Nobody ever made that claim.

Sutter was always billed as a competent 3rd line center, and he is.
- Ryan_Wilson

I guess as a Flyers fan from Western PA, i tend to key on hearing ridiculous claims like this more than most. And my area is one that didnt have a huge hockey following until the Crosby/Malkin area. These penguin fans have no idea about the likes of Kevin Stevens, John Cullen or Robby Brown. So when i say a pittsburgh person that is usually what i am dealing with. I meant no disrespect to avid hockey knowledgeable penguins fans as there are a large number of you guys.

So, you bring in Kesler as a third line center. He is only as effective as those with him. Who is with him ... he needs competent players, not AHL players.

Mr. Colligan's reasoning forgets one big thing. You spend that $5 on Kesler as your play money, who exactly is playing on Sid's wing? Does Dupuis go third line with Kesler? If so, you need to spend $$$ that you don't have to find a winger for Sid. Too many moving parts to this.

Bottom line, you can't bring in Kesler and keep Niskanen and find a winger for Sid. It's not in the cards because of the cap.
- Oneonta Penguin

Pascal Dupuis will be playing with Sid next season. You can bring Kesler in, keep Niskanen and resign Jokinen.

A top 9 of:
Kunitz - Crosby - Dupuis
Jokinen - Malkin - Neal
Megna - Kesler - Bennett

is pretty decent (if Bennett plays at all).

Gotta wonder how high Vancouver is on Pouliot. You gotta think that they've seen him play a decent amount in Portland. I'm guessing that they take in a lot of WHL games up there.
- rival22

Last year was the first draft in 5 years the Canucks took a whl player. Gillis avoids it for some weird reason. Missed out on players under his nose like Gallagher and Lucic.

Kesler will be playing 1 st line with Parise so forget your fantasies
- VANTEL

I would think the salary cap disagrees with you sir.

Last year was the first draft in 5 years the Canucks took a whl player. Gillis avoids if for some weird reason. Missed out on players under his nose like Gallagher and Lucic.
- Scooby_Doo

That's interesting to know.

(Something I never thought I'd say after a Scooby Doo post...)

Staal not only left to play with his brother, he also wanted more quality offensive minutes which he wasn't getting playing in the 3 C slot. How does obtaining Kesler avoid this same issue? Being a top 6 who currently plays a lot a minutes, how much would his ice time be reduced in Pitts and could Kesler except this?

Pascal Dupuis will be playing with Sid next season. You can bring Kesler in, keep Niskanen and resign Jokinen.

A top 9 of:
Kunitz - Crosby - Dupuis
Jokinen - Malkin - Neal
Megna - Kesler - Bennett

is pretty decent (if Bennett plays at all).
- rival22

Kesler right now has the highest ice time for any forward. Do you think he will waive to play third banana and get 14 min a night. Let it go , not going to happen.

Staal not only left to play with his brother, he also wanted more quality offensive minutes which he wasn't getting playing in the 3 C slot. How does obtaining Kesler avoid this same issue? Being a top 6 who currently plays a lot a minutes, how much would his ice time be reduced in Pitts and could Kesler except this?
- ClarkHitsBell

Staal still played 20 minutes a night.

I would think the salary cap disagrees with you sir.
- did109

You should try using Math then .Kes 5mil - Healty 7 mil = 2 mil savings.

Kesler right now has the highest ice time for any forward. Do you think he will waive to play third banana and get 14 min a night. Let it go , not going to happen.
- VANTEL

It depends on what he cares about. If he cares about ice time, then the Penguins aren't the right fit. If he wants a better chance to win a cup, he would consider it. Plus, i can see ways Blysma could get Kesler on the ice for another 4-5+ minutes a night.

Seems like a Center, especially a higher end one is the last hing the Pens need.

IMO they need a wingers, top and bottom 6

Cough Ott and Moulson cough

That's interesting to know.

(Something I never thought I'd say after a Scooby Doo post...)
- rival22

For a team out west, it makes you wonder what our scouting department is doing.


http://www.hockeydb.com/i...aft/teams/dr00008756.html

Staal not only left to play with his brother, he also wanted more quality offensive minutes which he wasn't getting playing in the 3 C slot. How does obtaining Kesler avoid this same issue? Being a top 6 who currently plays a lot a minutes, how much would his ice time be reduced in Pitts and could Kesler except this?
- ClarkHitsBell

It likely wouldn't change much...

This season, Kesler is getting 22:12 a night... When Staal was here, he was right around 20 minutes. is 2 minutes going to make much of a difference? In the end, it might help him physically.

It depends on what he cares about. If he cares about ice time, then the Penguins aren't the right fit. If he wants a better chance to win a cup, he would consider it. Plus, i can see ways Blysma could get Kesler on the ice for another 4-5+ minutes a night.
- cap1681

Kesler cares about one thing .Kesler.

I would think the salary cap disagrees with you sir.
- did109

if it didnt agree after suters and parise's huge contracts, it wont agree with you now!

It likely wouldn't change much...

This season, Kesler is getting 22:12 a night... When Staal was here, he was right around 20 minutes. is 2 minutes going to make much of a difference? In the end, it might help him physically.
- rival22

He would be better suited playing RHF with Sid

You should try using Math then .Kes 5mil - Healty 7 mil = 2 mil savings.
- VANTEL

Assuming a deal is made in the offseason I will certainly retract my statement.

Ryan Kesler is a fantastic hockey player. That said, I don't believe he addresses any of the true needs of the Penguins. Further, the assets required to procure him would be very costly, and he would be underutilized as a 3rd line center.

Vancouver wants scoring, Ottawa wants a responsible power forward. Does a Spezza for Kesler deal not make perfect sense?
Yes, Spezza has a higher cap hit but real cash is less and they both have a little term left on their contracts.
As a Sens fan I'd be happy and as Nucks fan I'd be happy with the return (more so if Kesler has asked out of Van).

Kesler has the ability to play like 25 min a game.


Stick him on Sid's wing when behind and on the PP well shifting him to shutdown other top lines and play the PK.

Check his stats when playing alongside Henrik, most notably on the PP.


Thing is you guys have no offense to send back...

Pascal Dupuis will be playing with Sid next season. You can bring Kesler in, keep Niskanen and resign Jokinen.

A top 9 of:
Kunitz - Crosby - Dupuis
Jokinen - Malkin - Neal
Megna - Kesler - Bennett

is pretty decent (if Bennett plays at all).
- rival22

You better explain how you can do that with the cap. You can't bring in Kesler, save Niskanen and Jokinen as well.

Assuming a deal is made in the offseason I will certainly retract my statement.
- did109

Without a player going back in the deal according to Cap Geek Minny has 5 mil in space at TDL and that is what Keslers salary is. Cap space going up next year they get rid of Healy they can still get Vanek

Ryan Kesler is a fantastic hockey player. That said, I don't believe he addresses any of the true needs of the Penguins. Further, the assets required to procure him would be very costly, and he would be underutilized as a 3rd line center.
- jmatchett383

You are agreeing with me too frequently all the sudden. I'm scared.

Vancouver wants scoring, Ottawa wants a responsible power forward. Does a Spezza for Kesler deal not make perfect sense?
Yes, Spezza has a higher cap hit but real cash is less and they both have a little term left on their contracts.
As a Sens fan I'd be happy and as Nucks fan I'd be happy with the return (more so if Kesler has asked out of Van).
- Kayak_kid25

You think Melnyk will pass up being able to only pay Jason Spezza $4 mil next season?

Seems like a Center, especially a higher end one is the last hing the Pens need.

IMO they need a wingers, top and bottom 6

Cough Ott and Moulson cough

- ImThatGuy

We aren't giving up a first and a top prospect for a third line pending FA in Ott. That is dumb. Moulson, again, another rental. Pass.