If Cullen takes until August again to decide and he retires, what about Laich? He's had some time off to reflect since he was demoted to the Marlies in March and maybe he can be invited to camp to see if he's got the desire to prove Toronto wrong and get the Cup he talked about wanting.

Maybe being waived and without a job right now could motivate him to being a decent 4th line center. His numbers had fallen badly since his lockout injury, but would he be worth giving a tryout look at least? I know he had elbow surgery in April, but is it career ending? If he can still play, it would be a nice hip check to Caps fans.

He did say this just a couple weeks ago:

"July 1st I am set to become an unrestricted free agent. Where some might see uncertainty, I choose to see opportunity!"
- NJPensfan

Reminds me of the Fehr signing for some reason

If Cullen takes until August again to decide and he retires, what about Laich? He's had some time off to reflect since he was demoted to the Marlies in March and maybe he can be invited to camp to see if he's got the desire to prove Toronto wrong and get the Cup he talked about wanting.

Maybe being waived and without a job right now could motivate him to being a decent 4th line center. His numbers had fallen badly since his lockout injury, but would he be worth giving a tryout look at least? I know he had elbow surgery in April, but is it career ending? If he can still play, it would be a nice hip check to Caps fans.

He did say this just a couple weeks ago:

"July 1st I am set to become an unrestricted free agent. Where some might see uncertainty, I choose to see opportunity!"
- NJPensfan

Ovechkin/Laich/Semin

Reminds me of the Fehr signing for some reason
- DeflatedPucks

Fehr was one of those guys with a great HERO chart and pegged as a perfect 3C type...and I think a lot of what is discussed in here is more of the same...

William Karlsson, Erik Haula, Girgensons, Pirri, Hudler....all these names are not championship caliber 3C, imo. Bonino wasnt the biggest or best player out there but he was the right fit. I think Jim is holding out for the right fit, not necessarily the best player available...

when is the deadline for arbitration with Sheary and Dumo?

when is the deadline for arbitration with Sheary and Dumo?
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Pittsburgh Penguins: Brian Dumoulin (July 24), Conor Sheary (Aug. 4)

EDIT: They both filed. Those are the hearing dates granted nothing gets worked our prior i.e. Palat

Pittsburgh Penguins: Brian Dumoulin (July 24), Conor Sheary (Aug. 4)

EDIT: They both filed. Those are the hearing dates granted nothing gets worked our prior i.e. Palat
- stowerkraut

I know Maatta has been the popular candidate to be traded but maybe it ends up being Dumo if there is a dman traded.

Whats the deal on a guy being traded after the arbitration decision? I know teams can accept the deal, or walk away. If they walk away, the guys a Free Agent

I don't believe they can accept the judgement and then trade him (at least not right away)

I know Maatta has been the popular candidate to be traded but maybe it ends up being Dumo if there is a dman traded.
- T-Train

If he's awarded anything north of 4mill per,.... I'd be ok w/ that

Whats the deal on a guy being traded after the arbitration decision? I know teams can accept the deal, or walk away. If they walk away, the guys a Free Agent

I don't believe they can accept the judgement and then trade him (at least not right away)
- PensWin87

EDIT:

-They can't trade the player after he's filed and before the decision (JR Holding off on a trade involving Sheary???) Sheary's date is Aug 4

-they can't walk away from a decision under 3.75 million per year

-Club chooses 1 or 2 year deal (I'm thinking they choose 2 on Dumo and 1 on Sheary)

I know Maatta has been the popular candidate to be traded but maybe it ends up being Dumo if there is a dman traded.
- T-Train

No. He's still going to be cheaper and plays higher up on the depth chart. If Maatta is traded, it's probably because they no longer see him as a potential top pairing guy like they seemed to a couple years ago.

EDIT:

-They can't trade the player after he's filed and before the decision (JR Holding off on a trade involving Sheary???) Sheary's date is Aug 4

-they can't walk away from a decision under 3.75 million per year

-Club chooses 1 or 2 year deal (I'm thinking they choose 2 on Dumo and 1 on Sheary)
- PensWin87

Good info, thanks for posting it.

I'd definitely go 2 on Sheary. If he keeps playing with Crosby and Guentzel, there's a good chance he'll be in line for an even better payday on his next deal. I'd rather push that. I don't think he has enough history to get 4M this year so I'd keep him affordable for 2. Don't think I'll want to pay his next contract, but I'm fine with this one.

Dumoulin I might go 1 because I think he's 2 years from UFA and think he'll get a long-term deal eventually since he's easily the team's top LD. That will be easier to do as an RFA.

No. He's still going to be cheaper and plays higher up on the depth chart. If Maatta is traded, it's probably because they no longer see him as a potential top pairing guy like they seemed to a couple years ago.
- Tojo.

Right, but I'm just saying that other teams may hold your same opinion. For instance, maybe Colorado has no interest in Maatta in a Duchene trade but they are willing if Dumo is the dman going the other way.

I would rather trade Maatta but I think it's close and both are really mid-pairing dmen, at least right now. Dumo lacks quite a bit on the offensive side of the ice, so I think that limits his value. Maatta lacks speed and seems injury-prone so that limits his value.

Right, but I'm just saying that other teams may hold your same opinion. For instance, maybe Colorado has no interest in Maatta in a Duchene trade but they are willing if Dumo is the dman going the other way.

I would rather trade Maatta but I think it's close and both are really mid-pairing dmen, at least right now. Dumo lacks quite a bit on the offensive side of the ice, so I think that limits his value. Maatta lacks speed and seems injury-prone so that limits his value.
- T-Train

and duche plays on a horrible team

Right, but I'm just saying that other teams may hold your same opinion. For instance, maybe Colorado has no interest in Maatta in a Duchene trade but they are willing if Dumo is the dman going the other way.

I would rather trade Maatta but I think it's close and both are really mid-pairing dmen, at least right now. Dumo lacks quite a bit on the offensive side of the ice, so I think that limits his value. Maatta lacks speed and seems injury-prone so that limits his value.
- T-Train

I'm sure Dumoulin would be easier to trade. He's just also more valuable to us. He may be limited offensively, but he's out there against top lines every night. I wouldn't put Maatta in that role. He's also among our better PKers.

Fehr was one of those guys with a great HERO chart and pegged as a perfect 3C type...and I think a lot of what is discussed in here is more of the same...

William Karlsson, Erik Haula, Girgensons, Pirri, Hudler....all these names are not championship caliber 3C, imo. Bonino wasnt the biggest or best player out there but he was the right fit. I think Jim is holding out for the right fit, not necessarily the best player available...
- YouMeAndDupuis9

I think fehr was brought in as a 4c.

I think fehr was brought in as a 4c.
- sditulli

He thought when he signed he'd be the 3C, they traded for Bonino simultaneously though. Then Cullen signed and he got moved to wing. Then the team started emphasizing speed on the wings...

If Cullen doesn't come back, I kind of like him as the 4C over Rowney. Just not at his contract. I always thought he played better in the middle.

In Rowney, Guentzel, ZAR and Cullen (gulp) I trust....

In Rowney, Guentzel, ZAR and Cullen (gulp) I trust....
- DeflatedPucks

Guentzel will be on sids wing. Rowney would be a 4th line center also appears better at wing And has ZAR played a lot of center? I think he's more winger. I hope Cullen plays another year

Should have signed Jussi....

Brain Campbell just retired. I was down with him on the cheap for 3rd pair or depth.


Seeing some mention of Markov around. He can still play. He can still skate, pass very well and still has a great shot. None of that is as good as it was 5 years ago but he can still do that stuff effectively. He's is also a big time shot blocker and Sullivan preaches that sh!t.....having said all of this, 5 million or anywhere near that, is waaaay too much for the old Russian. No way.

If he could be had on the cheap I'd d take him, no sweat...but that doesn't seem to be the reality.
- MattStrat

I'm pretty sure Markov is a better option than Streit or on the same level as Hainsey. I'd take him for $1M/1year. He would feel at home with Gonchar and Geno. Let's see if he's a greedy Russian or someone who actually wants a cup.

Ovechkin/Laich/Semin
- hardnosed

Lol that one never gets old.

I don't dislike Ovi as much right now. He's friends with Geno and Sid now. No more fights.

Should have signed Jussi....
- Guile

This was a no brainer IMO. Jussi would be a nice bottom 6 to have.

Hopefully Cullen returns for the threepeat. I believe it.

He thought when he signed he'd be the 3C, they traded for Bonino simultaneously though. Then Cullen signed and he got moved to wing. Then the team started emphasizing speed on the wings...

If Cullen doesn't come back, I kind of like him as the 4C over Rowney. Just not at his contract. I always thought he played better in the middle.
- Tojo.

He definitely signed to play center. JR basically admitted that. I too believe he played his best games at center, but I think his NHL days are over. He might catch on as a camp invite somewhere.

This was a no brainer IMO. Jussi would be a nice bottom 6 to have.

Hopefully Cullen returns for the threepeat. I believe it.
- Barnaby36

It's funny... The guy I thought had zero chance of returning is the guy who is now likely to come back. I thought for sure Kunitz would be coming back, not Cullen.

I almost would like to see Cullen take half the season off. Come back in late January.

I'm pretty sure Markov is a better option than Streit or on the same level as Hainsey. I'd take him for $1M/1year. He would feel at home with Gonchar and Geno. Let's see if he's a greedy Russian or someone who actually wants a cup.
- Barnaby36

I agree - I actually think he's quite a bit better than both and provides a lot of offense. I doubt he takes anything less than $3-4 mil, though. Frankly, I think he's worth that.

I would also liked to have signed Jussi, especially considering the paltry sum he signed for. For that, he could have been our 4C and filled in at LW as need be. That way we wouldn't have to worry about Cullen and his aging body.

I do like the idea of bringing Cullen in later in the year if we do sign him. Or just find a younger replacement. It starts to become a law of diminishing returns with Cullen. I think the Pens maxed out his usefulness but expecting him to stay at or near that level well into his 40s is asking too much, IMO. Also not sure how having him only play a half season would screw up the roster and the cap flexibility.