Can someone explain to me how Maatta dropped to us in the draft
- Genev21

I passionately wanted the Caps to draft him with one of their picks. Weird too, because we have a link to London through Hunter, I am sure he was ranting to McPhee to pick him, but McPhee is an idiot. Not that I dislike the Forsberg or Wilson pick, but Maatta on our blue line would look great right now.

He still could be an option. I would rather have him than Zatkoff.
- Oneonta Penguin

He retired...

LOL...I remember the Flames trading down when they could have had Matta & at the time many said it was an absolute stupid move to pass on him.

Instead they selected Jankowski, who if he even ever plays in the NHL, is at least 3 years from doing so.

So many wrong moves by the Flames is why they find themselves where they are. Great pick by the Pens & he's already paying dividends.

Great teams draft well, poor teams are poor because of their lack of knowledge in players they are selecting.

Can someone explain to me how Maatta dropped to us in the draft
- Genev21

Because teams like the Flames were stupid enough to pass on him. But hey, can't blame them, they ended up taking Jankowski - LMAO!!

Did not see this kid Maata coming? Who knew he was this good? Great asset to have and hold on to.

Don't undersell Bortuzzo. There is always going to be room for a big, physical defenseman on any NHL top 6 roster. I see Shero trading one of the D at some point for a physical 3rd line type with some size grit and scoring (not a rental). That's the only thing this squad appears to really lack.
- Emperor Filonius

You guys have always coveted Kulemin and I really really want Brooks Orpik plz

You guys have always coveted Kulemin and I really really want Brooks Orpik plz
- HeadsUpChinDown

I think the value there would be pretty fair, but honestly, us taking oprik out of the lineup and locker room probably wouldn't do us much good.

Link please, I'm sure it's hilarious
- FinAddict

Not really. They said it was the niggest goal of jones career.

Not really. They said it was the niggest goal of jones career.
- dshiddy

Really? The B and N are next to each other, but man...

Because teams like the Flames were stupid enough to pass on him. But hey, can't blame them, they ended up taking Jankowski - LMAO!!
- newmy

The Flyers had the 20th pick that year but they don't need a young, speedy D-Man on their team now!

You guys have always coveted Kulemin and I really really want Brooks Orpik plz
- HeadsUpChinDown

They have?

Because teams like the Flames were stupid enough to pass on him. But hey, can't blame them, they ended up taking Jankowski - LMAO!!
- newmy

Technically the pens passed on him too when they took pouliot at 8, maatta was the 8th ranked skater going into the draft there is no way they could have ever expected to still see him sitting there in the 20's.

Can we just have one yr without major injuries... I know this is a tough sport but come on.... I want a healthy team!

The kid can thank Luongo's awful rebound control for his first nhl goal.
- dshiddy

Maatta at least made a nice play to score his ... Edler, not so much.

Technically the pens passed on him too when they took pouliot at 8, maatta was the 8th ranked skater going into the draft there is no way they could have ever expected to still see him sitting there in the 20's.
- Genev21

You're right but a slew of teams including the Flames passed on him which was a BIG MISTAKE!! That's what i'm saying, bad scouting departments lead to bad drafts which leads to horrible teams!!

Not really. They said it was the niggest goal of jones career.
- dshiddy

How is a black guy scoring the niggest goal of his career not hilarious?

For those who want Despres up with the Penguins he should probably start by not being a scratch down in WB/S.

Edit: I don't know if it is a healthy scratch or injury related though. I should mention that.

For those who want Despres up with the Penguins he should probably start by not being a scratch down in WB/S.

Edit: I don't know if it is a healthy scratch or injury related though. I should mention that.
- Ryan_Wilson

If thats the case I want to know what haooened to him because he looked good, not great, last year. Of course he had his lapses but thats expected from a young guy. If he doesn't pan out I think it is 100% of how his was mismanaged.

If thats the case I want to know what haooened to him because he looked good, not great, last year. Of course he had his lapses but thats expected from a young guy. If he doesn't pan out I think it is 100% of how his was mismanaged.
- Genev21

Weak sauce.

If that's the case he wasn't really that good to begin with.

Weak sauce.

If that's the case he wasn't really that good to begin with.
- Ryan_Wilson

I don't agree with that 100% I think a situation has a lot to do with how a player develops also. If you jerk a player around enough, eventually it will get to them. You played hockey, I played basketball....I can tell you right now, it can take its toll on you after a while. Do you think Aaron Rodgers would be Aaron Rodgers if he was drafted by the Browns?

Weak sauce.

If that's the case he wasn't really that good to begin with.
- Ryan_Wilson

He is good, but don't take my word for it. Here is his scouting report.

http://forecaster.thehock...ws/hockey/player.php?6999

He is good, but don't take my word for it. Here is his scouting report.

http://forecaster.thehock...ws/hockey/player.php?6999
- powerhouse

If his career is derailed because he is in the AHL right now he isn't a good player.

He isn't some kind of mental patient contrary to the belief of some in here.

I don't agree with that 100% I think a situation has a lot to do with how a player develops also. If you jerk a player around enough, eventually it will get to them. You played hockey, I played basketball....I can tell you right now, it can take its toll on you after a while. Do you think Aaron Rodgers would be Aaron Rodgers if he was drafted by the Browns?
- Thorny

The Penguins aren't the Browns, they are the Packers within your analogy. Not to mention Aaron Rodgers had to wait his turn much like Despres has.

The Penguins aren't the Browns, they are the Packers within your analogy. Not to mention Aaron Rodgers had to wait his turn much like Despres has.
- Ryan_Wilson

Here is another prospects list which has him pegged as a top 4 defenseman.

http://insidepittsburghsp...h-penguins-top-prospects/

I don't agree that Despres has been mismanaged.

Despres made more gaffes per game last year than Maata's made all season.

Despres hadn't yet dominated at WBS. They're giving him a chance to do so right now while cleaning up his game. It fits with his learning curve in juniors that he might take a little longer to develop.