Anyone else think EK is hinting at Tanger being traded to Tampa?
- nbartley9

Probably not. Nobody in their system would be a good return besides Drouin, which isn't happening.

Considering how often this team is dealing with injuries, I'd rather have one of the younger, more talented guys in reserve, because they are going to be playing more often than not. I just don't trust Engelland out there when the playoffs roll around.
- Emperor Filonius

They can be in reserve while playing in WBS and not sitting in the pressbox as the #7 dman.

edit- No i don't trust Engo in the playoffs either, i meant more for the regular season.

Here's why I don't think Letang gets moved next year. In fact, I think Letang will at least serve two years of his new contract here. I don't believe Ray and Mario will trade a guy after they had to convince him to resign here. I know he has a limited NTC (so he can be traded), but trading the guy so recently after he resigns is not Rays MO unless he wants to leave.

He always takes the players feeling into account. The team has bent over backwards to treat these guys really well. I just don't see it happening so early in that deal. Make no mistake, Letang wants to play here.
- madmike71

Ryan Whitney's deal was signed pretty close to when he was traded. Different contract I know, but I'd say thats the differences in the market these days.

Just ask yourself this question...

Are the Pens better right now with Letang playing and Despres in WBS or are they better with Despres taking his spot, a top 6 forward, a bottom 6 forward and a 1st round pick?
- canadianpenfan

What Letang provides isn't something that the Penguins are desperate to have moving forward.

For some teams it would be asinine to trade away Letang. I don't think the Penguins are amongst those teams.

What if they traded Letang before the deadline ? His no trade clause kicks in with the next contract right ? I realize it's highly unlikely but not impossible.
- Bradlee3

I know Letang was struggling and fighting things for a while prior to getting hurt, but I just think Letang at the top of his game will be better than what we could get in return for him.

With all the D call ups this year, anyone else surprised we haven't seen Harrington? Is he struggling at WBS? It seems like, other than Despres, he was the most highly touted D prospect in the system for a while.
- mw630

I believe Harrington is in his 1st year at WBS and only 20 yrs old. Maybe he just needs to learn the system a bit more prior to jumping to the NHL? Dumoulin, Samuellson, Despres have all been there longer.

What Letang provides isn't something that the Penguins are desperate to have moving forward.

For some teams it would be asinine to trade away Letang. I don't think the Penguins are amongst those teams.
- Ryan_Wilson

That's my point, is Despres that big of a drop? Is it a drop at all? Then add in the parts we could aquire for Letang and I think this is a much better team today and in the future.

I have to agree that Letang will not be moved in the near future. A few years down the road, sure, if the rest of the young D pan out. I just don't see a need to trade Letang right now. The Pens have plenty of cap space next year to fill out the bottom 6. So unless their goal is to replace someone in the top 6, which I just don't see as a priority, then there really is no need to get rid of Letang.
- PensFan1103

I agree as well. I think that clause was placed in there just in case the Cap didn't go up over the next few years. It looks like that isn't going to be the case so I'd think Letang sticks around for the long haul.

That's my point, is Despres that big of a drop? Is it a drop at all? Then add in the parts we could aquire for Letang and I think this is a much better team today and in the future.
- canadianpenfan

I don't disagree. Trading him away doesn't mean the Penguins think he is a bad player. It's all about what makes the most sense for how you build your team and most importantly how you manage your assets/salary cap.

I'll use a football example. The Vikings should trade Adrian Peterson, but that does not mean he isn't a great player. It's about getting great value in a cap league.

That's my point, is Despres that big of a drop? Is it a drop at all? Then add in the parts we could aquire for Letang and I think this is a much better team today and in the future.
- canadianpenfan

Agreed, as long as we can get a kings ransom for Letang.

Just ask yourself this question...

Are the Pens better right now with Letang playing and Despres in WBS or are they better with Despres taking his spot, a top 6 forward, a bottom 6 forward and a 1st round pick?
- canadianpenfan

I think your thought process is correct, but I still don't see it happening in the near future.

I don't see Shero parting ways with Orpik either... But at some point he's gotta surprise me and willingly cut ties with a "core" player. He hasn't done that yet in his career here. Ryan Whitney was the closest he came, but being early in Shero's tenure, it wasn't like he could be all that attached to Whitney (in addition to the fact that Whitney sucked).

What do you guys think would be appropriate return for Letang right now?

1 Nhler of quality (Glencross) 1 Prospect 2 draft picks?

Agreed, as long as we can get a kings ransom for Letang.
- Bradlee3

You shouldn't have a problem doing that. Puck moving, offensive minded defensemen are probably the hottest commodity in the NHL right now, and teams that don't have it will pay big bucks to get it. Look at the Gogo or the whitney deals for example.

I don't disagree. Trading him away doesn't mean the Penguins think he is a bad player. It's all about what makes the most sense for how you build your team and most importantly how you manage your assets/salary cap.

I'll use a football example. The Vikings should trade Adrian Peterson, but that does not mean he isn't a great player. It's about getting great value in a cap league.
- Ryan_Wilson

Not that LA needs him, but as an example I think we could see a return along the lines of Toffoli, King and a 1st. Young emerging sniping winger, bruising 3rd liner and a top pick. If I can get something along those lines and I have a Despres ready to take on that role I pull the trigger. Then the best part is we still save money that could be used to aquire another top line winger with the cap going up.

I think your thought process is correct, but I still don't see it happening in the near future.

I don't see Shero parting ways with Orpik either... But at some point he's gotta surprise me and willingly cut ties with a "core" player. He hasn't done that yet in his career here. Ryan Whitney was the closest he came, but being early in Shero's tenure, it wasn't like he could be all that attached to Whitney (in addition to the fact that Whitney sucked).
- rival22

Everyone needs to realize something though, in regards to Shero's history with 'core' players...

He hasn't been in the position he is now, these draft picks are finally starting to blossom, this is what his draft strategy has been all about- options. Now he has them so who the hell knows what kind of magic show he has in store for us.

I will stand by my thought that I will be shocked to see Letang in a Penguins sweater on opening day next year. I don't know any more than any of you but this is my opinion.

Hate to say it, but a team that would be a great trade partner for Letang would be the Flyers. Their need for a guy like Letang is through the roof, and they have the forwards to give the Pens a good return.

Everyone needs to realize something though, in regards to Shero's history with 'core' players...

He hasn't been in the position he is now, these draft picks are finally starting to blossom, this is what his draft strategy has been all about- options. Now he has them so who the hell knows what kind of magic show he has in store for us.

I will stand by my thought that I will be shocked to see Letang in a Penguins sweater on opening day next year. I don't know any more than any of you but this is my opinion.
- canadianpenfan

When everyone was going on about the Penguins "depleted" D core, all I thought was how you're in the midst of developing one of the best prospect crops in the league. Maata, Despres, Dumoulin, Samuelsson. You still have Pouliot and Harrington as well. I knew it was going to be a much tougher game than people expected.

That game had overtime written all over it. Crosby capitalized and the Leafs didn't. Leafs finish with 1-1-1 against the Pens, which isn't too bad. I hope we play in the playoffs, I think it'd be an epic series.

Letang just maybe the right piece to get Matt Cooke back here, we may have to throw in a pick or 2 though....

Hate to say it, but a team that would be a great trade partner for Letang would be the Flyers. Their need for a guy like Letang is through the roof, and they have the forwards to give the Pens a good return.
- cap1681

For sure they would be a perfect fit. I wouldn't trade him there though just in case he turns into Bobby Orr.

When everyone was going on about the Penguins "depleted" D core, all I thought was how you're in the midst of developing one of the best prospect crops in the league. Maata, Despres, Dumoulin, Samuelsson. You still have Pouliot and Harrington as well. I knew it was going to be a much tougher game than people expected.

That game had overtime written all over it. Crosby capitalized and the Leafs didn't. Leafs finish with 1-1-1 against the Pens, which isn't too bad. I hope we play in the playoffs, I think it'd be an epic series.
- t_leafs21

Agree it would be an awesome series.

Not that LA needs him, but as an example I think we could see a return along the lines of Toffoli, King and a 1st. Young emerging sniping winger, bruising 3rd liner and a top pick. If I can get something along those lines and I have a Despres ready to take on that role I pull the trigger. Then the best part is we still save money that could be used to aquire another top line winger with the cap going up.
- canadianpenfan

Can we get rid of that crybaby Sidney please?

I'm not as knowledgeable as any of you , but how much does the salary cap really help ? It goes up for EVERYONE so all those teams that spend to the cap will have more money too , which means they will be trying to get more skilled lineups , and that thins out the options right ? Which also means the players will get higher salaries which eats up more of the rising salary cap ? Am I way off base here ?

For sure they would be a perfect fit. I wouldn't trade him there though just in case he turns into Bobby Orr.
- canadianpenfan

For me, the prospect of Simmonds playing on Malkin's wing would be pretty exciting. In my eyes, he is the perfect fit to play with Neal and Geno.

Not that LA needs him, but as an example I think we could see a return along the lines of Toffoli, King and a 1st. Young emerging sniping winger, bruising 3rd liner and a top pick. If I can get something along those lines and I have a Despres ready to take on that role I pull the trigger. Then the best part is we still save money that could be used to aquire another top line winger with the cap going up.
- canadianpenfan

This would be a great return - and I would be all for making this move.

It always seems like the Pens play better team D with Letang out of the lineup. With all the skill up front, we don't need a defenseman to make so many risky decisions to jump up in plays. When the Pens are healthy, the top two lines are going to score in bunches. If we could construct a 3rd line that was 80% of the Kennedy/Staal/Cooke line from 09, we would be in good shape to make a run at the cup.

Anyone else hear the leafs player talking through Bibs' mic when Sid and Kadri got into it when Sid took the roughing call?