Yeah? Well, you know, that's just like, uh, your opinion, man.
- hardnosed

That creep can roll, man.

I haven't seen anything in Sutters game that has me thinking that he'll turn it around. And it isn't like he's more suited for the playoffs. He stays away from the hitting and grinding as much as possible....but I do hope you are right
- willi

The third line has looked better since he's been reunited with Spaling and Bennett. But they've had a good game/bad game thing going on. Just need to find some consistency.

Still, Spaling/Sutter/Bennett is infinitely better than Stempniak/Goc/Bennett.

For a while, I liked the idea of Michael Ryder, just based on his past playoff performances. But with a $3.5 mil cap hit, money has to go out. However, he wasn't exactly fast before, and he's lost a step.

I don't think Sutter is getting moved unfortunately, but he seems like a Lou Lamoriello type of player. Not all that exciting, but decent defensively. And right now, Scott Gomez is their second line center.

So, with that logic:

Sutter for Ryder and a 2nd. Pick can drop down if the Pens make it deep in the playoffs.
- rival22

I think something like this is what GMJR would do if he indeed moved Sutter. Trade him for a more competent veteran piece.

Sutter for Ryder and a 2nd. Pick can drop down if the Pens make it deep in the playoffs.
- rival22

I just don't see how that makes the team better. Where does Ryder play? 2nd line instead of Hornqvist or something? Because Ryder on a third line would be a waste of his only talent, sniping.

For all the dogging of Sutter, I'm sure folks would dog Spaling even more vehemently if he were to take over 3C duties full-time.

I think something like this is what GMJR would do if he indeed moved Sutter. Trade him for a more competent veteran piece.
- 87_71_11_29

Wow, really?!? Have you seen Ryder play lately?!?

I just don't see how that makes the team better. Where does Ryder play? 2nd line instead of Hornqvist or something? Because Ryder on a third line would be a waste of his only talent, sniping.

For all the dogging of Sutter, I'm sure folks would dog Spaling even more vehemently if he were to take over 3C duties full-time.
- hardnosed

I would def put Ryder on 2nd, move Horny up to 1st instead of Kuni. Move Kuni down. But this is from Head Coach Me. It will never get done. Because Sid, Kuni, Perron and Geno, Comeau, and Horny, respectively, apparently have more "chemistry" than Mendeleev.

Glencross and Colborne for Sutter and Harrington

I would def put Ryder on 2nd, move Horny up to 1st instead of Kuni. Move Kuni down. But this is from Head Coach Me. It will never get done. Because Sid, Kuni, Perron and Geno, Comeau, and Horny have more chemistry than Mendeleev.
- chimpira

That's sort of what I was thinking... Ryder's only real fit would be on Malkin's right side.

That get's a third line of Kunitz - Spaling - Bennett.

I guess getting Sutter off of the team makes it better, but when your bottom two centers are Nick Spaling and Max Lapierre, you are going to have to rely on Sid's line to be a shut down line at times.

I just don't see how that makes the team better. Where does Ryder play? 2nd line instead of Hornqvist or something? Because Ryder on a third line would be a waste of his only talent, sniping.

For all the dogging of Sutter, I'm sure folks would dog Spaling even more vehemently if he were to take over 3C duties full-time.
- hardnosed

Probably not. Spaling is an average player and paid an average salary. Sutter is a below average player and paid above average salary.

Glencross and Colborne for Sutter and Harrington
- brienstel

That's close... whens Colborne's contract up? I think Colborne would be an okay bottom 6 guy, but he's more Taylor Pyatt than Milan Lucic unfortunately.

That's close... whens Colborne's contract up?
- YouMeAndDupuis9

He signed a 2-year contract back in late summer of last year. $1.275m/year

That's close... whens Colborne's contract up?
- YouMeAndDupuis9

He has one year left at 1.275 i think.

He's a bit of a pyatt, j staal combo. i don't think he's too physical like lucic despite his size.

Glencross is at 2.5 and at 1 maybe 2 yrs left.


on that note: what about a big centre like Brian Boyle out of tampa as a 3rd line guy. He can hit and do bit of scoring and checking.

I think Michael Ryder would make a difference but we need to give something to get, what would that be? Paul martin?

I think Michael Ryder would make a difference but we need to give something to get, what would that be? Paul martin?
- powerhouse

No way... Jersey would move Ryder for just about anything at this point. He's been a healthy scratch.

Wow, really?!? Have you seen Ryder play lately?!?
- hardnosed

I try and avoid the Devils as much as possible on Center Ice. Nothing fun about watching a team suck the life out of the game we all love.

Wasn't advocating a Sutter/Ryder swap. Was simply stating that was the kind of deal JR could pursue.

I think when this team goes all in, in a game, something we haven't seen a lot of this season for all three periods in a game, they are very hard to beat. Basically, when they grab their sacks and compete AND keep their composure I like their roster as is.

I couldn't care less what happens this regular season as long as they make it in and make it in relatively healthy. We've been spoiled in the regular season with this team, most of the time coasting into the playoffs winning games they didnt deserve to on talent alone, not hard work. Then they make the playoffs and play teams that have been fighting for the lives for weeks just to make it in...2009 Penguins ring a bell?

I really think you're going to see a higher level of play from players like Downie, Comeau and Lapierre when the real season starts and the checks and physical play start flying. This is why they were brought in, not to win the division or Presidents trophy, but to help in the playoffs.

I guess if I were to add another player, I'd want a rugged D-man and go with a guy like Roman Polak. The guy lays the body and blocks shots like there's no tomorrow.

What's the thing I am hearing about trading Downie. Something about how the management is upset with his late game penalties. Is this for real? Out of all the players they should be upset about, Downie is nowhere close on that list, if you ask me.

No way... Jersey would move Ryder for just about anything at this point. He's been a healthy scratch.
- rival22

Do we want a bad teams healthy scratches?

What's the thing I am hearing about trading Downie. Something about how the management is upset with his late game penalties. Is this for real? Out of all the players they should be upset about, Downie is nowhere close on that list, if you ask me.
- chimpira

He's the only penguin I don't want to punch in the face recently

Do we want a bad teams healthy scratches?
- dbell646

Not really... The only hope is that he'd have a little more life player here than in NJ.

My deal was more to get rid of Sutter and get a pick back. Anything Ryder could provide would be gravy

What's the thing I am hearing about trading Downie. Something about how the management is upset with his late game penalties. Is this for real? Out of all the players they should be upset about, Downie is nowhere close on that list, if you ask me.
- chimpira

I agree Downie isn't the problem. Sure he takes some dumb penalties but Pitt knew what they were getting. He has stood up for teammates this season and many times fought guys out of his weight class. And that doesn't go unnoticed by teammates

Lets face it... If we had Maatta, I think we'd be a legit contender. But you can't lose a top 6 winger and top defenseman and just stay a contender. poop happens, apparently a lot more often to us injury wise.
- Guile

Not only that but losing Maatta narrows down the trade possibilities with the defense. It would be easier to trade a d-man if Maatta was healthy.

I still feel that a young defenseman will be moved though.

He's the only penguin I don't want to punch in the face recently
- dbell646

Why would you want to punch this ?

What's the thing I am hearing about trading Downie. Something about how the management is upset with his late game penalties. Is this for real? Out of all the players they should be upset about, Downie is nowhere close on that list, if you ask me.
- chimpira

their actually mad at Tochett and plan on sending his crush out to send tochett a message. isnt that how it works? Punish a scrub to send a message to the big boys?

Not really... The only hope is that he'd have a little more life player here than in NJ.

My deal was more to get rid of Sutter and get a pick back. Anything Ryder could provide would be gravy
- rival22

Sure if they're paying us for sutter and adding him that'd be ok.