Ryan Wilson: Jim Rutherford's X-Factor Is Now In Play Jim Rutherford's X-Factor Is Now In Play

That's a hell of a lot of defensemen!

Sutter, Scuds, Despress, Martin are the Pens that I see as moveable. Space will need to be cleared, so that makes Martin Scuds and Sutter better candidates, unless a combo deal is done with Scuds and a prospect/pick. Sutter has played well, but not sure he is needed anymore.

Ryan Wilson: Jim Rutherford's X-Factor Is Now In Play
Jim Rutherford's X-Factor Is Now In Play
- Ryan_Wilson

As long as we get a true value top six forward, I am on board for a trade of defense whether it's prospects or Martin.

Lombardi rarely does anything inside the box. That being said, it makes sense, as long as some salary is heading to Pittsburgh.

id rate the prospects in this order: pouliot, Harrington, despres, dumoulin, and samuelsson. With how maatta is playing, he's no longer considered a prospect. With that list in mind, you may have to give up one of pouliot or Harrington in order to land a quality top 6 winger who is not a rental. I would be ok with moving pouliot as the team already has an abundance of offensive dmen, especially if ehrhoff resigns. Harrington is looking like a solid shut down guy but can hold is own offensively which is what the pens can use. Hopefully like a vlasic or seabrook type of player

I wish Scuds would go back to LA

id rate the prospects in this order: pouliot, Harrington, despres, dumoulin, and samuelsson. With how maatta is playing, he's no longer considered a prospect. With that list in mind, you may have to give up one of pouliot or Harrington in order to land a quality top 6 winger who is not a rental. I would be ok with moving pouliot as the team already has an abundance of offensive dmen, especially if ehrhoff resigns. Harrington is looking like a solid shut down guy but can hold is own offensively which is what the pens can use. Hopefully like a vlasic or seabrook type of player
- drummer829

There isn't many wingers I would trade Pouliot for. That may sound dumb because he's still just a prospect and we have other offensive defenseman in the NHL but I'm really, really excited for this kid.

I wish Scuds would go back to LA
- RoloTahmasee

Don't be surprised if that happens.

As long as we get a true value top six forward, I am on board for a trade of defense whether it's prospects or Martin.
- powerhouse

What if it's Letang or Maata?

What if it's Letang or Maata?
- jmatchett383

They aren't on the trading block... thats like asking Crosby or Malkin

I wish Root Sports would pick up some of the WB/S Pens games. Would love to watch some of these kids develop. As I was leaving the Steeler game last night I walked past the Root Sports studio and they were broadcasting women's field hockey. I can't believe an AHL game, even if it were not live, would not draw more viewers than that....

They aren't on the trading block... thats like asking Crosby or Malkin
- Guile

Well, not it isn't, because the expanse between those 2 groups is like comparing Esa Tikanen to Mark Messier. What if the top-6 winger was a guy like...I don't know, Thomas Vanek, but they wanted Letang included? Would you be willing to wheel and deal?

Unless he can "factor out" Scuderi I really don't see Pouliot as an "x factor". I am not sure what JR will do but I really don't think it makes sense to pull any kind of big trade, unless he can dupe someone into taking Scuderi (and if he can he would rank up there with the salesman in the Far Side cartoon who sold refrigerators to Eskimos). The Pens are in a "win now" phase, not in a rebuilding phase and thus it doesn't make sense to trade Martin. Besides that, his play so far as been better than Ehrhoff's. Usually players play best in their contract years, too (Orpik last year was an exception).

Personnel-wise I think the Pens are fine. The only improvement I can think of is a big, physical top-6 forward but I don't think the Pens can get someone like that in a trade. The cost would be too high. Their biggest problem in recent years has been their strategy. The offense plays too high risk hockey and is often not defensively responsible (starting with Crosby and especially Malkin) and the defense is out of position too much. Hopefully Johnston can change this.

I wish Root Sports would pick up some of the WB/S Pens games. Would love to watch some of these kids develop. As I was leaving the Steeler game last night I walked past the Root Sports studio and they were broadcasting women's field hockey. I can't believe an AHL game, even if it were not live, would not draw more viewers than that....
- madmike71

I have been saying that for years. Show WBS Pens games when the Pens are not playing and maybe even show a few Nailers games when neither are playing. I guess they are too cheap.

Rob Rossi - Writing Fleury column for Wednesday, and check out this quote from Rutherford: 'as long as I'm the GM, he'll be our goalie.'

I wish Root Sports would pick up some of the WB/S Pens games. Would love to watch some of these kids develop. As I was leaving the Steeler game last night I walked past the Root Sports studio and they were broadcasting women's field hockey. I can't believe an AHL game, even if it were not live, would not draw more viewers than that....
- madmike71

Most likely they don't have the rights to the WBS games. Plus they would need to sell advertising during the game and then figure out how that profit is split, which then takes away from Root's overall revenue. I am sure the spots during women's field hockey are not worth a lot, but whatever they are relieving, they aren't splitting it with anyone else.

The other question is do WBS even have TV broadcasts? I know they have radio partners, as I have heard the games before, but I honestly don't know how many games the broadcast, if any. Have you tried funding any info on the web about streaming the games? That might be an option.

As a fan I would love to see some games on Root too, but it's just not going to happen.

Well, not it isn't, because the expanse between those 2 groups is like comparing Esa Tikanen to Mark Messier. What if the top-6 winger was a guy like...I don't know, Thomas Vanek, but they wanted Letang included? Would you be willing to wheel and deal?
- jmatchett383

NO...Vanek underperforms all the time. The only big name F's worth moving Letang for would be someone like Kane, Kane, Perry, Ryan, Eberle, etc....Having 87 and 71, you don't need the top of the line F's, you need a Honrquest level player with them. Martin will be gone by next season that leaves Letang and Ehroff (if he resigns) as your top vet d men, Maata is still learing, with Bortz holding down the fort. It's a good situation defensively for the Pens. They have plenty of D prospects and centers that can be moved.

Rob Rossi - Writing Fleury column for Wednesday, and check out this quote from Rutherford: 'as long as I'm the GM, he'll be our goalie.'
- cory7321

He'd already have an extension if this were true. Actions speak louder than words

The other question is do WBS even have TV broadcasts? I know they have radio partners, as I have heard the games before, but I honestly don't know how many games the broadcast, if any. Have you tried funding any info on the web about streaming the games? That might be an option.
- crebar

AHL Live is a way to see the WBS Pens TV broadcasts but it costs $200 for a single team for a season ($50 more than NHL Center Ice). They claim that every game is broadcasted and for that much they all better be.

AHL Live is a way to see the WBS Pens TV broadcasts but it costs $200 for a single team for a season ($50 more than NHL Center Ice). They claim that every game is broadcasted and for that much they all better be.
- PghPens668771

hockeystreams is king

hockeystreams is king
- BulliesPhan87

Can you get HD on hockey streams through a wifi DVD player?

Rob Rossi - Writing Fleury column for Wednesday, and check out this quote from Rutherford: 'as long as I'm the GM, he'll be our goalie.'
- cory7321

So he does plan on call it quits in June. Botterill must be that darn good.

Can you get HD on hockey streams through a wifi DVD player?
- sammy87

not sure about a wifi DVD player, but I get HD (on par with cable broadcasts) on my chromecast