Wilson's biggest obstacle is his waiver exempt status, much like Guentzel he deserves a look with the big boys like Crosby & Malkin but ultimately that look isn't worth potentially losing a waiver eligible player like Sheary, Rust or Kuhnkackl or having to trade a player like Fehr to make room for him on the roster. At this point he would have to really impress the remainder of the preseason for me to consider risking losing a depth player to give Wilson a shot.

If you assume Sid, Geno, Bonino, Cullen, Kessel, Hornqvist, Hagelin, Kunitz and Fehr (13F) are all guaranteed roster spots that leaves Sheary, Rust, Kuhnkackl, Wilson, Guentzel and Porter battling for the 4 remaining roster spots. It's really going to come down to what they do with Fehr on how Wilson fits in, if they're comfortable committing to Fehr being the 13th forward then Wilson is a no Brainer but if they want Fehr in the everyday lineup then I think Wilson misses out due to the numbers game, if Fehr is dressing then it makes more sense to have Porter in the press box every night while Wilson plays big minutes in WBS than to have Wilson/Rust/Kuhnkackl/Sheary just wasting away in the press box.
- jaydogg1974

We should be looking to move Fehr, he can play middle six on most teams in the league, he seems like an Anaheim player to me, Cogliano seems like a Pens player...

I know it's only preseaon yet we have not allowed a goal in 3 games. Me like.

We should be looking to move Fehr, he can play middle six on most teams in the league, he seems like an Anaheim player to me, Cogliano seems like a Pens player...
- stackthepads

I've read they really like Fehr. Not only for his versatility on the ice, but they love him in the locker room. I see no reason to screw with the chemistry of this team. Injuries will happen and there will be plenty of opportunities to get some young guys in the lineup.

People alway fret about good players having to go down to WB, but rarely is a team fully healthy. If Wilson goes down to WB, I'd bet he's back up within 2 weeks.

Yohe has a tremendous article up on DK's site. It's nice to have several legit prospects waiting the wings.

I've read they really like Fehr. Not only for his versatility on the ice, but they love him in the locker room. I see no reason to screw with the chemistry of this team. Injuries will happen and there will be plenty of opportunities to get some young guys in the lineup.
- madmike71

Sigh ... Fehr continues to be under appreciated. There is no reason to deal him. #1. He will have greater impact this year than last since he isn't coming in following surgery. 2. He is one of the more versatile players on our roster. People will continue the beat to deal him when its really dumb to think that way. Yes, knowing the history of this organization, we will have our fair share of injuries which will get the younger guys some run.

Sigh ... Fehr continues to be under appreciated. There is no reason to deal him. #1. He will have greater impact this year than last since he isn't coming in following surgery. 2. He is one of the more versatile players on our roster. People will continue the beat to deal him when its really dumb to think that way. Yes, knowing the history of this organization, we will have our fair share of injuries which will get the younger guys some run.
- Oneonta Penguin

Agree. Thankfully it seems the team doesn't have the same desire to move him as the fans do.

Agree. Thankfully it seems the team doesn't have the same desire to move him as the fans do.
- madmike71

indeed

Agree. Thankfully it seems the team doesn't have the same desire to move him as the fans do.
- madmike71

They are too busy trying to clear cap space without truly thinking of the fact he came in injured last year and didn't have a training camp. Short memories.

They are too busy trying to clear cap space without truly thinking of the fact he came in injured last year and didn't have a training camp. Short memories.
- Oneonta Penguin

You keep bringing this up, missing training camp isn't a year altering issue. He had elbow surgery, he would have been able to train his legs and maintain or even increase his conditioning. The only thing missing camp did was increase the time it took for him to get up to speed. Fehr was playing as good as he is going to play by January last year, training camp is not going to make Fehr any better than he was at the end of last year.

I dont hate Fehr on the team, I like his versatility, he is big and tough along the boards, tremendous reach, solid IQ. Him being on the team is not a negative. But he is a 4th line player on this team and doesn't fit anywhere else in the line up without there being catastrophic injuries.
An injury to a centre moves he or Cullen up the 3C, He likely isnt in line to replace a winger....that's not that significant.

We dont really need the cap space so it doesn't matter I guess.

Wilson's biggest obstacle is his waiver exempt status, much like Guentzel he deserves a look with the big boys like Crosby & Malkin but ultimately that look isn't worth potentially losing a waiver eligible player like Sheary, Rust or Kuhnkackl or having to trade a player like Fehr to make room for him on the roster. At this point he would have to really impress the remainder of the preseason for me to consider risking losing a depth player to give Wilson a shot.

If you assume Sid, Geno, Bonino, Cullen, Kessel, Hornqvist, Hagelin, Kunitz and Fehr (13F) are all guaranteed roster spots that leaves Sheary, Rust, Kuhnkackl, Wilson, Guentzel and Porter battling for the 4 remaining roster spots. It's really going to come down to what they do with Fehr on how Wilson fits in, if they're comfortable committing to Fehr being the 13th forward then Wilson is a no Brainer but if they want Fehr in the everyday lineup then I think Wilson misses out due to the numbers game, if Fehr is dressing then it makes more sense to have Porter in the press box every night while Wilson plays big minutes in WBS than to have Wilson/Rust/Kuhnkackl/Sheary just wasting away in the press box.
- jaydogg1974

I agree they should not be waiving a guy like Sheary or Kuhnhackl just to try out Wilson or Guentzel. But there are only 12 forwards that fit that description and they will likely carry 13. I would not waive Kuhnhackl or Sheary, that would be idiotic, but if Wilson or Guentzel looks like they would be better suited for their spot, I wouldn't hesitate to play them and scratch one of those other forwards. But it is one or the other because unless they want to carry 14F they can't play both.

Sigh ... Fehr continues to be under appreciated. There is no reason to deal him. #1. He will have greater impact this year than last since he isn't coming in following surgery. 2. He is one of the more versatile players on our roster. People will continue the beat to deal him when its really dumb to think that way. Yes, knowing the history of this organization, we will have our fair share of injuries which will get the younger guys some run.
- Oneonta Penguin

Thats where I feel people miss the point. The possibility of injuries is why they may need more cap space. They only have enough space to recall one player. If they get hit with several short term injuries, particularly at the same position, they'd be forced to either play short a man or put someone on LTIR that may only need to miss a few games.

Example, Letang, Maatta and Daley are all week to week. Wilson stuck with rhe team but is now waiver eligibke (it won't take many games). You can only recall one defenseman or place one of them on LTIR and possibly have a top 4 defenseman miss an extra 2 weeks because you lacked the cap space to recall a 2nd defenseman.

You keep bringing this up, missing training camp isn't a year altering issue. He had elbow surgery, he would have been able to train his legs and maintain or even increase his conditioning. The only thing missing camp did was increase the time it took for him to get up to speed. Fehr was playing as good as he is going to play by January last year, training camp is not going to make Fehr any better than he was at the end of last year.

I dont hate Fehr on the team, I like his versatility, he is big and tough along the boards, tremendous reach, solid IQ. Him being on the team is not a negative. But he is a 4th line player on this team and doesn't fit anywhere else in the line up without there being catastrophic injuries.
An injury to a centre moves he or Cullen up the 3C, He likely isnt in line to replace a winger....that's not that significant.

We dont really need the cap space so it doesn't matter I guess.
- stackthepads

Wasn't Fehr's arm injury one of those kind that you can't even skate because the slightest aggravation to the elbow causes a set back? I know that was the case with Maatta's shoulder injury.

Anyways, I'd only consider dealing Fehr if Kuhnhackl and Sundqvist have such strong camps that the two of them combined can replace what Fehr does seamlessly. Fehr fills a role here and until that role is replaced I don't want to deal him. Plus pragmatically, keeping Fehr and Cole on the roster until expansion is a good idea. If we're gonna cut a deal with Vegas to not take one of our exposed guys, those two are first on the list of guys we should convince Vegas to take.

Wasn't Fehr's arm injury one of those kind that you can't even skate because the slightest aggravation to the elbow causes a set back? I know that was the case with Maatta's shoulder injury.

Anyways, I'd only consider dealing Fehr if Kuhnhackl and Sundqvist have such strong camps that the two of them combined can replace what Fehr does seamlessly. Fehr fills a role here and until that role is replaced I don't want to deal him. Plus pragmatically, keeping Fehr and Cole on the roster until expansion is a good idea. If we're gonna cut a deal with Vegas to not take one of our exposed guys, those two are first on the list of guys we should convince Vegas to take.
- Victoro311

I agree they should not be waiving a guy like Sheary or Kuhnhackl just to try out Wilson or Guentzel. But there are only 12 forwards that fit that description and they will likely carry 13. I would not waive Kuhnhackl or Sheary, that would be idiotic, but if Wilson or Guentzel looks like they would be better suited for their spot, I wouldn't hesitate to play them and scratch one of those other forwards. But it is one or the other because unless they want to carry 14F they can't play both.
- Tojo.

I don't have a huge issue if they went this direction I'm just not a big fan of scratching young players who are still developing when there's an option to keep them playing and developing, ideally I prefer a player like Porter being the 13th forward because long periods of inactivity aren't going to stune his growthe as a player. If Wilson or Guentzel absolutely kill it the remainder of the preseason when the games are closer to regular season lineup the I would be fine with Wilson or Guentzel starting in the lineup and 1 of the other young guys in the press box but ultimately the regular season is a war of attrition, the eventual champion is going to be the team that has the best possible lineup for game 1 it's the team that has the best lineup by game 82 and the playoffs. Some times the best route isn't trying to be the best possible team for game 1 but to position yourself to survive the grind and be the best team at the end.

I don't have a huge issue if they went this direction I'm just not a big fan of scratching young players who are still developing when there's an option to keep them playing and developing, ideally I prefer a player like Porter being the 13th forward because long periods of inactivity aren't going to stune his growthe as a player. If Wilson or Guentzel absolutely kill it the remainder of the preseason when the games are closer to regular season lineup the I would be fine with Wilson or Guentzel starting in the lineup and 1 of the other young guys in the press box but ultimately the regular season is a war of attrition, the eventual champion is going to be the team that has the best possible lineup for game 1 it's the team that has the best lineup by game 82 and the playoffs. Some times the best route isn't trying to be the best possible team for game 1 but to position yourself to survive the grind and be the best team at the end.
- jaydogg1974

Wouldn't the younger guys get more experience they will need by training with the NHL team? I understand the playing part, but training every day with the talent on the roster these guys will pick their games up in my opinion more than just playing in the A. That said, if the Pens are running well & the young guts aren't getting any games eventually they should be back playing to have game fitness.

Thats where I feel people miss the point. The possibility of injuries is why they may need more cap space. They only have enough space to recall one player. If they get hit with several short term injuries, particularly at the same position, they'd be forced to either play short a man or put someone on LTIR that may only need to miss a few games.

Example, Letang, Maatta and Daley are all week to week. Wilson stuck with rhe team but is now waiver eligibke (it won't take many games). You can only recall one defenseman or place one of them on LTIR and possibly have a top 4 defenseman miss an extra 2 weeks because you lacked the cap space to recall a 2nd defenseman.
- Tojo.

Fehr to me is too valuable to be worrying about the possibility of multiple unjuries hitting & creating the perfect storm. For so long we have been wanting a solid bottom 6 & now as soon as we get a player that is top quality in that role people want to move him on & gamble on young guns coming through???

Moving MAF will solve nearly every 'problem' we have. It's that simple.

Wouldn't the younger guys get more experience they will need by training with the NHL team? I understand the playing part, but training every day with the talent on the roster these guys will pick their games up in my opinion more than just playing in the A. That said, if the Pens are running well & the young guts aren't getting any games eventually they should be back playing to have game fitness.
- Aussiepenguin

I've never been involved in an NHL system so I don't know, but most people with experience seem to agree that hockey reps in the AHL are more productive for talent development than practicing and not playing with the big club. At a certain point yes, the experience you can gain at the AHL level plateaus and there's nothing left for you there so you may as well just practice with the big club and sit in the press box. Wilson's probably there. Guentzel's probably not.

At the end of the day, this isn't the world's biggest problem. There will be injuries and everyone's gonna play at some point. And in the long run, despite Kunitz saying he's not going to retire after this season and wants to remain a Pen, the only LW spot locked up for a while is Hagelin's. Guentzel, Kuhnhackl, Wilson and Sheary will all have plenty of fair opportunity to stake claim to those spots.

why would they change the name to ppg paints arena? that is freaking horrible

I've never been involved in an NHL system so I don't know, but most people with experience seem to agree that hockey reps in the AHL are more productive for talent development than practicing and not playing with the big club. At a certain point yes, the experience you can gain at the AHL level plateaus and there's nothing left for you there so you may as well just practice with the big club and sit in the press box. Wilson's probably there. Guentzel's probably not.

At the end of the day, this isn't the world's biggest problem. There will be injuries and everyone's gonna play at some point. And in the long run, despite Kunitz saying he's not going to retire after this season and wants to remain a Pen, the only LW spot locked up for a while is Hagelin's. Guentzel, Kuhnhackl, Wilson and Sheary will all have plenty of fair opportunity to stake claim to those spots.
- Victoro311

it also has alot to do with the way people learn. some people learn extremly good by watching while for others they are just watching and not learning anything. in the 1st case they should stay in the press box for a few games honestly since that actually develops them more than sending them back to ahl. in the second case you should send them immediately down to ahl.

Fehr is kinda meh to me. I know he was hurt last year but he didnt do anything great but he didnt do anything terrible either. It just appears that the WB kids can bring what he does for 1/2 the price and that makes him tradable. They most likely will need to free up space at some point and Fehr and MAF are the 2 most likely candidates. MAF will be too difficult to get what his value is back so I think Fehr will be a DL deal. The other option would be to move Murray and add Kunitz. Not sure if thats very likely unless its a haul for Murray.

why would they change the name to ppg paints arena? that is freaking horrible
- martox

Because they paid for it. Pens will sell it to whoever is willing to spend stupid money to put their name on it. I dont think the Broncos have found a buyer for Mile High since Sports Authority went under.

Fehr is kinda meh to me. I know he was hurt last year but he didnt do anything great but he didnt do anything terrible either. It just appears that the WB kids can bring what he does for 1/2 the price and that makes him tradable. They most likely will need to free up space at some point and Fehr and MAF are the 2 most likely candidates. MAF will be too difficult to get what his value is back so I think Fehr will be a DL deal. The other option would be to move Murray and add Kunitz. Not sure if thats very likely unless its a haul for Murray.
- sammy87

Agree with everything.

why would they change the name to ppg paints arena? that is freaking horrible
- martox

In the end, is it really all that much worse than the console energy center? Now instead of calling it the CEC we can just call it the PPG. I think the White Sox won the title of the worst name of any stadium "guaranteed rate field".

Wasn't Fehr's arm injury one of those kind that you can't even skate because the slightest aggravation to the elbow causes a set back? I know that was the case with Maatta's shoulder injury.

Anyways, I'd only consider dealing Fehr if Kuhnhackl and Sundqvist have such strong camps that the two of them combined can replace what Fehr does seamlessly. Fehr fills a role here and until that role is replaced I don't want to deal him. Plus pragmatically, keeping Fehr and Cole on the roster until expansion is a good idea. If we're gonna cut a deal with Vegas to not take one of our exposed guys, those two are first on the list of guys we should convince Vegas to take.
- Victoro311

Do you honestly think Vegas would bite at taking a 3D or a 4c/W in the event we can't trade Fleury and they want to take Murray? Nope. Not a chance. They would want a first round pick at least. Fehr and Cole, while not valuable in people's eyes are players we don't have one to replace. None of the Dmen behind Cole come close to replacing him. Might sound strange. The Ian Cole I saw during the playoffs was much more competent than the one we saw during the regular season. I'm interested to see if that carries on. Fehr does things that we cannot replace. That said, Vegas wouldn't have interest in either one, nor should it, especially if it involves making a deal in which they don't take Murray, or even Horny (another guy that we don't have a replacement for).

Wilson's biggest obstacle is his waiver exempt status, much like Guentzel he deserves a look with the big boys like Crosby & Malkin but ultimately that look isn't worth potentially losing a waiver eligible player like Sheary, Rust or Kuhnkackl or having to trade a player like Fehr to make room for him on the roster. At this point he would have to really impress the remainder of the preseason for me to consider risking losing a depth player to give Wilson a shot.

If you assume Sid, Geno, Bonino, Cullen, Kessel, Hornqvist, Hagelin, Kunitz and Fehr (13F) are all guaranteed roster spots that leaves Sheary, Rust, Kuhnkackl, Wilson, Guentzel and Porter battling for the 4 remaining roster spots. It's really going to come down to what they do with Fehr on how Wilson fits in, if they're comfortable committing to Fehr being the 13th forward then Wilson is a no Brainer but if they want Fehr in the everyday lineup then I think Wilson misses out due to the numbers game, if Fehr is dressing then it makes more sense to have Porter in the press box every night while Wilson plays big minutes in WBS than to have Wilson/Rust/Kuhnkackl/Sheary just wasting away in the press box.
- jaydogg1974

don't see a 2 mil 13th forward... Fehr plays more than he sits...

Wouldn't the younger guys get more experience they will need by training with the NHL team? I understand the playing part, but training every day with the talent on the roster these guys will pick their games up in my opinion more than just playing in the A. That said, if the Pens are running well & the young guts aren't getting any games eventually they should be back playing to have game fitness.
- Aussiepenguin

It really depends on the specific situation, if you're talking something short term then I would probably lean towards it being better to practice with the NHL club but the problem that arises is what happens when you get 20 games into the season without an injury and all of the sudden a young player like Sheary or Kuhnkackl has only played 1-2 games in 2 months?

The biggest benefit to sending the waiver exempt players like Wilson & Guentzel to WBS and using Porter as the 13th forward is that you can actually have the best of both worlds, because most teams only carry 2 goaltenders on their roster(13F-7D-2G or 22 players) they always have an extra roster spot to work with, Wilson and/or Guentzel get play big minutes in WBS and ever chance they have an extended break in the schedule 1 of them can be called up and get a weeks worth of practice with the big club, now they're playing big minutes of game action and getting periodic practice time with the NHL team even if there isn't injuries and then obviously if there is an injury they're stepping into a bigger role ready to go as opposed to someone stepping in that hasn't seen game action for an extended period of time.