Kunitz-Crosby-Bennett
Kulemin-Malkin-Neal
Cooke-Sutter-Dupuis

- Orpik44

wern't you fired for something nasty? I can't remember what it was... oh yeah domestic abuse and DUI. interesting choice for a picture. (do have to admit he was fun to watch on the ice sometimes) oh yeah... why break up d-c-k line? bennett could be effective on the third line and 2nd powerplay unit

Some stats to think about:

The Pens have scored 100 goals this year, most in the NHL. No other team has even hit 90 yet.

The Pens have a 7 point division lead on the NJ Devils, and are 13 points ahead of the Flyers

If Kunitz was scoring at the rate he is now in a regular 82 game season, he would score 54 goals and 112 points and be a +66. Crosby would put up 137 points.

For our 1st and Samuelsson or Dumoulin, I'd do it. Not Despres/Morrow/Harrington/Maatta/Pouliot...no way.
- Orpik44

I would have no problem with maata, morrow, or harrington. pouliot would give me pause... samualson may make our team as a 5-6 guy... doumalin maybe has top 4 potential... but doubt either would get the deal done. the others have more potential and might allow us to beat offers from bruins etc. we barely beat the bruins and if they had iginla on the ice? getting iginla also keeps other east coast teams from getting him

wern't you fired for something nasty? I can't remember what it was... oh yeah domestic abuse and DUI. interesting choice for a picture. (do have to admit he was fun to watch on the ice sometimes) oh yeah... why break up d-c-k line? bennett could be effective on the third line and 2nd powerplay unit
- ChrisMS

I can't break up Sid-Kunitz-Dupuis right now. Also can't take Bennett out of the top 6. Kulemin would be a good 3rd line guy.

Not really, I'm just not willing to move TK. Everyone on here is quick to hate on him because he is in a slump so far this season, but I'll be the first person to defend him. He is a crucial part of our team, and although he isn't showing up in the scoring column as much as we'd all like to see, he still plays hard every night and is defensively sound. He skates hard every shift, he's great on the forecheck, and he's not afraid to throw his weight around at guys that are twice his size. Yeah, I think we all get a little frustrated when he misses the net by 2 feet, or shoots it directly into the goalies chest, but I can live with that from our 3rd line Right Wing. You all can keep proposing TK trades, but I GUERIN-TEE you he is not going anywhere any time soon.
- Killian

He looked terrific on Boston's 2nd goal. I'm also a TK supporter but he needs to come out of the line up he is not working at the same rate we are accustomed too.

I can't break up Sid-Kunitz-Dupuis right now. Also can't take Bennett out of the top 6. Kulemin would be a good 3rd line guy.
- cap1681

i think the chemistry malkin - kulimen showed in russia mught displace bennett

i think the chemistry malkin - kulimen showed in russia mught displace bennett
- ChrisMS

Kulimen is gargage and he shouldn't be in the NHL. Send him back to KHL where he belongs.

wern't you fired for something nasty? I can't remember what it was... oh yeah domestic abuse and DUI. interesting choice for a picture. (do have to admit he was fun to watch on the ice sometimes) oh yeah... why break up d-c-k line? bennett could be effective on the third line and 2nd powerplay unit
- ChrisMS

That's right
I think Jagr hated him while he was in the Penguins because he would jeopardize the PP time. Correct me if I'm wrong...but Barnaby was a box of surprises.

Dupuis is just the most non-sexy top 6 option in all top 10 teams in the league. But he gets the job done and is a good soldier. No need to break up that line. Just was trying to fit Bennett on the top 6 and Kulemin with good friend Geno.

i think the chemistry malkin - kulimen showed in russia mught displace bennett
- ChrisMS

Bennett will be on Malkin's wing for the next 5-6 years, and looks pretty good right now playing top 6 minutes. No way you mess with the kids head by dropping him down a line, especially when he's done everything except score to prove he deserves to be there. The goals will come for him.

i think the chemistry malkin - kulimen showed in russia mught displace bennett
- ChrisMS

Doubtful that was in the K. Bennett is showing he can play top 6 in the NHL. Kulemin wouldn't be what I want at the deadline.

Kulimen is gargage and he shouldn't be in the NHL. Send him back to KHL where he belongs.
- Killian

That would be Dupuis without Sid. Maybe Geno has just this effect on Kulemin.

Doubtful that was in the K. Bennett is showing he can play top 6 in the NHL. Kulemin wouldn't be what I want at the deadline.
- dbell646

Sounds like he has the potential to be the next Poni

Bennett will be on Malkin's wing for the next 5-6 years, and looks pretty good right now playing top 6 minutes. No way you mess with the kids head by dropping him down a line, especially when he's done everything except score to prove he deserves to be there. The goals will come for him.
- cap1681

I don't necessarily disagree with the idea of keeping bennett there... but that was a terrible argument for doing it. mess with his head? Oh boo-hoo, should we change his diapers for him too? He is an adult and a professional... if he plays on the third line he should make the most of it to prove he doesn't belong there. and top 6 wingers need to score... I really like this MAN but if you can get someone to the job better than you do.... ps. still really like bennett

I don't necessarily disagree with the idea of keeping bennett there... but that was a terrible argument for doing it. mess with his head? Oh boo-hoo, should we change his diapers for him too? He is an adult and a professional... if he plays on the third line he should make the most of it to prove he doesn't belong there. and top 6 wingers need to score... I really like this MAN but if you can get someone to the job better than you do.... ps. still really like bennett
- ChrisMS

This is terrible logic. Lets give away assets for someone marginally better at best and more than likely worse. Pass.

This is terrible logic. Lets give away assets for someone marginally better at best and more than likely worse. Pass.
- Deadstar

argument wasn't for who we get... but against the idea of bennett having cemented his place in the top six.. so if kulimin comes in and plays better great... what about iginla... i think he might be more then marginally better

also... marginally better may be the margin we need to get to the cup finals

argument wasn't for who we get... but against the idea of bennett having cemented his place in the top six.. so if kulimin comes in and plays better great... what about iginla... i think he might be more then marginally better

also... marginally better may be the margin we need to get to the cup finals
- ChrisMS

Yeah who knows, maybe the Pens could have 110 goals right now instead of 100...

Or perhaps the Penguins address the 78 goals against which is the most in the Eastern Conference of any team currently in a playoff spot.

argument wasn't for who we get... but against the idea of bennett having cemented his place in the top six.. so if kulimin comes in and plays better great... what about iginla... i think he might be more then marginally better

also... marginally better may be the margin we need to get to the cup finals
- ChrisMS

If Bennett isn't in the top 6, he shouldn't be with the big club. He isn't a 3rd liner. Top 6 or bust.

argument wasn't for who we get... but against the idea of bennett having cemented his place in the top six.. so if kulimin comes in and plays better great... what about iginla... i think he might be more then marginally better

also... marginally better may be the margin we need to get to the cup finals
- ChrisMS

The problem is that we don't need to bring in Iginla. We don't need a top 6 forward. This team has scored 100 goals in 27 games, 12 more than any other team. Where this team is lacking is on the defensive side. I would love seeing Iginla in a Pens sweater, but it's not needed.

Yeah who knows, maybe the Pens could have 110 goals right now instead of 100...

Or perhaps the Penguins address the 78 goals against which is the most in the Eastern Conference of any team currently in a playoff spot.
- Gunner Staal

What would you say for a Nisk and a pick for Smid and a pick? Since you are the only rational one here most of the time, lol

If Bennett isn't in the top 6, he shouldn't be with the big club. He isn't a 3rd liner. Top 6 or bust.
- AncasterPens

At this stage in his career where the AHL is still an option, I sort of agree... But I don't like the general statement that a player is a top 6 player or nothing else. We see it with guys like Jeffrey or have even seen it with Tangradi. To me, all that "Top 6 or bust" label is, is a polite way of saying that a player is soft.

If you are a good NHL player, you can play effectively on a third line. It might not be ideal for your skill set, but you can contribute in that role.

Yeah who knows, maybe the Pens could have 110 goals right now instead of 100...

Or perhaps the Penguins address the 78 goals against which is the most in the Eastern Conference of any team currently in a playoff spot.
- Gunner Staal

Agree with you there... would love a d-man to help out... I would love to see a deal develop regarding smid and hemsky out of edmonton... or maybe sarich out of cal... and by the way... I would feel slightly better about their chances if the had 110 instead of 100.... wouldn't you?

At this stage in his career where the AHL is still an option, I sort of agree... But I don't like the general statement that a player is a top 6 player or nothing else. We see it with guys like Jeffrey or have even seen it with Tangradi. To me, all that "Top 6 or bust" label is, is a polite way of saying that a player is soft.

If you are a good NHL player, you can play effectively on a third line. It might not be ideal for your skill set, but you can contribute in that role.
- rival22

I would have no problem with maata, morrow, or harrington. pouliot would give me pause... samualson may make our team as a 5-6 guy... doumalin maybe has top 4 potential... but doubt either would get the deal done. the others have more potential and might allow us to beat offers from bruins etc. we barely beat the bruins and if they had iginla on the ice? getting iginla also keeps other east coast teams from getting him
- ChrisMS

And yet they were able to beat the Bruins without #71 in the lineup too.

I would have no problem with Iginla at all but offense is not the Penguins problem right now.

You know what is a fun stat?

Chris Kunitz has just as many points as the $15 Million Dynamic Duo of Parise and Suter combined.

At this stage in his career where the AHL is still an option, I sort of agree... But I don't like the general statement that a player is a top 6 player or nothing else. We see it with guys like Jeffrey or have even seen it with Tangradi. To me, all that "Top 6 or bust" label is, is a polite way of saying that a player is soft.

If you are a good NHL player, you can play effectively on a third line. It might not be ideal for your skill set, but you can contribute in that role.
- rival22

Not at a Stanley Cup championship level though, which is what the goal is for the Penguins.

Cup champions have very specialized rosters for the deep playoff runs. Yeah Bennett could do some 3rd line work in the regular season (and has done fine) but when all the chips are down in a playoff run, I do believe it is top 6 or bust for Bennett.