Sutter is one of, if not the, weakest hockey players I have ever seen. He cant play the position of a shut down center, way to easily moved off the puck.
- nbartley9

dont watch many Pens games so havent really noticed his play, always thought it was a great 3rd line centre. Or has the hype of his Sutter name gotten him this far?

The price for Staal would have to be a good bit less than the price for Kesler for it to make sense.

I'm not really concerned about Staal's contract though. $6 mil a year will be peanuts after a couple more offseasons.
- hardnosed

True. To be honest, i'd rather deal de Staal than Kesler. Kesler will ask for $6.5M+ when he gets his new contract, probably.

Staal knows the surroundings and bylsma's coaching well.

Cant remember if it was on 93.7 or 105.9 yesterday but one of the guests was on to talk about the deadline and said he was sure Pens "already had/actively were" kicking the tires on AMac.
- Rawdog9755

Every contender is going to kick the tires on MacDonald. His return is going to be higher than you think. The key for him is that he's an experienced top 4 defenseman who is making $550k. He'd be a nice bottom pairing guy on a good team, and every contender can find enough room for his cap hit.

He was never counted upon to be a #1 in Carolina.
- Blackstrom2

True, but he was counted on being a good number 2. And, pun intended, he's been a #2 in that roll even before he went to Carolina.

Great #3 however.

Kadri for Staal as primary pieces

Does he not want to play 3rd line center or get paid as a 3rd line center? Hes getting paid as a top line center. I'm sure he'd love to come home now.
- Just5

He was making 4 mil per here and was offered the exact same deal he signed with Carolina here as well. He wanted to play on a top line and be with his brother. To me signaled he put winning 3rd on his list and that isn't the type of player I'd like to have in my organization. I loved Staal's time here and he was a huge part of our cup but he brought this on himself

Haha that would be one for the ages!

They would ask for Pouliot, no doubt.

Sutter, Pouliot and a 1st or Sutter, Despres and a 1st.
- Orpik44

One would have to think if it's out there that the reason for getting rid of him is payroll, that would sap some of the negotiating strength from Rutherford...

Sutter, Despres, and a conditional 2nd in 2015..... No way it's the same deal going back the other way.

Either way.... If this is true it could lower the price for Kesler as there is now a bit of competition at the position

dont watch many Pens games so havent really noticed his play, always thought it was a great 3rd line centre. Or has the hype of his Sutter name gotten him this far?
- DDM-Coga

IMO--he would be better served in a system like St Louis/NJ/Mtl. His style of play isnt well complimented in Pitt.

I have always liked Sutter, and if you are looking at a UFA rental at hopes of resigning him, you can have Stastny, who actually is a good 2way shut down center
- DDM-Coga

I love Stastny and would consider him for the right price. A sign and trade for $5-6M/year would be awesome.

Every contender is going to kick the tires on MacDonald. His return is going to be higher than you think. The key for him is that he's an experienced top 4 defenseman who is making $550k. He'd be a nice bottom pairing guy on a good team, and every contender can find enough room for his cap hit.
- rival22

That was the big point the guy made---very easy cap hit to add for an experienced vet Dman. We all know how Shero feels about those kinds of deals which is why I was rightly worried when he said it on air.

dont watch many Pens games so havent really noticed his play, always thought it was a great 3rd line centre. Or has the hype of his Sutter name gotten him this far?
- DDM-Coga

Somewhat... You always think of Sutters being muckers and grinders, and he's just not that. He's very good positionally, and does the right things defensively (blocking shots, back checking, and has a good stick), but his shortfall is that he is just so skinny and physically weak on the puck.

You'd think that by 25, he would have filled out a bit, but he hasn't.

That was the big point the guy made---very easy cap hit to add for an experienced vet Dman. We all know how Shero feels about those kinds of deals which is why I was rightly worried when he said it on air.
- Rawdog9755

They reportedly are seeking a 1st so you can pretty much rule him out if that's the case

Either way.... If this is true it could lower the price for Kesler as there is now a bit of competition at the position
- Yonk1216

Great point.

I love Stastny and would consider him for the right price. A sign and trade for $5-6M/year would be awesome.
- Orpik44

Would you offer the same kesler package for him if he was able to be resigned prior to the trade?

He was making 4 mil per here and was offered the exact same deal he signed with Carolina here as well. He wanted to play on a top line and be with his brother. To me signaled he put winning 3rd on his list and that isn't the type of player I'd like to have in my organization. I loved Staal's time here and he was a huge part of our cup but he brought this on himself
- dbell646

I don't think he gave up on winning just because he wanted to play with his all Star brother. He wanted a bigger role. If he comes back I'm pretty sure everyone will be happy.

Somewhat... You always think of Sutters being muckers and grinders, and he's just not that. He's very good positionally, and does the right things defensively (blocking shots, back checking, and has a good stick), but his shortfall is that he is just so skinny and physically weak on the puck.

You'd think that by 25, he would have filled out a bit, but he hasn't.
- rival22

He's also a dbag personality wise just meeting him

He was making 4 mil per here and was offered the exact same deal he signed with Carolina here as well. He wanted to play on a top line and be with his brother. To me signaled he put winning 3rd on his list and that isn't the type of player I'd like to have in my organization. I loved Staal's time here and he was a huge part of our cup but he brought this on himself
- dbell646

I can understand that point, but go back and watch highlights of that disaster of a Philly series a few years back. He was literally one of the only guys bringing it every game. In the MTL series he comes back from the lacerated foot early just to try to get them through that series. Staal was a warrior and in an organization that cant seem to stay healthy, he was as close to a sure thing to play every night as we had. Id take him back in a split second.

Somewhat... You always think of Sutters being muckers and grinders, and he's just not that. He's very good positionally, and does the right things defensively (blocking shots, back checking, and has a good stick), but his shortfall is that he is just so skinny and physically weak on the puck.

You'd think that by 25, he would have filled out a bit, but he hasn't.
- rival22

hmm interesting, always thought he was more of a hard nosed player who controlled down low.

For a budget team, Carolina is really bad at contracts.

Staal and Semin?

I don't see how anyone would touch J. Staal, unless Carolina retains salary (which, I am sure, they don't want to do).

Staal is a 2nd line center on an average team and a 3rd line center on a good team. Not worth even close to 6M/yr.

I think at this point, they would give him away if they could.. just to be rid of that brutal contract.

Would you offer the same kesler package for him if he was able to be resigned prior to the trade?
- DDM-Coga

Id probably Send Sutter/Dumoulin and a 1st for Stastny IF it meant he signed for $5M/year with us.

They reportedly are seeking a 1st so you can pretty much rule him out if that's the case
- dbell646

I agree, but a team like Boston, who has like 4 rookies out of their top 6 defensemen right now, they might do it.

Id probably Send Sutter/Dumoulin and a 1st for Stastny IF it meant he signed for $5M/year with us.
- Orpik44

He makes 6.6 right now......don't see him taking a pay cut.

Id probably Send Sutter/Dumoulin and a 1st for Stastny IF it meant he signed for $5M/year with us.
- Orpik44

its going to be a tough call with Stastny tomorrow. He is a big cog in our team doing so well this season. our lack of skilled d is being protected by our forwards supporting them so well down low, and stastny has been one of our best defensive forwards.

Dont have the assets or depth right now to let him walk for nothing, but wont do as well in the playoffs if we move him for just "nice trade parts". Really not sure what we will do with him

its going to be a tough call with Stastny tomorrow. He is a big cog in our team doing so well this season. our lack of skilled d is being protected by our forwards supporting them so well down low, and stastny has been one of our best defensive forwards.

Dont have the assets or depth right now to let him walk for nothing, but wont do as well in the playoffs if we move him for just "nice trade parts". Really not sure what we will do with him
- DDM-Coga

Not an easy call. I would probably lean towards moving him just because of the conference the Avalanche would have to get through in the playoffs.

Avs are a really nice story this year but it is deep run probable? I don't know if I could confidently say that it is.

hmm interesting, always thought he was more of a hard nosed player who controlled down low.
- DDM-Coga

Sutter can't create to others much but is very responsible on D and can score shorties occasionally. Good 3rd line C, no question. A leader. Just NEEDS to gain 20 pounds..