I realize this is probably blasphemy but am I the only one that thinks Primanti's is overrated?
- all-pgh

not a big fan of their basic sandwiches but their Cajun chicken is amazing. But I also hate cole slaw, so I'm weird. Cheese, chicken & fries & stuff... mmmm.

So according to the leafs blog, the expansion perameters might change and anyone with any NMC has to be protected? If that's the case Fleury absolutely needs to be moved.
- Victoro311

That can't be a surprise. The union needs to sign off on expansion and there's no way they'll let clauses in individual contracts be void.

I realize this is probably blasphemy but am I the only one that thinks Primanti's is overrated?
- all-pgh

I've heard that before..buuuut I don't agree with it

I realize this is probably blasphemy but am I the only one that thinks Primanti's is overrated?
- all-pgh

Never had it before. Looks pretty good. I'm used to eating Zingerman's up in Ann Arbor and I honestly don't think Primanti's will even come close to touching Zingerman's. I have no problem paying 15-20 bucks for one of their sandwiches. I usually get 2 when I go, one for there and one for back home later on.

Someone here has to have been blessed by Zingerman's before...

Never had it before. Looks pretty good. I'm used to eating Zingerman's up in Ann Arbor and I honestly don't think Primanti's will even come close to touching Zingerman's. I have no problem paying 15-20 bucks for one of their sandwiches. I usually get 2 when I go, one for there and one for back home later on.

Someone here has to have been blessed by Zingerman's before...
- znagle58

Nothing good has ever come out of Ann Arbor. Ann Arbor is a whore.

Do you think Caps blow it up some, or do they tweak a few things and hope for the best again next year? I would think they would love to upgrade their defense, but I don't know what they cap status is like for next year. I know they are stuck with Orpik for a while, I honestly think that the Pens just wore the Caps down in a few games.
- Thorny

It will take years for them to FIX everything McPhee screwed up. Worst thing IMO is that Ted Leonsis has left all the 'old' decision makers in place. Even Ross Malhoney who has been responsible for years of lousy drafting was promoted. Rumors have always circulated that some of these guys have pictures of Leonsis doing something with a chicken.

Old, play it safe, top management is mostly responsible for where they are and there aren't signs they've got any brighter. It is mostly about filling the PHONE BOOTH which they have done a very good job.

not a big fan of their basic sandwiches but their Cajun chicken is amazing. But I also hate cole slaw, so I'm weird. Cheese, chicken & fries & stuff... mmmm.
- ScienceJesus

I like my French fries hot and crispy but when you put cold wet cole slaw on top they become the opposite.
When I was in my twenties it was quite good at 3am in the strip district but not so much now.

Nothing good has ever come out of Ann Arbor. Ann Arbor is a whore.
- Victoro311

are we to conclude that whores are not good?

It will take years for them to FIX everything McPhee screwed up. Worst thing IMO is that Ted Leonsis has left all the 'old' decision makers in place. Even Ross Malhoney who has been responsible for years of lousy drafting was promoted. Rumors have always circulated that some of these guys have pictures of Leonsis doing something with a chicken.

Old, play it safe, top management is mostly responsible for where they are and there aren't signs they've got any brighter. It is mostly about filling the PHONE BOOTH which they have done a very good job.
- sufi-judge

Are things really that bad right now? You have one of the more complete Rosters in the NHL, have an ok coach of which there are only handful of around the league, and you guys got within a hop skip and a jump from taking us to game 7 which we probably would have lost. You gid just had the misfortune of going up against us, who currently have a 2-0 lead in the SCF, in the second round. If things shook out a little bit differently Game 6 in our series, there's a solid chance you guys have a 2-0 lead in the SCF right now.

If you guys could find a way to move on from Orpik and his garbage contract, you're fine.

Nothing good has ever come out of Ann Arbor. Ann Arbor is a whore.
- Victoro311

Take it back. Zingerman's is the GOAT.

Just read Yohe's part of the insider. Apparently Sullivan loves Phill Kessel and lobbied hard on his behalf to team USA and probably sold Tortarella. Lombardi was having none of it. Sucks for team USA. I'll be rooting for the kids this time around and will wait patiently for Betman to blink and allow NHL participation in the Olympics and will look forward to a Sullivan lead USA squad. If Lombardi keeps putting together squads like this he won't last until the Olympics as USA's GM.

Yohe thinks the lockerroom can convince Matt Cullen to come back. I'm neutral to this. Matt Cullen has been a favorite of mine this season, but he's also older and we've got youngsters biting at the heals for roster spots. I wouldn't mind seeing Matty Ice retire with the Cup in his hands after this season.

Just read Yohe's part of the insider. Apparently Sullivan loves Phill Kessel and lobbied hard on his behalf to team USA and probably sold Tortarella. Lombardi was having none of it. Sucks for team USA. I'll be rooting for the kids this time around and will wait patiently for Betman to blink and allow NHL participation in the Olympics and will look forward to a Sullivan lead USA squad. If Lombardi keeps putting together squads like this he won't last until the Olympics as USA's GM.

Yohe thinks the lockerroom can convince Matt Cullen to come back. I'm neutral to this. Matt Cullen has been a favorite of mine this season, but he's also older and we've got youngsters biting at the heals for roster spots. I wouldn't mind seeing Matty Ice retire with the Cup in his hands after this season.
- Victoro311

Agreed on Cullen. I would love to have him back on the same deal though if he can keep up play, but I just think Sundqvist takes over his role next season. Too "risky" to sign him again. I know that's been said about him before though. The fact that he can retire with the Cup raised over his head will probably be enough for him to hang em up.

Just read Yohe's part of the insider. Apparently Sullivan loves Phill Kessel and lobbied hard on his behalf to team USA and probably sold Tortarella. Lombardi was having none of it. Sucks for team USA. I'll be rooting for the kids this time around and will wait patiently for Betman to blink and allow NHL participation in the Olympics and will look forward to a Sullivan lead USA squad. If Lombardi keeps putting together squads like this he won't last until the Olympics as USA's GM.

Yohe thinks the lockerroom can convince Matt Cullen to come back. I'm neutral to this. Matt Cullen has been a favorite of mine this season, but he's also older and we've got youngsters biting at the heals for roster spots. I wouldn't mind seeing Matty Ice retire with the Cup in his hands after this season.
- Victoro311

If Cullen can keep physically playing AND contribute doing so, he will. I think he can. I really think he will be in the NHL next season. He's still fast.

Just read Yohe's part of the insider. Apparently Sullivan loves Phill Kessel and lobbied hard on his behalf to team USA and probably sold Tortarella. Lombardi was having none of it. Sucks for team USA. I'll be rooting for the kids this time around and will wait patiently for Betman to blink and allow NHL participation in the Olympics and will look forward to a Sullivan lead USA squad. If Lombardi keeps putting together squads like this he won't last until the Olympics as USA's GM.

Yohe thinks the lockerroom can convince Matt Cullen to come back. I'm neutral to this. Matt Cullen has been a favorite of mine this season, but he's also older and we've got youngsters biting at the heals for roster spots. I wouldn't mind seeing Matty Ice retire with the Cup in his hands after this season.
- Victoro311

I hate the fact that professional players are allowed to participate in the Olympics. It takes away from the spirit of the games imo.
One youngster I am excited to see is Wilson. He was looking to be the most promising of the youngsters before his injury.

Those season tickets could feed a family of four in Africa...
- DeflatedPucks

41 x 2 x $106. (ticket cost when I moved) = $8692 annually. Just the parking, beer, nachos etc. could feed a family of four in Africa! And the above doesn't count the playoffs.

If Cullen can keep physically playing AND contribute doing so, he will. I think he can. I really think he will be in the NHL next season. He's still fast.
- MattStrat

Like Z said above, if Cullen's looking for a raise I wouldn't want to take it. The flexibility that I thought we had with the cap jumping 3 mil is now gone. Not saying we're in a bad place with the cap at all, but we're going to have to do some finagling and prioritize our offseason. I think our priorities this offseason should be as follows:

1. Resign J. Schultz
2. Adress LW
3. Resign Matt Cullen

Obviously LW can be addressed in a lot of ways and not all of them involve taking on cap, and Schultz may be unresignable, but at the end of the day I just wouldn't prioritize resigning Matt Cullen.

Just read Yohe's part of the insider. Apparently Sullivan loves Phill Kessel and lobbied hard on his behalf to team USA and probably sold Tortarella. Lombardi was having none of it. Sucks for team USA. I'll be rooting for the kids this time around and will wait patiently for Betman to blink and allow NHL participation in the Olympics and will look forward to a Sullivan lead USA squad. If Lombardi keeps putting together squads like this he won't last until the Olympics as USA's GM.

Yohe thinks the lockerroom can convince Matt Cullen to come back. I'm neutral to this. Matt Cullen has been a favorite of mine this season, but he's also older and we've got youngsters biting at the heals for roster spots. I wouldn't mind seeing Matty Ice retire with the Cup in his hands after this season.
- Victoro311

I'd love for Cullen to come back on similar deal or slight raise. I don't see the fourth line scoring many goals with Fehr or Sundqvist centering them. Also Dumo had 16 points in regular season(all assists) in 79 games. In playoffs he has 7 points in 20 games(1g, 6a). He'll prob get $1mil less than Maatta or up to Maatta money IMO.

I hate the fact that professional players are allowed to participate in the Olympics. It takes away from the spirit of the games imo.
One youngster I am excited to see is Wilson. He was looking to be the most promising of the youngsters before his injury.
- all-pgh

I just don't see it that way at all. I like the Olympics as a best of the best competition across all of the world's countries, and the best of the best are all professionals.

But that's really besides the point when it comes to the argument of NHL participation in the Olympics. Other leagues aren't going to disallow participation if we do, which would put the USA at a massive disadvantage (Canada probably has the talent level to at least be competitive but their dynasty would end). Mark my words there will also be a talent exodus if the NHL stopped letting players participate in the Olympics. Malkin is as good as gone if that happens.

Keep Daley through his contract
Sign Schultz to a 1 year prove deal
Let Loverboy walk
Deal Kunitz
Sign a D man or bring one up
And potentially deal Flower.

There is zero chance Flower wants to share the net with Murray next year.
If they go into the season with both and Murray plays well, both of them won't last until December. It could also stunt Murray's development and make him resent the Pens for having to prove himself again after taking the team to the Cup finals. And it would definitely frustrate MAF.
- brienstel

Too bad he isn't the coach or GM... he will do what he is told to, or he can be benched. Unless he is the cheating Sidney Crosby, he has to follow orders

Can we take a moment to appreciate Dumo... who was the throw in (not quite a throw in, but a good sweetener) pick from the Staal / Sutter deal.

Of all the D prospects we've traded (none of whom have made any impact in the league for another team, yet) Dumo was touted to be good but less so than a lot of guys in the system (Joe Morrow, Harrington, DP, Maatta). And look who quietly surfaced to the top of the pile.

What kind of coin does Dumo ask for after next year? 4.5?

EDIT: the bold part (credit to Martox)
- brienstel

I actually pegged him as the best of the 3 D prospects last year (Him, DP, and Harrington). Granted putting him above Harrington took no insight, but deciding his all around game and poise was above DP's offensive value was a leap at the time.

alzner is extremely underrated defensively. carlson is pretty good too. nisky has improved. its not as if they wont have someone more responsible to pair him with.
- stayinthefnnet

Alzner is not underrated defensively by CAP fans. Niskanen is good, just compensated too much as many will find out in a few years. The Orpik contract was absurd and will bite them in the ass for years unless he is put on the expansion list.

I am afraid (from a CAP fan view) they are stuck in the middle as they have been for decades. Kind of like the St Louis Blues who just re-signed Alfred Hitchcock for another season. Some organizations seem to never learn.

I realize this is probably blasphemy but am I the only one that thinks Primanti's is overrated?
- all-pgh

I prefer their pizza and wings to the famous sandwiches

I prefer their pizza and wings to the famous sandwiches
- Guile

Living close to Philly Ill say this, they know how to make a hell of a sandwich.

Like Z said above, if Cullen's looking for a raise I wouldn't want to take it. The flexibility that I thought we had with the cap jumping 3 mil is now gone. Not saying we're in a bad place with the cap at all, but we're going to have to do some finagling and prioritize our offseason. I think our priorities this offseason should be as follows:

1. Resign J. Schultz
2. Adress LW
3. Resign Matt Cullen

Obviously LW can be addressed in a lot of ways and not all of them involve taking on cap, and Schultz may be unresignable, but at the end of the day I just wouldn't prioritize resigning Matt Cullen.
- Victoro311

Yeah I didn't say I think Cullen will be on the Pens. I just dont think he's going to retire. He has 3 very young boys and If he can go earn the same money, but realistically probably a bit more, as this season next season, then I really think he will.

Yeah I didn't say I think Cullen will be on the Pens. I just dont think he's going to retire. He has 3 very young boys and If he can go earn the same money, but realistically probably a bit more, as this season next season, then I really think he will.
- MattStrat

Its hard to tell with him... he didn't fully move to Pittsburgh for this season, but he does love it here. His kids really enjoy the place and all of our stars, as well as the family area at the practice arena.

I think it'll be half a decision for his wife if he would play another year here. His kids I assume, will say yes obviously based on how they acted in his article.