Ryan Wilson: Penguins Roster Decisions Looming As Deadline For Cap Complacency Nears Penguins need to make more roster moves to be cap compliant on Monday

like i said in earlier blog I would like to keep jeffrey as the 13th forward but I think he is better than a 4th line center... but there is no room for him...

not sure why glass is still on this team... jeffrey vitale adams 4th line would work.. with D'agostini being the 13th guy and kobasew on 3rd line with jussi and sutter...

like i said in earlier blog I would like to keep jeffrey as the 13th forward but I think he is better than a 4th line center... but there is no room for him...

not sure why glass is still on this team... jeffrey vitale adams 4th line would work.. with D'agostini being the 13th guy and kobasew on 3rd line with jussi and sutter...
- nh4442

To go along with this, I think Vitale provides more energy/jump on that 4th line than Jeffery could

Ryan Wilson: Penguins Roster Decisions Looming As Deadline For Cap Complacency Nears
Penguins need to make more roster moves to be cap compliant on Monday
- Ryan_Wilson

what is the latest on letang? is it long term?

what is the latest on letang? is it long term?
- spezzerman

He will be reevaluated when they return to Pittsburgh tomorrow

To go along with this, I think Vitale provides more energy/jump on that 4th line than Jeffery could
- kfinl170

I think Vitale is a perfect 4th line C. Jeffery simply doesn't provide enough (or any) grit. He's versatile enough to "fill in" at any forward position. Unfortunately, he's not really good enough to earn a full time roll.

Probably his last season as a Penguin, but he'll be kept as the first option for injury replacements.

FWIW.....Tiops says his sources are telling him that some of the Pens vets feel Glass is only in it for a paycheck......and the staff wants him to play with more emotion. It's basically what we all see. The guy simply never does anything noteworthy.

I think Vitale is a perfect 4th line C. Jeffery simply doesn't provide enough (or any) grit. He's versatile enough to "fill in" at any forward position. Unfortunately, he's not really good enough to earn a full time roll.

Probably his last season as a Penguin, but he'll be kept as the first option for injury replacements.

FWIW.....Tiops says his sources are telling him that some of the Pens vets feel Glass is only in it for a paycheck......and the staff wants him to play with more emotion. It's basically what we all see. The guy simply never does anything noteworthy.
- madmike71

I hope they sign kobasew for 1 yr/1mil and waive glass, i think they will still be over cap so despres and or bennett will go down until they play vokun on LTIR and bring back both... or atleast bennett

He will be reevaluated when they return to Pittsburgh tomorrow
- Ryan_Wilson

Which begs the question... How does this reshape the roster? Does Nisk slide up?

Does Despres make the roster now?

Which begs the question... How does this reshape the roster? Does Nisk slide up?

Does Despres make the roster now?
- madmike71

Personally I would rather see Maatta for the 9 games over Despres.

Also do not be surprised if Bennett gets sent down to WB/S for cap reasons and is called back up, I read that in the article NH posted in the last blog.

Personally I would rather see Maatta for the 9 games over Despres.

Also do not be surprised if Bennett gets sent down to WB/S for cap reasons and is called back up, I read that in the article NH posted in the last blog.
- Ryan_Wilson

It makes sense about Bennett. Can't put Vokoun on LTIR until the first day of the season.

I disagree about Maatta staying instead of Despres. Not saying it won't happen, but I haven't seen enough of Maatta to believe he's ready for regular duty at this level. Conversely, I have seen enough of Despres to see that he's a viable NHL player.

I remember Joe Morrow having a really good pre-season and he's now on his 3rd team.

Honestly, if they keep Maatta over Despres, I think that will be the beginning of the end for Simone as a Penguin.

It makes sense about Bennett. Can't put Vokoun on LTIR until the first day of the season.

I disagree about Maatta staying instead of Despres. Not saying it won't happen, but I haven't seen enough of Maatta to believe he's ready for regular duty at this level. Conversely, I have seen enough of Despres to see that he's a viable NHL player.

I remember Joe Morrow having a really good pre-season and he's now on his 3rd team.

Honestly, if they keep Maatta over Despres, I think that will be the beginning of the end for Simone as a Penguin.
- madmike71

The longer Maatta can stay away from junior hockey the better. He gains nothing by going back to juniors.

I'm not suggesting that Maatta actually sticks with the Penguins past the 9 game tryout period just that he has more to gain by being given that 9 game opportunity.

After the 9 games Despres will certainly be the guy who gets the call, and he should. For right now you have to play a little chess with the roster moves and guys like Despres are hurt by their situations (waiver eligible).

wtf glass still on team...

ebbert and conner on waivers...

TOR put liles on waivers... wow he should be picked up soon IMO

is it just me, or does anyone else hate the fact that bennett is on the 3rd line. I understand jokinen has looked good in preseason, but putting bennett on a defensive line isnt going to help him at all.

The longer Maatta can stay away from junior hockey the better. He gains nothing by going back to juniors.

I'm not suggesting that Maatta actually sticks with the Penguins past the 9 game tryout period just that he has more to gain by being given that 9 game opportunity.

After the 9 games Despres will certainly be the guy who gets the call, and he should. For right now you have to play a little chess with the roster moves and guys like Despres are hurt by their situations (waiver eligible).
- Ryan_Wilson

I see your points. I think it comes down to whether they offer Kobasew a contract.

Still... Even though games in October have been labeled as meaningless, I believe you try to win every game. I think Despres makes them a better team.

wtf glass still on team...

ebbert and conner on waivers...

TOR put liles on waivers... wow he should be picked up soon IMO
- nh4442

liles isnt a bad 5th/6th defenseman, especially for a team who needs help

is it just me, or does anyone else hate the fact that bennett is on the 3rd line. I understand jokinen has looked good in preseason, but putting bennett on a defensive line isnt going to help him at all.
- drummer829

Im with you but we cant do anything about it.. u basically just let DB hurt the young guys improvement...

liles isnt a bad 5th/6th defenseman, especially for a team who needs help
- drummer829

exactly, teams like edm or calgary... You would think they pick him up

The longer Maatta can stay away from junior hockey the better. He gains nothing by going back to juniors.

I'm not suggesting that Maatta actually sticks with the Penguins past the 9 game tryout period just that he has more to gain by being given that 9 game opportunity.

After the 9 games Despres will certainly be the guy who gets the call, and he should. For right now you have to play a little chess with the roster moves and guys like Despres are hurt by their situations (waiver eligible).
- Ryan_Wilson

i agree. maatta has looked awesome and another year in juniors is another year of his development being delayed. even if he was scratched for a few games, just continuous practice with the team will help

i agree. maatta has looked awesome and another year in juniors is another year of his development being delayed. even if he was scratched for a few games, just continuous practice with the team will help
- drummer829

I would disagree. I think constant playing time in juniors would be better then seeing no time at nhl level, even though he would be practicing with them...

is he able to join ahl after his birthday or halfway through the season? not sure on rules if it is age or the start of season

exactly, teams like edm or calgary... You would think they pick him up
- nh4442

you would think. Maybe even the avs

is it just me, or does anyone else hate the fact that bennett is on the 3rd line. I understand jokinen has looked good in preseason, but putting bennett on a defensive line isnt going to help him at all.
- drummer829

Beau is fine as long as he is top 9.

I would disagree. I think constant playing time in juniors would be better then seeing no time at nhl level, even though he would be practicing with them...

is he able to join ahl after his birthday or halfway through the season? not sure on rules if it is age or the start of season
- nh4442

the fact is he needs a 9 game tryout. Even if they scratch him 3 of those 9 games, it is still much more beneficial.

the fact is he needs a 9 game tryout. Even if they scratch him 3 of those 9 games, it is still much more beneficial.
- drummer829

well that is true

Just back from today's practice. Incredible turnout. I honestly expected 20 people, but there quite a few hundred. They only had 1/2 of the seats at Tate rink open and many were filled....and capacity is 2648.

Despres, Bennett and of course Sid really stood out. Especially Despres, he was more of everything...bigger, better instincts, smoother skating and his hands are unreal. Bennett is just so slick all around.

Really surprised at how hard some of them go in practice and how much individual work they do. Adams spent 20 minutes one on one with a coach doing nothing but blocking passes/knocking down pucks. Dupuis and Sid were among the final 5 on the ice, spending 15 minutes working on Sid's one timers from the side of the net...first with his own flat stick and then with a curved blade. He was surprisingly bad with the curved blade. And Despres, Bennett and Maata were the final 3 off the ice.

On a humorous note, MAF took a header skating into a player circle at center ice, taking out a few teammates...immediately followed by Neal doing a solo lap around the rink leading me to believe Neal did something to cause MAF's embarrassing moment.

Oh, and if Chris Conner is 5' 8", I'm bigfoot.

Just back from today's practice. Incredible turnout. I honestly expected 20 people, but there quite a few hundred. They only had 1/2 of the seats at Tate rink open and many were filled....and capacity is 2648.

Despres, Bennett and of course Sid really stood out. Especially Despres, he was more of everything...bigger, better instincts, smoother skating and his hands are unreal. Bennett is just so slick all around.

Really surprised at how hard some of them go in practice and how much individual work they do. Adams spent 20 minutes one on one with a coach doing nothing but blocking passes/knocking down pucks. Dupuis and Sid were among the final 5 on the ice, spending 15 minutes working on Sid's one timers from the side of the net...first with his own flat stick and then with a curved blade. He was surprisingly bad with the curved blade. And Despres, Bennett and Maata were the final 3 off the ice.

On a humorous note, MAF took a header skating into a player circle at center ice, taking out a few teammates...immediately followed by Neal doing a solo lap around the rink leading me to believe Neal did something to cause MAF's embarrassing moment.

Oh, and if Chris Conner is 5' 8", I'm bigfoot.
- Pags

thanks for the info... dont have to worry about conners he was just put on waivers, as for MAF and neal... last one to the circle has to do laps. so im guessing flower slide for a reason....

Im glad despres is looking good, I want him on roster and playing not just 7th man out