If Dupes is on the 1st again and Stemp on the 3rd...I'm out.
- sammy87

Whether you like to admit it or not, Dupes produces with Sid. To what impact his injury will have the coming year, NO ONE knows. Dupes does alot of things that people don't seem to grasp. That top line struggled without him last year.

Do you not watch the Olympics or not a Pens fan during the Kovalev years or Morozov years. I can think of 1 Russian that gives 100% the majority of the time, his name is not Malkin.
- sammy87

He plays in Detroit, right? Agree.

Too many Russians lead to too many disasters for me.

I don't care what ccountry any player is from. You can evaluate a player on anything but that. Sure there are tendencies from country to country but every player is an individual.

BTW rumor that pens contacted Vrbata.

Let's take poll on the guys who wwould be rreallycheap and wwhether or not you'd take a flyer on them:

Komorov
Peter Mueller
Bugsy malone

My votes
Yes
Yes
No

I don't care what ccountry any player is from. You can evaluate a player on anything but that. Sure there are tendencies from country to country but every player is an individual.

BTW rumor that pens contacted Vrbata.

Let's take poll on the guys who wwould be rreallycheap and wwhether or not you'd take a flyer on them:

Komorov
Peter Mueller
Bugsy malone

My votes
Yes
Yes
No
- YouMeAndDupuis9

We should have gotten Mueller last year. Hell of a player for the price.

No we wouldn't.

You lose on the Sutter deal. He is worth more than a random prospect and a fringe NHL player

Dupes back makes Stempy redundant to me

Why is it necessary to buy into this joke of a package deal of Grabo and Kulemin? Package deals rarely work.

Komarov, I have zero desire. Rags will resign B. Pouliot IMO.
- Oneonta Penguin

So we trade Sutter and Neal, Dump Glass, Pyatt, Vitale, Adams and bring on Smith-Pelly, Goc, Grabo, Kulemin, Komarov and B.Pouliot and we are not a better team all around? Just for the sake of saying NO.

Not rocket science here chief.

Whether you like to admit it or not, Dupes produces with Sid. To what impact his injury will have the coming year, NO ONE knows. Dupes does alot of things that people don't seem to grasp. That top line struggled without him last year.
- Oneonta Penguin

Remind me what year the Pens had a successful playoff year with Dupes on the 1st?

Putting up a bunch of goals on random Tuesday nights in January is great and all, but the bottom line is Dupes is not a 1st liner. The line struggled because freakin Gibbons was on it and Shero tried to put Stemp on as well. Dupes is fine, but lets not forget for a long time fans and the media have been crying for a legit winger for Sid. Dupes is not it. Crosby still lead by 17 pts w/o super duper. Dupes great year was 2 seasons ago now. Hes 35 and so will Kunitz be when the puck drops.

Remind me what year the Pens had a successful playoff year with Dupes on the 1st?

Putting up a bunch of goals on random Tuesday nights in January is great and all, but the bottom line is Dupes is not a 1st liner. The line struggled because freakin Gibbons was on it and Shero tried to put Stemp on as well. Dupes is fine, but lets not forget for a long time fans and the media have been crying for a legit winger for Sid. Dupes is not it. Crosby still lead by 17 pts w/o super duper. Dupes great year was 2 seasons ago now. Hes 35 and so will Kunitz be when the puck drops.
- sammy87

This

Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I'm thinking of just being a more dynamic, younger team. Neal is dead weight. Either of those two could do a better job supporting Malkin. They've shown it. Smith-Pelly more than Etem so far. Anyone who says otherwise hasn't watched them play that much.

As far as the draft picks go, I think it's fair to say both those kids are higher ranked than Scherbak or Ho-Sang for some decent reasons. I wouldn't touch Ho-Sang if Scherbak is on the table at 22. Ultimately if nothing changes either Scherbak or Barbashev are my picks. I just feel like getting a cheaper option with similar numbers at the goalie position is important. Have to do it now. Neal can be moved and help now. Getting those picks makes sense. Winnipeg and Anaheim both have needs there. They both can also afford to lose the picks. Anaheim has 2. Winnipeg would just move back.

At the end of the day you get a player that can chip in now. Top 6 even. Smith-Pelly knows how to support stars at this level. Then you draft 2 kids that likely get a crack at the team right away. If nothing else they're ready sooner rather than later. You end up with roughly $9M more in cap space as well. Plenty of money to burn on Hemsky and Pouliot or whoever you want.
- HopintheCordoba

As a persuasive post, you are winning me over. That's a dramatic change to the landscape of the franchise in tthe right direction. I wasn't big on moving guys for futures but if smith pelly can be as solid in the top 6 as you say...I'm fine with it. Only other contingency is that the free agents can be bridge guys until the drafted players make it up. Like 3 year deals. No long contracts.

Whether you like to admit it or not, Dupes produces with Sid. To what impact his injury will have the coming year, NO ONE knows. Dupes does alot of things that people don't seem to grasp. That top line struggled without him last year.
- Oneonta Penguin

So did the PK when he was out of the lineup. I believe Ryan put up a blog during the regular season where it showed the numbers and how the PK wasn't as good without him.

I don't care what ccountry any player is from. You can evaluate a player on anything but that. Sure there are tendencies from country to country but every player is an individual.

BTW rumor that pens contacted Vrbata.

Let's take poll on the guys who wwould be rreallycheap and wwhether or not you'd take a flyer on them:

Komorov
Peter Mueller
Bugsy malone

My votes
Yes
Yes
No
- YouMeAndDupuis9

I look at Finland. A team of above average, no real superstars yet they medal every Olympics. They can hang with all star Canada and skate laps around USA. They play to their strengths and not try to be something they aren't.

Look at Russia last few Olympics. OV, Malkin, Semin, Datsyuk, Kocalchuk, Radulov. stupid level of talent, yet always disappoints. I saw too many Kovalev games to lose interest.

the style and system that it appears Johnston wants warrants young gritty players who have the energy.

Stempniak is not one of those guys. Dupuis on the first line, not what we are looking for. AHL quality players... no.

The defense needs to be young players. Let the young players play the game and develop for the regular season and get them ready for the playoffs.

young legs, a hunger to win, and a good system is the path to playoff success. bylsma was concerned about winning the regular season... love what they said today about using the regular season for the playoffs. that is how you win.

all in all, i like what i heard today. but saying it is one thing doing it is another. love tocchet. great hire and really liked what he said today. he has had a unique perspective watching us from the outside these past couple years.

If Malone could be had for 1 year under 1 million, i'd do it. it sure beats giving a spot to Vitale, Megna, or Gibbons.

Always liked Penner. Guy coasts through the regular season and then just brings it come spring time. probably will price himself out though. lot of teams will be interested.

still say you hold on to MAF and Letang. Pretty sure they plan on keeping MAF given the fact that they held on to his goalie coach.

will be interesting. holding on to #22 i think is vital. cant afford no first round pick for 2 straight years.

We should have gotten Mueller last year. Hell of a player for the price.
- Magicmanmalkin

You'd think tthat'sa move an outside the box thinking organization with depth issues would eexplore. A team in the 15% as tocchet calls it. Seriously, they should talk to muller. Zero risk, zero assets.

Kolorov isnt a horrible idea but he is a dime a dozen. Would he do much more than harry z oor Farnham or sill.

the style and system that it appears Johnston wants warrants young gritty players who have the energy.

Stempniak is not one of those guys. Dupuis on the first line, not what we are looking for. AHL quality players... no.

The defense needs to be young players. Let the young players play the game and develop for the regular season and get them ready for the playoffs.

young legs, a hunger to win, and a good system is the path to playoff success. bylsma was concerned about winning the regular season... love what they said today about using the regular season for the playoffs. that is how you win.

all in all, i like what i heard today. but saying it is one thing doing it is another. love tocchet. great hire and really liked what he said today. he has had a unique perspective watching us from the outside these past couple years.

If Malone could be had for 1 year under 1 million, i'd do it. it sure beats giving a spot to Vitale, Megna, or Gibbons.

Always liked Penner. Guy coasts through the regular season and then just brings it come spring time. probably will price himself out though. lot of teams will be interested.

still say you hold on to MAF and Letang. Pretty sure they plan on keeping MAF given the fact that they held on to his goalie coach.

will be interesting. holding on to #22 i think is vital. cant afford no first round pick for 2 straight years.
- SuperHenderson13

I liked Boone Jenner's style during the 1st rnd. Pens really have nobody like that.

If the rumor is true, do u guys like Vrbata?

I liked Boone Jenner's style during the 1st rnd. Pens really have nobody like that.
- sammy87

that's just it. a young guy with the legs to play a full game in the spring. when you are running around with the likes of craig adams, you have 0 chance of matching that intensity.

Kunitz-Crosby-Iginla
Grabo-Malkin-Kulemin
-Sutter-Dupuis
Malone-Komarov-

Letang-Despres
Martin-Pouliot
Harrington-Maatta

(maybe not the pairings, but those are my 6)

2 spots open that need filled. ideally you bring in 2 bodies that are younger and can match that intensity.

will be an interesting couple of days. i expect the flyers to do something at the draft. given the past couple of drafts, the home team has always done something interesting.

i expect us to make a trade or two. pick at 22 and grab a forward prospect. bring him to camp like him fight for a place. if he gets it, amazing. if not, send him to juniors and dont rush him .

If the rumor is true, do u guys like Vrbata?
- YouMeAndDupuis9

not at his age. He could come in at very good value though.

If the rumor is true, do u guys like Vrbata?
- YouMeAndDupuis9

dont know a ton about him. depends on the price.

shame gabby resigned. would have loved to have shipped Neal to LA for a couple of their young guys.

still love me a little mike richards. shame he has really slowed down, love his game.

that's just it. a young guy with the legs to play a full game in the spring. when you are running around with the likes of craig adams, you have 0 chance of matching that intensity.

Kunitz-Crosby-Iginla
Grabo-Malkin-Kulemin
-Sutter-Dupuis
Malone-Komarov-

Letang-Despres
Martin-Pouliot
Harrington-Maatta

(maybe not the pairings, but those are my 6)

2 spots open that need filled. ideally you bring in 2 bodies that are younger and can match that intensity.

will be an interesting couple of days. i expect the flyers to do something at the draft. given the past couple of drafts, the home team has always done something interesting.

i expect us to make a trade or two. pick at 22 and grab a forward prospect. bring him to camp like him fight for a place. if he gets it, amazing. if not, send him to juniors and dont rush him .
- SuperHenderson13

You just talked about youth and speed but you have Iggy and Malone on this list? I'd pass on those guys, plus Boston is trying to clear space to resign Iggy.

the style and system that it appears Johnston wants warrants young gritty players who have the energy.

Stempniak is not one of those guys. Dupuis on the first line, not what we are looking for. AHL quality players... no.

The defense needs to be young players. Let the young players play the game and develop for the regular season and get them ready for the playoffs.

young legs, a hunger to win, and a good system is the path to playoff success. bylsma was concerned about winning the regular season... love what they said today about using the regular season for the playoffs. that is how you win.

all in all, i like what i heard today. but saying it is one thing doing it is another. love tocchet. great hire and really liked what he said today. he has had a unique perspective watching us from the outside these past couple years.

If Malone could be had for 1 year under 1 million, i'd do it. it sure beats giving a spot to Vitale, Megna, or Gibbons.

Always liked Penner. Guy coasts through the regular season and then just brings it come spring time. probably will price himself out though. lot of teams will be interested.

still say you hold on to MAF and Letang. Pretty sure they plan on keeping MAF given the fact that they held on to his goalie coach.

will be interesting. holding on to #22 i think is vital. cant afford no first round pick for 2 straight years.
- SuperHenderson13

The real question is whether Rutherford will adapt tthe player personnel to the style of the coach or if we keep using players tthat ddon't fit the system. Letang, Pouliot, Despres, Sid and Geno sshould flourish in this new system. many others ddon'tfit the bill.

If the rumor is true, do u guys like Vrbata?
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Not exactly getting younger, but still decent production. Would he be bottom 6?

If Malone could be had for 1 year under 1 million, i'd do it. it sure beats giving a spot to Vitale, Megna, or Gibbons.


- SuperHenderson13

Exactly how is giving a spot to a 35 year old player who hasn't been able to stay healthy in many years with a major substance abuse problem better than giving it to any of those guys?

The centerpiece for Neal isn't the 10th pick. That is poor asset management. You need a top six forward in return as the centerpiece.

We don't need Thatcher Demko. We have two very capable goalie prospects already. At least Shero didn't ignore that.

The Reimer and Marty B tandem makes me vomit. Got to be honest.
- Oneonta Penguin

Pittsburgh isn't winning the cup this year. Plain and simple. Poor asset management is giving 58 7+ Million dollar contract each year, Dupes at 3.750 and scuds blah blah blah.

I'm looking to the 2015-2016 year when the team can field a squad of guys ready to play on the cheaper contracts.

Your idea of another top 6 forward is silly. Get the guys in the system now who will be ready to play shortly, big assumption I know. Not only that but taking advantage of free agents is important. I'll take guys like Moulson, Cammy Hemski around the 5 mill mark over Neal any day. That plug Neal spends half the game in the box and god forbid 71 gets hurt...Neal is then just a giant paperweight out on the ice.

I'll tell you how you improve and it's by getting guys who can handle their own on the bottom lines. That's what Pittsburgh needs. Reality is the money isn't there for all these pieces so fix what is broken now (the bottom 6) and let 87 and 71 continue to dominate with the subpar help they've had the majority of their careers. The help will come when we don't employee 30+ players on the decline, hence start putting the pieces together now.

Riemer isn't as bad as you claim. Of the free agents out there Hiller and Miller are the other two I would consider for starting positions but will cost more. I'm tired of MAF, average at best. And if your like me and don't expect to win this year than do something about it now.

Exactly how is giving a spot to a 35 year old player who hasn't been able to stay healthy in many years with a major substance abuse problem better than giving it to any of those guys?
- acdc1206

His production and play has been horrible. I would rather let gibby play 4th line. At least he can kill penalties, Malone doesn't do squat anymore.

Neal and Fleury for draft picks doesn't really do it for me. The Penguins need young NHL-ready pieces (PLURAL) coming back for Neal to make it an even trade.

As for the proposed Fleury trade, what are you proposing the Penguins send to Toronto for Reimer's rights? Also, I don't see Brodeur playing for $2M. Just don't see it.
- s0rcerer1984

I don't see them re-signing Riemer. So basically I'm thinking we can get him later.

Marty at $2M... Maybe not. The guy wants to play for a contender. Pitt is a team that has kept coming up. I just don't see him making more than 2M if he is serious about joining a better team.

Exactly how is giving a spot to a 35 year old player who hasn't been able to stay healthy in many years with a major substance abuse problem better than giving it to any of those guys?
- acdc1206

because we have seen all 3 of those guys' ceilings. it isnt high.

malone is a risk and hence the low term, low cap hit... if he comes in and doesnt perform, you move on. not a huge loss.

but maybe you get a guy who is motivated to play his best and is looking for a second chance.

dont know, all i know is that vitale, gibbons, and megna arent the answer to our problems.