Agreed. I mean I do think that they can recover from this and keep Drouin around, but 90% sure that he will be traded at the draft.
- Pens_Burgh

I think Yzerman will keep him if he doesn't get overpayment. Which is probably smart for the short term. Though I could absolutely see Drouin punishing them for that on his RFA contracts at first chance.

I'm not saying he doesn't like having him on the roster but would you honestly expect him to say "the guy's a no talent slug that has no business being on an NHL roster" even if he felt that way? Sid is the ultimate company man and is never going to disrespect a teammate or an organizational decision publicly even when he disagrees.
- jaydogg1974

Well obviously he isn't gonna say that.. Truth is nobody knows how he feels other than Sid himself. I do bet that he finds it kind of nice knowing that there is a "goon" ready to go after whoever. It's not going to stop anyone from making a run or cheap shot on Sid at all though. I bet that Sid did like Sestito's comments on Dubinsky though.

He basically said that guys respect Sestito's presence on the ice and that he brings a physical presence out there. He said that he loves having him up here in Pitt.

“I realize that everyone has their own opinion about that,” he said. “But I think there’s something to be said for having that element. I really do.”
- Pens_Burgh

Thanks!

I think Yzerman will keep him if he doesn't get overpayment. Which is probably smart for the short term. Though I could absolutely see Drouin punishing them for that on his RFA contracts at first chance.
- jfkst1

TB was looking for a young RHD in return.. If Pouliot were a RHD I could see that move already being done, but on the flipside keeping a RH Pouliot would give us a nice future top 4 of Maatta-Letang, Dumo-DP.

I think there may be a shot at Vatanen this offseason if TB can move a bad contract off the roster, but I definitely see Drouin and his agent playing hardball on the RFA contract talks. Apparently it was the Drouin family, himself included, that wanted the trade and not the agent.

TB was looking for a young RHD in return.. If Pouliot were a RHD I could see that move already being done, but on the flipside keeping a RH Pouliot would give us a nice future top 4 of Maatta-Letang, Dumo-DP.

I think there may be a shot at Vatanen this offseason if TB can move a bad contract off the roster, but I definitely see Drouin and his agent playing hardball on the RFA contract talks. Apparently it was the Drouin family, himself included, that wanted the trade and not the agent.
- Pens_Burgh

It'll be interesting to see what happens with the salary cap. If the cap goes down, the Pens and another 8-12 teams are gonna be royally screwed. It'll force some really lopsided trades like CHI endured last offseason.

Thanks!
- Topshelf Mountain

No problem! I was drunk and subscribed about 2 weeks ago and didn't realize it for a few days at the time lol. Think it was $24 for a year? Not bad especially if you follow all the Pitt teams. I only follow the Pens and to a lesser extent the Steelers.

It'll be interesting to see what happens with the salary cap. If the cap goes down, the Pens and another 8-12 teams are gonna be royally screwed. It'll force some really lopsided trades like CHI endured last offseason.
- jfkst1

Yeah it's gonna suck if the cap goes down.. But on the other hand it'll limit these giant contracts that are given out to UFAs this year. Teams like ARI could sign a few nice pieces this offseason with little competition... Or guys like Okposo could take a 1-2 year deal for 4mil per with any contender that would have room.

I'm not saying he doesn't like having him on the roster but would you honestly expect him to say "the guy's a no talent slug that has no business being on an NHL roster" even if he felt that way? Sid is the ultimate company man and is never going to disrespect a teammate or an organizational decision publicly even when he disagrees.
- jaydogg1974

I get the feeling Sid really doesn't disagree and means what he says.

If he thinks...in any way...that having a guy like Sestito will help him and the team...then I'm sure he likes having him around.

And...even if Sestito does nothing...it raises awareness within the team and within the league about how things have gone down in the past and how the Penguins - as a team - will not just let it happen again.

I know there is all this data to support the argument that enforcers provide no tangible benefit in terms of actually being a deterrent, but sometimes the simple straightforward notion that WE (the Penguins as a team) are not going to allow this anymore...helps bring a team together.

It'll be interesting to see what happens with the salary cap. If the cap goes down, the Pens and another 8-12 teams are gonna be royally screwed. It'll force some really lopsided trades like CHI endured last offseason.
- jfkst1

And look at that Chicago team, without Kane having a monster year, luring Panarin to the team, and decent young guys, they wouldn't be in the playoff hunt.

It'll be interesting to see what happens with the salary cap. If the cap goes down, the Pens and another 8-12 teams are gonna be royally screwed. It'll force some really lopsided trades like CHI endured last offseason.
- jfkst1

There was talk about this potentially happening as early as December, but still with that, JR made deals with Chicago and Edmonton getting Daley and Schultz. This is why I mentioned that Schultz is essentially a rental, UNLESS, he comes off his high demands and signs a contract more closely related to his play, not his QO. We have little coming off the books and have to account for the big raise Maatta is getting starting next year, so moves will be coming.

There was talk about this potentially happening as early as December, but still with that, JR made deals with Chicago and Edmonton getting Daley and Schultz. This is why I mentioned that Schultz is essentially a rental, UNLESS, he comes off his high demands and signs a contract more closely related to his play, not his QO. We have little coming off the books and have to account for the big raise Maatta is getting starting next year, so moves will be coming.
- Oneonta Penguin

You have to believe that NO ONE is going to throw anything close to his QO without some legit sign and trade assurance being known. If he got near Ian Cole's deal, he should jump on that and be happy for a UFA version of a generous bridge deal.

And look at that Chicago team, without Kane having a monster year, luring Panarin to the team, and decent young guys, they wouldn't be in the playoff hunt.
- Topshelf Mountain

There are a number things that scare me about that situation:
1. Chicago didn't get much cap relief in the end result of their deals.
2. They got royally screwed in player value in every single deal.
3. Chicago has a lot better prospect pool to use on replacement players.
4. Panarin was a huge cheap acquisition that almost certainly won't happen again.
4. More than just one team will be in this position which would likely exacerbate those aforementioned concerns.

He basically said that guys respect Sestito's presence on the ice and that he brings a physical presence out there. He said that he loves having him up here in Pitt.

“I realize that everyone has their own opinion about that,” he said. “But I think there’s something to be said for having that element. I really do.”
- Pens_Burgh

Yeah, I guess that sounds a lot better than "I hate having these goons out there. Guys like him are the reason I get concussed to begin with. I wish they would get rid of them all and let the skilled players do their thing"

What do you think hes gonna say?

You have to believe that NO ONE is going to throw anything close to his QO without some legit sign and trade assurance being known. If he got near Ian Cole's deal, he should jump on that and be happy for a UFA version of a generous bridge deal.
- Guile

Yeah I'm thinking he'll get Cole money if he keeps a good level of play up. Probably a 2 year "UFA bridge deal" like you said. If that happens, you can pretty much kiss Cole goodbye. Either that or Pouliot gets dealt for a likewise forward and Cole-Schultz man the 3rd pair.

I get the feeling Sid really doesn't disagree and means what he says.

If he thinks...in any way...that having a guy like Sestito will help him and the team...then I'm sure he likes having him around.

And...even if Sestito does nothing...it raises awareness within the team and within the league about how things have gone down in the past and how the Penguins - as a team - will not just let it happen again.

I know there is all this data to support the argument that enforcers provide no tangible benefit in terms of actually being a deterrent, but sometimes the simple straightforward notion that WE (the Penguins as a team) are not going to allow this anymore...helps bring a team together.
- icedog97

Less of these......

And more of these ,,,,,

It'll be interesting to see what happens with the salary cap. If the cap goes down, the Pens and another 8-12 teams are gonna be royally screwed. It'll force some really lopsided trades like CHI endured last offseason.
- jfkst1

The cap isnt going down. Bettman has already stated this. In fact, he said it may raise as much as 3 million.

EDIT: https://www.nhl.com/news/...llion-in-2016-17/c-791523

The cap isnt going down. Bettman has already stated this. In fact, he said it may raise as much as 3 million.

EDIT: https://www.nhl.com/news/...llion-in-2016-17/c-791523
- MattStrat

That is three months old and Bettman isn't going to paint an ugly picture to the media.
http://spectorshockey.net...the-nhl-salary-cap-drops/

Less of these......

And more of these ,,,,,
- thickman1178

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

That is three months old and Bettman isn't going to paint an ugly picture to the media.
http://spectorshockey.net...the-nhl-salary-cap-drops/
- jfkst1

Gotta be honest... I believe neither article. Bettman is trying to push the best case scenario, but your link is no better than an EK rumor blog here.

Gotta be honest... I believe neither article. Bettman is trying to push the best case scenario, but your link is no better than an EK rumor blog here.
- Guile

Maybe. But at least it has the numbers/explanations and is more recent. Pens are one of nine teams identified as in major trouble is the cap stagnates/declines in the article.

Maybe. But at least it has the numbers/explanations and is more recent. Pens are one of nine teams identified as in major trouble is the cap stagnates/declines in the article.
- jfkst1

Doesn't take a genius to know if the cap drops the Pens would be in trouble.

But all that article has is a tweet saying the cap could drop by 4 million, which is a counter to Bettman's increase by 3 mil. And noting the Canadian dollar isn't strong, which is hasn't been for a few years.

I'm more leaning towards a 1 mil and change increase.

Doesn't take a genius to know if the cap drops the Pens would be in trouble.

But all that article has is a tweet saying the cap could drop by 4 million, which is a counter to Bettman's increase by 3 mil. And noting the Canadian dollar isn't strong, which is hasn't been for a few years.

I'm more leaning towards a 1 mil and change increase.
- Guile

It's all speculation at this point. Including Bettman's statement. A million dollar or so increase is also a major issue for Pittsburgh after the Maatta extension.

It's all speculation at this point. Including Bettman's statement. A million dollar or so increase is also a major issue for Pittsburgh after the Maatta extension.
- jfkst1

Its not ideal... but that should be what they planned for as its the more realistic increase.

NHL EXPERT PICKS ‏@NHLexpertpicks 34s34 seconds ago
Report: #NHL is working on implementing crossbar camera looking down, and camera along the bluelines in time for this year's postseason.

Took them long enough eh?

NHL EXPERT PICKS ‏@NHLexpertpicks 34s34 seconds ago
Report: #NHL is working on implementing crossbar camera looking down, and camera along the bluelines in time for this year's postseason.

Took them long enough eh?
- Pens_Burgh

NHL Player Safety @nhlplayersafety 58 seconds ago
report: early versions of the crossbar camera were programmed to slam into the back of crosby's neck if he came close enough, it's unclear if this feature has been removed

I think the Rangers may have been involved.