Yohe wrote up a great article.. not sure if anyone posted it..

http://blog.triblive.com/...ild-summer/#axzz33VCacbsj
- nh4442

Good read, thanks.

Do you really plan on competing for a stanley cup with that D core?
- Grinder47

Just stating that's what the defense looks like in a year

Tampa bay

Tampa bay
- todd1a

Trade his rights for Erne or kucherov

http://www.hockeysfuture....eams/pittsburgh_penguins/

very interesting write ups and grades...



Notable Harry Z is rated as a 5.0 out of 10 for prospect talent but his prob of success is an "A"...

edit: nm just read about the ratings and prob of success... i guess the grade determines if they will reach their potential which is the rate ie 5.0, 6.5, 7.0 etc...

http://www.hockeysfuture.com/teams/pittsburgh_penguins/

very interesting write ups and grades...



Notable Harry Z is rated as a 5.0 out of 10 for prospect talent but his prob of success is an "A"...
- nh4442

Notice that all the guys A's and B's have played time in the NHL

Notice that all the guys A's and B's have played time in the NHL
- cap1681

I quit reading that when I saw that Payerl received a B and Bennett got a C. Harry Z with an A....

If Carolina trades Eric Staal, I'm going to be pissed.

Jordan bails on us to go play with big bro. 2 years in, big bro gets moved.

I think we miss Staal more than most folks realize.
- 87_71_11_29

No, we don't. His contract would have been the second worst on the books behind Letang. A third line center making 6 million is way too much. He showed this year he wasn't that great in an expanded role in Carolina. We would be screwed if he was on the books for what Shero offered.

although I think gagner can be a successful center in the right situation and the right style of wingers beside him (60 a year), im not sure how much he makes u better.

not only that, but it was a response on an assumption that ur wanting to dump letangs contract.
which probably wont be super easy if in fact that's the case.
ud have to find a desperate team in need of defence that would still find it worthwhile to gamble on that contract
- hugefemale dog77

He would be our fourth line center. He isn't better than Sutter. He is a career underachiever. This isn't the Penguin franchise that traded away Jagr for scraps just to dump a salary. Even though I think Letang has warts on his resume (fragile, contract, careless with the puck), he is still a top end talent. The asking price is a top six forward. Gagner isn't close to that.

No, we don't. His contract would have been the second worst on the books behind Letang. A third line center making 6 million is way too much. He showed this year he wasn't that great in an expanded role in Carolina. We would be screwed if he was on the books for what Shero offered.
- Oneonta Penguin

We got screwed by trading him, ask Bartley.

We got screwed by trading him, ask Bartley.
- Topshelf Mountain

Someone I can't seem to take seriously. He seems like someone who just wants attention. I make that deal 10 out of 10 times without question. His contract is why Carolina might have to unload his brother.

We sure could use him, and we have the dough.

I'm getting nervous someone please reassure me we aren't hiring Pierre.

I'm getting nervous someone please reassure me we aren't hiring Pierre.
- dbell646

I'm freaking out too. How Mario and Burkle could consider hiring a guy that hasn't had any relevant experience for 20 years is flat out baffling to me.

The fact that it sounds so ridiculous is my only comfort. Tomorrow's the day IMO...

I'm getting nervous someone please reassure me we aren't hiring Pierre.
- dbell646

Not concerned at all.

Not concerned at all.
- Oneonta Penguin

You shouldn't be. The talk is out there but that is all it is, talk. Maybe they bring him in for a smaller role but I doubt he is a true GM candidate. I still believe it is Botterill's job to lose at this point, depending on the coach he has in mind to hire.

If the oilers draft another forward, then that team is truly hopeless.

Honestly though, I'd much rather have the pens try to make a play for Perron.
- drummer829

Extremely uneducated opinion

Someone I can't seem to take seriously. He seems like someone who just wants attention. I make that deal 10 out of 10 times without question. His contract is why Carolina might have to unload his brother.
- Oneonta Penguin

Yeah we've all got our moments on this board.

I also do the deal. I was sitting in a BW3 down in Tampa the night of that draft hoping for Toews, surrounded by people pronouncing him Tows, and we took Staal. Wasn't happy with that. I figured at the time that we could put Toews on a wing with either center, just didn't make sense to draft a center that early for the third line.

Not concerned at all.
- Oneonta Penguin

I'm not either. Not sure why.... initially I was like OH NO! Then I realized I don't care. Unless he traded Malkin or Crosby there really are only limited options for a new GM. Don't see a 2014 pens team all that different from brisbois or botterill, or mcguire. Just so long as it's not Milbury

I really think the team to watch in signing Niskanen is the Wild, They found out in the playoffs they don't need Vanek and his bloated contract to make them a threat.
He'd be perfect fit to match with Suter, that way the Wild move Brodin & Spurgeon to a very nice 2nd pairing. Then between Ballard,Scandella,Folin they'll have a nice 5,6,7 to choose from. And with all of the real good young forwards and they're speed up front they should be a real pain in the ass.
I can see him signing with the Wild for 6years @5.35 +
As an AVS fan I don't really want this team to become any better, I'd rather they do the dumb thing and sign Vanek but I have a bad feeling they Won"t.

Trade his rights for Erne or kucherov
- nh4442

no way

I'm not either. Not sure why.... initially I was like OH NO! Then I realized I don't care. Unless he traded Malkin or Crosby there really are only limited options for a new GM. Don't see a 2014 pens team all that different from brisbois or botterill, or mcguire. Just so long as it's not Milbury
- ChrisMS

JMO, these series of "interviews" with Pierre is more of an informational interview with 66 to get an outside perspective. There is a relationship between 66 and Pierre and he just wants opinions. Pierre is too attached to Shero. They are very good friends and went to school together at ST Lawrence. I don't think Pierre would want to take over for his best friend that got canned and I'm not sure that is a good idea for the Pens either.

I really think the team to watch in signing Niskanen is the Wild, They found out in the playoffs they don't need Vanek and his bloated contract to make them a threat.
He'd be perfect fit to match with Suter, that way the Wild move Brodin & Spurgeon to a very nice 2nd pairing. Then between Ballard,Scandella,Folin they'll have a nice 5,6,7 to choose from. And with all of the real good young forwards and they're speed up front they should be a real pain in the ass.
I can see him signing with the Wild for 6years @5.35 +
As an AVS fan I don't really want this team to become any better, I'd rather they do the dumb thing and sign Vanek but I have a bad feeling they Won"t.

- ice-crazy

JMO, Vanek's disappearing act once again will cost him. I don't think he will get the contract many think he should get. I actually can see the Wild making a run at him. Afterall, he is from there. My dark horse for him will be Columbus.

Ryan Wilson: Who Is Going To Overpay Matt Niskanen?
Who Is Going To Overpay Matt Niskanen?
- Ryan_Wilson

Your poll is kinda skewed. A fair price is the 5 mil per range, If he doesn't re-up it will be in the 5.8-6.3 range. My guess is the latter.

JMO, Vanek's disappearing act once again will cost him. I don't think he will get the contract many think he should get. I actually can see the Wild making a run at him. Afterall, he is from there. My dark horse for him will be Columbus.
- Oneonta Penguin

I also thought of Minnesota (home state) and Columbus (impressive playoff). Both coaches were in Pittsburgh so maybe he would be a little more comfortable with their systems.
I still think Detroit is the most likely landing spot, Ken Holland has said his number one priority this summer is a right hand shooting defensemen, be that free agency, trade or draft.