Just out of curiousity... would anyone here be into the idea of bringing Brad Marchand to the Pens? He strikes me as a player you hate to play against, but love to have on your team... not saying I want it, but if it was an option, what's everyone think?
- j.boyd919

I would love him on the 3rd line

No thanks. He is a good energy guy and agitator, but he disappears in the playoffs and takes his fair share of stupid penalties. We have enough guys who do that already.
- mw630

Does he though? 3rd leading scorer when they won the cup.. 13 points in 22 games when they went back vs. Chi... 5 points in 12 games last playoffs, 2 way player, draws a lot of penalties as well, hits, agitates, fast, has been a relatively positive corsi player, the penalties kind of get me, but whistles are kind of dampened in the playoffs so theres that...

Does he though? 3rd leading scorer when they won the cup.. 13 points in 22 games when they went back vs. Chi... 5 points in 12 games last playoffs, 2 way player, draws a lot of penalties as well, hits, agitates, fast, has been a relatively positive corsi player, the penalties kind of get me, but whistles are kind of dampened in the playoffs so theres that...
- j.boyd919

He was $ in the playoffs a few years ago but the past playoff, he didn't do so hot.

I'd love to have him though.

I still consider him a big game player.

On the Ho-Sang issue, I think if he's sitting there at whatever spot the Pens draft, the Pens would be absolutely retarded not to take him. He's not huge, but he's not Brian Gibbons either. And he's got every tool to succeed at the NHL level. I think if you stuck him on a line with Sid, it would turn into a circus act in the best possible way.

Personally, I like his attitude. I don't think it's crazy or bad or anything. I think he just looks at things through a non-traditional lens and that's not always a bad thing.

That's the problem with signing these UFA's. Those contracts will sting as time moves along. Gabby was a great pick-up for the Kings, but I'd want no parts of him for 7 more years. AND, those are two guys that have problems staying healthy. Yuck.
- madmike71

Agree with this 100%. Also, you never know which Marian Gaborik you will get. The guy that failed with the Rags and Columbus, or the guy that landed in LA in a small sample of games. He is 32, not 27 too boot. This is a deal LA will regret making in at least three years, if not sooner.

On the Ho-Sang issue, I think if he's sitting there at whatever spot the Pens draft, the Pens would be absolutely retarded not to take him. He's not huge, but he's not Brian Gibbons either. And he's got every tool to succeed at the NHL level. I think if you stuck him on a line with Sid, it would turn into a circus act in the best possible way.

Personally, I like his attitude. I don't think it's crazy or bad or anything. I think he just looks at things through a non-traditional lens and that's not always a bad thing.
- ScienceJesus

I'm not a fan of taking a kid with character issues and questions involving work ethic regardless of talent. Sure, he has the tools. Character issues seem to be the big thing keeping him out of potentially being a top 10 pick.

On the Ho-Sang issue, I think if he's sitting there at whatever spot the Pens draft, the Pens would be absolutely retarded not to take him. He's not huge, but he's not Brian Gibbons either. And he's got every tool to succeed at the NHL level. I think if you stuck him on a line with Sid, it would turn into a circus act in the best possible way.

Personally, I like his attitude. I don't think it's crazy or bad or anything. I think he just looks at things through a non-traditional lens and that's not always a bad thing.
- ScienceJesus

Many of his quotes are about how the establishment of hockey Canada is too powerful and probably has already hurt his professional career (and added that not inviting him to camp is interesting because it's "not like they won anything lately").

He feels that he's the best player in his draft class, and that the hockey community sometimes sees him as an outsider - and how he can only win that argument on the ice.

What exactly is the problem with that? Rutherford may say "Hell, Jason, I like how this kid is almost irresponsibly candid all the time. Reminds me of... me!"

I think the only semi-big name player the Penguins will sign will be Kulemin. It sounds like he is not resigning with Toronto, and he would be a great fit on Malkin's left wing, adding some physicality and 2 way play to that line. Bennett either slots down to the 3rd line to give it some a more scoring touch or goes on Sid's right wing, with Dupuis dropping down to the 3rd line.
- cap1681

Kulemin as a third line player would be great. I don't give a rats ass about this chemistry he had with Geno in the KHL. I would want better for Geno on the second line.

Wow. We wont score many goals, but damn we will be able to put a hurtin on the other team. This list is dreadful. Im starting to think youre a Flyers fan secretly trolling us for all this time. You must have loved the 70s Flyers.
- thickman1178

He has an affinity for third and fourth line players; players past their primes, or guys who really don't add much absent dropping the gloves. To be honest, there isn't one person he has on his list that I would want. Hell, I'd go as far as say I'd take Hemsky over all of those names he mentioned and people know my thoughts on Hemsky. Legwand ... Bissonette that cracks me up.

Kulemin as a third line player would be great. I don't give a rats ass about this chemistry he had with Geno in the KHL. I would want better for Geno on the second line.
- Oneonta Penguin

I could care less about the chemistry. My thought process is that adding a physical, 2 way player to Malkin's wing would benefit him. He has had his best seasons when he had that physical presence (Malone, Kunitz). Plus, he is a cheaper, still young option to add to the top 6, and strengthens your 3rd line by the addition of either Bennett or Dupuis.

I'm not a fan of taking a kid with character issues and questions involving work ethic regardless of talent. Sure, he has the tools. Character issues seem to be the big thing keeping him out of potentially being a top 10 pick.
- Oneonta Penguin

I don't see any character issues or work ethic issues. He's been late twice to practice. Ok. Whatever. I haven't ready anything that says his work-effort on the ice and in practice is anything but excellent. His only on-ice issue is that he's been "too selfish" on a team where he didn't really have anyone anywhere near his level of talent. I'd be "selfish" too if I didn't have any faith in the guys around me actually cashing in on the opportunities I create for him if I was in his position either.

And his "character issues" are because he speaks too candidly for the hockey establishment's comfort. I don't see that as a character "issue" at all. Hell, in my opinion, it's refreshing. I love Sid, but his PC nature sometimes puts me to sleep. Someone to kick him in the ass from time to time by giving him poop in the locker room or on the bench might be good for him. Someone that might flip over some tables from time to time is exactly what this team needs in the locker room.

Many of his quotes are about how the establishment of hockey Canada is too powerful and probably has already hurt his professional career (and added that not inviting him to camp is interesting because it's "not like they won anything lately").

He feels that he's the best player in his draft class, and that the hockey community sometimes sees him as an outsider - and how he can only win that argument on the ice.

What exactly is the problem with that? Rutherford may say "Hell, Jason, I like how this kid is almost irresponsibly candid all the time. Reminds me of... me!"
- Johnny Wrath

While I haven't generally agreed with you on many things in the past that I've read, I'm right there with you on this.

I could care less about the chemistry. My thought process is that adding a physical, 2 way player to Malkin's wing would benefit him. He has had his best seasons when he had that physical presence (Malone, Kunitz). Plus, he is a cheaper, still young option to add to the top 6, and strengthens your 3rd line by the addition of either Bennett or Dupuis.
- cap1681

JMO, people are thinking of Kulemin as that 30-goal scorer he was three years ago. He isn't that player anymore. I get what you are saying, but he is more a defensive guy than I would say two-way guy.

A third line of Sutter-Kulemin and Dupes would be a very good one, if JR gets like two more top six forwards.

While I haven't generally agreed with you on many things in the past that I've read, I'm right there with you on this.
- ScienceJesus

the "reminds me of me" joke was p good too. But yeah, I don't see why having a personality is such a scary thing in hockey.

I'm not a fan of taking a kid with character issues and questions involving work ethic regardless of talent. Sure, he has the tools. Character issues seem to be the big thing keeping him out of potentially being a top 10 pick.
- Oneonta Penguin

yeah, but at 22, if you can get a player with top 10 talent, but with character issues, you jump on it. It's a risk, but the potential reward is extremely high.

@JoshYohe_Trib - Tocchet: People think I'm going to walk into practice with a stick and hit people
M: Are you?
Tocchet: I mean, I wasn't planning on it.


- cap1681

Haha. That is pretty funny.

the "reminds me of me" joke was p good too. But yeah, I don't see why having a personality is such a scary thing in hockey.
- BulliesPhan87

"Hey kid, do you know how to make my WiFi work on my telephone in here?"

Gut feeling. The Pens are gonna be more active than everybody thinks.

Would you do Neal and Sutter for Sharp and Shaw?
- errey12

In terms of value imo
Neal>Sharp
Sutter=Shaw

Wouldn't do it

Gut feeling. The Pens are gonna be more active than everybody thinks.
- Topshelf Mountain

I absolutely agree with you.

In terms of value imo
Neal>Sharp
Sutter=Shaw

Wouldn't do it
- nelson911

Shaw is better than Sutter. Younger too. I would do that trade in a heartbeat, just don't think Chicago would.

Shaw is better than Sutter. Younger too. I would do that trade in a heartbeat, just don't think Chicago would.
- cap1681

I don't know if Chicago would or not. I agree Shaw is better than Sutter, but Sharp is better than Neal, however Neal is younger and has a better contract. I'd still definitely go for it personally.

Shaw is better than Sutter. Younger too. I would do that trade in a heartbeat, just don't think Chicago would.
- cap1681

Thank god I didn't have to say this.

I don't know if Chicago would or not. I agree Shaw is better than Sutter, but Sharp is better than Neal, however Neal is younger and has a better contract. I'd still definitely go for it personally.
- errey12

Any cap relief they get from trading Sharp they lose by the Sutter/Shaw swap. Shaw is making 2M for the next 2 years. Sutter is going to be over 3M.

Any cap relief they get from trading Sharp they lose by the Sutter/Shaw swap. Shaw is making 2M for the next 2 years. Sutter is going to be over 3M.
- cap1681

Agreed. It just comes down to opinion as to who is better in the traders' eyes.