Vasi signing is great news on Murray. I think at this point Murray will costs a little bit more but not drastically.

Its also only a 3 year deal so a bit of a bridge deal. My guess on Murray

3 years at 4 per

Or if we go long-term like 6 years then its probably 5/season

Cole isn't coming out of the lineup and he shouldn't, he more than proved himself in the 2nd half of the season. If what you listed above is the roster either Pouliot or Shultz will be the player in the pressbox which makes little sense for the Pens or for Shultz/Pouliot.
- jaydogg1974

He had an ok playoffs but he's still an average dman and now he has to try and play on his off hand.

And Carolina will trade him for a 2nd at the deadline
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Not this time. They keep him to meet the vet. min. to not have to expose any of the young F core to the expansion draft.

This is the reason the Canes bought out wisneski, & will turn around and sign a vet. D for 2 years so they don't have to expose Faulk to the expansion draft.

GMRF is building a very good young core, & is going to do everything he can to keep them together.

Lucic makes as much per year as Backes ... with a longer term. Am I the only one who thinks Lucic got waaaaaaaaaaaay overpaid?

He has the potential to ruin a coach too. He is a high risk kid to me ... lots of talent, but lots of BS that comes with it.
- Oneonta Penguin

Yeah he bolted on NASH, came back and got drunk every night during the playoffs then goes back to the KHL..blows my mind MTL gave him $5.7.

He had a wide open roster spot last year too... DP should be fine this year but if he flounders with only Warsofsky behind him on the chart he's done.
- Victoro311

You think Warsofsky is the next best, I think Percy had a bum rap in TO, he could surprise you.

Lucic makes as much per year as Backes ... with a longer term. Am I the only one who thinks Lucic got waaaaaaaaaaaay overpaid?
- chimpira

That's what happens when the team is located in EDM.

I don't see Evander Kane getting traded soon.

His value is too low and his contract is reasonable. He's a headache, but he's a solid second tier wing at a reasonable rate.

Vasilevsky gets 3.5M per 3. That's about what I'd expect Murray to get if they want to do a deak now. Could be more costly if they wait.
- Tojo.

I'm sure the Pens would love to get a similar deal done now but the question is does Murray or his agent want to commit to that type of deal now when much more could be on the table if he establishes himself as the elite #1 this year. The Vasilevskey deal is about right for a young backup moving to a potential starters role either this season or next, if Murray waits he will be negotiating as an established starter at that point which is very different than the situation Vasilevskey just negotiated from.

So is this good or bad for Boedker to be one of the last good players left to sign?

Lucic makes as much per year as Backes ... with a longer term. Am I the only one who thinks Lucic got waaaaaaaaaaaay overpaid?
- chimpira

It's open market, it's not supposed to make sense. Lucic got what Hall was being paid only he will score 10-15 goals and miss 20 games with various things is my prediction. Edmonton will look different next year you can't argue that.

He had a wide open roster spot last year too... DP should be fine this year but if he flounders with only Warsofsky behind him on the chart he's done.
- Victoro311

This is something that the DP people keep forgetting. He had a golden opportunity to break camp in the top six and he blew it last year. This is his make or break season with Pittsburgh. With who is behind him, DP is essentially being gifted a top six spot.

You think Warsofsky is the next best, I think Percy had a bum rap in TO, he could surprise you.
- Dcoms

Damn I missed that one! I'm even happier now! Three capable call up d men. What's your take on Percy? Don't know anything about him

I don't see Evander Kane getting traded soon.

His value is too low and his contract is reasonable. He's a headache, but he's a solid second tier wing at a reasonable rate.
- sditulli

Sometimes headaches aren't worth it. Kane might be talented, and his contract might be reasonable, but all the bs you have to put up with him on the roster doesn't make it worth it.

Seems like Yzerman is trying to lock everyone up so he doesn't have to face another year of media speculations and distractions you know the crap we are going to have to put up with when Murray is a beast out of the gate and MAF plays backup minutes and the expansion draft looming its going to suck.

So is this good or bad for Boedker to be one of the last good players left to sign?
- sammy87

Could go either way. I've seen last UFAs picked either cash in or have to take less to make a team. Either mulling over his options or waiting by the phone. I think Boedker's physical skill set is going to seduce a team

Sometimes headaches aren't worth it. Kane might be talented, and his contract might be reasonable, but all the bs you have to put up with him on the roster doesn't make it worth it.
- Oneonta Penguin

Players like that can destroy a locker room.

Damn I missed that one! I'm even happier now! Three capable call up d men. What's your take on Percy? Don't know anything about him
- Victoro311

A failed first round pick of Toronto. Only made it into 12 NHL games there ... on a team with a lousy D normally. He is more like an AHL player if anything. We will see.,

Damn I missed that one! I'm even happier now! Three capable call up d men. What's your take on Percy? Don't know anything about him
- Victoro311

I think he was Toronto's best dman at the start of last year and they sent him back down to the Marlies after like 15 games, I have no idea why. He's a good PMD with a good hockey IQ and ok size 6'1". I think he will be a pleasant surprise and is only 23.

So is this good or bad for Boedker to be one of the last good players left to sign?
- sammy87

Well... lets look to last year, with Franson and Ehrhoff for an example

If the guy is a right handed shot they would actually be looking to beat out Cole playing on his off side, not necessarily Pouliot. But yes it is good that are finally going to build Pouliots confidence up by actually backing him this year.
- Dcoms

I mean they backed him last year as well and try to hand him a roster spot then as well and he blew it by being absolutely horrible in camp, can't really put that on the Pens. I also get your point about a RHD battling Cole since Cole is slotted to play on the right side but I think Cole is very secure with his spot so bringing in a RHD would just move Cole to the left side and bump Pouliot from the lineup, as we saw last year the coaching staff has no interest in a Shultz/Pouliot 3rd pairing and I doubt that opinion has changed so I stand by my opinion that we won't see them sign another NHL D at this point because they want to give Pouliot his chance to sink or swim and any signing they make would probably cost Pouliot his roster spot.

A failed first round pick of Toronto. Only made it into 12 NHL games there ... on a team with a lousy D normally. He is more like an AHL player if anything. We will see.,
- Oneonta Penguin

Man you are a miserable f$^k. And not right.

Speaking of Okposo, I think Buffalo is one Ennis for Shattenkirk deal away from being a legit force in the East.
- Victoro311

If Buffalo gets another good to decent Dman, watch out. I like what they are doing.

Man you are a miserable f$^k. And not right.
- Dcoms

I have said nothing inaccurate. Percy failed in Toronto ... only 12 games for the Loafs. So what did I say that was inaccurate? The fact he couldn't find himself in a lineup in Toronto is telling, especially with that blueline. I don't sugar coat things. I call a spade a spade.

I have said nothing inaccurate. Percy failed in Toronto ... only 12 games for the Loafs. So what did I say that was inaccurate? The fact he couldn't find himself in a lineup in Toronto is telling, especially with that blueline. I don't sugar coat things. I call a spade a spade.
- Oneonta Penguin

Yeah and so was Erixon, and where is he now? Oh wait.