I passed out under an overpass in Chicago yesterday in my Phil Kessel USA jersey. Safe to say I established Pittsburgh's dominance in the devil city. You are all welcome.

Say that we sign Matthias and Beau really steps up and claims 2LW. Moving forward Sundqvist-Matthias-Plotnikov would be a really fun line to watch. It'd be a female dog to play against.

We all know what he is worth, doesn't me thats what he will get. I have a feeling he will get at least 5 mil a year from someone on the open market. I just can't justify spending 4-5 mil on a 3rd line center, seeing what is tied up in the big 5 now.
- Thorny

I am hoping sundqvist impresses somewhat and challenges for the 3rd C spot. Hopefully this lets sutter expendable at the deadline and he can be sent to a team desperate for some help. It'd also be nice if plot or Bennett can consistently be a top 6 player and trade Kunitz for a decent pick

Say that we sign Matthias and Beau really steps up and claims 2LW. Moving forward Sundqvist-Matthias-Plotnikov would be a really fun line to watch. It'd be a female dog to play against.
- Victoro311

I do think its mandatory that we sign Fehr/Matthias and trade Sutter for picks/prospects...even if its a lateral move, we need to re-stock the cupboard where we can.

Something I dont see often is advanced stats on the prospects we drafted.

I just read this regarding Dominik Simon:

"We tracked some numbers for the Czech republic during the WHC. Dominik Simon was top 5 in Corsi for team CZE in Prague (62,3%). Only Jakub Voracek(64,91%) was better among the forwards (btw. Jagr with 60,9%).

His 5v5 PTS/60 was the best among the CZE players - 3,8 PTS/60min (Jagr 2,0). Considering he played mostly as 4th line wing (avg 10 min per game), those are great numbers.

We also tracked controlled zone entries (Simon with 61%, Voracek 73%, Jagr 66%)."

I do think its mandatory that we sign Fehr/Matthias and trade Sutter for picks/prospects...even if its a lateral move, we need to re-stock the cupboard where we can.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Don't get me wrong, this has been a great offseason, but I would be extremely disappointed if Sutter isn't traded. First of all, I don't think it's a lateral move to begin with. I think both Matthias and Fehr are better players. They're just not "sexy" like Sutter. Second of all its bad asset management at this juncture in the Penguins' organization to not move him for assets. [/img]

Wish we knew for certain what our cap space is

Wish we knew for certain what our cap space is
- dbell646

Think of the bonuses like a flexible injurred reserve.... We can go over by the amount of the bonuses, except, that overage will tack on next year if so.

Matthias must really be asking for too much otherwise he'd be signed by now.

Matthias must really be asking for too much otherwise he'd be signed by now.
- nelson911

He and Fehr are probably just weighing their options. They're the only good 3Cs left and the decent options for teams looking for top 9 wingers. There is absolutely zero pressure on them to get themselves signed.

Matthias isn't that good is why he hasn't signed.

Here's to hoping Sutter gets traded at the deadline for a 1st or 2nd round pick, dupes is gone (I think) and they can sign him for 3 years at a friendly cap hit and by all means let him take #16 from Sutter to start the season

Matthias isn't that good is why he hasn't signed.
- hardnosed

Hes performed how a 3rd line center would be expected to, especially on weaker teams... but he seems more a lateral move compared to Sutter vs Fehr.

Fehr is the one I wouldn't mind going out and locking up for a few years at about the same cost for Sutter. Not saving any cap this year, but you gain whatever you trade Sutter for, improve the 3rd line overall, and give Sunq another year to develop, since he did get hurt his first AHL shift. I'm in no hurry to rush any prospect after we ruined Bennett.



side note: anyone else notice both of these two guys don't play full seasons? Matthias has two at 79... most Fehr has had is 75.... are we all gung ho on some brittle bones again?

Craig Morgan ‏@craigsmorgan 51m51 minutes ago
Coyotes' F Mikkel Boedker files for salary arbitration: http://www.foxsports.com/...salary-arbitration-070515 … via @FOXSPORTSAZ

trade for him? thoughts

Hes performed how a 3rd line center would be expected to, especially on weaker teams... but he seems more a lateral move compared to Sutter vs Fehr.

Fehr is the one I wouldn't mind going out and locking up for a few years at about the same cost for Sutter. Not saving any cap this year, but you gain whatever you trade Sutter for, improve the 3rd line overall, and give Sunq another year to develop, since he did get hurt his first AHL shift. I'm in no hurry to rush any prospect after we ruined Bennett.



side note: anyone else notice both of these two guys don't play full seasons? Matthias has two at 79... most Fehr has had is 75.... are we all gung ho on some brittle bones again?
- Guile

But Fehr is 29 and Matthias is 27. I'd rather lock the 27 year old up than the 29 year old.

Penguins are a competitive team who have another Russian all star in the lineup. He will thrive offensively in the Pens system, especially when you consider that he will likely see time with Crosby or Malkin. Not to mention, Kunitz, Kessel, Hornquist and Perron as other possible line mates. Regardless of where he fits on the roster, he will be able to put up points.

Craig Morgan ‏@craigsmorgan 51m51 minutes ago
Coyotes' F Mikkel Boedker files for salary arbitration: http://www.foxsports.com/...salary-arbitration-070515 … via @FOXSPORTSAZ

trade for him? thoughts
- nh4442

Depends what the price is and if the pens can dump scuderi

Hes performed how a 3rd line center would be expected to, especially on weaker teams... but he seems more a lateral move compared to Sutter vs Fehr.

Fehr is the one I wouldn't mind going out and locking up for a few years at about the same cost for Sutter. Not saving any cap this year, but you gain whatever you trade Sutter for, improve the 3rd line overall, and give Sunq another year to develop, since he did get hurt his first AHL shift. I'm in no hurry to rush any prospect after we ruined Bennett.



side note: anyone else notice both of these two guys don't play full seasons? Matthias has two at 79... most Fehr has had is 75.... are we all gung ho on some brittle bones again?
- Guile

I really wonder what's Ruthy is working on now. This team is still not a finished product. I can't help but remembering those comments he made about missing Staal. I translated that into "Brandon Sutter ain't cutting it". I would love an upgrade to a stronger, tougher player as a 3c.

Depends what the price is and if the pens can dump scuderi
- drummer829

what if we trade sutter or kuni for him? would that be even?

I really wonder what's Ruthy is working on now. This team is still not a finished product. I can't help but remembering those comments he made about missing Staal. I translated that into "Brandon Sutter ain't cutting it". I would love an upgrade to a stronger, tougher player as a 3c.
- madmike71

well this is where sund has to bulk up and stepup. then they go out and get a 4C like fehr...

what if we trade sutter or kuni for him? would that be even?
- nh4442

I think he would be a good replacement to Kunitz considering he's younger and you can possibly lock him up for 4-5 years for under 4 mil. im really not sure what the yotes want though so I couldn't say if it's a fair trade. Kunitz could definitely help the kids grow and sutter could help in the C position where they are a little weak.

Know any team out there looking for a 3c? that are pretty flexible in the cap to take on scud's too? what about carolina? Ott?

So let me get this straight. Some team is going to trade for Brandon Sutter with one year remaining on his contract when they could just go out and sign Fehr or Matthias (who, according to this board are better players) while giving up nothing?

So let me get this straight. Some team is going to trade for Brandon Sutter with one year remaining on his contract when they could just go out and sign Fehr or Matthias (who, according to this board are better players) while giving up nothing?
- hardnosed

Do all teams assess players the same? Perhaps a team is interested in him enough to acquire him and extend him. It just happened with Anisimov and ROR.