Solid but unspectacular defenseman. Won't wow you with puck skills, but can play in the top-4 if needed. Probably best suited for a 5/6 role over the long run.
- jmatchett383

I like it.

Solid but unspectacular defenseman. Won't wow you with puck skills, but can play in the top-4 if needed. Probably best suited for a 5/6 role over the long run.
- jmatchett383

Pens don't need a d-man with puck skills. They have an abundance of that. He is a shut-down guy.

Pens apparently made a trade according to EK...

I like it.
- dbell646

Ditto. Bortz hasn't been all that physical since getting his ass kicked by Tootoo and he's not good unless he's physical.

Awesome move by Pens! I've always liked Cole, big body that hasn't utilized it to his advantage yet. 15 minutes a night too. Great trade!

Dreger just stated that Pens aren't done yet.

Pens don't need a d-man with puck skills. They have an abundance of that. He is a shut-down guy.
- cap1681

Well ideally you can acquire someone that can move the puck and is also a shutdown dman, but in Johnston's system, dmen that can't move the puck are liabilities. This is why Scuderi needs to be partnered with someone that doesn't suck. Because he is a liability.

he has 2 first names. he must be legit.

Bortz for Cole... ummm... ok?

he has 2 first names. he must be legit.
- SuperHenderson13

And his middle name is a first name >_>

Ditto. Bortz hasn't been all that physical since getting his ass kicked by Tootoo and he's not good unless he's physical.
- madmike71

Giving away a guy who is -6 in 38 games and getting a guy who is +16 in 54 is a great deal for the Pens. So getting rid of a guy who is a healthy scratch for a guy who is an every day guy is a no-brainer. Plus Bortuzzo has size but not much fight to go with that size. Good riddance, I say.

islanders get neuvirth? that's interesting.

Hmmm.... So we traded a bottom pairing defenseman for a bottom pairing defenseman. What was the point of this?

I'm gonna miss Bort. He sucked this year, but he was a good guy and well liked by the squad.
- Victoro311

The point was to improve their bottom pair... and they did. Cole is a better player than Bortuzzo.

Dreger just stated that Pens aren't done yet.
- errey12

If they are acquiring another dman then I think there is one going out

islanders get neuvirth? that's interesting.
- SuperHenderson13

Im more concerned with NYI now. Halak has been holding them back. Now they have another option.

Welcome to the Burgh IAN COLE! Good trade for us. Bortuzzo Was a class act guy while with us. We are a better team today though!

islanders get neuvirth? that's interesting.
- SuperHenderson13

Buffalo said f that we have to make sure we are the worst team in the league.
Man Yohe just reported we are in on another trade

Dreger just stated that Pens aren't done yet.
- errey12

Ehroff is gone? Cole isnt coming to be a scratch and Pouliot deserves his spot in the line up.

Cole is the same age as Bortuzzo as well, RFA at the end of season.

The point was to improve their bottom pair... and they did. Cole is a better player than Bortuzzo.
- j.boyd919

This. Cole is also adequate with the puck. He's no Erik Karlson by any means, but he's not a liability.

Dreger just stated that Pens aren't done yet.
- errey12

@JoshYohe_Trib 34s35 seconds ago
Pens are moving in on another trade. Nothing official yet.

Buffalo said f that we have to make sure we are the worst team in the league.
- dbell646

The race to the bottom is getting close with Arizona and Edmonton. It's going to be competitive.

Well, Cole being a RFA is nice... oh, and the 7th rounder gone... 100% DGAF

This. Cole is also adequate with the puck. He's no Erik Karlson by any means, but he's not a liability.
- jmatchett383

You mean Kris Letang

Buffalo said f that we have to make sure we are the worst team in the league.
Man Yohe just reported we are in on another trade
- dbell646

only thing i feel good about is that Rutherford isnt going to make a move just for the sake of making a move.

shero would make a move today just because everyone else is.