Stating Sundqvist is not ready yet might very well be true but what are you basing that on? Bringing in Hudler is a mistake. He's already in decline and he's an old retread player, the exact thing we are trying to get away from. I understand signing Cullen and it's a feel good story but a big reason our season turned around last year was giving the young guys a shot. Their enthusiasm, drive, and attitude was infectious. Signing anyone else over 27 at this point is a step in the wrong direction. I honestly loved watching Rust, Sheary, Dumoulin, Murray and Kuhnhackle become real NHL players last season was thrilling and Inwant more of that.
From last blog regarding trading Murray and going with MAF. I personally am sick of MAF's gaffe's. We don't win the cup with him in net. We don't win game 6 against Washington and we definitely don't beat Tampa in game 7. Those were the 2 games that defined the last playoffs for this team. They were 2 of the most important games of the last 7 years. MAF crumbles in those games. I don't want to trade a very young future vezina winning goaltender to go with a 30 year old regular season goalie. I'd like to be competitive after Sid and Geno and Tanger are too old.

Last thing this is every teams worst player listed. The Penguins player is disappointing. I'd go with Kevin Porter but they think differently. http://www.thesportster.c...ry-current-nhl-roster/23/

What's up folks? Ive been away for a few weeks...my baby boy was born healthy (10 pounds!) exactly 2 weeks ago. Having my first baby around makes me appreciate RW still finding ways to pump out blogs with himself not only having a new born but also 2 other young children. Props to him for his work.

Really like the Cullen (re)signing. Don't really care if they get anyone else. I like what Fehr brings to the team, no other player brings what he does. He will also be much healthier this season (to start anyway) so I'm in no rush to show him the door. I think there are players in the system that can slot in the bottom 6 if there's injuries...and there will be injuries...and current bottoms 6's can slide up if need be.

If Vesey can be had I'm in the "why not, F it, give him a shot" boat.
- MattStrat

Congrats on the baby, literally as I was typing that statement someone said the exact same words on the tv show I'm watching. That means the kid is lucky! Way to go!

Stating Sundqvist is not ready yet might very well be true but what are you basing that on? Bringing in Hudler is a mistake. He's already in decline and he's an old retread player, the exact thing we are trying to get away from. I understand signing Cullen and it's a feel good story but a big reason our season turned around last year was giving the young guys a shot. Their enthusiasm, drive, and attitude was infectious. Signing anyone else over 27 at this point is a step in the wrong direction. I honestly loved watching Rust, Sheary, Dumoulin, Murray and Kuhnhackle become real NHL players last season was thrilling and Inwant more of that.
From last blog regarding trading Murray and going with MAF. I personally am sick of MAF's gaffe's. We don't win the cup with him in net. We don't win game 6 against Washington and we definitely don't beat Tampa in game 7. Those were the 2 games that defined the last playoffs for this team. They were 2 of the most important games of the last 7 years. MAF crumbles in those games. I don't want to trade a very young future vezina winning goaltender to go with a 30 year old regular season goalie. I'd like to be competitive after Sid and Geno and Tanger are too old.

Last thing this is every teams worst player listed. The Penguins player is disappointing. I'd go with Kevin Porter but they think differently. http://www.thesportster.c...ry-current-nhl-roster/23/
- Dcoms

Based on the fact that he isn't even dominating the AHL, he is not ready for the show. He wasn't even the best player on his team last year. That is not NHL ready in my mind. 17 points in the ahl? Yuck.

Burying Matt Cullen with defensive zone starts is honestly one of the best things he does. For the first time since Staal left, Sid didn't have to take all those draws. Cullen taking those tough assignments and holding his own frees up the other 3 lines to get more favorable match ups. So I hope they keep burying him.

Amazing nobody snagged Botterhill. The Pens managed to bring back Cullen and Schultz and still have enough room to add Vesey if he chooses to come here. Brilliant use of all available cap space.
- Tojo.

I often wonder about comments like this and the amount of credit Botterill gets from the fan base. Do any of use really have any clue what Botterill actually does and how much impact he actually has on the signings and roster construction? It's well documented that he's the cap guru and is 1 of the best in the league at that aspect but does he really have any impact on what players are signed and how much those players are offered?

It seems logical to me that if he's "the cap guy" then he advises GMJR on how much money can be spent but at the end of the day GMJR is the person responsible for deciding how to spend the available funds and because he's the person who technically signs the players, GMJR makes the final decisions on who gets offered contracts and how much they get offered. Giving Botterill the credit for them being able to bring back Shultz and Cullen while still having room to sign Vesey seems misplaced when GMJR is actually the person making the final calls on all 3 of those contracts. Botterill sets the budget then GMJR finds a way to sign the players he wants within that budget. Seems logical that GMJR should get the majority of the credit for the roster construction not Botterill.

Stating Sundqvist is not ready yet might very well be true but what are you basing that on? Bringing in Hudler is a mistake. He's already in decline and he's an old retread player, the exact thing we are trying to get away from. I understand signing Cullen and it's a feel good story but a big reason our season turned around last year was giving the young guys a shot. Their enthusiasm, drive, and attitude was infectious. Signing anyone else over 27 at this point is a step in the wrong direction. I honestly loved watching Rust, Sheary, Dumoulin, Murray and Kuhnhackle become real NHL players last season was thrilling and Inwant more of that.
From last blog regarding trading Murray and going with MAF. I personally am sick of MAF's gaffe's. We don't win the cup with him in net. We don't win game 6 against Washington and we definitely don't beat Tampa in game 7. Those were the 2 games that defined the last playoffs for this team. They were 2 of the most important games of the last 7 years. MAF crumbles in those games. I don't want to trade a very young future vezina winning goaltender to go with a 30 year old regular season goalie. I'd like to be competitive after Sid and Geno and Tanger are too old.

Last thing this is every teams worst player listed. The Penguins player is disappointing. I'd go with Kevin Porter but they think differently. http://www.thesportster.c...ry-current-nhl-roster/23/
- Dcoms

That's retarded. Age is just a number. Hudler is a good hockey player, just put up 46 points last season, and is a solid 2-way player. Would look good along Geno's wing. Don't sign him to a 5 year deal, but a 1 year deal comes with no risk and comes off the books next year. Rather have 40 points from Huds than 25 points from Rust, if Rust could even hit 25.

Don't think sundqvist is ready for the show just yet.
- j.boyd919

Ready enough to be a call up. Defensively he is very sound.

Ready enough to be a call up. Defensively he is very sound.
- Tojo.

Or he's a call up because they don't really have any other options.

Stating Sundqvist is not ready yet might very well be true but what are you basing that on? Bringing in Hudler is a mistake. He's already in decline and he's an old retread player, the exact thing we are trying to get away from. I understand signing Cullen and it's a feel good story but a big reason our season turned around last year was giving the young guys a shot. Their enthusiasm, drive, and attitude was infectious. Signing anyone else over 27 at this point is a step in the wrong direction. I honestly loved watching Rust, Sheary, Dumoulin, Murray and Kuhnhackle become real NHL players last season was thrilling and Inwant more of that.
From last blog regarding trading Murray and going with MAF. I personally am sick of MAF's gaffe's. We don't win the cup with him in net. We don't win game 6 against Washington and we definitely don't beat Tampa in game 7. Those were the 2 games that defined the last playoffs for this team. They were 2 of the most important games of the last 7 years. MAF crumbles in those games. I don't want to trade a very young future vezina winning goaltender to go with a 30 year old regular season goalie. I'd like to be competitive after Sid and Geno and Tanger are too old.

Last thing this is every teams worst player listed. The Penguins player is disappointing. I'd go with Kevin Porter but they think differently. http://www.thesportster.c...ry-current-nhl-roster/23/
- Dcoms

What are you basing that on? There's far more tangible evidence that Sundqvist isn't ready to be a full-time NHL player than there is that the Pens wouldn't have won if Fleury was in net. Murray had more than his far share of gaffes in the playoffs, the Pens winning the Cup was more about them being a dominant team than it was goaltending so there really no way to quantify a difference between Murray & Fleury to suggest that either would have greatly affected the overall outcome of the playoffs.

Or he's a call up because they don't really have any other options.
- j.boyd919

I liked what I saw from him defensively when called upon but I wouldn't really be comfortable with him having a full time gig this season. Who knows how he will develop though. Could be markedly better to start the season, the same...or worse. We shall see soon enough.

What are you basing that on? There's far more tangible evidence that Sundqvist isn't ready to be a full-time NHL player than there is that the Pens wouldn't have won if Fleury was in net. Murray had more than his far share of gaffes in the playoffs, the Pens winning the Cup was more about them being a dominant team than it was goaltending so there really no way to quantify a difference between Murray & Fleury to suggest that either would have greatly affected the overall outcome of the playoffs.
- jaydogg1974

Totally agree

Congrats on the baby, literally as I was typing that statement someone said the exact same words on the tv show I'm watching. That means the kid is lucky! Way to go!
- Dcoms

Thanks!

That's retarded. Age is just a number. Hudler is a good hockey player, just put up 46 points last season, and is a solid 2-way player. Would look good along Geno's wing. Don't sign him to a 5 year deal, but a 1 year deal comes with no risk and comes off the books next year. Rather have 40 points from Huds than 25 points from Rust, if Rust could even hit 25.
- j.boyd919

Agree with almost everything you said, the only part I disagree with is the last part and my disagree is on the potential of Rust or Wilson. There's no doubt that I would rather have 40 from Hudler than 25 from Rust but I think Rust or Wilson have the potential to push close to the 35-40pt range in a full-time role on the 2nd line so I don't see Hudler as a huge upgrade over what they currently have, I have no problem with them signing Hudler to add additional depth and security but I don't see it as a need at this point, I'm content with giving Rust/Wilson that shot and if they don't cut it look to make an in-season upgrade.

What's up folks? Ive been away for a few weeks...my baby boy was born healthy (10 pounds!) exactly 2 weeks ago. Having my first baby around makes me appreciate RW still finding ways to pump out blogs with himself not only having a new born but also 2 other young children. Props to him for his work.

Really like the Cullen (re)signing. Don't really care if they get anyone else. I like what Fehr brings to the team, no other player brings what he does. He will also be much healthier this season (to start anyway) so I'm in no rush to show him the door. I think there are players in the system that can slot in the bottom 6 if there's injuries...and there will be injuries...and current bottoms 6's can slide up if need be.

If Vesey can be had I'm in the "why not, F it, give him a shot" boat.
- MattStrat

Congrats on your arrival of a new Penguins fan!

Agree with almost everything you said, the only part I disagree with is the last part and my disagree is on the potential of Rust or Wilson. There's no doubt that I would rather have 40 from Hudler than 25 from Rust but I think Rust or Wilson have the potential to push close to the 35-40pt range in a full-time role on the 2nd line so I don't see Hudler as a huge upgrade over what they currently have, I have no problem with them signing Hudler to add additional depth and security but I don't see it as a need at this point, I'm content with giving Rust/Wilson that shot and if they don't cut it look to make an in-season upgrade.
- jaydogg1974

I think Wilson has the potential for 35-40. I dunno about Rust though. 11 points in 41 games, 9 points in 23 playoff games, I think he could hit 30-40... but I'd rather have Rust on the 4th line and Huds on the 2nd. I think the potential is there, but I think Hudler on Geno's wing would be solid and having a 4th line of Wilson/Sheary-Cullen-Rust would be a pretty fast 4th line.

What are you basing that on? There's far more tangible evidence that Sundqvist isn't ready to be a full-time NHL player than there is that the Pens wouldn't have won if Fleury was in net. Murray had more than his far share of gaffes in the playoffs, the Pens winning the Cup was more about them being a dominant team than it was goaltending so there really no way to quantify a difference between Murray & Fleury to suggest that either would have greatly affected the overall outcome of the playoffs.
- jaydogg1974

Sunqvist will get his shot this season eventually... Especially with the amount of injuries that happen in an nhl season l. Would not be shocked if he played 25 - 30 games or more...

Congrats on your arrival of a new Penguins fan!
- acdc1206

Thanks!...he has no choice in the matter.

What's up folks? Ive been away for a few weeks...my baby boy was born healthy (10 pounds!) exactly 2 weeks ago. Having my first baby around makes me appreciate RW still finding ways to pump out blogs with himself not only having a new born but also 2 other young children. Props to him for his work.

Really like the Cullen (re)signing. Don't really care if they get anyone else. I like what Fehr brings to the team, no other player brings what he does. He will also be much healthier this season (to start anyway) so I'm in no rush to show him the door. I think there are players in the system that can slot in the bottom 6 if there's injuries...and there will be injuries...and current bottoms 6's can slide up if need be.

If Vesey can be had I'm in the "why not, F it, give him a shot" boat.
- MattStrat

Congrats Matt! It's a whole new world when you become a father for the first time. Treasure ever minute because it goes by faster than you think.

Based on the fact that he isn't even dominating the AHL, he is not ready for the show. He wasn't even the best player on his team last year. That is not NHL ready in my mind. 17 points in the ahl? Yuck.
- j.boyd919

he has never been a point guy.

Congrats Matt! It's a whole new world when you become a father for the first time. Treasure ever minute because it goes by faster than you think.
- jaydogg1974

Thanks man!...everyone tells me the same thing. These past 2 weeks have felt like 5 minutes....and yeah, its a whole new world indeed.

he has never been a point guy.
- martox

Yea, I understand that, but given that chart, he doesn't really excel at anything in AHL. Not points, not generating shots, not preventing shots.

Sunqvist will get his shot this season eventually... Especially with the amount of injuries that happen in an nhl season l. Would not be shocked if he played 25 - 30 games or more...
- Brianandr1

I don't think anyone doubts that, I think the question is whether he's ready to start the season as a full-time player and it's been well reported that many inside the organization including Guerin & GMJR feel he needs at least another half season in the AHL before becoming a full-time NHL player.

I'd like him more than Sundqvist at this point, but I am comfortable with Sundqvist enough to move him. It's not a big deal to me either way right now. Unless they donsign Vesey. Then I'd rather move Fehr then deal with all the bonus overages.
- Tojo.

Sundqvist is not an NHL caliber player yet and may never be.

Thanks man!...everyone tells me the same thing. These past 2 weeks have felt like 5 minutes....and yeah, its a whole new world indeed.
- MattStrat

My youngest is entering his senior year in high school and it seems like just yesterday we were bringing him home from the hospital.

he has never been a point guy.
- martox

Then what's the point of having him? If you are an NHL player you would be expected to make a big enough impact on the game that even a non-scorer would put up respectable numbers at the AHL level.

Thanks!...he has no choice in the matter.
- MattStrat

My wifes side of the family are all Flyers fans so my 5 yr old son has always been 50-50 flyers/pens. This season I finally turned him into a full fledged Pens fan until the finals. His favorite animals are sharks so as soon as he saw their logos he told me he thinks he's going to like the Sharks now.


congrats