I just don't like having an offensive defenseman in Niskanen playing with maatta. Bortuzzo hangs back and allows maatta to join the rush. Do you really think a pairing of maatta-Niskanen will perform better than how maatta-bortuzzo have been playing? All I'm saying is borts and maatta have shown some nice chemistry together. Also, although bortuzzo is a little older, he too is slowly developing into a better defensive defenseman. Everyone is talking about the young D prospects, but I think we overlook how far bortuzzo has come and that he is still getting better. Niskanens stock is probably at its highest right now, he's shown he can handle top 4 minutes with the right partner

I love how we all become gms when there are trade rumors, I will give you this guy for that guy and a pick. I will give you these two guys for that one guy and 2 picks. I will give you one Zamboni, six hockey sticks and a small coke for that other guy.
you know typical gm stuff

Pens schedule has been full of cupcakes so far this year. Saturday was their first major test and they were outplayed at even strength.

I disagree, tampa is good, Carolina is good, plus I don't think we were outplayed at all even strength, just cause they had a high shot total, they were shootin from any and everywhere.

stop it
- pensfan024

Can't shoot if you don't have the puck

He played every 3rd game. Not exactly how you develop a young player. I think that Bylsma did a terrible job playing guys like Engo and Eaton over him. The Pens were in the playoffs no matter what just like this year. If you're not playing him send him down like this year.
- lloyd095

He played 33 out of 48 regular season games after playing 27 in WBS during the lockout. No other Pens defensemen played more actual games than Despres last season.

We all agree he could have played more NHL games, but let's no pretend he was banished to Siberia by Bylsma.

Can't shoot if you don't have the puck
- Ryan_Wilson

ah, I don't need to tell you this cause you already know, hitting post don't count as shots. and they certainly don't count as goals.

ok moving on then, mr Wilson, what would you do in our current situation? I mean bortuzzie has been playin really well also, so where do we go from here, dress 7 dmen, get rid of niskie, how bout moving orpik. I would love to hear your ideas

ah, I don't need to tell you this cause you already know, hitting post don't count as shots. and they certainly don't count as goals.

ok moving on then, mr Wilson, what would you do in our current situation? I mean bortuzzie has been playin really well also, so where do we go from here, dress 7 dmen, get rid of niskie, how bout moving orpik. I would love to hear your ideas
- pensfan024

Read the blog.

Read the blog.
- Ryan_Wilson

well of course I read it, you didn't really make clear what you would do. basically said yay maatta, and keep niskie. so that leaves letang, orpik, martin, bortuzzo, scuderi. my count has that at 7 defensemen. which should go?

well of course I read it, you didn't really make clear what you would do. basically said yay maatta, and keep niskie. so that leaves letang, orpik, martin, bortuzzo, scuderi. my count has that at 7 defensemen. which should go?
- pensfan024

Maatta’s earning of a roster spot clearly affects Robert Bortuzzo’s status. Bortuzzo has played incredibly well in the role that he has been given this year. It’s never fun to see a player who has done nothing wrong get demoted, but so is professional sports. Bortuzzo appears primed to be the 7th defenseman and he will have to work hard to be ready on a moment’s notice for the entire year. It stinks for him but these kinds of things happen on the roster of a Stanley Cup contender.

Maatta’s earning of a roster spot clearly affects Robert Bortuzzo’s status. Bortuzzo has played incredibly well in the role that he has been given this year. It’s never fun to see a player who has done nothing wrong get demoted, but so is professional sports. Bortuzzo appears primed to be the 7th defenseman and he will have to work hard to be ready on a moment’s notice for the entire year. It stinks for him but these kinds of things happen on the roster of a Stanley Cup contender.
- Ryan_Wilson

Or England at forward?

well I guess one thing we can all agree on is this isn't a terrible position for us fans to be in. last year the pens didn't have enough defense now we have too much. I feel for bortuzzo though, he's earned a spot too. oh well, that's the way the cookie crumbles.

looking forward to tomoro nights tilt, should be a good one. great measuring stick game.

Or England at forward?
- powerhouse

There is not room for him at any position. Guys like Joe Vitale will be a healthy scratch.

All I know is I would take every D (cept engo) off our roster over any on the Philly roster. Too many good players is not a problem.

I can't wait til we get some players back. Tired of watching 2 fourth lines.

This is good....

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/statistics/

As the Maatta played more and more this was an easy decision. He didn't do anything not to warrant his place on the roster. It will be interesting to see what they do next with the D corps but I'm glad that Maatta is staying.

This is good....

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/statistics/
- madmike71

According to that he is on pace for 72 goals and 103 assists. Off year

As the Maatta played more and more this was an easy decision. He didn't do anything not to warrant his place on the roster. It will be interesting to see what they do next with the D corps but I'm glad that Maatta is staying.
- acdc1206

It was simple, maatta makes the pens better. I love that the kid stepped up and seized the opportunity. It poses a problem when letang comes back, but as gunner said, it's a great problem to have

It was simple, maatta makes the pens better. I love that the kid stepped up and seized the opportunity. It poses a problem when letang comes back, but as gunner said, it's a great problem to have
- drummer829

I'd like to at least see nisk and maatta together for a few shifts tonight to see how they play together. I think they'll be fine but I really like what borts brings to the line up

Should be a great game tonight.

For those that have forgotten how much of a positive impact Letang's return would bring:

www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.p...ost_id=52696#.UmUcDDK9KSM

Just think, this isn't Crosby's ceiling, scary.

I'd like to at least see nisk and maatta together for a few shifts tonight to see how they play together. I think they'll be fine but I really like what borts brings to the line up
- dbell646

I agree, give nisk and maatta some playing time together, especially tonight against a young, quick offense. I've been liking how borts and maatta have been, but if nisk and maatta work better then it makes the pens that much more dangerous

For those that have forgotten how much of a positive impact Letang's return would bring:

www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.p...ost_id=52696#.UmUcDDK9KSM

Just think, this isn't Crosby's ceiling, scary.
- Ryan_Wilson

I haven't forgotten. I can't wait 'til he gets back. Anybody who has watched this team over the last few years should know how much he's meant to this team. I didn't even need to look at those stats, but they are certainly an eye opener.

It's been reported that he's due back this week....

Good to see Maatta staying. He has earned it. The kids ceiling is extremely high.

I haven't forgotten. I can't wait 'til he gets back. Anybody who has watched this team over the last few years should know how much he's meant to this team. I didn't even need to look at those stats, but they are certainly an eye opener.

It's been reported that he's due back this week....
- madmike71

I am looking forward to seeing how Scuderi affects Letang's game. Having that stay at home safety blanket always there is really going to free Letang up.

I agree, give nisk and maatta some playing time together, especially tonight against a young, quick offense. I've been liking how borts and maatta have been, but if nisk and maatta work better then it makes the pens that much more dangerous
- drummer829

I agree. Teams like Colorado give us a ton of trouble. It would be a good measuring stick in terms of their pairing. Borts and Scuds would be pretty formidable for 1 game.

I haven't forgotten. I can't wait 'til he gets back. Anybody who has watched this team over the last few years should know how much he's meant to this team. I didn't even need to look at those stats, but they are certainly an eye opener.

It's been reported that he's due back this week....
- madmike71

Might be tonight. Morning skate will have some interesting answers.