Ryan Wilson: The defenseman Pittsburgh should be looking at instead of Jack Johnson The defenseman Pittsburgh should be looking at instead of Jack Johnson

Youre just pumping out the blogs RW! I love it. Keep it coming!

...and yes, Da Hann all day over JJ...

Sorry is off subject, but curious:

What did you all think of Sheary? Sad to see him go, or just a Crosby/Malkin tag along?

Sheary will be fine in Buffalo because his playoff disappearances will mean nothing on a team that isn't likely to make the playoffs for the next decade.

Like I said last blog, I don't think pumping $4 mil into the bottom pairing is an efficient use of cap space, but if Rutherford is deadset on doing it, it better be de Haan and not Johnson.

Sorry is off subject, but curious:

What did you all think of Sheary? Sad to see him go, or just a Crosby/Malkin tag along?
- RhinoFan

I like him. He's hard working and fast. He's versatile, can play both wings...but...he can dry up for long periods of time and for what ever reason(s) falls down an average of 5.27 times a game...FPG average...

Sorry is off subject, but curious:

What did you all think of Sheary? Sad to see him go, or just a Crosby/Malkin tag along?
- RhinoFan

I like the guy and I think his contract provides solid value. He's more middle six than top 6 and you have to go in knowing he's not a world beater. I wouldn't say I'm particularly sad to see him go because he's like our fifth best wing, so we're not losing an important piece. I think his value was put to good use in dumping Hunwick. I just hope we don't blow the cap space.

I like the guy and I think his contract provides solid value. He's more middle six than top 6 and you have to go in knowing he's not a world beater. I wouldn't say I'm particularly sad to see him go because he's like our fifth best wing, so we're not losing an important piece. I think his value was put to good use in dumping Hunwick. I just hope we don't blow the cap space.
- Victoro311

I have an uneasy feeling in my tummy man....

I 100% agree on De Haan over Johnson, I don't really know that either help the Pens out enough for what they would cost.

The Pens look good at LD. If they want to take stress off Letang they could really use someone like Faulk or Severenson to solidify a 3rd good pairing.

I 100% agree on De Haan over Johnson, I don't really know that either help the Pens out enough for what they would cost.

The Pens look good at LD. If they want to take stress off Letang they could really use someone like Faulk or Severenson to solidify a 3rd good pairing.
- MacPatty

Oleksiak can play either side (and may actually be best on the right side), so I don't think that matters. If we traded for Faulk that would push a massive contract in Schultz to the third pairing, at which point we should probably trade Schultz.

If Carolina is deadset on moving Faulk (which I don't really get cus he's pretty (frank)ing good), I'd explore trading Faulk and a sizeable number of futures for a blockbuster trade that brings Faulk and Skinner here.

I have an uneasy feeling in my tummy man....
- MattStrat

At least JR makes sure things are exciting. Even Shero before him. The Pens have always had aggressive GM's who are always making moves. With both GM's it has definitely been more hits than misses.

Oleksiak can play either side (and may actually be best on the right side), so I don't think that matters. If we traded for Faulk that would push a massive contract in Schultz to the third pairing, at which point we should probably trade Schultz.
- Victoro311

I mean, if Oleksiak is better on the right side, that would be great as LD's are much easier to come by. I thought he played mostly on the left side during the playoffs, can't really recall him on the right side.

I mean, if Oleksiak is better on the right side, that would be great as LD's are much easier to come by. I thought he played mostly on the left side during the playoffs, can't really recall him on the right side.
- MacPatty

Yeah after we traded Cole he played on the left, but he played his best hockey by far with us when he was paired with Cole on the right side. I don't know which was the more important factor: his chemistry with Cole or playing on the right side. Regardless, there was a noticeable and substantial drop off in his play after Cole got traded.

If we’re talking about dmen, why not bring cole back? I’d rather have cole at 3.5 mil than De Haan or JJ at the same price

Sheary will be fine in Buffalo because his playoff disappearances will mean nothing on a team that isn't likely to make the playoffs for the next decade.
- hardnosed

I think the Sabres are still a bit away from making the playoffs but I wouldn't go that far.

I think every fan here would love to see Cole back, but I think Pen's burned the bridge with him when he was a healthy scratch

If we’re talking about dmen, why not bring cole back? I’d rather have cole at 3.5 mil than De Haan or JJ at the same price
- drummer829

I really like Cole and didn't think they should trade him but at this point I think its just scorched earth.

I think every fan here would love to see Cole back, but I think Pen's burned the bridge with him when he was a healthy scratch
- 123Kid

Sullivan hates Cole because he talks to the media and is a goof ball, which seems pretty stupid, so I think Sully would put his foot down on bringing him back. Still, add Cole to the list of players I'd rather pay $4 mil to than JJ.

Overall for all the Buffalo Fans I think Sheary is a streaky player. He will go 3 games in a row lighting up the score sheets, but then he will go on a drought for 10 games. I think he could be good playing with Eichel or O'Reilly and probably will have good games and bad games. For his cap hit he is worth it. I think it was time for a change of scenery for him and hopefully it will do him good. He is a small but fast player who again goes through streaks of making incredible shots then games where he couldn't hit an empty net from 10ft away. Hopefully he works on his shot more and helps your team. I agree with most and believe he is better in the top 6. Do I think he is worth more than a 4th? I do due to his age and his flashes in ability. I do think Pens are better off with the cap space though.

I think the Sabres are still a bit away from making the playoffs but I wouldn't go that far.
- sabreadvocate1

They can gain another 1st when/if oreilly is traded. Apparently Ristolainen rumors are out there and that’s another 1st plus prospects. They’ll be good to go in 4-5 years

Sullivan hates Cole because he talks to the media and is a goof ball, which seems pretty stupid, so I think Sully would put his foot down on bringing him back. Still, add Cole to the list of players I'd rather pay $4 mil to than JJ.
- Victoro311

It's sad, but it seems the media tries to make Sully and Kessel out to be bad guys. I do agree though I would take Cole over JJ for 4 heck I would take Cole for 4 mil over JJ for 3.5 million any day.

I'm not anti-Skinner. He is a good player, but I think the idea of paying Sprong for him is a bad idea. You waited 2 years for Sprong to be NHL ready. Why trade him without seeing what he can do? All for a guy who could command at least $6.5M next year or just walk away from the team?

Keep Sprong at his nice $750k cap hit.

What is going to unfold over the next 96 hours?...the suspense is killing me haha

I actually think Nash and Crosby could be very, very good. Nash is LW/RW and he plays with a tough forecheck...