Niskanen was nutsly overrated. Thought we should have traded him at the deadline cus teams were gonna over value him and we weren't gonna be able to resign him. The contract he got from the Caps verified that. The return would have been crazy comparitive to the player we were actually sending out.

Orpik wasn't really good at the point he left us.

We couldn't move Martin and Ehroff this season. Getting rid of Martin would have conceded defeat which honestly we should have done but we're never gonna do. Hof had his NTC.

Chroney's not actually good. He over preformed in a sheltered bottom pairing role. Guy is an AHL call up. A very serviceable one but this board's infatuation with him is inexplicable to me. He's not an NHL main stay even on the third pairing

Bortuzzo was traded for a much better defenseman. Still don't know how that happened.

Samuelsson was moved for a top 6 winger with some term like we all wanted (straight up for Klinkhammer who was packaged into the Perron deal).

Strait and Morrow were victims of depth chart. Morrow busted so no big deal.

So i really have no problems with any of those guys not being in the org anymore, and the only one I really have an issue with how he left was Niskanen.
- Victoro311

Just gonna comment on your Chourney point... hes pretty much what Bortozzu has been career wise... a SOLID 7th/8th Dman on teams. Bort looked good last year when he was up for Orpik for a game or two in the postseason, just like Chourney did.

I still would have liked to kept Chourny for our 7th/8th Dman spot, he is quality depth.

I heard that if we place him on waivers, he has to be bought out if not picked up, cannot be sent to the AHL.

Sooo... doubt we'd waiver him this year, or we'd have done so already.
- Guile

So in theory we could work out a "trade" with another team for scuds where they'd agree to pick him up after we waive?

Honestly there's gotta be a taker at the deadline for him with money retained. It's just no one wants to wait that long to move him.

Just tell me who you sign as Beau's replacement + a competent defenseman after that trade. At fair market prices. Then we can see if this trade actually makes any sense..
- YouMeAndDupuis9

I think you grossly over value BB. Do I hope he turns into a viable top 9 forward for us? Absolutely... But in reality this season is boom or bust for BB, another season riddled with injuries, or he doesn't produce, his NHL career is likely over, in Pittsburgh for sure.

Just gonna comment on your Chourney point... hes pretty much what Bortozzu has been career wise... a SOLID 7th/8th Dman on teams. Bort looked good last year when he was up for Orpik for a game or two in the postseason, just like Chourney did.

I still would have liked to kept Chourny for our 7th/8th Dman spot, he is quality depth.
- Guile

Chorney isn't what one would call quality depth. Erixon is actually a better option.

It's funny because if Beau was waived from another team and claimed by the pens, we'd be penciling him in the top 9 for sure. Kind of like boychuk a couple years ago

Chorney isn't what one would call quality depth. Erixon is actually a better option.
- usethe1-2-2

Agreed. Chorney on a two way contract is great, Chorney on a one way (which he got), no so great..

Dumo resigned:

http://insidepittsburghsp...6-million-contract/74137/

To be fair, we all say we want forwards under 25 who make an impact. And there are guys littered around the league, even ones we talk about on here (Nyqvist, Hoffman, etc), that really dont do anything until 24 or 25.

Take Nyqvist for example. He did nothing, even in his stints with the NHL club at 22 and 23 yrs old, until he was 24 and finally broke out.

In summary, we all preach patience with our prospects on here and letting them devlop, yet, I can't believe how many of you are willing to throw away that potential on a 23 year old forward for nothing.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

He doesn't have the potential even the positive thinkers have. I've seen him play enough, in college and in the NHL to know this.

Just gonna comment on your Chourney point... hes pretty much what Bortozzu has been career wise... a SOLID 7th/8th Dman on teams. Bort looked good last year when he was up for Orpik for a game or two in the postseason, just like Chourney did.

I still would have liked to kept Chourny for our 7th/8th Dman spot, he is quality depth.
- Guile

Yeah he's depth but that's all he is. He should never be more than an 8th d, and people are talking about him like we've lost a key piece.

Really hope this article didn't make everyone dive back on the Kunitz Bangwagon...


Yes, I think he will be better than the 2nd half of last year, I don't think any of us should except him to come back worse or the same. Now, him being the form at the start of last year, or years prior? ehhhh, maybe. But, I think hes gonna raise his stock enough to be a good trade aspect, and we have a few young guns ready to come up. Our 2nd round draft pick has 1st round level ranking and promise, that guy who tore it up in our AHL whose name I can never remember, and our other "mid 6" type players who should be able to slot up.
- Guile

Conor Sheary! - led WBS in points.

Dumo resigned:

http://insidepittsburghsp...6-million-contract/74137/
- joescullz

it's no different than retaining salary in a trade, really.
- poopmouth

Retained salary is a complete dead weight with the only use to the team being removing a salary (or most of). A player is exactly that. He can take a spot on the ice no matter how bad. If it's on D (example end of this past season) we don't play with 5 D. BB can play & contribute - retained salary cannot. I'd rather have a player at 1.2 than retained salary.

If that's what you mean or I've just completely misread your post.

if he just cared about money, he would not have signed with the pens for 1 year, 4 mil.
- poopmouth

He was (and is still) getting paid by the Sabres after sulking his way out of Buffalo.

And he signed a one-year deal with the Penguins because he thought it would help his stock on a multi-year deal this summer.

Anyone know or understand how scuderi's contract works with waivers?
Like can any team pick him up or does he have to approve the waiver???
- Danny_Devito

NMC not NTC. Has a list of teams he can be traded to. Cannot be waived (unless it's for buyout purpose), so we can't waive him to the WBS for laughs.

Edit: Guile you scoundrel got there & done that already!

Anddddd........ The most outlandish blog written in the history of Hockeybuzz award goes to James Tanner of the Arazona Coyotes. Four OELs for you, James Tanner! You go James Tanner!

I'd be lying if I said I'm 100% confident in this roster so far. Can't believe Ruth hasn't replaced Sutturd.

Anddddd........ The most outlandish blog written in the history of Hockeybuzz award goes to James Tanner of the Arazona Coyotes. Four OELs for you, James Tanner! You go James Tanner!
- Victoro311

Without reading the blog, they say any publicity is good publicity.

I'm sure he is enjoying replying to the comments with his usual self righteous monologue.

Without reading the blog, they say any publicity is good publicity.

I'm sure he is enjoying replying to the comments with his usual self righteous monologue.
- Aussiepenguin

I have never read his comment sections, although I sometimes read his blogs. All I know is that he has a hard on for OEL.

I have never read his comment sections, although I sometimes read his blogs. All I know is that he has a hard on for OEL.
- Victoro311

I stopped reading his blogs & commenting after he insulted me more times than not & told me he was sick of my comments after I pointed out a few times where he either contradicted himself or was simply wrong as part of discussions or comments - which happened quite often. In the beginning it was a bit if fun & you can't take his blogs seriously but he isn't afraid to throw rocks even though he lives in a glass house if you know what I mean.

& yes his love for OEL is huge! Bigger than Bettmans smile.

I stopped reading his blogs & commenting after he insulted me more times than not & told me he was sick of my comments after I pointed out a few times where he either contradicted himself or was simply wrong as part of discussions or comments - which happened quite often. In the beginning it was a bit if fun & you can't take his blogs seriously but he isn't afraid to throw rocks even though he lives in a glass house if you know what I mean.

& yes his love for OEL is huge! Bigger than Bettmans smile.
- Aussiepenguin

He does that all the time. Especially using underlying numbers. It's incredibly inconsistent. I had a conversation with him about Sutter for Boedker and he would cite Sutter's underlying numbers and then when I would bring up Boedker's he would ignore it. I'm so glad he's not the Pens writer or I would probably never be on here.

NMC not NTC. Has a list of teams he can be traded to. Cannot be waived (unless it's for buyout purpose), so we can't waive him to the WBS for laughs.

Edit: Guile you scoundrel got there & done that already!
- Aussiepenguin

Hey mate, I tought you didn't like name calling!

He does that all the time. Especially using underlying numbers. It's incredibly inconsistent. I had a conversation with him about Sutter for Boedker and he would cite Sutter's underlying numbers and then when I would bring up Boedker's he would ignore it. I'm so glad he's not the Pens writer or I would probably never be on here.
- jfkst1

Maybe, you should have offered Sutter and a 3rd for OEL. That would have gotten a response, I guess. - Then changed it to Boedker for Sutter and a 3rd.

I'd be lying if I said I'm 100% confident in this roster so far. Can't believe Ruth hasn't replaced Sutturd.
- madmike71

Im pretty excited for next year. I really like the direction the team is going. We have a top notch coach and the team really looks poised to take advatage of his system.

Our defence though inexperienced are all puck movers (Scuds aside before every jumps down my throat). And the best part is we have what looks to be the best top nine we have had since maybe 93! The puck should be moved quicly and efficiently out of our zone before any team is able to establish their forecheck. Each line should have a scoring threat on it.

Kunitz Crosby Hornqvist <-- I dont think Kunitz has lost anything, I think he was injured/sick. And to those bringing up the pervious year, he was injured after slamming into the post right after the Olympics.

Plotnikov Malkin Kessel <-- Plotnikov doesnt need to do anything except go strong to the net on this line. Plot playing on the 2nd line strengthens our 3rd line.

Perron Sutter Dupuis <-- This looks good, lots of speed from Sutter and Duper and some pazzaz and finish from Perron.

Personally I hope we dont sign anymore players and fill the final spots on the 4th line with WBS guys and Bennett. I want to see a line of kids and just turn them loose, tell them to have fun.

Defense I'd like to see

Letang Maata <-- obviously
Pouliot Lovejoy <-- I think Pouliot should be paired with a veteran, he needs to be able to take chances to grow his game and Lovejoy is a smart dman, he will know where he needs to be to cover for Pouliot.
Cole Dumoulin <-- These are two big guys who can skate, Id like to see how they look together.


Barring injuries, I think we are back on top in the East.

Im pretty excited for next year. I really like the direction the team is going. We have a top notch coach and the team really looks poised to take advatage of his system.

Our defence though inexperienced are all puck movers (Scuds aside before every jumps down my throat). And the best part is we have what looks to be the best top nine we have had since maybe 93! The puck should be moved quicly and efficiently out of our zone before any team is able to establish their forecheck. Each line should have a scoring threat on it.

Kunitz Crosby Hornqvist <-- I dont think Kunitz has lost anything, I think he was injured/sick. And to those bringing up the pervious year, he was injured after slamming into the post right after the Olympics.

Plotnikov Malkin Kessel <-- Plotnikov doesnt need to do anything except go strong to the net on this line. Plot playing on the 2nd line strengthens our 3rd line.

Perron Sutter Dupuis <-- This looks good, lots of speed from Sutter and Duper and some pazzaz and finish from Perron.

Personally I hope we dont sign anymore players and fill the final spots on the 4th line with WBS guys and Bennett. I want to see a line of kids and just turn them loose, tell them to have fun.

Defense I'd like to see

Letang Maata <-- obviously
Pouliot Lovejoy <-- I think Pouliot should be paired with a veteran, he needs to be able to take chances to grow his game and Lovejoy is a smart dman, he will know where he needs to be to cover for Pouliot.
Cole Dumoulin <-- These are two big guys who can skate, Id like to see how they look together.


Barring injuries, I think we are back on top in the East.
- stackthepads

I don't want to be too negative, but I think you gloss over a few things. D is raw and not particularly physical. Pouliot showed a lot of promise but also a lot of inexperience.

I have no faith in Lovejoy or Scuderi taking regular NHL shifts. I know Lovejoy was playing above his role in the post season, but he was abused.

I would feel infinitely better if we had Fehr instead of Sutter.

So... Get rid of Sutter and sign Fehr. Sign a vet D and I'd feel much better. I'd also like to bring Stempy back. Guy can play throughout the lineup.

I don't want to be too negative, but I think you gloss over a few things. D is raw and not particularly physical. Pouliot showed a lot of promise but also a lot of inexperience.

I would feel infinitely better if we had Fehr instead of Sutter.

So... Get rid of Sutter and sign Fehr. Sign a vet D and I'd feel much better. I'd also like to bring Stempy back. Guy can play throughout the lineup.
- madmike71

Meh. I think we are fine on the physicality side. We arent going to come anywhere close to being able to stand up to the physicality that CBJ or WSH is going to bring so I say why try. Just go the complete opposite direction, for every big body they have we have a fast skilled one.

Pouliot I think you are right, he needs alot of work on his defensive game, but that will come. This is why he needs to be paired with a verteran like Lovejoy.

I dont hate Sutter like you so Im fine with the third line, I dont think Fehr is an upgrade (no point in arguing this, you and I just dont agree)
Stempniak I like if he's on a similar contract to what he had last year. But Im okay going with a Rust, Sheary, Wilson, Sundqvist on the 4th, I think that youthful exuberance could go a long way in lightening up the room.