I heard kessel was a the worst locker room cancer to ever exist from the toronto media. so what? he came here and we had the best locker room we have ever had this year. everyone came together to form a great atmosphere but I guess kessel is still a cancer. I guess sequin is still a cancer in the room cuz media wannabe know it all that are only after views and popularity say he is. same case with taylor hall. edmonton sucked and their room sucked before taylor hall, with taylor hall and will suck after taylor hall. media in edmonton and toronto are the worse media in the world and you can't take their reports seriously cuz the only thing they want is views. (frank) media
- martox

So you source the most overblown media market in all of the NHL as the reason not to put any faith into anything that comes out of smaller markets. Taylor Hall was a captain of a team and was seen as difficult to deal with. So because I mentioned Vancouver, are they the worst too, because that's where a lot of it was actually put out?

I don't know how anyone can evaluate trades like this the minute they happen and actually think they can determine who won or lost the trade. Last I checked the ultimate goal of the league was to win the Cup and not to just have as much talent as possible, winning the Cup is more about having the right collection of players than it is just having a collection of the best players possible. Truth to told, I don't think Edmonton or Montreal did good in either of the trades but if the players they acquired lead to them winning the Cup the who won the trade was moot. If Montreal wins a Cup in the next 3 years and Weber is a big factor in them winning it then they won the trade hands down even though Subban is younger and more talented. Winning Cups is more important than winning individual trades and the sum of the parts is more crucial to winning the Cup than the individual parts are.

Carryover from last blog, I hate to keep beating the same drum but we were all talking about just keeping the team in tact.

The before mentioned Niemi + Nuke for Fleury deal I think keeps the team relatively intact, and addresses top 6 LW with huge upside. I think its worth taking on a turd like Niemi given hes just a backup and we still net some cap savings or at least stay even (pending Nukes next deal). I think it's worth the downgrade to Niemi as a backup because hes just a backup.

Nuke is reportedly unhappy with how hes being used in Dallas and they get their goalie.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Well you don't have to convince me at all. Like I keep saying, though, Lehtonen is the big prohibitor here.

I also don't think Niemi is a turd. He may even be almost worth his contract as a low-tier starting goalie. Its just not ideal to pay a back up that much money. Perhaps it would be easier for Dallas to find a taker for Niemi and deal Lehtonen to us with ~1.4 million retained.

So you source the most overblown media market in all of the NHL as the reason not to put any faith into anything that comes out of smaller markets. Taylor Hall was a captain of a team and was seen as difficult to deal with. So because I mentioned Vancouver, are they the worst too, because that's where a lot of it was actually put out?
- nelson911

I have no experience with vancouver media so can't talk for them. just know from general experience that canadian media talking about locker room cancers are usually bogus reports.

So exluding all those pieces that didn't really matter (Biggs, Erixon, etc). Is Toronto happy with trading Kessel for Kapanen, Anderson, Rychel, and a 2nd?
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Absolutely

Absolutely
- shack67

Lies

Since GMJR is not likely to sign Lovejoy, or Shultz...JR probably has Seidenberg on speed dial, since he knows him from his Canes days...would U be ok with him as a 5-6 D for the Pens for around 1M-2M for 2 years so we can expose him to the expansion draft?

Since GMJR is not likely to sign Lovejoy, or Shultz...JR probably has Seidenberg on speed dial, since he knows him from his Canes days...would U be ok with him as a 5-6 D for the Pens for around 1M-2M for 2 years so we can expose him to the expansion draft?
- rocheccw

I'm personally leaning more to Matt Greene... but either cheap i'll live with.


Scratch Greene, think I looked up someone else when I first double checked his stats

So exluding all those pieces that didn't really matter (Biggs, Erixon, etc). Is Toronto happy with trading Kessel for Kapanen, Anderson, Rychel, and a 2nd?
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Since Toronto gave Pittsburgh back their 2nd and gave a 2nd to Anaheim wouldn't the end result be Kessel + 2 2nds for Kapanen,Anderson, Rychel and a 2nd ?

Lies
- Guile

I like Kessel and happy for him. His team mates loved him in TO that's why he's bringing the cup to Toronto. His fit is a lot better in Pittsburgh than in TO where he was expected to carry the load every night.

Since GMJR is not likely to sign Lovejoy, or Shultz...JR probably has Seidenberg on speed dial, since he knows him from his Canes days...would U be ok with him as a 5-6 D for the Pens for around 1M-2M for 2 years so we can expose him to the expansion draft?
- rocheccw

If he can be had at around 1.5M, he would be a great fit. Would be best suited as an excellent bottom pairing guy, and could move up in a pinch when needed.

If he can be had at around 1.5M, he would be a great fit. Would be best suited as an excellent bottom pairing guy, and could move up in a pinch when needed.
- cap1681

Seidenberg still can play. He could be a cheaper replacement for the departure of Schultz for sure. Greene could replace Lovejoy for sure.

Some dude on The Hockey Writers predicts the Pens will sign Radim Vrbata. Discuss.

How about Matt Carle for our 3rd pairing?

Some dude on The Hockey Writers predicts the Pens will sign Radim Vrbata. Discuss.
- T-Train

His age scares me a bit but I guess he Can skate and put the puck In the net. Another Sykora type for Geno's line?

Trade kuni yet

Trade kuni yet
- nh4442

Some dude on The Hockey Writers predicts the Pens will sign Radim Vrbata. Discuss.
- T-Train

This dude clearly doesn't understand the Pens roster, roster needs and cap situation.

I'm personally leaning more to Matt Greene... but either cheap i'll live with.


Scratch Greene, think I looked up someone else when I first double checked his stats
- Guile

F Greene...he's going to be a Scuderi 2.0 sooner than later. Not a big fan of left handed 35 year old Seidenberg either but would prefer him over Greene.

If we have to go with a Lefty I'd love Hamhuis. He's hitting the market. He already snubbed the Pens once though and on top of that he will look for a greater pay then the Pens can afford I imagine.

F Greene...he's going to be a Scuderi 2.0 sooner than later. Not a big fan of left handed 35 year old Seidenberg either but would prefer him over Greene.

If we have to go with a Lefty I'd love Hamhuis. He's hitting the market. He already snubbed the Pens once though and on top of that he will look for a greater pay then the Pens can afford I imagine.
- MattStrat

Hey... I scratched it... realized I hit someone else's name when pulling stats.

This dude clearly doesn't understand the Pens roster, roster needs and cap situation.
- MattStrat

We hardly have enough $$$ to sign a 39 year old/4th line player, let alone a top-6 winger. The only sound you'll hear from the pens tomorrow is the sound of crickets.

Hey... I scratched it... realized I hit someone else's name when pulling stats.
- Guile

Oh I know. I was just adding to your thoughts about NOT getting him.

Would take Seidenberg on the cheap... Hamhuis will make some bank with some team and it ain't Pitt

Would take Seidenberg on the cheap... Hamhuis will make some bank with some team and it ain't Pitt
- nelson911

Yeah for sure...might see him in Edmonton.

JR needs to shred some salaries.

Pens could be a little bit better IMO