Elliotte Friedman had some Penguins related information in his latest 30 thoughts article which you can find here
15. With time to decompress from the Phil Kessel trade, it’s clear that was one tricky negotiation. According to several sources, it looked dead on Sunday, about 72 hours before it happened. The Penguins were adamant Derrick Pouliot was not to be included. The Maple Leafs said no to keeping $2.5 million of Kessel’s salary per season, then no to $2 million, before agreeing to $1.2 million. There was a time Toronto agreed to take Rob Scuderi’s contract. That didn’t happen, but there were multiple denials Chris Kunitz was ever discussed. The Maple Leafs would not comment. Penguins GM Jim Rutherford didn’t want to address all this, simply saying, “We wanted Kessel because he was the best player for us.…
Trades are a give and take experiment. The more you want the more you will have to give. For the Penguins to include Scuderi AND have Toronto retain 2.5M of Kessel's cap hit somebody like Derrick Pouliot would have to be involved. Instead the Penguins met Toronto's demands by dialing back the dead weight (Spaling) and the amount of retention (1.2M). In my estimation keeping Pouliot and his ELC was the correct decision. I still find the return on the Kessel deal underwhelming for Toronto. It hinges on Kasperi Kapanen being a 25 goal 60 point forward for many years.
17. Rutherford on Brandon Sutter: “I’m not planning to move him. I like him. We have 10 guys who can play in our top nine — including Beau Bennett. But, we are up against the cap pretty good, so we’ll have to do something.… I’d heard Chicago likes Sutter, but with Artem Anisimov ensconced, there doesn’t seem to be a fit.
Brandon Sutter won't be a Penguin for the long term. They can either trade him or ride it out. Sutter is a passenger during even-strength hockey. For a team up against the cap you would think the prudent move would to find another passenger style player and pay them less or find a better player and pay them similar money (Fehr). Other options like Mike Santorelli, Derek Roy, and Matt Cullen are still available and will come in cheaper. Their numbers are favorable when compared to Brandon Sutter.
18. The Penguins’ GM credited assistant Tom Fitzgerald with pushing to sign Russian free agent Sergei Plotnikov, who the Penguins hope can play in their top six. Fitzgerald said he noticed Plotnikov upon arrival at the World Championships.“He just stood out to me, very detailed. He played centre in (the first game I saw), moved well, straight-line player. The next game, he moved to the wing and was very effective there. Against the Swedes, he played on the left side with Ovechkin.… He became more attractive when the team realized he was still going to be on an entry-level contract, because you know the cost.
“What’s the risk here?… Fitzgerald added. “He never turns his back on the play… stops and starts, supports the puck, plays a way that you have to play to win in the playoffs.… Fitzgerald also saw some YouTube videos where Plotnikov fought. “We’re not going to ask him to do that, but it shows he’s tough. Not afraid to stick up for himself.…
I agree with Mr. Fitzgerald. What is the risk? No harm in trying to find players in different avenues. If Plotnikov hits his contract bonuses then that means he will have done a good job for the team. It is a win win.
Here's what Crosby had to say about Kessel when he was interviewed yesterday. Full video: http://t.co/bg3vT1bzTp pic.twitter.com/bX6bKXAzZx
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) July 10, 2015
Pens announce they've re-signed defenseman Brian Dumoulin to a two-year contract.
— Jason Mackey (@Mackey_Trib) July 9, 2015
It is a one-way contract which means he will make an NHL salary whether or not he plays in the NHL or not, it has nothing to do with waiver status. Brian Dumoulin will either be on Pittsburgh's NHL roster to start the season or he will be traded. He has to clear waivers if they demote him and that just won't happen.
Love this pic.twitter.com/axp81t0z1a
— VBstone (@vinnybatts) July 9, 2015
It is nice to see the shift in philosophy to skill. The grit absent skill approach has been proven to be a failure time and time again. Better to play a tweener like Kevin Porter (recently signed)than flat out bad NHL players like Craig Adams, Max Lapierre, Tanner Glass, Taylor Pyatt etc...
If a player like Beau Bennett is playing a regular shift on the 4th line and it is because Pittsburgh has other skilled forwards in front of him that is a great thing.
Strength and conditioning coach Mike Kadar is leaving the Penguins to take the same post with the Detroit Red Wings.
— Jonathan Bombulie (@BombulieTrib) July 10, 2015
Mike Kadar has been with the team for a long time and while I will definitely not blame him for the Penguins injury woes it probably isn't the worst idea to change things up in that department given Pittsburgh's stretch of bad luck.
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