Two things this am....

1) remember when this team was "too soft" and that they needed enforcers and guys to fight... Well they are beating the most physical team 3-1 and they are delivering the same hits.. Grant it some have been suspension worthy..

2) UFA Caggiula announcement should be coming today or this weekend... I really hope it's the pens but I can see him going to leafs, chi, fla or det
- nh4442

While the success that our undersized, lowly touted prospects have had this year could encourage undrafted college UFAs to come here and be given a fair shake, I'm scared that it also may make them shy away because they may see us as overcrowded with youngsters. There's a chance that either Kuhnhackl or Sundqvist is our 13th forward next year and we also have Simon, Guentzel, and Bleuger right behind them. That's a lot of organizational depth to crack.

Is Caggiula a LW?
- tpcg402

Yes. Undersized, feisty, sand papery, speedy LW with a scorer's shot. Sounds like a Penguin.

Is Caggiula a LW?
- tpcg402

Yup!

While the success that our undersized, lowly touted prospects have had this year could encourage undrafted college UFAs to come here and be given a fair shake, I'm scared that it also may make them shy away because they may see us as overcrowded with youngsters. There's a chance that either Kuhnhackl or Sundqvist is our 13th forward next year and we also have Simon, Guentzel, and Bleuger right behind them. That's a lot of organizational depth to crack.
- Victoro311

Very true... He could get a shot next year with the likes of van or buf but might have to wait a year in chi and Pitt...

I just hope he doesn't choose nyr philly or chi

Yes. Undersized, feisty, sand papery, speedy LW with a scorer's shot. Sounds like a Penguin.
- Victoro311

Then sign me up. "Free" assets. Was disappointed that Sullivan didn't get a nod for Jack Adams, hopefully GMJR gets one for GM of the year. He deserves it.

Two things this am....

1) remember when this team was "too soft" and that they needed enforcers and guys to fight... Well they are beating the most physical team 3-1 and they are delivering the same hits.. Grant it some have been suspension worthy..

2) UFA Caggiula announcement should be coming today or this weekend... I really hope it's the pens but I can see him going to leafs, chi, fla or det
- nh4442

I think the call ups of Rust, Kuhnackle, as well as the trade for Hagelin and Hornqvist "getting back to his game" (Dam Blysma anyone) has addressed the "softness". Yea they are not your typical Lucic, Wilson guys, but they do play a "hard" style of hockey by never giving up, relentless attack and not being afraid of the dirty areas on the ice. Pre Sullivan and roster turn over, this team was playing "soff".

Very true... He could get a shot next year with the likes of van or buf but might have to wait a year in chi and Pitt...

I just hope he doesn't choose nyr philly or chi
- nh4442

Very good chance he goes to Philly due to his coach currently working there and them having a pretty bright future that he can grow with. Makes me sad.

Nope. Went off the safer assumption it stays stagnant. So Pens could have ~8mil in space if it does indeed rise like the latest reports have stated. Lets hope Kunitz retires after season and Pens will have plenty of space.
- tpcg402

I don't think Kuni retires. Not a lot of these guys walk away with that much cash on the table. I don't care how much money he's made in the past because next year will be his last, best chance to ever make that kind of money for the rest of his life.

Also... Always remember these guys basically "take home" about half of their salary figure. Sure, that puts them in some pretty rare air, but also consider he'll be retiring in his 30's.

Since we're talking a little about cap space I did a little exercise last night with all players signed through at least next season(16-17). All cap #'s are from General Fanager, In parantheses is cap hit and how many more years under contract starting with 2016-17 season:
Sheary(575k,last season)-Sid(8.7m,9seasons)Hornqvist(4.25m,2seasons)=13.5m
Hagelin(4m, 3seasons)-Bonino(1.9m, last season)-Kessel(6.8m, 6 seasons)=12.7m
Kuhnhl(625k, 2seasons)-Geno(9.5m, 6 seasons), Sprong(692k, 2seasons) 10.8m
Wilson(625k, 2seasons)-Fehr(2m, 2seasons)-Rust(640k, 2seasons)=3.265m
That's a total of $40,307,500 in 12 forwards. I went under the assumption that Cullen retires and maybe Kunitz too. I think Kunitz is gone some way, so I left him off.
For the D:
Maatta(4.083m, 6seasons)- Letang(7.25m, 6 seasons) = 11.33m
Dumoulin(800k, last season)-Daley(3.3m, last season) = 4.1m
Pouliot(863k, last season)- Cole(2.1m, 2 seasons)= 2.963m
Total $ spent on 6d = $18, 396, 333

Fleury(5.575m, 6 seasons)
Murray(620k, last season)
two goalies = $6,370,000

Also add in 1.125m for Scuderi retention if he doesn't retire and Pens have used $66,198,833 in cap space. In conclusion Pens have at least $5mil in cap space to re sign Schultz and get a depth forward or two if cap stays the same. Sorry for the novel
- tpcg402

You forgot to add Sundqvist as a depth forward at 700k. That gives you 13 forwards and barely takes away any cap space

Agreed. He's not worth that much. He's a 6 or 7d on this team right now. Will move up to maybe 5 or 6 next season if signed. People female dog about Cole's $2.1m as a bottom pairing guy, but people wanna sign Schultz something north of 2.5m. I don't get it. If he didn't sign that giant 1st contract, then maybe people would give him more realistic hypothetical offers. I'd give him 3 year 2 per. Take it or leave it.
- tpcg402

I never really female dog about Cole's contract... it's more his abilities. His lack of controlled zone exits on a team built on controlled zone exits are the only thing that frustrates me about him.

I don't think Kuni retires. Not a lot of these guys walk away with that much cash on the table. I don't care how much money he's made in the past because next year will be his last, best chance to ever make that kind of money for the rest of his life.

Also... Always remember these guys basically "take home" about half of their salary figure. Sure, that puts them in some pretty rare air, but also consider he'll be retiring in his 30's.
- madmike71

You're prob right. I have this convo with my buddies all the time. If we win the cup(I hate typing that in fear of a jinx), then I think he goes out on top. Cullen too. But yeah that's alot of $ to essentially throw away.

I never really female dog about Cole's contract... it's more his abilities. His lack of controlled zone exits on a team built on controlled zone exits are the only thing that frustrates me about him.
- j.boyd919

Team identities are really important and its necissary for most players on a team to be in the mold of the team identity. But not all players have to fit that mold. In fact, you need some players that don't really fit the mold in order to add versatility, or else you become one demential. Fehr, Hornqvist, Sundqvist and to a lesser extent Olli Maatta don't really fit our mold very well. Hell, even (frank)ing Evgeni Malkin isn't really in the mold of our team identity. But all these players compliment our identity in one way or another and they fit into our team very well.

I think the same can be said about Cole. He's more of a classic big, physical, crease clearer, but he also has modest puck moving abilities that allows him to be a complimentary piece when paired with a more traditional puck moving blue liner such as Daley or Schultz.

You forgot to add Sundqvist as a depth forward at 700k. That gives you 13 forwards and barely takes away any cap space
- cap1681

Kind of an oversight on my part, but imo he's better off in WBS for another year. While I think he's capable, he doesn't do anything for me. Still very young, so I'm not closing the book on him yet.

6 mil for a solid tandem? I'd take that. It's not nearly as bad as Dallas with 10.5 million into 2 below average tendies. Doesn't even have to be a 50/50.. could be 60/40 or 65/35.
- j.boyd919

Murray is off his elc after next season. If he maintains a .93 save percentage his next contract even as rfa status is going to cost a lot. Minimum the fleury/murray tandem would go to 10 million a year. We can't afford that. So even without an expansion draft we would be goalie sellers. Expansion draft might actually help us as theirs one more team needing a goalie.

Since we're talking a little about cap space I did a little exercise last night with all players signed through at least next season(16-17). All cap #'s are from General Fanager, In parantheses is cap hit and how many more years under contract starting with 2016-17 season:
Sheary(575k,last season)-Sid(8.7m,9seasons)Hornqvist(4.25m,2seasons)=13.5m
Hagelin(4m, 3seasons)-Bonino(1.9m, last season)-Kessel(6.8m, 6 seasons)=12.7m
Kuhnhl(625k, 2seasons)-Geno(9.5m, 6 seasons), Sprong(692k, 2seasons) 10.8m
Wilson(625k, 2seasons)-Fehr(2m, 2seasons)-Rust(640k, 2seasons)=3.265m
That's a total of $40,307,500 in 12 forwards. I went under the assumption that Cullen retires and maybe Kunitz too. I think Kunitz is gone some way, so I left him off.
For the D:
Maatta(4.083m, 6seasons)- Letang(7.25m, 6 seasons) = 11.33m
Dumoulin(800k, last season)-Daley(3.3m, last season) = 4.1m
Pouliot(863k, last season)- Cole(2.1m, 2 seasons)= 2.963m
Total $ spent on 6d = $18, 396, 333

Fleury(5.575m, 6 seasons)
Murray(620k, last season)
two goalies = $6,370,000

Also add in 1.125m for Scuderi retention if he doesn't retire and Pens have used $66,198,833 in cap space. In conclusion Pens have at least $5mil in cap space to re sign Schultz and get a depth forward or two if cap stays the same. Sorry for the novel
- tpcg402

That is about where I thought we would be. Kunitz won't retire so you are either looking at a buyout or a trade. To really make the numbers conservative add in the buyout amount on kunitz. I think that still gives us enough room to pay Schultz $3 million and make a cullen signing.

My wife and I experienced that a couple years ago after 2.5 months. It really hurts. Luckily we put fear aside a year or so later and we had our son without issue. Its so hard to console or be consoled. They def. have my deepest sympathy.
- Reverend Killtaker

I've heard miscarriages are fairly common now. married friends who have had kids seem to imply that all their friends have had a few. Seemed like they thought it was related to using birth control in the past, but i'm no expert.

I never really female dog about Cole's contract... it's more his abilities. His lack of controlled zone exits on a team built on controlled zone exits are the only thing that frustrates me about him.
- j.boyd919

Yea, with the more $ they make comes the criticisms. If Maatta sucks next year like he did this season, especially how he was performing late in the season, then the fans will be howling and he's the new whipping boy. Might not be fair, but that's how fans are.

I don't think Kuni retires. Not a lot of these guys walk away with that much cash on the table. I don't care how much money he's made in the past because next year will be his last, best chance to ever make that kind of money for the rest of his life.

Also... Always remember these guys basically "take home" about half of their salary figure. Sure, that puts them in some pretty rare air, but also consider he'll be retiring in his 30's.
- madmike71

Kunitz is ad 30.6 million career earnings. After tax call that like 17-18. I wouldn't be surprised if he has 15 million in assets right now (hockey doesn't seem like a game where guys spend) including primary residence. If you have kids doesn't leave much to live out your days and pass on enough to your kids that they never have to worry about money. So yes I doubt he retires.

Team identities are really important and its necissary for most players on a team to be in the mold of the team identity. But not all players have to fit that mold. In fact, you need some players that don't really fit the mold in order to add versatility, or else you become one demential. Fehr, Hornqvist, Sundqvist and to a lesser extent Olli Maatta don't really fit our mold very well. Hell, even (frank)ing Evgeni Malkin isn't really in the mold of our team identity. But all these players compliment our identity in one way or another and they fit into our team very well.

I think the same can be said about Cole. He's more of a classic big, physical, crease clearer, but he also has modest puck moving abilities that allows him to be a complimentary piece when paired with a more traditional puck moving blue liner such as Daley or Schultz.
- Victoro311

I know everyone says the Pens are this fast north-south team... but to me their identity is relentless puck retrieval and high shot volume. I don't think any of the 4 lines on the Pens play the same way, and that's what makes them so difficult to defend, but what they all do similarly is their pursuit of the puck and forecheck, but when they are in transition/in the offensive zone, all 4 lines play it differently. And that's where Sulli has done an amazing job IMO, letting the players play their style, but also enforcing hard work, pressure, and support. I think the media uses the simplest form of identity in that the Pens are a speed team.. but in reality there is much more to it, depending on what line/pairing is on the ice... and although Cole has played well recently, I still think it can be improved on (not necessarily through his play, but through replacing him with a more skilled guy.)

Kunitz is ad 30.6 million career earnings. After tax call that like 17-18. I wouldn't be surprised if he has 15 million in assets right now (hockey doesn't seem like a game where guys spend) including primary residence. If you have kids doesn't leave much to live out your days and pass on enough to your kids that they never have to worry about money. So yes I doubt he retires.
- sditulli

It all depends on what he's done with his money. If he's hooked up with the right people, he may other irons in the fire (Investments, Real Estate, Business investment). You're right about hockey players however, they don't seem to be careless with their money.

Kind of an oversight on my part, but imo he's better off in WBS for another year. While I think he's capable, he doesn't do anything for me. Still very young, so I'm not closing the book on him yet.
- tpcg402

I agree with that. I'd like to see one more year in WBS for him too.

I've heard miscarriages are fairly common now. married friends who have had kids seem to imply that all their friends have had a few. Seemed like they thought it was related to using birth control in the past, but i'm no expert.
- sditulli

I don't know if they are more common, but I do tend to think that they are talked about more openly. For reasons I don't get, perhaps pride or fear of scorn a miscarriage was somewhat taboo for a long time. Its sad that a woman or a couple felt they had to deal with such a traumatic event in the shadows as often as they did. We never really advertised it to the world then but we are thankful to our family and friends that were there for us.

My wife and I experienced that a couple years ago after 2.5 months. It really hurts. Luckily we put fear aside a year or so later and we had our son without issue. Its so hard to console or be consoled. They def. have my deepest sympathy.
- Reverend Killtaker

Same thing here. We went through it (2.5 months also..) Sad...

I'm back, I know you guys missed me

I'm back, I know you guys missed me
- Thorny

And you are???