Why is everyone so in love with the Perron-Crosby-Hornqvist combination? Seems like every potential lineup suggestion puts those 3 together even though they were very underwhelming when they played together last season, Kunitz-Crosby-Hornqvist looked much better as a unit and many of the same people can't wait to run Kunitz out of town. Perron is at his best when he's playing a similar style as Hornqvist so putting them together gets redundant and imo is what pushed Perron off his game(the injury didn't help either). Sid & Hornqvist need a North/South speed player paired with them to open up the ice, which should be what JR is targeting during the offseason so that Perron can stay with Geno and give him the same element that Hornqvist gives Sid. I know this will sound absurd but I'd rather see Dupuis with Sid/Hornqvist than Perron.
- jaydogg1974

PH and Perron were terrible with Malkin and Kuni fell apart in February. So the only 2 top 6 F's the Pens had didn't work with Geno, hence the common line combo.

Perron was a scoring machine when he first got here... then everyone got hurt and cold at the same time. Perron's play did look good in the postseason, hustling, pucks on net... just not scoring. I see no issue with him returning to the top line, but I'd rather him with Malkin, and let Dupuis see if he can take the top line with Crosby and Horny. Would give Malkin a better winger than he normally is stuck with.
- Guile

I don't know that I would call him a scoring machine when he first got here, he had a 3 game run in his 4th, 5th & 6th games where he had 4g-2a but he only had 2g-1a in the other 8 games in his first month, it totals out to good production but was realistically only 3 good games out of 11 and then he mustered all of 4g-2a in his next 14 games. If you're talking just his first 6 games then maybe scoring machine works but if you're looking at his first 20-25 not so much.

PH and Perron were terrible with Malkin and Kuni fell apart in February. So the only 2 top 6 F's the Pens had didn't work with Geno, hence the common line combo.
- sammy87

So we're judging there ability to play with Geno on limited periods when they were either injured or just coming back from injury and calling it terrible? Try again because neither was terrible with Geno.

Perron was a scoring machine when he first got here... then everyone got hurt and cold at the same time. Perron's play did look good in the postseason, hustling, pucks on net... just not scoring. I see no issue with him returning to the top line, but I'd rather him with Malkin, and let Dupuis see if he can take the top line with Crosby and Horny. Would give Malkin a better winger than he normally is stuck with.
- Guile

Playing with 2 broken ribs will do that to ya.. I could imagine how that would weaken his shot....

I don't think any team will be averaging what a 36yo player did over the last 5 years to determine what his value should be, they'll be looking at what he did the previous year and factor in the possibilities of whether he can maintain that level or will he regress which is why I see him being viewed as a declining player cap relief add in.

I do agree that it's close and JR may be able to sell Benning on it but I think a savy GM declines unless a little extra value is added. I think the vlaue would be less taking Kunitz out than it is with him in, may be better to move Kunitz in a separate move then use a different piece with Sutter/Harrington to get the deal done.
- jaydogg1974

You are probably right, since I doubt GMJR would want to give up three potential starters for one player. But I just don't see a really good top 6 winger coming over to the Pens without paying a high salary to a UFA like Beleskey unless a big trade happens without losing one of our valuable young D-men (That we really need)

Playing with 2 broken ribs will do that to ya.. I could imagine how that would weaken his shot....
- j.boyd919

I'm doing my very best to not use the injuries as justification for this and that... we all know by now -_-

I'd rather package Sutter and Kunitz plus something small to get a great top 6 winger, but I understand there is not a lot of teams that would take on the 36 yr old Kunitz. I do think Winnipeg could be one of the teams that might take Kunitz since they have had a taste of the playoffs and want to stay there and do even better.

I'm doing my very best to not use the injuries as justification for this and that... we all know by now -_-
- Guile

Playing with a broken rib is going to effect how a person plays, that is fact, it's not meant to be an excuse or justification.

I'd rather package Sutter and Kunitz plus something small to get a great top 6 winger, but I understand there is not a lot of teams that would take on the 36 yr old Kunitz. I do think Winnipeg could be one of the teams that might take Kunitz since they have had a taste of the playoffs and want to stay there and do even better.
- so_buzz11

Very unlikely to get a "great top 6 winger" for any package that doesn't include Pouliot or Maatta. Pens will have to find their next Jokinen out of the misfit toys that are left over.

I'd rather package Sutter and Kunitz plus something small to get a top 6 winger, but I understand there is not a lot of teams that would take on the 36 yr old Kunitz. I do think Winnipeg could be one of the teams that might take Kunitz since they have had a taste of the playoffs and want to stay there and do even better.
- so_buzz11

Best PIT gets for Kunitz is a mid round pick, 4th would be my guess. I'm pretty sure Sutter has decent value around the league as on paper his stats are good, and GMs/scouts are more apt to blame supporting cast/coaching system for failures when individual stats are decent. He'll not get you a top prospect or high 1st rounder; maybe a late 1st round (Van #23 if Harrington is included?) or early second (i.e., EDM #33 CLB #34 or #38?). Either way it's the smart move to deal him.

I like some of the prospects in the top 10 this year, and if CLB is serious about wanting young D prospects, Pouliot + Sutter for #8 + Jenner? I'm not sold on Rychel, he looks to be more of a 3rd liner to me.

Pouliot, Domoulin, and our 2016 1st to Detroit for Nyquist, Jurco, and Smith.
- cap1681

God no. Who is going to play defense for the Penguins? The idea is to get rid of Suckderi and minimize Lovejoy because they are horrible.

Very unlikely to get a "great top 6 winger" for any package that doesn't include Pouliot or Maatta. Pens will have to find their next Jokinen out of the misfit toys that are left over.
- jfkst1

I can't decide between the train with square wheels or the polka-dot elephant. Decisions, decisions...

So you're telling me you would rather have our second rounder and keep Sutter allowing him to walk for nothing next year instead of upgrading our pick to a 1st, and signing a better 3c to a similar cap hit for 2-3 years? There is a difference in picks. I don't care what draft it is, I want a top 15 instead of a 45th pick if it would be possible. Guys get drafted in the top 10 and some guys get drafted in the 5th round. There's a reason for that. Same applies to 1st and 2nd round, although the gap isn't as big.

Never said DET and PIT was a set in stone thing. I would rather go for Rychel personally. DET has also been in the market for D for a long long time. They have a stockpile at forward and are looking for D. We are the opposite and in theory, good trade partners. Just throwing out options. Harrington/Dumoulin plus a mid round pick would be good enough to land one.

JFKST1 added the difference in top 15-20 and the 45th pick. I think it speaks for itself. As you said, I love how people just throw out arbitrary statements to defend their argument.
- BourbonCounty

Detroit does have good defense prospects. Marchenko and Oulette are both excellent defense prospects and both will make their team next year.

I can't decide between the train with square wheels or the polka-dot elephant. Decisions, decisions...
- errey12

Sutter is the boat that can't stay afloat.

God no. Who is going to play defense for the Penguins? The idea is to get rid of Suckderi and minimize Lovejoy because they are horrible.
- Dcoms

Smith is pretty much on par with Dumoulin, maybe even a little more refined and a better fit for the Pens system. So basically your trading one defenseman and a 1st for 2 young, skilled forwards. The Penguins forward depth gets an infusion of youth and skill. I'd hate to give up Pouliot, but getting 2 guys like that would be worth it.

Detroit does have good defense prospects. Marchenko and Oulette are both excellent defense prospects and both will make their team next year.
- Dcoms

I'm not going to disparage their prospects because I know they have a strong pool. However, I distinctly remember DET fans on the ESPN boards years ago talking about how Dekeyser and Smith were going to be great players and while both are solid, neither appear to be top pairing capable either.

Was this meant as a joke? Literally you would probably be luck if 2-3 of those players you listed actually hit free agency, just because someone's contract expires doesn't mean they will be a free agent. You can take Kopitar, Buff & Backes off the list because they are not hitting FA, ROR & Lucic will be grabbed at the deadline(if not sooner) in a trade by a team looking to commit to them long term so the chances of them being available are slim and Doan isn't anything more than a short term rental type player and shouldn't be on any list of possible solutions for the Pens.

That leaves Plekanec, Vrbata, Kesler, Ladd and Ericksson(although both Plekanec & Ladd have been discussed as players their respective teams have interest in keeping) as the only legitimate targets in that list. Granted if all 5 do hit the open market they are a better group than this year's group but it's going to be the same situation as this year, multiple teams competing to overpay with both salary & term for players in their early-mid 30's. Seems like a pretty risky gamble with Sid & Geno's careers intentionally putting a non competitive team on the ice with hopes that maybe in the future you get lucky.
- jaydogg1974

You got a better plan? I highly doubt it based on your response to mine.

So we're judging there ability to play with Geno on limited periods when they were either injured or just coming back from injury and calling it terrible? Try again because neither was terrible with Geno.
- jaydogg1974

PH was not good with 71. He goes back to 87 and looked 1000x better.

Smith is pretty much on par with Dumoulin, maybe even a little more refined and a better fit for the Pens system. So basically your trading one defenseman and a 1st for 2 young, skilled forwards. The Penguins forward depth gets an infusion of youth and skill. I'd hate to give up Pouliot, but getting 2 guys like that would be worth it.
- cap1681

DET doesn't trade young talent...basically ever. It's a dead-end conversation.

I like the idea of getting Vrbata without giving up Sutter, use him for a slightly bigger deal. So I decided to play GM alil. Major fantasy ideas here.

Trade Kunitz for a 2nd in 2015. Id say Buffalos, so basically last pick of 1st round.
Trade that plus Harrington to Vancouver for Vrbata. Maybe add in one of extra 3rd picks in 2016.
I see it as trading Kunitz and Harrington for Vrbata. I think a decent amount of people would do that.
Sign Reilly.
Trade Pouliott and Sutter for one F from Detriot or Rychel from Columbus. I like pouliot and sutter for Rychel and a 1st.
Sign Franson. Then sign bottom 6 guys of comeau, downie and desjardins.
Call up Sundqvuist.

Lines loom like this
Perron - Sid - Horn
Rychel - Malkin -Vrbata
Comeau - Sundqvuist - Duper
Spaling - Desjardins - Downie

Maatta - Letang
Franson -Reilly
Cole -Dumolin

Let Vrbata walk at end of year and Kapenan replaces him. Use his 5 mil to lock up Matta.

I know this is all highly unlikely but if can get close to this, Pens are in much better shape.
- mmonana120

Wow that bottom 6 is awful and you think Reily will just walk into top 4 d minutes, not likely? And Pouliot for Rychel is horrible. We already have up a great defenseman for a garbage player let's all learn from that mistake. There's no reason to believe Rychel has top 6 potential at this point. Pouliot has team Canada Olympic level potential.

PH was not good with 71. He goes back to 87 and looked 1000x better.
- sammy87

Where does this come from? Hornqvist had a lot more time with Crosby and he did say he likes Crosby's playing style more, but he was fine with Malkin.
http://stats.hockeyanalys...ue&season=2014-15&sit=5v5

DET doesn't trade young talent...basically ever. It's a dead-end conversation.
- mventres

I could see them trading young talent for young talent.

I could see them trading young talent for young talent.
- cap1681

Nah, doesn't happen. Especially if the talent has been in their system for a bit...they are a system-based team and that is invaluable time for player development. Plus they risk a player who is fitting in the system for one who may or may not fit in, and at the end is of about equal value...doesn't make sense. If you look through Holland's trade history:

www.nhltradetracker.com/u...ist_by_GM/Ken_Holland/138

you will see the only prospects he deals are at best mid-level, but typically those who don't pan out.

So mad, so jelly... No experts say Towes is better than Crosby, they find the argument silly. Towes has the better team, yet can't out perform Crosby.

Go back to your bandwagon kiddo.
- Guile

Funny you should say that:

Doc Emrick was just on Mark Madden show and he was saying that seven years ago he went into a sports store in Chicago, looking for Blackhawks' merchandise and all he could find was a keychain.

But remember, only Pens are fans are bandwagoners not the "great" fans in Chicago.

Its ok Pitt just signed Niclas Andersen to a 1 year ELC. Our prayers have been answered...that is if you've been praying for a 6'1 218 left handed D-Man.