Marc-Edouard Vlasic. 4.250M -> 2018.

Things aren't going to go well for the Sharks this season. They remained committed to the wrong core, which is aged, and I don't think they're capable of making the playoffs in the same conference as Nashville, Minnesota, and Dallas. It was once thought that Jason Demers was untouchable, too.

Dan Hamhuis. 4.5M -> UFA2016.

Vancouver is this offseason's laughingstock, narrowly edging out Boston. They used to condescend to the rest of the NHL. Now they have Brandon Sutter. As they will be out of the NHL playoff race by December's break, it should be a fire sale.

Marc Methot. 4.9M -> 2019. HERO chart says second pair performance yielded from top pair minutes minus first pair unadjusted corsi%. Played with E. Karlsson all season. Ottawa should be a bubble team but spend so much energy courting the attention of the Leafs that they are the first team out of it nearing season's end.

These are some suggestions for second pair defense. In this scenario I would consider a competition for the 4th slot between Cole and Clandening.
- Johnny Wrath

Nice names, but what exactly do we have as trade bait to get any of them?

Not on TV in the Pittsburgh area as far as I can tell (not Root, not CW). Is Mike Lange broadcasting the game on the radio? I don't think he's done any games yet so far.

Also who is this hipster-sounding loser doing the intermission report on radio? What a difference from Bob Grove.

- ab1

They should turn off the Pirate game and switch. Charlie Morton threw up in the first three innings.

They should turn off the Pirate game and switch. Charlie Morton threw up in the first three innings.
- Oneonta Penguin

I was going to write the exact same comment. I don't think anybody would mind switching to the Pens now.

Seriously.... Who didn't know Charlie Morton was going to lose this game?

Game is on?
- lloyd095

No I was fooled by false promises that there was a live stream on the Pens' site, but apparently its not available in my area, whatever they mean by that so I found a super poopty stream that's choppy and laggy. F.

I was going to write the exact same comment. I don't think anybody would mind switching to the Pens now.

Seriously.... Who didn't know Charlie Morton was going to lose this game?
- madmike71

Well it doesn't sound like the pens game is going much better...

Well say goodnight to the Gonchar, no way he gets any kind of contract after this nightmare. Erixon is no keeper either.

Yeah I'm fine with just 29er for these. It really just irks me that there's no tv broadcast for either team. For a league that should be obsessed with marketing to a young audience, they sure don't care much about showing off the youth that they possess.


- Danny_Devito

http://nhl-stream.com/liv...ns-live-stream/channel-1/

http://nhl-stream.com/live/pittsburgh-penguins-live-stream/channel-1/
- Dcoms

not that anyone wants to watch this

Well it doesn't sound like the pens game is going much better...
- Danny_Devito

LOL... NO, but I'd still rather watch it.

Terrible defensive play. And as good as the PK was last night with great goaltending is as bad as both are tonight. Pouliot looks like he is high.

Zatkoff is terrible! Like the team is not playing well at all but at least Murray might have stole a few of those.

is Zaktoff the Penguins backup?

LOL... NO, but I'd still rather watch it.
- madmike71

Yep ... can't believe Hurdle left Chuck in until bases loaded, no outs in the third. Smart move. Blanton should have been up for the second. Then again, its not like we are hitting an average pitcher.

Sprong has looked really good tonight. May be the only bright spot. If I were a betting man, and I am, I would put money on him getting a 9 game try out

Zatkoff makes me puke after seeing Murray last night.
Also Perron belongs on the third line, he just doesnt understand how to play with top end talent.

Sprong has looked really good tonight. May be the only bright spot. If I were a betting man, and I am, I would put money on him getting a 9 game try out
- Victoro311

I thought the Dupuis, BB and Bonino line has had it's moments.

Sprong has looked really good tonight. May be the only bright spot. If I were a betting man, and I am, I would put money on him getting a 9 game try out
- Victoro311

How's Pouliot doing? Cementing his return to the A?

I thought the Dupuis, BB and Bonino line has had it's moments.
- powerhouse

I think they've been solid. If Sprong forces himself onto the roster that could very well be our third line

Zatkoff makes me puke after seeing Murray last night.
Also Perron belongs on the third line, he just doesnt understand how to play with top end talent.
- stackthepads

Perron has looked good, he set up Kessel at least 3 times. Kessel has missed at least 3 sure things tonight. It's almost like he's surprised at how easy a goal would have been for him

Perron has looked good, he set up Kessel at least 3 times. Kessel has missed at least 3 sure things tonight. It's almost like he's surprised at how easy a goal would have been for him
- Dcoms

I dont agree, the line looks alot slower than it did with Kunitz on it. Kunitz just knows where to be to not get in the way, Perron doesnt have that ability, he has looked out of place on every shift to me.

How's Pouliot doing? Cementing his return to the A?
- madmike71

Sounds like the entire defense is "earning" their demotion. This is in no way a group I feel confident in. One more game to get their act together.

Just heard the defensive spots are being "battled" over lol. More like who sucks the least DP, Dumo, Lovejoy, Scuds, Gonch have sucked pretty hard. Clendening actually looks like he could be #4....Not good.

Sure hope someone finds an NHL ready gear to shift into.

Has anyone else noticed how Ryan goes out his way to defend Pouliot's poor play? I guess he really has no choice at this point since he spent the entire off season telling us all how he was the best option for the top 4 because the numbers said so. I'm a huge advocate of advanced statistics but Pouliot is becoming a perfect example of why you need to use a combination of advanced stats and actual observation when making player evaluations and not just going with one or the other.

Has anyone else noticed how Ryan goes out his way to defend Pouliot's poor play? I guess he really has no choice at this point since he spent the entire off season telling us all how he was the best option for the top 4 because the numbers said so. I'm a huge advocate of advanced statistics but Pouliot is becoming a perfect example of why you need to use a combination of advanced stats and actual observation when making player evaluations and not just going with one or the other.
- jaydogg1974

Poorly timed post is poorly time

Jokes aside, great play by Bennett. He's in for a break out if healthy. This will be my favorite I told you so of all time, not because I want to be condescending, but because I am really happy for 19. Kid deserves a break.

Sounds like the entire defense is "earning" their demotion. This is in no way a group I feel confident in. One more game to get their act together.

Just heard the defensive spots are being "battled" over lol. More like who sucks the least DP, Dumo, Lovejoy, Scuds, Gonch have sucked pretty hard. Clendening actually looks like he could be #4....Not good.

Sure hope someone finds an NHL ready gear to shift into.
- Sell My Monkey

I'd pump the breaks before saying we're doomed if Dinger takes the #4 spot. He's been stalwart this preseason and is a perfect fit for our system. He could really grow into the role as the season goes on.

I dont agree, the line looks alot slower than it did with Kunitz on it. Kunitz just knows where to be to not get in the way, Perron doesnt have that ability, he has looked out of place on every shift to me.
- stackthepads

I agree. My feed is not very good so it's been a little tough to follow but Kunitz-Crosby-Kessel have been very dominate for stretches in games they have played and have produced well, I've found myself very underwhelmed by the Perron-Crosby-Kessel line tonight and think longer term that unit will struggle without the constant forecheck and net front presence Kunitz gives Crosby/Kessel. I've also liked the way Perron & Dupuis looked with Bonino in the limited action they've seen together. At this point I think Kunitz-Crosby-Kessel, Plotnikov-Malkin-Hornqvist, Dupuis-Bonino-Perron gives them the best depth and balance possible and starting the season any other way would be a mistake.