There are only 2 options with Martin. You either trade him now, when you can get a top 6 player, or he plays the season and walks next summer. Trading him at the deadline won't be an option, because you will only get picks or prospects then, which won't help the team in a playoff run.
- cap1681

Then you don't trade him. Not every player who will become a free agent next season has to be traded, especially when that player makes your team better.

Dammit is it a blown knee or a laceration?!? Screw the media man. Confusing people since day 1...

Guess Kap must really want Beau's spot.
- Victoro311

I read that Kapenen's skate clipped Bennett's heel, causing him to twist his knee. omg who knows right now haha.

Then you don't trade him. Not every player who will become a free agent next season has to be traded, especially when that player makes your team better.
- drummer829

You act as if we are getting nothing back in return. Sure, the parameters of the trade would have to be right, but dontcha think a really good forward would help us win? We may not even "win" the trade...but just like the Neal trade, its about what best balances the team.

Put it this way - pretend Martin is not on the team right now. Then look at the roster. Then be able to pick either player to be on the team right now: Paul Martin or Patrick Marleau.

GMJR said its a skate cut from Kapanen. Good thing the beat writers know how hockey works. Noncontact my @$$
- usethe1-2-2

All considering, I'd take a cut over a tendon tear, whether in the knee or foot.

You act as if we are getting nothing back in return. Sure, the parameters of the trade would have to be right, but dontcha think a really good forward would help us win? We may not even "win" the trade...but just like the Neal trade, its about what best balances the team.

Put it this way - pretend Martin is not on the team right now. Then look at the roster. Then be able to pick either player to be on the team right now: Paul Martin or Patrick Marleau.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Marleau

All considering, I'd take a cut over a tendon tear, whether in the knee or foot.
- s0rcerer1984

Who knows what it will be in an hour with he next update. He might get polio if Yohi keeps reporting.

Then you don't trade him. Not every player who will become a free agent next season has to be traded, especially when that player makes your team better.
- drummer829

Unless the player in which you have traded for makes your team better than it was with the player you have traded. For example. Trading Martin might weaken the defense a bit, but acquiring Marleau would help secure the top 9, not just the top line. You lose one defensemen, but you get a top line winger, then you move a guy who is a stretch to play on line one to line two where he fits better, then the guy from line two moves to three, and three to four. You create an overall better team.

And considering the depth and talent on D compared to forward it truly is a move that should be considered.

There are only 2 options with Martin. You either trade him now, when you can get a top 6 player, or he plays the season and walks next summer. Trading him at the deadline won't be an option, because you will only get picks or prospects then, which won't help the team in a playoff run.
- cap1681

I think you have about until Thanksgiving or so.... Not many teams will make major hockey trades right out of camp, it makes sense for teams to figure out exactly what they have or need, and that takes a little while.

I don't know if Bennett is seriously hurt or not. But, for a team lacking size and talent up from I would give Sundqvist a 9 game try. If he turns out to be the next Jordan Staal, great he stays up and we rock. If not, ok send him down and make due. To me, he has a lot of upside as a forward on a team who needs size and talent up front.

I'm close to officially giving up on Bennett. Some guys are just injury prone.

#1 "skill" any athlete has to have is availability. Gotta be able to play.

I am getting really tired of these injuries every year. We didn't even play a preseason game yet and 87/71/14 were out.

Then, Limp Wristit gets hurt as expected. Now, more injuries.

WTF...

That's why I always try and get tix to one of the first 2 home games of the season. After that, 2/3 of the lineup is always out of action any given night.

I'm close to officially giving up on Bennett. Some guys are just injury prone.

#1 "skill" any athlete has to have is availability. Gotta be able to play.
- 87_71_11_29

He got cut by a skate, it isn't a wrist injury again.

He got cut by a skate, it isn't a wrist injury again.
- usethe1-2-2

I don't think he got cut by a skate. I thought Kapanen's skate clipped him and caused him to fall awkwardly. Unless you read otherwise...

I don't think he got cut by a skate. I thought Kapanen's skate clipped him and caused him to fall awkwardly. Unless you read otherwise...
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Correct. They're still reporting a knee after falling awkwardly. FWIW HCMJ is saying it's not as bad as it looks. Says they'll update when they know more.

I don't think he got cut by a skate. I thought Kapanen's skate clipped him and caused him to fall awkwardly. Unless you read otherwise...
- YouMeAndDupuis9

No you are correct. I must have read into that wrongly. I thought he was clipped (cut) by a skate.

You act as if we are getting nothing back in return. Sure, the parameters of the trade would have to be right, but dontcha think a really good forward would help us win? We may not even "win" the trade...but just like the Neal trade, its about what best balances the team.

Put it this way - pretend Martin is not on the team right now. Then look at the roster. Then be able to pick either player to be on the team right now: Paul Martin or Patrick Marleau.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

You're not getting a really good forward. Marleau would take martin+. If Martin had 2-3 years left, then you could possibly get a decent return, but right now, you won't get anything more than a decent 3rd line guy, and a pick/prospect. Any winger who is top 6 material and signed longer than a year would cost Martin plus some extra.

I think that Ryan Wilson is a very good hockey blogger. it is therefore a testament to his readers that today's blog resembles so much yesterday's discussion.

Kap will get his 9 now for certain; that may be the timeline they use for Bennett. I don't think it will alter the line combinations of the top six. Perhaps Comeau plays up on 3 until they figure out 1 and 2.

Hornqvist Crosby Kapanen
Kunitz Malkin Downie
Spaling Sutter Dupuis
Not Adams Goc Comeau

Any of Sill, Carcillo, or Ebbett are certainly more effective than Adams would be. Frankly I hope Adams retires and leverages that Harvard degree to access a profession he may still be suitable for. He used to be ideal; more like to be a liability now.

Go Pens.

He got cut by a skate, it isn't a wrist injury again.
- usethe1-2-2

Understood. Still, always seems to be him though.

Bottom line..doesn't really matter. If he cant dress consistently, at some point here, they have to cut bait.

I think that Ryan Wilson is a very good hockey blogger. it is therefore a testament to his readers that today's blog resembles so much yesterday's discussion.

Kap will get his 9 now for certain; that may be the timeline they use for Bennett. I don't think it will alter the line combinations of the top six. Perhaps Comeau plays up on 3 until they figure out 1 and 2.

Hornqvist Crosby Kapanen
Kunitz Malkin Downie
Spaling Sutter Dupuis
Not Adams Goc Comeau

Any of Sill, Carcillo, or Ebbett are certainly more effective than Adams would be. Frankly I hope Adams retires and leverages that Harvard degree to access a profession he may still be suitable for. He used to be ideal; more like to be a liability now.

Go Pens.
- Johnny Wrath

"Not Adams". My favorite player on the team!

I think that Ryan Wilson is a very good hockey blogger. it is therefore a testament to his readers that today's blog resembles so much yesterday's discussion.

Kap will get his 9 now for certain; that may be the timeline they use for Bennett. I don't think it will alter the line combinations of the top six. Perhaps Comeau plays up on 3 until they figure out 1 and 2.

Hornqvist Crosby Kapanen
Kunitz Malkin Downie
Spaling Sutter Dupuis
Not Adams Goc Comeau

Any of Sill, Carcillo, or Ebbett are certainly more effective than Adams would be. Frankly I hope Adams retires and leverages that Harvard degree to access a profession he may still be suitable for. He used to be ideal; more like to be a liability now.

Go Pens.
- Johnny Wrath

Did they trade PH in that scenario?

Is there any update on Malkin? I have a feeling he misses opening night.

Understood. Still, always seems to be him though.

Bottom line..doesn't really matter. If he cant dress consistently, at some point here, they have to cut bait.
- 87_71_11_29

He doesn't cost much and has potential. He can be retained cheaply as well. Not sure what you have to cut bait with him for. He isn't a veteran with an unfriendly cap hit.

I think that Ryan Wilson is a very good hockey blogger. it is therefore a testament to his readers that today's blog resembles so much yesterday's discussion.

Kap will get his 9 now for certain; that may be the timeline they use for Bennett. I don't think it will alter the line combinations of the top six. Perhaps Comeau plays up on 3 until they figure out 1 and 2.

Hornqvist Crosby Kapanen
Kunitz Malkin Downie
Spaling Sutter Dupuis
Not Adams Goc Comeau

Any of Sill, Carcillo, or Ebbett are certainly more effective than Adams would be. Frankly I hope Adams retires and leverages that Harvard degree to access a profession he may still be suitable for. He used to be ideal; more like to be a liability now.

Go Pens.
- Johnny Wrath

Not sure if Sundquvist can play W, but if he can I wouldn't mind the Pens giving him a game or two. Still, wish they would have re-signed Stempniak for $900K per yr. He'd be a great insurance policy to have for the 3rd and 4th line at the moment, especially at that price.

I'd go with:

Kunitz-Crosby-Dupuis = Old reliable line; Until the Pens get another Top6F, it is what it is.

Spaling-Malkin-Hornquvist = Really want to see what a guy like Spaling can do with Malkin and Hornquvist; if he keeps it simple (ie, forecheck, go to the front of the net, shoot on net or into the pads for a rebound) i think he could do well.

Downie-Sutter-[Kapenen/Sundquvist] = Lines loses its creative, scoring punch without Bennett, but I'd still like to get Downie and Sutter use to one another. Hopefully, the short-term [Kapenen/Sundquvist] fill-in can hold the fort down.

Comeau-Goc-Megna = Love this as a 4th line. Speed, forechecking, & a simple game for less than $2.8M/yr.

Well bennet didnt stay healthy long

He doesn't cost much and has potential. He can be retained cheaply as well. Not sure what you have to cut bait with him for. He isn't a veteran with an unfriendly cap hit.
- usethe1-2-2

Yeah, he has a 900k cap hit, and is a rfa at the end of this year. If they resign him, unless he gets and stays healthy this season and goes on a tear, he will be resigned cheap.

I think that Ryan Wilson is a very good hockey blogger. it is therefore a testament to his readers that today's blog resembles so much yesterday's discussion.

Kap will get his 9 now for certain; that may be the timeline they use for Bennett. I don't think it will alter the line combinations of the top six. Perhaps Comeau plays up on 3 until they figure out 1 and 2.

Complement Ryan... Then ignore his blog? Duper is the rw on SIDS line. Like it or not

Hornqvist Crosby Kapanen
Kunitz Malkin Downie
Spaling Sutter Dupuis
Not Adams Goc Comeau

Any of Sill, Carcillo, or Ebbett are certainly more effective than Adams would be. Frankly I hope Adams retires and leverages that Harvard degree to access a profession he may still be suitable for. He used to be ideal; more like to be a liability now.

Go Pens.
- Johnny Wrath

Duper on SIDS wing. As Ryan stated in his blog