Also, fun fact, I was looking at the Kostitsyn draft, and in the second of that draft guess who Montreal drafted just one pick before David Backes? None other than Maxime Lapierre. Great job, Montreal...
- Victoro311

Fun fact, the Penguins drafted Ryan Stone one pick ahead of Louis Eriksson in that same draft.

Fun fact, the Flyers haven't won a Cup in 40 years (just helping you out with that one).

regarding MacPatty's post on the last blog...

I wish Murray and Jarry were 2 years older/more proven. I would trade Fleury right now if that were the case. Coming off great season, under contract through remaining prime years..should have good value and would be a big cap savings. But even with some other teams having success with recycled goalies, I dont think we can do that now.

Fun fact, the Penguins drafted Ryan Stone one pick ahead of Louis Eriksson in that same draft.

Fun fact, the Flyers haven't won a Cup in 40 years (just helping you out with that one).
- jmatchett383

There is actually a twitter account that gives me the exact days since the Flyers last won a cup.

Fun fact, the Penguins drafted Ryan Stone one pick ahead of Louis Eriksson in that same draft.

Fun fact, the Flyers haven't won a Cup in 40 years (just helping you out with that one).
- jmatchett383

I saw that. It made me sad...

I'm a masochist, so I like to go through Shero era drafts and play the who did we pass up for a D prospect or a forward that never saw the light of day game. My absolute favorite is 2007 when we drafted Angelo Esposito like two picks above Max Pacioretty. Just imagine a star winger on the best contract in the NHL playing on Crosby's left. Makes me all teary eyed

Everything about this post is wrong. Will take much more than a middling first to get Olli, he wants to grossly overpay for Lapierre and he's got Girgensson and Reihnhardt mixed up on the lines. This was comedy gold.
- Victoro311

Though it does show there's a chance Grigorenko is a luxury they dont need. I'd make a play for him if that were the case.

regarding MacPatty's post on the last blog...

I wish Murray and Jarry were 2 years older/more proven. I would trade Fleury right now if that were the case. Coming off great season, under contract through remaining prime years..should have good value and would be a big cap savings. But even with some other teams having success with recycled goalies, I dont think we can do that now.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

I'd hold onto MAF. Despite his struggles over the years, he's actually more than held up his part of the bargain the past 2 years. I'd say that he and Hornqvist were their 2 best players this past year, and he was probably their best player last playoffs as well. Had he played like that in 2012, the Penguins are a SCF team that year.

There is actually a twitter account that gives me the exact days since the Flyers last won a cup.
- dbell646

It should be down to minutes, or at least hours.

I saw that. It made me sad...

I'm a masochist, so I like to go through Shero era drafts and play the who did we pass up for a D prospect or a forward that never saw the light of day game. My absolute favorite is 2007 when we drafted Angelo Esposito like two picks above Max Pacioretty. Just imagine a star winger on the best contract in the NHL playing on Crosby's left. Makes me all teary eyed
- Victoro311

Well, you did manage to flip Angelo Esposito as part of a package for Hossa and Dupuis. And Dupuis ended up being a key player on the 2009 SC team, so it kinda worked out.

McDavid is "THE guy" you build with. Hall, Eberle, and RNH are all good players, but can be traded for packages to address other needs. As much as I like to rip them, they actually have adults running the show now, so McDavid has a chance of succeeding.
- jmatchett383

That's what I'm saying... eventually the thought has to be "ok now let's try to win", right? Not saying the Pens method was error or fool proof, but now's the time you start mixing in veteran leadership, patching holes, and addressing weakness right? And I agree the management there may have been completely incapable of such.

Though it does show there's a chance Grigorenko is a luxury they dont need. I'd make a play for him if that were the case.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Grigorenko is a bucket of potential who has been mismanaged and is 3 years closer to UFA than he should be. What defenseman of value would you move for him?

Grigorenko is a bucket of potential who has been mismanaged and is 3 years closer to UFA than he should be. What defenseman of value would you move for him?
- jmatchett383

Probably Harrington + meh prospect

That's what I'm saying... eventually the thought has to be "ok now let's try to win", right? Not saying the Pens method was error or fool proof, but now's the time you start mixing in veteran leadership, patching holes, and addressing weakness right? And I agree the management there may have been completely incapable of such.
- stowerkraut

The Penguins also drafted Letang and Goligoski during that time. The Oilers have failed to find their Letang, and Justin Schultz is their GoGo imitation. Part of the deal is that you can't just keep taking the best one-dimensional offensive standout available (the exception being this season).

I'd hold onto MAF. Despite his struggles over the years, he's actually more than held up his part of the bargain the past 2 years. I'd say that he and Hornqvist were their 2 best players this past year, and he was probably their best player last playoffs as well. Had he played like that in 2012, the Penguins are a SCF team that year.
- jmatchett383

I don't think Dupuis was saying unload MAF. I think we all recognize the organizational depth we have at G, and MAF's stock has gone right back up after the past two years. We're starved for high end tradable assets, so if we felt like Murray or Jarry were ready to come up and hold down the fort, trading MAF would be something worth exploring.

I saw a trade proposal on Pens Labyrinth that was pondering if Sutter, Bennett, and Murray could net us Boedker and Arizona's later 1st. I'll be happy if that lands us Boedker on his own, honestly. But if that were to work, that'd be an absolute coup. Then we could unload Kunitz's contract to Winnipeg or someone who may need winger help for more picks, and we're in the game again.

Probably Harrington + meh prospect
- YouMeAndDupuis9

I think Buffalo wants a guy with a little more than 10 NHL games with no points and a -10 to show for it.

Not saying they'd say no or that Harrington's bad, just that I think Buffalo would like a little more of a proven product for him.

1yr 1M max.

I don't think Dupuis was saying unload MAF. I think we all recognize the organizational depth we have at G, and MAF's stock has gone right back up after the past two years. We're starved for high end tradable assets, so if we felt like Murray or Jarry were ready to come up and hold down the fort, trading MAF would be something worth exploring.

I saw a trade proposal on Pens Labyrinth that was pondering if Sutter, Bennett, and Murray could net us Boedker and Arizona's later 1st. I'll be happy if that lands us Boedker on his own, honestly. But if that were to work, that'd be an absolute coup. Then we could unload Kunitz's contract to Winnipeg or someone who may need winger help for more picks, and we're in the game again.
- Victoro311

That trade is outlandish. Even Boedker for essentially spare parts is pretty unlikely.

Then again, the GoGo for Neal+Niskanen trade was outlandish, as well.

That trade is outlandish. Even Boedker for essentially spare parts is pretty unlikely.
- jmatchett383

Yeah it really was a laughable trade proposal. Just imagine if it happened though.

Yeah it really was a laughable trade proposal. Just imagine if it happened though.
- Victoro311

I almost feel bad for the Coyotes. Aside from their 1 magical run (which just happened to happen when the NHL owned them and needed to find a buyer...just sayin'), they've been the laughingstock of the league for the better part of their existence. Just one of those teams that seems like they'll never get their act together.

Are the next few years about figuring out who to build the team around? For the Pens it was obvious, 87, 71, 29 and 58. It seems like every year in EDM there is a new "guy" to build around but it doesn't happen. Doesn't management eventually say "ok we cant pay them all 5-6 mill per. Who do we go with?". And obviously this summers pick will be the main "guy".

Seems like the team would take 10 steps forward if the assets that are not deemed the "core" are traded to address weaknesses (goaltending, dmen)?
- stowerkraut

I think so. Obviously Hall and McDavid are the key guys. At some point I think a decision will be made between RNH and Leon Draisaitl. On one hand Nuge is the experienced and capable one, with underrated 2-way skill.....on the other Draisaitl is that big body with slick hands.

Pretty sure Nurse and Klefbom are the future of the defense....but that's probably 3 full seasons away.

I think eventually one of Eberle or Yak gets moved, and one of Nuge and LD....but that won't happen until a prospect comes up and earns a spot as a top 2 RW.

If we do manage to get one of those great young defenders that is already a top guy it will no doubt come from one of those 4....in which case your draft pick might be used in trade for a replacement player.

I have a couple,scenarios in my mind ( none of which will actually happen).

Trade RNH for a defender under the age of 26.

Trade Pitts 1st (+) for a veteran top line center who's contract expires in 3 yrs.

Or

Trade Pitts 1 St for an old Defender who's contract runs out in 3 yrs.

Scuderi is the only true untouchable on our roster.

I almost feel bad for the Coyotes. Aside from their 1 magical run (which just happened to happen when the NHL owned them and needed to find a buyer...just sayin'), they've been the laughingstock of the league for the better part of their existence. Just one of those teams that seems like they'll never get their act together.
- jmatchett383

I don't bad for any team that has no fan support. Florida, Arizona...whatever..

I don't bad for any team that has no fan support. Florida, Arizona...whatever..
- Jeropotato

That's not the fault of the players/coaches. It's the fault of the NHL and the owners.

regarding MacPatty's post on the last blog...

I wish Murray and Jarry were 2 years older/more proven. I would trade Fleury right now if that were the case. Coming off great season, under contract through remaining prime years..should have good value and would be a big cap savings. But even with some other teams having success with recycled goalies, I dont think we can do that now.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Except with the glut of goalies available this year, return will be weak. Buyers market.

Except with the glut of goalies available this year, return will be weak. Buyers market.
- Jeropotato

Who was that Alfie guy on your board last night. He was like a non-adorable version of Palmer.

That's not the fault of the players/coaches. It's the fault of the NHL and the owners.
- jmatchett383

For sure.....but some teams have to work harder to get fans. Canadian and Original 6 teams take it for granted. We just show up, 1st or 30th.....Arizona has never managed to sell the game there....especially after they moved into an arena that's an hour out the populated area.

Not sure what Floridas excuse is......but Tampa has good fans. Not hard to wonder why.