So: Jordan for Sutter, Doumolin, Spaling and a 3rd
- dps0610

I'd do this. Probably try to keep the draft pick and just not dump salary. But Sutter and Dumoulin for Staal is great as Harrington can step into Domoulin's spot. That's assuming Staal gets back to the level he was here. The 3C model worked great with Staal taking the tough minutes while still producing offense with average at best wings. A lack of hunger the year after the Cup and injuries especially Crosby's killed them the final years of that model. The wing situation becomes less important with a killer 3rd line. And IMO it's not as dire as people think if Perron bounces back (track record says likely) and one of Bennett or Kapanen become an option.

He's certainly to blame for not firing Bylsma for whatever it was, 21 days. That was new territory in organizational incompetence. There is only one way to increase the incompetence:

Mike Babcock is fielding offers right now. Not Willie Dejardins, not John Stevens or Barry Trotz. If the Penguins don't talk to Babcock because they're afraid of a perception, that's an organizational failure much more severe than letting Dan twist in the wind.
- Johnny Wrath

I agree with that. By the way, it is possible to pick up a phone and talk with him so nobody else will know......besides the NSA of course.

Can we somehow make this a package deal, to where you take all the Staals?
- dps0610

I thought this was for Michael Jordan?

I hope you are joking. The last thing we need is a third line center with zero talent around him making six million per the next seven years. JS would join Letang as Pittsburgh having two of the worst contracts in the league.
- Oneonta Penguin

I'd say that's completely inaccurate. Off the top of my head:
Phaneuf, Weiss, Zajac, Engelland, Lecavalier, Richards, MacDonald, Clarkson, Semin are all far worse contracts. Problem with Jordan Staal and Letang is that they are constantly injured. If they are healthy, their contracts are fine.

I'll take Jordan and a prospect. Thanks.
- Victoro311

What about Eric and Skinner?

Also, even though I want to trade Sutter, I don't want to make him out to be a garbage player. He produces good points for a 3rd liner. His speed is effective at getting to loose pucks and in transition. Its also an asset on the PK. Advanced stats may say he's not so good, but my eyes tell me he was often covering 2 players because we was often paired with Adams who largely tried to just cover his man and let Sutter do most of the extra work. They'll have to replace penalty killing at some point if Sutter, Laps, and Winnik all leave, which isn't a problem.

That said, I think the Pens need a shutdown center more who can pin other teams best lines in their zone. And while he's defensively responsible, Sutter's inability to win physical battles makes him ill-suited for that role. But his strengths will make him a valuable trading chip.

Also, even though I want to trade Sutter, I don't want to make him out to be a garbage player. He produces good points for a 3rd liner. His speed is effective at getting to loose pucks and in transition. Its also an asset on the PK. Advanced stats may say he's not so good, but my eyes tell me he was often covering 2 players because we was often paired with Adams who largely tried to just cover his man and let Sutter do most of the extra work. They'll have to replace penalty killing at some point if Sutter, Laps, and Winnik all leave, which isn't a problem.

That said, I think the Pens need a shutdown center more who can pin other teams best lines in their zone. And while he's defensively responsible, Sutter's inability to win physical battles makes him ill-suited for that role. But his strengths will make him a valuable trading chip.
- Tojo.

Even if you like him, I can't see how he will be retained after this season so basically he is a rental and this team can't let anymore valuable assets walk off as a UFA after doing it for so many years.

I'd do this. Probably try to keep the draft pick and just not dump salary. But Sutter and Dumoulin for Staal is great as Harrington can step into Domoulin's spot. That's assuming Staal gets back to the level he was here. The 3C model worked great with Staal taking the tough minutes while still producing offense with average at best wings. A lack of hunger the year after the Cup and injuries especially Crosby's killed them the final years of that model. The wing situation becomes less important with a killer 3rd line. And IMO it's not as dire as people think if Perron bounces back (track record says likely) and one of Bennett or Kapanen become an option.
- Tojo.

What about Jordan and Skinner for Sutter and Letang and Bennet and Dumo?

...or am I just on the crazy train now headed straight to hell?

So much stupidity in one comment, holy lord:
1)Malkin not getting traded, EVER
2)Letang, not getting traded, still very moveable, coming off a dominant season, just because YOU don't like him doesn't mean everyone else feels that way.
3)I'd rather let Sutter walk for nothing at the end of the year than to HAVE to lose one of Pouliot or Dumoulin, I mean hes not hurting anything staying on the roster till then.
4)Malkin is NOT going to be traded
5)Crosby is definitely not going to be traded
6)Your hatred of Letang makes your opinion impossible to look credible
7)You doom and gloom scorched earth personality must make you difficult to like in person
- Dcoms

But, but, his hero chart is of it's face!

What about Jordan and Skinner for Sutter and Letang and Bennet and Dumo?

...or am I just on the crazy train now headed straight to hell?
- brienstel

This is scary with his injury history, but next year's defense needs Letang to anchor it. They don't have any other proven vets like Martin and Orpik to help carry the load. We're going to play lots of young guys who will make plenty of mistakes, maybe give Cole a 2nd pair role. They need Letang and Maatta to handle lots of tough minutes.

Radulov has another year on his KHL contract and I think he would be a UFA if he wanted to come back to the NHL. Doubt he wants to though. He makes the equivalent of like $9m/yr in the KHL and pays lower taxes than he would with an American team (and much lower than with a Canadian team).
- jfkst1

downside is that he has to live in that craphole of a country.

The thin market is gonna drive Soderberg's term and price way up. Look at the contract Orpik got. FA time is insane. I gotta believe he gets anywhere from 4/16 to 5/25....ie David Clarkson, Vinny Lecavalier etc.
- did109

This is why I said last blog that it's 'possibly' a better option to fill the roster with last years type players at 1m or less, don't hunt for the imaginary wingers for Geno, let our young D have a year to play in the NHL & consider the playoffs a success. Then next year when the market has a lot more options really go after what is needed. Put the team together to win with our young D having a year under their belt.

Have a gap year as such - no pressure to win Stanley, let our team become just that with the core & young D plus have the WBS guys come in & taste the NHL again - Rust, Sundy, Kap & who ever else they can. Then either trade our old contracts at deadline for stock we can then either keep or on trade for what we need (won't that be great to have picks again or prospects?), or if the team is overachieving trade for a contract that we can resign.

This is why I said last blog that it's 'possibly' a better option to fill the roster with last years type players at 1m or less, don't hunt for the imaginary wingers for Geno, let our young D have a year to play in the NHL & consider the playoffs a success. Then next year when the market has a lot more options really go after what is needed. Put the team together to win with our young D having a year under their belt.

Have a gap year as such - no pressure to win Stanley, let our team become just that with the core & young D plus have the WBS guys come in & taste the NHL again - Rust, Sundy, Kap & who ever else they can. Then either trade our old contracts at deadline for stock we can then either keep or on trade for what we need (won't that be great to have picks again or prospects?), or if the team is overachieving trade for a contract that we can resign.
- Aussiepenguin

Ok, I don't hate the idea of just riding out the roster for a year... but let me pose this question.

Two weeks before trade deadline, we are 2nd in the East. Dupuis is just so-so, but in the top line with Crosby. Malkin has Perron and no one has stepped up for the other side. Kunitz down on the 3rd for this scenario.

Do you make a trade for a top 6 winger?

What about Jordan and Skinner for Sutter and Letang and Bennet and Dumo?

...or am I just on the crazy train now headed straight to hell?
- brienstel

It's too much in value and bodies.

This is why I said last blog that it's 'possibly' a better option to fill the roster with last years type players at 1m or less, don't hunt for the imaginary wingers for Geno, let our young D have a year to play in the NHL & consider the playoffs a success. Then next year when the market has a lot more options really go after what is needed. Put the team together to win with our young D having a year under their belt.

Have a gap year as such - no pressure to win Stanley, let our team become just that with the core & young D plus have the WBS guys come in & taste the NHL again - Rust, Sundy, Kap & who ever else they can. Then either trade our old contracts at deadline for stock we can then either keep or on trade for what we need (won't that be great to have picks again or prospects?), or if the team is overachieving trade for a contract that we can resign.
- Aussiepenguin

Good post. Our defense for one may be championship caliber with some seasoning, but like isn't next year. We have most of the big key pieces: top 2 centers, great power forward, top defense pairing, goalie, etc to build around. We do have a good group of prospects at or near NHL ready, it's the lack of anything behind them that's scary.

So spend next year finding out if we have a future 2nd defense pairing, if Bennett or Kapanen is a top 6 wing, and what role will Sundqvist play. You can still fill obvious holes if the right move is there, but we likely aren't winning the Cup with 2 rookies and Lovejoy in our defense anyways. Next year is more promising for wings and Maatta will need an extended so it would be better to keep some cap flexibility for next off-season then blowing it all trying to fast track the team this year.

downside is that he has to live in that craphole of a country.
- SuperHenderson13

I'd prefer St. Petersburg RUS over St. Petersburg FLA.

lord does this team miss staal.

What about Jay Beagle as a 3C replacement? I would rather have the Pens pick up Beagle than Fehr. Beagle will be cheaper, and the Pens need players that play well in the playoffs. Beagle averaged over 15 minutes a game, scored 5 points, had a GWG, had an over 63% faceoff winning percentage, and had a better +/- than Fehr. Beagle can also play Right Wing and is pretty good on the PK (better than Fehr) in my opinion. In my opinion, Beagle is quicker than Fehr as well and still has some size and can hit.

Now, Beagle has worse numbers in the regular season, but I want the Penguins to have good players in the playoffs that are flexible. I watched a lot of the Washington playoff games, and Beagle played better than Fehr. I think he would only cost about $1.2M to $1.5M per year. The Penguins need to get bargains wherever they can. Beagle will be a bargain!
- so_buzz11

I like the bargain bin mindset....but just not a Beagle fan. If we wanted a regular season coaster, we'd just keep Sutter

I don't really want Eric... Can package Jordan and Semin though. And yes, you're still keeping half of Semin's cap hit.
- Guile

Hey now we're talking!

Jordan and Semin (50% retained) for Sutter, Dumoulin/Harrington, Spaling, 4th

or Sutter, Dumo/Harry, Bennett

I'm still trying to figure out why anyone would want Alex Semin at half his contract. He is a complete non factor and isn't a competent player anymore. Have you watch him play lately? I doubt you have. He is stealing money from Carolina. Then again, our idiot GM signed him to the most ridiculous contract in the league.

Alex Semin is worthless. Anyone who suggests otherwise hasn't been watching or paying attention the last two.
- Oneonta Penguin

This was his only bad season, where he had a wrist injury and trouble adjusting to the system. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt on a career that speaks otherwise. Plus, I just think he'd play really well with Geno and on the PP. I'm intrigued at the thought of buying extremely low.

lord does this team miss staal.
- stayinthefnnet

Yeah, anyone who thinks he wouldnt be worth every penny of his $6M contract is mad. And there is so much deadweight on the roster we can still have adequate wingers/balanced roster...just need to make smart choices.

Dont forget that Martin and Ehrhoff likely will be gone and freeing up $9M. Sutter, Kunitz, Scuds, Spaling are another $13M of suck.

I'm not saying it's easy to get rid of/replace all these players but there's potentially $22M to carefully choose who to keep and how to re-allocate dollars. Jordan is worth the $2.7M delta between him and Sutter.

Yeah, anyone who thinks he wouldnt be worth every penny of his $6M contract is mad. And there is so much deadweight on the roster we can still have adequate wingers/balanced roster...just need to make smart choices.

Dont forget that Martin and Ehrhoff likely will be gone and freeing up $9M. Sutter, Kunitz, Scuds, Spaling are another $13M of suck.

I'm not saying it's easy to get rid of/replace all these players but there's potentially $22M to carefully choose who to keep and how to re-allocate dollars. Jordan is worth the $2.7M delta between him and Sutter.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

The delta? What's next, Sutter's arms are thinner than a secant line?

Ok, I don't hate the idea of just riding out the roster for a year... but let me pose this question.

Two weeks before trade deadline, we are 2nd in the East. Dupuis is just so-so, but in the top line with Crosby. Malkin has Perron and no one has stepped up for the other side. Kunitz down on the 3rd for this scenario.

Do you make a trade for a top 6 winger?
- Guile

If the situation arose that we thought that we could go further than the 1st round then yes, I would look at adding someone that we could sign as a free agent in the summer. The Flames actually traded guys out at the deadline (don't think they took players back but I could be wrong), so there is an example of an option. But I wouldn't go berserk trading away players like he did this year. 1 player for a 2nd round & we could resign.

If JR found a winger like he found Lovejob only better, younger & faster (& better,) then that may make sense if we thought we could win. If there is doubt then definite NO, do what the Flames did & trade away for picks/prospects, do our best then attack the free market without giving up anything & having a few cans of beans on the shelf that we could flip into a seafood salad.

I truly believe had our team complete then we could very well have been preparing for the ECF, so the team wasn't that bad - did it have holes? Yes, but so does every team.

Zenon konopka has a cooler name than sutter. Is he still even in the league?

What about Jordan and Skinner for Sutter and Letang and Bennet and Dumo?

...or am I just on the crazy train now headed straight to hell?
- brienstel

That is way too much. Still, it's better than the "Staal for our castoffs and A- level prospect" proposal.