John Toperzer: Penguins Thursday: Iginla or Dupuis poll

third

Don't even think this is a question...has to be Dupuis. Iginla is effective when he's on, but when he's off, he's just a sloooowwwww liability. He looks his age. If Doops is off, he can still contribute in other ways (PK, speed, etc). I imagine he'd come a little cheaper as well because of the name on the back of the jersey. Finally, there is proven chemistry there (even w/o Sid/Kunitz he's more than held his own) whereas it seems like Iggy's still trying to find some. Dupuis, hands down.

I voted for Iggy but I do think that it is realistic to hope that Shero will be able to sign both of them to reasonable contracts.

Ideal (and yet ultimately realistic) scenario for me would look something like:
Iggy for 2 years, $7M- $3.5M cap hit
Duper for 3 years, $7.5M- $2.5M cap hit

They both deserve more but will hopefully decide that staying in Pittsburgh is what they want. I can see Iggy staying because he wants to win, and I can see Dupuis staying because of his family, as well as his desire to win. Something to consider with Dupuis is that if he takes less money than he deserves and stays in Pittsburgh until he retires he could honestly become a Pittsburgh legend. I could see him becoming a part of the Penguins staff, playing in alumni games, etc., and while other teams might be able to offer him more money it's hard to put a price tag on that kind of legacy.

DON'T MAKE ME CHOOSE!

Harder than Sophie's Choice.

It's more up to the individual. This could be Dupuis's last chance to cash in and take a big contract. Not sure what the Pens would be willing/able to give him. If I were him, I take the money and set up for after hockey.

Iginla has already had the money but no cup. If they do win the cup this yr, I think you let him walk, if not bring him back for as little as he's willing to take. Def under $5mil.

Of course all of this depends on Letang and Malkin and what they are willing to take and what they want to do.

Why did Disco Dan but Iggy back on Crosby's line.. Dudes decision making skills are always in question.

Why did Disco Dan but Iggy back on Crosby's line.. Dudes decision making skills are always in question.
- Francois Leroux

I like the way they started last game too, but you can't go wrong with Kunitz-Crosby-Dupuis, and maybe since Malkin last game looked like 2011-12 Malkin, it might work with Iggy up there. At least Iginla is on the right side this time.

Why did Disco Dan but Iggy back on Crosby's line.. Dudes decision making skills are always in question.
- Francois Leroux

Derp

My Priority order this offseason:

1. re-sign/trade Letang
2. re-sign Malkin
3. re-sign Dupuis
4. re-sign Kunitz
5. re-sign Cooke
6. sign Murray
7. sign Iginla
8. sign Morrow

It baffles me to understand what Bylsma sees in the 71-12 combo. I just don't see it at all.

It baffles me to understand what Bylsma sees in the 71-12 combo. I just don't see it at all.
- nbartley9

Because there is really only one change needed to be made. Malkin just needs to play normal hockey. If he stops forcing puck to Iginla the problem is solved. Not a hard fix.

My Priority order this offseason:

1. re-sign/trade Letang
2. re-sign Malkin
3. re-sign Dupuis
4. re-sign Kunitz
5. re-sign Cooke
6. sign Murray
7. sign Iginla
8. sign Morrow
- cap1681

I would have flip flopped #1 & #2, but they are basically the same priority, and whatever happens there affects all other decisions.

Kunitz has one more season, so I don't see the rush there.

So much of the other stuff comes down to how these playoffs go.

I would have flip flopped #1 & #2, but they are basically the same priority, and whatever happens there affects all other decisions.

Kunitz has one more season, so I don't see the rush there.

So much of the other stuff comes down to how these playoffs go.
- rival22

I would like to see them lock up Kunitz this summer before he puts up 70-80 next year. He is a major cog in those top 2 lines, whichever he plays on.

Because there is really only one change needed to be made. Malkin just needs to play normal hockey. If he stops forcing puck to Iginla the problem is solved. Not a hard fix.
- Gunner Staal

It does seem to be a constant force feed to Iggy. How in the world do you get Geno to stop doing that.

It does seem to be a constant force feed to Iggy. How in the world do you get Geno to stop doing that.
- nbartley9

Confidence. He is skating more with the puck in the last couple of games than he did early in the Islander series. Either he just has more confidence with it, or his shoulder is feeling better.

It baffles me to understand what Bylsma sees in the 71-12 combo. I just don't see it at all.
- nbartley9

I guess he got it all wrong from me

Maybe changing Neal from RW to LW will make him resurrect his game? He's been bad anyway. Iggy gets his RW and Crosby gets back scoring with the help of Kuni/Dupper.

Maybe changing Neal from RW to LW will make him resurrect his game? He's been bad anyway. Iggy gets his RW and Crosby gets back scoring with the help of Kuni/Dupper.
- Orpik44

I think Neal has been playing well the last few games. He isn't scoring, but he's been skating hard and played well on the forecheck in GM #1.

My Priority order this offseason:

1. re-sign/trade Letang
2. re-sign Malkin
3. re-sign Dupuis
4. re-sign Kunitz
5. re-sign Cooke
6. sign Murray
7. sign Iginla
8. sign Morrow
- cap1681

If you're not going to resign any of Murray/Iginla/Morrow, makes sense to trade their rights at the draft (see: Hamhuis, Dan).

It does seem to be a constant force feed to Iggy. How in the world do you get Geno to stop doing that.
- nbartley9

Tell Geno to be just as hard as Iggy?

I think Neal has been playing well the last few games. He isn't scoring, but he's been skating hard and played well on the forecheck in GM #1.
- rival22

Maybe he had a good game last tuesday but he also took 3 stupid penalties that I qualify as "make part of his game". That's the way I see it. Weird but..

Tell Geno to be just as hard as Iggy?
- jmatchett383

- Orpik44

Whatever it takes. Apparently Iginla's just hard all day no matter what he's doing.

Tell Geno to be just as hard as Iggy?
- jmatchett383

Cant be done.

Neal must be the luckiest guy on earth. His carreer so far has been made playing with great stars/set up centermen. First B.Richards on his prime playing LW and now Malkin and occasionally Crosby.