The funny thing here is that many Pens fans are ready to show Letang the door and many Flyers fans would give their first born to get Letang.
- Daman

I think it is salary related more than anything. Letang is poised to double his current salary.

Murray is slow as molasses, but the PK was STELLAR in the playoffs when he was back there clearing the front of the net. They should keep him as a bottom pairing guy if at all possible.

Let me preface this by saying I like Murray. That said, I might be more inclined to resign Eaton over him. Iggy won't take Guerin money. I wouldn't even resign him. Add Niskanen gone and we are in agreement.
- Oneonta Penguin

I don't want Eaton back for two reasons.... 1) He ran out of gas in the playoffs and didn't even play the entirety of a shortened season.
2)Disco will play him over a younger/better player because of his "experience". 100% serious with this comment.

Consider it done Sir!

Seriously though... I like talking to you guys... arguing with you guys, and just talking hockey in general with you guys (and girls, sorry)... Not trying to be a pest.
- jak521

You're not an issue.

But do me a favor...see if you can shame Bullies into getting rid of his owl/cat avatar. If it helps I think there are infringement issues as I'm pretty sure i've seen 14 year old asian girls with that picture on their t-shirt.

He claims its a mugal or a moodle or something. It's just all kinds of wrong.

There is a lot of talk about moving Letang...and rightfully so.

What's interesting is that Paul Martin has actually played himself back into a valuable asset/tradeable player.

I sort of think Shero would not trade Martin, based on what he has said about him recently...but there certainly is a business decision to be made.

Assume for a second that they decide Letang is worth his market value...in 2014-15 you have this

Crosby 8.7
Malkin 9.5
Neal 5.0
Letang 7.0
Martin 5.0
Fleury 5.0

40.2M spent..with the rest of the roster to fill..and a guess of a salary cap at 70M means you have to do that with about 30M

The funny thing here is that many Pens fans are ready to show Letang the door and many Flyers fans would give their first born to get Letang.
- Daman

OK, for discussion only and let's face it, if Pittsburgh deals him, it won't be to Philly ... I'd be interested as far as a deal that Flyer fans would part with to acquire him. Please don't put any prospects because there isn't anything that jumps out being good. Be serious.

There is a lot of talk about moving Letang...and rightfully so.

What's interesting is that Paul Martin has actually played himself back into a valuable asset/tradeable player.

I sort of think Shero would not trade Martin, based on what he has said about him recently...but there certainly is a business decision to be made.

Assume for a second that they decide Letang is worth his market value...in 2014-15 you have this

Crosby 8.7
Malkin 9.5
Neal 5.0
Letang 7.0
Martin 5.0
Fleury 5.0

40.2M spent..with the rest of the roster to fill..and a guess of a salary cap at 70M means you have to do that with about 30M
- icedog97

I think Martin is more valuable TO THHIS TEAM than Letang.

I don't want Eaton back for two reasons.... 1) He ran out of gas in the playoffs and didn't even play the entirety of a shortened season.
2)Disco will play him over a younger/better player because of his "experience". 100% serious with this comment.
- madmike71

I see the arguments for this and agree. However, if its against Eaton and Murray as far to resign, who do you go with?

I agree with your #2

Fact is this, our defense will have a way different look after next. When you consider Martin is the only one signed for that year ... and some of the Maatta, Pouliott, Harrington types could be filtering in. We have no choice but to be younger then. We might need a new philosophy from our forwards as far as defense until our young guys are indeed battle tested and ready to go.

You're not an issue.

But do me a favor...see if you can shame Bullies into getting rid of his owl/cat avatar. If it helps I think there are infringement issues as I'm pretty sure i've seen 14 year old asian girls with that picture on their t-shirt.

He claims its a mugal or a moodle or something. It's just all kinds of wrong.
- canadianpenfan

I was thinking of changing it this morning. Now I think I'll keep it for a bit longer. Maybe I'll devise another wager for avatar rights.

I think Martin is more valuable TO THHIS TEAM than Letang.
- canadianpenfan

The Paul Martin that showed this year, I agree. He might not have the skill that Letang does, but to me, he is a safer options at defense; adds poise on the power play and doesn't try to get too cute like Letang does with the puck.

I don't see too many Oilers games......can anybody tell me about Smid's game? I see he led the Oilers in hits and blocked shot. Is his skating a liability? Could see Letang for their 1st round pick, Smid, and a prospect, possibly Paajarvi.

You're not an issue.

But do me a favor...see if you can shame Bullies into getting rid of his owl/cat avatar. If it helps I think there are infringement issues as I'm pretty sure i've seen 14 year old asian girls with that picture on their t-shirt.

He claims its a mugal or a moodle or something. It's just all kinds of wrong.
- canadianpenfan

Unfortunately there is no shaming the shameless. That cat (referring to Bullies) is a bit on the strange side... but hey, thanks for making me notice that stupid (frank)ing blink cat thing.

Unfortunately there is no shaming the shameless. That cat (referring to Bullies) is a bit on the strange side... but hey, thanks for making me notice that stupid (frank)ing blink cat thing.
- jak521

It a moogle, from Final Fantasy

I think Martin is more valuable TO THHIS TEAM than Letang.
- canadianpenfan

He was arguably their most consistent defenseman all year. The PP is far better with him playing the point.

I don't see too many Oilers games......can anybody tell me about Smid's game? I see he led the Oilers in hits and blocked shot. Is his skating a liability? Could see Letang for their 1st round pick, Smid, and a prospect, possibly Paajarvi.
- cap1681

Smid is exactly what we need but I don't think they're looking to move him. It would be great to get him and Eberle though.

I don't see too many Oilers games......can anybody tell me about Smid's game? I see he led the Oilers in hits and blocked shot. Is his skating a liability? Could see Letang for their 1st round pick, Smid, and a prospect, possibly Paajarvi.
- cap1681

I would take that in a heartbeat!

It a moogle, from Final Fantasy
- cap1681

See, this guy's hip. Well, as hip as a guy who recognizes a 19 year old video game graphic can be.

OK, for discussion only and let's face it, if Pittsburgh deals him, it won't be to Philly ... I'd be interested as far as a deal that Flyer fans would part with to acquire him. Please don't put any prospects because there isn't anything that jumps out being good. Be serious.
- Oneonta Penguin

I would offer Coburn and Simmonds and nothing more.

No trade will happen though and we all know it

Unfortunately there is no shaming the shameless. That cat (referring to Bullies) is a bit on the strange side... but hey, thanks for making me notice that stupid (frank)ing blink cat thing.
- jak521

You should know this won't work, as I have no shame.

See, this guy's hip. Well, as hip as a guy who recognizes a 19 year old video game graphic can be.
- BulliesPhan87

I was 11 nineteen years ago......comes with the territory.

I don't see too many Oilers games......can anybody tell me about Smid's game? I see he led the Oilers in hits and blocked shot. Is his skating a liability? Could see Letang for their 1st round pick, Smid, and a prospect, possibly Paajarvi.
- cap1681

Smid is exactly what Pittsburgh needs. Paajarvi is an enigma IMO.

I was 11 nineteen years ago......comes with the territory.
- cap1681

Damn homie.. you old!

Smid is exactly what we need but I don't think they're looking to move him. It would be great to get him and Eberle though.
- canadianpenfan

I think they would move him if they were to get Letang. Paajarvi is an unsigned RFA, so that would be a small issue, but i could see him being an effective 3rd liner for the Pens as well.

I would offer Coburn and Simmonds and nothing more.

No trade will happen though and we all know it
- Daman

Not a fan of Coburn at all, but LOVE Simmonds.

Thanks. Even though this would never happen, I was just interested in your thoughts.

He was arguably their most consistent defenseman all year. The PP is far better with him playing the point.
- Emperor Filonius

I still don't see how they replace Letang's minutes and abilities. Martin, as well as he played this year, isn't going to just jump into being a number 1 defensman. Despres seems to have a nice combo of skills, but I don't think they're going to instantly make him the number 1 guy. The kids in minors are still going to need a year or two.

Moving Letang is going to leave a significant void for the immediate future. It's a problem.