For the rest of the season, the Penguins should do a little less branding, shoot a little less reality TV, have a little less fun and treat playing hockey a lot more like work. It could not possibly hurt.

Quote from a Mark Madden article. really hit the nail on the head with that IMO.

after a 5-1 beating by Chicago the next day in practice they have a shootout contest...

Maybe... they'd be first with the worst record. Murray can appear to have a better deal for Stewart, even though he gave Conacher to them too... interesting theory.
- rival22

Somethings going on there with the Murray family. It doesn't make sense. Maybe there's some benefit to Buffalo getting him this way.

I'm sure he has several unknown kids in Pittsburgh, so we might have you there
- rival22

damn it, well hopefully he has a thing for Ski Bunnies, to add to his stable

With Martin out for a month and letang possibly for the year I don't see Colorado and pittsburgh making a move ... Pitt does not have the veteran d man to spare ... Depres could be useful... But for mccginn??? Neither organization is making that move... Just not good dance partiners at this point .
- Brianandr1

yup, you guys need to figure out what you want to do with Nisk as well

yup, you guys need to figure out what you want to do with Nisk as well
- DDM-Coga

I'm convinced they're going to try very hard to extend him. They almost have to with all the uncertainty with Letang, and I'm convinced Despres is gone by the draft.

With Martin out for a month and letang possibly for the year I don't see Colorado and pittsburgh making a move ... Pitt does not have the veteran d man to spare ... Depres could be useful... But for mccginn??? Neither organization is making that move... Just not good dance partiners at this point .
- Brianandr1

Losing those two guys has probably limited what Shero wanted to do at the deadline prior to them being on the shelf. Then again Shero does find ways to get things done whether fans are for it or against it so we'll see what is up his sleeve in the next day and a half. I do like McGinn.

Do people have amnesia? Staalsie was offered the same money by Shero and turned it down to have a starring role, i love Staal as much as the next guy but his level has dropped off. Wouldnt mind Kesler but i really think with the uncertainty with Tanger , we need a Tyler Myers but im sure the asking price is too steep

Quote from a Mark Madden article. really hit the nail on the head with that IMO.

after a 5-1 beating by Chicago the next day in practice they have a shootout contest...
- SuperHenderson13

The dumb thing about that quote is that the players/coaching staff really have nothing to do with the reality show or the branding.

And god forbid the team has some fun in a 7 month long regular season... I'm sure the Blackhawks players didn't have any fun last season, or the Kings before them.

yup, you guys need to figure out what you want to do with Nisk as well
- DDM-Coga

With our injuries, we can't afford to deal him. He has played very well this year. That said, if Shero acquires a high price tag guy, like Kesler, Niskanen for all intent and purposes is leaving as a ufa. We wouldn't be able to sign him for the 4 million, maybe plus per year tag and fill the remaining gaping holes in the roster.

If this scenario happens, I wouldn't be shocked if Ray traded his rights to XXXX for a third or fourth round pick, sort of like what Nashville did with Philly for Dan Hamhuis. Not a great return on a quality asset, but at least its something.

In the perfect scenario, Niskanen is kept. He has played well. He would add stability to a blueline that could have a drastic change to it next year.

PittsburghTribSports ‏@TribSports 5m
On this day in 1991, the Penguins trade John Cullen, Zarley Zalapski, Jeff Parker to Whalers for Ron Francis, Ulf Samuelsson, Grant Jennings

No pressure Ray...

PittsburghTribSports ‏@TribSports 5m
On this day in 1991, the Penguins trade John Cullen, Zarley Zalapski, Jeff Parker to Whalers for Ron Francis, Ulf Samuelsson, Grant Jennings

No pressure Ray...
- rival22

Maybe the best all-time deal ever made by the Pens as far as a trade.

Maybe the best all-time deal ever made by the Pens as far as a trade.
- Oneonta Penguin

Probably the best NHL trade deadline deal of all time.

what school can you get that at? Look at you college boy
- DDM-Coga

DID SOMEBODY MENTION RON FRANCIS

That is the surprising thing... Gotta think that Bryan Murray at least asked around about Conacher before waiving him. Maybe nobody does want him.
- rival22

Maybe some teams weren't going after him because they knew he would be sent on waivers. He actually would be a good 3rd liner given the right linemates. Say if the pens did get Kesler, then Bennett-Kesler-Conacher as your 3rd line may not be too bad.

Probably the best NHL trade deadline deal of all time.
- cap1681

You won't get an argument from me.

DID SOMEBODY MENTION RON FRANCIS
- BulliesPhan87

Talking about the real Ron Francis. Not the next Ron Francis.

With our injuries, we can't afford to deal him. He has played very well this year. That said, if Shero acquires a high price tag guy, like Kesler, Niskanen for all intent and purposes is leaving as a ufa. We wouldn't be able to sign him for the 4 million, maybe plus per year tag and fill the remaining gaping holes in the roster.

If this scenario happens, I wouldn't be shocked if Ray traded his rights to XXXX for a third or fourth round pick, sort of like what Nashville did with Philly for Dan Hamhuis. Not a great return on a quality asset, but at least its something.

In the perfect scenario, Niskanen is kept. He has played well. He would add stability to a blueline that could have a drastic change to it next year.
- Oneonta Penguin

Don't forget that cap is going up probably 6+ mil. Plus orpik's contract may be off the books and if sutter is traded for Kesler, then it's only about a 3 mil difference. It could easily be done

Talking about the real Ron Francis. Not the next Ron Francis.
- madmike71

but I hear one guy said one time that all Flyers fans believe Sean Couturier is literally Ron Francis

like, we used a time machine and stole him in his prime and snuck him into the draft class. That's exactly what the guy said.

Maybe the best all-time deal ever made by the Pens as far as a trade.
- Oneonta Penguin

Even though it was an inside deal...

Thanks EJ!

PittsburghTribSports ‏@TribSports 5m
On this day in 1991, the Penguins trade John Cullen, Zarley Zalapski, Jeff Parker to Whalers for Ron Francis, Ulf Samuelsson, Grant Jennings

No pressure Ray...
- rival22

Damn what a trade!

Don't forget that cap is going up probably 6+ mil. Plus orpik's contract may be off the books and if sutter is traded for Kesler, then it's only about a 3 mil difference. It could easily be done
- drummer829

No offense and not bashing you ... people always mention Orpik's contract may be off the books. It's not money Pittsburgh can reinvest. It's already been spent on the Letang extension. Letang's 3.75 increase is exactly what Orpik is being paid now. So, that doesn't help. It's almost a requirement that Orpik doesn't come back to make up the difference.

I'm interested to see what Sutter would be signed for as a RFA. He would likely get an increase. How much? I have no idea.

Even though it was an inside deal...

Thanks EJ!
- rival22

I see a deal we could swing with Montreal and there is a former Penguin in charge there.

Interesting tidbit to add to the Kesler talk, as reported by no one if traded for, Bylsma plans on playing Kesler on the first D pairing with Orpik.


Iginla approves.

What the heck in Minnesota doing considering Brodeur? They realize that this is 2014, right?
- rival22

Matt Cooke has the special gift of reversing the aging process.