fletch obviously isn't done, we signed a 3rd and 4th liner which are better than guys we had last year.. nobody thinks this replaces vanek, unless your mnhockeyguy than you think staal is being brought in to be a first liner we still have to move D that is where we wil get the scorer.. i hope its hoffman..
- gopherwildfan

I wouldn't mind Hoffman either

Completely agree with tweater, decent moves. Sure it would have been great to get Stepan or RNH, but who knows what the cost would have been.
Fletch still needs to address #1C by next season at the latest, but I'm curious to see what the same group can do under BB, plus the recent additions.
- SotaPopinski

You would agree with Antilles if it meant disagreeing with me you Scallywag!

Completely agree with tweater, decent moves. Sure it would have been great to get Stepan or RNH, but who knows what the cost would have been.
Fletch still needs to address #1C by next season at the latest, but I'm curious to see what the same group can do under BB, plus the recent additions.
- SotaPopinski

This right here.....all bets are off until we see what BB does to the team make up. I definitely see a trade involving D from the Chucky as well.

You would agree with Antilles if it meant disagreeing with me you Scallywag!
- MnGump

Yep, your mad. Whooo saaaahhh, Whooooooo saaaaaaaaahhhh

Really? Colborne, Wiercioch, Tyutin. What am I missing?
- Chinaski

So basically its the same hodge podge at center that they've been dealing with for years. The only reason it makes sense to sign Staal in the first place is to play him at center. And didn't Russo merely tweet that he wouldn't be surprised if the Wild brought back Cullen because they resigned Stewart? I took it to be a joke more than a serious statement...
- mnhockeyguy

I think it makes sense to play Staal at center and hope that he has chemistry with some of our forwards such that they make up a pretty decent, consistent scoring line. But I don't think there's any guarantee that Eric Staal is the player he once was. If he doesn't work out at center, he may still be able to provide some scoring punch from the wing. Hopefully, he's not useless at either spot.

I think at worst today, they've just improved their forward depth and versatility. I can't tell if they'll have the chemistry that will produce effective lines, but if some guys don't work out in the targeted positions at least they have options to try other things.

I didn't take Russo's tweet on Cullen as a joke. I actually thought I saw it before the Stewart signing came out. I could see the Wild being interested. Cullen is a very versatile forward, can still skate, play in any situation, and can play higher up in the lineup if necessary. On a low salary deal, he'd be good insurance. And I think the Wild is a team he'd consider signing with if the Pens can't do it. I don't see him playing for anyone.

You would agree with Antilles if it meant disagreeing with me you Scallywag!
- MnGump

We share a mutual disdain for Yeo at the end, that's gotta count for something, right?
Sounds like a Cullen signing is a strong possibility. Watching his play last year and in the playoffs had me so pissed off that Fletcher did not bring him back. But I'm not sure why they would bring in both Staal and Cullen, unless they plan on playing one of them on the wing??

Granny-Koivu-Coyle
Parise-Staal-Zucker
Nino-Haula-Pommer
Stewie-Graovac-Cullen

I could live with that

Sounds like a Cullen signing is a strong possibility. Watching his play last year and in the playoffs had me so pissed off that Fletcher did not bring him back. But I'm not sure why they would bring in both Staal and Cullen, unless they plan on playing one of them on the wing??
- SotaPopinski

I could see Cullen be the 13th forward as well if he's OK with that role and the salary is in line with the role.

Completely agree with tweater, decent moves. Sure it would have been great to get Stepan or RNH, but who knows what the cost would have been.
Fletch still needs to address #1C by next season at the latest, but I'm curious to see what the same group can do under BB, plus the recent additions.
- SotaPopinski

he doesn't want to lose a top 4 Dman or dumba to expansion for nothing.. someone is being traded at some point.. i just hope it gets done this summer and not at the deadline for a rental

he doesn't want to lose a top 4 Dman or dumba to expansion for nothing.. someone is being traded at some point.. i just hope it gets done this summer and not at the deadline for a rental
- gopherwildfan

I just don't see Dumba being the one that gets moved. If this team wasn't in cap hell, then maybe but Fletch is going to have to move more salary unless it is a Dumba + Granny/Nino/Coyle... and moving one of the last 2 would be a huge mistake, imo.

does anyone esle think tuch has a good shot at making the team?? he is 6'4 220 i'd say he definitely is ready size wise and great hands.. i wouldn't mind seeing him get at least his 9 games to see how ready he is

I think it makes sense to play Staal at center and hope that he has chemistry with some of our forwards such that they make up a pretty decent, consistent scoring line. But I don't think there's any guarantee that Eric Staal is the player he once was. If he doesn't work out at center, he may still be able to provide some scoring punch from the wing. Hopefully, he's not useless at either spot.

I think at worst today, they've just improved their forward depth and versatility. I can't tell if they'll have the chemistry that will produce effective lines, but if some guys don't work out in the targeted positions at least they have options to try other things.

I didn't take Russo's tweet on Cullen as a joke. I actually thought I saw it before the Stewart signing came out. I could see the Wild being interested. Cullen is a very versatile forward, can still skate, play in any situation, and can play higher up in the lineup if necessary. On a low salary deal, he'd be good insurance. And I think the Wild is a team he'd consider signing with if the Pens can't do it. I don't see him playing for anyone.
- Chinaski

That's what Im saying though. Staal was terrible on the wing for the Rags. The only reason to sign him is to play him at center. But if you switch him to wing, then why even let Vanek go? He outscored Staal and Stewart combined last season while being hurt. Staal only makes sense here if he plays center and even then it's an iffy signing. Stewart doesn't make much sense at all.

I could see Cullen be the 13th forward as well if he's OK with that role and the salary is in line with the role.
- Chinaski

I'd be more than okay with that

Granny-Koivu-Coyle
Parise-Staal-Zucker
Nino-Haula-Pommer
Stewie-Graovac-Cullen

- SotaPopinski

I can see Stewart on the 4th line but I'm wondering if they're looking at Stewart to play wing with Granlund for a little protection.

Granlund-Koivu-Stewart
Parise-Staal-Coyle
Niederreiter-Haula-Pominville
Zucker-Graovac-?

does anyone esle think tuch has a good shot at making the team?? he is 6'4 220 i'd say he definitely is ready size wise and great hands.. i wouldn't mind seeing him get at least his 9 games to see how ready he is
- gopherwildfan

No chance at making the team initially. They need to be more careful with their prospects and let them dominate or at the very least succeed in Iowa before handing them a roster spot.
If this team was not in "win now" mode then I think the FO would be more willing to give guys like him an opportunity, but not now.

I can see Stewart on the 4th line but I'm wondering if they're looking at Stewart to play wing with Granlund for a little protection.

Granlund-Koivu-Stewart
Parise-Staal-Coyle
Niederreiter-Haula-Pominville
Zucker-Graovac-?
- Chinaski

That would be one slow top line...

I can see Stewart on the 4th line but I'm wondering if they're looking at Stewart to play wing with Granlund for a little protection.

Granlund-Koivu-Stewart
Parise-Staal-Coyle
Niederreiter-Haula-Pominville
Zucker-Graovac-?
- Chinaski

Possibly, but I don't know that Granlund needs much protection on the wing. I would rather hold off on putting Stewart on 1st line, until Granny was in fact being targeted.
He's a tough little bugger for being so small, I'll give him that.

I'm starting to wonder if getting RNH is still a real possibility. Getting rid of Hall leaves the Oil a little weak on LW. I wonder if a Granlund or Zucker plus Brodin would make that possible. Let's just say Granlund...and Cullen does sign.

Parise-RNH-Coyle
Zucker-Haula-El Nino
Staal-Koivu-Pominville
Cullen-Gabriel-Graovac-Stewart (a mix of 3 of course)

Suter-Dumba
Scandella-Spurgeon
Reilly-Folin

Oh, I forgot Lucic signed in Edm....ummm, well.....they still have a glut of centers, and the Wild still need one. So just get this done.

I'm starting to wonder if getting RNH is still a real possibility. Getting rid of Hall leaves the Oil a little weak on LW. I wonder if a Granlund or Zucker plus Brodin would make that possible. Let's just say Granlund...and Cullen does sign.

Parise-RNH-Coyle
Zucker-Haula-El Nino
Staal-Koivu-Pominville
Cullen-Gabriel-Graovac-Stewart (a mix of 3 of course)

Suter-Dumba
Scandella-Spurgeon
Reilly-Folin

Oh, I forgot Lucic signed in Edm....ummm, well.....they still have a glut of centers, and the Wild still need one. So just get this done.
- Gusrichards

I still hope they do. I wonder if they would want Haula and maybe Dumba back though, which I would still be happy with.

I just don't see Dumba being the one that gets moved. If this team wasn't in cap hell, then maybe but Fletch is going to have to move more salary unless it is a Dumba + Granny/Nino/Coyle... and moving one of the last 2 would be a huge mistake, imo.
- SotaPopinski

don't you find it odd that dumba hasn't been resigned yet?? he's definitely getting shopped..

Or if it was Zucker/Brodin moved for RNH...

Parise-RNH-Coyle
El Nino-Haula-Pominville
Granlund-Koivu-Stewart
Cullen-Staal-Graovac-Gabriel

Or if it was Zucker/Brodin moved for RNH...

Parise-RNH-Coyle
El Nino-Haula-Pominville
Granlund-Koivu-Stewart
Cullen-Staal-Graovac-Gabriel
- Gusrichards

I think they want a right handed d that can play on the pp from what I've read... and it sounds like they've asked for Dumba in a trade already but wanted more.

don't you find it odd that dumba hasn't been resigned yet?? he's definitely getting shopped..
- gopherwildfan

I don't think it's odd that he hasn't been re-signed yet, but I do believe Fletch is willing to trade him.

don't you find it odd that dumba hasn't been resigned yet?? he's definitely getting shopped..
- gopherwildfan

I think they are likely just waiting to see what their cap situation is after they're done in free agency to see what's left and what kind of deal they can give him.

I think they want a right handed d that can play on the pp from what I've read... and it sounds like they've asked for Dumba in a trade already but wanted more.
- mnhockeyguy

They have already gotten that (they think) in Larsson.