Ryan Wilson: Pittsburgh Penguins History and the American Influence The Pittsburgh Penguins have had big contributions come from American born players, coaches, and hockey operations people.

Good topic and happy 4th.

My All American all Penguin team:
Lw: Stevens
C: Shawn McEachern
Rw: Joe Mullen
D: Paul Martin
D: Brooks Orpik
G: Tommy B

Good topic and happy 4th.

My All American all Penguin team:
Lw: Stevens
C: Shawn McEachern
Rw: Joe Mullen
D: Paul Martin
D: Brooks Orpik
G: Tommy B
- Emperor Filonius

Very well written! I appreciated. My american team: Barrasso, Orpik, Hatcher, Stevens, Mullen, Guerin. Honorable mention to Paul Martin and our future star: Beau Bennett

Everyone have a happy fourth from the North!

Cool blog theme, I like it.

Two names I've come across recently that are missed.... Jeff Norton (trades for Johan Hedberg), and Garth Snow.

Cool blog theme, I like it.

Two names I've come across recently that are missed.... Jeff Norton (trades for Johan Hedberg), and Garth Snow.
- rival22

The same reason Snow got left off the list is how Kevin Stevens was almost left off the list. They were both obvious and I lazily left them off my notes. If not for the paragraph on Stevens I would have screwed him up too.

I won't beat myself up for the Jeff Norton mistake though haha.

Just reading over those names.... Man, what a under the radar and forgotten solid player Gordie Roberts was. Was on both 90's Pens Cup teams, and first US born player to play in 1,000 NHL games.

This is a Star Spangled blog. God bless you and America!

Seriously, nice job. No word on Cookie?

Nice write-up Gunner!

Maybe that's why Stevens is my all time favorite Pens player

Merica!

Decided to look up some young cheap wingers who might be able to help out on bottom 6:

Player cap
Brunner(27) 1.3m (include 425k bonus)
Stalberg(27) 875k
Pouliot(26) 1.8m
Gordon(29) 1.325m
Jones(29) 1.5m

Here are some cheap rfa wingers to look at too

Stewart(25) 3mil
Kadri(22) 1.75mil
Pajaarvi(22) 1.525mil
Clutterbuck(25) 1.4mil

Decided to look up some young cheap wingers who might be able to help out on bottom 6:

Player cap
Brunner(27) 1.3m (include 425k bonus)
Stalberg(27) 875k
Pouliot(26) 1.8m
Gordon(29) 1.325m
Jones(29) 1.5m
- nh4442

Benoit Pouliot is a big body that could help fill out the bottom lines. I don't think he'll be expensive at all. He's a big 2005 draft bust (#4 overall). A Pittsburgh Penguin and Mario Lemieux fan. Could see him signing for cheaper.

Here are some cheap rfa wingers to look at too

Stewart(25) 3mil
Kadri(22) 1.75mil
Pajaarvi(22) 1.525mil
Clutterbuck(25) 1.4mil
- nh4442

It'd still cost at least a 2nd round pick and/or a 1st. Only player I'd like is clutterbuck, but the isles would be stupid to not match an offer for him (if its reasonable).

Pouliot would be a nice addition if Cooke doesn't come back. There are still a few decent free agents who could fill out the bottom 6

We can all admit that Glass will be back, right?

He's under contract, and right now the Pens don't have another forward under contract who will routinely fight.

Engelland is there, but hopefully he is a part time, #7 defenseman.

So, right now the Pens are missing a 3rd line and 4th line wing. Maybe Jeffrey or alphabet can fill one spot, or maybe Adams is back, or a WBS player earns a spot.

If Adams walks, I can see Shero bringing in a journeyman in like he did with Ryan Craig. An AHL player who has decent NHL experience who can work his way into the NHL.

We can all admit that Glass will be back, right?

He's under contract, and right now the Pens don't have another forward under contract who will routinely fight.

Engelland is there, but hopefully he is a part time, #7 defenseman.

So, right now the Pens are missing a 3rd line and 4th line wing. Maybe Jeffrey or alphabet can fill one spot, or maybe Adams is back, or a WBS player earns a spot.

If Adams walks, I can see Where bringing a journeyman in like he did with Ryan Craig. An AHL player who has decent NHL experience who can work his way into the NHL.
- rival22

It would be nice to see jefferey get some consistent time. He was showing some promise a couple years ago before that injury. Always wanted to see him earn a permanent spot

We can all admit that Glass will be back, right?

He's under contract, and right now the Pens don't have another forward under contract who will routinely fight.

Engelland is there, but hopefully he is a part time, #7 defenseman.

So, right now the Pens are missing a 3rd line and 4th line wing. Maybe Jeffrey or alphabet can fill one spot, or maybe Adams is back, or a WBS player earns a spot.

If Adams walks, I can see Where bringing a journeyman in like he did with Ryan Craig. An AHL player who has decent NHL experience who can work his way into the NHL.
- rival22

If I could choose, I'd sign Cooke and Hendricks and dump Glass. Even though he's a well liked guy in the room, he's always late on the plays.

It'd still cost at least a 2nd round pick and/or a 1st. Only player I'd like is clutterbuck, but the isles would be stupid to not match an offer for him (if its reasonable).

Pouliot would be a nice addition if Cooke doesn't come back. There are still a few decent free agents who could fill out the bottom 6
- drummer829

The Pens don't have a 2nd next season, so they can't offer sheet anyone. Plus it doesn't seem like Shero's style. Do we know if any of those guys weren't qualified and can become UFA's tomorrow?

And you can't consider guys like Stalberg, Brunner and especially Kadri as "cheap" options, as they will get nice raises.

And you can't consider guys like Stalberg, Brunner and especially Kadri as "cheap" options, as they will get nice raises.
- rival22

Yea, Brunner is especially getting a nice raise. With Kadri's inconsistent past, I can't see the maple leafs throwing him a huge long term offer just yet

Yea, Brunner is especially getting a nice raise. With Kadri's inconsistent past, I can't see the maple leafs throwing him a huge long term offer just yet
- drummer829

They are very high on Kadri though. They won't let him go anywhere. He'll get a nice raise too.

There are so many options for D out there but at the same time we'd be better off developing our own.

Thoughts on Russell, Zanon and Montador?

If Cooke leaves, any interest in Eric Nystrom as a replacement?

If Cooke leaves, any interest in Eric Nystrom as a replacement?
- kfinl170

Hendricks or Pouliot

Hendricks or Pouliot
- Orpik44

For opposing players needing an attitude adjustment, what about Maxim Lapierre from Vancouver, if it doesn't come to fruition with Cooke? He's 28 with a cap hit of $1M. Loves to hit and can't keep his mouth shut.

Hendricks or Pouliot
- Orpik44

Idk the guy potted 16 goals a couple years ago, he can throw down if need be, and has decent speed/can hit.

If Cooke leaves, there won't be many players with his pedigree on the FA market. I think guys guys like Nystrom/Larose would be the closest to it.