They'll save a good amount if they let one of them walk. You keep Martin at a slight increase (~5.5M) and you save $3.5M on Ehrhoff's deal alone.

To me, you have to keep one of them, or else you've got Letang, Scuderi, and a bunch of kids more or less. Martin would help to add some good veteran presence.

Just my take.
- jmatchett383

I agree here. Woudln't mind seeing Hoff and Scuds go somehow. That raise would be nothing then.

Lovejoy has 1 more season, Cole is a RFA, so assumed he is kept on cheap.
- Guile

Okay.

Still, I think that Paul Martin is severely undervalued and viewed as a guy who can easily be replaced by some kid with like 30 games of NHL experience.

Agreed. I wouldn't mind Martin at 5.5 3 years at all. Hoff walks, then you have

Letang-Martin/Maatta
Lovejoy-Pouliot
Scuds/Dumoulin-Harrington/Cole

Looks like we really don't even need Martin.. Unless Scuds is off the books. All depends on if Harrington is ready or not. But god damn, that is a great and cheap D either way you slice it.

Edit: also depends on Maattas health. DO NOT rush him back. Martin the allows Harrington/Dumoulin to develop more. Injuries happen, we would have backups as well. When Dumo/Harrington are ready, Martin can be traded for a first +.
- znagle

I think Martin's next contract will be his last so he'll want term and a NMC so I doubt he resigns here. Maybe the Pens could sign a cheaper D man for shorter term if there are any concerns with Maattas health or with our young guys being ready....either way the future of the Pens D looks bright

Martin will be a big loss, but you can basically plug Maatta back in and have:

Letang - Maatta
Pouliot - Lovejoy
Cole - Harrington/Dumoulin/Scuderi

That's pretty solid
- rival22

I still think that with both Martin ($5M) & Ehrhoff($4M) as UFA's, the Penguins add 1 Top-4 D via UFA. My money is on either re-signing Ehrhoff or Petry.

An analogy concerning the Penguins' power play:

'I draw my idea of the form of government from a principle in nature, which no art can overturn, viz. that the more simple any thing is, the less liable it is to be disordered, and the easier repaired when disordered; and with this maxim in view, I offer a few remarks on the so much boasted constitution of England. That it was noble for the dark and slavish times in which it was erected, is granted. When the world was overrun with tyranny and the least remove therefrom was a glorious rescue. But that it is imperfect, subject to convulsion, and incapable of producing what it seems to promise, is easily demonstrated.'

-Paine, Thomas. "Common Sense". 10 January 1776. Page 14. Print.

Penguins and Sharks is just the latest example that scoring chances > goal totals in games. Great saves are just as exciting as the actual goals that are scored.

At what point, however, do they cease being scoring chances because the goalies are so over-padded and the shots, if they make it to the goalie, never go in. I know I am repeating myself but something needs to be done about the lack of scoring...

If you're PM you dont sign that. Its your last contract, you dont sign anything under 6 for 4 years.
- sammy87

yeah, especially with the ridiculous contracts that have been handed out to d-men lately. Wouldn't be surprised to see him get close to 7 in FA.

Is he signed past this season? Same question on Cole.
- jmatchett383

Cole needs a new deal I think, he will be a cheap RFA signing. Lovejoy has another year at 1.15M

yeah, especially with the ridiculous contracts that have been handed out to d-men lately. Wouldn't be surprised to see him get close to 7 in FA.
- cap1681

If he was 29, I'd agree. He's 34. He won't get that much if he wants multiple years. He'll either get 3+ years at a moderate raise or he can go for a 1-2 year deal to try to cash in quick.

yeah, especially with the ridiculous contracts that have been handed out to d-men lately. Wouldn't be surprised to see him get close to 7 in FA.
- cap1681

With all the other top Dmen out there and his age, there is only so much money to go around. But just wishful thinking.

Okay.

Still, I think that Paul Martin is severely undervalued and viewed as a guy who can easily be replaced by some kid with like 30 games of NHL experience.
- jmatchett383

I don't think he is being unvalued, I think we are just assuming the market will overvalue and get him near 7 million somewhere if he goes for the money. If we can keep him at ~5.5 for 3 years, I think we'd do it. I also believe he might get traded after 2 years because of having to extend and more likely keep the younger defensive talent.

I also think Lovejoy could be worth extending for another 2-3 years, especially is Scuds can somehow get dealt. Assuming Lovejoy regresses a tad his last season or even two under contract... he'd be under 2 mil for a veteran D. Even Scuderi would be a LOT more tolerate at 2 million.

I don't think he is being unvalued, I think we are just assuming the market will overvalue and get him near 7 million somewhere if he goes for the money. If we can keep him at ~5.5 for 3 years, I think we'd do it. I also believe he might get traded after 2 years because of having to extend and more likely keep the younger defensive talent.

I also think Lovejoy could be worth extending for another 2-3 years, especially is Scuds can somehow get dealt. Assuming Lovejoy regresses a tad his last season or even two under contract... he'd be under 2 mil for a veteran D. Even Scuderi would be a LOT more tolerate at 2 million.
- Guile

I just think this fan base, as I've stated before, assumes a lot of young players. Having Maata/Harrington/Pouliot being 3 of your top-5 next season is the best case scenario, far from a forgone conclusion. I'd rather have a guy like Martin in my top-4 and have Harrington/Pouliot rotate in as needed with a guy like Cole.

An analogy concerning the Penguins' power play:

'I draw my idea of the form of government from a principle in nature, which no art can overturn, viz. that the more simple any thing is, the less liable it is to be disordered, and the easier repaired when disordered; and with this maxim in view, I offer a few remarks on the so much boasted constitution of England. That it was noble for the dark and slavish times in which it was erected, is granted. When the world was overrun with tyranny and the least remove therefrom was a glorious rescue. But that it is imperfect, subject to convulsion, and incapable of producing what it seems to promise, is easily demonstrated.'

-Paine, Thomas. "Common Sense". 10 January 1776. Page 14. Print.
- Johnny Wrath

If people were not sleeping at the time, I would have just been yelling at my TV during the 4v3 in overtime "SHOOT! JUST SHOOT! JUST PUT THE PUCK ON NET!"

It isn't difficult; they just need to shoot the puck immediately or move it to someone else. On earth do Crosby, Malkin, & Letang seem to think that standing still for 10s with the puck on their stick will create a shooting lane somehow?

I just think this fan base, as I've stated before, assumes a lot of young players. Having Maata/Harrington/Pouliot being 3 of your top-5 next season is the best case scenario, far from a forgone conclusion. I'd rather have a guy like Martin in my top-4 and have Harrington/Pouliot rotate in as needed with a guy like Cole.
- jmatchett383

That's because this fan base has seen how overvaluing "experience" works out.

Okay.

Still, I think that Paul Martin is severely undervalued and viewed as a guy who can easily be replaced by some kid with like 30 games of NHL experience.
- jmatchett383

I don't think Martin is undervalued and I'm sure come July 1st you'll see other GMs feel the same way. He get big $ and term.....any chance Snider would cut him a cheque ?

If he was 29, I'd agree. He's 34. He won't get that much if he wants multiple years. He'll either get 3+ years at a moderate raise or he can go for a 1-2 year deal to try to cash in quick.
- jmatchett383

I understand the theory, but the Brooks Orpik contract says otherwise.

Great blog again Ryan

I agree. Kunitz is a good top 6 player still. Next blog throw some stats in about Perron, he's been a ghost.

Pouliot should be first PP. No doubt. He will be a great player. He should also stick with us in the playoffs.

Not sure who will sit between Scuds and Cole.. Cole has looked good, but has a small sample size. They know what they are getting in Scuderi. I think our team is moving to a full 6 man puck moving squad. Letang, DP, Martin, Lovejoy, Cole, Ehrhoff are all great at moving the puck. Scuderi makes the right plays, safe ones. Still a good defender, just doesn't have that puck moving skill that they all have.
- znagle

Perron should have had 2 or 3 assists last night, for some weird reason Niemi had a good game for once.

I don't think Martin is undervalued and I'm sure come July 1st you'll see other GMs feel the same way. He get big $ and term.....any chance Snider would cut him a cheque ?
- willi

If the Flyers had any cap space, I'm sure Hextall (the GM) would pass. Holmgren would have given him a 6-year deal with a NMC, though.

I just think this fan base, as I've stated before, assumes a lot of young players. Having Maata/Harrington/Pouliot being 3 of your top-5 next season is the best case scenario, far from a forgone conclusion. I'd rather have a guy like Martin in my top-4 and have Harrington/Pouliot rotate in as needed with a guy like Cole.
- jmatchett383

Well, I am already scoffing at Harrington being in a top 4.. but, lets theorize a non Martin defense next season. And, lets just push it to having another year of experience going into the playoffs.


Letang - Maatta/Pouliot
Lovejoy - Maatta/Pouliot (Don't know which of the two would be bumped up)
Cole/Scuds/Dumo/Harringon

If the Lord almighty lets us dump Scuderi... we are most likely looking at Dumo/Cole with Harrington as the 7th. I see no issues with the top 4, and with a year, that bottom pair would be Cole, who has a fair bit of experience actually, and Dumo/Harrington, pseudo rookies, but playing bottom minutes.


Just my viewpoint, I don't see that as risky as it would have been if we traded Martin this year and forced another into the lineup for half a season for this playoffs.

Edit: As it stands now, Maatta is top 4... and Pouliot is looking to have the spot as his for next season most likely. So now its just Cole/etc being the #5 that is undetermined.

I understand the theory, but the Brooks Orpik contract says otherwise.
- cap1681

Orpik is making $5.5M per year, not $7M.

That's because this fan base has seen how overvaluing "experience" works out.
- jfkst1

There's experience, and then there's experience who can still produce.

I just think this fan base, as I've stated before, assumes a lot of young players. Having Maata/Harrington/Pouliot being 3 of your top-5 next season is the best case scenario, far from a forgone conclusion. I'd rather have a guy like Martin in my top-4 and have Harrington/Pouliot rotate in as needed with a guy like Cole.
- jmatchett383

Stop saying sensible things. That doesn't fly around here and you should know that. Next you'll be saying Kasperi Kappenen isn't guaranteed to be the Calder Trophy winner in 15-16.

I understand the theory, but the Brooks Orpik contract says otherwise.
- cap1681

Stop saying sensible things. That doesn't fly around here and you should know that. Next you'll be saying Kasperi Kappenen isn't guaranteed to be the Calder Trophy winner in 15-16.
- Emperor Filonius

You think he's limited to the Calder? I had him penciled in as the Art Ross/Selke/Conn Smythe winner as well. Hart goes without saying.

There's experience, and then there's experience who can still produce.
- jmatchett383

I like Martin and I like Ehrhoff too, but not at the expense of potentially crippling the team financially and stifling the playing time of the younger dmen. Both those guys will command a 4 year $24m contract if they want it and that will likely burden Pittsburgh if Pouliot continues to progress and Maatta returns healthy.