Most goals Pens have scored against NJ since 1991. Just sayin'.
- powerhouse

The Mickey Mouse years

Loved the jerseys...and Daneyko.

Sure, you have to listen to almost any offer. But I've been saying this for a couple of years... This team needs bigger, stronger players. Especially on D. They've been getting killed by bigger teams in the playoffs. I don't know how far he develops, but I'm not moving a guy with his size and skill set unless I'm blown away.
- madmike71

+9.230

+9.230
- Topshelf Mountain

Oh Topshelf you are something. +66

I'm with you on the size thing for the playoffs, it's been an Achilles heel, IMO.
- powerhouse

Boston tormented Nisky. Absolutely crushed him. When the clutching and grabbing picks up you need guys with the size and strength to skate through those checks. That's why I've been really hoping the kid succeeds here. They need that element. Thank God Ray and Dan got sent packing before he did.

Just to clarify: obviously I'd give up an untested prospect over Despres. I'm just pretty pessimistic we'll get what everyone on the board wants in return for them.

Also, something that few people are considering: reports are saying that Bennett could come back by the end of the week. Maybe we won't need any top 6 forward help this season with his return and we can instead focus on prospect swaps. There's a guy currently buried in the Islanders' log jam of forwards that has shined in every opportunity he has gotten named Anders Lee. Also, fun fact, he was picked 152nd overall in 2009. We had the 151st pick. The guy we picked is a career ECHLer. Go figure...

If there was anything Shero was right about, it was having 8 quality NHL defensemen going into the playoffs. Letang/Maatta/Martin/Ehrhoff/Despres/Bortuzzo/Scuderi and then one from among Harrington/Pouliot/Dumoulin is slightly overkill, but it's a long time between now and May, and those last three are all unproven, especially if it's expected for them to be contributors in the playoffs.

I don't think the return on Despres would be great. I mean, folks are excited because he made a nice pass, but the reality is that he doesn't kill penalties (22 seconds all year) and isn't helpful on the PP (Scuderi had more PP time than he did tonight). And he also takes the majority of his shifts with Crosby or Malkin's lines.

I like the idea of Despres, I just wish he had a better hockey IQ, was more decisive, and maximized his talents. Maatta's coming absence is going to be his big chance.

Who knows what the brass will do. I know what I would do but that means zilch. I didn't see the Cullen trade, or the Recchi trade, or the Stevens or Naslund trades. Hell, look through the trade history and the Pens have traded guys multiple times only to bring them back months later. Granted it was a different GM but the current one has his own craziness to him.

Out of everything brought up on this site, the Martin to Minny trade seems like the most logical. But logic and Penguin hockey aren't in a parallel universe.

If there was anything Shero was right about, it was having 8 quality NHL defensemen going into the playoffs. Letang/Maatta/Martin/Ehrhoff/Despres/Bortuzzo/Scuderi and then one from among Harrington/Pouliot/Dumoulin is slightly overkill, but it's a long time between now and May, and those last three are all unproven, especially if it's expected for them to be contributors in the playoffs.

I don't think the return on Despres would be great. I mean, folks are excited because he made a nice pass, but the reality is that he doesn't kill penalties (22 seconds all year) and isn't helpful on the PP (Scuderi had more PP time than he did tonight). And he also takes the majority of his shifts with Crosby or Malkin's lines.

I like the idea of Despres, I just wish he had a better hockey IQ, was more decisive, and maximized his talents. Maatta's coming absence is going to be his big chance.
- hardnosed

I feel like a scum bag getting excited over anything Maatta related, but I honestly can't wait to see how Despres and maybe one of the other young guys rise up to the occasion. Its a test that we sorely need.

If there was anything Shero was right about, it was having 8 quality NHL defensemen going into the playoffs. Letang/Maatta/Martin/Ehrhoff/Despres/Bortuzzo/Scuderi and then one from among Harrington/Pouliot/Dumoulin is slightly overkill, but it's a long time between now and May, and those last three are all unproven, especially if it's expected for them to be contributors in the playoffs.

I don't think the return on Despres would be great. I mean, folks are excited because he made a nice pass, but the reality is that he doesn't kill penalties (22 seconds all year) and isn't helpful on the PP (Scuderi had more PP time than he did tonight). And he also takes the majority of his shifts with Crosby or Malkin's lines.

I like the idea of Despres, I just wish he had a better hockey IQ, was more decisive, and maximized his talents. Maatta's coming absence is going to be his big chance.
- hardnosed

Despres is a young guy. he will be fine and in my eyes, better than you see. Funny how the same player is seen so differently. I see a guy with size and skill and a lot of potential. Throughout his career he has excelled at every level. That is not an accident.

Despres is a young guy. he will be fine and in my eyes, better than you see. Funny how the same player is seen so differently. I see a guy with size and skill and a lot of potential. Throughout his career he has excelled at every level. That is not an accident.
- powerhouse

Do you see Despres like a Erik Johnson? Their Size are comparable.

Do you see Despres like a Erik Johnson? Their Size are comparable.
- Barnaby36

He is 6'4" 225lbs, solid. If you look at his stats he has always taken penalties, BTW.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_Despr%C3%A9s

I got a kick out of Gunner tweeting that Despres was playing his way out of the lineup, then about an hour later tweeting how he earned a promotion to play with Ehrhoff for the third period.

Not saying he backed on his word, not at all, but just shows you that even in a great game Despres has flashes of youthful ignorance and poor play. He still needs time to grow. Keep pushing the guy, give him chances in a multitude of situations and see what he does.

His physical game has blossomed, he is getting more comfortable with his shot, and I'll be damned but this coaching/management staff has a ton of faith in him.

He is 6'4" 225lbs, solid. If you look at his stats he has always taken penalties, BTW.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_Despr%C3%A9s
- powerhouse

Just looked. Erik Johnson is 6'4" 236lbs. They do look a lot like each other. I'm talking about Game/potential.

I got a kick out of Gunner tweeting that Despres was playing his way out of the lineup, then about an hour later tweeting how he earned a promotion to play with Ehrhoff for the third period.

Not saying he backed on his word, not at all, but just shows you that even in a great game Despres has flashes of youthful ignorance and poor play. He still needs time to grow. Keep pushing the guy, give him chances in a multitude of situations and see what he does.

His physical game has blossomed, he is getting more comfortable with his shot, and I'll be damned but this coaching/management staff has a ton of faith in him.
- usethe1-2-2

And God bless that coaching and management team for forbearing with him. Sometimes players take time, patience and teaching. If the teacher is a wiener it makes it tough. Not so now, eh?

I'll be interested to see the d pairings Thursday. Despres and Ehrhoff were paired tiger in the third. Nice little bump up for Despres, would be nice if he stayed there for a while.

Not sure what that says for Martin, as he ended up on the third pairing. I would guess he'd take Maatta's spot while he's out.

And God bless that coaching and management team for forbearing with him. Sometimes players take time, patience and teaching. If the teacher is a wiener it makes it tough. Not so now, eh?
- powerhouse

That's why I've been so comfortable with the idea of Martin+ moving if the right deal came along this year. There's always a gamble but from the samples I've seen with all the D prospects it's I've always felt that if we gave them the time the skill they have would more than make up for any rough stretches. There's a lot to like about the maturity and skill combination of these boys Shero drafted so i really want them to start gaining experience now because this group is going to be such a steal on their elcs

Future Pairings I'd love to see

Letang/Maatta
Ehrhoff/Despres
Pouliot/Harrington

Bortuzzo

This leaves Dumoulin without a seat at the table, which is unfortunate since he has little trade value. If Ehrhoff fails to resign, then I could see Pouliot in that spot with Despres and Dumoulin/Harrington on the bottom pairing with Bortuzzo at #7

Dumoulin would be a perfect 5/6 guy, the only way he gets there though, assuming we resign Ehrhoff, is for one of the other young guns to get showcased and then moved for a young forward prospect

If there was anything Shero was right about, it was having 8 quality NHL defensemen going into the playoffs. Letang/Maatta/Martin/Ehrhoff/Despres/Bortuzzo/Scuderi and then one from among Harrington/Pouliot/Dumoulin is slightly overkill, but it's a long time between now and May, and those last three are all unproven, especially if it's expected for them to be contributors in the playoffs.

I don't think the return on Despres would be great. I mean, folks are excited because he made a nice pass, but the reality is that he doesn't kill penalties (22 seconds all year) and isn't helpful on the PP (Scuderi had more PP time than he did tonight). And he also takes the majority of his shifts with Crosby or Malkin's lines.

I like the idea of Despres, I just wish he had a better hockey IQ, was more decisive, and maximized his talents. Maatta's coming absence is going to be his big chance.
- hardnosed

He has actually spent the most time on the ice with Comeau (29 minutes) then any other player, he has spent more total time with Comeau, Spaling and Downie then any other 3 Pens players together. Then again, why let stats get in the way of whatever you want to spew. You have never liked Despres, and if it was up to you, you would put Engelland out there.

Future Pairings I'd love to see

Letang/Maatta
Ehrhoff/Despres
Pouliot/Harrington

Bortuzzo

This leaves Dumoulin without a seat at the table, which is unfortunate since he has little trade value. If Ehrhoff fails to resign, then I could see Pouliot in that spot with Despres and Dumoulin/Harrington on the bottom pairing with Bortuzzo at #7

Dumoulin would be a perfect 5/6 guy, the only way he gets there though, assuming we resign Ehrhoff, is for one of the other young guns to get showcased and then moved for a young forward prospect
- RoloTahmasee

I'm saying it now, Harrington and pouliot will be better players than despres, and I will say within 2 years. Harrington is a natural leader, and if Crosby wasn't on the team, he'd be a potential captain. The kid looks good. Pouliot has all the talent in the world and just needs more time to adjust to the big league. Harrington will be our future shutdown guy and pouliot has potential to be the PP specialist. Despres looks like a 5th dman and nothing more, especially on this team. Right now, If it was between keeping borts or despres, I would say borts. Not saying despres can't get better, it's just he hasnt showed much progress like the other prospects have

I'm saying it now, Harrington and pouliot will be better players than despres, and I will say within 2 years. Harrington is a natural leader, and if Crosby wasn't on the team, he'd be a potential captain. The kid looks good. Pouliot has all the talent in the world and just needs more time to adjust to the big league. Harrington will be our future shutdown guy and pouliot has potential to be the PP specialist. Despres looks like a 5th dman and nothing more, especially on this team. Right now, If it was between keeping borts or despres, I would say borts. Not saying despres can't get better, it's just he hasnt showed much progress like the other prospects have
- drummer829

Letang/Maatta/Pouliot/Harrington is my dream top 4 - I want to keep Ehrhoff for 1 or 2 more seasons to help get us to that point but he'll want a 4 /5 year deal..., Hopefully they resign him without a No Trade Clause, so we can move him for assets when Pouliot and Harrington are ready for the top 4

Letang/Maatta/Pouliot/Harrington is my dream top 4 - I want to keep Ehrhoff for 1 or 2 more seasons to help get us to that point but he'll want a 4 /5 year deal..., Hopefully they resign him without a No Trade Clause, so we can move him for assets when Pouliot and Harrington are ready for the top 4
- RoloTahmasee

Maatta, Despres, Pouliot, Harrington, and Dumoulin have a COMBINED cap hit of $4 million. Just let that sink in for a while and think of the possibilities.

Maatta, Despres, Pouliot, Harrington, and Dumoulin have a COMBINED cap hit of $4 million. Just let that sink in for a while and think of the possibilities.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Man is that gonna be a female dog when contract season rolls around...

Sorry if that put a downer on your love fest. I've had a long day.

Okay, there are eleventy billion moving parts so please don't dissect the roster ...just an example of freed cap space on the blue line...

Next year we could be looking at almost $7M in freed cap space and I'm keeping Fleury, Ehrhoff, and carrying two extra defenseman.

CAPGEEK.COM ARMCHAIR GM ROSTER
CapGeek Armchair GM Roster
FORWARDS
Chris Kunitz ($3.850m) / Sidney Crosby ($8.700m) / Kasperi Kapanen ($0.925m)
Pascal Dupuis ($3.750m) / Evgeni Malkin ($9.500m) / Patric Hornqvist ($4.250m)
Beau Bennett ($0.900m) / Brandon Sutter ($3.300m) / Steve Downie ($1.000m)
Nick Spaling ($2.200m) / Marcel Goc ($1.200m) / Blake Comeau ($0.700m)
DEFENSEMEN
Kris Letang ($7.250m) / Olli Maatta ($0.894m)
Christian Ehrhoff ($4.000m) / Simon Despres ($0.900m)
Robert Bortuzzo ($0.600m) / Derrick Pouliot ($0.863m)
Scott Harrington ($0.589m) / Brian Dumoulin ($0.832m)
GOALTENDERS
Marc-Andre Fleury ($5.000m)
Thomas Greiss ($1.000m)
BONUS OVERAGE
NaN
------
CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)
(estimations for 2014-15 crunched using simulation date of 2014-10-28)
SALARY CAP: $69,000,000; BONUSES: $800,833
CAP SPACE (22-man roster): $6,812,787

Man is that gonna be a female dog when contract season rolls around...

Sorry if that put a downer on your love fest. I've had a long day.
- Victoro311

Piss off lol.

I'm not thinking that far ahead, and Old Man Ruth probably isnt either.

Maatta, Despres, Pouliot, Harrington, and Dumoulin have a COMBINED cap hit of $4 million. Just let that sink in for a while and think of the possibilities.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Yes, but Letang is here for life and if some of these kids are as good as we thing they are, there is no point keeping them on the 5/6 and playing them 15 minutes a game

2 of these guys will likely have to me moved before their 2nd contract kicks in and they become too expensive for the 5/6

Maatta is going to cost at least 5 million on his next contract - Think 6 years 30 million..... thats 1 more season away....