Do you guys think that maybe O'reilly was picked up to audition for a trade? maybe he is a replacement for someone who Shero is going to be using as a trading chip. I don;t believe Martin is as bad as he been playing but I wouldnt mind seeing his cap go somewhere else to make room to sign Neal. What is Malones cap hit for next yr?

One would want to contol swelling in a brainstem injury and rest. Assuming it happened with hit from Steckel, the Tampa game was a real no no. Nothing to do looking back, just have to hope for the best moving foward. It would explain why he was probably allowed to play vs Tampa. Probably didn't have concussion typical symptoms at first.
- powerhouse

My question is: He obviously was symptom free for a good few weeks before the Islander game, now that they have potentially zeroed in on the actual cause of this, is there anything more they can do? Can he make the injury any worse by playing non contact hockey at practice (I assume no if he is skating).

Do you guys think that maybe O'reilly was picked up to audition for a trade? maybe he is a replacement for someone who Shero is going to be using as a trading chip. I don;t believe Martin is as bad as he been playing but I wouldnt mind seeing his cap go somewhere else to make room to sign Neal. What is Malones cap hit for next yr?
- nateca44

Malone's cap hit next year and the next three years is 4.5M. To me Paul Martin's 5M/yr is a better investment at this point than Malone at 4.5M.

O'Reilly is nothing more than a center brought in at no cost to fill a void during an injury crisis. His addition means nothing to the current roster.

it really is a shame for jeffrey. i totally agree, he seems to do nothing but skate in circles most nights. he showed so much potential last year and now just isnt producing enough for a scoring line role and doesnt have the grit to be a bottom banger, and come playoff time, we wont have the luxury of simply hoping he can develop

Malone's cap hit next year and the next three years is 4.5M. To me Paul Martin's 5M/yr is a better investment at this point than Malone at 4.5M.

O'Reilly is nothing more than a center brought in at no cost to fill a void during an injury crisis. His addition means nothing to the current roster.
- Gunner Staal

I thought Malone's cap hit was loaded upfront? The last couple yrs were cheaper? Either way Martin isn't playing at 5 mil.

I thought Malone's cap hit was loaded upfront? The last couple yrs were cheaper? Either way Martin isn't playing at 5 mil.
- nateca44

It doesn't matter what you are physically paying the player. The cap hit is the same every year throughout the contract. IE: Ehrhoff of the Sabres is making 10M this year, however his cap hit is 4M for 10 years.

I thought Malone's cap hit was loaded upfront? The last couple yrs were cheaper? Either way Martin isn't playing at 5 mil.
- nateca44

i believe the cap hit stays the same for the contract, but his actual salary may have been more heavy in the front. that may help, but cap space is just as crucial as actual salary to this team i think

i believe the cap hit stays the same for the contract, but his actual salary may have been more heavy in the front. that may help, but cap space is just as crucial as actual salary to this team i think
- stayinthefnnet

Cap space is the only thing important. The Penguins don't have money issues anymore.

My question is: He obviously was symptom free for a good few weeks before the Islander game, now that they have potentially zeroed in on the actual cause of this, is there anything more they can do? Can he make the injury any worse by playing non contact hockey at practice (I assume no if he is skating).
- Gunner Staal

It may be more about his ability to perform and make his body do what he wants it to. Also, if there are soft tissue restrictions(scar tissue) that is actually attached to the brain stem any hit would cause symptoms and/ or more damage. The problem is this is a tough area to protect is a sport like hockey. Any hit or force that transfers energy into the body is tranferred to the spine.

To me only time and trying to play will reveal if he still can. I have to honestly say, considering the location of the injury, a complete recovery is unlikely. Will he recover enough to play hockey consistently over time is anyone's guess. They will try to acieve full head and neck mobility and break up scar tissue without screwing him up which will prove to be a difficult task. Tough to break scar tissue and not be too rough.

It doesn't matter what you are physically paying the player. The cap hit is the same every year throughout the contract. IE: Ehrhoff of the Sabres is making 10M this year, however his cap hit is 4M for 10 years.
- Gunner Staal

Gotcha. Thanks.

It may be more about his ability to perform and make his body do what he wants it to. Also, if there are soft tissue restrictions(scar tissue) that is actually attached to the brain stem any hit would cause symptoms and/ or more damage. The problem is this is a tough area to protect is a sport like hockey. Any hit or force that transfers energy into the body is tranferred to the spine.

To me only time and trying to play will reveal if he still can. I have to honestly say, considering the location of the injury, a complete recovery is unlikely. Will he recover enough to play hockey consistently over time is anyone's guess. They will try to acieve full head and neck mobility and break up scar tissue without screwing him up which will prove to be a difficult task. Tough to break scar tissue and not be too rough.
- powerhouse

The scar tissue on my finger was bad enough, I can't imagine dealing with it in any capacity in the brain stem/ C1-C5 area of the neck.

Cap space is the only thing important. The Penguins don't have money issues anymore.
- Gunner Staal

yeah. which is why even if malone would help, i dont think swapping martin for malone is that big of an advantage for the pens. if and when martin gets dealt, that cap room cleared should go to neal

yeah. which is why even if malone would help, i dont think swapping martin for malone is that big of an advantage for the pens. if and when martin gets dealt, that cap room cleared should go to neal
- stayinthefnnet

Malone isn't coming back unless it is at the trade deadline in the final year of his contract, or as a free agent on a much cheaper deal.

Malone isn't coming back unless it is at the trade deadline in the final year of his contract, or as a free agent on a much cheaper deal.
- Gunner Staal

yeah i wouldnt mind the second alternative

yeah i wouldnt mind the second alternative
- stayinthefnnet

He might not be worth a damn by then though, then again, he might be.

Do you guys think that maybe O'reilly was picked up to audition for a trade? maybe he is a replacement for someone who Shero is going to be using as a trading chip. I don;t believe Martin is as bad as he been playing but I wouldnt mind seeing his cap go somewhere else to make room to sign Neal. What is Malones cap hit for next yr?
- nateca44

O'Reilly was a depth pickup to have a shot at helping the roster... To this point, he hasn't, but it didn't cost anything. At best he was a stopgap roster help, at worst, he's lost through waivers, but more than likely he can help WBS or be a throw in on a trade.

Staal got hit in the face with a puck during practice, and left the ice

Edit: it was actually a stick, not puck

Staal got hit in the face with a puck during practice, and left the ice

Edit: it was actually a stick, not puck
- ryman1566

The mysery continues

Staal got hit in the face with a puck during practice, and left the ice

Edit: it was actually a stick, not puck
- ryman1566

Soo who is actually surprised by this??

O'Reilly wont last the year on the team. Back to waivers.

Jeffrey is frustrating, but so is the case for a guy coming off an ACL injury missing camp. Almost unfair to expect a lot, but so is our predicament.

Seeing Despres at practice is cool. He will be a nice addition next year/in the playoffs this year if someone gets hurt or underperforms.

He might not be worth a damn by then though, then again, he might be.
- Gunner Staal

Why not just bring Iginla in when his deal is up. He may take a huge discount to go to a contender. Assuming we are still contenders. Also not one of you jerks commented on my little Mike Rupp tidbit. He said Billy G is the funniest guy he ever played with

Staal got hit in the face with a puck during practice, and left the ice

Edit: it was actually a stick, not puck
- ryman1566

Perfect. Staal needs to put the skull he dug out from the sacred indian burial ground back.

Perfect. Staal needs to put the skull he dug out from the sacred indian burial ground back.
- canadianpenfan

I was thinking the same thing except Shero/Bylsma need to return the skull!

Why not just bring Iginla in when his deal is up. He may take a huge discount to go to a contender. Assuming we are still contenders. Also not one of you jerks commented on my little Mike Rupp tidbit. He said Billy G is the funniest guy he ever played with
- dbell646

i still have a very hard time seeing him with anyone other than the flames. although even an iginla 2 years from now could still be beneficial for the right price