On a separate note, there's a pretty good article about Hayes over on Yahoo. I'd prefer passing on him as I think Beau will have a breakout year, but if he can keep it together and continue with his progress he looks to be an above average player. Calgary is gonna like him!

On a separate note, there's a pretty good article about Hayes over on Yahoo. I'd prefer passing on him as I think Beau will have a breakout year, but if he can keep it together and continue with his progress he looks to be an above average player. Calgary is gonna like him!
- Topshelf Mountain

Please stop using sentences regarding Beau Bennett and the word "break" in any form. We've had enough of that around here!

I know it's a song.

Every white kid living in Long Island suburbia grew up driving around blasting Biggie at a high volume and repping Brooklyn, despite never having done much more than driving through a lower income area, or attending an Islander game in one.
- eichiefs9

My mistake

I am proud to call myself one of those white kids. Have I ever done anything hard in my life? No. Will I awkwardly rap every word to any Jay-Z song or Notorious Thugs at parties? You bet your ass.

I agree about Maatta. I think Maatta and Letang is the top pairing of the future. And to reiterate....Letang needs a good positional partner but the LAST thing he needs is a slow, defensive defenseman to "cover his mistakes" *cough* Scuderi *cough*
- YouMeAndDupuis9

See, i always saw Maatta and Harrington being a pairing in the future as more of a shutdown pair. They have had a history of playing together (in London) and both play a better shutdown style of hockey.

My mistake

I am proud to call myself one of those white kids. Have I ever done anything hard in my life? No. Will I awkwardly rap every word to any Jay-Z song or Notorious Thugs at parties? You bet your ass.
- Victoro311

wejustsittinheretrynawintryinnottosinhighoffweedandlotsofginsomuchsmokeneedoxygen

On a separate note, there's a pretty good article about Hayes over on Yahoo. I'd prefer passing on him as I think Beau will have a breakout year, but if he can keep it together and continue with his progress he looks to be an above average player. Calgary is gonna like him!
- Topshelf Mountain

What's the utility in passing on him? Signing him does literally nothing bad. If he's garbage, he's buried in the AHL with an entry level contract and we likely trade him for spare parts. If he pans out, then we have one more top 6 forward prosp which we desperately need. Dupuis and Kunitz are slowing down, and Dupuis should be on the third line anyways. We have multiple spots that need to be filled now and in the near future.

Also, he's American.

See, i always saw Maatta and Harrington being a pairing in the future as more of a shutdown pair. They have had a history of playing together (in London) and both play a better shutdown style of hockey.
- cap1681

See thats the thing though. Maatta comes with that skill set of smooth, quick skating and impressive puck movement while still maintaining a high defensive IQ. That makes him an ideal Letang partner. He has the defensive mentality to cover Letang if one of his pinches goes awry, but he's also got the skating and puck moving ability to keep up with Tanger and lend him support if Letang gets backed into a corner while trying to drive the a break.

Please stop using sentences regarding Beau Bennett and the word "break" in any form. We've had enough of that around here!
- Emperor Filonius

My bad. Should of seen that coming. Sorta like referring to Tony Stewart as Smoke these days!

What's the utility in passing on him? Signing him does literally nothing bad. If he's garbage, he's buried in the AHL with an entry level contract and we likely trade him for spare parts. If he pans out, then we have one more top 6 forward prosp which we desperately need. Dupuis and Kunitz are slowing down, and Dupuis should be on the third line anyways. We have multiple spots that need to be filled now and in the near future.

Also, he's American.
- Victoro311

If I'm not mistaken he's aiming for an incentive based contract, which at this time we couldn't afford. I'd also like to see some of the WBS guys get a shot. I don't think it's good practice to not give 'em a try.

Edit: What does the American thing have to do with it?

Nah dude its a song. You can't invoke the names of Hov and Notorious and not immediately break out into Brooklyn's Finest.
- Victoro311

Thank you!

Thank you!
- glove_was_stuck

Shut up, racist.

See, i always saw Maatta and Harrington being a pairing in the future as more of a shutdown pair. They have had a history of playing together (in London) and both play a better shutdown style of hockey.
- cap1681

I think they could be a great pairing in the NHL based on their potentials and their history in London. But we need to find the right partner for Letang. He is going to be our most dynamic defenseman for the foreseeable future and we would be best served to give him the best defensive partner we have, then split up the pairings from there.

I don't really see Despres as Letang's partner so maybe if we hang onto Ehrhoff for a few more years...I can see an eventual lineup of...

Letang-Ehrhoff
Harrington-Maatta
Bortuzzo-Despres

But when does Pouliot start pushing for time? And that is assuming Martin AND Scuderi are gone. Man what a clusterf*ck.

Its definitely a good problem to have but I cant help but think we HAVE to trade a defenseman for a forward. Otherwise they will be completely wasted. We already got rid of some capable bottom pairing defenseman in Lovejoy and Strait. We have even more guys after Dumoulin and Samuelsson that could be serviceable physical defenseman like McNeil and Ruopp. I don't want to start losing more guys on the waiver wire or letting them walk for free. Get some damn forwards....

See thats the thing though. Maatta comes with that skill set of smooth, quick skating and impressive puck movement while still maintaining a high defensive IQ. That makes him an ideal Letang partner. He has the defensive mentality to cover Letang if one of his pinches goes awry, but he's also got the skating and puck moving ability to keep up with Tanger and lend him support if Letang gets backed into a corner while trying to drive the a break.
- Victoro311

Maata has great potential and he's coming off of a season where he played wonderful as a rookie, but one thing he is not, is smooth skating and quick. That's actually one area that both fans and the coaching staff alike have pointed out that he needs to improve on. This past season, for the most part, he was able to mask the problem due to his high hockey IQ and positioning, but there were far to many times where we watched him get dangled or blown past by an opposing forward. (Karlsson walked him to)..I have no doubt that Maata will improve in that area however and become one of our best defenseman.

What's the utility in passing on him? Signing him does literally nothing bad. If he's garbage, he's buried in the AHL with an entry level contract and we likely trade him for spare parts. If he pans out, then we have one more top 6 forward prosp which we desperately need. Dupuis and Kunitz are slowing down, and Dupuis should be on the third line anyways. We have multiple spots that need to be filled now and in the near future.

Also, he's American.
- Victoro311

Yea...literally would make no sense not to try to get him regardless of what anything thinks he can become. Zero risk.

Maata has great potential and he's coming off of a season where he played wonderful as a rookie, but one thing he is not, is smooth skating and quick. That's actually one area that both fans and the coaching staff alike have pointed out that he needs to improve on. This past season, for the most part, he was able to mask the problem due to his high hockey IQ and positioning, but there were far to many times where we watched him get dangled or blown past by an opposing forward. (Karlsson walked him to)..I have no doubt that Maata will improve in that area however and become one of our best defenseman.
- csotirake

I agree with you. He's not an above average skater. But his skating is just fine to be effective and I'm not concerned about his straight line speed.

He got burnt because Bylsma's system had him standing flat footed at the blue line in that terrible left wing lock while the opposing team attacked with speed. Same thing happened to Scuderi but he also happens to be much slower/less agile.

If I'm not mistaken he's aiming for an incentive based contract, which at this time we couldn't afford. I'd also like to see some of the WBS guys get a shot. I don't think it's good practice to not give 'em a try.

Edit: What does the American thing have to do with it?
- Topshelf Mountain

By definition, wouldn't 'incentives' fall outside the scope of a cap hit? In that case, the Pens have plenty of cash to entice with bonuses.

The only thing we can't promise is immediate ice time. But I'd be willing to guarantee him a 9 game tryout to prove himself...especially since Beau and Dupuis may not start the season.

If I'm not mistaken he's aiming for an incentive based contract, which at this time we couldn't afford. I'd also like to see some of the WBS guys get a shot. I don't think it's good practice to not give 'em a try.

Edit: What does the American thing have to do with it?
- Topshelf Mountain

Absolutely nothing.

I understand where you're coming from with the Wilkes-Barre guys. I really do. They're our boys and we have the sentimental obligation to give them a shot. BUt it really is all sentiment. Excluding Kapanen, look at our top six prospects. We really only have two and they're Zlobin and Dea, and both are absurdly undersized, will be entering their first full season in the AHL this year, and have proven nothing. I don't want to be relying on those guys when (and it will) the injury bug hits our team again this year.

Is it ideal to rely on a guy like Hayes who also hasn't played a season in the AHL instead? Not at all. But he has a better pedigree than Zlobin (6th rounder) and Dea (undrafted), much better size, and has proven at least something with his Hobey Baker worthy torching of the NCAA last year. I see no reason against and every reason for adding this kid to our prospect pool.

I haven't heard anything about an incentives based deal. If thats the case, then thats a new and unique problem worth discussing. What I did hear is his agent saying that money isn't really factoring into his decision.

Shut up, racist.
- eichiefs9

By definition, wouldn't 'incentives' fall outside the scope of a cap hit? In that case, the Pens have plenty of cash to entice with bonuses.

The only thing we can't promise is immediate ice time. But I'd be willing to guarantee him a 9 game tryout to prove himself...especially since Beau and Dupuis may not start the season.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

I thought they were tied to the cap?.

Absolutely nothing.

I understand where you're coming from with the Wilkes-Barre guys. I really do. They're our boys and we have the sentimental obligation to give them a shot. BUt it really is all sentiment. Excluding Kapanen, look at our top six prospects. We really only have two and they're Zlobin and Dea, and both are absurdly undersized, will be entering their first full season in the AHL this year, and have proven nothing. I don't want to be relying on those guys when (and it will) the injury bug hits our team again this year.

Is it ideal to rely on a guy like Hayes who also hasn't played a season in the AHL instead? Not at all. But he has a better pedigree than Zlobin (6th rounder) and Dea (undrafted), much better size, and has proven at least something with his Hobey Baker worthy torching of the NCAA last year. I see no reason against and every reason for adding this kid to our prospect pool.

I haven't heard anything about an incentives based deal. If thats the case, then thats a new and unique problem worth discussing. What I did hear is his agent saying that money isn't really factoring into his decision.
- Victoro311

I think that you hurt the organization when the brass doesn't give them an opportunity. Last year we saw a lot of call ups due to injury and they played well, then come July 1 they fill the roster with UFA's. Some of those guys can play and we'll never know how well until they're given the chance.

I thought someone posted on here a couple blogs ago about the incentives adding to the cap. Who it came from I don't recall. I do remember that he can only make 900,000 or something on his entry deal, but the incentives could be up to around 2.8.

I think that you hurt the organization when the brass doesn't give them an opportunity. Last year we saw a lot of call ups due to injury and they played well, then come July 1 they fill the roster with UFA's. Some of those guys can play and we'll never know how well until they're given the chance.

I thought someone posted on here a couple blogs ago about the incentives adding to the cap. Who it came from I don't recall. I do remember that he can only make 900,000 or something on his entry deal, but the incentives could be up to around 2.8.
- Topshelf Mountain

I guess we're gonna have to agree to disagree here. The way I see it, if we already had a solid prospect pool your way makes sense, but our prospect pool is really weak and our next in line guys except for Megna are not only subpar prospects, but are also in the baby phase of their development. My analysis is that right now we're desperate for anything.

I have no idea how incentives work or if Hayes is looking for them, so I can't debate that with you.

The more I read about and hear about Scott Harrington, the more I'd like to see him get a chance this year.

My wet dream scenario for the D this upcoming year...

1. Pouliot and Maatta make full recoveries by December.
2. Harrington proves himself ready for a spot on the big roster
3. Despres proves that is was Bylsma's fault all along
4. Letang suffers no health setbacks
5. Martin is kept all season and walks at season's end. If he is kept, that means the Pens are legit Cup contenders and want to keep the vet d-man at a good cap hit for a Cup run.
6. GMJR finds someone to take Doumolin at the deadline for an upgrade at wing
7. We find a taker for Scuds
8. Erhoff loves it here. Signs for $5.25 per on a 5 yr deal.
9. At the end of the season, our top 6 going into next year are: Letang, Pouliot, Maatta, Erhoff, Despres, Harrington. Borts is the 7th guy.

The more I read about and hear about Scott Harrington, the more I'd like to see him get a chance this year.

My wet dream scenario for the D this upcoming year...

1. Pouliot and Maatta make full recoveries by December.
2. Harrington proves himself ready for a spot on the big roster
3. Despres proves that is was Bylsma's fault all along
4. Letang suffers no health setbacks
5. Martin is kept all season and walks at season's end. If he is kept, that means the Pens are legit Cup contenders and want to keep the vet d-man at a good cap hit for a Cup run.
6. GMJR finds someone to take Doumolin at the deadline for an upgrade at wing
7. We find a taker for Scuds
8. Erhoff loves it here. Signs for $5.25 per on a 5 yr deal.
9. At the end of the season, our top 6 going into next year are: Letang, Pouliot, Maatta, Erhoff, Despres, Harrington. Borts is the 7th guy.
- 87_71_11_29

That's very close. A few adjustments though:

I think that an upgrade at wing is going to take either Pouliot or Despres, which are both fine. I'd rather trade Pouliot because I think Letang on reasonable contract makes him expendable and is the most attractive chip, so his return will be the greatest.

I would either want Ehrhoff for shorter or a lesser cap hit. 4.5 for 5 or 5 for 3/4. He's no spring chicken and I think we've had enough with old/aging d men.

Also, I'm not sure there's enough spots to go around for the amount of people you want up here, but besides those minor tweeks, I think you nailed the best case scenario.

Please stop using sentences regarding Beau Bennett and the word "break" in any form. We've had enough of that around here!
- Emperor Filonius

Yeah. I think I just heard his arm break.

quote=Streit2ThePoint]Detroit.

TIGERS N LIONS!!!!!!!!