What would the Pens need to give Vegas to take Eric Staal and send him to us? And would you do it? Seems like a great 3C for $3.5M for next two years. He's only 32.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Staal as 3c would be a solid solid option for the Pens.

Agreed, I wouldn't use headcase, but when you read some of the articles coming out of Detroit, he really comes off as a diva and a bad teammate. Total opposite with Fleury. And his most recent season was by far his worst so I don't see Vegas taking a shot on him with so many other options.

If I were Vegas I'd take a shot with Grubauer, but Fleury is more proven as a starter, has a wonderful reputation as a teammate, and has that recent playoff run in a league that can very much be about what have you done for me lately.

And IMO, Caps have a better exposed player in Schmidt then anyone the Pens left available. Which may be why Fleury makes sense. On other teams you can take a less experienced goalie with upside, but leaving behind either a potential building block or good asset to flip. Pens really didn't expose someone like that so why not just take Fleury from them and get other players elsewhere? Maybe the Pens worked out a small side deal just to make sure, but Fleury makes as much sense as anyone.
- Tojo.

Again DET MSM is a joke. Why wouldn't Vegas take the youngest contract controlled goalie with the most experience as a starter available?

What would the Pens need to give Vegas to take Eric Staal and send him to us? And would you do it? Seems like a great 3C for $3.5M for next two years. He's only 32.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

I womder if Staal is available as part of their rumored deal to protect Dumba as in they needed to leave something else available worth taking. If Staal ends up there I'd definitely make a call, great fit.

I womder if Staal is available as part of their rumored deal to protect Dumba as in they needed to leave something else available worth taking. If Staal ends up there I'd definitely make a call, great fit.
- Tojo.

Totally agree. Hags-Staal-Kessel for the 3rd line.

Again DET MSM is a joke. Why wouldn't Vegas take the youngest contract controlled goalie with the most experience as a starter available?
- Feds91Stammer

Wasn't the only article I read and think there has to be smoke or he wouldn't be exposed.

Don't worry, I can find a bunch of articles talking about Fleury being a head case too.
- j.boyd919

But none saying that he is a bad teammate, uncoachable, or a whining, entitled puke.

But none saying that he is a bad teammate, uncoachable, or a whining, entitled puke.
- hardnosed

Yeah, tons of articles said that about Kessel.

Howard did that over a small sample because he was hurt most of the year. Holland is an idiot and is still salty Mrazek almost took him to arbitration last summer. Mrazek is the best goalie available in expansion.
- Feds91Stammer

26 games is a pretty decent sample size. Mrazek was HORRIBLE last year.

But none saying that he is a bad teammate, uncoachable, or a whining, entitled puke.
- hardnosed

Oh, and Crosby.

http://nypost.com/2015/12...-killer-there-we-said-it/

I womder if Staal is available as part of their rumored deal to protect Dumba as in they needed to leave something else available worth taking. If Staal ends up there I'd definitely make a call, great fit.
- Tojo.

Almost too good of a situation for the Pens to actually happen.

The Problem is that Vegas needs to have someone out there to be a 1C, he is the only real option for that in expansion. The only way I see it happening is if:

1. Minnesota offers up Staal and their 2018 #1 pick to keep Dumba.
2. Vegas would have to package picks/prospects to get Duchene.
3. Pens would have to pay a 1st, Hagelin and a mid level prospect.

It could happen but I don't think a lot of pieces would have to move.

Thoight on potentially resigning Hornqvist:

If Sheary is the long-term fit with Sid, the RW depth chart is very crowded moving forward if you have Sheary, Kessel, Sprong, and Hornqvist. As far as we know, only Sheary can play LW. None of those guys make sense as a 4th liner. So it might not make sense to keep all 4 down the road. Sprong isn't here yet so no issue next year but something to think about long-term.

Wasn't the only article I read and think there has to be smoke or he wouldn't be exposed.
- Tojo.

Holland is an idiot and is mad he was almost taken to arbitration by Mrazek. Sure he struggled this past season but prior to that he showed the ability to be a top 10 NHL goalie.

Mrazek is a big game goalie that has a strong track record.

.931 career sv% in the NHL playoffs

Calder Cup in 2013 as a 1st year pro

2011 OHL 3rd team all star

2012 WJC best goalie award/1st team all star

But none saying that he is a bad teammate, uncoachable, or a whining, entitled puke.
- hardnosed

AGAIN DET MSM IS A JOKE

Yeah, tons of articles said that about Kessel.


- j.boyd919

If you're suggesting Vegas take Kessel or Crosby to be their goalie, they're both protected, sorry.

Point remains - Mrazek is an expensive headcase coming off of a HORRIBLE year.

Not sure what it would take but I could really, really get down with him being the Pens 3C...
- MattStrat

You think Jordan would be pissed!

26 games is a pretty decent sample size. Mrazek was HORRIBLE last year.
- hardnosed

26 games is a backup goalie sized sample size. Not particularly large enough. Nobody here is saying Mrazek had a good year last year but the track record is there.

Thoight on potentially resigning Hornqvist:

If Sheary is the long-term fit with Sid, the RW depth chart is very crowded moving forward if you have Sheary, Kessel, Sprong, and Hornqvist. As far as we know, only Sheary can play LW. None of those guys make sense as a 4th liner. So it might not make sense to keep all 4 down the road. Sprong isn't here yet so no issue next year but something to think about long-term.
- Tojo.

Sheary was playing LW, while Guentzel was RW, no?
RW looks to me...

Guentzel
Kessel
Horny
Rust

If you're suggesting Vegas take Kessel or Crosby to be their goalie, they're both protected, sorry.

Point remains - Mrazek is an expensive headcase coming off of a HORRIBLE year.
- hardnosed

And MAF is an even more expensive head case without contract control nearing the end of his career.

If you're suggesting Vegas take Kessel or Crosby to be their goalie, they're both protected, sorry.

Point remains - Mrazek is an expensive headcase coming off of a HORRIBLE year.
- hardnosed

Nope.

If it makes any difference, I think about it all the time. And from a lot of different angles. I'm glad Crosby and Malkin are making up for lost time. I'm glad all the Crosby haters have something more to be pissed off about. I'm REALLY happy for Fleury, especially given what looks like his last season with the Pens and how despondent he looked during the last Cup celebration. I'm happy we trounced the f'ing goony Blue Jackets and their Neanderthal coach. I'm glad that Cullen was rewarded for playing another season. I'm elated that we beat the annoying Caps (again) and disproved the fancy stat devotees along the way. I'm glad Kessel is getting even more redemption from his detractors. I'm glad all of those classless Nashville fans went home dejected after getting so close. In fact, I relish the disappointment of d-bag hockey fans everywhere! I'm happy for Mario and the entire organization who do things right from top to bottom. There's more but I won't continue to bore everyone.

Long story short: Just because people aren't posting about it doesn't mean we've moved on or that it wasn't a great moment in Pens history in which to revel.

This is actually my favorite Cup run of the five. '09 is a close second. The NHL is really testing my patience with the officiating, though. I have become less of a fan because of it.
- T-Train

Sheary was playing LW, while Guentzel was RW, no?
RW looks to me...

Guentzel
Kessel
Horny
Rust
- j.boyd919

Thought it was the other way. Daily faceoff says the same. I think Guentzel only played RW when Kunitz was on that line (incidentally was Guentzel's worst series). Either way if that's the line, not enough room for all those guys. Rust probably factors more at LW moving forward with the ability to swap over with an injury.

Thought it was the other way. Daily faceoff says the same. I think Guentzel only played RW when Kunitz was on that line (incidentally was Guentzel's worst series). Either way if that's the line, not enough room for all those guys. Rust probably factors more at LW moving forward with the ability to swap over with an injury.
- Tojo.

I feel like I remember most of G's goals coming from the RW?

And MAF is an even more expensive head case without contract control nearing the end of his career.
- Feds91Stammer

Once again, did he look like a head case in the playoffs? Nope.

And I'm sure Vegas would love to spend next offseason negotiating another deal with Mrazek. That was fun the first time around with Mrazek. So pay $4 mil for one year for a guy coming off of a horrible season just to have him come up as an RFA next year. Sounds perfect for Vegas.

Once again, did he look like a head case in the playoffs? Nope.

And I'm sure Vegas would love to spend next offseason negotiating another deal with Mrazek. That was fun the first time around with Mrazek. So pay $4 mil for one year for a guy coming off of a horrible season just to have him come up as an RFA next year. Sounds perfect for Vegas.
- hardnosed

Yeah actually it is perfect for Vegas. If he struggles again they can sign him cheap, trade him, or just let him walk. If he plays well they can lock him up for the prime of his career.

Yeah, tons of articles said that about Kessel.


- j.boyd919

Strange argument since Fleury has more cup wins than Kessel.