’ll need cap room. Whether it is the likes of Rob Scuderi or Chris Kunitz or Brandon Sutter -- I’m just throwing names out there off the top of my head -- but there are some members of the supporting cast that are going to go.

Change is coming in Pittsburgh, just perhaps not in the form that many of us thought might be possible.

Would rather the third line be like that anyways. If we can put together a third line that is beastly defensively and still drives possession, then it opens up the ability to give Sid and Malkin very favorable zone starts, which will increase the top two lines offensive output. Its better than having a third line that lives and dies by Brandon Sutter, cus as it stands the third line does nothing unless Sutter gets a breakaway down the right side, which I see as being close to worthless.
- Victoro311

im with you man. thats exactly what id want too. but it all depends on finding something for malkin.

im not ready to anoint kap as the savior. again, i think its unfair, and the team cannot afford to (frank) up his development. and im not ready to just discard bennett for no reason, but it would also be foolish to expect anything from him. just hope for it to be a pleasant surprise, but dont have expectations.

crosby will be fine. i think perron can rebound and be somewhat competent, even though hell never be a stud. but just having hornqvist with crosby, the three of them will be fine. they were buzzing all series in a matchup in which the team was supposedly totally shut down.

it all comes back to that second line. malkin needs something. i just dont really know how to do it.

ESPN interview with Rutherford

"We don’t have any interest in that," Rutherford told ESPN.com when asked about trading Malkin. "Our core players are Sid and Geno, and Letang and Fleury and Hornqvist. And we feel very strong about that core. But we have to continue to have complementary pieces to those players in order to have a better chance to play into June."

Still, healthy or not, I ask again, is it prudent to have a model where, if my math is correct, about 44 percent of the team’s salary cap is tied up by its top four players (Sidney Crosby, Malkin, Letang and Marc-Andre Fleury)?

Easier said than done, I know, trading a star player and getting fair return, especially one like Malkin who has a no-trade clause.

No matter, because Rutherford is not going there with his top-four players. They’re staying put, he said.

"I’m comfortable with our core and we’re going to continue to go with them," said the GM.
"These are four impact players that we need. Hopefully I can do a better job of finding the proper complementary pieces to go with them."

"We are an organization that’s fortunate that we have some good young players that are ready to play. So we’re going to have to factor that in," said the GM. "We’re going to have to factor in the cap. We’re also going to have to do what’s been tried here for a few years but add one or two wingers, at least one each for Sid and Geno that are good fits for them. Good skilled wingers. That’s going to be the toughest part. Because I don’t think those guys are available in free agency."

That means the trade route and Rutherford certainly isn’t shy about making deals.

But he’ll need cap room. Whether it is the likes of Rob Scuderi or Chris Kunitz or Brandon Sutter -- I’m just throwing names out there off the top of my head -- but there are some members of the supporting cast that are going to go.

Change is coming in Pittsburgh, just perhaps not in the form that many of us thought might be possible.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

see, i dont know. as strange as it sounds, if im in the GM armchair, cap room isnt the biggest issue. its just the lack of guys to spend it on via FA that are worth it, and the lack of assets to deal for them via trades.

thats where im currently stuck. because i share his sentiment and goals.

i cant see it being feasible cap wise, but yeah. that forth line would be an absolute wet dream. and i think having those 2 guys with him would make things really easy for sundqvist to transition and find his game. 2 reliable vets with him. comeau with decent enough hands. winnik to help out board wise and positionally.

id LOVE that.

i just think comeau prices himself out. and winnik, who knows. maybe his bad finish keeps him reasonable. but yeah man. if they can afford it and get it in under 5 mil for the whole line, that fourth line could be perfect.

top 6? who knows. im intrigued in frolik if he can be had reasonably. i doubt it. id be for pairing sutter and harrington together to see what it gets, but who knows what it could net. and then it leaves the issue of replacing sutter. however, if it brings in something decent, id worry about that after. the second line is the main priority.
- stayinthefnnet

I'd offer Winnik $1.5M and Comeau as much as $2.5M. With Sundqvist being on an ELC, I'd overpay a tad to have that good of a fourth line. Keeping Winnik allows us to say goodbye to Spaling as well.

I threw a trade out there earlier this year with those two players. Sutter and Harrington for ROR. Maybe we add a pick. Value still favors the Pens, but we're taking the risk of a big contract and potential for him leaving in a year or two (forget when his contract is up). If COL thinks highly of Harrington, it could happen.


So many variables to make up lines right now, but that leaves us with something like

Perron-Sid-Horny
ROR-Malkin-Kapanen
Dupuis-Soderberg/Matthias-Bennett
Winnik-Sundqvist-Comeau


Bennett/Kapanen/Rust/Wilson/Megna are wildcards so its hard to say

I think I saw somewhere (maybe here actually) that we may target either Eberle or Yakupov to play with Malkin. If we could hypothetically get one of those guys, which would you prefer? I'm leaning towards Yakupov but I admittedly don't know much about EDM players

see, i dont know. as strange as it sounds, if im in the GM armchair, cap room isnt the biggest issue. its just the lack of guys to spend it on via FA that are worth it, and the lack of assets to deal for them via trades.

thats where im currently stuck. because i share his sentiment and goals.
- stayinthefnnet

I'm with you. We can free lots of cap space. But hard to tell where the quality comes from.