Ryan Wilson: Submit Your Questions To Me For The October Mailbag Submit your questions to the October mailbag.

How do you think we match up with the Oilers?

How do you think we match up with the Oilers?
- powerhouse

You will get that answer tomorrow.

You will get that answer tomorrow.
- Ryan_Wilson

haha

Does anyone want tickets to tomorrows game? Unfortunately due to the Gov shutdown, I have to watch my spending and my wife is on me about my Pens tickets. I really wanted to see the young guns play against the Pens.

Tickets are center ice" Sec 220 Row K seats 7&8. Face value!

I have already received some good questions, keep em coming.

Also updated the blog with my thoughts on Maatta.

Perfect opportunity to trade Niskanen to the Oilers, just wheel his equipment down the hallway on Tuesday night.

I have already received some good questions, keep em coming.

Also updated the blog with my thoughts on Maatta.
- Ryan_Wilson

saw that good read, and I agree

Perfect opportunity to trade Niskanen to the Oilers, just wheel his equipment down the hallway on Tuesday night.
- hitman19

what do we get back? 2nd? they dont have any prospects I like... and it is not like we can take any forwards seeing how all of the pens are contributing these days... hard to hate on the team... well kinda lol

It's really unfortunate that Maata can't go down to the AHL. Trade one of the dmen at the deadline, fill a need, bring up Despres and Maata post-deadline. The defense would be so much stronger.

It's really unfortunate that Maata can't go down to the AHL. Trade one of the dmen at the deadline, fill a need, bring up Despres and Maata post-deadline. The defense would be so much stronger.
- Deadstar

My thoughts on that CHL transfer agreement are well documented. God it is infuriating.

what happens when Letang comes back?

I've come Full circle on Maatta and am back to returning him to junior. Reasons why:

1) ELC - You are basically using up one year of his precious Entry Level Contract when you don't have to. Who knows how other D prospects will pan out, but you already have Despres, Harrington, Dumoulin and even Ruopp on their ELC's. Why add another.

2) As said in #1, you don't have to. If this team was in a bind for blue line talent, then keep him. But at this point, we have depth, and he's not head and shoulders above what we have.

3) Keeping him forces you to move an asset that you might need later in the season, just to make room.

The counter argument against #3 though, is that if Vokoun's recovery is doing good, and you think that it might be closer to 3 months than 6, you probably have to eventually move Niskanen anyway.

I've come Full circle on Maatta and am back to returning him to junior. Reasons why:

1) ELC - You are basically using up one year of his precious Entry Level Contract when you don't have to. Who knows how other D prospects will pan out, but you already have Despres, Harrington, Dumoulin and even Ruopp on their ELC's. Why add another.

2) As said in #1, you don't have to. If this team was in a bind for blue line talent, then keep him. But at this point, we have depth, and he's not head and shoulders above what we have.

3) Keeping him forces you to move an asset that you might need later in the season, just to make room.

The counter argument against #3 though, is that if Vokoun's recovery is doing good, and you think that it might be closer to 3 months than 6, you probably have to eventually move Niskanen anyway.
- rival22

All valid points, but I think he has been that much of an upgrade. The ELC is a non issue for me because by the time that is an issue Paul Martin and Orpik will be gone anyways.

This situation screams AHL but, ya know...

I think the cap might force him back to juniors.

what do we get back? 2nd? they dont have any prospects I like... and it is not like we can take any forwards seeing how all of the pens are contributing these days... hard to hate on the team... well kinda lol
- nh4442

I'd take a flyer on Linus Omark, plus maybe a 3rd, for Niskanen. He seems to have all the skill in the world, just needs a team who can develop and utilize him properly.

I'd take a flyer on Linus Omark, plus maybe a 3rd, for Niskanen. He seems to have all the skill in the world, just needs a team who can develop and utilize him properly.
- hitman19

At this point you might as well ask for Yakupov.

I would lean towards keeping him if only because they have a well documented bumper crop of young guys coming up behind him as well. This has been something that has been coming down the pike for a while now. They already have Bortuzzo NHL ready (he's been great IMHO) and Despres would seem to be so. What happens when Harrington, Doumolin, Pouliot et all start pushing for slots next year? Its not like they can realistically expect to transition all these young guys into the lineup at the same time and still be a team that is a cup contender....there has to be a gradual process that allows these guys to step in and learn their trade. ump me in with the group that thinks the transfer agreement sucks....the "A" would be the perfect spot for Maata this year.

If the decision were solely based on play, he should stay. If there are other financial and administrative reasons he should leave, that needs to be taken into consideration. I like him and hope he can hold up for 82 games, but if he can't we have plenty of backup on D.

I'd take a flyer on Linus Omark, plus maybe a 3rd, for Niskanen. He seems to have all the skill in the world, just needs a team who can develop and utilize him properly.
- hitman19

I dunno, with all the drama Omark has had, Engells for Omark would be more equal. Also, I duno if Omark would be worth it...Nisk could be/is a top 4 D, just can't play there bc of scuds, martin, orpik, despres, letang...

Im not saying Nisk equals Nails... but hey if TK got a 2nd Nisk can... plus

At this point you might as well ask for Yakupov.
- Deadstar

haha I just read SB report on him and his attitude, and that he is a healthy scratch tonight...

my bet is he goes to KHL

If the decision were solely based on play, he should stay. If there are other financial and administrative reasons he should leave, that needs to be taken into consideration. I like him and hope he can hold up for 82 games, but if he can't we have plenty of backup on D.
- powerhouse

He played in 57 regular season games, 21 OHL/Memorial Cup playoffs, and World Juniors. I don't think he is any less capable of handling the 82 game grind than any other player.

haha I just read SB report on him and his attitude, and that he is a healthy scratch tonight...

my bet is he goes to KHL
- nh4442

He can't go to KHL unless he "retires" ala Kovalchuk

I dunno, with all the drama Omark has had, Engells for Omark would be more equal. Also, I duno if Omark would be worth it...Nisk could be/is a top 4 D, just can't play there bc of scuds, martin, orpik, despres, letang...

Im not saying Nisk equals Nails... but hey if TK got a 2nd Nisk can... plus
- nh4442

Timing is everything and right now Deadstar is right with what he said. The Pens are getting screwed on trade value because they can't wait to deal players if they want to keep Maatta.

The AHL would have provided that opportunity for Shero to maximize value and wait for the right time (trade deadline).

I'd take a flyer on Linus Omark, plus maybe a 3rd, for Niskanen. He seems to have all the skill in the world, just needs a team who can develop and utilize him properly.
- hitman19

Tiops reported that the Pens asking price for Nisky was a first rounder during the off-season. Omark and a 3rd isn't going to cut it especially after his hot start. I'm inclined to believe they'll sign him to a new contract rather than move him.

No Beau at practice, perhaps it was an injury and not a coach's decision on Saturday night.