Interesting interview with Bryan Mccabe, new executive with Florida. Lets just say they've made analytics a secondary piece of information and was moreso complimentary of their scouts work. Something tells me there was a bit of a philosophy change in the last little while.
- nelson911

IMO anyone can run numbers. To be blind to them will put you at a disadvantage but its really something that will become a core competency of any organization.

But scouting is a different story. Its where there can be real difference in ability of a scout. We got schultz for free...what was the big edge there? Wasn't his analytics pretty bad. But its a scout job to figure out if theres talent and something holding him back. Then a coaches job to fix the player.

Theo Epstein has said the same thing that they've moved to qualitative factors. Belichick similarly.

FWIW Buffett said the same thing about the stock market. A guy has to be smart, but its emotional intelligence and other factors that make the difference.

You can't fight analytics and make poor analytical decisions. But that edge will disapear in time; its qualitative analysis that will seperate the good managers from the bad managers.

Do we really need a LD or a RD. I think to truly insure letang we need to upgrade dumo or maatta into a really solid championship level 2d. Otherwise the right side would have all our studs and when letang is healthy there wouldn't be enough minutes for letang, schultz, hypothetical stud rd. If you upgrade maatta then you had a stud first pair. Backed up by schultz with dumo or cole. Then we just need to find a solid third RD that can slot up in the lineup and pair with a really good LD when necessary.

Where did you see Demers was available?

Why would you pair 2 RHD together?
- Feds91Stammer

I like Demers. That's not bad price. But to give up the assets to get him, again I think we would be better off signing Brendan Smith. I also think Smith would slot better into our lineup.

Do we really need a LD or a RD. I think to truly insure letang we need to upgrade dumo or maatta into a really solid championship level 2d. Otherwise the right side would have all our studs and when letang is healthy there wouldn't be enough minutes for letang, schultz, hypothetical stud rd. If you upgrade maatta then you had a stud first pair. Backed up by schultz with dumo or cole. Then we just need to find a solid third RD that can slot up in the lineup and pair with a really good LD when necessary.
- sditulli

That's a pretty good point. We saw it in the playoffs, the next D up usually did good enough! I actually think Dumo when fully healthy is a solid 3/4 guy and is young enough to get even better (maybe in a few more years he could be considered a solid #2 more defensive minded Dman.)

I think GMJR will get the Pens a very good group on defense and as someone else mentioned, if he needs to make adjustments throughout the season, he will do it upto the trade deadline.

With Fleury gone, the cap has been freed up to some degree and probably makes it a little easier on GMJR. some good defencemen should free up closer to the trade deadline next year, too.

I like Demers. That's not bad price. But to give up the assets to get him, again I think we would be better off signing Brendan Smith. I also think Smith would slot better into our lineup.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

If we're going LD, I think Markov on a 1 year deal (which he would take) is the better route.

If we're going LD, I think Markov on a 1 year deal (which he would take) is the better route.
- T-Train

Would you want Markov over Daley?... same term but obviously Daley being less money

Would you want Markov over Daley?... same term but obviously Daley being less money
- nelson911

If you are looking for a guy to play the right side:

1. Smith
2. Franson
3. Nesterov
4. Daley

imo

Do we really need a LD or a RD. I think to truly insure letang we need to upgrade dumo or maatta into a really solid championship level 2d. Otherwise the right side would have all our studs and when letang is healthy there wouldn't be enough minutes for letang, schultz, hypothetical stud rd. If you upgrade maatta then you had a stud first pair. Backed up by schultz with dumo or cole. Then we just need to find a solid third RD that can slot up in the lineup and pair with a really good LD when necessary.
- sditulli

Problem is, what stud LD is available?

How about any of the younger WilkesBarre-Scranton D - will they be ready soon?
Not DP, I've pretty much given up on him.
Lukas Bengtsson
Harrisson Roupp
Ethan Prow
Frank Corrado

If you are looking for a guy to play the right side:

1. Smith
2. Franson
3. Nesterov
4. Daley

imo
- Feds91Stammer

Interesting, didn't know Smith or Nesterov played the right side. Really would like to get Smith in tbat case.

How about any of the younger WilkesBarre-Scranton D - will they be ready soon?
Not DP, I've pretty much given up on him.
Lukas Bengtsson
Harrisson Roupp
Ethan Prow
Frank Corrado
- so_buzz11

Far as I know...
Bengtsson missed most of the year, still don't know what ww have in him at AHL level.
Corrado is a depth option with decent corsi but does little else.
Roupp isn't really a prospect
Prow got better as year went on but struggled early. Maybe he makes a push later.
All 3 are righties and behind Ruhwedel right now.

Interested to see how Taylor does. He had a nice college career, could be a sleeper.

Interesting, didn't know Smith or Nesterov played the right side. Really would like to get Smith in tbat case.
- Tojo.

Smith played the right side a lot in DET because for most of his time there they didn't have any RD. He also played RD when paired with Skjei in NYR.

Nesterov was in a similar situation in TB and would be a cheaper, younger version of Daley.

Here is what a quiet offseason could look like:

Smith played the right side a lot in DET because for most of his time there they didn't have any RD. He also played RD when paired with Skjei in NYR.

Nesterov was in a similar situation in TB and would be a cheaper, younger version of Daley.
- Feds91Stammer

Thanks, think I know how I'd play the defense now.

Sign Smith and MDZ. Trade Maatta.

With everyone healthy Smith upgrades the top 4 while MDZ gives the bottom pair a more offensive look. (Some may prefer another guy to MDZ, but he's my choice.)

Smith shifts to RD with an injury to Letang or Schultz. MDZ slides up to get another puck mover in the top 4 with Cole-Ruhwedel as the 3rd pair.

Should cost minimal salary so room to add the 3C, hopefully Thorton.

Thanks, think I know how I'd play the defense now.

Sign Smith and MDZ. Trade Maatta.

With everyone healthy Smith upgrades the top 4 while MDZ gives the bottom pair a more offensive look. (Some may prefer another guy to MDZ, but he's my choice.)

Smith shifts to RD with an injury to Letang or Schultz. MDZ slides up to get another puck mover in the top 4 with Cole-Ruhwedel as the 3rd pair.

Should cost minimal salary so room to add the 3C, hopefully Thorton.
- Tojo.

I can dig it

If you are looking for a guy to play the right side:

1. Smith
2. Franson
3. Nesterov
4. Daley

imo
- Feds91Stammer

Ya, Im not on the Smith train. Not all that impressed with those so I would stick with whats familiar for another year. Don't know how many of those guys will take 1 year deals other than Daley with cap going up and options limited. I hope JR can get a guy via trade, the free agents just aren't impressive. If Barrie is available I would explore that route and hopefully include Maata in the overall deal.

Would you want Markov over Daley?... same term but obviously Daley being less money
- nelson911

And Markov is not injured for to long

And Markov is not injured for to long
- Vitorio

He seems to be fine now and doesn't have a history of being injury-prone.

Now a guy like MDZ is another story...

Here is what a quiet offseason could look like:


- Feds91Stammer

zzzz zzzzz zzzzz


bonino was not good. he needs to get overpaid elsewhere.

cullen should play one more year at 4c

oh oli..... all season long i was on board with the get him outta here crowd. but right there at the end of the playoffs i though he really turned his game around. oh well get em outta here.

He seems to be fine now and doesn't have a history of being injury-prone.

Now a guy like MDZ is another story...
- T-Train

You have a point there. Guess I should think of someone else in that style.

He seems to be fine now and doesn't have a history of being injury-prone.

Now a guy like MDZ is another story...
- T-Train

Uf his knees arent gettng better GP

2009–10 Montreal Canadiens NHL 45
2010–11 Montreal Canadiens NHL 7
2011–12 Montreal Canadiens NHL 13
2012–13 Montreal Canadiens NHL 48

last 4 years he is fine but before that... look up. Dunno, i would pass. Like youngers for our tempo

One problem with VGK's strategy was that they didn't pick enough RD. Now they are saying they want to trade more D, but I believe they only have 3 RD remaining.

Everyone wants RD. They could've had many more better tradeable defencemen that could have given them much better picks/players than they got in the expansion draft!

One problem with VGK's strategy was that they didn't pick enough RD. Now they are saying they want to trade more D, but I believe they only have 3 RD remaining.

Everyone wants RD. They could've had many more better tradeable defencemen that could have given them much better picks/players than they got in the expansion draft!
- so_buzz11

Someone on twitter stated:
Vegas has about a half a dozen, 1 year left, LD available for trade.

I kind of agree. The prices are going down if you want a LD and going way up on RD.

Cant help but wonder if GMJR's attitude of letting all UFA go to talk to other teams first will end up leaving the Pens hurting and scrambling to fill roster...

Looking at the upcoming schedule release it looks like the Pens start the year pretty though...but there's a few 4 day layoffs and even a 5 day one in the last three months of the season. I like that. They will need as much rest as possible.