Letang ran the PP the last couple years because he was head and shoulders above the other defensemen at carrying the puck out of the d-zone and through the neutral zone. He will be on the first unit until someone comes along who is better. Maybe Pouliott is that guy, I am sure he will get his opportunity.

I see Matt Cullen as a low risk low reward player. In each of his last four years he has had steadily decreased playing time along with steadily decreased production. He was a good player in his prime and I am sure he still knows the game well enough to be good positionally. I have to question why his playing time has decreased if there is not a problem somewhere. I have to think his speed and reaction times are slowing down, things that just happen as you age and you can't really get back.
- Thunderbolt

Agreed on Letang. No way Orpik or any slug was gonna be out there with 87/71 and company. We'll definitely see DP out there sooner or later this year. MJ knows that DP is a PP stud as he was his coach for a few years.

Cullen was a good cheap signing. Ruth said he was going to get a 4c, and he did it. He can also play the wings so there is more flexibility to find the best fit for him.

Agreed on Letang. No way Orpik or any slug was gonna be out there with 87/71 and company. We'll definitely see DP out there sooner or later this year. MJ knows that DP is a PP stud as he was his coach for a few years.

Cullen was a good cheap signing. Ruth said he was going to get a 4c, and he did it. He can also play the wings so there is more flexibility to find the best fit for him.
- Pens_Burgh

I just listed to the Madden podcast from yesterday. Honestly dont understand how someone can criticize this Cullen signing simply because he's 38 and blocking the young players. If he doesnt work out or a young guy is playing great, then simply cut him. I guess I can see why so many people get this 'Craig Adams' comparison based on age...a lot of dumb fans out there...

I just listed to the Madden podcast from yesterday. Honestly dont understand how someone can criticize this Cullen signing simply because he's 38 and blocking the young players. If he doesnt work out or a young guy is playing great, then simply cut him. I guess I can see why so many people get this 'Craig Adams' comparison based on age...a lot of dumb fans out there...
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Yeah I've never listened to him but it seems like he's just an idiot.

Those fans who don't like the signing due to blocking young players etc are what are called casual fans.. The ones who have no idea what players make and don't understand why Comeau/Winnik etc were not resigned

I mean, Tlusty isn't as good as Kunitz, but it's not a huge drop off. He would be playing a depth role and he also can slot up into the top 6.

Getting rid of Scuds and getting Franson without a doubt makes us better.
- Pens_Burgh

I agree, I dont see Tlusty as an upgrade over Kuni. Not sure why you would want to lock in a guy not as good for many more yrs.

Yeah I've never listened to him but it seems like he's just an idiot.

Those fans who don't like the signing due to blocking young players etc are what are called casual fans.. The ones who have no idea what players make and don't understand why Comeau/Winnik etc were not resigned
- Pens_Burgh

Im fine with older players in a specific role like Cullen will be. A 4C. When you have guys 35 and up playing top 6 mins or relying on a mid 30's beaten down Orpik, then you get into trouble.

I'm not saying locking him up at all (Tlusty)! I am saying buying low! 1 year deal if anything, he isn't signed yet for a reason! Which is smart shopping, in the process getting rid of contracts that are still on the books for this year and next if at all possible. (Kunitz and Scuderi). Yeesh.

I just listed to the Madden podcast from yesterday. Honestly dont understand how someone can criticize this Cullen signing simply because he's 38 and blocking the young players. If he doesnt work out or a young guy is playing great, then simply cut him. I guess I can see why so many people get this 'Craig Adams' comparison based on age...a lot of dumb fans out there...
- YouMeAndDupuis9

I am not criticizing the signing, I just can't get excited over it. I don't think you can simply cut him as he is over 35 therefore his cap hit will stay, much like Craig Adams last year. And, much like Adams last year, he is going to take a spot on the roster whether he plays or not. I hope that Johnston has the fortitude to play the most deserving guys and not simply the most expensive.

Hard to argue signing Cullen at $800k, though it was surprising. I was hoping there would be a spot for one of the young guys to get into the lineup this year but looks like that will only happen with injuries now.

If only they could get Scuderi off the books...................

Feels like they are taking a big risk that Letang and Maata are healthy all year. Cole and Pouliot are both just barely top 4 guys at this point and the balance of Dumolin, Lovejoy, Scuderi, Erixon and Clendening are bottom pairing guys. No D are well fitted to slide up in the lineup.

I am not criticizing the signing, I just can't get excited over it. I don't think you can simply cut him as he is over 35 therefore his cap hit will stay, much like Craig Adams last year. And, much like Adams last year, he is going to take a spot on the roster whether he plays or not. I hope that Johnston has the fortitude to play the most deserving guys and not simply the most expensive.
- Thunderbolt

He's a hell of a lot better than the trash the Pens have had on the 4th line in recent years. He'll get minimal minutes and he is one year commitment so I don't see how age is an issue.

I am not criticizing the signing, I just can't get excited over it. I don't think you can simply cut him as he is over 35 therefore his cap hit will stay, much like Craig Adams last year. And, much like Adams last year, he is going to take a spot on the roster whether he plays or not. I hope that Johnston has the fortitude to play the most deserving guys and not simply the most expensive.
- Thunderbolt

I dont think you can compare Adams to Cullen. Cullen is an upgrade on the 4C spot, better than what the Pens have had for a few yrs. The odds are the Pens dont have a good option to fill that spot internally and Sundquest either isn't ready or not that good. Everyone here was mad that Scuds and Lovejoy take spots over the D kids, but holy crap did they look bad last yr.

I am not criticizing the signing, I just can't get excited over it. I don't think you can simply cut him as he is over 35 therefore his cap hit will stay, much like Craig Adams last year. And, much like Adams last year, he is going to take a spot on the roster whether he plays or not. I hope that Johnston has the fortitude to play the most deserving guys and not simply the most expensive.
- Thunderbolt

Huge difference between Cullen and Adams... talk to some Nashville fans to gauge him. They aren't crazy upset they couldn't keep him, but they aren't dumping on him every chance they got like us with Adams

Love the Cullen signing. no risk signing that adds to the Penguins depth and gives you another good veteran guy in the bottom 6. 25 points in 62 games is nothing to scoff at, considering he averaged 13 minutes a night.

He's a hell of a lot better than the trash the Pens have had on the 4th line in recent years. He'll get minimal minutes and he is one year commitment so I don't see how age is an issue.
- jfkst1

He is not competing against those guys, he's competing against Bonino, Fehr, Kunitz, Bennett, Plotnikov, Sundqvist, Wilson, Rust, Dupuis. I am going to trust the scouts on this one and assume he is in the top twelve. He really only needs to beat out one or two of these guys.

The issue of age arises because technically he is not competing against anyone, as his salary is guaranteed against the cap. The same as Scuderi, Kunitz and Dupuis.

Perron-Crosby-Kessell
Kunitz-Malkin-Hornqvist
Dupuis-Bonino-Fehr
Plotnkov-Cullen-Bennett
Wilson-Sheary

Man, it's amazing to see this much depth in the Penguins forwards. That's 4 lines that will be a) tough to play against, and b)have the ability to score.

Edit: If Fehr is out for the first 2 months, you put Bennett up on the 3rd line. Let him sink or swim playing with 2 guys who can put the puck in the net. His playmaking ability should shine with those guys.

I dont think you can compare Adams to Cullen. Cullen is an upgrade on the 4C spot, better than what the Pens have had for a few yrs. The odds are the Pens dont have a good option to fill that spot internally and Sundquest either isn't ready or not that good. Everyone here was mad that Scuds and Lovejoy take spots over the D kids, but holy crap did they look bad last yr.
- sammy87

The comparison between Adams and Cullen is that both are an over 35 contract, as such it guarantees to count against the cap. Adams was a terrible signing for his last contract. The wife and I went to game before Shero signed him to that last contract and even we could see that he was done.

The comparison between Adams and Cullen is that both are an over 35 contract, as such it guarantees to count against the cap. Adams was a terrible signing for his last contract. The wife and I went to game before Shero signed him to that last contract and even we could see that he was done.
- Thunderbolt

Being over 35 doesn't mean that a player is done. Some wear down, especially players (like Adams) who play a physical game.

Looking at Cullen's stats over the past 3 years (years he's been over 35), he hasn't shown that he is slowing down at all, putting up good points in limited minutes. Add to that he instantly becomes our best faceoff guy, can play on the pk, and can play wing when needed, and he becomes a really nice add for GMJR.