Sekera will likely end up costing the most out of any UFA this year. I wouldn't be surprised at all if he got offers for 5+ years and $30m+.
- jfkst1

This is very true, but with Despres gone that's not the biggest deal in the world. Lets take a look

Prospects who need spots:

Pouliot: This season. Top 4 but requires a solid partner.
Dumoulin: This season. Bottom Pairing.
Harrington: One or two seasons away from being an NHL regular.

Without any additions our Depth looks like this:

Letang-Maatta
Pouliot-Lovejoy
Dumoulin-Cole
Scuderi
Harrington

Our next guys in are a pilon and a guy not ready for the NHL. You add a guy like Sekera and all of a sudden it looks like this. Next season:

Letang-Maatta
Sekera-Pouliot
Dumoulin-Cole
Lovejoy
Scuderi
Harrington

Long term:

Letang-Maatta
Skera-Pouliot
Dumoulin-Harrington
Cole

Everyone who needs spots still gets their spots both next season and long term, and we can feel a lot easier about giving Pouliot, Cole, or Dumoulin (really whoever steps up) top 4 minutes. Plus we're a lot deeper at D. The Pens having depth at D is a (frank)ing myth. We did this season with Martin and Hoff on the roster, but moving forward we didn't really have that much depth, and trading away Despres effectively killed that potential depth. We have no #3 d man, and adding Sekera at 5/5.5 mil would fix that. It'd be effectively retaining Martin in his prime. Say what you will, but its effective use of the cap space.

Rid ourselves of the Scuderi, Spaling, Sutter, and Kunitz, maybe even Lovejoy contracts, and we have enough cap to make a top 4 defensive signing, bring in a top 6 winger, and upgrade at 3C. We may have to make some decisions once Perron, Maatta, and whoever else are up for extensions, but it shouldn't be that bad. We have the cap flexibility to make it work, its just up to management to make the correct trades and signings and the coach to make the correct personnel choices.

This is very true, but with Despres gone that's not the biggest deal in the world. Lets take a look

Prospects who need spots:

Pouliot: This season. Top 4 but requires a solid partner.
Dumoulin: This season. Bottom Pairing.
Harrington: One or two seasons away from being an NHL regular.

Without any additions our Depth looks like this:

Letang-Maatta
Pouliot-Lovejoy
Dumoulin-Cole
Scuderi
Harrington

Our next guys in are a pilon and a guy not ready for the NHL. You add a guy like Sekera and all of a sudden it looks like this. Next season:

Letang-Maatta
Sekera-Pouliot
Dumoulin-Cole
Lovejoy
Scuderi
Harrington

Long term:

Letang-Maatta
Skera-Pouliot
Dumoulin-Harrington
Cole

Everyone who needs spots still gets their spots both next season and long term, and we can feel a lot easier about giving Pouliot, Cole, or Dumoulin (really whoever steps up) top 4 minutes. Plus we're a lot deeper at D. The Pens having depth at D is a (frank)ing myth. We did this season with Martin and Hoff on the roster, but moving forward we didn't really have that much depth, and trading away Despres effectively killed that potential depth. We have no #3 d man, and adding Sekera at 5/5.5 mil would fix that. It'd be effectively retaining Martin in his prime. Say what you will, but its effective use of the cap space.

Rid ourselves of the Scuderi, Spaling, Sutter, and Kunitz, maybe even Lovejoy contracts, and we have enough cap to make a top 4 defensive signing, bring in a top 6 winger, and upgrade at 3C. We may have to make some decisions once Perron, Maatta, and whoever else are up for extensions, but it shouldn't be that bad. We have the cap flexibility to make it work, its just up to management to make the correct trades and signings and the coach to make the correct personnel choices.
- Victoro311

Your logic on adding a vetern 2nd pairing D is spot on, but I think ideally we try and find a guy with some physicality, which Sekera doesn't really bring. Our D is EXTREMLY "SOFF"... I like the skill we have as it fits MJ 's system, but I feel we need atleast one guy who can clear the front of the net, and lay a momentum changing hit. A top 4 Dman with some muscle is at the top of my "wanted" list right after a top 6 winger. I would doubt he's available, nor do we have the assests to acquire him, but I'd love Erik Gudbranson on this team.

1 of Dumo, DP, and Harrington will be traded. No chance they all ever become Pens.

No matter what Pens need to sign a Franson level Dman to be competitive.

Lovejoy, Scuds, Spaling will be impossible to move. Kuni might be the odd man out if they can get a 2nd. But Kuni on the 3rd is more valuable than a 2nd at this point. Nobody is taking 1 more yr of Spaling or Lovejoy. Even 1 more yr of Sutter will be hard to move.

Everyone who needs spots still gets their spots both next season and long term, and we can feel a lot easier about giving Pouliot, Cole, or Dumoulin (really whoever steps up) top 4 minutes. Plus we're a lot deeper at D. The Pens having depth at D is a (frank)ing myth. We did this season with Martin and Hoff on the roster, but moving forward we didn't really have that much depth, and trading away Despres effectively killed that potential depth. We have no #3 d man, and adding Sekera at 5/5.5 mil would fix that. It'd be effectively retaining Martin in his prime. Say what you will, but its effective use of the cap space.
- Victoro311

I'd bet it will be more like $6m/yr for him to come to Pittsburgh. Maybe less but likely with massive term. NTC as well. Either way, I think it is a high probability of a contract being prohibitive with Pittsburgh. I'd rather the Pens went with the youngsters and took the risk and put the money towards forwards.

Your logic on adding a vetern 2nd pairing D is spot on, but I think ideally we try and find a guy with some physicality, which Sekera doesn't really bring. Our D is EXTREMLY "SOFF"... I like the skill we have as it fits MJ 's system, but I feel we need atleast one guy who can clear the front of the net, and lay a momentum changing hit. A top 4 Dman with some muscle is at the top of my "wanted" list right after a top 6 winger. I would doubt he's available, nor do we have the assests to acquire him, but I'd love Erik Gudbranson on this team.
- Willaged

I agree 100%. Ideally we would be getting a Marc Staal type for our second pairing. However, you look at the FA class this year and there are none of those. My hope is that big bodied Cole or Dumoulin can evolve to fill the physical roll, but that's neither here nor there. If we can't get the physicality, the next best thing is a talented puck mover that fits well int MJ's system but can still play D to steady Pouliot, like a Paul Martin type. Cody Franson could be that guy, but I know Sekera is that guy. Just depends if you're willing to gamble a bit (Franson), or pay extra for a sure fire thing (Sekera).

Fact is, we have to go FA if we're looking for a top 4 defenseman. They're available through FA, and we only have the assets for one major trade. Since the FA pool for wingers is horrid, that trade needs to go towards top 6 help, not top 4 help.

1 of Dumo, DP, and Harrington will be traded. No chance they all ever become Pens.

No matter what Pens need to sign a Franson level Dman to be competitive.

Lovejoy, Scuds, Spaling will be impossible to move. Kuni might be the odd man out if they can get a 2nd. But Kuni on the 3rd is more valuable than a 2nd at this point. Nobody is taking 1 more yr of Spaling or Lovejoy. Even 1 more yr of Sutter will be hard to move.
- sammy87

I think you're overly pessimistic about our bad contracts' tradability. Spaling and Lovejoy can absolutely be moved if we felt like it. Even if its just a cap dump and all we were getting back was a a 6th, if we needed to and wanted to, we could unload those contracts. There will also be buys for Sutter. It might be less than what we want, but it also might be more. Sutter's trade value is an enigma. If you think you know what it is, you're probably wrong.

The only untradeable contract we have is Scuderi, and even then you never know what can happen.

I think you're overly pessimistic about our bad contracts' tradability. Spaling and Lovejoy can absolutely be moved if we felt like it. Even if its just a cap dump and all we were getting back was a a 6th, if we needed to and wanted to, we could unload those contracts. There will also be buys for Sutter. It might be less than what we want, but it also might be more. Sutter's trade value is an enigma. If you think you know what it is, you're probably wrong.

The only untradeable contract we have is Scuderi, and even then you never know what can happen.
- Victoro311

I agree. Scuds NTC probably makes him untradeable. Possibly a cap floor team would take him, but he would refuse the deal. I've excepted the fact that he'll be back. I doubt they buy him out this year.

I'd bet it will be more like $6m/yr for him to come to Pittsburgh. Maybe less but likely with massive term. NTC as well. Either way, I think it is a high probability of a contract being prohibitive with Pittsburgh. I'd rather the Pens went with the youngsters and took the risk and put the money towards forwards.
- jfkst1

Its not really gamble, its an admission of defeat. Letang and Maatta are legit top pairing defensemen, but then after that its bad. Pouliot and Cole right now can probably play the second pairing, but they need a legit and proven top 4 defenseman to play with them, and Lovejoy is not that guy. Dumoulin could surprise, and that's great, but its irresponsible to bank that he'll be anything more than a bottom pairing guy during his first full season. Scuderi isn't an NHL player anymore and Harrington isn't an NHL player yet.

Plus, signing a top 4 guy will make our other guys more expendable. With our roster as it is, the only guy we can move on the back end is Harrington because we need all of our NHL regulars in (Dumoulin, Pouliot, Cole), and that seriously limits our potential trades since Harrington is still a few years away.

Its not really gamble, its an admission of defeat. Letang and Maatta are legit top pairing defensemen, but then after that its bad. Pouliot and Cole right now can probably play the second pairing, but they need a legit and proven top 4 defenseman to play with them, and Lovejoy is not that guy. Dumoulin could surprise, and that's great, but its irresponsible to bank that he'll be anything more than a bottom pairing guy during his first full season. Scuderi isn't an NHL player anymore and Harrington isn't an NHL player yet.

Plus, signing a top 4 guy will make our other guys more expendable. With our roster as it is, the only guy we can move on the back end is Harrington because we need all of our NHL regulars in (Dumoulin, Pouliot, Cole), and that seriously limits our potential trades since Harrington is still a few years away.
- Victoro311

Unless one of those high end UFA dmen (Green, Sekera, Franson, Petry) are coming at a discount, which is possible but not likely, I don't want any of them. I'd rather the Pens pursue one of the geezers willing to take a short term deal than take on a potentially burdensome contract.

Unless one of those high end UFA dmen (Green, Sekera, Franson, Petry) are coming at a discount, which is possible but not likely, I don't want any of them. I'd rather the Pens pursue one of the geezers willing to take a short term deal than take on a potentially burdensome contract.
- jfkst1

Would you be opposed to retaining Martin for 4 years at a 4/4.5 hit if he were willing to stay? I personally would be all for it. Letang has stated that Paul Marts was an extremely stabilizing presence for him, so he can do the same for Pouliot. By the time he starts to slow down (final two years of his contract) he can be moved to the third pairing where he can be highly effective in a more sheltered roll and play spot top 4 duty, which our current bottom pairing guys (Scuderi, Lovejoy) really can't.

Would you be opposed to retaining Martin for 4 years at a 4/4.5 hit if he were willing to stay? I personally would be all for it. Letang has stated that Paul Marts was an extremely stabilizing presence for him, so he can do the same for Pouliot. By the time he starts to slow down (final two years of his contract) he can be moved to the third pairing where he can be highly effective in a more sheltered roll and play spot top 4 duty, which our current bottom pairing guys (Scuderi, Lovejoy) really can't.
- Victoro311

Thought about that today, and yes, if he'd come back on a 3-4 year year deal with an AAV of 4.5 or less.. Absolutely. He'd be a great mentor for DP and can still spot play top pairing minutes is Letang or Mattaa go down.

Maatta, Pouliot, Dumoulin, Harrington. That's Pittsburgh's ideal top four going forward. I think they are a season behind in development for various reasons; Olli for injuries sake, the rest for poor usage and being stifled by Mark Eaton or Hoff. Those four in particular need to play meaningful NHL minutes and develop into a D core together.

Maatta is the best all-around player; I hope (and it is realistic that) Harrington will develop into a match-up defender. Derrick is already the PP specialist. As long as 87 and 71 are on the PP at once and the Penguins employ a screen in PH, the option other than a second D (probably Maatta) is to have a rover in a box+1 kind of strategy. I don't think that, other than screening, the Penguins do enough to influence the goalie to move laterally and perhaps forget his angles. Pittsburgh Overload lets the goalie hug a post and read the play most of the time.

I am not a fan of saying two seasons ahead of the time in which it will take for them to learn how to win together that 'player a has to play with player b' in the way that GMJR &c. get Scuderi to compliment Letang or Lovejoy to compliment Pouliot. Those four players should be used interchangeably to best deal with their opponent. Hockey is still a game of improvisation and I fear that the Penguins have fallen into a kind of slotting trap with generic "puck moving d" and "stay at home, safety valve d" tags.

Thought about that today, and yes, if he'd come back on a 3-4 year year deal with an AAV of 4.5 or less.. Absolutely. He'd be a great mentor for DP and can still spot play top pairing minutes is Letang or Mattaa go down.
- Willaged

Its something that's not discussed because it was widely understood that Martin was a goner at the beginning of the season. However, did a report not come out last month that he was very open to returning but the Pens had not initiated negotiations yet?

The fact is that we do need a proven top 4 guy while our prospects develop. Mind you, these prospects should be playing in the NHL, but we can't mess with their development and confidence by throwing them into top pairing rolls right off the bat. I think a 4 year deal for a vet is perfect. He can play the top two pairings in the near future, and start to slot down as youngsters earn their keep and he gets older and slower. What we can't do is trade for or give contracts to unskilled veterans who are best suited for bottom pairing work, as those are the guys that are taking the roster spots from guys like Dumoulin and Cole and doing no favors to Pouliot in his quest to stabilize himself as a top 4 defenseman.

But as of now, throwing Pouliot, Dumoulin, and Cole onto the second pairing without a stabilizing force, or Harrington into the NHL would be a disaster.

Would you be opposed to retaining Martin for 4 years at a 4/4.5 hit if he were willing to stay? I personally would be all for it. Letang has stated that Paul Marts was an extremely stabilizing presence for him, so he can do the same for Pouliot. By the time he starts to slow down (final two years of his contract) he can be moved to the third pairing where he can be highly effective in a more sheltered roll and play spot top 4 duty, which our current bottom pairing guys (Scuderi, Lovejoy) really can't.
- Victoro311

Paul Martin is in many ways the emblem of Penguin futility and lack of identity. Paul is getting older but not old. He's a fluid skater but not fast. He can pass the puck but doesn't possess above average vision. For as much of the puck as he saw, his complete lack of a shot arsenal took away dynamism. He played important minutes for Pittsburgh - when he wasn't injured. If you hold against Kris Letang that he's seemingly always injured I think it's important to notice that Paul Martin has missed only something like 20 less games over his contract than Letang's endless run of misfortune.

I am ecstatic that his contract is up and I wouldn't take him back for $1M for the sheer removal of the temptation to continue to play Paul Mart over the Pens' younger defenders in important situations.

Its something that's not discussed because it was widely understood that Martin was a goner at the beginning of the season. However, did a report not come out last month that he was very open to returning but the Pens had not initiated negotiations yet?

The fact is that we do need a proven top 4 guy while our prospects develop. Mind you, these prospects should be playing in the NHL, but we can't mess with their development and confidence by throwing them into top pairing rolls right off the bat. I think a 4 year deal for a vet is perfect. He can play the top two pairings in the near future, and start to slot down as youngsters earn their keep and he gets older and slower. What we can't do is trade for or give contracts to unskilled veterans who are best suited for bottom pairing work, as those are the guys that are taking the roster spots from guys like Dumoulin and Cole and doing no favors to Pouliot in his quest to stabilize himself as a top 4 defenseman.

But as of now, throwing Pouliot, Dumoulin, and Cole onto the second pairing without a stabilizing force, or Harrington into the NHL would be a disaster.
- Victoro311

What then are Lovejoy and Cole for? And for that matter Robderi?

What then are Lovejoy and Cole for? And for that matter Robderi?
- Johnny Wrath

Lovejoy and Scuderi are for absolutely nothing. They don't serve a purpose. They're too unskilled to play the second pairing and be the stabilizing force that one of our young guys, whether that be Pouliot, Dumoulin or Cole, to succeed in a top 4 roll this early on in their development. I don't mind Lovejoy as a depth player incase a young guy needs a spot benching or someone is banged up. He's also cheap enough that management won't be tempted to play him over a younger guy who's earned the minutes. Magic Mike really needs to start seeing Scuderi as sunk cost. If we can't rid ourselves of him, he needs to be watching from the press box. He doesn't bring anything that can't be replaced or improved upon by a young guy and he's just taking roster spots away.

Cole, you gotta remember, is only 26 and has been buried in the Blues depth chart so he hasn't been able to fully develop. I classify him as one of our youngsters. I don't want him in the top 4 unless he has a good partner with NHL experience.

I dont mind berg but not at that price. Sutter gets beat up on here n makes less. Soderberg @ 4m no way on this cap strapped team. Get anything you can for sutter kassian would be nice in some sort of deal. Bring in mathias and try to steal beagle from the caps. Trots loves him tho so probably not leaving. Fehr then.... bring back lappy n downie. TRUST the kids and let them play through their mistakes on D. Maybe a Jackman for 3m but dont pay anybody lets see what we have. Eat ur vitamins and say ur prayers that maybe they can be healthy

Paul Martin is in many ways the emblem of Penguin futility and lack of identity. Paul is getting older but not old. He's a fluid skater but not fast. He can pass the puck but doesn't possess above average vision. For as much of the puck as he saw, his complete lack of a shot arsenal took away dynamism. He played important minutes for Pittsburgh - when he wasn't injured. If you hold against Kris Letang that he's seemingly always injured I think it's important to notice that Paul Martin has missed only something like 20 less games over his contract than Letang's endless run of misfortune.

I am ecstatic that his contract is up and I wouldn't take him back for $1M for the sheer removal of the temptation to continue to play Paul Mart over the Pens' younger defenders in important situations.
- Johnny Wrath

So you must be advocating a top four of Letang/Maatta, Pouliot/Dumoulin. Because if you're advocating a top four of Letang/Maatta, Pouliot/Lovejoy its a no brainer that Letang/Maatta, Pouliot/Martin is exponentially better than that. And I've got news for you, Letang/Maatta, Pouliot/Dumoulin is a disaster waiting to happen.

I'm not saying don't play the young guys. I'm saying play them in their proper roll and stop playing Scuderi and Lovejoy over them just because you don't want to bench multimillion dollar contracts. They're sunk cost at this point.

Lovejoy and Scuderi are for absolutely nothing. They don't serve a purpose....watching from the press box. He doesn't bring anything that can't be replaced or improved upon by a young guy and he's just taking roster spots away.

Cole, you gotta remember, is only 26 and has been buried in the Blues depth chart so he hasn't been able to fully develop. I classify him as one of our youngsters. I don't want him in the top 4 unless he has a good partner with NHL experience.
- Victoro311

26 years old- when a career is considered on an irrefutable slide at 32- is more like early to mid prime for an NHL defender. I agree about his development in the Blues organization but all the more reason to give Cole meaningful NHL minutes as opposed to bringing in some old battleship or retreaded 30+ year old and try to shelter Cole - especially when the Penguins already have 2.

Would you be opposed to retaining Martin for 4 years at a 4/4.5 hit if he were willing to stay? I personally would be all for it. Letang has stated that Paul Marts was an extremely stabilizing presence for him, so he can do the same for Pouliot. By the time he starts to slow down (final two years of his contract) he can be moved to the third pairing where he can be highly effective in a more sheltered roll and play spot top 4 duty, which our current bottom pairing guys (Scuderi, Lovejoy) really can't.
- Victoro311

I'd consider it. Only because it's well below market value. Lovejoy is better than you are giving him credit for.

So you must be advocating a top four of Letang/Maatta, Pouliot/Dumoulin. Because if you're advocating a top four of Letang/Maatta, Pouliot/Lovejoy its a no brainer that Letang/Maatta, Pouliot/Martin is exponentially better than that. And I've got news for you, Letang/Maatta, Pouliot/Dumoulin is a disaster waiting to happen.

I'm not saying don't play the young guys. I'm saying play them in their proper roll and stop playing Scuderi and Lovejoy over them just because you don't want to bench multimillion dollar contracts. They're sunk cost at this point.
- Victoro311

When did I suggest pairing Letang with any of those players? I haven't. I've tried my best to ignore Letang entirely as I don't think he's going to be in the lineup reliably (much like that theoretical top-six winger Beau Bennett) nor do I think Kris Letang has proven that he deserves such high consideration. I don't think 58 would be anything but a poor example for those young players and I think it's a pity that his health has rendered him too high a risk to find a trade partner.

26 years old- when a career is considered on an irrefutable slide at 32- is more like early to mid prime for an NHL defender. I agree about his development in the Blues organization but all the more reason to give Cole meaningful NHL minutes as opposed to bringing in some old battleship or retreaded 30+ year old and try to shelter Cole - especially when the Penguins already have 2.
- Johnny Wrath

How are you even comparing Martin to Lovejoy and Scuderi right now? The only similarity Martin has to those two is that he's a veteran. Martin is actually skilled an can play the second pairing and stabilize whatever young player he's paired with there. Lovejoy and Scuderi do not have the skill set to do that.

And not so on Cole. Defensemen develop slower than forwards. Realistically they probably see their first NHL season at 23/24. Cole's development has been retarded, but its not like he should be in the middle of his prime. And that's fine, you think he's ready for top 4 minutes? I would actually love to see what we have in him and would love to see him tried out in the second pairing. But I don't want to see a Pouliot/Cole pairing as our second pairing. Both those players need an experienced and talented partner to help them develop and cover their mistakes.

Shawn Mathias as a FA target is where we should be looking. Trade Sutter for a middle 6 winger and roll with what we have, which when healthy is pretty good.
- Dcoms

I was listening to Hockey Central at noon a month or so ago and they were saying sources out of Van were really disappointed with him. I kinda like that UFA too until Kyper and MacLean teed him up.

When did I suggest pairing Letang with any of those players? I haven't. I've tried my best to ignore Letang entirely as I don't think he's going to be in the lineup reliably (much like that theoretical top-six winger Beau Bennett) nor do I think Kris Letang has proven that he deserves such high consideration. I don't think 58 would be anything but a poor example for those young players and I think it's a pity that his health has rendered him too high a risk to find a trade partner.
- Johnny Wrath

Wait, so you're against signing a top 4 defenseman, but also aren't banking on Letang being a top 4 mainstay and don't even want him there in the first place? So next year you want a top 4 compromised of Maatta, Pouliot, Dumoulin, Cole, and Lovejoy? I can't talk to you anymore. You're clearly not rational.

How are you even comparing Martin to Lovejoy and Scuderi right now? The only similarity Martin has to those two is that he's a veteran. Martin is actually skilled an can play the second pairing and stabilize whatever young player he's paired with there. Lovejoy and Scuderi do not have the skill set to do that.

And not so on Cole. Defensemen develop slower than forwards. Realistically they probably see their first NHL season at 23/24. Cole's development has been retarded, but its not like he should be in the middle of his prime. And that's fine, you think he's ready for top 4 minutes? I would actually love to see what we have in him and would love to see him tried out in the second pairing. But I don't want to see a Pouliot/Cole pairing as our second pairing. Both those players need an experienced and talented partner to help them develop and cover their mistakes.
- Victoro311

This might be from left field and I haven't given a lot of thought to it but does Cole have hints, maybe very subtle, but nonetheless, hints of a Kimmo Timmonin in his game? Maybe in 2-3 years he morphs into that type of player... not the current Kimmo, who is barely hanging on with the hawks.