Scuds actually has shown to be VERY good at bringing in younger players. Despres is quite obviously a top 4 Dman, Dumolin looked great, Pouliot looking solid. Harrington... ummm... Despres looks great
- Guile

Yeah I was kidding on that, Despres looks great with him and he said Scuds has been a big part of it. I say we keep Pouliot with Scuds and move Despres to second pairing with Hoff

I know its almost silly to bring up... Bit why oh why would Pitt give up decent assets for Gardiner

Correct on the LTIR and regular IR adds no cap relief. Hornqvist was on LTIR, but as soon as he came off, his cap relief was taken away, which is why Malkin had to go on LTIR. With the amount of players the Pens are carrying right now due to all the smaller injuries, they can't fit under the cap even with Dupuis and Maatta relief. But once everyone is healthy and the call-ups all go back, they will be under by about $400,000.
- PensFan1103

Ooooo... we lose that extra cap relief.. I don't think I ever accounted for that X_X

Don't think the leafs take that
- Santo_44

If not Ruopp..someone like Dea or Wilson?

Or what if we throw in Craig Adams? No seriously, we save the cap space and you guys can flip him to another contender for a late pick....free draft pick?

That's what I looked at when I inserted "probably not make the playoffs", but who is kidding who here? The top eight EC teams are solid and won't drop that far down. Toronto would have to likely win 25 of their last 34 games, which would put them at - or around - 97 points, which is what it would likely take to make it this year.
- Topshelf Mountain

Yeah making the playoffs is very unlikely. A top draft pick and a chance at Mcdavid would be much better for this team then making the playoffs and getting out first round. At best upsetting a team then losing the next one.

RW also points out constantly that Kris Letang is 'a beast', which statistically speaking is true. He drives possession and has decent statistics. Still, I think the Penguins would be far better without Kris Letang for other very well known reasons. This doesn't mean that my reaction to RW should be to argue that since I hate mathematics that he should take his dot charts and shove them.
- Johnny Wrath

So how would the Penguins be better without Letang? Could they be saving a couple million in cap room? Yeah, the defense and powerplay would be noticeable worse.

If you can't find Letangs value to the Penguins, sit down and watch the game from last night again. Without Crosby and Malkin, Letang took over the game everytime he was on the ice.

Yeah making the playoffs is very unlikely. A top draft pick and a chance at Mcdavid would be much better for this team then making the playoffs and getting out first round. At best upsetting a team then losing the next one.
- Santo_44

The amount of laughter teams in the playoffs will have if the 1st overall pick goes to a team 10th to 15th worst. I know I'll be laughing so hard if Edmonton/Buffalo gets squat.

If not Ruopp..someone like Dea or Wilson?

Or what if we throw in Craig Adams? No seriously, we save the cap space and you guys can flip him to another contender for a late pick....free draft pick?
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Dea and a mid pick could work. May have to give up a little more then he is worth because I don't think the leafs are exCtly shopping him.

So how would the Penguins be better without Letang? Could they be saving a couple million in cap room? Yeah, the defense and powerplay would be noticeable worse.

If you can't find Letangs value to the Penguins, sit down and watch the game from last night again. Without Crosby and Malkin, Letang took over the game everytime he was on the ice.
- Ben37

I think Letang was overpayed a bit on that contract, but we speculated the increases to the cap and its fine now. Had it been 6.5 mil a year, even though thats not a huge difference, it would have felt so much better to me the first year or two.

Yeah he would look great here, Dumoulin will be a top 4 defenseman in two years tops and is still young. He will need a new contract this off season but it will be a cheap one. Kind of stuck if I would do Dumoulin for Winnik straight up, although he would help us win now
- znagle

I wouldn't.

Winnik is a solid F, but to lose Dumoulin for him when he is set to be a UFA this summer seems like a such a waste of a solid asset in Dumoulin. Its tough to do, but better to hold on to Dumoulin, roll with what we have (which is pretty solid at the moment), and then add Winnik (or a comparble player this offseason).

The amount of laughter teams in the playoffs will have if the 1st overall pick goes to a team 10th to 15th worst. I know I'll be laughing so hard if Edmonton/Buffalo gets squat.
- Guile

I so desperately want the leafs to win the lottery. There are still some great picks outside Mcdavid and Exhiel but those two are generational talent that don't come around often.

I could imagine the Kings missing the playoffs by one point and winning the lottery

The amount of laughter teams in the playoffs will have if the 1st overall pick goes to a team 10th to 15th worst. I know I'll be laughing so hard if Edmonton/Buffalo gets squat.
- Guile

I'm hoping - alot - that Buffalo gets McDavid. The ownership is doing all the right things and they flat-out deserve something good to happen. The last time they were good every UFA walked. That and they're not Edmonton, I'll be laughing if those guys miss out on both.

I so desperately want the leafs to win the lottery. There are still some great picks outside Mcdavid and Exhiel but those two are generational talent that don't come around often.

I could imagine the Kings missing the playoffs by one point and winning the lottery
- Santo_44

No.... Sorry, but I do not want any Canadian team to win the lottery. Nothing against you personally, but the overall crap from a lot of the fanbase living in the past glories wants me to keep spite towards all of Canada :p

I'm hoping - alot - that Buffalo gets McDavid. The ownership is doing all the right things and they flat-out deserve something good to happen. The last time they were good every UFA walked. That and they're not Edmonton, I'll be laughing if those guys miss out on both.
- Topshelf Mountain

Sure, I will be okay with Buffalo getting him. They have been throwing for a long time, like Edmonton... but they aren't Edmonton LOL

I wouldn't.

Winnik is a solid F, but to lose Dumoulin for him when he is set to be a UFA this summer seems like a such a waste of a solid asset in Dumoulin. Its tough to do, but better to hold on to Dumoulin, roll with what we have (which is pretty solid at the moment), and then add Winnik (or a comparble player this offseason).
- s0rcerer1984

But in win now mode you've got to ask if Dumoulin helps win the Cup this year.

I wouldn't.

Winnik is a solid F, but to lose Dumoulin for him when he is set to be a UFA this summer seems like a such a waste of a solid asset in Dumoulin. Its tough to do, but better to hold on to Dumoulin, roll with what we have (which is pretty solid at the moment), and then add Winnik (or a comparble player this offseason).
- s0rcerer1984

Yeah that's what I'm saying. Dumoulin will need a new deal this of season but it will come cheap for 2-3 years. I think he can easily be a top 4 defenseman in the next year or two. Winnik could be the final piece we need. We get him, and it's almost a lock for the cup. But with everyone healthy Adams/Arcobello won't be that bad to have on the 4th line. I think if we were to trade Dumoulin then we would at least get another pick back

Full D Bag is criticizing and making fun of the people that read his blog daily. That ain't right! I now stick to the comments section because of the entertaining and informative. I use to appreciate the daily views and inputs from this blogger, the crap on Twitter just kills it for me.
- Topshelf Mountain

Which is exactly what you and some others do to him. Just saying...

No.... Sorry, but I do not want any Canadian team to win the lottery. Nothing against you personally, but the overall crap from a lot of the fanbase living in the past glories wants me to keep spite towards all of Canada :p
- Guile

To each their own. I think canadian teams fan bases should be rewarded for their loyalty.

To each their own. I think canadian teams fan bases should be rewarded for their loyalty.
- Santo_44

Loyalty is its own reward then

Loyalty is its own reward then
- Guile

Not entirely

Not entirely
- Santo_44

To each their own then

To each their own then
- Guile

But in win now mode you've got to ask if Dumoulin helps win the Cup this year.
- Topshelf Mountain

No, Doumlin doesn't. But there is always next year & Dumoulin very well could help with the Cup in the next 2-4 years.

This past offseason Winnik signed a 1yr, $1.3M deal with the Leafs. He isn't a superstar or a game-changer. He is solid 3rd/4th line depth F. Trading a possible solid 5/6th Dman who you have team control over for 4 more season at a pretty low price for a guy like that is just poor asset management. If Winnik is that amazing, sign him this offseason & try to win the next 2-4 years with BOTH Dumoulin and Winnik.

Which is exactly what you and some others do to him. Just saying...
- madmike71

Ok Mike, I didn't realize some of my posts came off that way. I try to stick to saying on this board what I would say to that person sitting in front of me. I don't follow him on Twitter, a link was posted on this mornings thread which had some of the comments that I didn't appreciate. My responses have since been deleted by admin, which is fine with me, they were seen by who I feel they needed to be seen by.

Regardless, I'm done with it. The expectations have been adjusted and I'm gonna stick with having fun and staying informed on this thread.

No, Doumlin doesn't. But there is always next year & Dumoulin very well could help with the Cup in the next 2-4 years.

This past offseason Winnik signed a 1yr, $1.3M deal with the Leafs. He isn't a superstar or a game-changer. He is solid 3rd/4th line depth F. Trading a possible solid 5/6th Dman who you have team control over for 4 more season at a pretty low price for a guy like that is just poor asset management. If Winnik is that amazing, sign him this offseason & try to win the next 2-4 years with BOTH Dumoulin and Winnik.
- s0rcerer1984

If he's not traded toronto will resign him.