I agree with that last part a lot, but I'm not holding my breath that Sully will put Sheary with Crosby and Kunitz with Malkin. I like Sheary-Malkin-Fehr a hell of a lot better than Sheary-Malkin-Rust. But I think Kunitz-Malkin-Rust is my ideal line.
- Victoro311

In my estimation, right now Sheary is one of your biggest assets. He is an unknown variable and is doing everything better than what is expected. Crosby, Malkin, Letang...those are guys you plan for and the rest of the opposition is supposed to be manageable. Sheary is looking dominant against the Rangers role players.

In my estimation, right now Sheary is one of your biggest assets. He is an unknown variable and is doing everything better than what is expected. Crosby, Malkin, Letang...those are guys you plan for and the rest of the opposition is supposed to be manageable. Sheary is looking dominant against the Rangers role players.
- Tonybere

He's been an extremely pleasant surprise this season. So have Rust and Kuhnhackl. If Wilson hadn't gotten injured who knows where he'd be right now.

He's been an extremely pleasant surprise this season. So have Rust and Kuhnhackl. If Wilson hadn't gotten injured who knows where he'd be right now.
- Victoro311

It's why I think next year will be stronger than this year. All those young guys will have a year and valuable playoff experience under their belt and we'll have Sullivan in training camp and all season. The roster will be almost identical too.

It's why I think next year will be stronger than this year. All those young guys will have a year and valuable playoff experience under their belt and we'll have Sullivan in training camp and all season. The roster will be almost identical too.
- MattStrat

We'll only need to make like one minor move to get cap compliant, and plus we'll be adding Sprong hopefully. Next year is very exciting no doubt, but I'm still very much in this year.

It's why I think next year will be stronger than this year. All those young guys will have a year and valuable playoff experience under their belt and we'll have Sullivan in training camp and all season. The roster will be almost identical too.
- MattStrat

No, don't tell me we are going to meet you guys again next year when we get the same play from Skjei, McIrath & Diaz!

Cullen-Malkin-Kuhnhackl.
- Grinder47

That ain't to shabby either.

No, don't tell me we are going to meet you guys again next year when we get the same play from Skjei, McIrath & Diaz!
- Tonybere

Brady Skjei might have one of the better names in hockey right now. Sounds like a lax bro.

If practice is any sign of it, Maatta is scratched and they're rolling Sheary-Malkin-Fehr. Yohe had some Fehr quotes and it sounds like Fehr has a really good understanding of what he needs to do to compliment Malkin. If we can get that line to work, sky's the limit.
- Victoro311

Sully just needs to stick to his lines. I'd like to see then roll 4 lines and not juggle so much.

I agree with that last part a lot, but I'm not holding my breath that Sully will put Sheary with Crosby and Kunitz with Malkin. I like Sheary-Malkin-Fehr a hell of a lot better than Sheary-Malkin-Rust. But I think Kunitz-Malkin-Rust is my ideal line.
- Victoro311

Part of me hopes he doesn't because I'm still not sold that Sheary in a full time top 6 role is a good thing, I still think he's going to be at his best in a bottom 6 role with spot shifts in the top 6 to add a spark but I really don't expect the Sheary-Malkin-Fehr line to be much better than the Sheary-Malkin-Rust line was and that line was easily the worst of the 4 regular lines in game 2 so I'm willing to try just about anything to get a better 2nd line.

We'll only need to make like one minor move to get cap compliant, and plus we'll be adding Sprong hopefully. Next year is very exciting no doubt, but I'm still very much in this year.
- Victoro311

Frankin' right man. Very much still in this year. Really, this year us all that matters right now.. It was just my thought that next year's version could be even better.

So, what's the asking price of Maata? Two cheesesteaks and Andrew MacDonald?

So, what's the asking price of Maata? Two cheesesteaks and Andrew MacDonald?
- jmatchett383

Wayne Simmonds.

Wayne Simmonds.
- j.boyd919

Only if you throw in Sestito.

But really, what do you do with Maata? That's a lot of money going forward to a guy who has become a healthy scratch. Is he injured?

Only if you throw in Sestito.

But really, what do you do with Maata? That's a lot of money going forward to a guy who has become a healthy scratch. Is he injured?
- jmatchett383

Kid has been through hell and back in 2 years. Give him a full healthy summer to work and see how he plays.

Wayne Simmonds.
- j.boyd919

Why would you want that dirty, no-good goalie throat hacking goon on your team?

Edit: James Neal one-upped Simmonds last night.

Only if you throw in Sestito.

But really, what do you do with Maata? That's a lot of money going forward to a guy who has become a healthy scratch. Is he injured?
- jmatchett383

Honestly, I have no clue where his value is at. But I was kind of serious that I want Simmonds.. but he's a RW, unfortunately.. and I think Simmonds has more value than maatta at this point. I would think Maatta could bring back a player at similar age... my guess would be the pens would want a LW.

Kid has been through hell and back in 2 years. Give him a full healthy summer to work and see how he plays.
- kgrpitt

I hope they do wind sprints in Finlands basic training. He is required to spend most of his summer doing that.

havent been much comments the last few blogs so not sure if its been said, but just want to point out Kessel's beauty of a backcheck, 2 goals, and overall hustle.

Maybe Phil the Thrill has a bit of Sutter-itis in him....coasts through much of the regular season, starts trying near the end of the year, and plays all out in the playoffs.

Only if you throw in Sestito.

But really, what do you do with Maata? That's a lot of money going forward to a guy who has become a healthy scratch. Is he injured?
- jmatchett383

You don't do anything with him at this point, with everything he's been through you thank god you have the depth to put him in the pressbox and then you reevaluate him next season after he has a full off season of training(even his military training will be more than he's had the last 2 offseasons), if he regains his pre injury form you have a complete bargain and if he doesn't you hope someone overvalues him.

Why would you want that dirty, no-good goalie throat hacking goon on your team?

Edit: James Neal one-upped Simmonds last night.
- jmatchett383

Don't know about one upped but certainly on par. What has to be going through a player's mind to throat slash a goalie?

Don't know about one upped but certainly on par. What has to be going through a player's mind to throat slash a goalie?
- Victoro311

Neither one is really something to celebrate, but Neal seemed to almost dig a little bit, trying to get his stick under/in. Simmonds was more of a jab. Still should have been 5 and a game, though.

You don't do anything with him at this point, with everything he's been through you thank god you have the depth to put him in the pressbox and then you reevaluate him next season after he has a full off season of training(even his military training will be more than he's had the last 2 offseasons), if he regains his pre injury form you have a complete bargain and if he doesn't you hope someone overvalues him.
- jaydogg1974

From what I've read he was unable to train most of last summer because he had keep his shoulder completely immobilized. Unless he's been dealing with an unknown leg or hip injury all season I'm pretty confident we'll get the pre-shoulder/cancer Maatta back. He obviously wasn't this slow before those problems.

Kinda sucks he has to do that military service however. He won't be able to tailor his training regimen like he needs to.

From what I've read he was unable to train most of last summer because he had keep his shoulder completely immobilized. Unless he's been dealing with an unknown leg or hip injury all season I'm pretty confident we'll get the pre-shoulder/cancer Maatta back. He obviously wasn't this slow before those problems.

Kinda sucks he has to do that military service however. He won't be able to tailor his training regimen like he needs to.
- madmike71

My son had the same surgery last April and it was no working out of any kind for 6 months, no running, couldn't even do push ups. Obviously it would be better if he was doing specialized workouts this offseason, after not doing any workouts at all the last 2 off seasons and type of training is better.

Don't know about one upped but certainly on par. What has to be going through a player's mind to throat slash a goalie?
- Victoro311

I'm dedicated to winning. If I was an NHL coach the other teams star goalie would never stand a chance. This isn't a sport its hockey.

I'm dedicated to winning. If I was an NHL coach the other teams star goalie would never stand a chance. This isn't a sport its hockey.
- Grinder47

Your star goalie probably wouldn't last long either