For all the "We need Martin for the playoffs" people, he's been here for 4 playoffs, and the Penguins have won 3 series in that time.

Is it Martin's fault?? No, but it shows that he is not the catalyst to the Pens magically ending their playoff woes.
- cap1681

Totally barking up the wrong tree here. Martin has had two great playoff seasons in a row while playing against top competition. Plus 12 over the past two playoffs with 2 goals and 17 assists.

The reason would be to get a top end talent like Martin for their playoff run. But Im not standing on this hill, I wouldnt trade Nich if I were Dallas.
It was just an example of a team that would value Martin, and an example trade to get a young top 6.

And Pouliot may be at his all time high. He has played zero games at the NHL level. I would gamble swapping him for a player of Nichuchkins calibre.
- stackthepads

Same here. Pouliot's ceiling may be high, but getting a young, top 6 winger who is somewhat proven (more so than Pouliot) would be worth it. It would dealing a position of strength to help a position of weakness.

No, but the picks and prospects could be flipped for a top 6.
- cap1681

Thank you. Was hoping I didn't have to repeat that a 7th time.

Totally barking up the wrong tree here. Martin has had two great playoff seasons in a row while playing against top competition. Plus 12 over the past two playoffs with 2 goals and 17 assists.
- hardnosed

It still resulted in the Penguins not winning a game past the second round.

Totally barking up the wrong tree here. Martin has had two great playoff seasons in a row while playing against top competition. Plus 12 over the past two playoffs with 2 goals and 17 assists.
- hardnosed

That's a bold statement. I would save above average at best. The Pens D has been a joke in the playoffs since the cup years. I would not call CBJ or NYR last year top competition.

Thank you. Was hoping I didn't have to repeat that a 7th time.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

But to be fair, it is still essentially trading Martin for a top 6....eventually.

It still resulted in the Penguins not winning a game past the second round.
- cap1681

So trade the whole team and start over? Sorry, but it's a weak argument that's hard to respond to.

That's a bold statement. I would save above average at best. The Pens D has been a joke in the playoffs since the cup years. I would not call CBJ or NYR last year top competition.
- sammy87

Was referring to lines, not teams.

Same here. Pouliot's ceiling may be high, but getting a young, top 6 winger who is somewhat proven (more so than Pouliot) would be worth it. It would dealing a position of strength to help a position of weakness.
- cap1681

Yes, Sid and Geno would be at their best, the bottom 6 would be significantly strengthened as Comeau, Dupuis, (even Kunitz eventually) get bumped down to the 3rd line, and the defense is still full of young, two-way defenseman.

I don't know exactly the caliber of player we can get with, say Pouliot and the 1st we would get from trading Martin. I think we do get a shot at some of the young unproven or barely proven great young wingers like ....Kuznetsov, Kucherov, Nich, Jurco, Connolly, Tatar, Nino, Noeson, Chiasson, Ritchie, etc. Just finding a trade partner and a deal that make sense.

Is Griess playing to give MAF a break, or see how he is against top teams? Minn and Detroit now.

So trade the whole team and start over? Sorry, but it's a weak argument that's hard to respond to.
- hardnosed

No, but keeping things the same and expecting different results is just as weak. Martin is a good player, but he's not a elite defenseman. The Penguins have young kids burning though entry level contracts in W/BS that have potential to be as good or better than Martin. They aren't going to improve until they actually get playing time in the NHL. Is it a gamble, yes, but worth the risk, especially if they get good play from some of the kids.

So trade the whole team and start over? Sorry, but it's a weak argument that's hard to respond to.
- hardnosed

Outside of this year, the Pens have rolled through the regular season with little trouble, but their system has sucked in the playoffs. The bottom 6 has been terrible, the top 6 shut down and the D is a joke and MAF cant stop a beach ball, 3 years in a row now. At what point do you move on from that? Martin was nothing special in the playoffs, Kunitz did nothing last year, a good GM has a plan to keep the core and constantly cycle the complement players replacements, sell when their value is high. Shero didn't do that and kept the gang together. There is no top 6 supplements to help if 1 goes down. That's a problem IMO.

And sill shoots into a guy. . Still no shot on goal for him.. I'm sorry but this 4th line isn't doing it for me.

Minny does a lot of whoops I accidently got in your way... I seen a couple screens already. Looks like the NBA

Is Griess playing to give MAF a break, or see how he is against top teams? Minn and Detroit now.
- sammy87

He plays Minny tough...

And sill shoots into a guy. . Still no shot on goal for him.. I'm sorry but this 4th line isn't doing it for me.
- nh4442

They are leap years ahead of last year's 4th line. At least they are not pinned back in their own zone their entire shift.

See flower wouldn't have done that with blocker. He would have flopped to get glove on puck

Who picked 13 for the pens predictor? this guy did

There's the secondary scoring.

Nice look by Downie!!!

How bout that Downie fella? He might just be starting to get it.

Nice plan by downie...

They are leap years ahead of last year's 4th line. At least they are not pinned back in their own zone their entire shift.
- cap1681

Yep, and that was against the Vanek line, too.

Minny does a lot of whoops I accidently got in your way... I seen a couple screens already. Looks like the NBA
- lloyd095

Or Notre Dame football.

Or Notre Dame football.
- hardnosed

Too soon bro. Way too soon...