Ryan Wilson: Penguins Sign Kobasew, Make Other Roster Moves, Letang Update Penguins signed Kobasew to 1 year 550k deal. Recall Beau Bennett

That was a hell of a scene at PNC last night. Congrats to the Pirates, I think they have a real chance to take out St.Louis. Pirates/A's world series would be epic but i'm holding onto my original prediction of a rematch of '88.

Kobasew at 550k is a good value for the team. To bad the Buccos start at 5 and will probably over lap some of the Pens.

Kobasew at 550k is a good value for the team. To bad the Buccos start at 5 and will probably over lap some of the Pens.
- dbell646

I was hoping that it would have been a 7PM Pens game and an 8PM baseball game. You could at least watch most of the Bucco game afterward.

If the Pirates win, it will be cool to hear the ovation at the Pens game though.

I was hoping that it would have been a 7PM Pens game and an 8PM baseball game. You could at least watch most of the Bucco game afterward.

If the Pirates win, it will be cool to hear the ovation at the Pens game though.
- rival22

Yea it should be cool. I'm assuming Pirates won't effect the turnout for the season opener.

That was a hell of a scene at PNC last night. Congrats to the Pirates, I think they have a real chance to take out St.Louis. Pirates/A's world series would be epic but i'm holding onto my original prediction of a rematch of '88.
- canadianpenfan

Pirates/Cards should be a toss up. That was fun to watch! Wish I was there. Partially erased the stain of Sid Bream. Long way to go.

I was hoping that it would have been a 7PM Pens game and an 8PM baseball game. You could at least watch most of the Bucco game afterward.

If the Pirates win, it will be cool to hear the ovation at the Pens game though.
- rival22

5pm tomorrow, 1pm Friday? I think Friday's game is only on MLB network. Oh well, still the playoffs!

What a fun night and I didn't even go to the game!!! Check out on youtube the guy jumping off the Clemente bridge after the game!!!

So glad we got Kobasew signed. I'm actually embracing a more skilled than gritty 3rd line. The NHL is changing the pads are smaller and as long as these guys play sound defense I'm OK with it. Bennett is going to be Great no matter what line he's on.

I can't wait to see how much Bylsma uses Maata. Just can't see a rookie getting a fair chance with Bylsma.

The defense will be much better with Scuderi back which will make Fleury better also. I'm hoping for a Niskanen trade early so we can make Fleury even better.

For the first time in years I don't feel the Pens are the favorites... My expectations have dropped and think that Bylsma had his chance. A change up top would've brought more expectations!!! Go Pens, Go Bucs, Go Steelers

Slow hockey day, so I wanted to share this for the Pirates fans if you haven't seen it.

Really great story and Clint Hurdle, and the positive impact he has on everyone who knows him:
http://espn.go.com/mlb/pl...le-inspiring-others-daily

About halfway through, I really started being reminded about how similar that his approach to life and to sports is to Badger Bob Johnson.

It's a long read, but worth it.

What a fun night and I didn't even go to the game!!! Check out on youtube the guy jumping off the Clemente bridge after the game!!!

So glad we got Kobasew signed. I'm actually embracing a more skilled than gritty 3rd line. The NHL is changing the pads are smaller and as long as these guys play sound defense I'm OK with it. Bennett is going to be Great no matter what line he's on.

I can't wait to see how much Bylsma uses Maata. Just can't see a rookie getting a fair chance with Bylsma.

The defense will be much better with Scuderi back which will make Fleury better also. I'm hoping for a Niskanen trade early so we can make Fleury even better.

For the first time in years I don't feel the Pens are the favorites... My expectations have dropped and think that Bylsma had his chance. A change up top would've brought more expectations!!! Go Pens, Go Bucs, Go Steelers
- lloyd095

The only reason you would trade Niskanen right now would be for cap reasons. They are cap compliant with him.

The Kessel signing was about what I figured he would get. It makes the nucks fans that think they will be able to sign the sedin twins for only 3 years a piece look foolish though. Both are better players than Kessel and could demand longer term contracts (6-8 years) and similer money to Kessel. despite their age. Good on Kobesew! Go bucks!

The only reason you would trade Niskanen right now would be for cap reasons. They are cap compliant with him.
- Ryan_Wilson

Yes, Nisky isn't going anywhere. I'm pretty convinced he'll be here all year. I don't think he's a bad player but I'm not thrilled either. Let's hope he plays like he did before his injury last year.

The Kessel signing was about what I figured he would get. It makes the nucks fans that think they will be able to sign the sedin twins for only 3 years a piece look foolish though. Both are better players than Kessel and could demand longer term contracts (6-8 years) and similer money to Kessel. despite their age. Good on Kobesew! Go bucks!
- ChrisMS

Yeah, no way that any 33 year old star player is going to take a 3 year deal and gives up the future security.

The only reason you would trade Niskanen right now would be for cap reasons. They are cap compliant with him.
- Ryan_Wilson

Not so sure. I think he's a turnover machine and eve though we're under the cap we could replace him with Despres, or Harrington. It sounds like the teams not happy with the 4th line why not look for an upgrade?

Yes, Nisky isn't going anywhere. I'm pretty convinced he'll be here all year. I don't think he's a bad player but I'm not thrilled either. Let's hope he plays like he did before his injury last year.
- madmike71

It's going to be interesting to see how the roster plays out... When everyone is healthy (I know, a pipe dream for this team), they can't fit a full 23 man roster under the cap.

But, who knows if they will ever be 100% healthy, and if they are, other teams won't be, so they can probably easily deal a Niskanen or Glass or whomever to make some room.

Dejan Kovacevic ‏@Dejan_Kovacevic now
Shero: Vokoun out 3-6 months. Ouch.



I think we sorta had the 3 months in our heads from when he had the incident in Nashville, but man... 6 months is just about ruling out the playoffs. Not sure a guy who gets a comes back and gets a couple games in April will be ready for playoff hockey.

Dejan Kovacevic ‏@Dejan_Kovacevic now
Shero: Vokoun out 3-6 months. Ouch.



I think we sorta had the 3 months in our heads from when he had the incident in Nashville, but man... 6 months is just about ruling out the playoffs. Not sure a guy who gets a comes back and gets a couple games in April will be ready for playoff hockey.
- rival22

That hurts Fleury better play good.

Gunner, not sure if you took the other guy up on the "Grabovski vs Ribeiro points" bet but if you did you had a pretty nice start with Grabo's 4 point night

That hurts Fleury better play good.
- lloyd095

And Zatkoff too.

If it was a month, you could ride Fleury a bit, and really pick spots for Zatkoff, but for 3-6 months, Jeff Zatkoff has to perform at an NHL level, because the backup is going to get a decent amount of games, and you can't be afraid to start him.

This could either work out ok, and be a non issue, or it could be a tire fire and we could be out shopping for Ryan Miller or Jonas Hiller this season.

This is why Ray Shero makes the big bucks...

The only reason you would trade Niskanen right now would be for cap reasons. They are cap compliant with him.
- Ryan_Wilson

Read an article yesterday that said with Despres seeming to be falling out of favor compared to other prospects coming up that if the Pens end up having to deal for a goalie it would most likely be Despres getting dangled as bait. It would also solve a bit of the logjam on D. Any thoughts?

And Zatkoff too.

If it was a month, you could ride Fleury a bit, and really pick spots for Zatkoff, but for 3-6 months, Jeff Zatkoff has to perform at an NHL level, because the backup is going to get a decent amount of games, and you can't be afraid to start him.

This could either work out ok, and be a non issue, or it could be a tire fire and we could be out shopping for Ryan Miller or Jonas Hiller this season.

This is why Ray Shero makes the big bucks...
- rival22

Yeah... or theodore/bryzgalov/dipietro/ Brodeur??!?!?!?! Plenty of options if Fluery bombs or just for depth. But what about at the end of the season when Vokoun comes back? Goalie controversy? would Vokoun be able to be relied upon after not playing for possibly half a year? tough decisions ahead for Shero

Shero has no choice but take low risks, don't act like he is great at bargaining...he's running out of cap space.

Yeah... or theodore/bryzgalov/dipietro/ Brodeur??!?!?!?! Plenty of options if Fluery bombs or just for depth. But what about at the end of the season when Vokoun comes back? Goalie controversy? would Vokoun be able to be relied upon after not playing for possibly half a year? tough decisions ahead for Shero
- ChrisMS

Wouldn't mind the Penguins making an offer to Carolina for Khudobin. Low cap hit, played well in Boston last year, and a chance for a long term fit. Don't think he's available, but maybe waiving Despres out there might change their mind.

Wouldn't mind the Penguins making an offer to Carolina for Khudobin. Low cap hit, played well in Boston last year, and a chance for a long term fit. Don't think he's available, but maybe waiving Despres out there might change their mind.
- cap1681

They aren't moving Despres for a backup goalie.

They aren't moving Despres for a backup goalie.
- Ryan_Wilson

And Carolina isn't moving a cheap, very good backup goalie, when their starter has had the injury past that Cam Ward has had. Plus, they really don't have any other NHL ready goalies in their system. If they were happy having Justin Peters as their backup, they'd have Justin Peters as their backup and wouldn't have went out and got Khudobin.