Good news indeed. Wish I could say the same for Mark Recchi's HOF bid.
Someone please explain to me how Makarov makes it and Recchi doesn't? Lindros and Makarov were more high profile, but 4 Cups with the numbers Recchi collected over the years? Its a SIN he isn't in there yet.
- Amanion

I love the Wrecking Ball and he will always be 1 of my favorite Pens of all time, there's no doubt he is hall of fame worthy and should be in but Lindros was a much bigger snub and deserved to go in before Recchi.

Lindros was the 4th fastest to 300 points behind only Gretzky, Mario and Stastny. He was the 4th fastest to 400 points behind only the same 3 players, 5th fastest to 500 points behind the same 3 and Mike Bossy and the 6th fastest to 600 points. Recchi was a great player for a long time but Lindros was on pace to go down as 1 of the best to ever play the game before injuries and Scott Stevens cut his career short. Recchi's time will come but Lindros' time deserved to come first.

I really hope this gets done. Cullen is a great vet leader. Like the article said, he was a great d-zone center an and scored big goals.

I have read NO WHERE that Lovejoy is anywhere near a lock. And they didn't tender Shultz. There's the need.

hopefully its just a one year, one mill thing. that would be great. good for him

When you are considering retiring even when you are still a good hockey player, your financials are probably not your primary motivation to come back another year. They could be, but after watching his post cup interviews, it doesn't seem like it.
- jrmjames67

That's absolutely impossible to say, for all we know, he considered retiring but when he and his family sat down with his financial advisors they told him he didn't have enough to live on if he wanted his kids to get an education. The simple fact that his agent has already said he's not willing to play for 800k and wants a small bump suggests that $$$ absolutely plays a part in his decision making process.

I feel like Cullen took dupuis' role on the ice. Hard working, tons of energy, comes up big at times, and has become a fan favorite. Really hope he stays

Nope definitely doesnt make sense with a 3 young children at home. Doesnt make sense to make as much as he can for his family while he can..in what could be his final year playing pro hockey...
- MattStrat

There is like I said life after being a hockey player. This could be a stepping stone to a coach in the future with Pittsburgh Just like Gonch Bill G Recchi Etc They have found success and happiness in Pittsburgh That could be Cullen too

When you are considering retiring even when you are still a good hockey player, your financials are probably not your primary motivation to come back another year. They could be, but after watching his post cup interviews, it doesn't seem like it.
- jrmjames67

Right. Earning his last million is certainly not on his mind. Got it.

That's absolutely impossible to say, for all we know, he considered retiring but when he and his family sat down with his financial advisors they told him he didn't have enough to live on if he wanted his kids to get an education. The simple fact that his agent has already said he's not willing to play for 800k and wants a small bump suggests that $$$ absolutely plays a part in his decision making process.
- jaydogg1974

I don't think pay is necessarily only about financials. Some of it is ego. He made 3-4 for a over a decade. He doesn't seem like an idiot. so the difference between 800k and 1.2 should be financials.

Right. Earning his last million is certainly not on his mind. Got it.
- Blackstrom2

Yea that's all it's about, he'll go somewhere else for anything over another 200k IMO, and good on him for doing so. I would offer him a mil, after that, drive him to the airport.

The potential to keep his salary the same with some theoratically easy to hit bonuses is very real and something that should be explored. He certainly deserves a raise based off last years play

I don't think pay is necessarily only about financials. Some of it is ego. He made 3-4 for a over a decade. He doesn't seem like an idiot. so the difference between 800k and 1.2 should be financials.
- sditulli

Oh I'm sure ego has something to do with it as well, just pointing out that it isn't all just about coming back to try to win again, he wants to be paid as well.

That's absolutely impossible to say, for all we know, he considered retiring but when he and his family sat down with his financial advisors they told him he didn't have enough to live on if he wanted his kids to get an education. The simple fact that his agent has already said he's not willing to play for 800k and wants a small bump suggests that $$$ absolutely plays a part in his decision making process.
- jaydogg1974

maybe his family was like Jack Johnson's and he's actually broke AF

More proof that Crosby is a great teammate and person https://colorofhockey.com...ter-seeing-son-hoist-cup/

It doesn't make sense for him to want a lot more money. I would think his only reason for coming back after considering retirement is a chance for a repeat with Stanley. So he's likely to sign a team friendly contract to give them as much flexibility as possible with the remaining cap.
- jrmjames67

It makes sense, but I don't believe he is going to try and hold JR for ransom in his final hockey deal. Most likely, he will wait for our other moves, and if we have extra cap, he gets more. If its tight, he might have to take another minimum.

Cullen coming back on a raise makes me feel uneasy and I thought I wanted him to retire but it's impossible not to feel great about this. I love Matt Cullen.

Oh I'm sure ego has something to do with it as well, just pointing out that it isn't all just about coming back to try to win again, he wants to be paid as well.
- jaydogg1974

I am sure he wants to be paid, but at the end of the day is he going to push for an extra $500K if that prevents us from signing a good depth defenseman to push for another cup? Especially when he has made over $30 million in the NHL over his career? Its possible, but after hearing him talk about how his family loves Pittsburgh and that this season was the most fun he has had playing hockey in years, it certainly does not sound like money is the primary motivating factor for him playing another year. So it is not unreasonable to hope he signs a team friendly contract to help the team in its attempt to repeat.

He was a great player for us this year. I hope they can resign him. I am not very confident in Sundqvist carrying the same load that Cullen was able to carry this season.

It makes sense, but I don't believe he is going to try and hold JR for ransom in his final hockey deal. Most likely, he will wait for our other moves, and if we have extra cap, he gets more. If its tight, he might have to take another minimum.
- Guile

No one can get into Matt Cullen's mind, nor should they try, however I feel he is coming back to ONLY play for Pittsburgh. What many people don't realize is the tight bonds these guys form with each other. Being a Pens fan for over 30 years now, I can say this team to me seems like the most unified team I have seen.

If anyone watched the all access shows, you can just get a feel how tight these players are and how much they care for each other. I don't see Matt coming back for season 20 if he hasn't already talked with GMJR about a deal. There is a lot more dialogue going on then most people realize.

Does Matt desire more money, obviously money is a factor but I just don't get that feeling from Matt, he realizes the tight nit team he just played on won the cup, he realizes he was a valuable member of said team and he see the potential for another cup run. Let's be honest, not many teams could skate with the Pens down the second half of the season and in the playoffs and that team is for the most part being kept in tact. You have to be clueless if you don't think Matt sees a back to back opportunity. Matt loves the game of hockey and won't be clouded by dollar signs.

No one can get into Matt Cullen's mind, nor should they try, however I feel he is coming back to ONLY play for Pittsburgh. What many people don't realize is the tight bonds these guys form with each other. Being a Pens fan for over 30 years now, I can say this team to me seems like the most unified team I have seen.

If anyone watched the all access shows, you can just get a feel how tight these players are and how much they care for each other. I don't see Matt coming back for season 20 if he hasn't already talked with GMJR about a deal. There is a lot more dialogue going on then most people realize.

Does Matt desire more money, obviously money is a factor but I just don't get that feeling from Matt, he realizes the tight nit team he just played on won the cup, he realizes he was a valuable member of said team and he see the potential for another cup run. Let's be honest, not many teams could skate with the Pens down the second half of the season and in the playoffs and that team is for the most part being kept in tact. You have to be clueless if you don't think Matt sees a back to back opportunity. Matt loves the game of hockey and won't be clouded by dollar signs.
- Darklight11

good post

Just got off the phone with my best Pens fan friend. We are excited. First the news about Malkins elbow and now this good news as well. We are getting his boat out and heading for the river! Party!

No one can get into Matt Cullen's mind, nor should they try, however I feel he is coming back to ONLY play for Pittsburgh. What many people don't realize is the tight bonds these guys form with each other. Being a Pens fan for over 30 years now, I can say this team to me seems like the most unified team I have seen.

If anyone watched the all access shows, you can just get a feel how tight these players are and how much they care for each other. I don't see Matt coming back for season 20 if he hasn't already talked with GMJR about a deal. There is a lot more dialogue going on then most people realize.

Does Matt desire more money, obviously money is a factor but I just don't get that feeling from Matt, he realizes the tight nit team he just played on won the cup, he realizes he was a valuable member of said team and he see the potential for another cup run. Let's be honest, not many teams could skate with the Pens down the second half of the season and in the playoffs and that team is for the most part being kept in tact. You have to be clueless if you don't think Matt sees a back to back opportunity. Matt loves the game of hockey and won't be clouded by dollar signs.
- Darklight11

He's also already made over 30 millon over his career. I can't see money being the deciding factor in his decision.

More proof that Crosby is a great teammate and person https://colorofhockey.com...ter-seeing-son-hoist-cup/
- Dcoms

Thanks, a very touching story.

He could get 3 mill on the market with those numbers... hopefully leaving 2 mill on the table is worth staying with the Pens. I wouldn't fault him he maximized his value tho.

He could get 3 mill on the market with those numbers... hopefully leaving 2 mill on the table is worth staying with the Pens. I wouldn't fault him he maximized his value tho.
- brienstel

He already negected retirement once for "the only team/GM" he'd still play for, in JR. I don't think his open market value matters much.

Just offer him 1 mil, its a 200K raise and shouldn't break our cap. Its also a 25% raise, which sounds great a paper. He might just want to be told again, or just have in it his salary that he is still a good hockey player and important on the ice. Some people just need that little bit, who knows if its him.


edit: and before anyone asks... no, I actually do not believe Cullen is the type of person who needs his ego stroked via the contract. Nothing that we've seen or written about him suggests it, but its always a chance he just wants that little bit extra to feel important.

More proof that Crosby is a great teammate and person https://colorofhockey.com...ter-seeing-son-hoist-cup/
- Dcoms

Very touching.

This isn't a Sid thing, its a mother-son thing.